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"Being Fed With Christ"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 14:13-21
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 14:13-21
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The disciples felt Jesus' command to give the multitudes something to eat was impossible because the resources they had seemed too meager and ineffective. They were ready to send people elsewhere to be fed. So God's Christians (including preachers) often tend to think that God's Word and Sacraments are also too meager and ineffective. They look for other means to feed God's people by resorting to gimmicks and glitz instead. Yet, as Christ fed the multitudes miraculously with a few fish and loaves of bread, so He continues to feed us miraculously upon His Word, and His true body and blood in the Sacrament. Only what Christ gives can truly satisfy the soul.
"The Savior of Sinkers"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 14:22-33
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 14:22-33
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As the disciples struggled against wind and wave, they did not recognize that Jesus had come to help them. Even as Jesus spoke comfort to them and assured them it was He, Peter wanted more proof. He wanted to walk on water too. And he did, until he stopped looking at Jesus and let the fear of the wind and waves overwhelm him and had him sinking. Yet he cried out for Jesus to save him and He did. In the midst of the wind and wave of our lives, we often don't recognize that Jesus is with us or we doubt His word and promise. And we begin to sink under the waves of our troubles. Yet, Jesus still can and will rescue us and, eventually, bring us to our ultimate shore.
"Recognizing Jesus"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 14:22-33
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 14:22-33
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During the midst of the storm, Jesus came to His disciples with the comforting words, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." That word of Jesus wasn't enough for Peter. He wanted more proof, so he asked for the miracle allowing him to walk on the water to Jesus. But on the water, Peter sank in fear. We are too often like Peter. We want more "concrete" proof than what God's Word says and promises to us. And, like Peter, we sink. Yet the Lord is gracious, even to us doubting, "more-proof" driven sinners. He rescued Peter. And He rescues us by dying for our sins, and reconciling us to God. Don't try to recognize Jesus in experiences or feelings, but in His Word to you: "Take courage! It is me. Don't be afraid."
"Faith Doesn't"t Get Triggered"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 15:21-28
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 15:21-28
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We tend to get upset, or "triggered," when God doesn't respond to us as we think we deserve. We forget all His promises to us and focus only on our disappointment. That's because we've shifted our eyes from God to us. But faith doesn't get triggered, even by God's seeming indifference or harshness, because faith knows what God has done for us in Christ and that, despite what our feelings or situation may indicate, we know God is working out His good and perfect will.
"Who is Jesus?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 16:13-20
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 16:13-20
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As in Jesus' day, so in our day. Many hold differing views of who Jesus is: a prophet, a teacher a great moral example. While these are true to a point, He is more than all of those things. He is, as Peter confessed: "The Christ, the Son of the living God." To believe this truth is impossible for fallen human beings to achieve on their own. Only God can open our eyes and hearts to believe this truth. To confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior is a work of God in us, and this faith makes us part of the Church - members of Christ and members of one another who confess the name of Christ. As such, the Church proclaims Law and Gospel, opening heaven to repentant sinners or closing heaven to the unrepentant. And though all hell wars against God's Christians, they will remain until Christ returns again and will be "more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
"The Little Satan in Us All"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 16:21-28
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 16:21-28
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As Peter was a "little Satan" in denying Jesus' mission to go to the cross, so we also are all too often "little Satans" when we deny His Word, live for our sin, and believe that through our own work or goodness we merit heaven. The reality is that, just as Jesus bore the cross to save us, He calls us to bear various crosses in this life as we follow Him. We do this because He has redeemed us and is leading us toward our heavenly home. Pray that the Holy Spirit, rather than Satan, is at work through you for Jesus' sake.
"Big Cross, Little Cross"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 16:21-28
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 16:21-28
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Peter became Satan's emissary when he denied that Jesus would suffer and die for our sins. He was tempting Jesus to avoid the Cross. But if Jesus did that, then we would have to bear the cross of God's judgment for each and every sin we have, or will ever commit. Intead, "the Christ, the Son of the living God" indeed came, not to establish an earthly kingdom, but to achieve salvation for the world and enable His Church to prevail even against the gates of hell. Jesus bore the "big cross" of the world's sin; we followers of Jesus will bear our own "little corsses," be that dying physically for Jesus, or dying to ourselves in resisting the impulses to sin that come from the devil, the world or our own sinful flesh. While these crosses may be heavy, that burden is lightened because we no longer bear the weight of our sin. Jesus did that already for us.
