Trinity 1 AD 2026

Preacher: The Rev. R. Eric Malmstrom Deuteronomy 6:4–13* / 1 John 4:8b–21* / Luke 16:19–31 Faith Trusts in Christ for Life Eternal Faith in Christ alone saves. When the beggar Lazarus died, he was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. He was Abraham’s seed, for he shared the faith of Abraham. The name Lazarus means “God is my help.” But the unnamed rich man did not fear, love, and trust in God. Since “he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20), the rich man’s lack of faith is evidenced by his lack of love for the beggar at his gate. He who loved and trusted in possessions and prestige died and was in torment in Hades (Luke 16:19–31). There, he was filled with regret; regret is not repentance. Repentance and faith are worked only through Moses and the prophets—that is, the Word of God. Through Moses and the prophets, Abraham, and Lazarus—and all Christians—come to faith in Christ. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus—by faith we receive this saving reality—we are brought into the life everlasting.