Morning Song: Holy Trinity Sunday 5/31/2026 11am

Devotional

Day 1: Ice Cream Authority and the Credit Card Promise

When Jesus claims "all authority," he anchors it in tangible reality like a father’s trusted credit card enabling a child’s request. This authority isn’t abstract power but relational trust—Jesus backs his promises with divine resources. Believers carry his "credit card" into the world, acting not on their own merit but his finished work. The disciples’ mission—to baptize and teach—flows from this delegated authority. Even when we feel small, Jesus’ name opens doors we cannot force. [30:15]

“Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’” (Matthew 28:18–19, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you hesitate to act in Jesus’ authority today? Name one relationship or situation where you need to trust his “credit card” more than your own resources.

Day 2: Worshipping While the Waves Still Churn

The disciples worshipped Jesus even as doubt “wavered” in them like Peter sinking beneath stormy waves. Faith isn’t the absence of uncertainty but clinging to Christ amid the chaos. Jesus didn’t scold their mixed hearts—he anchored them in his authority, not their perfection. Our doubts don’t disqualify us; they redirect us to the one who calms seas with a word. [35:32]

“And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:17, ESV)

Reflection: What “wave” of doubt or fear distracts you from Jesus’ presence? How might worship reshape your focus today?

Day 3: The Name That Owns You

Demons shuddered when Jesus demanded their name, yet he marks us with the Triune name in baptism. This isn’t a label but a claim—we belong to the Father, Son, and Spirit. Like a child carrying a parent’s credit card, we walk in the authority of whose we are. Guilt and shame lose their grip when we remember the name etched over our lives. [42:39]

“And he said to them, ‘Legion, for we are many.’ And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country.” (Mark 5:9–10, ESV)

Reflection: When has remembering your baptismal name shifted your perspective in a struggle? How does being “owned” by God free you today?

Day 4: Preaching Without a TED Talk

Sermons aren’t polished speeches but deliveries of God’s “inwardly digested” Word. Jesus trusts stumbling disciples to teach because his authority—not their eloquence—changes hearts. The church grows not through slick programs but through ordinary people handing over Christ’s promises like a child presenting a father’s credit card. [44:18]

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you undervalue the power of simple Bible words? How might you “hand over” Scripture to someone this week?

Day 5: Always With You (Even When Heaven Feels Empty)

Jesus ascended physically but left a promise thicker than his absence: “I am with you always.” The disciples stared at an empty sky, yet his presence clung closer than breath. Centuries later, the same promise steadies us when grief, doubt, or failure shouts louder. The creed’s longevity proves his faithfulness—we’re threads in a tapestry he’s weaving beyond our sight. [44:47]

“Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, ESV)

Reflection: What empty space makes you question God’s nearness? How might his “always” reshape your loneliness or uncertainty today?

Sermon Summary

Matthew’s Gospel sets the scene with the risen Jesus meeting his disciples, who worship him, yet some waver. That honest line frames everything that follows. Jesus does not cram understanding into their heads. He points them to himself and speaks the anchoring word: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” The certainty for fragile disciples will not rest on their knowledge or strength but on his kingship. Jesus gets to be right.

From that authority flows the Great Commission. Jesus sends his church to make disciples by baptizing and teaching. Faith here is not a mental achievement. Faith is gift, not cognitive horsepower, which is why even babies can receive it in baptism. The one who created the heavens and the earth can give the noun of faith where and when he chooses. He chooses to give through water and the word, and then to deepen through teaching that trains disciples to “treasure” all he commanded.

Jesus puts a specific Name on his people, the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The word Trinity is not on the page, but Jesus believes in the Trinity, and the Athanasian Creed simply learns to say what Scripture says. That doctrine is not a cold, far-off idea. It shows how near God has come, how he chooses to love and stay with his people. In Scripture, to know a name is to have claim. When Jesus forced Legion to speak its name, he owned it. So when the Triune Name is placed upon the baptized, they belong to him. It is still truly them, not mindless zombies, but now covered and kept. Not a Hallmark sentiment, a personal promise.

That promise steadies hearts in the real “why” places of life, where funerals, fears, and parenting pain live. Jesus does not first give an explanation. He gives himself: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The gospel therefore cannot be stopped. The future of the little c Catholic church does not rest on any congregation, synod, or pastor. God cares through his church in ordinary, durable ways. Preaching is not a TED talk but God giving his word. Pastors who stay, saints who teach the young, Mighty Messengers devoted to the message, all of it is Jesus keeping house by his Spirit.