"Jesus Only" Transfiguration of Our Lord
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Jesus' Transfiguration revealed to Peter, James and John the reality that He is both God and Man. To see His glory momentarily on that mountain was to prepare them for what would lie ahead as He goes to the cross to die for our sins. Yet Peter, like us, didn't want to hear the doom and gloom of the cross; he only wanted to hang on to the glory on that mountain. Yet it was to Jesus' glory that He was lifted up on the cross to draw all to Himself. So with our Lord in His humility, we too deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow Him. For we know the glory He will share with us at "the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come."
"Causing Your Children to Stumble?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:1-10
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:1-10
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To become like a little child, as Jesus tells us, means to become utterly dependent on our heavenly Father even as a child is utterly dependent on his parents. Pride and arrogance causes us to elevate ourselves and look down on others. And to despise the "little ones" who believe in Jesus to stumble incurs God's wrath and judgment. The worse way a parent can do this is to deprive their children of God's Word; to view the activities of this life as more important that having your child active in the things of God. The guilt that we feel when we hear these things is God's way of humbling us to become "like little children" again, utterly dependent on God's mercy and forgiveness, which He richly pours out on us through Jesus Christ.
"That Not One Be Lost"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:1-19
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:1-19
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God takes sin seriously. He commands His preachers and church to warn the wicked to repent. He has established government to protect the innocent and punish evildoers. He commands His Christians to love one another and not become a stumbling block causing others to sin. The ultimate way He takes sin seriously is by sending His Son into our flesh and nature to redeem us from all sins. As God's baptized children, we humbly trust His Word and promise to us in Christ, fight against the sin that so easily ensnares us, and endeavor to love our neighbor enough to call them to repentance and faith in Christ so "that not one be lost."
"Caring For the 'Little Ones'"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:1-20
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:1-20
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The world seeks greatness, and we in the Church tend to focus on the "great" or "prominent" among us while ignoring the lesser. This is the opposite of what our Lord would have. Greatness in the Church is not about our exaltation, but about humility, need and dependence on Christ. The greater one's need, the greater should be the focus of God's people in love to meet that need. Christ Himself is the Greatest, yet He humbled Himself to go to the cross to redeem us lost and condemned creatures. His focus was to reconcile us to God through the forgiveness of sin. Our focus hopefully will be on those "little ones" who struggle in faith, that we may help bring them back to their Savior.
"Everything Before 'But' Is..."
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:21-35
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:21-35
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"I know I should forgive, but . . . " We're always looking for excuses not to forgive our neighbor, even while wanting God to forgive us. Only when we understand that forgiveness for our neighbor flows from God's forgiveness to us first, will we desire, and have the strength to forgive even the deepest hurts. To focus on what Christ has done for us is the medicine for our souls, and the motivation for our forgiveness of others. We will to forgive, because it's the right thing to do, even when our emotions have to be dragged along kicking and screaming.
"Receiving, But Not Giving?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:21-35
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:21-35
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How often do we have to forgive? "Old Adam" likes to keep score, and to do the minimum required, and no more. But our forgiveness of others finds its origin first in Christ's forgiveness of us. He doesn't keep score. He did not shed His blood for this many sins and, after that, we're toast! Because Christ continues to forgive us, no matter how many times we sin the same sin, so we are to forgive our neighbor this way as well. Recognizing how unable we are to do this on our own, we continue to return to the font of our forgiveness and life: Jesus Christ.
"Forgiveness That is Hard"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:21-35
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 18:21-35
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The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant shows the importance of receiving forgiveness from God for the impossible-to-pay-back debt of sin that is against us, and having changed hearts, forgiving our neighbor's (by comparison) small debt of sin against us. Refusal to forgive our neighbor leaves us under judgment for our own debt of sin. Yet, when emotions are involved, forgiving our neighbor can be a very difficult thing. This is where the sacrifice of Christ for us becomes the power at work in our hearts to move us to forgive others. We learn to forgive by first trusting in the forgiveness Christ won for us.
"Fit For a King"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 2:1-11
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 2:1-11
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We tend to concentrate on the gifts of Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh that the Magi brought to Jesus. Though they were gifts "fit for a King," that isn't what God is looking for. The reality is that as they were drawn by God through His Word, and guided by a star to Jesus, they were really giving themselves to Him. Christ isn't interested in our material things; He's interested in us. That is why He gives even a greater gift to us: Himself! By His holy life, His innocent suffering and death for our sins, and His glorious resurrection, we have the gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation, because of the King who loved us with His very life.
