1. Third S. in Lent (Oculi): Jesus Overcomes the Strong Man
Ex. 8:16-21; Jer. 26: 1-15; Eph. 5:1-9; Luke 11:14-28; Psalm 136:1-16;
Psalm 4
—
Memorization Verses:
Ex. 8:19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, but now you are light in the Lord.
―This is the finger of God.‖ Luke 11:20 But if it is by the finger of God that I
Jer. 26:13 Now therefore mend your ways and cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has
your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your come upon you.
God, and the Lord will relent of the disaster that Psalm 136:12, 15 with a strong hand and an
he has pronounced against you. outstretched arm,…[God] overthrew Pharaoh and
Eph. 5:6-8 God comes upon the sons of his host in the Red Sea.
disobedience. Therefore do not become partners Psalm 4:3 But know that the Lord has set
with them; for at one time you were darkness, apart the godly for himself.

2. isxýō – properly, embodied strength that "gets into the fray" (action), i.e.
engaging the resistance. For the believer, isxýō refers to the Lord
strengthening them with combative, confrontive force to achieve all He gives
faith for. That is, facing necessary resistance that brings what the Lord defines
is success (His victory, cf. 1 Jn 5:4). Accordingly, faith (4102 /pístis) and 2480
(isxýō) are directly connected (Js 5:16).
Share a recent combat
moment. How did
faith overcome?
1 John 5:4 for everyone born of
God overcomes the world. This is the victory
that has overcome the world, even our faith

3. …Lord, in your mercy. mercy upon this congregation.
…Hear our prayer. Remove all hypocrisy from us and
1. People loved by God, let us come strengthen all our members that we
before our Father‘s throne of grace may be living witnesses to Your gift of
with confidence through our Lord eternal life in our homes, at work and
 Use your prayer notes. Jesus and, in the power of His Spirit, at play...
ask His mercy for all in need. 5. Mighty Monarch of our days, to
 Use a verse from the 2. Merciful Father, Your salvation is You we commend all who have been
bible to reflect on. near to those who fear You. Look in entrusted with authority in our land,
 Pray about God‘s kindness upon Your whole Church and and all who serve in our armed forces.
supreme mightiness. pour out on Your family the gift of Grant them integrity and honor in all
repentance that all Your children they undertake and guide them into
 P raise might be given grace continually to paths that are pleasing to You...
R epentance heed Your Word, turn from sin and 6. Holy One, You tell us in Your Word
A ppreciation find forgiveness and life in Your Son... that You do not willingly afflict the
Y ou 3. Giver of salvation, remember all sons of men. Hear our prayers for all
E veryone pastors, especially our Synod Your children who are suffering or in
R esolve president, Matthew, and our District need, the lonely and afflicted, the
President _____, together with our grieving and the dying [and especially
pastor(s), deaconesses, teachers, Your servants….]. Comfort troubled
missionaries and servants of the hearts with the promises of Your
Church. Give them courage to speak Word, surround them with Your angels
Your saving Word fearlessly that it to protect them in body and soul, and
may do its mighty work by Your grant them a happy release from their
Spirit‘s power... afflictions according to Your will...
4. Kind and loving Lord, look in

4. …let us pray to the Lord. day repentant hearts and firm
…Lord, have mercy. trust in the promise of the
7. Faithful God, You do not Savior, that here they will
allow us to be tempted beyond receive with His body and
 Use your prayer notes. what we can bear, but in trial blood, the forgiveness of all sins
You always provide the way of and the gift of a life that death
 Use a verse from the
bible to reflect on.
escape for us to bear it. cannot take away...
Remember in pity all those 9. And now we also pray
 Pray about God‘s
whose faith is put to the test, for...(open petitions)...
supreme mightiness.
who struggle with addictions, 10. Join these, our prayers and
 P raise who feel abandoned. Open the praises, with those of Your
R epentance eyes of their spirit to sense You faithful people of every time
A ppreciation
near them and let them find in and every place, and unite them
Y ou
E veryone Your Word and Sacrament the in the ceaseless petitions of our
R esolve relief for which they beg... great High Priest until He
8. Father of our Lord Jesus, comes again in power and great
Your Son has prepared for His glory as victorious Lord of all.
family a feast, that we might not Through Him, with Him and in
grow weary in the struggle, or Him, in the unity of the Holy
despair of Your mercy, but find Spirit, all glory and honor is
constant renewal. Grant to all Yours, almighty Father, forever
who come to the holy altar this and ever. Amen.

