The Sixth Sunday of the Pentecost Season
Also known as the Fourth Sunday after
the Festival of the Holy Trinity – June 28, 2026
Major Messages from the Minor Prophets…Today: Obadiah
Obadiah’s Message to Edom (and us):
It’s Coming…Divine Justice for the Proud…and Gracious Deliverance for His Suffering Children
There are all kinds of questions that the Bible doesn’t answer. Some of them come up in connection with our reading of the Scriptures and trying to understand them. For example, Obadiah’s first verse raises plenty of questions without answering them. Is the prophet Obadiah (the name means “servant/worshiper of the Lord”) one of approximately a dozen Obadiah’s mentioned in the Bible (1 Kings 18:3-16; l Chron. 3:21; 7:3; 8;38; 9:16; 12:9; 27;19; 2 Chron. 17:7; 34:12.), or was he someone else? Was the vision that Obadiah had one where he actually “was in the spirit” or did he simply “see in his mind” what he eventually left us in – under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration – ink on paper? And just who were the “we” who heard the Lord’s message? Finally, was “an envoy” literally dispatched by the Lord – like when Elijah was sent to Hazael and Jehu (1 Kings 19:15-16) — or was the “Ruler of the Nations” (God) exercising His sovereign authority by influencing the military policy of a number of countries against Edom?
Rather than spend too much time on questions that we can’t answer, the first verse focuses our attention on the book’s main message. It tells us that the Sovereign LORD has declared war on Edom and is going to use a coalition of earthly powers to destroy it as His divine judgment against Edom’s arrogance and heartlessness.
Something that should get our attention is the fact that, in spite of his theme of judgment, Obadiah was inspired to use what theologians refer to as the tetragrammeton (“four letters” – specifically translated in the EHV with capital letters as: “the LORD” …. and Whom we know, by faith, as “the Triune God of free and faithful grace”). This God of ours is undoubtedly a loving God, but He is also the righteous God of justice, Who is a “jealous” God (He wants and deserves our love), and Who must punish wickedness, even as He desires that everyone might be saved (“The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, abounding in love and mercy, forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin…..but Who by no means will clear the guilty, but will punish the children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me.” Exodus 34:6 & 7).
The Historical Setting for this OT Prophetic Book: There was a long history of hostility between the lands of Edom and Israel. The sad thing is that the two nations were related to each other through the patriarch Isaac. The Israelites were the descendants of Jacob, while the Edomites were the descendants of Jacob’s older twin brother, Esau. The hostility between the brothers began while they were “in the womb” (Gen 25:22-23). It blossomed into hatred over which one was to receive the family “birthright” (Jacob stole it through trickery….though God already had predetermined that he was going to receive it). By the time of Obadiah the conflict centered around the economics associated with the King’s Highway, an ancient trade route that extended from Damascus to Egypt – going right past both Israel and Edom. Whichever nation had possession of the highway (located along the east side of the Jordan River), controlled the flow of goods on it, and – consequently – could become wealthy. Not surprisingly, Edom and Israel contended for control of that highway.
The book of Obadiah was written following a time when Edom helped an enemy attack Jerusalem, and during which Edom took the opportunity to seize control of part of the Negev (the desert/semi-desert region in southeast Palestine). The Edomites should have been Judah’s ally, but instead they joined others in an attack upon their “cousins.” Obadiah’s message, in response to this, is that God is going to judge and punish Edom for its unfaithfulness to “family.”
The Purpose of Obadiah: The purpose of the book is to announce the impending destruction of Edom because of her pride and sin against Judah. It proves to us that while God’s justice might be delayed (from our human perspective), it will surely be carried out at His appointed time – which is both a comfort to us, and something of a warning too. Obadiah also wants reassure Judah that, while it also will be disciplined by the LORD, God will graciously return the Jewish people to their homeland at a future point in time. Eventually He will eternally deliver everyone who believes in Him on the Day of the Lord.
