St. John's Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI

"Jesus’ Invitation to Find Community in Him," Luke 5:17-26

In the world, there are "insiders" and there are "outsiders."  While in the Church we discourage thinking in terms of "insiders" and "outsiders," we do well to think about those people who consider themselves "outsiders."  We also do well to repent for every time that we have made others feel like "outsiders."  Frequently, the process of moving from an "outsider" to an "insider" in the Church includes others praying for us, inviting us, and welcoming us into the "household of faith" (as Paul calls the Church in Gal. 6:10).  Does it break your heart that people consider themselves "outsiders" before God?  It breaks His heart.

"Created for Community," John 17:20-26

The church is not a place to which we go, but a body that we are gathered into.  Too often, people's "mouths have runneth over" and feelings have been hurt.  The result is that the strengthening community to which God has brought us into through our baptisms has been fractured.  As he prepared for his death, Jesus prayed that his followers might all be one as he and the Father are one.  Through the power of Jesus' death, we have been reconciled to the Father and that same power can reconcile us to one another.  We need one another more than we realize - it is a God-given need for community.

Isaiah 6:1-7, "A People of Unclean Lips"

A sinful man standing in the presence of the Holy God, Isaiah prepares to be struck down.  Instead, God in His mercy cleanses him and declares him clean.  Through the washing of rebirth in Holy Baptism, our Father has cleansed us and daily washes away the sins of those who are repentant for the sake of Jesus in Whom the Spirit has caused us to trust.

Genesis 11:1–9, "The Towers We Build"

The people at Babel saw their own accomplishments as the greatest good in this life and so they started to build a worthless tower in order to "make a name for themselves."  Frequently, in our own lives we look to our accomplishments, wealth, and possessions for a sense of meaning and value.  For those who find their value, meaning, and security in what God has done for them in Christ - they need never worry that these things may be taken from them.  In Christ, an eternal name has been made for them - "redeemed."