5. 1 Lord of our life and God of our 3 Lord, be our light when worldly
salvation, darkness veils us;
Star of our night and Hope of ev'ry Lord, be our shield when earthly armor
nation: fails us;
Hear and receive Your Church's And in the day when hell itself assails
supplication, us,
Lord God Almighty. Grant us Your peace, Lord:
2 See round Your ark the hungry 4 Peace in our hearts, where sinful
billows curling; thoughts are raging,
See how Your foes their banners are Peace in Your Church, our troubled
unfurling. souls assuaging,
And with great spite their fiery darts Peace when the world its endless war
are hurling, is waging,
O Lord, preserve us. Peace in Your heaven.

7. Jesus Overcomes the Strong Man
 Meet w/teams
3-5 min per box
 What are the major points of your text?
 How does your topic fit the pericope
theme?
 How does it connect to the other texts?
How is it unique?

8. Exodus 8:16-21 them, as the Lord had said.
The Third Plague: Gnats The Fourth Plague: Flies
16 Then the Lord said to Moses, ―Say to 20 Then the Lord said to Moses, ―Rise
Aaron, ‗Stretch out your staff and strike up early in the morning and present
the dust of the earth, so that it may yourself to Pharaoh, as he goes out to
become gnats in all the land of the water, and say to him, ‗Thus says
Egypt.‘‖ 17 And they did so. Aaron the Lord, ―Let my people go, that they
stretched out his hand with his staff and may serve me. 21 Or else, if you will not
struck the dust of the earth, and there let my people go, behold, I will send
were gnats on man and beast. All the swarms of flies on you and your
dust of the earth became gnats in all the servants and your people, and into your
land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried by houses. And the houses of the
their secret arts to produce gnats, but Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of
they could not. So there were gnats on flies, and also the ground on which they
man and beast. 19 Then the magicians stand.
said to Pharaoh, ―This is the finger of
God.‖ But Pharaoh's heart was
hardened, and he would not listen to

9. Jeremiah 26:1-15 prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, ‗This
Jeremiah Threatened with Death house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be
26 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the desolate, without inhabitant‘?‖ And all the people
son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the
the Lord: 2 ―Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court Lord.
of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of 10 When the officials of Judah heard these things,
Judah that come to worship in the house of they came up from the king's house to the house
the Lord all the words that I command you to of the Lord and took their seat in the entry of the
speak to them; do not hold back a word. 3 It may New Gate of the house of the Lord. 11 Then the
be they will listen, and every one turn from his priests and the prophets said to the officials and to
evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I all the people, ―This man deserves the sentence of
intend to do to them because of their evil death, because he has prophesied against this city,
deeds. 4 You shall say to them, ‗Thus says the as you have heard with your own ears.‖
Lord: If you will not listen to me, to walk in my 12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all
law that I have set before you, 5 and to listen to the the people, saying, ―The Lord sent me to prophesy
words of my servants the prophets whom I send to against this house and this city all the words you
you urgently, though you have not listened, 6 then have heard. 13 Now thereforemend your ways and
I will make this house like Shiloh, and I will make your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your
this city a curse for all the nations of the earth.‘‖ God, and the Lord will relent of the disaster that
7 The priests and the prophets and all the people he has pronounced against you. 14 But as for me,
heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems
of the Lord.8 And when Jeremiah had finished good and right to you. 15 Only know for certain
speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to that if you put me to death, you will bring
speak to all the people, then the priests and the innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city
prophets and all the people laid hold of him, and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to
saying, ―You shall die! 9 Why have you you to speak all these words in your ears.‖

10. Ephesians 5:1-9 no one deceive you with empty words,
Walk in Love for because of these things the wrath of
5 Therefore be imitators of God, as God comes upon the sons of
beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as disobedience. 7 Therefore do not
Christ loved us and gave himself up for become partners with them; 8 for at one
us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to time you were darkness, but now you
God. are light in the Lord. Walk as children
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found
or covetousness must not even be in all that is good and right and true),
named among you, as is proper among
saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor
foolish talk nor crude joking, which are
out of place, but instead let there be
thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of
this, that everyone who is sexually
immoral or impure, or who is covetous
(that is, an idolater), has no inheritance
in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let