"The Hard Questions" Epiphany
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 2:1-12
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 2:1-12
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The political turmoil our country has been experiencing is not new. Throughout history, nations rise and fall; kings come and go. At the time of Jesus' birth, Herod was king and times were tough. Yet the Savior of the world was manifested and God drew even pagan Gentiles to this Savior. God was at work behind the scenes to accomplish His plan for our salvation. No political machinations or turmoil could frustrate that plan. So today, God is still at work, and His Gospel still shines forth in us and all His Christians. While we may be distressed at what is going on in our country, we are not dispondent. Because ultimately we know where our true citizenship is - in heaven - and we know that Christ is still at work in this world drawing many to Him and reconciling those divided from one another through the Gospel.
"Shining Christ's Light Today" Epiphany
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 2:1-14
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 2:1-14
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It took a star to lead the Magi to the place where God's Word was, and through that Word, they were led to Christ. As God's Christians, we are Christ's light ("stars," cf Phil. 2:15-16) to our neighbor. By our words and actions, we show them the way to God's Word that they may come to know from it Jesus as their Savior and Redeemer from sin, death and the devil.
"But in This World of Sin" 1st Sun. After Christmas
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 2:13-23
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 2:13-23
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Herod's "Slaughter of the Innocents" in Bethlehem to try and destroy Jesus shows us again why Jesus came into this world: to save sinners and change the hearts of those who otherwise would do evil into those who desire the good. Fallen man is capable of great evil and sin make this world a dark place. Yet Christ came with His light that no darkness can extinguish. Jesus' blood would be shed, not as a baby by Herod's command, but as a man hanging on the cross for the sins of the world. He still comes to us today with His forgiveness and life through Word and Sacrament. Indeed, "But in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in."
"Equal Mercy"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 20:1-16
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 20:1-16
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God's grace is not earned by the amount of time we are a Christian, nor is less grace given to those who are brought to faith in Christ at the end of their earthly lives. Christ died for all, and the same salvation, forgiveness and heaven are ours, no matter when the Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts. To think it unfair that God grants the same salvation to the "11th hour" Christian as He does to us life long Christians is to miss the point. We have a lifetime of knowing the blessings of Christ and His Word that the one brought to faith at the last does not, but we all have the same blessed eternity by the equal mercy and grace of God through Jesus Christ.
"The Parable of the Generous Master"
Pastor Lee Wenskay
Matthew 20:1-16
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Pastor Lee Wenskay
Matthew 20:1-16
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Imagine getting paid the same for one hour of work as someone else did for twelve hours. This parable that Jesus told is not to give advice on business practices, but on the generosity of God to sinners that, at whatever point in life they are brought to faith, they receive the same reward of heaven, all because of Jesus, who died for all sins of all people. Eternal life is God's generous gift to us, not payment for how long we have been Christians. Don't compare yourself to others, or begrudge God's graciousness to those who come to faith late in life. Instead, keep focused on Christ who has been so generous to you.
"It's Not Fair!"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 20:1-16
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 20:1-16
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Definitions of "fairness" vary in this world, but usually we think that what benefits us is fair and what doesn't is unfair. That's bad enough in temporal matters, but what's worse is when we apply that standard to eternal matters. If we have been a long standing Christian who tries to live in ways pleasing to God, we might think it unfair that the "bad" person who repents at the end of his life can be forgivien and go to heaven. Yet God's desire is everyone's salvation, and Christ died for all that those who believe in Him can have eternal life. The lifelong believer and the "11th Hour" believer share the same eternal life in Christ. But we have lost nothing by living in Christ throughout our lives for God has been our constant companion and showers His blessings on us throughout our lives. The "11th Hour" believer had none of that. So there is no lack of fairness on God's part to be gracious to those who come to Him at the end. But we can praise God that we have known His blessings to us in Christ throughout our lives and into eternity.
:Having a Change of Mind"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 21:23-32
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 21:23-32
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Today's "Post-Modern" culture denies that there is absolute truth. Thus, many are suspicious of organized religion and its doctrines and forms, preferring to call themselves "spiritual, not religious." But that's just the same old "Do It Yourself" religion that believes in its own righteousness and worthiness before God, no matter what lifestyle one chooses. But the truth is that we are all sinners: the religious, the spiritual, the secularist, and we are all saved from sin, death and hell only through the atoning sacrifice of Christ for us sinners. As such, God welcomes all who come to repentance and faith in Christ, no matter what their lives have been up to that point. To embrace an alternate "truth" than Jesus Christ and Him crucified is only to embrace the Big Lie that kills.
"Not Appreciated Until It's Gone"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 21:33-46
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 21:33-46
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There are many things we take for granted: health, home, even church. But when we lose these things, we really miss them. The religious leaders of Israel were trying to preserve for themselves a nation and church, while rejecting the very One who came to save all people according to God's promise. As such, they would lose everything. We, too, are often indifferent to God's Word, and live our lives according to our sinful natures. Yet, as God sent prophet after prophet to Israel, calling them to repentance and faith, even sending His own Son for all, so as God's Law and Gospel continues to come to us, He is calling us to believe what Christ has done for us, and to never take for granted that it was for our sins He died, that we might be His own forever.
