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First Reading - Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

Psalm - Psalm 62:1–12

Second Reading - 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Gospel - Luke 17:1-10

Faith is not something to be increased, as the disciples asked at that time, as much as it is something to be kept. God, in his grace, has given you all the faith you need. Your faith may seem meager but it is great when you maintain your faith in God. When times are tough, you do not need more faith; instead, you must keep the faith already given to you. When you do so, God accomplishes great things—and increases your faith.

First Reading - Ruth 1:1–19a

Psalm - Psalm 111:1–10

Second Reading - 2 Timothy 2:1–13

Gospel - Luke 17:11–19

Too often, we focus on our faith. The verse that leaps off the page for the preacher is, “Your faith has made you well.” It should leap; it is a powerful teaching. Yet the point of the pericope is not faith. Jesus makes the statement about the leper’s faith almost as a parting aside. “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

The text is primarily about the power of God. Jesus has cleansed ten lepers. What a feat! No one could do this aside from the power of God working through him.

One thankful leper returns to give thanks. Surely this is also a sign of the leper’s faith. But the point is the power. The very power that cleansed the lepers also provided the power to believe and be thankful.

The same power is at work today, in those who go their way in faith, journeying where the Lord sends them.

First Reading - Genesis 32:22–30

Psalm - Psalm 121:1–8

Second Reading - 2 Timothy 3:14–4:5

Gospel - Luke 18:1–8

Do not lose heart; don’t give up. The Lord is ever-present, always ready to help. Storm the gates of heaven with prayer. Wrestle with God in faith that he hears and answers. When the light of eternity breaks, will he find that faith remains in you?

First Reading - Revelation 14:6-7

Psalm - Psalm 46:1-11

Second Reading - Romans 3:19-28

Gospel - John 8:31-36

What does it mean to be a disciple? Jesus says that his disciples are those who abide in his word. We have no clearer picture of what such abiding means than those first disciples of his who wanted to live with him, following him everywhere so that they could hear his word. Being a disciple means the same thing today: people who want to live with Jesus, abiding in his word, following him all day long in that word—not just having religious traditions like mindlessly reciting a creed by heart on Sunday mornings. Traditions do not free us from sin and death. The Son does that through a knowledge of the truth found in his word. This is the clarion call of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura!