What motivates you to give? Zacchaeus will help us answer this question as he shows money’s generous side. This weekend we wrap up our three-week series called Money Talks and Zacchaeus is our man. The readings are about money’s generous side OT: Proverbs 3:5–10; EP: 1 Timothy 6:17–19; GO: Luke 19:1–10

Money Talks! That’s the name of the three-week sermon series we’re in. Today’s money talk comes from 2 Kings 5. The focus? A greedy man named Gehazi. The sermon and the readings for week 2 are about money’s tempting side: OT: 2 Kings 5:1–27; EP: 1 Timothy 6:11–16; GO: Matthew 6:24–26

This Sunday we begin a three-week series called Money Talks and Lot is our focus. Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Lot, whose wife famously became a pillar of salt. Lot, whose life shows us money’s dark side. There is much to learn! Scripture Readings: The readings are about money’s dark side:
OT: Genesis 19:1–11; EP: 1 Timothy 6:6–10; GO: Luke 12:13–21

Theme of the Day: Today is the day—the Anniversary of the Reformation!  And we do so based upon Christ’s words in John 8:32, “The truth will set you free.” This is our Independence Day! Scripture readings for Reformation Sunday: Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36.

Luke 1:38. On this Lutheran Woman’s Missionary League (LWML) Sunday we are thinking about service. As redeemed children of God, we serve others as we have been served, to proclaim that Jesus is our Lord and that He came for all nations. Readings for LWML Sunday: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, Philippians 2:5-11 and Luke 1:26-38. For more information about LWML and its ministry and mission, please see LWML.org. As a practical way of serving as Christian citizens, we are thinking about the competing abortion related initiatives in Nebraska. For more information about these two initiatives (and how churches can engage in government) see nebraskafamilyalliance.org. 

Mark 10:17-22. God has looked at our broken lives and our miserable attempts at righteousness, even when we still are in the midst of our deception and he has loved us nonetheless.

(1 Peter 3:13-17). Even amid suffering, when we talk about Jesus in our everyday conversations, we do this with “gentleness and respect.” Learn more about the Spiritual Conversation Curve in a free course offered by Lutheran Hour Ministries called “Prepared to Respond” at lhm.org/curve

(Ephesians 6:10-20). Becoming more eager to share our faith is something that we all can work toward. Action step: To examine oneself, and work on a piece of Armor of God that we don’t have strapped on tight enough take the online course at lhm.org/learn called “Eager to Share”.

Sharing our faith is good, it has utility, and it is beautiful. But often we make assumptions about ourselves and others that get in the way of us faithfully sharing our faith with non-believers. Epistle reading: Romans 10:11-17 and Gospel Reading: Luke 4:14-30. This sermon begins and ends with the image of the Great West Window of Winchester Cathedral. You can do an Internet search of the image or click on the link:  Wikimedia Commons, CC Licence 

Other resources for this sermon series: Lutheran Hour Ministries: www.LHM.org. The Spiritual Conversation Curve Card: https://www.lhm.org/curve/ and the book, “The Reluctant Witness” is available at https://www.amazon.com/Reluctant-Witness-Discovering-Spiritual-Conversations/dp/0830845674.

(Luke 22:54-62)  Peter denied Jesus. Before we get too harsh in our thinking of Peter, how often do we find ourselves in similar situations. And through God’s Word, Jesus helps us overcome our fears. Epistle reading cited: 2 Timothy 4:1-5.