Shari Gannon, Author at ILT - Institute of Lutheran Theology

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost A, October 1, 2023

25 September 2023

Next to learning “No!” the toughest lesson of childhood is learning to share: to let others have, use, and control what we consider to be ours.

No wonder the Israelites were complaining. The Lord their GOD wasn’t abiding by the lessons they’d learned in childhood: the Lord wasn’t “sharing.” The Israelites wanted to “own” their own lives—to be able to say “Mine!” and possess themselves and their future. They complained; their GOD was unfair: he wouldn’t share. He claimed their lives entirely.

The Lord GOD doesn’t give in to their accusation; no, he states clearly, “…all souls are mine…” (vs. 4) The Lord confronts his people with the impossibility of them taking charge of their own future before him: “Repent, turn, and live! Cast away transgressions, get a new heart, a new spirit, and not die!” (vs. 31). With these admonitions the Lord delivers the truth they already know but which terrifies them: their death rate remains at a constant one hundred percent.

From our use of Psalm 51 we know that the Lord our God is in charge of hearts, for we pray with David: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me!” (vs. 10). This clean heart is the heart of Jesus Christ; this right spirit is our God’s Holy Spirit. In our hearing God’s Good News, the Holy Spirit works faith—the presence of Jesus Christ in us, complete with his clean heart full of faith. Only by such faith do we have the maturity to trust our God’s word “Mine!” in both our death and our life.

Table Talk: Relate an episode of sharing and a time of God’s selfishness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, hold my life and claim it forever. Amen

Ezekiel 18:1- 4, 25-32

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge? 3 As I live, declares the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die…

…25 Yet you say, The way of the Lord is not just. Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? 26 When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. 27 Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. 28 Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, The way of the Lord is not just. O house of Israel, are my ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?

30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost A

25 September 2023

Those who assumed their own authority challenged Jesus’ authority and put a question to him. Jesus turned the situation around—that is, he put the question to them. In their failure to answer, Jesus delegitimated their challenge to his authority. Isn’t that just like Jesus! Down through the generations, whenever those who think they have authority (especially authority over their own lives) attempt to challenge Jesus’ authority by putting the question to him, Jesus turns the situation around and puts the question back onto them. The question Jesus puts to those who would challenge him and his authority can be summed up by the question which God put to Job, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2). “Who are you?” Jesus demands, “You who come with your puny human reason, your deficient wisdom, and your mere finite knowledge. Don’t you know that my thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways, not your ways?” (cf. Is. 55:8 & 9). Jesus Christ, the Word of God who brought creation into existence and rules it still, this creator Lord delegitimates all challenges to his authority by exposing you who would challenge him in your lack of authority.

Prayers from one whose lack of authority must be revealed to him time and time again…

Father in heaven, you have given all authority in heaven and on earth to your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that the authority of your Son preached to me by my pastor reveal to me my lack of authority and keep me in humility as I am brought to stand under your Word. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father in heaven, you have given all authority in heaven and on earth to your Son, Jesus Christ. As I come to stand under your Word, bring me to daily repentance—that is, take me from death to life and from unbelief to belief—so that I would walk in newness of life. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father in heaven, you have given all authority in heaven and on earth to your Son, Jesus Christ. As I walk in this newness of life, hold me in the confidence that your mercies are fresh every morning, ready to restore that newness of life should I become prideful of it or despair having it. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father in heaven, you have given all authority in heaven and on earth to your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that my walk in the newness of life not become an occasion for my pride or my arrogance over and against my neighbors but keep my entire life to be one of repentance. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father in heaven, you have given all authority in heaven and on earth to your Son, Jesus Christ. Let that authority so work upon me that, whether from my newness of life or from the restraint of my sin, my neighbors receive usefulness from the work of my hands. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father in heaven, you have given all authority in heaven and on earth to your Son, Jesus Christ. So bring the Institute of Lutheran Theology to stand under the authority of your Word that it would teach Jesus Christ, him crucified, and him alone. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father in heaven, you have given all authority in heaven and on earth to your Son, Jesus Christ. So hold me in the faith of Jesus Christ and his exercise of the authority given to him that I’m able to wait upon his promise to return and take me to where he is. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

2024 Holy Land Trip

22 September 2023

Join ILT Professor Mark Mattes on a transformative expedition to the Holy Land from May 11-20, 2024! 🌍

This exceptional opportunity allows you to explore the Holy Land if it’s always been a dream of yours! The cost is $4,695 per person (double occupancy), with air from Chicago and airport transfers from Des Moines, Iowa. This price includes travel, entrance fees, food, and the tour bus.

