Thanksgiving Day Matins Service

The Order of Matins page 219

Lutheran Service Book (LSB) hymnal

You may purchase a copy here.

Opening Hymn #892 Come Ye Thankful People Come

The Order of Matins       p. 219

The Psalmody        p.220

Hymn of the Day #770

The Readings  

Deuteronomy 8:1-10                                      Remember the LORD your God

1 “The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. 2 And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, 9 a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10 And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

Philippians 4:6-20                                                          The Peace of God Guards You

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 4 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Luke 17:11-19                                                          Your Faith Has Made You Well

11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

The Responsory              p. 221

The Catechetical Instruction

The Canticle - Te Deum  p.223

The Prayer                       p. 227

Benedicamus       p. 228

Benediction         

Closing Hymn #895

Concerning the Election of God

Concerning the Election of God

How does God elect sinners for eternal salvation?  In this Matins Service, the teaching is on that very subject with a reading from the Book of Concord.  Our Father knows all things but election comes by hearing His Word through which He saves by faith in Jesus Christ.  God bless you all, in the name of Jesus.

The Order of Matins

Lutheran Service Book (LSB) hymnal

You may purchase a copy here.

The Order of Matins       p. 219

The Psalmody        p.220

The Reading  

The Responsory              p. 221

The Catechetical Instruction

The Canticle - Te Deum  p.223

The Prayer                       p. 227

Benedicamus        p. 228

Benediction         

Catechetical Instruction.

Concerning the Eternal Predestination and Election of God

[1] On this article there has been no public conflict among the theologians of the Augsburg Confession.74 However, because it is an article of comfort when properly treated, it is also explained in this document so that no offensive dispute may arise in the future.

Affirmative Theses

The Pure, True Teaching concerning This Article

[2] 1. First of all, the difference between praescientia and praedestinatio, that is, between God’s foreknowledge and his eternal election, must be carefully noted.

[3] 2. God’s foreknowledge is nothing else than that God knows all things before they happen, as it is written, “God in heaven reveals mysteries. He has disclosed to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in future times” (Dan. 2[:28*]).

[4] 3. This foreknowledge extends equally over godly people and evil people, but it is not a cause of evil. It is not the cause of sins, when people act wrongly (sin proceeds originally from the devil and the wicked, perverted human will), nor of human corruption, for which people are responsible themselves. Instead, God’s foreknowledge provides order in the midst of evil and sets limits to it. It determines how long evil can continue and determines also that everything, even if it is evil in itself, serves the welfare of God’s elect.

[5] 4. Praedestinatio, however, or God’s eternal election, extends only to the righteous, God-pleasing children of God. It is a cause of their salvation, which God brings about. He has arranged everything that belongs to it. Our salvation is so firmly grounded on it [cf. John 10:26–29*] that “the gates of hell will not prevail against it” [Matt. 16:18*].

[6] 5. This election is not to be probed in the secret counsel of God but rather is to be sought in the Word, where it has also been revealed.

[7] 6. However, the Word of God leads us to Christ, who is the “Book of Life” [Phil. 4:3*; Rev. 3:5*], in whom are inscribed and chosen all who shall be eternally saved, as it is written, “He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world” [Eph. 1:4*].

[8] 7. This Christ calls all sinners to himself and promises them refreshment. He is utterly serious in his desire that all people should come to him and seek help for themselves [cf. Matt. 11:28*]. He offers himself to them in the Word. He desires them to hear the Word and not to plug their ears or despise his Word. To this end he promises the power and activity of the Holy Spirit, divine assistance in remaining faithful and attaining eternal salvation.

[9]   p 518 8. Therefore we are to make judgments regarding our election to eternal life neither on the basis of reason nor on the basis of God’s law. Such a course of action would lead us either into a wild, irresponsible, Epicurean life, or into despair—and would awaken harmful thoughts in human hearts. Whenever people follow their reason, they can hardly escape such reflections as these: “As long as God has chosen me for salvation, I cannot be condemned no matter what I do!” or, “I have not been chosen for eternal life, so it does not help when I do good; everything is really in vain.”

[10] 9. Instead, the true meaning of election must be learned from the holy gospel of Christ. It clearly states, “God imprisoned all in unbelief that he may be merciful to all,” and that he wants no one to be lost but rather that everyone repent and believe on the Lord Christ [Rom. 11:32*; 1 Tim. 2:4*; cf. Ezek. 33:11*; 18:23*].

