Category: Trinity 4

Be Merciful as Your Father is Merciful

6/27/2021

Gnadenstuhl mit zwei Märtyrern, Anton von Worms Woensam, 16c. Public Domain.

Trinity 4
Luke 6:36-42
Pastor James Preus
June 27, 2021

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” With these words, our Lord Jesus simply teaches us to behave like Christians. Christians are children of their heavenly Father. Children imitate their fathers. Christians are disciples of their teacher, Jesus Christ. If a disciple is like his teacher, he is perfect. And so, we should recognize that in order for us to be merciful, as Jesus here commands us, we ought to first know how our Father in heaven is merciful.

People commonly think that in order for God to show mercy to us, we must become worthy of his mercy (quite a strange concept of mercy, indeed). But if that were the case, if God waited until we showed ourselves worthy of his mercy, then what would it mean to be merciful as our Father is merciful? We would wait around for other people to show themselves worthy of our mercy! We would judge them to determine whether they deserved our mercy. We would condemn them for their failings. We would withhold our compassion and love. In short, we would be a miserable lot of judgmental, self-righteous hypocrites!

But how is our Father merciful? While we were still sinners, Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8) When we were still enemies with God, the Father sent his Son to make satisfaction for our sins with his blood. Before we believed, Christ died for us. Before we were sorry for our sins, God forgave us for Christ’s sake. While we hated him, God loved us. This means that when Jesus tells you to be merciful as your Father is merciful, he is telling you not only to love your neighbor, but to love your enemies and pray for those who hate you. Forgive in your heart those who have sinned against you and have not said sorry. Do not judge them. Do not condemn them. Rather, give without expecting anything in return. You can only do this if you have faith in the mercy your heavenly Father has shown to you.

This helps us understand Jesus’ words, “Judge not, and you will not be judged.” We do not judge, because God has not judged us. Rather, he laid all our sins upon Jesus and passed judgment on him in our stead. God did not condemn us, but rather condemned Jesus on the cross. When we do not judge, we always do so in light of Jesus.

But Jesus’ words, “Judge not” have been greatly abused. Satan has purposefully twisted these words to promote sin, and so the true meaning of these words is ignored. People use the commandment, “Judge not” to defend their own sinful desires. “Don’t judge me! I have the right to live this way. Jesus said, not to judge.” Or people will use these words to defend being silent against false teaching and damaging sins. “I’m not going to say that that religion is wrong, because Jesus said not to judge.” Or “I’m not going to confront my brother or sister in Christ with his sin, because Jesus said not to judge.” But this is not what our Lord is teaching us. And those who use Jesus’ words to avoid confessing the truth become increasingly intolerant to correct teaching, so that they pass judgment in the exact way Jesus forbids us.

When Jesus tells us not to judge, he is not saying that we should not speak the truth or confront sin. In John 7, Jesus tells us to judge with right judgment. Rather, when Jesus tells us not to judge, he is telling us to be merciful, to seek to forgive, to seek to restore your brother to Christ. When your neighbor annoys you, don’t judge him for it. We all have annoying traits. We all sin every day, sins of weakness. You certainly would hope that others wouldn’t nit-pick you for every mistake you make. So don’t nit-pick others for their failings. However, when sin becomes more brazen and persistent, so that it cannot be ignored, such as when people openly fornicate or commit adultery, lie, cheat, and steal, it is required of a Christian to confront these sins. St. Paul writes, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” So, we learn that we can confront sin without breaking Jesus’ command not to judge. Indeed, we must confront sin.