Discover the wonders of Jerusalem, including the Church of the Redeemer, Israel Museum, Temple Mount, Western Wall, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, and the Pool of Siloam. We’ll also visit Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, St. Anne’s Church, the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, Masada, and Qumran.

Our journey continues to the Sea of Galilee, Bethsaida, the Jordan River, Korazin, Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Nazareth, and Mount Carmel. 🏞️🙏

This trip will strengthen your faith and bring the Bible to life. Please join us on this incredible adventure!

For a brochure, contact Mark Mattes directly at mmattes@grandview.edu.

Email Dr. Mattes

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost A

18 September 2023

There’s a whole lot of coveting going on. Those employed in the fields from the beginning of the day looked upon those who merely labored at the end of the day with a jealous eye. That green-eyed monster reared its head, consumed the satisfaction of those who had put in an honest day’s labor for an honest day’s work, and made them liable for rebuke from their employer. Yet, even as this parable illustrates the destructiveness of jealousy, envy, and coveting, we acknowledge the motivational power present in them. Exhortation and motivation often appeal to the disparity between the present hearers and the objects of their desires. Thereby, jealousy, envy, and covetousness are aroused. The hearers are made dissatisfied with their current situation; their contentment is destroyed. Since we cannot see into our own hearts, let alone the hearts of others, when we seek to exhort and motivate, we simply do not know whether we arouse beneficial affections or the destructive affections of jealousy, envy, or coveting.

Prayers from one who would easily arouse jealousy, envy, or coveting in others if it motivated them to a desired end…

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance. Grant that I would receive the fullness of Jesus Christ and his life, and so not be lacking in anything. For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance. Grant that as I receive the life of Jesus Christ, I would come to know the secret of contentment because his life is my strength. For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance. Give me ears to hear the promise of my Lord Jesus when he declares, “Come unto me and I will give you rest,” that in such rest I will have contentment. For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance. Forgive me when I motivate my neighbors for my benefit by appealing to their jealousy, envy, or covetousness. For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance. Lead me to forgive my neighbors when their exhortations and motivations stir up jealousy, envy, and covetousness within me. For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance. Grant that the Institute of Lutheran Theology, even as it strives for growth and excellence, would be kept from arousing jealousy, envy, and covetousness in its participants. For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer.

Heavenly Father, you would have us be content in any circumstance. As the days of my baptism continue one after another, hold me in the faith and life of Jesus Christ that I would be content with each day even as I await with longing for that day, the day of Christ’s return in glory. For Jesus’ sake, hear my prayer. Amen

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost A, September 24, 2023

18 September 2023

Who comprehends the Lord’s pardon? Struck by its incomprehensibility, we are left with Nicodemus’ question, “How can these things be?” (Jn. 3:9). “Seek me,” says the Lord… “Call on me,” says the Lord… “Forsake your ways… return to me,” says the Lord… the unflaggingly faithful Lord calls his people to him, not to receive judgment and punishment, but to receive compassion and pardon. Indeed, who can understand it?

The Lord himself reassures us in our inability to comprehend his faithfulness. He announces, “My ways are not your ways…” “My thoughts are not your thoughts…” (vs. 9). Nothing in this sin-broken creation prepares us for the Lord’s mercy. No relationship on earth exudes love and faithfulness like our Lord’s claim upon his people. That divine mercy and compassion are too good to be true.

Our skepticism convinces us that the Lord’s faithfulness simply exceeds our capacity to trust it. “Surely,” we think, “there must be a catch… The Lord cannot simply up and forgive sins, can he?” So, in our skepticism, we fall into one or the other of the two traps that Satan sets around the Lord’s faithfulness. The first trap convinces us that our skepticism is true. God does not simply up and forgive sins. No, he does not. We must add some work of our own: sorrow, repentance, amendment of life… whatever the trap contains. The second trap convinces us that it is certainly true: God does indeed up and forgive sins. In fact, since that forgiveness stands over our entire lives, there is no need even to admit to our sinfulness. We say to ourselves, “I like to sin; God likes to forgive; it’s a match made in heaven.”

