2017 Reformation Anniversary - It's Still About Jesus
All is Ready! Come to the Table!
“ALL IS READY! COME TO THE TABLE!”
Text – LUKE 14:15—24
GRACE BE UNTO YOU AND PEACE FROM GOD THE FATHER AND FROM OUR LORD AND SAVIOR – JESUS THE CHRIST.
It had been a busy Saturday followed by an even busier night for Pastor Jorgenson who had missed out on a lot of sleep and a few meals so he was very happy to accept an invitation to accompany the Tharp family to Uncle Lars Nelson’s farm for Sunday dinner. The meal featured Pastor Jorgenson's favorite Sunday dinner with chickens from the Nelson's own farm. The pastor enjoyed a hearty meal with lots of that tasty chicken.
After dinner, Lars Nelson took the pastor and Guenther on a tour of his farm. As they walked, a rooster kept crowing. "He sure sounds proud," said Pastor Jorgenson.
Guenther replied, "He should be. During lunch he had a son go into the ministry."
In our Gospel text, we find Jesus as a dinner guest in the house of a prominent Pharisee. When one of those who sat at table with Jesus heard His sayings, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God!” Jesus replied – as He often did – with a parable – this time about a man who once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for all is now ready’.
Pastor Gosnell preaching in Pastor Borows' absence
All Is Well - Pass It On
“ALL IS WELL - PASS IT ON"
Text — MATTHEW 18:21—35
GRACE BE UNTO YOU AND PEACE FROM GOD THE FATHER AND FROM OUR CRUCIFIED AND RISEN LORD AND SAVIOUR … JESUS THE CHRIST … THE PRINCE OF PEACE. AMEN.
Mrs. Nielsen had just finished a unit on The Ten Commandments and her Sunday school class was now studying God’s Forgiveness. She began by asking the class, "What must we do before we can expect God to forgive our sins?"
After a long silence, Guenther Tharp raised his hand and said: "We need to sin?"
Well, it is truly basic to human nature for all of us to meet that qualification. But what about after the sin and after the forgiveness? What about after Jesus has forgiven and reconciled us to Himself and made us eternal members of God’s Kingdom?
In our Gospel text this morning, a forgiven and redeemed disciple named Peter who was no doubt growing in his understanding of that wonderful gift asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Back when our text took place, the rabbis — particularly those of the Pharisaic sect — devoted many hours to analyzing and debating all of life’s theological and moral perimeters. Their discussions of “forgiveness” brought them to the conclusion that a person should forgive his neighbor three times. The fourth time you were offended by the same neighbor, forgiveness was not required. Forgive a neighbor three times and you have fulfilled the teachings of the strictest religious authorities.
It is rather obvious where Peter came up with the number “seven”. It appears that Jesus’ Own teachings about love and forgiveness had made a real impression on Peter so he took the revered rabbis’ requirement of “three”, doubled it to “six”, and added one for good measure. “As many as seven times?”
His fellow disciples were probably impressed and nodded their agreement.
But Jesus said to Peter, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” That’s literally 490 times.
Employment Opportunity-Employer Provides the Experience
“ALL IS WELL - PASS IT ON"
Text — MATTHEW 18:21—35
GRACE BE UNTO YOU AND PEACE FROM GOD THE FATHER AND FROM OUR CRUCIFIED AND RISEN LORD AND SAVIOUR … JESUS THE CHRIST … THE PRINCE OF PEACE. AMEN.
Mrs. Nielsen had just finished a unit on The Ten Commandments and her Sunday school class was now studying God’s Forgiveness. She began by asking the class, "What must we do before we can expect God to forgive our sins?"
After a long silence, Guenther Tharp raised his hand and said: "We need to sin?"
Well, it is truly basic to human nature for all of us to meet that qualification. But what about after the sin and after the forgiveness? What about after Jesus has forgiven and reconciled us to Himself and made us eternal members of God’s Kingdom?
In our Gospel text this morning, a forgiven and redeemed disciple named Peter who was no doubt growing in his understanding of that wonderful gift asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”