There are two sides of the horse we should be careful not to fall off of in regard to this commandment, both of which result in judging and condemning our neighbor. The first is to pass judgment on your neighbor for his sin and condemn him to hell, to not try to restore him to repentance and faith, but to call him a lost cause and to decide that he can’t be saved, or even, that you don’t want him to be saved. This certainly is the judgment Jesus forbids. We have no right to judge or condemn others. Only God does. And God desires all sinners to repent and be saved. By judging and condemning others, we do not help them. Yet, the other side is to refuse to judge what is right and wrong and so to refuse to speak the truth. This side usually thinks they are following Jesus’ commandment not to judge, but they are doing the opposite. Because, if you do not repent of your sins, then you will go to hell. So, to ignore sin is actually to condemn your neighbor! It is not loving if you know that your brother is in great danger of damnation, because he’s trapped in a sin and to not warn him. That is to pass judgment upon him, by neglecting to warn him and tell him how to escape judgment through faith in Christ, who forgives all sins.

You are not sinning against Jesus’ command not to judge when you confess the truth from God’s Word, even if the word you speak itself passes judgment. Jesus says in John chapter 12, “If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” (vss. 47-48) So, Jesus, who will in fact return to judge the living and the dead, even says that he does not judge, but rather the word he speaks will judge them. What this means is that when you speak God’s word with the intention of your sinning brother or sister returning to Christ for forgiveness, you are not passing judgment. A sinner may receive judgment from those words, but it is God judging them for rejecting his word.

Jesus says a blind man can’t lead a blind man. Who are the blind? They are those who do not know God’s mercy. Last week we heard about how the Pharisees grumbled that Jesus received sinners. They should have rejoiced. But they were blind. They did not know God’s mercy for sinners. They did not recognize their own sin. They were hypocrites with logs in their eyes, criticizing those who were getting their eyes healed. A person who does not know God’s mercy cannot show mercy. Unless the light of God’s grace has shone on you, you cannot see. Unless your cup runs over, then you won’t be able to pour into your brother’s cup.

So, the question is, how can you not be blind? How can you remove the log out of your eye? Through repentance and faith in Christ, that is, by turning from your sin and asking God for forgiveness. Then the log is removed. Then you can see clearly God’s mercy. Then your aim for your brother or sister trapped in sin is not to lord it over them, but to lead them to Christ who heals the blind. You recognize the log is there when you recognize that you are a sinner. You remove the log by turning to Christ, who forgives. Then your desire for all people is for them also to receive this same forgiveness.

People often say, “I don’t want to go to church, because it is filled with hypocrites.” So, a common response is, “Well, there’s always room for one more.” But Christians shouldn’t call themselves hypocrites. Jesus doesn’t call his disciples hypocrites. He calls hypocrites those, who refuse to repent of their own sins, while condemning others for their sins. But Christians are not hypocrites. Christians recognize their own sin. They are sorry for their sins. And they go to church to receive forgiveness from him who receives sinners. Sure, there are going to be hypocrites and false Christians, who go to church. But true Christians are not hypocrites. True Christians are sorry for the sins they have committed against their God, and they gladly receive his forgiveness for Christ’s sake.

You won’t find a less judgmental church than a confessional Lutheran Church. You won’t find a less judgmental church than Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA. Now, how can that be? We teach that there are no other gods, but the Lord God, and that it is a sin to worship any other god. We teach that it is a sin to teach falsely and to neglect hearing God’s word. We teach that it is a sin to disobey your parents and other authorities. We teach that it is a sin to have an abortion, because it is killing a child made in God’s image. We teach that it is a sin not only to murder, but to hate someone in your heart. We teach that all sexual relations outside of that between a husband and wife within marriage is a sin, and even to lust after another person in your heart is a sin. We teach that stealing and cheating is a sin, along with gossiping. We even teach that it is a sin to covet your neighbor’s stuff. If we teach that all these are sins that cause a sinner to deserve damnation to hell, how can I tell you that you won’t find a less judgmental church?

Because we preach Christ crucified for sinners. The purpose of calling sin, sin is not to condemn, but to save. We preach the law, so that sinners know their need for a Savior; so that they know that without Jesus there is judgment for sin. And we preach the Gospel that Jesus saves sinners from judgment through his death and resurrection. And we want everyone to believe the Gospel and be saved. We want everyone to escape judgment and condemnation and to be given all that we have been given by our merciful Father.

