Sermon - Trinity VII, 2026 - Mark 8:1-9

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The Multiplication of Loaves, Daniel Halle, 1664 Those who abide with Jesus will be satisfied by Jesus Jesus has compassion on those who abide in Him Jesus provides for us by means of others Those who sacrifice for Christ shall receive far more later Jesus satisfies our hungry hearts so that we do not faint on the way but have strength to reach our heavenly home St. Paul explains: “ I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. ” We’re simple people, or at least I am, and the way in which the Lord reveals Himself to us is through natural, human things. As such, the miracles of Jesus are always more than meets the eye. Of course the feeding of the four thousand reveals God’s providence for us. Of course each miracle reveals the divinity of Christ. However, the miracles are more than the miracles themselves, and they do more than reveal the divinity of Christ. Each miracle Jesus performs is meant to teach us and reveal to us God’s greater work of redemption for all o...
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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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