Not so fast, God does indeed simply up and forgive. His pardon is so exceedingly abundant, it’s incomprehensible. This pardon… this compassion… this love from God is (as Paul preaches) only available in Jesus Christ. Not in that “something” you must add… not in your assumption of pardon… only… only in Jesus Christ!

Table Talk: Discuss the two traps and how you have succumbed to them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep your Word Jesus Christ plentifully available to me that in him I would not only be pardoned but be kept from the traps Satan has laid for me. Amen

Isaiah 55:6-9

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost A, September 17, 2023

11 September 2023

Children bringing gifts—presenting their precious gatherings: crayon scribblings, wilted dandelions, and other “found” treasure—often confound their parents and other recipients. Struggling to find an appropriate response, the recipients console themselves thinking: “It’s not the gift but the thought that counts.” Just so, we learn to discern intentions.

But we are not so good at discerning our own intentions. We claim good intentions when the truth is quite different. Our “good” intentions really intend for us to look good—they are selfish… not “good” at all.

Martin Luther spoke of this in the Heidelberg Disputation saying: “Arrogance cannot be avoided, or true hope be present unless the judgment of condemnation is feared in every work.” In saying this Luther acknowledged the truth of Jesus’ response to being called “good teacher,” saying, “No one is good except God alone” (Lk 18:19b). We don’t possess the depth to see the deepest intentions of our hearts. Neither do we have sufficient duration to see the concluding consequences of any work. Therefore, none of our works can be discerned unambiguously as good or righteous. If they could, we’d either become arrogant in our pride over them or we’d despair of ever doing them and have no hope.

This confrontation between Joseph and his brothers anticipates the confrontation between Jesus and all his brothers and sisters on earth. Though humanity sought to silence Jesus by killing him “for the good of the nation,” God intended Jesus’ death for good: salvation for all. God’s plans work for good even through sinful people. We can confess all our works as they are under condemnation, confident of God’s forgiveness.

Table Talk: Confess a time you did good for selfish reasons.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive us our deeds both good and bad so that we might look only to you for our righteousness. Amen

Genesis 50:15-21

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him. 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, Your father gave this command before he died, 17 Say to Joseph, Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you. And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father. Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, Behold, we are your servants. 19 But Joseph said to them, Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones. Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost A

11 September 2023

Let me ask you this: “Is the forgiveness of your sins law or gospel?” I and many others answer this question by saying, “Of course, it’s gospel!” The parable Jesus tells here of the unforgiving steward raises up the possibility of a different answer. The master places a “should” upon that unforgiving steward: “You should have had mercy upon your fellow servant just as I had mercy on you!” Whenever a “should” is involved, the proclamation shifts from gospel to law; the same goes for “ought” and “must.” Jesus gets at this from a different perspective when he fills our prayers with this request to our Father in heaven, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Mt. 6:12). From the perspective of this petition, only in the forgiving of those who sin against us does our Father forgive our sins against him and others. So, is forgiveness law… or is it gospel? Does it demand that we forgive others? Does it set us free from sin, death, and the power of the devil? It depends… It depends upon whether or not your flesh still adheres—that is, are you operating as the New Creature in Christ from out of the New Creation or are you operating as the new and improved sinner still living in this old, sin-broken creation? The New Creature, caught up in faith in Christ, cannot help but pronounce the absolution. Forgiveness cannot be silent. Words of forgiveness burst forth from its lips as it proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ. The new and improved sinner, on the other hand, hears the admonition of the unjust steward’s master… This better-behaved sinner prays the prayer Jesus taught… and this sinner whose flesh still adheres knows the law of forgiveness. Forgiveness of others is a “must,” an “ought,” and a “should.” Forgiveness is reasonably reciprocal. The Father and his Son are so serious about this matter of forgiveness that they will use both law and gospel to see that forgiveness for Jesus’ sake is proclaimed unto the ends of the earth!

