Ruth 1:1-19a; 2 Timothy 2:1-13; Luke 17:11-19

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

What does it take to earn the title “master”? In most scenarios, it often means you are really good at something. For instance, champions in chess or golf are called “masters”. Or you might think of someone earning a “masters” degree in a field of study. Masters are often those who are extremely talented in their field and exceed the skills of most others.

It often takes years, or even decades for most to achieve such a status. It’s also the case that only a very few will actually achieve it. This is why we don’t sling such a title around needlessly. We don’t just call everyone “master” lest it suddenly mean nothing. To call someone master is to acknowledge both their skill and the time and effort they put into it.

As we read our Gospel lesson this week, we hear ten lepers call out to Jesus for help and mercy. What is more interesting is what they call Jesus, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us,” Luke 17:13. What these ten lepers proclaim with this title is that Jesus is more than able to heal them. They know that Jesus is “master” over illness and disease since word of Jesus healing others has crossed their ears a number of times. But even more so, this simple title is a statement of their unworthiness to ask anything of Jesus. Rather, they seek his mercy for they have no greater hope.

Consider that we are like those lepers. We have been isolated and alienated by our sin. For leprosy at that time caused individuals to live outside the camp or community. They were cut off from everyone until they were healed or died. Sin does the same to us. Sin cuts us off from God and from one another. And we have no greater hope than appealing to the mercy of our master... God.

Of all the names and titles we ascribe to Jesus, master is perhaps one we don’t often consider. However, it’s a title that fits Jesus just as well as any other. For who else is able to heal like Jesus can? He doesn’t need to see or touch, but only says the word so that these ten lepers are healed! So too with us and our sins. Jesus is master over us. He’s the one whom can forgive our sins, heal our divisions, bring back the wandering, restore those alienated from community, and so much more. For all of this he does by going to the cross for us! Jesus is the master, not just over health and diseases, but over all of creation, over sin and death. Better yet, he’s a master that has mercy! For Jesus isn’t just our last hope; he’s our best hope! Jesus has mercy on us and grants us the gifts of faith so that we may be healed of the disease of sin, and restored unto the community of God! So let us turn back to Jesus and offer up our thanks and praise for all he has done for us!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Almighty God, You show mercy to Your people in all their troubles. Grant us always to recognize Your goodness, give thanks for Your compassion, and praise Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Luke 17:1-10

Dear brother and sisters in Christ,

It’s not uncommon for things to be left undone because we lack the motivation to do it. Sometimes dishes don’t get washed, toys don’t get put away, the lawn doesn’t get mowed because we lack the motivation or energy to do it. In those moments, we all recognize the physical and mental strain that we must overcome in order to complete the task at hand. This is why we often say, “I wish I had more motivation to get it done.”

Similarly, with faith, God has given us many things that we’re supposed to do. Be a good person, forgive others, share your faith, witness through your actions, and so on. As Christians, we realize at times that we lack the “motivation” or rather faith necessary to do what God has asked of us. Or the circumstances and situations we find ourselves in demand a greater faith to overcome them.

This week, I think we all can relate to the apostles as they listen to Jesus’ teaching. As Jesus tells them, “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times, saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him,” Luke 17:3-4. Living a Christian life is difficult work. Calling out others sins in a loving and caring way, and also being willing to forgive them is definitely not easy. Realizing the scope of what Jesus has said, the disciples’ response shouldn’t surprise us. “Increase our faith!” Luke 17:5. It’s both our plea for help with such a difficult task and an admittance that we’re not strong enough on our own. 

Increase our faith, God. Indeed, we’re not up to the task you have asked of us. We often fail or refuse to listen to you because it’s hard for us, or we just don’t want to. We often pay more attention to the mistakes of others than to our own. Just as Jesus says, "Temptations to sin are sure to come..." Luke 17:1. Daily, we’re tempted to fall away from you and daily we sin against you. Even when I do what you ask of me, I do it for my own glory and not for yours. Forgive me, Lord for all the times I haven’t lived as you have commanded or desired!