"The Feast is Ready. Are You?"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 22:1-14
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 22:1-14
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The great Eternal Feast, where Jesus is joined forever with His Bride, the Church is coming. Invitations to be part of the Feast have been going out through the ages. Because Jesus died for the sins of all people, all people are invited. Sadly, many are either indifferent to that invitation, or actually violently opposed to it. They will face judgment for their sins because they reject the One who came to save them from that judgment. Yet, as long as the invitations to that Feast continue, there is time to repent and believe the Gospel. The Feast is ready. Are you?
"Speechless"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 22:1-14
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 22:1-14
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The Parable of the Wedding Banquet reminds us of the great gift we have in Christ, and the eternal celebration in which all who believe in Him will share. But there are those who are indifferent or antagonistic toward God's invitation to come. And there are those who reject the "garments of salvation" that God gives in Christ in favor of their own. At that Last Day when The Feast begins, those self-righteous rejecters of God's grace in Christ will be cast out forever. But all who are "clothed in Christ," both good and bad (as the world sees it) will enter into the Feast to celebrate the Son wedding to His Bride, the Church.
"God's Left and Right Hands"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 22:15-22
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 22:15-22
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God has established both the Church and Civil Authority for our good. We are citizens of both, and have responsibilities to both. Under God's "Left Hand Kingdom," we pay taxes, pray for those in authority, obey the laws and serve our communities. Under the "Right Hand Kingdom," we follow God's Word, uphold the Truth, proclaim the Gospel and live repentant lives that trust in Christ above all things. Should the State encroach upon this, ordering us to deny God's Word, we must resist for, ultimately, we must obey God rather than men. Still, insofar as we are citizens under earthly rulers (as God has established for our good) we do our best to be good citizens, even as we understand that our eternal citizenship is in heaven.
"The Real Question"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 22:15-22
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 22:15-22
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We have "dual citizenship," as Americans and as Christians. As such, we have responsibilites to "Caesar" to be good citizens, to pay taxes, to obey laws and to vote. But our responsibilities to God flow from what He has first done for us in Christ. All that we have comes from Him, and if that weren't enough, God even gave His Son to bear our sins and give us forgiveness and life. Simply put: we render to God the things that are God's: we thank, pray, serve and obey Him for the sake of Christ our Savior.
"As in Noah's Day" 1st Sun. in Advent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 24:36-44
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 24:36-44
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Contrary to those who believe that we will destroy the earth by Climate Change or nuclear war, the world will end when Christ returns in His glory. And that day will come unexpectedly, much like the flood in Noah's day, and those who are unmindful of Christ will be swept away in judgment. This is why Jesus calls us to watch and be ready for we do not know the day when our Lord will return. We remain ready as we live lives of repentant faith in Jesus, hear His Word, gather with His people to receive His gifts and live our our vocations as His Christians. Though we don't know when Jesus will return, we live daily in the fact that He came to be our Redeemer and He will come again to take us to be with Him always.
"Life as Normal?" 1st Sun. of Advent
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 24:36-44
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 24:36-44
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Many believe that there will be obvious signs indicating how close we will be to Christ's return. Yet Jesus describes the times close to the end as being fairly normal, much like in the days before Noah's flood. In both instances, those who are "asleep" in unbelief and unrepentance will be swept away in judgment, while those who remain watchful through in faith in Christ, partaking regularly of His gifts in Word and Sacrament, will face that Last Day with confidence and joy. The key is: since we do not know when the end will be, we live our lives daily in watchful hope, trusting in our Savior who died and rose for us, and is coming again to take us to be with Him forever.
"Open and Shut"
Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 25:1-13
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Pastor Kenneth Lueke
Matthew 25:1-13
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Christ is coming. Are you ready? The Tend Virgins awaiting the Bridegroom's arrival depict the Visible Church on earth. There are those "wise" Christians who make use of the Means of Grace throughout their lives to keep the oil of faith in their lamps so the flame of Christian life can burn brightly. And there are those that are "foolish," Christian in name only but with no oil of faith. When the Bridegoom, Jesus, returns at the Last Day, there will be no more time to go to the places that administer God's Means of Grace to create and sustain faith. It will be too late. Now is the time to be wise. Now is the time to partake of the Gifts of God's grace in Christ. Now is the time to prepare ourselves by faith to meet the Bridegroom and eanter His eternal banquest.