Particularly in verses 2-14 the Lord sends a message warning of immanent judgment to Edom. A key verse explaining why God is angry with Edom is Obadiah 10: “Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob . . . you shall be cut off forever.” The Edomites had what one might call a “genetic hostility” against the Israelites. Over the centuries they exercised that hostility at every opportunity. In fact, the prophets of the Old Testament abound in their pronouncements of judgment against Edom (Isaiah 34:5-15; 63 :1-6; Ezekiel 25:12-24; 3 5 :115; Amos 1:11-12; Malachi 1:2-4; among others). Obadiah helps us to better understand why God chose to punish Edom. Simply, their atrocities toward Judah were shocking, while their Spiritual hardness toward the Lord was infuriating.
What follows is a very brief run-down of Edom’s (Esau’s) history and dealings with the LORD and with Jacob. It also includes the people of Edom’s history and dealings with the nations of Judah and Israel:
1. Esau (Edom) despises his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34)
2. Isaac’s “blessing” on Esau: “away from the earth’s richness, live by the sword, will throw off his (brother Jacob’s) yoke” (Genesis 27:39-40)
3. Esau/Edom settles in “hill country of Seir” (east of the Dead Sea, on its southern half) (Genesis 36:8)
4. Edom refuses to allow the Israelites to pass through their territory on their journey to the Promised Land of Canaan (Numbers 20:14-21)
5. Edom is conquered by King David (2 Samuel 8:13-14)
6. Edom revolts against King Jehoram and defeats Judah in battle – approx. 850 B.C. (2 Kings 8:20-22)
7. Edom is a probable participant in the plundering of Jerusalem and Jehoram’s palace by the Arabs and the Philistines – approx. 845 B.C.(2 Chronicles 21:16-17; Joel 3:19)
8. King Amaziah of Judah defeats Edom and captures its principal city Sela (Petra) – approximately 795 B.C. (2 Kings 14:7)
9. Edom participates with the Babylonians in bringing about the destruction of Jerusalem – approx. 586 B.C. (Psalm 137:7; Ezekiel 35:10; Lamentations 4:21-22)
The Result of Obadiah’s Prophecy: Around the end of the 6th century B.C. the Edomites were driven from their territory by the Nabataeans. They settled just to the west in the Negev (the desert/semi-desert area in southeast Palestine). Their new land became known as Idumea. In the mid-2nd century B.C., the Jewish people, led by the Maccabee family, re-conquered the Edomites – but not permanently. About 100 years later, the Idumean Herodian family reasserted Edomite power over Judah with Roman approval and support. That family produced Herod the Great (murderer of the babies of Bethlehem), Philip the Tetrarch, and Herod Antipas (to whom Jesus was sent on Good Friday; and who later murdered the first martyr-Apostle, James the Son of Zebedee), among other rulers.
The Date of Obadiah: There is wide disagreement among commentators regarding the date of Obadiah. Based on two incidents (numbers 7 and 9, above) when Edom was actively involved in acts of violence against the Jews, the book could have been written as early as 845 B.C. or as late as 500 B.C.
A Summary of the Book: No matter how humble you are, pride is something to be guarded against. (The Bible warns that “Pride goes before destruction” Proverbs 16:18). The Lord zeroed in on Edom and its pride. The outline of these 23 verses is very easy to follow. In verses 1-9 Obadiah cites both the evidence for and the results of God’s judgment against Edom. Edom’s impenitent pride will be “rewarded” with overwhelming national devastation. Why? Verses 10-14 declare that divine justice will be delivered upon Edom because of their proud and cruel treatment of Israel – instead of assisting God’s people, to which they were related since Jacob/Israel and Esau/Edom were twin brothers, the Edomites dared to take advantage of Israel’s difficult situation, plundering its wealth when Israel was vulnerable. In verses 15 and 16 we see the result of God’s judgment upon the proud nation of Edom. They would be crushed by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar, later by the Persians led by Cyrus, who slaughtered them by the thousands. Three centuries later they also were defeated by the Jews under the leadership of the Maccabees. Eventually, in 70AD, after the Romans conquered Jerusalem, they would turn on Edom and obliterate it so that the Edomites would be just a name in history. Finally, in verses 17-21, God’s inspired prophet speaks about the eventual deliverance of God’s chosen people (Judah would be exiled to Babylon, but would be returned to Judah and restored after a 70 year captivity there). Ultimately the LORD would provide eternal deliverance for the real “Israel” of God – the Christian Church – through the saving work of the Messiah, Christ Jesus, our Savior.
