Luther for the Busy Man

THE WEEK OF TRINITY V - SUNDAYLESSON: LUKE 5:1-11When they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish, and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. Luke 5:6-7First of all, let us note here that those who believe in Christ will also have enough for their bodily needs. Christ attends to this matter here in supplying Peter and his partners with such a large number of fish, more than they would ever have dared to hope for.We see here how Christ is genuinely concerned for the bodily welfare of His disciples. If only there were not so much accursed unbelief! Take the example of St. Peter in this Gospel. Look into his heart, and you will find that he did not reckon with the possibility of catching so many fish. But God intervenes here and brings the fish into the net in greater numbers than any of them had desired.This example shows us that believers in Christ receive enough for their bodily needs. Unbelievers never have enough of anything. They never experience any real rest and are continually engrossed in the piling up of earthly possessions. This is how they become enmeshed in all kinds of harmful vices.What Paul writes to Timothy is only too true: “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).SL 11:1304 (2-3)PRAYER: You have given us the strongest of assurances, heavenly Father, that You will always watch over the needs of all Your children, even the needs of their bodies. Grant us the grace of contentment so that we always receive Your blessings with thanksgiving and with real benefit to ourselves and our neighbor, in and through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:131-140.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY IV - SATURDAYLESSON: MATTHEW 7:1-5“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned.” Luke 6:37Jesus is speaking here of uncharitable judging and condemnation, forming a good or bad opinion about something that cannot really be seen from the outside but is a judgement that only God can make. It can happen that you see your neighbor sinning on the one day, and God accepts him on the next day. You can also put on a very pious front and blot out all remembrance of your own sins.Christ has forbidden judging, for there can be no love or unity where such judging and condemning is current among men. To judge or condemn another man is nothing else but having a log in one’s eye such as all hypocrites have in their eyes. Those who have the idea that their piety exceeds that of other men always find something wrong with their brethren. No matter what their brethren do, they find fault with it, but they cannot see their own sins.If you see nothing but sin in others, without ever noticing the log in your own eye, you are falling under the judgement of God. You, who are so ready to judge and condemn another man, are a greater sinner before God than the worst scoundrel and the worst harlot, of whom God alone knows who is saved or condemned.All sin that other men commit is as nothing when compared with the sin that you commit with your uncharitable judgement of others.SL 11:1281 (26)PRAYER: To you and to no one else, O God, belongs all judgment and condemnation. Keep us always aware of this basic fact whenever we are tempted to judge and condemn our neighbor in defiance of the love that we should always manifest to him, in and through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:97-110.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY IV - FRIDAYLESSON: MATTHEW 6:1-4“Do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.” Luke 6:35In these words, Jesus outlines a basic Christian principle which involves our earthly property and its use in relieving the needs of our neighbor and helping him. Our earthly property should always be at the disposal of our neighbor. We should lend to our neighbor and give to him where and when he wills it.These are real commandments and not merely counsels, as has sometimes been suggested. Jesus does not mean here, “He who wants to attain perfection must follow this course.” In an effort to observe this counsel of perfection, men withdrew from the world into monasteries, seeking this perfection. For this reason alone, all monasteries are a devil’s delusion. For no people are greedier and less inclined to break off their wrong practices than those in monasteries.If one wants to be a Christian, one should be prepared, as Jesus says, to lend “expecting nothing in return.” If we are confronted with a case of need, where there is no possibility of repayment, we should make a free gift and remit all indebtedness, as Nehemiah did (Nehemiah 5:9-12).God gave you your property, and He can certainly give you more if you continue to trust him. If you are wrongfully deprived of something, do not demand it again for yourself. Let your neighbor step forth on your behalf and help you, so that you do not have to suffer excessively. Your neighbor should help you and protect you against wrong and violence. If you want to be Christians, you must lend and give and even suffer the deprivation of your goods, or your faith will be lacking.SL 11:1279 (20-21)PRAYER: You have given us everything, O God. Train us in your ways so that we, too, may learn to give everything for the welfare of our neighbor, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:97-110.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY IV - THURSDAYLESSON: JAMES 2:14-17Brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11Good works should always be a sure sign to me, resembling a seal on a letter, to make me certain that my faith is right. If I feel in my heart that a certain work has flowed from the love in my heart, I can be certain that my faith is as it should be. If I forgive, my forgiveness should assure me that my own faith is a living reality. It guarantees and proves my own faith that God has forgiven me and forgives me daily. But if I do not forgive, I should quickly have to conclude that there is something lacking in my faith.This was also Abraham’s experience. Works made his own faith known to him. God certainly knew that he had faith, but Abraham also had to know this and prove his faith.Works are therefore the fruits and proof which freely follow faith. Of what use would it be to me if I had a strong faith but did not know it? It would be like having a chest full of florins and not knowing it. This would be of no use to me. But if someone made this known to me, his service to me would seem like a gift.So also with faith. If I have faith and do not know it, it is of no use to me. Therefore, it must break forth and become known to me by the works which follow it. Peter urges us to do good works, not that we should thereby be called, but to confirm our call and offer proof of it.SL 11:1277 (16-17)PRAYER: Lord God, heavenly Father, endow us with a true, living faith which always proves itself in works of love to our neighbor, for the Savior’s sake. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:97-110.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY IV - WEDNESDAYLESSON: 2 CORINTHIANS 6:1-2What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? I Corinthians 4:7We must always receive before we can give. Before we practice mercy, we must receive mercy from God. We never lay the first stone. The sheep does not seek out the shepherd, but the shepherd the sheep.See to it, then, that you always keep works in their proper place. You do not obtain anything from God by your works. You obtain all that you receive from God without any merit or worthiness on your part at all, as God says to us in Isaiah, “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me” (Isaiah 65:1). At the end of the same chapter, God says, “Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24). Before we seek Him, He finds us; before we ask after Him, He already hears us.This is also what Paul says in the famous section of Romans, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justified him who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:23-26).Paul explains it all very neatly when he says later on in Romans, “If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace” (Romans 11:6).SL 11:1276 (15)PRAYER: O God our Father, let us find mercy in Your sight so that we have grace to serve You acceptably with due reverence and godly fear, and further grace not to receive Your undeserved love in vain or to neglect it or fall away from it, but to stir us up to grow up in it and persevere therein, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:97-110.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY IV - TUESDAYLESSON: HEBREWS 11:17-19“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5Someone may wonder how we can reconcile what Jesus teaches in this Gospel with our frequent contention that works count for nothing with God and play no part at all in obtaining a favorable judgement from Him. How does it come to pass that the very opposite seems to be set forth by Christ in this Gospel? Christ says, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:36-38).The gist of all these statements seems to be that we must gain God’s favor for ourselves by means of our works, and that by our works we must win God over so that He is merciful to us and forgives us. We, on the other hand, have always been most emphatic in insisting that it is faith alone that achieves all this.Note well, then, that St. Paul, with the whole testimony of Scripture oft-repeated on his side, insists on the necessity of faith, that we must have dealings with God through pure faith alone. Hence, you must understand passages like the ones which we have here in our Gospel as teaching that works are the proof and verification of faith. If I have faith, then I must be merciful, refrain from judging and condemning, forgive and give to my neighbor.SL 11:1275 (13-14)PRAYER: Grant us your grace, O God, that we may always demonstrate the genuineness of our faith in abundant works of mercy towards our neighbor for Christ’s sake. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:97-110.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY IV - MONDAYLESSON: PSALM 89:1-4The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Exodus 34:6Where mercy is not practiced, there is no Christian faith. If your heart is established in faith, so that you know and realize how merciful and good God has proved Himself to be as far as you are concerned, without any merit on your part and absolutely for nothing on His part, when you were still His enemy and a child of eternal damnation—if you really believe all this, you have no other alternative at all but to manifest a similar spirit towards your neighbor. And you do all this out of love for God and for the benefit of your neighbor.Take care, then, that you make no distinction between friend and foe, between worthy and unworthy. All who have experienced God’s mercy deserved anything but mercy. This will be the case also when we show mercy to others. This is what our Lord Himself wanted to emphasize for us when He said, “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish” (Luke 6:35).Mercy will be a constant fruit of true Christian faith.SL 11:1275 (12)PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, Your mercy and compassion were always freely extended to all who had gone astray. Inflame our hearts with the fire of Your love, that we also may extend our mercy and compassion to all our fellowmen, whether friend or foe. In Your name we ask it. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:97-110.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY IV - SUNDAYLESSON: LUKE 6:36-42“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36Jesus is not speaking here of the kind of mercy that human reason commends and suggests to us. This is a mercy which is selfish and self-seeking, which gives to those who are important and learned, to those who have earned it and merited it, to those whom it loves or who are beautiful, to those from whom it can expect some benefit or advantage. For if I give to him who has earned it, or if I consider beauty or friendship, I am only performing a duty or paying a debt and not carrying out an act of mercy at all.This is what the Lord meant when He said in the section immediately preceding this Gospel, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again” (Luke 6:32-34).The mercy of Christians does not seek its own advantage or repayment of any kind. It must always be extended in all directions. We must open our eyes and keep them fixed on all men alike, on friend and foe, and be merciful, even as our heavenly Father is merciful.SL 11:1274 (11)PRAYERS: Your steadfast love, O Lord, never ceases, and your mercy towards us knows no ending; it is new every morning and accompanies us in the night seasons. Grant us grace to follow and practice a similar mercy towards our fellowmen, for your name’s sake. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:97-110.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY III - SATURDAYLESSON: LUKE 19:1-10The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15If you feel your sins biting you, and your heart is wavering and beginning to tremble, take your place on the side where the tax collectors are standing, for they are the people for whom the Gospel is intended.Do this quite joyfully and say, “Dear God, according to your own words, there is greater joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. All the angels and the righteous are interceding for this sinner and covering his sin. Now, dear God, here I am, and I feel my sins. My case is already decided. All I now need is a shepherd to seek me out; I will entrust myself feely to your Gospel.”So, you come to God, and you are already the sheep that God has taken on His shoulders; you have already found your shepherd. You are the coin already lying in the hand; you are the one over whom all the angels of heaven are rejoicing.Whether you feel all this right away or not must not disturb you in any way. Sin falls away gradually, and the bite in your conscience will impel you to keep on seeking God. You must fight with your faith against your feeling and say, “Dear God, I know what you have said; to this Word I will cling. I am the sheep and the coin; you are the shepherd and the woman.”SL 11:1241 (21-22)PRAYER: I thank and praise You, heavenly Father, for Your grace and mercy in seeking me out and finding me with Your Gospel of salvation. Preserve and keep me in Your mercy and grace, in and through Jesus Christ the Savior. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:57-66.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY III - FRIDAYLESSON: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7“There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10When sinners come to Christ in response to the invitation of the Gospel, He does not reproach them with their sins. He remains silent and covers their sins. He could put us to shame and trample us underfoot, as the Pharisees do, but He does not do that. At the last judgement, He will certainly come forth, and all that has remained hidden will be revealed.We must follow the example of Christ. A maiden must place her garland of chastity upon a whore, a pious wife must give her veil to an adulteress, and we must be prepared to use any of our garments to cover sin. Every man will have his sheep and every woman her coin. All our gifts must be placed at each other’s disposal.In God’s judgement, there is no greater sin on this earth than that committed by pious men, women, and maidens when they despise those who are held fast in their sins. At the same time, they are under the delusion that their natural endowment can help them out. They blow themselves up with their own perfections and self-importance and despise their neighbor.Hence, this Gospel provides powerful consolation to poor sinners because it is so friendly to sinners, and at the same time it must be a source of some fear to the Pharisees.SL 11:1240 (17-19)PRAYER: Have mercy on us at all times, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy, blot out all our sins in accordance with Your promises, in and through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:57-66.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY III - THURSDAYLESSON: MATTHEW 18:10-14He told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ … Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.’” Luke 15:3-6, 8-9Christ is the shepherd, and He is also the woman. It is Christ who has lit the lamp, that is, the Gospel, and it is Christ who walks about in the wilderness, that is, the world, and who sweeps the house seeking the lost sheep and the lost coin. He does this seeking with His Word so that, first of all, sin is proclaimed to us and, thereafter, grace and mercy.When we are told here that the shepherd takes up the lost sheep on His shoulders, the reference is to the fact that our sin has been laid on Christ’s shoulders. This certainly must strengthen our confidence in Christ, and this must also follow from the way in which tax collectors and other sinners flocked to Him and were received by Him. Had they regarded him as nothing but a stubborn judge, they would never have come to Him. But these sinners recognized themselves as sinners in need of His grace. And when they heard tell of His attractive words, they came to Him.Learn from this that we should seek out our neighbor to cover his shame with our honor and to hide his sin with our piety.SL 11:1239 (15-16)PRAYER: It is not Your will, O Lord, that we should ever delight in the sins of others and gloat over them, but that we should rather help them to repentance and provide joy in heaven. Fix this truth in our hearts in such a way that we always act according to it, for the sake of Jesus our Savior. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:57-66.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY III - WEDNESDAYLESSON: 2 CORINTHIANS 7:5-13“I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7In the example of Christ, we are shown how we are to conduct ourselves towards sinners. Inwardly, in our heart, we must be prepared to serve them; outwardly, with the tongue, we should also instruct them in all earnestness.This is what God expects of us, and this is also what Jesus, the captain of our salvation, has demonstrated for us. St. Paul also makes this quite plan to us when he says in his Epistle to the Philippians, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which you have in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:4-8).Christ was absolutely perfect in all righteousness, and He could have simply condemned all of us. But He does not do this. What does he do? He gives Himself to us as our servant. His righteousness served our sins; His perfection made up for our frailty; His life conquered our death.We see this also quite clearly in this Gospel from Christ’s friendly attitude towards sinners, which made the Pharisees murmur.SL 11:1238 (13-14)PRAYER: As Your disciples, Lord Jesus, the interests of others are our interests. It is Your clearly expressed will that we should always concern ourselves with the interests of others. May we apply this truth as Your disciples, Lord Jesus, especially in our efforts to help sinners to repentance and the forgiveness of their sins, for Your mercy and truth’s sake. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:57-66.