[11] 10. This teaching is useful and comforting for all those who are concerned about the revealed will of God and follow the order which St. Paul observed in the Epistle to the Romans. There he first of all points people to repentance, acknowledgment of their sins, and then to faith in Christ and obedience to God before he speaks of the mystery of God’s eternal election.

[12] 11. That “many are called and few are chosen” [Matt. 20:16*] does not mean that God does not want to save everyone. Instead, the reason for condemnation lies in their not hearing God’s Word at all or arrogantly despising it, plugging their ears and their hearts, and thus blocking the Holy Spirit’s ordinary path, so that he cannot carry out his work in them; or if they have given it a hearing, they cast it to the wind and pay no attention to it. Then the fault lies not with God and his election but with their own wickedness [cf. 2 Peter 2:9–15*; Luke 11:47–52*; Heb. 12:15–17*, 25*].

[13] 12. A Christian should only think about the article of God’s eternal election to the extent that it is revealed in God’s Word. The Word holds Christ before our eyes as the “Book of Life,” which he opens and reveals for us through the preaching of the holy gospel, as it is written, “Those whom he has chosen, he also called” [Rom. 8:30*]. In Christ we are to seek the Father’s eternal election. He has decreed in his eternal, divine counsel that he will save no one apart from those who acknowledge his Son Christ and truly believe in him. We should set aside other thoughts, for they do not come from God but rather from the imagination of the evil foe. Through such thoughts he approaches us to weaken this glorious comfort for us or to take it away completely. We have a glorious comfort in this salutary teaching, that we know how we have been chosen for eternal life in Christ out of sheer grace, without any merit of our own, and that no one can tear us out of his hand [John 10:28–29*]. For he has assured us that he has graciously chosen us not only with mere words. He has corroborated this with an oath and sealed it with the holy sacraments. In the midst of our greatest trials we can remind ourselves of them, comfort ourselves with them, and thereby quench the fiery darts of the devil.

[14]   p 519 13. Along with this we should strive as diligently as possible to live according to God’s will and to “confirm our calling,” as Saint Peter admonishes [2 Peter 1:10*]. We should especially abide by the revealed Word that cannot and will not fail us.

[15] 14. This short explanation of God’s eternal election gives God his honor fully and completely. On the basis of his pure mercy alone, without any merit of ours at all, he saves us “according to the purpose of his will” [Eph. 1:11*]. In addition, no one is given reason either for faintheartedness or for a reckless, wild life.

Antitheses or Negative Theses

False Teaching regarding This Article

[16] Accordingly, we believe and maintain that those who present the teaching of God’s gracious election to eternal life either in such a way that troubled Christians cannot find comfort in it but are driven to faintheartedness or despair, or in such a way that the impenitent are strengthened in their arrogance, are not preaching this teaching according to the Word and will of God but rather according to their own reason and at the instigation of the accursed devil, because (as the Apostle testifies) “whatever was written was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope” [Rom. 15:4*]. Therefore, we reject the following errors:

[17] 1. When it is taught that God does not want all people to repent and believe the gospel.

[18] 2. Likewise, that when God calls us to himself, he does not seriously intend that all people should come to him.

[19] 3. Likewise, that God does not desire that everyone should be saved, but rather that without regard to their sins—only because of God’s naked decision, intention, and will—some are designated for damnation, so that there is no way that they could be saved.

[20] 4. Likewise, that the cause of God’s election does not lie exclusively in God’s mercy and the most holy merit of Christ but that there is also a cause in us, because of which God has chosen us for eternal life.

[21] These are blasphemous, horrible, and erroneous teachings, which take away from Christians all the comfort that they have in the holy gospel and in the use of the holy sacraments. Therefore, these errors dare not be tolerated in the church of God.

[22] This is the brief and simple explanation of the contested articles which for a time theologians of the Augsburg Confession taught and discussed in ways that contradicted each other. From this every simple Christian can recognize, according to the direction of God’s Word and the simple catechism, what is correct and incorrect. For here we have set forth not only the pure teaching but   p 520 have also exposed and rejected contrary, erroneous teaching. In this way the offensive divisions that had arisen are completely resolved. May the almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus grant the grace of his Holy Spirit, that we may all be one in him [John 17:20–21*] and steadfastly remain in this Christian and God-pleasing unity.

Robert Kolb, Timothy J. Wengert, and Charles P. Arand, The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2000), 517–520.

Abomination of Desolation - What's In Your Heart

Abomination of Desolation - What’s In Your Heart

Divine Service

Lutheran Service Book (LSB) hymnal

You may purchase a copy here.