Yet, for all that the Lord has asked of us, he shows us the way in which we can carry it out. The motivation of the Christian life doesn’t come from within us. Rather, it always flows from Christ! Seven times, we forgive because God has forgiven us a million times! We’re called to love one another because God has loved us to the point of sending Jesus to die on the cross in our place. We serve one another because Christ has tied the towel around his waist and served us first. There can be no doubt that God grants us more faith, but he does this by simply pointing us to and showing us all that HE has done for us in Christ! Thus, when we have done all this, we’re to say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty,” Luke 17:10. Praise be to God who has served us in Jesus Christ and his death for us that we may now serve one another with forgiveness and love!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, by Your grace hear the prayers of Your Church. Grant that those things which we ask in faith we may receive through Your bountiful mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Amos 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Does God give us karma? You know karma, that is, “what goes around comes around”. This has always been a favorable stance for us as humans. We like the idea that those who do good are rewarded and those who do evil are punished. It’s like watching someone speed past you on the road and hoping the police are waiting nearby. Indeed, we often revel in such circumstances because we believe that is the way things are supposed to work.

It seems as though Jesus says much the same in our Gospel lesson this week. We hear Jesus tell us the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man has everything he desires in life and enjoys great comfort, whereas Lazarus has nothing but suffering. Then we hear their fate after they die, where Abraham speaks to the rich man, saying, “Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish,” Luke 16:25. It seems that the moral of this story is that the greedy man is punished and the poor man rewarded.

Hence, our question... Does God give us Karma? It would make us feel better if we could say yes. We all would prefer it that way, wouldn’t we? But the problem is, we all are evil. We all deserve punishment for the sins we commit and “karma” shows no mercy. If every time I did something wrong I had to pay a price for it, I would be bankrupt in a day! 

However, the rich man is meant as a stern warning for us who live comfortable lives. You see, the problem with the rich man is that he has made an idol out of his wealth and comfort. When life is going well, we feel no need to ask for help. This is why Scripture repeatedly warns us about the allure of money. Wealth, riches, and a comfortable life are among the many things that cause us to stop listening to God’s word. Yes, when life and “faith” become easy for us, it’s far easier to stop believing or listening to God. Rather, faith requires us to examine ourselves constantly, to know that we are nothing other than poor, miserable sinners.

But consider also Lazarus. Did he get into heaven simply because he was poor? That’s also a no! Understand that the name “Lazarus” means “One whom God has helped”. Lazarus was helped by God throughout his life so that God may be his help even in death. For God has helped us by giving us Moses and the Prophets. But he didn’t stop there. Yes, upon hearing God’s word to his people of Old, we come to know and look towards the promised messiah, Jesus Christ! Jesus is the one who helps us in our weakness, warns us of our sin, and comforts us in our afflictions. Jesus is the one whom God put to death for your sins and even raised him to witness to new and eternal life for all who believe! God is not the God of karma, but the God of mercy and grace! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, You are the strength of all who trust in You, and without Your aid we can do no good thing. Grant us the help of Your grace that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; Luke 16:1-15

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

America was built on the Christian work ethic. Christians have long been the ones who put in the long hours, showed the extra effort, and been the dutiful employees. Of course, it comes from our teaching of vocation that we’re meant to honor our bosses or employers just as the Christian employer is to respect his employees. Even if one or the other is an unbeliever, they are owed that same respect and care. For we know by that, we witness to our faith and the care God has given to us.

This is why our Gospel lesson is so confusing this week. Jesus is teaching his disciples about a range of different topics, when he comes to this parable. The dishonest manager shows none of these “Christian work ethic” traits for which he should be commended. He is said to be lazy, even squandering his master’s wealth. When he is rightly fired for his dishonesty, he doesn’t come with some heartfelt apology and a plea for a second chance to do better. Rather, he fudges the books for his own personal gain, so that he may have some place to run after he’s removed.

