He replied, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world;
and the good seed—these are the children of the kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Since the end of the age is not yet upon us – of that day there will be no doubt – we live, work and pray as those who believe that God can take even children of the evil one and make of them children of His good and gracious Kingdom.
1. Two kinds of people are being planted in this world
a. Children of the Kingdom
b. Children of the evil one
2. How we live in this world has an impact for good or ill
a. Frightening possibility of being pulled to the dark side: Saruman, Darth Vader et al.
b. Joyful possibility of coming to the light: C.S. Lewis “On Living in an Atomic Age.”
3. There is coming a Day of reckoning and ultimate accountability
a. Weeds will be separated by holy angels
b. Wheat will be gathered into the Father’s barn
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Maddening Mixture of Good Seeds and Weeds
July 19, 2020 • Pastor Paul Becker
Second Sunday of Easter
April 7, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • John 20:21–23
To demonstrate that with God all things are possible, Jesus sends us into the world as He was sent, with divine peace, with the Holy Spirit and with the forgiveness of sins. 1. We are sent into the world with divine peace a. Not a false peace that “heals the wound of My people lightly” b. The Prince of Peace makes us peacemakers in a strife-torn world 2. We are sent into the world with the Holy Spirit, the Comforter a. By saturating in the means of grace, not of ourselves b. By appreciating the fruits and gifts of the Spirit 3. We are sent into the world with the forgiveness of sins a. Daily in the Lord’s Prayer / Luther’s evening prayer b. For our enemies and persecutors, bless those who curse
Palm Sunday
March 24, 2024 • Pastor Paul Becker • Philippians 2:7–8
As Jesus emptied and humbled Himself, becoming like us in every way except sin, He resisted the devil’s pride, breaking the power of death on the cross. 1. Jesus emptied and humbled Himself for us a. He did not cling to His divine privileges b. He manifests the power of humility 2. Jesus became like us in every way except sin a. The joys and sorrows, trials and temptations b. Being subject to suffering and death 3. Jesus resisted the devil’s pride / broke the power of death a. God resists the proud/gives grace to the humble b. He who keeps My Word shall not see death forever