Opening Hymn                 #655

Invocation                 p. 184

The Confession of Sins

The Absolution

The Psalm                           14

The Gloria Patri

The Kyrie                            p. 186

The Gloria in Excelsis

The Salutation and Collect p. 189

The Holy Scripture Lessons (see below)   

Job 14:1-6                     Job’s Despondent Prayer

“Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.  He comes forth like a flower and fades away; he flees like a shadow and does not continue.  And do You open Your eyes on such a one, and bring me to judgment with Yourself? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?  No one! Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You; You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass.  Look away from him that he may rest, till like a hired man he finishes his day.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18                                  The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, 2 lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.  15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Matthew 24:15-28            The Tribulation

“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.  “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!

Praise be to Thee, O Christ!

The Nicene Creed          p. 191

Hymn of the Day         #508 The Day Is Surely Drawing Near

The Sermon The Abomination of Desolation - What’s In Your Heart

The Offertory p. 192

Prayer of the Church

The Service of the Sacrament

Preface p. 194

Sanctus p. 195

The Lord’s Prayer p. 196

The Words of Our Lord p. 197

The Pax Domini

The Agnus Dei p. 198

Distribution

Distribution Hymn 621 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Distribution Hymn 384 Of The Father’s Love Begotten

Distribution Hymn 726 Evening and Morning

Distribution Hymn 555 Salvation Unto Us Has Come

The Nunc Dimittis p. 199

The Thanksgiving p. 200

The Salutation

The Benedicamus p. 201

The Benediction p 202

Closing Hymn #880  Now Rest Beneath Night’s Shadow

Sermon Notes

Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Trinity

(Second Last Sunday of the Church Year)

November 18, 2018
Title: The Abomination of Desolation

Grace and mercy to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

It is written, “Therefore, when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads (this) let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” thus far the text.

Sermon Notes

Our Father did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Jesus might be saved!  So why Jesus preach this fire and brimstone sermon?

Jesus is warning us that the Last Day is drawing near.

Bartholomaus Ringwaldt (1532-1599) wrote today’s hymn and the first line states it well.

He wrote and we sang:

The day is surely drawing near when Jesus, God’s anointed, in all His power shall appear as judge whom God appointed.  Then fright shall banish idle mirth, and flames on flames shall ravage earth as Scripture has warned.

Jesus is warning us that His Second Coming is approaching.  Make yourselves ready. You have been warned.

Jesus warned ancient Israel to live peacefully under Roman rule.

But they would not live peacefully with the Roman authorities even though warned.Jesus warned ancient Israel to leave Jerusalem, the ancient city of God, because a time was coming when He, Jesus Christ, would destroy the Jerusalem Temple.  Along with the warning Jesus also gave them a sign marking the utter nearness of the destruction. The sign was an image of the emperor placed in the Holy Place of the Temple.  This act is the ‘abomination of desolation’ prophesied by Daniel. An idol placed in the heart of God’s temple.

But they would not leave Jerusalem nor recognize the sign.

Some forty years after Christ’s resurrection the Roman army made war on Ancient Israel slaughtering many.  To mock the Israelites they placed an image of the emperor in the Holy Place of the Temple. And some time later, destroyed the Temple so that no one stone remained on another.

Two out of three clear warning were given to Ancient Israel and they did not listen.

The last warning is for you.

You live in the End Times as has the Christian Church since the time of Christ’s Ascension.  The End Times will continue with wars and rumors of war until Christ’s Second Coming.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

The for you today is this, ‘Do not practice idolatry.  Do not place the abomination of desolation in your heart which is the temple of God.”  For this is how a Christian desecrates the temple of God.

What does the abomination of desolation look like within the church today?

All Christians who are sexually active outside of marriage are practicing idolatry.  They are sinning against the temple of God.

This idolatry might look like a young couple living together.  They are just out of High School, or the military, or college. The common excuse is that they don’t have enough money to pay rent on two apartments and they are not ready for marriage yet.  They have exchanged the Holy Spirit for the abomination of desolation - which is unbelief.

This idolatry might look like a retired couple living together.  Should they get married their Social Security checks would lessen.  So they two say they cannot afford to live separately because of finances and yet they don’t want to get married yet.   They, too, have exchanged the Holy Spirit for the abomination of desolation - which is unbelief.

And so, parents and children alike, you are warned in these End Times, hear again the Word of God for your repentance unto faith in Jesus.

