Pastor Sullivan's Blog

In the Name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Jesus assumed human flesh so that He could destroy the works of the devil. In today’s Gospel lesson Jesus is helping one such poor demoniac when the devil strikes again with his lies. Some of those who witness Jesus casting out this demon claim that Christ is in league with the devil! They ascribe the works of God to the devil. That which God calls good in His Word, the devil calls evil. That which God calls evil in His Word, the devil suggests is good. So these men who are in league with Satan by their unbelief engage in this terrible blasphemy. But the claim is absurd. “ Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. If Satan is also divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? ” Satan cannot work against Satan. It would be counterproductive and destructive to the growth of his kingdom. These men suggest that Jesus’ work is nothing but devili...

In the Name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. The apostle John writes 1 John 3:8, “ For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. ” In today’s Gospel lesson Christ shows us this by pulling demon who was mute out of a man. When the man spoke, those who were present marveled at this incredible work of Jesus. Some however, blasphemed and said, “ He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons. ”   They accuse Jesus of being in league with the devil. They imagine that Jesus has some sort of an agreement with Satan by which He may cast out Satan’s associates. These men prefer darkness to light. They would rather live with the works of the devil than the work of Christ. Luke then writes, “ Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. ” While the first group blaspheme Christ by calls the work of God the work of the devil, these others reject the blatant sign from heaven that has just been...

Order of Holy Communion - Pg. 15 Hymn # 258 Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation Hymn # 144 Jesus, Grant that Balm and Healing Hymn # 500 May God Bestow on Us His Grace Introit MY - EYES - || are ever | to- | ward | the | Lord, *                 For He shall pluck my feet | out | of | the | net. - || Turn Yourself to me, and have | mer- | cy | on | me, *                 For I am desolate | and | af- | flict- | ed. - (Psalm 25:15–16) || To You, O Lord, I | lift | up | my | soul. *                 O my God, I trust in You; let me | not | be | a- | shamed; - || The troubles of my | heart | have | en- | larged; *                 Bring me out of | my | dis- | tress- | es! - || Look on my afflict- | tion | and | my | pain, *                 And for- | give | all | m...