Jesus is, of course, not teaching us to be dishonest, nor to be lazy. Such imitation would face a stern rebuke from our Lord. The Ten Commandments call us to honor our bosses (4th commandment), help protect and improve their possessions and income (7th commandment), nor covet what they have (9th & 10th commandment). For there are many people today that become dishonest in their labor. There are many that want to put in as little effort as possible while still being paid for extra work. 

So, what are we to take from this parable? The dishonest manager gives us little we can imitate or commend, yet he was commended by the master. Here in lies the secret. It’s not really about the manager. The parable is more about the master. The parable is meant to emphasize the graciousness of the master. In spite of the manager’s dishonesty, he knows the character of his master. He’s commended, not for his laziness, but for his faith in his master’s mercy! The manager’s plan relies fully on the graciousness of his master!

Be wise in faith. Plan your future knowing you have a master and Lord who is merciful towards you. For God has given you his only Son, Jesus Christ, to forgive you all your debts. He has shown his mercy and grace towards you by sending Jesus to die on the cross. For it is not right for us to count on money for our salvation. Money will fail. Rather, let us use money as a testament to our Lord’s grace and mercy, that we may be received into His eternal dwelling! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O Lord, keep Your Church in Your perpetual mercy; and because without You we cannot but fall, preserve us from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Ezekiel 34:11-24; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We all have lost something. Most of the times, it’s something minor like losing a favorite pen, a wallet, or misplacing car keys. We realize that the item missing may not be that significant, however, the thought of losing it looms on our minds. So, we go searching. We look high and low until we find it. We may even obsess over it until it is found. When we do eventually find it, we rejoice!

Such are the parables in our Gospel lesson this week. Things are lost and the one who lost them goes searching. They don’t stop until it is found. And when it is, there is rejoicing! The lost sheep was not one that was misplaced though. It wandered off all on its own. It stopped listening to the voice of its shepherd and found itself in an unfamiliar place. We can debate the wisdom of the shepherd’s search, but he goes nonetheless. He leaves behind the ninety-nine in search of the one. 

This is the reason the Pharisees are so scandalized. Jesus leaves behind the ninety-nine “righteous” in search of the lone sinner. He invites them, these tax collectors and sinners, to his table that they may even eat with him! Of course, we all are those sinners. Not one of us is truly righteous before God. We all have wandered away at some point and needed to be found. For when others are brought in, let us not be scandalized by them.

Our Lord doesn’t give up his search. He seeks out the lost and desires to bring them back to his fold. The sheep of God have been abused long enough by selfish shepherds, that is, those who care little for the sheep and rather grow fat with greed. No, God will tend his sheep now. Just as Ezekiel writes, “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out,” (Ezekiel 34:11). God will restore all who have been driven away by unrighteous shepherds. 

And so, he does. Jesus sought out you. He sought out all who have wandered, desiring them to rejoin the feast. God sends his own Son to shepherd the flock that not even one will be lost. He brings them back to the flock through his forgiveness and mercy. Jesus went to the cross that he may seek and find all those who have strayed from his way. When a lost sheep is found by his shepherd, when a sinner repents and is returned to the fold, there is much rejoicing among the angels in heaven! As Jesus said, “Just so, 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 15:7. Jesus receives sinners and feeds them his precious body and blood that they may join the feast unending!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd, without whom nothing is secure. Rescue and preserve us that we may not be lost forever but follow You, rejoicing in the way that leads to eternal life; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-35

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Whenever we look to buy something new, we must first make sure that we have the money to do so. It would be silly to walk into a store, grab an item, and head to the checkout if we didn’t first make sure we had the money to buy it. On a bigger scale, building projects are only undertaken after (sometimes) months of planning and preparation to make sure materials and funds are all in order. When buildings go unfinished, it becomes an embarrassment to those who built it.