Martin Luther’s observations on the book of Obadiah from his “Preface” to that book
Obadiah does not indicate the time when he lived, but his prophecy applies to the time of the Babylonian Captivity, for he encourages the people of Judah with the thought that they shall return to Zion. His prophecy is directed especially against Edom, or Esau, which bore a special and everlasting hatred and envy against the people of Israel and Judah, as usually happens when friends turn against each other; and especially when brothers fall into hatred and enmity against each other, that enmity is beyond measure.
So the Edomites hated the Jewish people immeasurably, and had no greater joy than to see the captivity of the Jews, and boasted and mocked at them in their misery and wretchedness. Almost all the prophets denounce the Edomites because of their hateful wickedness; even Psalm 137:7 complains of them and says, “Remember the Edomites, O Lord, in the day of Jerusalem, who said, ‘Down with it, down with it to its foundation.’” Conduct such as this inflicts more than ordinary pain, this mocking and laughing at the wretched and the troubled, defying them and boasting against them, which subjects their faith in God to great and strong temptations and urges them mightily to despair and unbelief.
Therefore God here appoints a special prophet against these vexatious mockers and tempters. He encourages those who are troubled and strengthens their faith with threats and denunciations against these hostile Edomites, i.e., those who mock the wretched with promises and assurances of future help and rescue. Obadiah is, indeed, a necessary comfort and a useful servant in such distress.
At the end, he prophesies about Christ’s Kingdom….that it shall be not solely at Jerusalem, but everywhere. For he mixes all the nations together, — Ephraim, Benjamin, Gilead, the Philistines, the Canaanites, Zarephath. And this cannot be understood to refer to the temporal kingdom of Israel. For according to the law of Moses, these tribes and peoples had to be separated in the land. The Jews interpret Zarephath to mean France and Sepharad to mean Spain. I let that go and believe none of it. On the contrary, I let Zarephath be the town near Sidon and Sepharad a town or district in Assyria where those at Jerusalem were taken as captives, since the text plainly says, “And the captives of Jerusalem that are at Sepharad.”
Today’s Scripture Lessons
This morning’s Old Testament Lesson is the culmination of the personal conflict between Isaac’s twin sons,
Esau and Jacob (Israel). Though Isaac stubbornly (and in defiance of God’s will) intended to give the family blessing (including the promise of the Savior-to-come) to his older son, Esau, the LORD had determined that Jacob (a sinner, but still godly, compared to his “godless” brother Esau) should be the Savior’s ancestor. And so Jacob should receive the blessing. Taking matters sinfully into his own hands, Jacob deceived his blind father into believing that he was Esau. His deceit brought him the blessing, but it also incited hatred in Esau’s heart. And that hatred of Jacob (and his descendants, the Children of Israel) would be passed down Esau’s descendants, the Edomites.
Our Epistle Lesson speaks about Paul’s concern for the souls of his Christ-rejecting Jewish brethren. Included in our reading is the statement that God loved Jacob, but hated Esau. Why, we might wonder? Isn’t it wrong for even God to “hate” someone? Actually, no. You see, Esau was unrepentant and godless (like most Jews of Paul’s day….and many people in our day, too). The Lord knew Esau’s unbelieving heart. At the same time, since God hates sin, He has every right to hate us all (including Esau and Jacob….as well as me and you). The amazing thing, then, is that God loves anyone, from Jacob to us….yet He does, for the sake of Christ, our Savior.
For this morning’s Gospel Lesson we have the record of Mary’s visit to her pregnant cousin, Elizabeth. During her visit Mary sings a hymn known to us as “The Magnificat.” As she praises God for His mercy in allowing her to be the mother of the Savior, Mary also notes that the LORD – in His divine justice – does punish the impenitently proud and the godless……just as Obadiah prophesied in connection with the people of Edom.
Today’s Children’s Lesson is based on a passage that is familiar to many of us from Proverbs that warns us about the sin of pride and its consequences. We’ll talk about how being proud hurts others. Plus it hurts us. And – ultimately – as a sin, it offends our God.
