Sermon - Proper 6, Series A, Pentecost 3, 2026 - Matthew 9:35–10:20

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The Wolf and the Lamb , Jean-Baptiste Oudry, 18th century Being Faithful in the Midst of Wolves The harvest is plentiful; there are many unbelievers who need to hear Yet there are also those who hate the Lord, and will persecute us Therefore, we must faithfully bear witness to Christ As secularism increases in our nation and church attendance declines, we faithful Christians can be prone to despair and despondency about the future of the church and our nation. I understand, especially if you’re older than me, because if you’re older than me you remember a time when the church was growing and very different than it is today. So it can be disheartening to see the church across America in decline for the past 40 years.  But there’s another way to look at our current situation. Jesus says: “ The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. ” The harvest is plentiful! We are surrounded by many ...
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Male and Female - Emmetsburg Newspaper Article 4/22/21

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 “From the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’” According to God’s ordering, He formed Adam from the dust of the earth and Eve from Adam’s side. For all the generations which have followed, God created us according to this same beautiful pattern: man and woman, husband and wife, male and female, XY and XX. The differences between men and women God has established in nature; differences in genetics, physiology, abilities, vocations, and personalities.

Men and women, while similar in many respects (and equal in regards to salvation and value), are not the same. God designed the sexes to be unequal to each other in order that they may complement one another. The differences between the two is what gives each their strength. The fact that men are to be men and that women are to be women is what gives our lives such vibrancy and vigor.

One very significant aspect of this is that only men can be husbands and fathers, and only women can be their wives and be mothers to their children. This simple, yet vital, pattern was set by God through Adam and Eve, through whom we all are their children. This vital pattern was made manifest in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus is the Groom, and the church is Christ’s bride. Jesus, the groom, laid down His life for His bride. The Church, the bride of Christ, is made holy and saved by the sacrificial death of her Groom.

This is the natural and holy ordering of this world, and it is good. Through this ordering of men and women, God blesses our world to be fruitful and joyful. Through this ordering of men and women, God the Father sent forth His Son Jesus to be born of His mother Mary, so that we, the bride of Christ, would be saved by the death of Christ our Groom.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Rev. John H. Koopman

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