You can’t get less judgmental than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus rescues sinners from judgment. When Jesus tells us to be merciful as our Father is merciful, he is telling us to confess him as our Savior by showing with our words and actions the mercy God has shown us through Jesus Christ; to forgive those who sin against us; to be patient and humble; and to confess the truth. Our hope is for everyone we meet to escape judgment through Christ. Our hope is for others to receive our Father’s mercy, just as we have received it.
Amen.

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Forgive Us Our Trespasses As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us

7/6/2020

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Sankt Matthaeus Kirke Copenhagen Altarpiece, Henrik Olrik, Public Domain.

Trinity 4
Luke 6:36-42
July 5, 2020

“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We pray this whenever we pray the Lord’s Prayer. With our lesson today, Jesus is trying to get us to understand what we pray for every day. When we pray that our Father in heaven would forgive our trespasses, we are asking that he would have mercy on us, not judge us, not condemn us, but rather forgive us. And we also promise that we will likewise show such mercy on others. This is what it means to be merciful, even as our Father in heaven is merciful.
This lesson can only be understood through the light of the Gospel. “Judge not,” Jesus says. Why? Because God did not judge you. “Condemn not.” Why? Because God did not condemn you, but rather condemned sin in the flesh of his own Son, Jesus Christ who committed no sin (Romans 8:3). “Forgive.” Why? Because God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). We love, because God first loved us. We have mercy, because God has shown mercy to us.
Yet, when you remove the light of the Gospel from these words, they become distorted into devilish teachings. Few words have been so grossly misapplied than Jesus’ words, “Judge not, and you will not be judged.” These words of Jesus have been used by unbelievers and false teachers to rebuke Christians for holding to the teachings of the Christian faith. You must not say that Jesus is the only way to heaven, because that is being judgmental toward other religions and Jesus says, do not judge. You must not say that the sexual revolution was evil and that sex belongs only between a husband and wife in marriage and that all other sexual relations are sinful. That is being judgmental and Jesus said not to judge. You must not condemn false teaching or sinful behavior of any kind, because Jesus says not to judge. And many Christians have fallen for this lie. Christians remain silent and even condone false teachings like universalism and unionism, and sinful activities like fornication, homosexuality, and abortion, because unbelievers tell them that their Lord tells them not to judge.
But when Jesus tells us not to judge, he obviously is not telling us to condone what is evil or believe what is false. In fact, there are times when Jesus tells us to judge. In John chapter 7, Jesus says, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” And when Jesus tells us to beware of false prophets, who come to us in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves, he is teaching us to judge our teachers and preachers, so that we will know whether they are true or false teachers. Christians are commanded by Jesus to judge between false teachings and the one true teaching, and to make distinctions between the fruits of the Spirit and the sinful works of the flesh.
Likewise, parents must make judgments concerning their children, otherwise they cannot discipline them or raise them in the fear and love of the Lord. And governments must make judgments in the court of law. This is why Scripture teaches that no charge should be established except by two or three witnesses and that all people should obey the governing authorities. And Scripture teaches that if anyone is caught in any transgression, those who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1), which of course is impossible, if you do not make a judgment between what is and is not a transgression. And to forego making that judgment and leaving someone to perish in his sin is neither merciful nor loving.
So, it is clear, unless Jesus is going to contradict Scripture, which is impossible, that when Jesus says, “Judge not,” he does not mean do not ever judge. Rather, Jesus is warning against unauthorized and loveless judging. Do not pass judgment when you have not been given the job to pass judgment in that situation. And when you must pass judgment, do it in love. When you see your brother or sister sinning, do not seek to destroy them, but try to save them!
Despite its great abuse that has led many astray, this lesson from Jesus still needs to be heard and learned. We all need to hear that we should not judge!
