Bethlehem Lutheran Church River Grove, IL

In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world. 

Devotion – Sundays Epistle is 1 Timothy 1:5–17 (ESV)

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith… The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

Paul’s words to Timothy are both sobering and full of hope. He reminds Timothy—and us—that the goal of all Christian teaching is not pride, argument, or self-righteousness, but love: love flowing from hearts first made pure by Christ, from consciences cleansed by His forgiveness, and from faith that clings sincerely to Him.

Yet Paul also admits his own past as a “blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.” He does not hide his sins. Instead, he marvels at God’s mercy: “But I received mercy… that in me… Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience” (vv. 13–16). Paul sees himself as the chief of sinners, yet also as a living trophy of grace.

Here is the heart of the Gospel: Christ Jesus came to save sinners. Not the righteous, not the deserving, not the put-together, but the broken, the guilty, the lost. That means He came for you. No sin is too great, no past too dark, for His mercy. And now, having been shown mercy, we are called to live in that same mercy toward others—extending love rooted in the forgiveness we ourselves have received.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You came into the world to save sinners, even me. Cleanse my heart, renew my conscience, and strengthen my faith, that I may love others as You have loved me. Amen.

This Sunday - FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Ezekiel 34:11–24

1 Timothy 1:12–17

Luke 15:1–10

Jesus Christ Is the Great Shepherd of His Sheep

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). As He had mercy on Paul, in order to “display his perfect patience” (1 Tim. 1:16), so also does He seek out His sheep “from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Ezek. 34:12). To deliver His flock, He “will seek the lost, … bring back the strayed, … bind up the injured, and … strengthen the weak” (Ezek. 34:16), and “they shall no longer be a prey” (Ezek. 34:22). He sets over them one great Good Shepherd, the Son of David, who “shall feed them and be their shepherd” (Ezek. 34:23). For Christ Jesus is the one man who, “having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them,” would “leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it” (Luke 15:4). When He finds the lost one and brings it home rejoicing, “the angels of God” and all the company of heaven rejoice with Him, with great joy (Luke 15:7, 10).

Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and opened the gates of heaven to all who trust in him.

God accepts all who believe in Jesus even though there is no merit or worthiness in us.

So that we might believe in Jesus, God has given us the ministry, which is the preaching of Christ and the

Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Through these, God also gives us the forgiveness of sins.

When God brings people to faith, He also produces many good works in our lives. These are done, not to earn

grace, but to do God’s will and please him. We love him because he first loved us.

God has given every man, woman and child a calling in life. Within that calling He directs us, and through

His Word, strengthens us to live for Him.

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Bible is free from all error and contradiction in all that it says.

The Word of God brings us to Jesus our Lord.