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY III - TUESDAYLESSON: MATTHEW 9:10-13“This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:2To help assist sinners in finding the true way out of their sins and to conquer sin are the really important and significant works in which we Christians should train ourselves. But not many are concerned about these works; most people by-pass them. The practice has died out and, to a large extent, become extinct. In preference, following the devil, one man goes to St. James; another builds a church; a third man establishes a mass. One man does this, another that. No one ever seems to think of making intercession for sinners. Hence, it is to be feared that the holiest of men are quite likely to end up in the very depths of hell and that heaven will be made up mostly of sinners.It would be a real Christian work to interest yourself in some poor sinner; to go to the place where you pray to God in private and offer earnest prayer to Him, saying, “I hear that this poor sinner (naming him) has fallen and is held fast in sin. Help him up, dear God!” In this way you would be receiving a sinner with Jesus and serving him.This is what Moses did when the Jews worshipped the molten calf. He became wrapped up in this sin and reproached them for it in all severity. Three thousand men were put to death when the avenging sword passed from gate to gate on this occasion (Exodus 32:27-28). But in the end Moses fell down before God and interceded with God to forgive them their sin or blot him out of the book of life (Exodus 32:32). This was a man who knew that God loved him and had written his name in His book of life. But Moses said, “Lord, I would prefer it if you condemned me and forgave the people their sin.” We have another example of this concern for sinners in the apostle Paul (Romans 9:3).SL 11:1237 (8-9)PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Your readiness to receive sinners and to help them with Your grace and forgiveness has been made very plain to us in Your Gospel. Grant us such a clear understanding of Your Word and mission that we always manifest a similar concern for sinners and do our utmost to make known to them the help available in Your Gospel. In Your name we ask it. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:57-66.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY III - MONDAYLESSON: ROMANS 5:15-17The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him … the Pharisees and the scribes murmured. Luke 15:1-2In our Gospel, two groups are set before us as an example and for our instruction. First of all, there are the Pharisees and hypocrites. These people were regarded as models of perfection in respect to all kinds of piety and godliness. They were immersed in holiness over their ears. Secondly, there are the open sinners and tax collectors. These people were immersed in sin over their ears. For this reason, they were despised by the hypocritical “saints” and regarded as unworthy of all fellowship with them.Christ comes in between these two groups and delivers a judgement. He points out to these “saints” that they must yield themselves in service to the “sinners,” load up the “sinners” and carry them on their shoulders and take thought how to help them out of their sins with their righteousness and piety. The “saints” do not want to accept this role. But this is truly the proper procedure here and what must be done.The correct Christian procedure is to fall down and become completely linked with the “sinner,” no matter how deeply he is immersed in the mire of sin. This sin you must take upon yourself and wallow your way out of the mire with it, treating it just as if it were your own sin. Reproach and chastisement are necessary, and the whole matter must be treated in all earnestness. You must never despise a sinner but love him with all your heart. If you are proud and despise a sinner, there is no hope for you; you stand utterly condemned.SL 11:1236 (6-7)PRAYER: Fill our hearts at all times with Your grace and love, Lord Jesus, that with You we may love all sinners and lead them in faith to the victory over sin which You have achieved by Your suffering and death on the cross and now offer to sinners in Your Gospel, for Your mercy and truth’s sake. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:57-66.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY III - SUNDAYLESSON: LUKE 15:1-10The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2It is not at all unusual for religious people to assume a very self-righteous attitude over against those whom they regard as “sinners,” to turn up their noses at those who are not as holy as they themselves are, and to despise and shun them. This is always the way of human reason; it cannot be otherwise. Self-righteous men are always close to hypocrisy and cannot help despising those who are not like themselves. Their own life counts for everything with them. They blow themselves up and cannot bring themselves to show any consideration at all for “sinners.” They know nothing at all about becoming servants of other men and never realize that their own piety should be of service to other men. They are also very proud and hard and do not understand how to manifest love to others. Confronted with a case of need, they are quite likely to argue as follows: “This bumpkin is not even worthy to undo my shoes; how can I be expected to show him my love?”This is often where God comes in to play His part. He allows this proud spirit to take a heavy fall and to receive a sound rebuff. A marriage may break up and, at times, something even more terrible can happen, so that in the end this proud spirit is forced to lash out against himself, saying, “Keep quiet and get a grip on yourself, brother; you are no more than the material out of which this ‘bumpkin’s’ trousers are made.” In this way, he comes to realize that we are all the one cake and that one donkey does not have to become another donkey’s pack animal. We are all born from the same flesh. SL 11:1236 (5)PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, You have taught us that the greatest of all is the servant of all and that the humble shall be exalted. Preserve within us a simple, humble heart and faith, ever ready to serve all men, for Your name’s sake. Amen. Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:57-66.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY II - SATURDAYLESSON: PSALM 84“Compel people to come in!” Luke 14:23We must understand the compulsion referred to here as applying to those who have a despondent and feeble conscience. These people should also be invited to the banquet and compelled to come in. The reference, however, is not to any external compulsion but to an inner, spiritual compulsion.This results when the Law is preached and sin is disclosed and brought to light, so that a man comes to realize what he really is. He is brought under compulsion, compelled to come in, when a vivid knowledge of sin is stirred up in his conscience. As a result of this, he also realizes that he is nothing in God’s sight, that all his works are sinful and even condemnatory. His despondent conscience and tender, terrified heart so overwhelm him that he loses all confidence in himself and can see no help at hand anywhere to provide any comfort at all. In this wretched condition he is finally led to despair.When a man has been brought under compulsion in this way, you should not delay with the invitation to “come in” and help him out of this despondency. This is achieved when you comfort him with the Gospel, telling him how he has been freed from his sins with the words, “Believe in Christ, that He has freed you from your sins and you will be rid of your sins.” This is what is meant in this Gospel by compelling men to come in so that the householder’s home may be filled.SL 11:1214 (12-13)PRAYER: Lord, you have reminded us in a very vivid manner that we are always confronted with a situation of grave urgency respecting our invitation to men to come in and partake of the banquet prepared for them in your kingdom of grace. Grant us wisdom and courage to perform our duties in this area with determination and love, in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:33-38.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY II - FRIDAYLESSON: JOHN 10:14-16“Then the householder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’” Luke 14:21The householder’s instruction to his servant to go out quickly “to the streets and lanes of the city” refers to the fact that the Jews proved themselves unworthy of the Gospel and turned away from it. As a result of this, the disciples of Christ turned to the Gentiles. Before His resurrection, Christ instructed His disciples not to turn to the Gentiles or to preach in the cities of the Samaritans. They were too busy themselves only with the sheep of the house of Israel and to pasture them. This they also did.But later, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, when the Jews opposed Christ’s Word of salvation and refused to accept it, the apostles told the Jews, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us” (Acts 13:46-47). The apostles then quoted a passage from the prophet Isaiah, “I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6).The same instruction is given by the householder to the servant here in this Gospel: “Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame. Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:21, 23).SL 11:1214 (11)PRAYER: O God, in your great mercy and grace you have given us the good news of salvation in your Son Jesus Christ. Fill our hearts with thankfulness so that we may tell abroad the glad tidings which we have received, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:33-38.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY II - THURSDAYLESSON: LUKE 14:25-33He called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” Mark 8:34-35He who gives up something for the Gospel really loses nothing. Even if you lose your earthly life for Christ’s sake, He will give you another, better life, eternal life, as Christ Himself says: “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). If you have to leave child and wife, remember that God can take care of them and be a much better father to them than you have ever been. There is no doubt at all about this. Believe it with all your heart!You have equally great assurance, together with rich promises and encouragement, that He will never fall down on His Word. He will keep His Word, as we shall also discover if we are ready to put our trust in it and to resign ourselves to it. He has given us His Word and promised; what more could we want, or what could we desire that is greater?Is something lacking? Only in our faith. Let no one come to this banquet unless he comes with a thorough-going faith which exalts God above all creatures and loves Him above all else.SL 11:1213 (10)PRAYER: Almighty God, so reign in our heart and soul that Christ may always have dominion there. Grant that we may continue in true faith to confess Him with our tongues and glorify Him by our works with You, O Father, and the blessed Spirit, now and forever. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:33-38.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY II - WEDNESDAYLESSON: MATTHEW 9:9-13“But they all alike began to make excuses.” Luke 14:18These words are a comment on Christ’s words reported in Matthew: “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37-38).There are really only very few who are endowed with adequate resignation to accept this invitation. For anyone who would come to this banquet must stake everything on the Gospel—body and property, wife and child, friend and foe. He must give up everything that separates him from the Gospel, no matter how good, correct, and holy it may be.You should not suppose that the men who excuse themselves here were gross sinners or mixed up in unjust activities and action. By no means! They could all present a very good front. It is not at all wrong to buy and carry-on business, to look after oneself well, to take a wife and marry. But we must not become involved in all these matters to such an extent that we cannot forsake them, clinging to them with all our heart. We must be prepared to forsake anything that is opposed to the Gospel. And self-denial will mean a cross.The Gospel is a word of the cross. It will set up stumbling-blocks over which some will certainly falter. We must be prepared to forsake everything rather than cut ourselves off from God’s Word or His love.SL 11:1212 (7-9)PRAYER: Almighty God, whose beloved Son, for our sake, willingly offered himself to endure the cross, its agony and its shame, remove from us all coldness and cowardice of heart and give us courage to take up our allotted task and follow Him, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:33-38.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY II - TUESDAYLESSON: MATTHEW 22:1-14“Come; for all is now ready.” Luke 14:17The message which the servant was to convey to the invited guests to urge them to come to the banquet was: “Come; for all is now ready.” Christ died; He slaughtered sin and death in His death; He rose from the dead; the Holy Spirit was given; in short, everything that belonged to this banquet was prepared. Everything was prepared in such a way that it would cost us nothing. Through Christ, the Father assumed the whole cost so that we might enjoy His blessings without any merit or contribution on our part and become abundantly rich.First of all, He sent out His servant to the Jews to invite men to this banquet. The Jews had received special promises and undertakings from God about this banquet. The law of Moses and all the prophets were set up and appointed to prepare the people of Israel for God, as the angel Gabriel also stated of John the Baptist to his father Zechariah:“He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared” (Luke 1:15-17).When the Jews had trotted out all their excuses to John the Baptist and the apostles, to a very large extent rejecting Christ, the invitation to come to the banquet was extended to the Gentiles.SL 11:1211 (5-6)PRAYER: Lord, You have made it quite plain in Your all-embracing Gospel invitation that all are welcome in Your kingdom. May we at all times receive this invitation whole-heartedly and treat it in all seriousness for ourselves and others, through Christ our Lord and for the glory of His name. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:33-38.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY II - MONDAYLESSON: ISAIAH 55:1-7“A man once gave a great banquet and invited many; and at the time for the banquet, he sent his servant.” Luke 14:16-17Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast.” Matthew 22:1-3This invitation was sent out in the manner described in this Gospel. The man sent out his servant to invite guests to this great banquet. The Apostles were sent out by Christ into all the world with one and the same message: to invite men to this heavenly banquet with one voice, with one Gospel, with one message.If St. Peter had ever preached at a place where St. Paul had previously preached the Gospel, it would have been one and the same proclamation, the one like the other. It would not have been difficult for the hears to declare, “Peter preaches exactly the same message that we heard from Paul. They agree perfectly; they proclaim one and the same message.”To indicate this basic sameness in the proclamation of the message, the evangelist says here, “At the time for the banquet he sent his servant.” He does not say “servants” or “many servants,” but “servant.”SL 11:1211 (4)PRAYER: We thank and praise You, heavenly Father, for the one, clear message of salvation, which You have given us in Your Gospel of salvation. Strengthen us in such a way that we always cling to this with our whole hearts, for Christ’s sake. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:33-38.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY II - SUNDAYLESSON: LUKE 14:16-21“A man once gave a great banquet.” Luke 14:16In this Gospel, as well as in the remainder of Holy Scripture, we must make an effort, to the best of our ability, to grasp the true, simple meaning of the text and to rest our heart and conscience on it. Anyone who wants to do battle with the devil must not waver to and fro or totter, but must be sure of his ground, armed with clear and certain Scripture. Otherwise, when the devil gets him on to his fork by means of an unsure understanding, he will toss him to and fro like the wind tosses a dry leaf.In this Gospel we must also obtain a sure understanding so that we may stand our ground. It has nothing at all to do with the Lord’s Supper, as has sometimes been claimed with the assistance of some really hair-splitting exegesis.The sum and substance of this Gospel is that the Gospel has been preached and proclaimed in all the world, but only few accept it. It is called a “banquet” or a supper because the Gospel will be the last, final word and doctrine which will bring this world to a close.This supper, then, is nothing else but a rich, precious meal, which God has made ready by means of the Gospel, through Christ, in which He sets before us great blessings and rich treasures.SL 11:1210 (1-3)PRAYER: Lord, You have set before us great blessings and rich treasures in the banquet prepared for us through Your Son and offered to us in Your Gospel. May we never lose sight of these blessings and treasures but ever regard them as our highest good, in and through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 4:33-38.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - SATURDAYLESSON: HEBREWS 3:7-15Abraham said, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them … If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” Luke 16:29, 31In this Gospel you see how Abraham refuses to send someone from the dead to teach the living at the request of the rich man. He reminds the rich man that the living have Moses and the prophets to whom they should give heed.In these words, we are also reminded of God’s prohibition against any kind of consultation of the dead on the part of the living (cf. Deuteronomy 18:10-12). It is certainly a devilish apparition when spirits make themselves known to men in response to various invocations, and request men to offer up masses for the dead, to undertake pilgrimages for them and to perform other works. There have also been claims that they have given assurances of success to those who have heeded their instructions.In this way, the devil has misled men into putting their trust in works and drawn them away from faith. He has created the illusion among men that works can perform great wonders. What St. Paul foretold is being fulfilled, that God sends upon those who perish and refuse to love the truth and be saved “a strong delusion, to make them believe what is false” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11).Therefore, be well advised and learn that God refuses to make known how the dead fare after this life. Here the only thing that can help us is faith through God’s Word, faith which believes that after this life God receives believers into blessedness and condemns unbelievers. This is made abundantly clear in the Gospel of the rich man and poor Lazarus.SL 11:1207 (31-32)AE 78:65PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, You are with us throughout our life; abide with us also at our death. Grant us not to die eternally but to rise to life everlasting with You and in You, who live and reign in the glory of the eternal Trinity, one God, forevermore. Amen.