Finally, this morning’s Sermon is based on Obadiah’s prophecy about Edom – and its application to us, since we also – at times – struggle with the sin of pride…..a sin, like all the others we commit, that Christ as suffered and died for and that He has forgiven us entirely. Our theme is: “It’s Coming…..Divine Justice for the Proud…..and Gracious Deliverance for God’s Suffering Children.”
An Invitation To Our Guests Today
The “church family” that is Grace Lutheran Church is honored to have you as our guest this morning. If there is anything we can do to make our visit more edifying and comfortable, please don’t hesitate to ask one of our elders, ushers or our Pastor. They will be happy to serve you in every way they can. It is our prayer that you will be blessed as you worship our Lord today, and that you will choose to worship here in the future with us.
In fact, if you have no church home of your own, and/or are looking for religious truth and spiritual certainty as a foundation for your life and to insure your eternal future, then we invite you to consider becoming a part of our Christian fellowship. For further information on becoming a member of our church family, please speak with our Pastor after today’s worship service, or at your convenience. We thank you for the opportunity to serve you with God’s Word and to have you as a part of our worshiping family today. Please know that you will always be welcome at Grace Lutheran Church. May God bless you, now and always…..in Jesus’ name.
Pre-Service Prayer
O Lord God, Almighty Creator, from Whom every good and perfect gift comes, You have bountifully blessed me across the course of my life. You have preserved me in Your Word. You have provided for my bodily needs. You have protected me from spiritual harm and have kept me in the true Christian faith. For your abundant goodness to me, I humbly praise and thank You. In the days and years that might lie ahead for me, I implore You to continue to bless me with Your abiding presence, Your Fatherly protection, and Your guidance in all areas of my life. I submit myself to Your gracious will, with the confidence that You will use me, as Your humble servant, in whatever ways will serve to further Your glory and Your kingdom. Bless and enrich my faith as I hear Your Word today, and receive my heart-felt praises and generous, first-fruits offerings, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son, my Savior and Lord. It is in His name that I pray. Amen.
The portions of God’s that are used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Prayer upon entering the sanctuary Pre-service Music
Pre-Worship Hymn Singing, beginning at 9:25 a.m.
We Praise Our God
The Service Introduction and Invitation to Worship
after which the Congregation will rise for
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father
Congregation Who gave us our lives through His almighty power.
P: And of the Son
C: Who redeemed our lives with His precious blood.
P: And of the Holy Spirit”
C: Who gave us eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus.
P: Amen.
Our Psalm for Today Psalm 86:1-13
Pastor Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
Congregation Preserve my life, for I am godly; save Your servant who trusts in You – You are my God.
P Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I call to You all the day.
C Gladden the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
P For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You.
C Give ear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea for mercy. In the day of my trouble I call upon You, for You answer me.
P There is none like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours.
C All the nations You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord; And shall glorify Your name.
P For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God.
C Teach me Your way, O Lord, That I may walk in Your truth.
P Unite my heart to fear Your name.
C I give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my whole heart; I will glorify Your name forever.
after which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You” (CW 169)
Joyful, joyful we adore You, God of glory, God of love!
Heav’n and earth bow down before You,
Praising You, our Lord above.
You our Father, Christ our Savior,
With the Spirit faith provides,
Life eternal we’ve been granted, gracious gift that e’er abides.
You are giving and forgiving, Ever glorious, Ever blest.
Source of every kind of blessing, Giver of eternal rest.
You have claimed us as Your children
Heaven’s heirs through faith alone —
In the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Your Son.
Lord, receive our prayers and praises,
weak and humble though they be.
Yours the power, Yours the glory, Both today and endlessly.
None beside You, None before You, God of mercy, full and free.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, ever blessed Trinity.
after which the Congregation will rise as
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor Brothers and sisters in Christ: the Word of God urges us to confess to our Lord all our sins of thought, word, and action. This is something that ought to be daily part of our spiritual lives, and
should come forth from every heart that is humble and penitent. But we should especially do this when we meet together in His house to thank God for all that He has done for us, to praise Him, and to hear His life-giving Word. Therefore, come with me now, to our Heavenly Father’s throne of grace, and let us confess our sins together.
