Sunday, February 28, 2016
Sermon Audio: Luke 13:1-9, February 28, 2016
A sermon preached by Pastor Lewis Polzin on February 28, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji, MN, on Luke 13:1-9. The text of this sermon may be found by clicking this link and you may play the audio of the sermon here.
Sermon Text: Luke 13:-19, February 28, 2016
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The text this morning is from the Gospel according to Luke, the thirteenth chapter:
My dear friends in Christ,
The Roman governor, Pilate, was not really a man to mess around with. He was in a lot of trouble, actually. He already had a couple of rebellions on his hands, and Caesar told him if he had any more, he would be recalled to Rome. For Pilate, losing his position like that would mean embarrassment, exile, possibly even execution. You can understand now, perhaps, even why he allowed the Jews to crucify Jesus rather than have another rebellion that Good Friday.
To keep the peace, it seems he was a harsh ruler. He was so harsh even, that one day, while there were Galileean believers in the Temple, he had his soldiers rush in and slaughter those Galileeans where they stood. They had been there to bring their sacrifices to God, according to the Mosaic law. And as their bodies lay bleeding in the Temple, their blood became mingled with the blood of those animals they had come to offer to God in atonement for their sins.
The text this morning is from the Gospel according to Luke, the thirteenth chapter:
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”Thus far the text.
My dear friends in Christ,
The Roman governor, Pilate, was not really a man to mess around with. He was in a lot of trouble, actually. He already had a couple of rebellions on his hands, and Caesar told him if he had any more, he would be recalled to Rome. For Pilate, losing his position like that would mean embarrassment, exile, possibly even execution. You can understand now, perhaps, even why he allowed the Jews to crucify Jesus rather than have another rebellion that Good Friday.
To keep the peace, it seems he was a harsh ruler. He was so harsh even, that one day, while there were Galileean believers in the Temple, he had his soldiers rush in and slaughter those Galileeans where they stood. They had been there to bring their sacrifices to God, according to the Mosaic law. And as their bodies lay bleeding in the Temple, their blood became mingled with the blood of those animals they had come to offer to God in atonement for their sins.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Bible Study: One Christ, Many Creeds: Introduction to Calvinist Church Bodies, February 21, 2016
This Bible Study is taken from and based upon the "One Christ, Many Creeds" curriculum from Concordia Publishing House. It was taught at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji, MN on February 21, 2016. Play the audio by clicking here.
Sermon Audio: Philippians 3:17-4:1, February 21, 2016
A sermon preached by Pastor Lewis Polzin on February 21, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji, MN, on Philippians 3:17-4:1. The text of this sermon may be found by clicking this link and you may play the audio of the sermon here.
Sermon Text: Philippians 3:17-4:1, February 21, 2016
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The text this morning is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the third and fourth chapters:
My dear friends in Christ,
There is nothing, nothing that stands so much against the idea of being a Christian than the idea that our lives are ones of simple pleasures in which we can just lay back at take it easy. Now, it’s not to say that relaxing on occasion, taking the time to slow down, to rest from trials and tribulations, are sinful. These aren’t sinful things. But, what I am talking about is the idea that our lives are filled with great burdens, and burdens which we are called to bear, burdens which can come upon us at any time. Difficulties that make life one of suffering… these are to be expected.
Our Master, Jesus Christ, was crucified, and so why should we expect ease in this life? He was pierced through with nails, and we expect comfort? No, the reality is that we are called to be soldiers of the faith, stalwart, strong, and bearing up under the harsh burdens of warfare as we follow our General, our Lord, wherever it is He may take us.
This is why Paul says that many walk, according to their own bellies, as enemies of the cross. Life isn’t easy, it isn’t comfortable, and we as Christians shouldn’t expect it to be. Was the cross a recliner? Was it a Jacuzzi? No, it was a torture stick where criminals were bathed in blood. We should expect the same for ourselves, and, with Paul, as he says elsewhere, give thanks in all situations, no matter what may come.
The text this morning is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the third and fourth chapters:
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.Thus far the text.
My dear friends in Christ,
There is nothing, nothing that stands so much against the idea of being a Christian than the idea that our lives are ones of simple pleasures in which we can just lay back at take it easy. Now, it’s not to say that relaxing on occasion, taking the time to slow down, to rest from trials and tribulations, are sinful. These aren’t sinful things. But, what I am talking about is the idea that our lives are filled with great burdens, and burdens which we are called to bear, burdens which can come upon us at any time. Difficulties that make life one of suffering… these are to be expected.
Our Master, Jesus Christ, was crucified, and so why should we expect ease in this life? He was pierced through with nails, and we expect comfort? No, the reality is that we are called to be soldiers of the faith, stalwart, strong, and bearing up under the harsh burdens of warfare as we follow our General, our Lord, wherever it is He may take us.
This is why Paul says that many walk, according to their own bellies, as enemies of the cross. Life isn’t easy, it isn’t comfortable, and we as Christians shouldn’t expect it to be. Was the cross a recliner? Was it a Jacuzzi? No, it was a torture stick where criminals were bathed in blood. We should expect the same for ourselves, and, with Paul, as he says elsewhere, give thanks in all situations, no matter what may come.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Sermon Audio: Romans 10:8b-13, February 14, 2016
A sermon preached by Pastor Lewis Polzin on February 14, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji, MN, on Romans 10:8b-13. The text of this sermon may be found by clicking this link and you may play the audio of the sermon here.