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - FRIDAYLESSON: LUKE 12:16-21Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.” Luke 16:25The inability of Lazarus to render bodily service to his neighbor has been more than recompensed by the rich spiritual service he has been enabled to render to others. For now, after his death, he serves the whole world with his sores, hunger, and distress. His bodily hunger feeds our spiritual hunger; his bodily nakedness clothes our spiritual nakedness; his bodily sores heal our spiritual sores.He teaches and comforts us by his example, reminding us that God can still be pleased with us even if things do not go well with us here on earth, provided that we have faith. He warns us that God’s wrath can come upon us even if things go well for us in unbelief, even as God was pleased with him in his wretchedness and displeased with the rich man.What king, with all his wealth, could render the whole world a service comparable with the service rendered us by Lazarus with his sores, hunger, and poverty? How wonderful are God’s works and judgements! In what a masterly manner He puts to shame the clever fool, with his reason and worldly wisdom, who prefers to see the beautiful purple of the rich man rather than the sores of poor Lazarus, who would rather look at a healthy man like the rich man than at an ugly naked body like that of Lazarus.Christian faith brings about a complete change in our whole set of values.SL 11:1200 (16-17)AE 78:59PRAYER: Enlighten us with Your Holy Spirit, heavenly Father, that we may always get and keep our values straight as Your children by faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - THURSDAYLESSON: PHILIPPIANS 3:7-11Without faith it is impossible to please him [God]. Hebrews 11:6We should not form an estimate of Lazarus with his sores, poverty, and troubles only from external factors. For there are many people who suffer want and trouble without ever deriving any benefit from it. King Herod had to endure terrible sufferings, as we are reminded in the Acts of the Apostles (12:23). But his status before God did not improve thereby.Poverty and suffering in themselves do not make men acceptable to God. But the poverty and suffering of one who is already acceptable to God is something precious in God’s sight, as the psalmist declares, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15).We must look into the heart of Lazarus and search there for the treasure which made his sores so precious. This, without a doubt, was his faith and love, for without faith nothing can please God, as the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews reminds us (11:6). The heart of Lazarus must have been so constituted that, even in the midst of his poverty and wretchedness, he looked to God for all good and found his only consolation in reliance on God.Moreover, he experienced such rich satisfaction and pleasure in God’s goodness and grace that he would have readily endured more suffering had that been the will of his gracious God. It was a real, living faith which, through the realization of God’s goodness, softened his heart so that nothing was too onerous or difficult for him to endure or do. Faith makes the heart experienced when it experiences God’s grace.SL 11:1199 (12-14)AE 78:59PRAYER: Give us such faith in You and Your sure purposes, heavenly Father, that we do not measure our lives simply by what we have done or failed to do, but by our obedience to Your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - WEDNESDAYLESSON: MATTHEW 25:31-46Through love be servants of one another. Galatians 5:13One sin follows another. The rich man clothed in purple and faring sumptuously every day forgot his love towards his neighbor. He let poor Lazarus lie at his door and gave him no help. Even if he was disinclined to give Lazarus some help personally, he could still have ordered his servants to make a shed available to him where they could have done something for him.This came about because he had no real understanding of God and had never experienced God’s goodness. He who has experienced God’s goodness also has some feeling for his neighbor’s misfortune. But he who has never experienced God’s goodness, also has no feeling for his neighbor’s misfortune. Even as he finds no pleasure in God, so also his neighbor’s plight never touches his heart.Faith is so constituted that it looks to God for all that is good and relies on God alone. Out of such faith man learns to know God, how good and gracious He is. From this knowledge of God, man’s heart is also softened and inclined to mercy, so that he readily does for everyone what he feels God has done for him.The result of all this is love, by which a man begins to serve his neighbor with his whole heart, with body and life, with property and honor, with soul and spirit. He is ready to bestow everything on his neighbor, as God has done this for him. He does not look for healthy, high, strong, rich, noble, and holy people, who have no need of him, but for the sick, the weak, the poor, the despised people who are sinners, to whom he can be useful. On these he can exercise his mercy and serve them as God has served him.SL 11:1197 (7-8)AE 78:57PRAYER: Teach us, O Lord, that it is always better to give than to receive, better to serve than to be served, after Your own example, that we may always help our needy neighbor, for Your mercy and truth’s sake. Amen.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - TUESDAYLESSON: 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-10If riches increase, set not your heart on them. Psalm 62:10Where there is true Christian faith, rich attire and sumptuous food will never be major considerations. Christian faith does not look for earthly good, honor, pleasure, power, or anything outside of God Himself. It seeks, desires, and clings to nothing but God, who alone is the highest good.Whether there is costly fare or little to eat, whether there is splendid attire or nothing but very simple clothing, makes very little difference to Christian faith. Even if Christians must wear costly attire and wield great power in a position of honor, they think little of it. It may be that they have been forced into this by circumstances or that they must adopt such procedures in the interests of their neighbor. Queen Esther declared that she wore her royal crown reluctantly but was compelled to do so for the sake of the king. David would have preferred to remain a common man. He was compelled to become king for God’s sake and the sake of the people.This is the way all believers regard their elevated roles in this world. They are compelled to accept power, honor, and glory, but they never allow their roles in life to ensnare their hearts. Basically, they continue to serve God and their neighbor however they may find themselves situated in this life.SL 11:1196 (5)AE 78:56-57PRAYER: O God, our Father, Your Word is better than gold, and Your counsels are more precious than anything else in life. Grant us wisdom to seek the true riches, to know and possess You, and to be known and possessed by You, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - MONDAYLESSON: 2 CORINTHIANS 8:8-15“There was a rich man … who feasted sumptuously every day.” Luke 16:19When we measure this rich man by the fruits of faith, we shall find a heart and a tree of unbelief. The Gospel reproaches him for feasting sumptuously daily and for decking himself out in costly apparel. Reason does not regard such matters as especially great sins. It could even be that a man imbued with the idea of work-righteousness would regard all this as perfectly in order, imagining that he had deserved all this by his holy life, without any real conception of committing sin by such conduct because of his unbelief.This rich man is not really reproached for his costly food and his splendid attire. Many holy men and women, king and queens in times past, have worn costly attired like Solomon, Esther, David, Daniel, and many others.The rich man in this Gospel is reproached for setting his heart on these things—seeking, choosing, and clinging to them; finding all his joy, pleasure, and relish in them; and making idols of these things.This is what Christ indicates with the expression “every day.” He lived in this glorious manner “every day.” He sought and chose this way of life deliberately. He was not forced to accept it by circumstance or because of his office. This way of life could not redound in any way to the welfare of his neighbor. He was simply concerned about fulfilling his own pleasure. He lived for himself and served no one but himself.Herein we see the secret sin of his heart, his unbelief and lack of true faith manifesting itself in selfish, sinful, and wicked fruits.SL 11:1196 (4)AE 78:56PRAYER: Open our eyes and hearts to the needs of our neighbor, heavenly Father, that our lives do not simply become a continuous exercise in self-interest and routines which promote nothing but ourselves, but keep our hearts open to receive Your love for service to our neighbor, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY I - SUNDAYLESSON: LUKE 16:19-31“There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen.” Luke 16:19We must not simply form an opinion on this rich man from his external conduct. He is dressed in sheep’s clothing, and his life outwardly glitters and seems beautiful, covering the wolf to perfection.The Gospel does not accuse him of adultery, murder, robbery, or violation of law. It brings no charge against him with which the world or reason could find fault. He was just as honorable in his life as the Pharisee who fasted twice in the week and did not do what other men did, and of whom Luke also writes in his Gospel (18:11-12). Had he committed any gross crime, the Gospel would undoubtedly have mentioned it. It describes this man in such detail that it even mentions his “purple” clothing and what kind of table he kept.These are external matters, and God does not necessarily judge any man according to them. In all probability, this rich man led a fine, holy life outwardly and according to his own thinking and that of other men, keeping the whole law of Moses. He cannot be judged simply by external appearances. One must look into his heart and judge him according to his spirit.The Gospel has very sharp eyes; it looks into the depth of the heart. The Gospel can fault works of which reason may approve. Nor is the Gospel fooled by the sheep’s clothing. It knows how to regard the fruit of a tree, whether it is good or bad, as the Lord also says in Matthew’s Gospel, “Every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit” (Matthew 7:17).SL 11:1195 (2-3)AE 78:55-56PRAYER: You can read our hearts, O God, and know what we really are. You are never deceived by sheep’s clothing. May we always act in love and truth towards all our fellowmen and thereby demonstrate by fruits of faith that we are Your true children by faith in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - SATURDAYLESSON: EPHESIANS 6:13-18Be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18In the very first chapter of the Bible we are told, “The Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). This passage is not quite as clear as Matthew 28:19, because the Jews make it a little shaky for us when they tell us that the word for Spirit in Hebrew can also mean “wind.” David’s statement is clearer: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the Spirit of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6, RSV has “breath of his mouth”). From this passage, it is clear that the Holy Spirit is God because the heavens and their host were created through Him.David also says, “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there!” (Psalm 139:7-8). This is no language for a creature! No creature is to be found in all corners of the world, and no creature fills the whole world. This can only be affirmed of God, the Creator.Accordingly, we stick to the Scriptures and the statements of Scripture which attest the threefold person of God and say, “I know for sure that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are a living reality, but just how they are truly one I do not know and will never know.”SL 11:1151 (10-12)PRAYER: Holy, almighty, eternal, divine Spirit, of one authority and dominion with the Father and the Son, set up Your throne in our hearts. You who are pure, purify us! You who are light, enlighten us! You who are Lord and giver of life, grant us the true life which knows no end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:405-411.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - FRIDAYLESSON: MATTHEW 3:13-17“This is eternal life, that they know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent.” John 17:3You can have no more sure and certain basis for the deity of Christ than to wrap up your heart in clear passages of Scripture and, in this way, also lock up this truth in your hearts.Scripture begins in a very gentle manner and introduces us to Christ as a man. Then it brings Him before us as the Lord of all creatures. Finally, we are shown quite clearly and expressly that Christ is God. In this way, fine progress is made, and we learn to recognize God.The philosophers and worldly-wise men begin at the top and make fools of themselves in the process. You must begin at the bottom and make your way up so that Solomon’s words are not fulfilled in you: “It is not good to eat too much honey, and he who investigates difficult matters will find the going too hard” (Proverbs 25:27, Luther’s translation).Our faith in the two persons of the Father and the Son has been adequately grounded and established on clear passages of Scripture. On the third person, the Holy Spirit, we may well quote Christ’s words on sending out His disciples, “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” (Matthew 28:19).Here Christ assigns deity also to the Holy Spirit, inasmuch as I can trust or believe in no one else but God alone. I always need one who is mighty over death, hell, and the devil. He must also be able to rule over all creatures so that they cannot harm me and so that He can always pull me through. I must have one on whom I can freely build. Christ decides that we should believe and trust in the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Holy Spirit must be God.SL 11:1150 (8-9)PRAYER: Almighty and everlasting God, in Your mercy You have granted us the faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity. Keep us steadfast in this faith which leads us to the salvation which You have prepared for us in and through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:405-411.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - THURSDAYLESSON: PSALM 8He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Revelation 17:14In the second psalm, God says to His Son: “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage and the ends of the earth as your possession” (Psalm 2:8). Here He is clearly appointed as the King of all things because He is God’s Son. There has never been any ordinary prince or king to whom the whole world has been subjected.In a similar way, David openly calls Him a God when He says, “Thy throne, O God (RSV margin), endures forever and ever. Your royal scepter is a scepter of equity; you love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows” (Psalm 45:6-7).God appoints no one as such a king who is not Himself God. For He will not release the bridle from His own hands. He wants to remain Lord over heaven and earth, death, hell, the devil, and all creatures. Inasmuch, then, as God has made Christ Lord over all that has been created, Christ must certainly be regarded as being Himself true God together with God the Father.SL 11:1150 (7)PRAYER: Almighty God, so reign in our hearts and souls that Christ may have the sole dominion there. Grant that we may sincerely embrace Him with our whole hearts as King of kings and Lord of lords and continually glorify Him by our works of faith, together with Yourself, O Father, and the blessed Spirit, now and forever. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:405-411.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - WEDNESDAYLESSON: PSALM 145We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. Whosoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:14-15Paul says in Romans that God promised the Gospel beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, “the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:2-4). According to the flesh, then, He had a beginning, but, according to the Spirit, He has existed in eternity, although beforehand this was not clearly recognized.It was not necessary for us to make a God of Him; we simply declare Him to be God’s Son and accept Him as such. This is also the concern of the Holy Spirit. John says, “When the Spirit of truth comes … He will glorify me” (John 16:13-14).In another context, the evangelist John writes that Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, since thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made” (John 17:1-5).SL 11:1149 (6)PRAYER: Christ Jesus, Son of the eternal Father, through whom the invisible and most high became visible to mortal men, grant that by Your grace and power we may so live on this earth that we never lose the eternal treasure reserved for us in heaven, where You live and reign with the Father and the Sprit, one God, forevermore. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:405-411.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - TUESDAYLESSON: EPHESIANS 1:3-14[Jesus Christ] is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20God has forbidden us to worship any strange gods. Now we are told in John that it is God’s will that His Son should be honored with the honor with which He Himself is honored. John reports Christ’s words to the Jews.“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever he does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and greater works than these will he show him, that you may marvel.For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgement to the Son, that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him” (John 5:19-23).These are, I believe, crystal clear words about the deity of Christ. Inasmuch, then, as God commands us to have only one God and to give to no other creature the honor which belongs to God or is God’s due, He nevertheless bestows this honor upon Christ; Christ must be God.SL 11:1148 (5)PRAYER: You have shown us in many clear statements and testimonies, Lord God, that Your Son Jesus Christ is true God and deserving of the full honor of the godhead. Keep us ever mindful of the exalted nature of Your Son, that we may also be thereby encouraged to place all our faith and trust in Him as our Savior and Redeemer, in whose name we also ask this. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:405-411.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - MONDAYLESSON: PSALM 110:1-4He [Christ] reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature. Hebrews 1:3The Old Testament sets forth many clear testimonies on the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. David says: “The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool.’” The “right hand” means the royal throne, and this passage indicates that David’s “Lord,” Christ, is a Lord and King over all creatures and that everything is to be subjected to Him (Psalm 110:1).In another psalm we read: “What is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou dost care for him? Yet thou hast made him little less than God and dost crown him with glory and honor. Thou hast given him dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the sea” (Psalm 8:4-8). In other words, God has made Him Lord over the whole world.The apostle Paul refers to this psalm in Ephesians and Colossians and gives a masterly interpretation of it (Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 2:9-10). If God has set Him at His own right hand and made Him Lord of all things in heaven and on earth, He must be God. He could not sit at God’s right hand and have authority over all creatures if He were not God. For God will not share His glory with any else, as He states in Isaiah 48:11.So, there are two persons, the Father and the Son, to whom the Father has given as much as He himself has. To sit at God’s right hand means being the equal of God and having authority over all God's creatures. The One to whom this has been assigned must be God.SL 11:1148 (4)PRAYER: Lord Jesus, as true God together with Your heavenly Father, You are fully worthy of all honor and worship. Open our hearts at all times to the majesty of Your person and the scope of Your authority and power. Grant us this in Your mercy and grace, Lord Jesus, You who live and reign with Your Father and the Spirit, one God, forevermore. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:405-411.