Congregation Miserable person that I am, + I confess and lament to You, O most holy God, + that I am a weak and sinful creature, + guilty of every sin, of unbelief, and of blasphemy. + I also confess
that Your Word has not brought forth good fruit in me. + I hear it, but do not receive it earnestly. + I do not show works of love toward my neighbor. + I am full of anger, hate, and envy. + I am impatient, greedy, and bent on every evil. + Therefore my heart and conscience are heavy. + Lord, I ask You, free me from my sins, + strengthen my faith, + and comfort my weak conscience by Your divine Word, + that I may obtain Your promised grace.
Pastor Having humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty God, now be strengthened in your faith, mindful that our Lord is not willing that anyone should perish eternally, but that everyone
should come to repentance, turning from their evil ways and receiving from Him everlasting life. God has commanded His ministers to declare His forgiveness of sins to all who are penitent. Therefore, rest assured that your sins have been fully covered by the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ your Savior. May the peace of God rest upon all of you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Now, in the peace of God’s forgiveness, let us together praise our gracious and glorious Lord!
The Congregation responds: “All Glory Be To God On High”
sung to the melody of “Almighty Father, Strong To Save” (CW 517)
All glory be to God on high! We praise, we thank, we glorify,
And worship You, Who gives earth peace,
Whose love and favor never cease.
Lord God, our King, on heaven’s throne, Our Father, the Almighty One.
O Lord, the Sole-begotten One.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son,
O Lamb of God, You take away
The sin of all, now hear us pray.
You rule at God’s right hand this day,
Have mercy on us, Lord, we pray.
You only are the Holy One; O’er all things You are Lord alone.
O Jesus Christ, we glorify You only as the Lord Most High,
Who with the Spirit e’er shall be One in the Father’s majesty. Amen.
The Prayer For This Morning
O Almighty God, + Who alone can transform the unruly wills + and selfish affections of sinful mankind; + Grant unto us, Your people, + the desire to love those things which You command, + and the faith to confidently believe + what You promise us in Your Word; + so that, in the midst of the many changes that take place + in this world in which we live, + our hearts might always be firmly fixed + on You and Your Word, + in which alone, now and forevermore, + the believer can find true and lasting joy, + ; all this we humbly ask in the name + and through the merits + of Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, + Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, + one God, now and forever. Amen.
After which the Congregation will be seated
We Hear God’s Word
The Old Testament Lesson Genesis 27
When Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could hardly see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son?” He said to him, “I am here.” 2 Isaac said, “Look, I am very old, and I do not know when I am going to die. 3 So please take your gear, your quiver, and your bow, and go out to the open country, and get some wild game for me. 4 Make me tasty food, the kind I love, and bring it to me, so that I may eat and I may bless you with all my soul before I die.”
5 Rebekah had been listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. After Esau went to the open country to hunt for game and to bring it back, 6 Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son and said, “Listen, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother and tell him, 7 ‘Bring me some wild game and make tasty food for me, that I may eat and give you a blessing from the Lord before my death.’ 8 Therefore, my son, obey my voice and do what I am commanding you. 9 Go now to the flock, and get me two of the best young goats. I will make them into tasty food for your father, the kind he loves. 10 You will bring it to your father, so that he can eat it and bless you before his death.”
11 Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, “But Esau my brother is a hairy man, and my skin is smooth. 12 What if my father touches me? I will be exposed to him as a deceiver, and I will bring a curse on myself and not a blessing.” 13 His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son. Just obey my voice, and go get them for me.” 14 He went and got them and brought them to his mother. His mother made tasty food, the kind his father loved. 15 Rebekah took the good clothing of Esau, her older son, which was with her in the house, and put it on Jacob, her younger son. 16 She put the skins of the young goats on his hands and forearms and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 She put the tasty food and the bread that she had prepared into the hand of her son Jacob.
18 He came to his father and said, “My father?” He said, “I am here. Who are you, my son?” 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done what you asked me to do. Please get up, and sit here and eat some of my wild game, so that you may bless me with all your soul.” 20 Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He said, “Because the Lord your God gave me success.” 21 Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, so that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.” 22 Jacob went close to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau’s hands. That was why he blessed him. 24 But he asked again, “Are you really my son Esau?” He said, “I am.”
