The Eighth Sunday after Trinity

Today's Reading: Matthew 7:15-23

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 1:1-20; Galatians 5:1-26

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."

In the name of + Jesus. Amen. Do you know what a "frenemy" is? A frenemy is someone who seems like a friend, but is actually an enemy. They are people whom you love and trust. They are people who take your trust, your love, your faith and they tear it up... they step on it... they spit on it. and then they throw it into the trash. They take what is good and they ruin it.

In the Gospel lesson today, we see that the church must be on guard against its own type of frenemy. In this case, it is a church leader who does not point you towards Jesus Christ in both His Word and Sacrament. You see, Jesus has designed His church to be a place where fallen, broken, hurting, betrayed and downtrodden people can come and be blessed in Law and Gospel--in Word and Sacrament. It isn't the place for self-esteem boosting,