As we celebrate our nation’s independence and feelings of patriotism rise with every crack of a firework exploding in the distance, many of us are noticing how many of our national monuments and historical figures are under attack. Many are demanding the removal of statues while others are vandalizing them or tearing them down themselves; not just statues of confederate soldiers down south, but of Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Theodore Roosevelt, as well as notable abolitionists and even saints. Those attempting to tear down these statues argue that the men they depict represent great evils, because of things they did or said in their lifetime. Now obviously, all these men did do bad things in their lifetime, but their effigies were not erected for the bad things, but for the monumental things they did for our nation.
And those who are condemning these men for their real or perceived flaws, would do well to remove the log out of their own eyes before they point out the speck in the eyes of these historical figures, who cannot defend themselves. For surely, future generations will have more than enough to condemn them if they ever do anything worthy of a monument. Our generation has been complacent in the face of evil just as much as previous generations, as we put up with the harm done to unborn babies and the innocence stolen from children. We Christians should see clearly enough to know that as we pray, “God, bless America” we should also remember to pray, “Lord, have mercy on America for her many sins.” For ultimately, it is not history that will judge us, but Almighty God.
Yet, it is not for the sake of statues or dead historical titans that Jesus says these words, but for your husband or wife, brother or sister, co-worker and fellow Christian. No talking heads on the television will debate whether the character assassination you committed against your sister or neighbor is justified. No one is going to write his congressman about whether you judged your wife’s tone of voice too harshly or whether you were too dismissive of your father’s words. When we deal with one another, we need to keep these words of Jesus in our mind. Remove the log out of your own eye before you point out the speck in your neighbor’s.
This means that we should repent of our own sins and recognize that we live by grace. God paid the debt you owed him for your sins, so be quick to forgive any debt that someone might owe against you. This does not mean that we condone sin. Rather, it means that with our interactions with one another, we always have the goal to forgive and be reconciled, not to destroy and condemn.
Christians should be more equipped to pass judgment than unbelievers, because we have been taught by Jesus Christ himself what is right and wrong. We should be able to identify sin, so to avoid it and to recognize good, so to pursue it. Yet, Christians should be the last ones to pass judgment and condemn, because we live in the light of the Gospel. God has forgiven us our great trespasses. When we recognize sin, we see sins for which Jesus shed his blood. When we recognize sinners, we see sinners for whom Christ died to save. When we see sin, we see our own sin and show humility and penitent hearts and thank God who has forgiven us for Christ’s sake.
Be merciful, even as your Father in heaven is merciful. These words are often interpreted to mean that you must show yourself merciful in order for God to show mercy on you. Yet, that is a distortion of Jesus’ words. If that were so, you would only be required to show mercy upon those who had likewise proven themselves to be merciful or otherwise deserving of your mercy. But the point is that God our Father in heaven shows mercy upon us when we do not deserve it. While we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly. God does not forgive those who deserve it, but those who do not deserve forgiveness. And that is how merciful you should be. Forgive those, who do not deserve to forgiven.
You can only give mercy if you yourself have received mercy. It is by the renewing power of the Gospel that you are able to show the love of God, which he shows to you. Unless you are motivated by the Gospel with a renewed spirit within you, your motivation will be tainted with sin and your mercy will be sinful. Jesus says, a good tree cannot bear bad fruit nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Unless God make you a good tree, you cannot bear good fruit. Unless God make you merciful, you cannot show mercy.
A student is not greater than his teacher, but every student, when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. We will never be more merciful than God. Those who claim a mercy greater than that revealed to us in Jesus often are revealed to have a deeply cruel mercy; a mercy that does not forgive; does not protect; does not seek after good, but judges and condemns the righteous. And we Christians will never be greater than our Lord in his mercy. But we will be like him. As he has shown mercy on us, so will we show mercy to others. Even as we do it in weakness; even as our sinful flesh fights against the renewed spirit within us; God will cultivate good fruit in us by his grace revealed in his Son.
The words, “Be merciful” are a command. Yet, they also reveal a promise. As we groan inwardly eager to be revealed as God’s son and heirs with redeemed bodies, the Spirit bears witness to us that we are children of our Father in heaven. What has been shown to us and what our renewed selves desire to be is what we will be when that final Day shall come. We shall be like him even as we see him as he is. Amen.