25 He said, “Bring it to me, and I will eat some of my son’s wild game, so that I may bless you.” Jacob brought it to him, and he ate. He brought him wine, and he drank. 26 His father Isaac said to him, “Come near now, and kiss me, my son.” 27 He came near and kissed him. He smelled his clothing, so he blessed him and said: “Yes, the smell of my son is the smell of the open field that the Lord has blessed. 28 May God give you the dew from the sky, the richness of the earth, and plenty of grain and new wine. 29 Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers. Let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you. Blessed be everyone who blesses you.”
30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had just gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He also prepared tasty food and brought it to his father. He said to his father, “Let my father get up and eat his son’s wild game, so that you may bless me with all your soul.” 32 Isaac his father said to him, “Who are you?” He said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”
33 Isaac trembled violently and said, “Then who was it that hunted wild game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him. And, yes, he will be blessed.” 34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he let out a very loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me—me too, my father.” 35 He said, “Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing.” 36 Esau said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has tripped me up these two times. He took away my birthright. And look, now he has taken away my blessing.” He also asked, “Haven’t you reserved a blessing for me?”
37 Isaac answered Esau, “You see, I have made him your lord, and I have given all his brothers to him as servants. I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I do for you, my son?” 38 Esau said to his father, “Have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me—me too, my father.” And Esau wept loudly. 39 Isaac his father answered him, “Know this: Your dwelling will be away from the richness of the earth and away from the dew from the sky above. 40 By your sword you will live, but you will serve your brother. Then when you break loose, you will shake his yoke off your neck.
41 Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him. Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand. Then I will kill my brother Jacob.” 42 The words of Esau, her older son, were told to Rebekah. She sent and called Jacob, her younger son, and said to him, “Listen, your brother Esau is consoling himself in regard to you by planning to kill you. 43 Now, therefore, my son, obey my voice. Get up. Flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran. 44 Stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away, 45 until your brother’s anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send for you and get you from there. Why should I be deprived of both of you in one day?”
The Epistle Lesson Romans 9:1-18
I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying—my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit 2 that I have great sorrow and continuous pain in my heart. 3 For I almost wish that I myself could be cursed and separated from Christ in place of my brothers, my relatives according to the flesh, 4 those who are Israelites. Theirs are the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, came the Christ, Who is God over all, eternally blessed. Amen.
6 This does not mean that God’s word has failed, because not all who are descended from Israel are really Israel, 7 and not all who are descended from Abraham are really his children. On the contrary, “Your line of descent will be traced through Isaac.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are counted as His descendants. 9 For this is what the promise said: “I will arrive at this set time, and Sarah will have a son.”
10 Not only that, but Rebekah also had children by one man, our forefather, Isaac. 11 Even before the twins were born or did anything good or bad, in order that God’s purpose in election might continue— 12 not by works but because of Him Who calls us—it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What will we say then? Does this mean that God is unjust? Absolutely not! 15 For God says to Moses: “I will show mercy to whom I show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then, it does not depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 Indeed, the Scripture says in regard to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I caused you to stand, that I may demonstrate My power in how I deal with you, and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then, God shows mercy to whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Gospel Lesson Luke 1:39-55
39 In those days Mary got up and hurried to the hill country, to a town of Judah. 40 She entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 Just as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She called out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 In fact, just now, as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45 Blessed is she who believed, because the promises spoken to her from the Lord will be fulfilled!”
46 Then Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, 47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, 48 because He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm. He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones.
He has lifted up the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has come to the aid of His servant Israel, remembering His mercy, 55 as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever.
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Apostles’ Creed to the melody of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
(CW 411)
I believe in God the Father, Maker of the heav’ns and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, our Savior, God’s own Son, of human birth.
Virgin born, the Lord incarnate, Whom the Spirit did conceive,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Our salvation to achieve.
Crucified, was dead and buried, Down to hell in victory;
From the dead He rose the third day;
Up to heav’n triumphantly.
There at God’s right hand He’s ruling,
By His will the world is led.
He will come to judge the nations, Both the living and the dead.
I believe in God the Spirit, In His Church, His chosen band.
They are joined in close communion,
Holy in His sight they stand.
I believe in sins forgiven; That the dead will rise again;
I believe in life eternal. Amen! Amen! A – – men!
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Children’s Lesson Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit precedes a fall.