Sermon Text: Romans 10:8b-13, February 14, 2016
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The text this morning is from Paul's Letter to the Romans, the 10th chapter:
My dear friends in Christ,
Paul says there are two kinds of righteousness. Just a little bit before our reading today, he lays out one kind, perhaps the one we’re most familiar with, the one we think we can do. He says that there is a righteousness that comes from obedience to the Law of God.
Now, this righteousness is interesting, mostly because, as we all know, obedience to the Law is impossible for mankind to accomplish because we are sinners. We aren’t sinners because we sin, we sin because we’re sinners. Let’s say that another way: we were conceived in sin, even in our mothers’ wombs, and sin has infected us in such a way that every thought, word, and deed we think, say, or do is, by its nature, sinful. Sadly, there is no perfect, righteous deed that any sinner can do.
The text this morning is from Paul's Letter to the Romans, the 10th chapter:
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Thus far the text.
My dear friends in Christ,
Paul says there are two kinds of righteousness. Just a little bit before our reading today, he lays out one kind, perhaps the one we’re most familiar with, the one we think we can do. He says that there is a righteousness that comes from obedience to the Law of God.
Now, this righteousness is interesting, mostly because, as we all know, obedience to the Law is impossible for mankind to accomplish because we are sinners. We aren’t sinners because we sin, we sin because we’re sinners. Let’s say that another way: we were conceived in sin, even in our mothers’ wombs, and sin has infected us in such a way that every thought, word, and deed we think, say, or do is, by its nature, sinful. Sadly, there is no perfect, righteous deed that any sinner can do.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Bible Study: One Christ, Many Creeds: Eastern Orthodoxy, February 7, 2016
This Bible Study is taken from and based upon the "One Christ, Many Creeds" curriculum from Concordia Publishing House. It was taught at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji, MN on February 7, 2016. Play the audio by clicking here. You may also follow along with the teaching using this sheet.
Sermon Audio: Luke 9:28-36, February 7, 2016
A sermon preached by Pastor Lewis Polzin on February 7, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji, MN, on Luke 9:28-36. The text of this sermon may be found by clicking this link and you may play the audio of the sermon here.
Sermon Text: Luke 9:28-36, February 7, 2016
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The text this morning is from the Gospel according to Luke, the ninth chapter:
My dear friends in Christ,
Traditionally, today, the last Sunday before the Lenten season begins in earnest, is the day the Church puts away her Alleluias. We don’t sing them, we don’t say them, we try not to think them, and so, today, we try to get as many in as we can. Alleluia means “Praise the Lord.” It’s not that during the Lenten season we don’t praise the Lord; we certainly do. But we restrain ourselves from using the word for the Lenten season is one of penitence, one of seeking after the Lord in repentant faith.
We hide the Alleluias because Alleluia is a blessed word, a joyful word, a word that takes delight in the Lord and His Word and His gifts and His blessed Son. We hide the Alleluias because the Lenten season is one of suffering, not only as we recognize the suffering that we ourselves go through as sinners in this fallen world, but as we watch the suffering and death of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. In fact, just before our Gospel reading for today, Jesus has told His disciples exactly what He will suffer. He says He will suffer, be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, He will be killed.
This is our experience as well. As Christians, we follow our Christ. We look to Him as our example of what to do, that we should be holy and righteous, doing good to our neighbor and thereby serving God. But we also look to Christ as our example of what will come to us. If the perfect and holy Son of God will suffer all these things at the hands of angry men, what may we expect to experience in the world?
The text this morning is from the Gospel according to Luke, the ninth chapter:
Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.Thus far the text.
My dear friends in Christ,
Traditionally, today, the last Sunday before the Lenten season begins in earnest, is the day the Church puts away her Alleluias. We don’t sing them, we don’t say them, we try not to think them, and so, today, we try to get as many in as we can. Alleluia means “Praise the Lord.” It’s not that during the Lenten season we don’t praise the Lord; we certainly do. But we restrain ourselves from using the word for the Lenten season is one of penitence, one of seeking after the Lord in repentant faith.
We hide the Alleluias because Alleluia is a blessed word, a joyful word, a word that takes delight in the Lord and His Word and His gifts and His blessed Son. We hide the Alleluias because the Lenten season is one of suffering, not only as we recognize the suffering that we ourselves go through as sinners in this fallen world, but as we watch the suffering and death of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. In fact, just before our Gospel reading for today, Jesus has told His disciples exactly what He will suffer. He says He will suffer, be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, He will be killed.
This is our experience as well. As Christians, we follow our Christ. We look to Him as our example of what to do, that we should be holy and righteous, doing good to our neighbor and thereby serving God. But we also look to Christ as our example of what will come to us. If the perfect and holy Son of God will suffer all these things at the hands of angry men, what may we expect to experience in the world?
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Bible Study: Luke 9:28-36, February 3, 2016
A Bible Study taught by Pastor Lewis Polzin on Luke 9:28-36 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji, MN, on February 3. 2016. This Bible Study will help to lay a foundation for the sermon that is preached the following Sunday. Play the audio by clicking here.
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