He also hands out real authority to forgive sins. In the liturgy, absolution is God’s promise at work. In homes, when Christians forgive one another, forgiveness actually happens. From the first eleven sent into a hostile world, to Christians in Michigan generations ago, to those today, the Father who created, the Son who redeemed, and the Spirit who gives and strengthens faith remain. That is why the church continues, not from swagger or strategy, but because Jesus is with his people and will keep his word.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ’s authority grounds all mission. [37:20] The Great Commission rises from who Jesus is before it becomes what disciples do. Authority means capacity to accomplish, not just permission to attempt. When mission feels fragile, the ground is not zeal or strategy but a King who can actually make disciples. Confidence grows where the yoke of responsibility rests on his shoulders, not theirs. [37:20]
2. Faith rests on Christ, not comprehension. [38:09] Jesus does not solve doubt with a data dump; he gives himself. Faith is not a brain trick but a reception of a promise, which is why infants can truly believe. Explanations can help, but only presence anchors. Maturity often looks like trusting the Giver when the reasons remain hidden. [38:09]
3. The Triune Name claims and keeps. [40:19] Baptism is God placing his Name on a person, marking ownership and protection. In Scripture, naming wields authority, which is why Legion had to answer. Under the Father, Son, and Spirit, identity and security do not swing with performance or mood. The Name out-argues guilt and outlasts fear. [40:19]
4. The church really forgives sins. [31:11] Absolution is not theater; it is God binding himself to his word. When the church forgives in his Name, heaven ratifies on earth what Christ won at the cross. In homes, that same authority heals what apologies cannot. Forgiven people become places where futures open again. [31:11]
5. His presence steadies the wavery heart. [44:47] “I am with you always” outruns both the crisis and the calendar. The promise does not promise ease; it promises Emmanuel. Under that companionship, courage becomes ordinary and endurance becomes possible. The heart may wobble, but the Companion does not. [44:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:52] - Worship and doubt on the mountain
[29:11] - What authority looks like
[30:15] - “All authority” explained
[30:52] - Go make disciples: baptize and teach
[31:11] - Authority to forgive sins
[32:40] - Trinity confessed, not invented
[33:57] - When “why” meets mystery
[36:48] - Jesus points to himself
[38:09] - Faith given, not manufactured
[40:19] - The Triune Name upon you
[41:06] - With us in Word and Supper
[42:39] - Belonging that silences guilt
[43:48] - Teaching that keeps and grows
[44:47] - “I am with you always”

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Observation questions

What two responses did the disciples have when they saw the risen Jesus (v. 17)? How does this mirror common human experiences of faith?
What specific actions does Jesus link to "making disciples" (v. 19-20)? How do these actions reflect His authority?
In the sermon, how was the connection between Jesus’ authority and the ability to forgive sins illustrated? [31:11]

Interpretation questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasized His authority (v. 18) before giving the Great Commission? How does this order shape the way we understand mission work?
The sermon described baptism as God "placing His Name" on someone. How does the Triune Name in baptism (v. 19) redefine a person’s identity and security? [40:19]
Jesus says, "I am with you always" (v. 20) to disciples who still doubted. Why might His presence matter more than explanations in moments of confusion or grief? [44:47]

Application questions

When have you felt the tension of both worshiping Jesus and wrestling with doubt? How does His authority, not your certainty, become the foundation for moving forward?
The Triune Name marks believers as God’s own. How might remembering "whose you are" change the way you respond to guilt, fear, or failure this week? [42:39]
Forgiveness is described as a real authority given to Christians. Is there a relationship in your life where you’ve hesitated to extend forgiveness? What would it look like to act on Jesus’ promise here? [31:11]
Jesus’ presence is promised in both crisis and ordinary days. What practical habit could help you lean into "I am with you always" when life feels overwhelming or monotonous?
The sermon contrasted "faith as a gift" with "faith as a mental achievement." Where do you feel pressure to "manufacture" faith instead of receiving it? How can baptism or teaching (v. 19-20) anchor you this month?

Sermon Clips

29s

“``This would have been the perfect moment that Jesus for Jesus to give the perfect miracle and the perfect lesson. You know, he could have miracled understanding into their heads if he wanted to, but Jesus didn't want to. He almost did kind of the opposite of, I think, what I would like to do maybe as a parent or as a pastor. Instead of sort of forcing understanding on them, Jesus does this, and it's more important. He points the disciples to himself.”

32s

“Why did this happen? Why the suffering? Why didn't God prevent it? Why? Why? Why? And we can ask why faithfully, I think. But I think sometimes, I at least often assume that if God would simply explain himself more, then my faith would become stronger or easier. Like, if I understood cerebrally oh, okay. Now I get it. Now my faith can grow. If I can understand the reasons behind the hardships and the trials, now I can trust god more and feel more secure.”

35s

“This doesn't really answer many other questions, does it? It's sort of a this is a beautiful moment, but are they still confused? Yeah. I think so. And then he bodily ascends into heaven. So if they were confused before, they're just terrified right now or whatever is going through their hearts. But then the two angels say, why are you looking up into the sky? Get to work, basically. Jesus will come back. Go do the great commission. I am with you always. Jesus has promised, which they need to hear because they're about to go into a very troubled world.”

33s

“So the certainty of the disciples won't have to rest on their knowledge or their strength or their wisdom or their abilities. Right? It's it's all resting on this thing Jesus just said. All authority, which is a heavy word. All authority in heaven and on earth, everywhere has been given to me by the father is the implication. Right? The one who was crucified and risen from the dead, who says all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, this is where faith rests.”

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St. Michael Lutheran Church in Portage MI This sermon · AI assistant

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