Wrestling with Theology

''He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scatte...

''Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into t...

Liturgical Date: Fourth Sunday of Easter Calendar Date: April 25, 2021 Location: Our Savior, Milford, IL Order of Service: Service of Prayer & Preaching Hymns: #463, "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia" #709, "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" #469, "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" #749, "There Is a Balm in Gilead" Sermon Theme: No Other Salvation Sermon Text: Acts 4:1-12 Other Lectionary...

''He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money (Matthew 25:16-18).'' When you're given something, the person who gives it to you expects you to use it. In today's verses, we have the three se...

''To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away (Matthew 25:15).'' Jesus gives each person gifts of faith according to their own ability. And these gifts differ from person to person. St. Paul writes, "Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, so that His people would learn to serve and...

''For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property (Matthew 25:14).'' In this parable, Jesus foreshadows His ascension into Heaven. He is going on a journey. Not because He needs to go somewhere else. Because we need Him to be in Heaven. We need Him in Heaven because He is our Mediator before the Father. He intercedes for us with His heavenly...

Psalms 9 and 10 are combined in most of the ancient translations of the Psalter. This is seen in the Greek, Latin and Syrian. The Hebrew separates them, so the English versions also separate them. Great words about God's judgment and justice. Not exactly what we think when we consider those words.

''Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour (Matthew 25:13).'' Many people try to predict the end of the world. And they have many different methods for doing such. There are many preachers today who read the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. They interpret the Bible by the headlines in the paper. Trying to figure out the secret code God has left behind in the end-...

Liturgical Date: Third Sunday of Easter Calendar Date: April 18, 2021 Location: Our Savior, Milford, IL Order of Service: Divine Service 3 Hymns: #590, "Baptized into Your Name Most Holy" #458, "Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands" #464, "The Strife Is O'er, the Battle Done" #457, "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today" #468, "I Am Content" #629, "What Is This Bread" #488, "He Is Arisen! Glorious Word"...

''And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you' (Matthew 25:10-12).'' When the roll is called up yonder will you be there? Will your name be on the heavenly roll?  Whi...

''Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves' (Matthew 25:7-9).'' When the eternal Bridegroom Jesus Christ comes to bring the dawn of the eternal Day, everyone will be...

''As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept (Matthew 25:5).'' In the parable, the bridegroom delayed in bringing the wedding procession to the virgins. While they were waiting they grew sleepy. This is the biggest problem cited among Evangelicals. They had such great fire and energy to do God's will when they were saved. But as the years go on, that energy seems to die out. T...

Raven vs Honky Tonk Man Quarterfinal Matches in the World Heavyweight Title Tournament David von Erich vs Rick Rude 'Gentleman' Chris Adams vs 'Fallen Angel' Christopher Daniels Undertaker vs Austin Idol Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Shane Douglas TELEVISION TITLE MATCH: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Buzz Sawyer Semifinal Matches in the World Heavyweight Title Tournament Rick Rude vs 'Gentleman' Chris A...

''Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps (Matthew 25:2-4).'' Of the ten virgins in the parable, the distinction is made between the wise and the foolish based on whether they brought oil for their lamps or not. The flask of oil is each one's gift of faith. Faith makes you wis...

This month we'll consider Jesus' parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. Let us hear it today: "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, th...

''In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 24:51).'' Of the seven times that the phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth" is mentioned in the Bible, six of them are in St. Matthew's Gospel. St. Matthew has a specific theme of judgment in mind for his readers. The place where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth" is a place of "outer darkness" (Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 25:30)...

Liturgical Date: Second Sunday of Easter Calendar Date: April 11, 2021 Location: Our Savior, Milford, IL Order of Service: Service of Prayer & Preaching Hymns: #606, "I Lay My Sins on Jesus" #471, "O Sons and Daughters of the King" #411, "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" #649, "Blest Be the Tie" Sermon Theme: One Heart and Soul Sermon Text: Acts 4:32-35 Other Lectionary Readings: ...

''But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites (Matthew 24:48-51).'' A wicked servant is one that is unprepared for his master's return....

''But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matthew 24:43-44).'' Everyone wants Jesus to give them a warning shot before He comes back. That's the thrust behind the que...

Faith in Christ justifies and forgives sins. This faith, justification and forgiveness can only come through the Word. Especially when that Word was made incarnate and gives these gifts freely through His life, death and resurrection.

''But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matthew 24:43-44).'' Everyone wants Jesus to give them a warning shot before He comes back. That's the thrust behind the que...

''Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming (Matthew 24:42).'' The Lord is coming. We should neither slumber nor sleep. We need to stay awake to see the Lord coming. To be expecting Him to come at any moment. Being asleep, you can't pay attention to what's going on around you. You are unaware of the things being said or done. And we don't want to miss the glad news...

''Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left (Matthew 24:40-41).'' The popular book series ''Left Behind'' takes these verses from Matthew and illustrate the Rapture. However, those who teach the Rapture have these verses backwards. Taken in context, these verses continue from the illustration of Noah's...

Liturgical Date: Easter Morning Calendar Date: April 4, 2021 Location: Our Savior, Milford, IL Order of Service: Divine Service 1 Hymns: #457, "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today" #488, "He Is Arisen, Glorious Word" #461, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" #466, "Christ Is Arisen! Alleluia!" #480, "He's Risen, He's Risen" #490, "Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won" Sermon Theme: Jesus Has Swallowed Up Death Fore...

''For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:37-39).'' When Jesus comes back, life will be going on like norm...