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Trinity 4: As Your Father Is Merciful

7/9/2017

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Luke 6:36-42

"Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." What does it mean to be merciful? Jesus tells us, "Judge not, condemn not, forgive, and give. This is how you show mercy.

"Judge not." Because this statement of our Lord is so grossly misused, let us first examine what it does not mean. Jesus does not here forbid all types of judging. It would be absurd to say that a judge and jury cannot pass judgment in court. No society would survive such a practice. Parents too must judge. A mother, who catches her teenager returning home at 3 AM reeking of alcohol can't simply shrug and say, "Who am I to judge?" So those, who are given the proper authority to judge must still carry out their God given duties!

In fact, Jesus commands all Christians to judge. In Luke chapter 12 our Lord says, "Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right" (vs 57) and in John 7 Jesus says, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (vs. 24) Christians must judge themselves according to God's Word to see whether they themselves are going astray. Christians must judge what is being taught to them to determine whether they are being taught the truth or lies, as Jesus warns, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15) And so each Christian should pay attention to what their pastor preaches to them (and to whatever is taught them) and judge that teaching based on the truth of God's Word.

Scripture also commands that Christian congregations judge so that public and scandalous sins are not committed freely within the congregation. St. Paul writes, "But I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler- not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. 'Purge the evil person from among you.'" (1 Cor. 5:11-13)

So God commands specific authorities to judge within their jurisdiction, he commands Christian congregations to judge what is right and wrong and to address public sin, and he commands all Christians to judge between right and wrong both in what they are taught, believe and confess, and how they behave. So what does Jesus mean when he says, "Judge not and you will not be judged"?

It means don't set yourself up as a judge where God has not made you a judge. We confess in the Creed that Christ will return to judge the living and the dead. Such judgment is Christ's prerogative not ours. And yet people pass judgment all the time. A man walking down the street in the middle of the day and he's thought of as a jobless bum. People make assumptions about a young lady with young children not wearing a wedding ring.

Our judgments are harsh and they assume evidence that is invisible. "He just said that, because he thinks he's better than me." "She knew that that would upset me and she did it anyway!" "He clearly doesn't have the love of Christ in him!" Not only do we put our neighbor on trial in the most unfair kangaroo court of our minds, but we condemn! Denying them the very love of God if we could.

Imagine being put on trial without the right to an attorney or even a witness to come to your aid; no right to present any evidence to support your cause; not even the right to face your accuser! To be guilty until proven innocent and then to be condemned and have your name slandered! You'd be hard pressed to find such an unfair court in North Korea! Yet that is what you do to your neighbor when you judge him!

Do you practice such judgment and condemnations? Do you refuse to forgive? How foolish we are to act this way, and even to our fellow Christians! Oh, sure, God may have forgiven that person, but I just can't forgive him. My, my, a person may survive the strict judgment of God, but woe to him if he falls under the condemnation of Joe Shmo!

And this shows how silly it is to refuse to forgive. God sent Jesus into the world to die for all sinners. Not a one is excluded. Yet somehow the person who sinned against you can't receive God's forgiveness. How can you go to the Lord's Table to receive Christ's body and blood for your own forgiveness and join in the Communion of all Saints, yet withhold forgiveness from your brother or sister going to the same Table, to receive the same body and blood, to be united with the same Community of Saints. No, this is not right. And here we must listen to our Lord's strict warning, "But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:15)

Do not judge. If someone does you wrong, confront him as Jesus directs you in Matthew 18. If he does not repent bring witnesses and then bring the matter to the church. If you see criminal activity report it to the proper authorities. But do not pass judgments yourself or try to carry out justice yourself. As you all learned in your catechism, defend your neighbor and speak well of him and put the best construction on everything. Assume the best of your neighbor even if your gut tells you to think the worst.