11. Luke 11:14-28 attacks him and overcomes him, he takes
Jesus and Beelzebul away his armor in which he trusted
14 Now he was casting out a demon that was and divides his spoil. 23 Whoever is not with
mute. When the demon had gone out, the me is against me, and whoever does not
mute man spoke, and the people gather with me scatters.
marveled. 15 But some of them said, ―He Return of an Unclean Spirit
casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince 24 ―When the unclean spirit has gone out of
of demons,‖ 16 while others, to test him, a person, it passes through waterless places
kept seeking from him a sign from seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‗I
heaven.17 But he, knowing their thoughts, will return to my house from which I
said to them, ―Every kingdom divided came.‘25 And when it comes, it finds the
against itself is laid waste, and a divided house swept and put in order. 26 Then it
household falls. 18 And if Satan also is goes and brings seven other spirits more
divided against himself, how will his evil than itself, and they enter and dwell
kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out there. And the last state of that person is
demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out worse than the first.‖
demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your True Blessedness
sons cast them out? Therefore they will be 27 As he said these things, a woman in the
your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of crowd raised her voice and said to
God that I cast out demons, then the him, ―Blessed is the womb that bore you,
kingdom of God has come upon and the breasts at which you nursed!‖ 28 But
you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear
guards his own palace, his goods are the word of God and keep it!‖
safe; 22 but when one stronger than he

12. Psalm 136:1-16 night,
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever for his steadfast love endures forever;
136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is 10 to him who struck down the firstborn
good, of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever. for his steadfast love endures forever;
2 Give thanks to the God of gods, 11 and brought Israel out from among
for his steadfast love endures forever. them,
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
for his steadfast love endures forever; 12 with a strong hand and an outstretched
4 to him who alone does great wonders, arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever; for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the 13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;
for his steadfast love endures forever; 14 and made Israel pass through the midst
6 to him who spread out the earth above of it,
the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;
for his steadfast love endures forever; 15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in
7 to him who made the great lights, the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever; for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day, 16 to him who led his people through the
for his steadfast love endures forever; wilderness,
9 the moon and stars to rule over the for his steadfast love endures forever;

13. Psalm 4 5 Offer right sacrifices,
Answer Me When I Call and put your trust in the Lord.
To the choirmaster: with stringed 6 There are many who say, ―Who will
instruments. A Psalm of David. show us some good?
4 Answer me when I call, O God of Lift up the light of your face upon
my righteousness! us, O Lord!‖
You have given me relief when I was 7 You have put more joy in my heart
in distress. than they have when their grain and
Be gracious to me and hear my wine abound.
prayer! 8 In peace I will both lie down and
2 O men, how long shall my honor be sleep;
turned into shame? for you alone, O Lord, make
How long will you love vain words me dwell in safety.
and seek afterlies? Selah
3 But know that the Lord has set
apart the godly for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your
beds, and be silent. Selah

14. THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT (Oculi)
Exodus 8:16–24
or Jeremiah 26:1–15
Ephesians 5:1–9
Luke 11:14–28
Jesus Overcomes the Strong Man
Jeremiah was charged with speaking evil when he spoke the Word of the Lord (Jer. 26:1–
15). So also, Jesus is accused of doing evil when in fact He is doing good. He casts out a
demon from a mute man so that he is able to speak (Luke 11:14–28). But some said Jesus
did this by the power of Beelzebub, Satan. Like Pharaoh of old, their hearts were hard (Ex.
8:16–24). They did not recognize the finger of God, the power of the Holy Spirit at work
in and through Jesus. Jesus is the Stronger Man who overcomes the strong man. He takes
the devil‘s armor of sin and death and destroys it from the inside out by the holy cross. He
exorcizes and frees us by water and the Word. We were once darkness, but now we are
light in Christ the Lord (Eph. 5:1–9). As children of light, our tongues are loosed to give
thanks to Him who saved us.

15. I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in Ouch!
my heart Sit on a tack!
Where? Ouch!
Down in my heart! Sit on a tack!
Where? And if the Devil doesn't like it
Down in my heart! He can sit on a tack!
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in Ouch!
my heart
Sit on a tack to stay!
Down in my heart to stay
And I'm so happy
 I‘ve got the love of Jesus, love of
Jesus… So very happy
 I‘ve got the peace that passes I've got the love of Jesus in my heart
understanding… Down in my heart
And I'm so happy
And if the Devil doesn't like it So very happy
He can sit on a tack! I've got the love of Jesus in my heart.

