A Famine Not of Bread

"The Dishonest Steward" by Eugene Burnand Click here to listen to this sermon. [Jesus] also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, a...

Click here to listen to this sermon. “For if I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). Brothers in the Office of the Holy Ministry: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! About ten years ago, my daughter Katie asked: “Dad, why did you decide to become a pastor?” I could’ve gone into a long discussion of the doctrine of the call, vocation, and other related things. But fortunately, I kept quiet long enough to hear what she really wanted to know. She was trying to figure out what to do with her life, and she wanted a little insight into how I was led to become a pastor.  But it did get me thinking: “Why did I become a pastor?” Why did I become a pastor? I’m sure that every pastor struggles with this question at some point in his life. If you haven’t yet, you will. I know during the nearly three years that I was without a call, I ask...

The Small Catechism includes a section in the Table of Duties on “What Hearers Owe Their Pastors.”   Among the duties cited are financial support, respect for the office, and submission to their spiritual authority.   But I’ve always thought that one thing is noticeably absent from this list: prayer.     I must admit, when it comes to praying for my pastor, I’ve failed miserably.   But I want to add this to my daily prayer discipline.   I’ve found prepared prayers help me maintain the proper focus and provide the framework for growth and adaptation.   Unfortunately, there seems to be a shortage of resources that include such prayers for pastors.   Most of the ones available are not very personal or specific.   So, I’ve developed one of my own and offer it for your consideration.   Lord of the Church, bless ____________, my pastor.   Enable him to be a true teacher of Your Word.   Put the power of the Gospel into his...