THE WEEK OF TRINITY - SUNDAYLESSON: JOHN 3:1-15The Word was God … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14The Sunday after Pentecost has come to be regarded in the Church as the festival of the Holy Trinity. The word Trinity is not found in Holy Scripture; it has been devised and invented by men. That is also why it always sounds a little cold. It would be far better if we simply said “God” in place of the “Trinity.”This word signifies that God is threefold with respect to person. This is a heavenly matter which the world cannot understand. That is why I have so often reminded you that this article, as well as others, must not be based on reason or on any human similes or allegories; it must be based and ground on passages of the Scriptures. God Himself knows well what this article means and how He should speak about Himself.The theological schools have devised many distinctions, dreams, and fictions in their efforts to set forth the holy Trinity and have made fools of themselves in the effort. In this connection, then, we shall take simple statements of Scripture by which we may grasp and comprehend the deity of Christ.To begin, there are many passages to be quoted here from the New Testament. One of the best known of these passages forms the beginning of John’s Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:1-3). Accordingly, since He was not made but was the Maker Himself, He must be very God. And John says a little later, “And the Word became flesh.”SL 11:1146 (1-3)PRAYER: Worthy of praise from every mouth, of confession from every tongue, and worship from every creature is Your glorious name, O Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Abide with us, Your unworthy servants, with Your Word and grace, now and forever. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:405-411.

