Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity (1891)

Matthew 6:24-34 "O woman, great is your faith"; our Lord and Savior thus praised the faith of the woman who had taken and overcome Him by His Word. We have had more opportunity than this woman to obtain a great, strong faith; we have more Scripture, more preaching, more instruction, the Sacrament of the new covenant. And yet this praise cannot apply to us most of all: Your faith is great, but rather a different word, that is recorded in our Gospel today: The Exhortation: "O You of Little Faith!" We consider, 1. who is meant by this word, a. not unbelievers who merely "serve" mammon1 but children of God.2 Therefore Christian people, on the one hand, should not ignore this admonition as if it does not concern them, but on the other hand, when they are hit by this admonition are therefore not misled in their state of grace, but ensure his comfort that even the little faith of God's dear children have, who have a faithful Father in heaven, b. and indeed Christians, who lack confidence in God's power, wisdom and goodness, which provide for life and limb, food and clothing.3 The little faith can also affect spiritual things, since the Christian cares and doubts whether or not God preserves and cares for his poor soul, is plagued with thoughts that have their origin also in that lack of trust in God's promise. Both kinds of little faith is very common; yes, some actually guide Christians into doubt and to rebuke joyful confidence, that nothing can separate us from the love of God impudence; so the pope, so our synergists. The Savior judges differently of little faith. We hear namely, 2. what serious warning lies in these words; a. man trusts in anything. The confidence that he deprives God he gives to living beings, e.g., "mammon". This is idolatry, that is a severe sin.4 This all of little faith should penitently recognize. God has truly earned something else for us! Creation, redemption, vocation, conversion, preservation! b. Such lack of trust in God and such trust in living beings is also a great folly, because we have no need to care; God, who has given us the greater, life and limb, will he not give us the lesser, food and clothing?5 He, who feeds the birds and clothes the lilies, will not He provide for His children?6 And He who provides for our body, will he not provide much more for our

1 2

Matthew 6:24. Matthew 6:26, 32. 3 Matthew 6:25. 4 Matthew 6:24. 5 Matthew 6:25. 6 Matthew 6:26, 28-30.

soul? - And still more folly: it also does not benefit false confidence, it is no greater or happier as well. There are already enough plagues; every day has its own; and Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness.7 c. therefore we should guard ourselves against little faith, we should faithfully use the means [of grace] by which faith is strengthened, the Word and seal of the divine promise. 8 Therefore we should also pray our hearts can be directed to God and to His kingdom; "Comfort then our aching breast, Grant it courage, patience, rest."9 A.G. (A.L. Grbner?)

7 8

LSB 750:2. Matthew 6:32-33. 9 TLH 226:6.