This is a very important lesson for us here in this congregation. No congregation will survive if its members pass judgments and condemn each other without following Christ's strict command. If you think one of the members of this congregation or the pastor has done you wrong, don't go talking about that person behind their back. Jesus says to speak with the person who sins against you first. Perhaps you can be reconciled, forgive, and live in unity, which is a beautiful thing as the Psalmist declares, "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)

And why is it that we judge others anyway? Is it not to justify ourselves? But our judgments don't matter. Our condemnations will not stand on the Last Day. God judges according to his own law. And our judgments against our neighbor will not make us look any better to God. Our measurements don't matter. The only measurement that matters is God's.

When we look at God's measurement, his commandments, we should not examine our neighbor first, but ourselves. You can't take the speck out of your neighbor's eye, while you have a log protruding from your own. You must first repent of your own sins, before you can help your neighbor repent from his. The blind can't lead the blind.

When we examine ourselves according to God's law instead of our own standard our defenses give way. We cannot justify ourselves. We're forced to plead with the Psalmist, "Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you." (Psalm 143:2) We must admit that our neighbor has not offended us nearly as badly as we have offended God. God's law makes you take the Gospel more seriously. You cannot justify yourself. You cannot get to heaven by condemning others. Rather you need God to show mercy and compassion to you.

And this brings us back to the beginning of our text, "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." The first thing you must take from this statement of Jesus is that God, your Father is merciful! He does not judge you, even though he has the right to do so. Instead of condemning you he sent his Son into the world to be condemned in your place. Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!" from the cross, so that you would not cry it in hell.

God forgives. And he doesn't wait until you're sorry enough to forgive you, as we would do to those who sin against us. He doesn't wait until we've shaped up and made amends. Rather, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus was the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world long before you ever acknowledge your sin.

God gives. He gives richly. Not only does he provide you with all you need to eat and drink, clothing, house and home, health, friends and family, shining his sun on you whether you love him or hate him, God gives even more generously to those who have faith in him. No, I'm not talking about earthly wealth. Jesus compares it to illegal measurements. A merchant at the market will usually be sure to not give you an ounce more flour than what you've paid for. Yet God gives you a good measure. He's the merchant that jams the flour into your jar, pressing it in so that he can fit even more in. Shaking it down and pouring more in until it spills over the top. And so does God shower you with spiritual blessings. He baptized you, pouring his Holy Spirit into you and washing you in Jesus' blood. He forgives you over and over and over again. He offers you Christ's true body and blood, a gift you didn't ask for, but you so dearly need.

With this in mind you too can be merciful. You can't find this mercy in yourself. You must find it in God through Jesus' blood and merit. God's mercy flows into you and out of you. You withhold judgment, because God withholds from judging you. You do not condemn, not only because you have no right, but also because God withholds his condemnation from you. You forgive, not by your own power, but by the power of God's forgiveness for you.

A disciple is not above his teacher. You will never be superior to Christ. But every student when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. This is not optional. You, who have received God's mercy and forgiveness through Christ must also show mercy and forgiveness to others. When you refuse to show mercy you reject Him who showed you mercy. When you refuse to forgive you deny the only saving faith. When you refuse to give to those in need, you do not show forth the love of God, as St. John writes, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" (1 John 3:17) Yet when you show mercy, you confess the God, who shows you mercy.

And so each of us must constantly repent and return to the God, who shows mercy. Plead to your Father to forgive your unforgiving heart. Pray that God would give you the strength to show mercy and forgive. Return to your merciful Father. The Psalmist declares of him, "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities." (Psalm 103:8-10)

Your heavenly Father is much more merciful than you are. Not because he permits sin or has a less strict law than you. But because he has a compassionate heart. God's compassion led to the passion of our Lord, who won your forgiveness with his blood. There is your mercy and forgiveness. You didn't ask for it. You don't deserve it. You'll never be able to pay it back. But God gives it to you freely and joyfully. Oh how great is God's compassion on us. Let us praise him in this life and the next.
Amen.

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"For faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." ~ Romans 10:17

Be Merciful as Your Father is Merciful

Forgive Us Our Trespasses As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us

Trinity 4: As Your Father Is Merciful

Rev. James Preus

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