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - SATURDAYLESSON: LUKE 24:44-49“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:25-26If the Holy Spirit is to live up to His name, He cannot carry out His office anywhere else but where there is no counsel or comfort available and where such counsel and comfort is necessary and also desired. The Holy Spirit cannot comfort hard-headed men with frivolous hearts. Such men have never known any kind of inward struggle or tasted the bitter fruits of despair. They have never felt any particular need or spiritual distress, so the Holy Spirit has nothing to offer them. His office can be carried out only among the sorrowful, those in need of comfort, in hearts that are despairing.But what is His work? To teach “all things” and bring matters to remembrance that men must know. Some have explained this as meaning that the Scriptures do not contain all that man must believe and do or leave undone. The Holy Spirit’s work is to teach many things that Christ did not teach. This is absolutely against the work of the Holy Spirt and even quite absurd.Christ says quite clearly here: “He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you,” that is, “He will explain clearly what I am now telling you better than I am able to teach you with words. You will need no further words or explanations.”Christ bases His Word on the testimony of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit’s work to bear witness to Christ, and this testimony of the Spirit lives in our hearts so that we understand it and believe it. Hence, if anyone teaches you something different about Christ, do not accept it as coming from the Holy Spirit.SL 11:1029 (29-30)PRAYER: Holy Spirit of God, give us a new mind to comprehend the loving purposes of our God and Father, a new heart ever to rejoice in them, and the perseverance which keeps us on the paths of Your will, in Christ’s name. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:272-287.