Being Proud Never Pays
….It Just “Pains” You
The Hymn of the Day Hymn 125 “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross”
1 When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.
2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ, my God.
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a tribute far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
The Greeting
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ! O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise. Amen.
The Sermon based on Obadiah
The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Lord God says about Edom. We have heard news from the Lord, and an envoy has been sent among the nations: “Get up. Let us rise up against her in battle.” 2 Listen, I will make you insignificant among the nations. You will be completely despised. 3 You who live in the clefts of the rocky cliff, the pride of your heart has deceived you. Your dwelling is so high that you say in your heart, “Who can bring me down to the ground?” 4 Even if you would soar as high as an eagle, and even if your nest is set among the stars, I will bring you down from there, declares the Lord. 5 If thieves came to you, if robbers came by night—oh, what disaster awaits you!—wouldn’t they steal only until they had enough? If grape pickers came to you, wouldn’t they leave some grapes for gleaning? 6 Oh, how completely Esau will be ransacked! His hidden treasures will be searched out and looted!
7 All your allies will push you back to your border. Those who were at peace with you will deceive you and overpower you. Those who eat bread with you will lay a trap for you. There is no understanding left in Edom. 8 Will I not destroy the wise men of Edom on that day, declares the Lord? Will I not take away from the mountain of Esau those who have understanding? 9 Your strong warrior, Teman, will be shattered by terror, so that everyone from the mountain of Esau will be cut down by the massacre. 10 Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame will cover you, and you will be cut off forever. 11 On the day when you stood by and watched, on the day when strangers carried away Jacob’s wealth, and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them.
12 But do not look down on your brother on the day of his misfortune. Do not rejoice over the people of Judah on the day when they are destroyed. Do not speak proudly on the day of distress. 13 Do not enter the gate of My people on the day of their disaster. Do not look down on their affliction on the day of their calamity. Do not seize their wealth on the day of their disaster. 14 Do not stand in the crossroads to cut off those who have escaped. Do not imprison his survivors on the day of distress.
15 Yes, the Day of the Lord is near for all the nations! As you have done, it will be done to you. Your deeds will return upon your own head. 16 For just as you Edomites have drunk on My holy mountain, so also all the nations will drink continually. Yes, they will drink and guzzle it down, and it will be as though the Edomites never existed.
17 But on Mount Zion, there will be some who escape, and it will be holy. The house of Jacob will recapture its territory. 18 The house of Jacob will be a fire, the house of Joseph a flame, but the house of Esau will be stubble. The Israelites set them on fire and consume them. There will not be any survivors for the house of Esau. Yes, the Lord has spoken.
19 People from the Negev will take possession of the mountains of Esau, and those from the Shephelah will take possession of the land of the Philistines. They will take possession of the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria. Benjamin will take possession of Gilead. 20 Those from the army of the people of Israel who have been exiles will take possession of the territory of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will take possession of the cities of the Negev. 21 Saviors will go up on Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom will belong to the Lord.
Just Because It Sounds Politically Incorrect, Don’t Mute God’s Strong, But Gracious Message
following the sermon the Congregation will rise for
The Blessing
Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
After the sermon the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED
Lord, Receive our Offerings and Prayers
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
We will be passing an offering plate through our chapel at this point. For those unable to worship with us in person, if you would like to participate in this offering, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
at the Pastor’s invitation the Congregation will rise for
Today’s Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven, + Hallowed be Thy name; + Thy Kingdom come; + Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven; + Give us this day our daily bread; + and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; + and lead us not into temptation; + but deliver us from evil; + for Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. + Amen.
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Salutation
Pastor May the Lord be with you.
Congregation – And also with you.
The Doxology
Pastor Now, to Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy –
Congregation to the only God, our Savior, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
The Benediction – Pastor
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face to shine upon You and be gracious unto you,
The LORD look upon you with favor, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 327 “God Be With You til We Meet Again”
1 God be with you till we meet again,
By his counsels guide, uphold you,
With his sheep securely fold you–
God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain: Till we meet, Till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet.
Till we meet, Till we meet–
God be with you till we meet again.
2 God be with you till we meet again,
‘Neath his wings protecting hide you,
Daily manna still provide you–
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]
Silent Prayer
Announcements, Post-Service Music