16.  Fourth S. in Lent (Laetare):
The Lord Feeds His People
 Ex. 16: 2-21 Bread from Heaven
 Or Is. 49:8-13 The Restoration of
Israel
 Gal. 4:21-31 Example of Hagar
and Sarah
 or Acts 2:41-47 The Fellowship
of the Believers
 John 6:1-15 Jesus Feeds the Five
Thousand
 Psalm 132:8-18 The Lord Has
Chosen Zion

17. Ex. 16: 2-21; Is. 49:8-13; Gal. 4:21-31; Acts 2:41-47; John 6:1-15; to apportion the desolate heritages, Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Psalm 132:8-18 9 saying to the prisoners, ‗Come out,‘ 6 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee,
to those who are in darkness, ‗Appear.‘ which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him,
Exodus 16:2-21 They shall feed along the ways; because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went
2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israelgrumbled against on all bare heights shall be their pasture; up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the
Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to 10 they shall not hunger or thirst, Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then,
them, ―Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said
Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you for he who has pity on them will lead them, to Philip, ―Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may
have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly and by springs of water will guide them. eat?‖ 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would
with hunger.‖ 11 And I will make all my mountains a road, do. 7 Philip answered him, ―Two hundred denarii worth of bread would
4 Then the LORD said to Moses, ―Behold, I am about to rainbread from and my highways shall be raised up. not be enough for each of them to get a little.‖ 8 One of his
heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion 12 Behold, these shall come from afar, disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 ―There is a boy
every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or and behold, these from the north and from the west, here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so
not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be and these from the land of Syene.‖ many?‖ 10 Jesus said, ―Have the people sit down.‖Now there was much
twice as much as they gather daily.‖ 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all 13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in
the people of Israel, ―At evening you shall know that it was break forth, O mountains, into singing! number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he
the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the For the LORD has comforted his people distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as
morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your and will have compassion on his afflicted. they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his
grumbling against the LORD. For what are we, that you grumble against disciples, ―Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be
us?‖ 8 And Moses said, ―When theLORD gives you in the evening meat Galatians 4:21-31 lost.‖ 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with
to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has heard Example of Hagar and Sarah fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had
your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your 21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they
grumbling is not against us but against the LORD.‖ law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave said, ―This is indeedthe Prophet who is to come into the world!‖
9 Then Moses said to Aaron, ―Say to the whole congregation of the woman and one by a free woman.23 But the son of the slave was born 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force
people of Israel, ‗Come near before the LORD, for he has heard your according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
grumbling.‘‖ 10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation through promise.24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these
of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children Psalm 132:8-18
the glory of theLORD appeared in the cloud. 11 And the LORD said to for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses,12 ―I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her 8 Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place,
them, ‗At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our you and the ark of your might.
filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.‘‖ mother. 27 For it is written, 9 Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
13 In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the ―Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; and let your saints shout for joy.
morning dew lay around the camp. 14 And when the dew had gone up, break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! 10 For the sake of your servant David,
there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as For the children of the desolate one will be more do not turn away the face of your anointed one.
frost on the ground. 15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one than those of the one who has a husband.‖ 11 The LORD swore to David a sure oath
another, ―What is it?‖ For they did not know what it was. And Moses 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.29 But just as at from which he will not turn back:
said to them, ―It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.16 This that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who ―One of the sons of your body
is what the LORD has commanded: ‗Gather of it, each one of you, as was born according to the Spirit,so also it is now. 30 But what does the I will set on your throne.
much as he can eat. You shall each take anomer, according to the Scripture say? ―Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the 12 If your sons keep my covenant
number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.‘‖ 17 And the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.‖31 So, and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. 18 But brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. their sons also forever
when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had shall sit on your throne.‖
nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them Acts 2:41-47 13 For the LORD has chosen Zion;
gathered as much as he could eat. 19 And Moses said to them, ―Let no 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added he has desired it for his dwelling place:
one leave any of it over till the morning.‖ 20 But they did not listen to that day about three thousand souls. 14 ―This is my resting place forever;
Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and The Fellowship of the Believers here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
stank. And Moses was angry with them. 21 Morning by morning they 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and 15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;
gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And I will satisfy her poor with bread.
melted. awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being 16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
done through the apostles.44 And all who believed were together and her saints will shout for joy.
Isaiah 49:8-13 and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their 17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
The Restoration of Israel possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
8 Thus says the LORD: had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together andbreaking 18 His enemies I will clothe with shame,
―In a time of favor I have answered you; bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous but on him his crown will shine.‖
in a day of salvation I have helped you; hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the
I will keep you and give you Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.