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - FRIDAYLESSON: EPHESIANS 4:25-32If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25There must always be a mixture or blending in us: we must feel both the Holy Spirit and our sin and imperfection. If there is to be improvement in us, we must resemble a sick person in the hands of a physician. Therefore, let no one conclude as follows: this person has the Holy Spirit; therefore, he or she must be quite strong; bring forth the most precious works and never show any signs of weakness. Not so! The Gospel is not a proclamation for everyone.It is beyond measure a sweet proclamation, but if it encounters raw and acid hearts, it does not achieve its purpose. In this case, men become only more insolent and frivolous in the belief that there is really no need for them to struggle against sin. They have no real knowledge of sin or misfortune. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is given to no one but to those who are truly sorrowful because of their sins and who are afraid of the consequences. Among such people, the Gospel can go to work usefully and fruitfully.The gift of the Gospel is such an exalted and noble gift that God does not throw it to dogs. Even if the latter come by chance upon the Gospel and hear it preached, they simply devour it without knowing what they are devouring. For successful work, the Holy Spirit must encounter hearts which feel and realize their sinful lusts, and which know that by nature they are in a hopeless situation. There must be a struggle in the heart if the Spirit is to come with His help. No one should imagine that things can take another course here.SL 11:1027 (23)PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You have implanted desires in our hearts so great that only You can bring them to pass. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that we may successfully complete all that we have begun in Your name and in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:272-287.