Prayers from one whose flesh still adheres and who would rather tolerate the sins of others in order to hold their guilt over and against them…

Our Father who art in heaven, you have taken away my iniquities and remember my sins no more. Grant me to live out of such faith in Christ that I, too, would forgive and forget the sins committed against me. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Our Father who art in heaven, you have taken away my iniquities and remember my sins no more. Grant me to live in such humility that I, like Christ, do not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Our Father who art in heaven, you have taken away my iniquities and remember my sins no more. Grant me to hear the words of forgiveness pronounced by my preacher upon me so that your gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, reigns in my life as a New Creature in your New Creation. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Our Father who art in heaven, you have taken away my iniquities and remember my sins no more. Grant me such desire to speak the forgiveness I have received to others so even those who have sinned against me hear this forgiveness as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Our Father who art in heaven, you have taken away my iniquities and remember my sins no more. Help me to receive the Office of the Keys as it is laid upon me so that I bear it with responsibility and in freedom. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Our Father who art in heaven, you have taken away my iniquities and remember my sins no more. Grant for the Institute of Lutheran Theology so to raise up its students that they, too, bear the Office of the Keys with responsibility and in freedom. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Our Father who art in heaven, you have taken away my iniquities and remember my sins no more. Grant me to live out of the faith in Christ given me by the Holy Spirit so that the days of my baptism are filled with both the hearing and the speaking of the forgiveness of sins. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

The Fall Numbers Are In

8 September 2023

This week, Tuesday (9/5) was census day for the fall semester at ILT. The official census report shows a total of 129 students. This is the total head count for both ILT’s Christ School of Theology (seminary and graduate school) and Christ College (undergraduate).

The good news is that ILT continues to see growth. The total fall head count, 129, is up from 117 last fall. The Christ School of Theology went from 95 to 101. Christ College went from 25 to 29. This growth comes at a time when higher education generally and seminaries specifically are in a state of decline. God continues to bless ILT through its students. We give thanks to God for his blessings and pray that he will continue to bless the church by sending people to be pastors.

Here is the census report for fall 2023.

Download Report

Our Students Need YOUR Help

1 September 2023

Every year, ILT raises money to support our students. Financial concerns continue to be one of the biggest challenges which students face as they try to complete their education. The money in the financial aid fund goes directly to the students who have the greatest financial need. Money should not be the only reason why students, who have a genuine call from God to serve his church, do not study at ILT.

Currently, financial aid covers about $1,200 for each student, depending on their program. This typically covers the cost of one course for every ministry student who qualifies. We try to keep the tuition cost low and students do not take out loans for their tuition. ILT students graduate with no debt. For us to continue to do this, we need your help. If you gave $1,200, you would be supporting one student this semester. If you gave $25, your money will go directly to students to support them. Please consider giving a gift, knowing that this gift will help provide the future generation of pastors.

Donate Today

Why Suppport ILT

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost A, September 10, 2023

1 September 2023

Sentinels, watchmen, sentries—all serve important functions during times of war and conflict. They keep watch for the coming of the enemy. They sound the alarm and warn the people when the enemy is sighted. The forewarned people have opportunity to prepare their defenses or to escape the oncoming adversary.

The Lord appoints Ezekiel to the work of sentinel. He is to announce the coming of the enemy upon the house of Israel. The coming enemy is none other than the Lord who is visiting wrath and judgment upon his people. Ezekiel is to listen to the Word the Lord is giving him. When the Lord says “wrath,” Ezekiel must say so to the people. When the Lord says “mercy,” Ezekiel must say so to the people. Ezekiel’s word is the Word of the Lord.

The Lord continues to appoint people to the work of sentinel—people to serve as watchmen and sentries. The person called to be pastor is one so appointed. The pastor listens to the Word that the Lord gives. Then the pastor delivers that Word—either wrath or mercy—to the people. The Lord’s Word kills and makes alive. It puts the wicked to death, ending their miserable existence. It raises those dead sinners to the newness of life in Christ. In this way your pastor delivers the Word of the Lord as the preaching of Law and Gospel. People hear it as command and promise: Die, sinner! Rise up, oh saints of God! In the face of God’s wrath revealed through the commandments, God delivers mercy in the person of Jesus Christ who is the Gospel promise.

Table Talk: Discuss the importance of sentinels. How do the commands and promises of the Lord work upon you?

Prayer: Father, reveal our sin so we may confess and be forgiven them in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Ezekiel 33:7-9

7 So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.