Rev. Franke's Theme Thoughts

Pentecost 07, Series C July 11, 2010

Lessons for Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (LSB Proper 10)

Leviticus (18:1-5) 19:9-18 ~ God’s people treat others the way God would treat them.
Psalm 41 (antiphon:v. 1)
Colossians 1:1-14 ~ Our relationship to the Father through Christ calls us to a life of love toward others.
Luke 10:25-37 ~ Jesus is the model for being a good neighbor to those in need.

GATHERING THE TEXTS: Always Remember to be Kind!
God’s commands illustrate what love is by prohibiting any mistreatment of others and requiring us to treat our neighbors the way we would treat ourselves. It was Christ’s reconciling love that had claimed Paul as a servant of the Gospel, so that he was ready to go to great lengths to show God’s love to the Colossians. Jesus’ story of the good Samaritan points out that a neighbor’s love is shown in acts of mercy to those in need.

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERVICE: Lord God, keep your Word near to my heart so that you are always first in my heart. Then your love will flow from my heart to others so they may know your salvation in Christ Jesus. Amen.

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT: Our special relationship to God through Christ Jesus puts us in the unique place of having the hope of heaven and the wisdom to share that hope with neighbors through loving actions in this world.

OFFERING PRAYER: Lord, use these gifts in showing love to those who need to know You.
And use our lives to share Your love and turn their hearts to Jesus. Amen.

CONVICTION AND COMFORT: We rejoice in the hope of heaven that God has given us through Christ Jesus, but we often fail to apply that hope to the conditions around us in this world. We are usually more concerned with who will prove to be a neighbor to us than we are about who needs our help as a neighbor. Because we have been qualified for the inheritance of heaven through the love of Christ, our lives are informed with His love for all those around us who are in need. Our lives show forth God’s love.