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - THURSDAYLESSON: ROMANS 7:13-20Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26In connection with the Holy Spirit and His work, it is always necessary to maintain a certain reserve, so that we do not approach the Holy Spirit with an importunity that amounts to arrogance and a joyfulness that is almost levity.Some people are so filled with the Spirit that they become secure and imagine themselves to be on the threshold of perfection. A pious Christian is still flesh and blood like other men, except that he deeply deplores his sin and evil lust. He has experiences which he would rather forget. Unbelievers take little account of sin and do not allow it to bother them unduly.The important thing here is not merely the experience of evil lust and fighting against it. We must not allow our feelings and experience to determine the issue. We must not conclude that all is lost because we still feel our sins. We must keep on working at our sins every day of our lives and permit the Holy Spirit to continue His work in us. We must also have the earnest desire to get rid of our sins. This desire never ceases in believers.Such sighs penetrate so deeply that they reach a level where they are beyond words (Romans 8:26). But they have a precious auditor, the Holy Spirit Himself. He can fully appreciate all this sighing and comfort the conscience from which it comes.SL 11:1026 (21)PRAYER: Hear our sighs, O Holy Spirit, Comforter and Counsellor, and keep working on us with Your purposes of grace and salvation, in and through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:272-287.

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - WEDNESDAYLESSON: PHILIPPIANS 3:12-16Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Philippians 3:12We should learn to understand that a man who has received the Holy Spirit does not necessarily become a perfect Christian immediately, experiencing no further trouble from the Law or from sin. Nor is the Spirit’s presence always immediately evident from a spotless purity.We do not teach that the Holy Spirit has already fully performed His office and completed it but simply that He has begun to carry out His office, that His work is beginning to run its course and continually developing without ceasing.You will never find a single person who is without sin and sorrow, full of righteousness and joy, and so perfect that he is completely self-sufficient, serving everyone in perfect freedom. Scripture clearly tells us what the work and office of the Holy Spirit is, to save men from sin and its terrors, but that office is still not fully accomplished. Every Christian will at times feel sin in his heart and experience the terrors of death. He will be subject to all the assaults which assail other sinners.Unbelievers are held so fast in their sins that they no longer feel them. Believers, however, do feel them, but they have a helper, the Holy Spirit, who comforts them and strengthens them. Had the Spirit completed His office, this would not be the case.SL 11:1025 (19-20)PRAYER: We beseech You, O Lord, to grant us the comforting presence and aid of Your Holy Spirit, that, whatever by His teaching we know to be our duty, we may by His grace and mercy be able to perform, through Christ our Lord. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:272-287.

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - TUESDAYLESSON: MATTHEW 13:44-45“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name … will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26You will know who the Holy Spirit is if you know why He was given and what His office is. He it is who applies the treasure of Christ and all that He has to us—Christ who is given to us and proclaimed to us through the Gospel. It is the office of the Holy Spirit to fix this treasure in our hearts as our very own possession.When He has done this and you experience this treasure in your heart, it follows that you will have to ask yourself: If the real issue here is that your works count for nothing and that the Holy Spirit must work all this in you, why should you continue to flog yourself with works of the Law?All human works and the Law are no longer of any significance here, not even the law of Moses, for a man who has the treasure of Christ in his heart is above all law. The Holy Spirit teaches him better than all books, so that he understands the Scripture better than we can explain it to him and of himself does all that God wants of him. The Law can make no demands on him. The only real use of books is that one can use them to demonstrate in what manner the Holy Spirit teaches men.Our faith must never become a mere private matter which we keep to ourselves; it must burst forth. To establish and prove our faith, we must have Scripture. Take care, then, that you do not regard the Holy Spirit as a law-giver but as the one who abrogates the Law and sets men free, so that not a letter of it remains in force against you as far as your salvation is concerned.SL 11:1025 (17-18)PRAYER: Come Holy Spirit, Comforter and Counselor, with all Your gifts of grace in Christ and dwell in our hearts in such a way that we always have a confident assurance and remain free men, in and through Christ our Savior. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:272-287.

THE WEEK OF PENTECOST - MONDAYLESSON: EPHESIANS 2:19-22“When the Counsellor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me.” John 15:26In what way does the Holy Spirit change the heart and make it new? What means does He use to take hold of the heart? He does it by proclaiming and preaching the Lord Jesus Christ, as Christ Himself declares in John’s Gospel, “When the Counsellor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me.”We have often heard that this Gospel, which God allows to be preached in the world and proclaimed to everyone, teaches that no one can become righteous before God through the Law, but that the Law only makes the situation worse for every man. Therefore, God sent His beloved Son into the world to die and shed His blood for the world and to demonstrate that men cannot destroy their sins and get rid of them by their own strength and works.For the proclamation of this Gospel, something additional is needed. I do not necessarily believe this Gospel simply by hearing it preached. For this purpose, God has given us the additional gift of His Holy Spirit who impresses this Gospel upon our hearts, so that it sticks to the heart and lives in the heart. In the work of Christ, there is the whole treasure of salvation, but it is not necessarily distributed and applied.If we are to enjoy this treasure, the Holy Spirit must come to us and put this treasure into our hearts and awaken faith in this treasure in our hearts so that it becomes our very own possession. This is the special work of the Holy Spirit.SL. 11:1024 (15-16)PRAYER: Almighty and merciful Lord, in the gifts of Your Holy Spirit You have given us a sure pledge that Christ’s work of salvation belongs to us. May Your Holy Spirit always continue to bear witness with our spirit that we are Your children and heirs of Your kingdom, in and through our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:272-287.

THE DAY OF PENTECOST - SUNDAYLESSON: JOHN 14:23-31The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples of Christ were all together in one place, the Holy Spirit came upon them and filled them. Before this joyful event, they sat in deep gloom, fear, and sorrow. The Spirit gave them cloven tongues of fire, enkindled them so that they became bold, preached freely in groups, and were afraid of nothing.From all this, you see quite clearly that it is not the office of the Holy Spirit to write books or to set up laws but to abolish all this in the interests of freedom. The Holy Spirit is a God who does His writing in the heart, making it burn. He supplies a man with new courage so that he becomes joyful before God and begins to love Him and then serves his fellowman with a joyful heart.To set forth the Holy Spirit in this light is to preach the Holy Spirit correctly. Do not believe anyone who sets forth the Spirit in a different light. If the Spirit comes in this way, you see that He annuls the letter of the Law and wants to free men from sins and the Law. Indeed, He wants to make it quite clear that we have no further use of the Law and that He rules inwardly in our hearts without the Law.SL 11:1023 (14)PRAYER: Renew our spirits by Your Holy Spirit, heavenly Father, and draw our hearts to Yourself in Him. Let us not serve You as slaves, with a spirit of bondage, but with freedom and gladness as Your true sons, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:272-287.

THE WEEK OF ASCENSION - SATURDAYLESSON: 1 THESSALONIANS 1:2-10“And you also are witnesses, because you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:27“When you have become sure and certain through the Holy Spirit who has witnessed to you, then first and foremost you will bear witness to Me.”This is Christ’s conviction about His disciples. He had, of course, chosen them as His apostles; they had heard His words and doctrine; they had seen His works and His life. All this would be very important to their proclamation of Christ. But, in addition, they still needed the witness of the Holy Spirit, or else they would achieve nothing.Conscience is always too weak to offer effective resistance to sin. There is no sin so small that conscience can really stand up against it, even such a matter, for example, as laughing in church. Likewise, conscience can achieve very little when death assails us. We must look elsewhere for help to supply courage to a timid and despondent conscience, so that it never gives up, although it may be heavily laden with sins.This needed help, like the One who promises it, must be almighty help so that the timid conscience, which beforehand was previously terrified by the sound of a driven leaf (Leviticus 26:36), is no longer afraid before all the devils of hell. And the conscience, which was previously so sensitive that it could not even endure laughter, is now quite able to stand up against any number of sins.SL 11:997 (13)PRAYER: Make us strong, bold, and brave confessors of our faith, heavenly Father, through the witness of the Counsellor, whom You and Your Son have promised to send us, in Jesus’ name and for His sake. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:244-254.

THE WEEK OF ASCENSION - FRIDAYLESSON: 1 PETER 2:7-10“He will bear witness to me.” John 15:26If the Holy Spirit is in your hearts, He will speak through you and make you sure and certain that the Gospel is the truth. From this conviction will also flow your witness to the Gospel.What is the Gospel? It is the testimony concerning Christ, that He is the Son of God and the Savior, besides whom there is no other Savior.This is also what Peter means in his first epistle when he reminds us that we are “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). We have been chosen by God to proclaim Christ and to make Him known. Such testimony is certainly necessary, even though it always arouses the wrath of the world. The cross follows such testimony or witness.There will be insurrections against the Gospel. Princes and lords will rise in anger, and all that is great in the world will oppose the Gospel. The world always finds it hard to listen to the Gospel and to tolerate its proclamation. Hence, the Gospel is always a proclamation that arouses hostility. When Christ and faith in Christ is proclaimed as the one source of salvation, the wisdom of the world is placarded as tomfoolery and nonsense. One of these must give way. So, the world rejects the Gospel and remains as it was.SL 11:996 (10-11)PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, grant us the courage and faith to witness clearly and consistently to the faith awakened in our hearts by Your gift of the Spirit of truth. If our witness involves us in a cross, Your Counsellor is greater than all and every opposition. Keep Him ever at our side, for Your name’s sake. Amen. Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:244-254.

THE WEEK OF ASCENSION - THURSDAYLESSON: EPHESIANS 1:15-23“Even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father … will bear witness to me.” John 15:26This amounts to saying: He who will comfort you is almighty and Lord over all things. What can any creature do against us when the Creator is at our side? Behold, how great is the comfort of the Holy Spirit! Let all the enemies come on in full array; if the Holy Spirit is our protector and supporter, no danger threatens us.In his first epistle, John says, “By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:19-20). He also says in the next chapter, “Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).The Lord here says to us, “I will send the Spirit to you so that nothing may harm you.” Is this not a great consolation? Who will not be bold and courageous after such an assurance?And the Lord calls Him “the Spirit of truth.” Where the Spirit is and where the Spirit comes, there is basic and absolute truth with no falsehood or hypocrisy. The Spirit never plays the hypocrite. But where the Spirit is absent, you will find utter hypocrisy and falsehood. That is also why men fall away when battle threatens; they do not have the Spirit of truth.SL 11:995 (9)PRAYER: Thanks and praise be to You, dear Lord, for the precious gift of the Counsellor, the Spirit of truth, and all we are and enjoy by His presence with us. Keep Him ever close to us and us with Him, in Your name, Lord Jesus. Amen. Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:244-254.

THE WEEK OF ASCENSION - WEDNESDAYLESSON: ROMANS 15:13-21“When the Counsellor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father …” John 15:26So that we do not become despondent and lose heart, Christ here assures us that He will send us a Counsellor or Comforter, and a very unique one at that, one who is almighty. He here calls the Holy Spirit a Counsellor or Comforter.Although our sins and the fear of death at times make us fell, timid, and rather crestfallen, the Spirit comes to us and touches our heart and says, “Wake up and get into things!” He inspires us with courage, speaking to us in a friendly and comforting manner, so that we do not despair in the face of death but rush into the fray as though we had ten necks to risk and say, “Although I do have sins, they are no longer of any real account for me; and even if I had still more of them and they made a common assault on me, I still have the confidence that they can no longer harm me.”Not that we should no longer be sensible of our sins, for the flesh must be sensible of them. But the Spirit overcomes and suppresses timidity and fear and guides us safely through such experiences, as He has the power to do. Jesus also says of the Spirit here, “I will send Him to you from the Father.” “The Father is the initial person; I am the Son, and the Holy Spirit comes from us.”These three Persons are one entity and essence, of equal power and might, as He explains even better in the words that follow.SL 11:995 (7-8)PRAYER: Let us always enjoy the comfort, consolation, and power of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom You, Lord Jesus, send us from the Father in Your name and for Your sake. Amen. Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:244-254.

ASCENSION WEEK 1 - TUESDAYLESSON: MATTHEW 10:24-33I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief, it grows weak because of all my foes. Psalm 6:6-7The chief requisite for a consistent confession of faith is a firm faith, and it is almost certain that the cross will follow upon a consistent confession of faith. Another experience that we will have, whether in life or in death, is that all that we have done can be represented in such a light that it seems to be opposed to God and Scripture.It would be better for us to learn this from men here in this life rather than from the devil in death. For men can never push a matter beyond our ears. But the devil has a very sharp tongue and can push something right into our heart, making it tremble, and filling us with such fear that we imagine ourselves to be lost and ruined and that heaven and earth, God and all His angels, are opposed to us. This is what the prophet is speaking about in the words quoted above from the psalm. It is hard to stand fast in such a situation.From all this, you also see why so few actually confess their faith in a thoroughly consistent manner. One man is afraid of his wife; another man is afraid of his children. There is also concern for property. There are also those, and they are perhaps a majority, who are afraid of themselves.SL 11:994 (5)PRAYER: Remove from us all fear of men and other earthly considerations, heavenly Father, and let our confession at all times ring out loud and clear, in Jesus’ name. Amen. Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:244-254.

THE FIRST WEEK AFTER ASCENSION - MONDAYLESSON: MATTHEW 16:24-28“They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” John 16:2The cross is pictured here in its true colors. To lie at home sick in bed is nothing compared to this, even though it is often regarded as suffering a cross. Christ is referring here to a very special cross, that of being persecuted, with the possibility of being put to death in disgrace. Not only so, but our persecutors receive praise and win renown. They seem to have right on their side and are honored. On our side, there is nothing but disgrace, shame, and injustice.The persecuting world actually believes that it is advancing God’s honor. The world is also of the opinion that we are receiving our just deserts and that God, the Scriptures, and all the angels are against us. In the view of the world, we really have no grounds for complaint. We cannot lay claims to justice, but we are accursed and must be removed from the scene with shame and disgrace.This is precisely what happened to Christ. He was subjected to a most scornful and disgraceful death, hung between two robbers or murderers, and regarded as an arch-criminal. Blasphemous words were hurled at Him. “He called Himself God’s Son; let Him help Himself now if He wants things otherwise!” And so, Jesus says here to His disciples that they will suffer death—not just simple death, but a disgraceful death—and the world will imagine that it is advancing God’s honor thereby.In the face of such hard and harsh reality, one must still hold fast to faith and confess that God is gracious to us and is our Savior against the whole world, with all its glitter and empty show. We must confess our faith, no matter how hard and harsh the opposition may be, if we are really concerned about our true welfare.SL 11:993 (4)PRAYER: Grant us the needed grace, faith, and power, dear Savior, to bear whatever cross may come upon us and to confess our faith boldly before the whole world, for Your name’s sake. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:244-254.

THE FIRST WEEK AFTER ASCENSION - SUNDAYLESSON: JOHN 15:26-16:4The genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7You have heard me say a great deal about faith. Now you will hear about witnessing to the faith about the cross which accompanies faith. Paul reminded the Romans that a “man believes with his heart and so is justified” (Romans 10:10).The starting point of Christian piety is faith of the heart. This is the beginning of piety, but it is not enough for salvation. One must also lead a truly Christian life and continue therein. Paul also says to the Romans, “Man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved” (Romans 10:10).The two things which save us are faith and the confession of faith. Faith saves from sins, hell, devil, death, and all misfortune. When we have faith, we have enough. Let us then live for God here on earth by extending a helping hand to our neighbor. In this way, God wants His name to be praised and His kingdom extended.Therefore, we must praise God’s name here on earth, confess our faith, and encourage others to come to God, so that God’s kingdom is enlarged and His name praised. Faith must be practiced, worked at, fortified, and even refined by fire like gold.SL 11:992 (1-2)PRAYER: Equip us with grace, heavenly Father, always to be a clear witness to our faith in service to our neighbor, for Christ’s sake. Amen.Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 3:244-254.