DEVOTION: Matthew 21:23-32 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Authority of Jesus Challenged
23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" 24 Jesus answered them, "I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?" And they discussed it among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, 'From man,' we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
The Parable of the Two Sons
28 "What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29 And he answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him."
Last week it was the parable of the vineyard workers where whether they worked one hour or eight hours they were paid the same. Today we see that the one who messed up, but then realized his mistake, repented, and went to work was the right one, and that tax collectors and prostitutes were going into the kingdom before the "righteous" scribes and Pharisees. It's like Jesus is trying to tell us something. What?
Very simply, he is telling us that what truly matters is listening to the Lord when he calls. It is hearing his voice and doing what he asks. If the tax collectors and prostitutes turn from their sin and toward Jesus, they will live. On the other hand, if a person sits in church every week and looks good on the outside, but on the inside is full of all manner of sin, and does not turn from it, he will die in his sin.
The Pharisees weren't listening. He had been telling them who he was over and over again. He had already told them where he got his authority. They were too busy worrying about their status and their own good deeds. They were focused on themselves and paid no attention to Jesus unless he threatened their status.
It's the listening that matters! Listen to God's Word today! Don't worry about what you look like to others on the outside or how much work you've done for the Lord. Let the Lord break your will and make you simply surrender to his. His will is easy! Repent and believe the good news! Listen to the Lord and turn to Him so that what He sees on the inside is presentable and clean before the Lord!
Prayer: Lord, break me so that I have no other option but to listen to you, repent, and believe the good news. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs-Karate 6:15-7:45; Lutheranism 101 6:30???
Fri- Basement reserved for Rehearsal dinner 5-10pm
Sat- HOLY YOGA 10-11; LWML Weekend Worship 5pm
Sun LWML Weekend Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
Acolyte- 8:30- Cierra Figura; 11- Addie HoelscheUshers- Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher, ???????
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Ushers: Dave Callies, Don Nolte, Marv Hendershot, Kevin Luebke
Altar- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; Sun- 8:30- Al Benton; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Lew and Dianne Feldkamp; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay Reader- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Karen Benton, 11- Molly Hendershot
Organist- Barb Dreyer
11am pianist- Molly Hendershot
Projectionist: Sat- Perricone; Sun, 8:30- Yoder; 11-
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What is the flying scroll in Zechariah?
We got two answers yesterday. The first one is from Pat King and the second one is from Don Nolte
What is the flying scroll in Zechariah?
So, no, this was not an ancient flying saucer. I know, other people may tell you it was, but trust me on this, it wasn't. The contents of the scroll was a curse, which was sent out over the entire earth, to judge all mankind. It will ultimately be finished on Judgment Day.
Anyway, here are just 2 of the many interesting articles written about it:
http://bethanybible.org/new/bible-study/pm/2011-03-23/the-flying-scroll-zechariah-5-1-4
http://www.biblicalhorizons.com/biblical-horizons/no-67-a-flying-scroll/
It was the curse of God on all those who failed to keep His Law perfectly. Zachariah 5:1-4
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TODAY'S QUIZ: According to Zechariah 7:5, for whom should we fast?
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NEWS:
LWML WEEKEND THIS WEEKEND
We will be honoring our Ladies Aid and they will be recognized in all three services this weekend. May God continue to bless them for their faithfulness to the Lord and for the work they do to his glory and for his purpose!
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LIFE CHAIN THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2-3pm
Join the Right to Life group of Warren County and others as they show their support for the sanctity of life at all stages! They will be lined up with signs supporting life on the west side of hwy 47 between the service road (Legacy Drug Store and Imo's) and the Kroger stoplight (Main St.).
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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK
Every week the kids get a Bible verse to memorize and if they are able to tell it to pastor during Sunday school opening they will get a prize! This week's Bible verse is: "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4
Let's get so many kids to tell it to pastor that we run out of prizes!!!
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NEW OUTREACH BOOKLET DISPLAY AT CHURCH
Our board of outreach and evangelism purchased a set of outreach booklets on all different topics of interest. They are for you to use for yourself, but also to take to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors who may be dealing with the things covered in these booklets or may just have questions regarding to the faith. Please check it out and as it says, PLEASE TAKE ONE!
DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?
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OUR NEXT FIFTH SUNDAY CELEBRATION WILL BE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29… REFORMATION SUNDAY!! TO CELEBRATE THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION AND THE POSTING OF THE 95 THESES BY MARTIN LUTHER ON THE CASTLE CHURCH DOOR IN WITTENBERG, GERMANY!!
It is going to be a blowout celebration! Mark your calendars today to make sure you are there to enjoy the celebration!
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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER IS CANNED FRUIT. Please bring items up to church and put them in the tub marked "Backpack Blessings".
PRAYERS:
For KELSEY OVERBECK AND SEAN RESNICK as they are getting married this Saturday, Sept. 30.
For LORI FELDKAMP AND KEVIN PEDERSON as they are getting married next Saturday, Oct. 7.
For DONNA HEITGERD'S DAUGHTER IN LAW, PEGGY, as she recovers from back surgery, and for her son RON as he recovers from surgery on his foot.
For LIL WINTER who is having surgery on Friday.
For CAL AND BETTY TAMELER'S DAUGHTER, DENISE, as she was diagnosed with cancer this past week.
For BUCK HAMPTON, as he was diagnosed with lung cancer on Thursday.
For IVY TINNIN who is still recovering from a seizure she had two Sundays ago.
For PAUL AND AMANDA PROUHET who are expecting another child, their third.
For the INFANT GRANDSON OF DANE AND JODI BALDWIN who was born twelve weeks premature. Right now he is getting some help with breathing, but all vitals and everything are good. He was born at 2 and a half pounds.
For THOSE IN THE CARIBBEAN, FLORIDA, AND THE EAST COAST who are dealing with hurricane Irma.
For THOSE IN TEXAS AND LOUISIANA who are dealing with historic flooding and damage from hurricane Harvey.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he continues to fight cancer and goes through cancer treatments.
For CAL TAMELER who is HOME and is recovering from surgeries and a heart attack.
For ANGIE BRUNSON, who is at home, but is still dealing with blood clots and an infection after a trouble from a hysterectomy.
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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Amman, Jordan and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.
For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, COLTON FIGURA stationed in California, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee. That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.
For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.
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