Such is the analogy Jesus uses in our Gospel lesson. Faith has a cost. It’s not free. Before taking up the “building” of faith, we must count the cost. Make sure we have the ability to see it through to the end, lest it becomes an embarrassment to us. For faith requires us to give up everything we have. As Jesus says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple,” Luke 14:26. Family and friends cannot stand in the way of faith. Nor can our own life.

Simply put, the Christian life is not one of ease. We are blessed to live in a country that it can be counted as such, but that may not always be the case. For already in other countries, Christians are persecuted for their faith. Some are thrown into prisons, others are tortured and killed. In every instance, the cost is high. Persecution will always follow those of faith as to make life unbearable. 

We pray, therefore, that the pressures of life never become too much for us. We pray that we may keep the faith above all else, even in the face of death. After all, when one is confirmed in our Church, this is the exact vow they make. “Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?” Our allegiances to Christ should never be put behind any other. As Jesus says, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple,” Luke 14:27.

Take up your cross, knowing Jesus has already taken up his. Realize that Jesus did not prize anything above his faith and devotion to his Father, above your salvation! Jesus despised his own family that he may teach and preach to all the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus despised even his own life so that he may lay it down upon the cross. Jesus gave up everything for you that you may have life! For so we come to realize that when we give up everything, we receive from Christ in greater abundance. For he comes to give you family through his gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation! Just as is written in Revelation, “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life!” (Rev. 2:10). Take up your cross that in Christ, you may have eternal life!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O merciful Lord, You did not spare Your only Son but delivered Him up for us all. Grant us courage and strength to take up the cross and follow Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!

Proverbs 25:2-10; Hebrews 13:1-17; Luke 14:1-14

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Everyone wants to be the one in the seat of power. We want to be our own boss. It’s alluring to know that you don’t have to listen to anyone else and also get to tell others what to do. We all know that this is the way the world works. Power is a currency in our world. Whoever holds more power is seen as the more “successful” person. And there’s no shortage of “self-help” books that aim at leading you towards such a life, teaching you the secrets of certain habits or traits to practice to become such a person.

Issues arise though when we try to implement such a system within the church. The church doesn’t work the same way. You don’t get to tell people what to do and have them still listen to you. Rather, the “higher” a position you have, the more you work for others. “Power” in the church is actually service. This is why pastors are called to serve the people, not become their boss.

In our Gospel lesson this week, Jesus argues with some Pharisees who are trying to lay a trap for him. They first place a man who has dropsy before him (on a Sabbath) to see what Jesus does. But Jesus sees right through it, as he says, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?... Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” Luke 14:3, 5. These Pharisees were so concerned with their laws regarding the Sabbath that they left no room for compassion. Jesus however begins to show them the opposite. 

The Pharisees weren’t the only ones paying close attention. Jesus too observed them and took notice of their habits, “when he noticed how they chose the places of honor” (Luke 14:7). The Pharisees always sought the best seats, the place of the greatest honor and power. Yes, they had completely perverted their office and what God had given them to do. They had let their own pride and arrogance supersede their responsibility to serve the people of God.

But pride always comes before the fall, right? At least, this is the lesson Jesus teaches us. When we seek out the places of honor and power, there’s always the chance that someone else will come who deserves the seat more than we do. “And then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’... For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted,” Luke 14:9-11. The example Jesus sets for us isn’t one of seeking power to rule over others. Rather, it’s the power to serve one another. For Jesus didn’t exalt himself, but rather came to take the lowest place among us. He became as we are in his humility, even being made in the image of sinners. Thus, Jesus took even the lowest place of the cross, to serve everyone with his atoning death, being exalted by his Father to the throne of grace! Yes, Jesus humbled himself to serve us, though he holds the greatest authority and power. So too, shall we in humble service care for one another just as Jesus has served us! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O Lord of grace and mercy, teach us by Your Holy Spirit to follow the example of Your Son in true humility, that we may withstand the temptations of the devil and with pure hearts and minds avoid ungodly pride; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!