Grace on Tap Grace on Tap

Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner continue a discussion of Dr. Martin Luther’s commentary on the epistle for the Third Sunday in Advent. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 is the epistle reading for the One Year Lectionary.







Luther is especially focused on how good works can be encouraged and not lead to self-righteousness but drive people to continue in the promises of God.







Beer Break







Voodoo Ranger Fruit Force, a fruit punch imperial ipa. A good beer that is sneaky strong and brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company.

Martin Luther wrote a commentary intended for preachers called a Postil. He examined the Epistle and Gospel reading for each week in the one-year lectionary series. This episode of Grace on Tap features Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley discussing Luther’s commentary on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, the Epistle for the Third Sunday in Advent. They only get through the first verse, but Luther packs a lot of wisdom in that verse.















Beer Break







3 Floyds Brewing Company Zombie Dust Undead Pale Ale.

Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner discuss Martin Luther’s Gospel study for the Second Sunday in Advent. The Gospel lesson studied is Luke 21:25-33. How do we look ahead with hope and confidence to the Last Days? Luther invites us to look forward with grace to the last days.







Beer Break







Founders Solid Gold Premium Lager. Big-pack-beer from Founders.

Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner explore Dr. Martin Luther’s Winter Postil – Second Sunday in Advent Gospel (Part 1)







“Grace on Tap,” is a podcast that delves into the heart of Reformation theology, particularly focusing on the teachings of Martin Luther. We hope to provide a fresh and engaging approach as we tackle complex theological concepts, making them accessible to seasoned theologians and those new to the subject. We do this all over a nice cold beer that we review.







Martin Luther’s Winter Postil is a collection of his commentaries on the assigned lectionary readings for the church. The episode centers around Luther’s teachings on the Gospel reading for the Second Sunday in Advent, a time of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.







Luther’s Postil was a significant work during the Reformation. These textual commentaries were aimed at providing guidance and understanding to clergy and laity alike. Luther’s lucid explanations of biblical texts were instrumental in shaping Protestant theology and remain relevant today. Concordia Publishing House details the significance of Luther’s Postils: “Martin Luther’s collected sermons for the church year were originally published in two series: the Church Postil and the House Postil. These were among his most popular works. Aside from his catechisms, they did more to teach people about the Reformation than any other book. Volume 75 gives the sermons on the Epistle and Gospel readings from Advent through Christmastide in fresh, clear English. “







Beer Break







Fregeist Bierkulture “Schwarzbier” Black Lager from Stolberg, Germany. This dark beer brewed in the style of Thuringia has strong coffee and caramel notes. It is known to be smooth, not-too-roasty, and a very balanced type of black lager. Thank you Kirk for donating this beer for us to review.

In this edition, Evan Gaertner and Mike Yagley delve into the fourth part of their series on Martin Luther’s “Postil,” where they explore Luther’s sermon on the Gospel reading for the First Sunday in Advent. Join us as we uncover the rich teachings embedded within Luther’s sermon commentary and discover their relevance to our lives today.







The Gospel reading for the First Sunday in Advent is from Matthew 21:1-9, recounting Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. Luther, renowned for his focus on scriptural exegesis, proceeds to dissect the passage, unearthing profound truths within its verses.







Luther emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ choice to ride on a donkey, showcasing his humility and servanthood. We underscore how this act aligns with Jesus’ entire ministry, wherein he consistently prioritized selflessness and compassion for others. We stress the importance of emulating this humility in our own lives, reminding us that true greatness lies in our willingness to serve and love one another.







Furthermore, Luther unveils the dual nature of Jesus’ kingship. While riding on a lowly donkey signifies humility, it is simultaneously an assertion of his divine authority. As the people welcome Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna!” and waving palm branches, they acknowledge him as their king and savior. Jesus transcends worldly power and seeks to bring salvation to all who believe.







Relevance Today







Luther’s words have relevance to our lives. We underscore the timeless nature of the themes addressed: humility and kingship. Just as Jesus humbly served, we are called to follow his example by serving others with selflessness and love.







Simultaneously, we are reminded of the spiritual kingship of Jesus, which offers salvation and hope. Jesus reigns in our lives and we can surrender to his kingship more fully.















Beer Break







New Holland Brewing Company Lightpoint Peak. Brewed with coconut water, orange peel, and spices to make it a compliment for a winter day. This beer does not receive a positive review from us.

In this episode of the “Grace on Tap” podcast, the Mike Yagley and Evan Gaertner continue their series on Martin Luther’s “Postil,” a collection of text commentaries he gave on the Bible readings throughout the liturgical year. Specifically, they focus on Luther’s sermon on the Gospel reading for the First Sunday in Advent.







The hosts begin by discussing the context in which Luther gave this sermon, including the political and religious climate of the time. They also note that Luther’s approach to preaching was to focus on the text itself, rather than relying on rhetorical flourishes or personal anecdotes.







The Gospel reading for the First Sunday in Advent is from Matthew 21:1-9, which describes Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. Luther begins his commentary by explaining the significance of this event, which was the fulfillment of a prophecy from Zechariah 9:9.







Luther then explores the themes of humility and kingship in the passage. He emphasizes that Jesus did not enter Jerusalem in a grand chariot or on a mighty steed, but instead chose a humble donkey. This was a deliberate choice on Jesus’ part, as it symbolized his humility and his mission to serve others.







At the same time, however, Luther notes that Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was also an assertion of his kingship. The people who greeted him with palm branches and cries of “Hosanna!” acknowledged him as their king and savior. Luther emphasizes that this kingship is not one of worldly power or domination, but rather a spiritual kingship that brings salvation to all who believe.







The hosts then discuss how Luther’s sermon can be applied to today’s lives. They note that the themes of humility and kingship are just as relevant now as they were in Luther’s time. We are called to follow Jesus’ example of humble service, even as we acknowledge him as our king and savior.







(Episode summary was provided by ChatGPT)







Domestic Donkey (Equus asinus) as a beast of burden. Nile Delta, Egypt







Beer Break







This episode features Eastern Market Brewing Company Paczki Beer. They brewed this year for Fat Tuesday a Rasberry and Blueberry pastry-inspired beer.