Children of all ages, teach your parents or grandparents that living together without marriage is a major modern sign of the abomination of desolation.  They are practicing idolatry against God even if they go to church regularly. Holy Communion would be God’s judgment against them.

Parents and Grandparents of all ages, teach your children and grandchildren that living together without marriage is a major modern sign of the abomination of desolation in their home or apartment.  They are practicing idolatry against God even if they say they believe in Jesus Christ. They despise their Holy Baptism.

It’s not a knowledge problem.  For you know that “as many of you were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death!  Therefore you are buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life (Romans 63-4).

Back to the hymn.  Ringwalt wrote and we sang (verse 4):

Then woe to those who scorned the Lord and sought but carnal pleasures, who here despised His precious Word and loved their earthly treasures!  With shame and trembling they will stand and at the judge’s stern command to Satan be delivered.

There is a strange little proverb that comes a few lines after our printed Gospel lesson for the day.  Which is this:

Wherever the carcass is, there the vultures will gather.

This is something different than the judgment of God against unbelievers.

It is rather a Gospel picture to teach us that Christians gather together around the Word of God.  When Jesus comes on the Last Day where will he find you?

Wherever the Word is, there will the Christians gather.

Jesus will find you receiving the gifts He won for you in death and resurrection.  Unbelief is not found with faith. The abomination of desolation is not in the Temple of God (your bodies).  Rather, in body and soul you are the holy Bride of Christ in the forgiveness of all your sins. Day by day you are living in the newness of life even on this earth.  And yet waiting for the glorious second and final coming of the Son of Man.

O Jesus Christ, do not delay, but hasten our salvation; We often tremble on our way in fear and tribulation.  O hear and grant our fervent plea: Come, mighty judge, and set us free from death and ev’ry evil. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard and keep you in Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Amen.

Continuing Power in the Lord's Church

Continuing Power in the Lord’s Church

Acts 5:12-26

November 18, 2018

Sunday Bible Study

Open with an Invocation

Continuing Power in the Church

12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. 13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

vs12 Notes:

This is the third picture of the church in Jerusalem.  The first was in Acts 2:42-47 (3,000 added in one day).  The second was in Acts 4:32-35 (about 5,000 Christians now).  In Acts 5 no number is given (vs.14). The apostles have not been dispersed as of yet.  Peter tends to speak for the whole group but not by any special authority. The are acting as one (hands is plural).  The signs and wonders were miracles of grace (preaching) and healing in contrast to the strong judgment against Ananias and Sapphira (5:1-11).  The meeting place is Solomon’s Porch. This is located on the outer wall of the Eastern Side of the Temple. The undestroyed portion of the First Temple (the temple Solomon built) foundation is under this area.  The Jews gather daily in this area. Again, there is no great distinction between Jew and Christian, but the Christians were a distinct group among the Jews.

vs13 Notes: The Christians were highly esteemed because of the many healings taking place regardless of Jew or Christian.  But the many Jews were also afraid of joining the Christians because of the ruling authorities (Sanhedrin).

vs14 Notes: And yet, Jewish men and women were brought to faith daily through the preaching of Peter.  Again, the number of Christians is now too high to count accurately. It is greater than 5,000.

vs15 Notes: There is no superstition here.  The shadow of Peter healed the sick. The hem of Jesus’ robe healed the woman with the 12 year flow of blood.  In Acts, as in Luke, all of these miracles are done by Jesus among the people. It is a continuation of Jesus’ ministry but now through the mouth and hands of the apostles.

Imprisoned Apostles Freed (by the Lord)

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”  21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

vs 17 Notes: The Sadducees have been observing the Apostles as they publicly keep disobeying their orders to “not preach or speak in the name of Jesus.”  They are also observing the increase of the Christian movement. But here they snap.

vs18 Notes: The apostles are placed in prison again.

vs19 Notes: The Lord takes care of this problem.  He sends an angel to release them from prison. This angel is an angel.  It is not Jesus but it is Jesus who sent the angel. Angels are pure spirits.  People are enfleshed spirits. Two different kinds of creatures in the Lord’s creation. This angel delivers to the apostles a message from the Lord.

vs20 Notes: The are to go back to Solomon’s Porch and continue speaking “all the words of this life.”  Similar to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20 baptized all nations and teach them all things I have commanded you).  Overall, this is Jesus rebuking the Sadducees. The Sadducees have rejected the life Jesus gives and want to stop others from receiving it (Matthew 23:13 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in).   So the Apostles are directed by the Lord to go back and keep on giving/speaking out the Words of Life.

Close with the Lord’s Prayer and a Blessing