Jesus, help me.
The sermon for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The bond between a father and son is unique. It is different between mother and son. The father loves his son in a way to teach him all he will need to know to take care of his family one day. This bond can be difficult at times as the son learns obedience and duty from his father. As a son, the boy looks up to his father. He seeks his advice and yearns for his love and compassion. The father is steadfast always there when the son needs him.
During their time together, father and son experience many things together. When his boy is betrayed by classmates or teammates, the father is there to console his son and tell him everything is going to be alright. When the son gets hurt, by falling from a tree or off his bike, the father is there to comfort him in his suffering and pain with hugs, bandages, and a kiss. The father is not only there in the bad times but also the times of rejoicing, such as, Baptism, Confirmation, sports games, graduation, marriage, and birth of the grandchildren.
The bond of love is great!
Jesus is the eternal Son. The bond of love between He and His Father is great. There is nothing the Son wouldn’t do for His Father. When Adam and Eve fell into sin, the Lord promised the Redeemer, a Savior who would crush Satan and give life to all who believe on the Name of His Son.
The Father sent His Son into this world to do battle. The Son was sent off to war. This war was unlike any other war known to man. In this war, there are only warriors; the Son of God and Satan. This war would not be fought over territory or power. This war was for the souls of men for all time.
The Son came to earth and was born of a virgin. His suffering began in that manger in Bethlehem. What suffering you ask? The suffering as the Son begins to bear your iniquity and the iniquity of all men, even as a little baby. Leaders and kings sought to kill the Son from the day He was born. They were afraid of God’s Son.
During His life, the Son sought His Father in prayer when He was troubled, sorrowful, and in need. The Son never went against His Father’s wishes. He always clung to His Word. He always did as His Father gave to Him to do. The Son never said I’ll get to it in a little while. Or, don’t worry, it’ll get done. The Son never did anything half way. He did everything perfectly and according to the will of His Father.
The bond of love is great!
Now God’s Son tells His disciples, for the second time, that “He is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” Jesus tells His disciples the very purpose His Father sent Him into this world; he will sacrifice His life for the sins of all people.
But the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus was telling them just like people today do not believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The fear the disciples felt was a result of sin. They did not trust their Teacher and Lord.
The Son did as His Father asked Him to do. He went obediently with His betrayer at the hands of His enemies. He was despised and rejected by men. He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was stricken, smitten by His Father and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities.
The Son laid His life down for you. He died the death you deserve for your sins. He is the sacrifice with which atonement was made for your sins. Look to the banner that rises out of the shadows and behold, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. By His stripes, you are healed.
Your sins are forgiven by the Blood of the Lamb who was forsaken by all, even His Father in heaven. Your sins are forgiven because of the sacrifice made by your High Priest whose name is Jesus, the Messiah sent to save you, me, and the world from death.
Jesus died for you and for me. But death is not the final act of this war. Jesus rose from the dead three days later. He is the Victor! Jesus conquered Satan. He conquered death. He conquered sin for all people. “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The Son lives. He now holds the keys of Hades and of Death.
The bond of love is great!
The Father sent His only-begotten Son into this world because of love. The Son lived an obedient life suffering all things for you because of love for His Father and you. The Son died because of love for you and all people. The Son rose from the dead to give life to all who believe on His Name.
Your sins are forgiven this day because of the bond of love between Father and Son.
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
+ Romans 10:11-17 +
Jesus, help me.
The sermon for Mission Observance (the 15th Sunday after Pentecost).
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Islam believes in Allah. Judaism believes in a single God. Buddhism believes in the realization of the Four Noble Truths. Hinduism believes in the underlying universal life force. Jainism believes in obtaining asceticism in one’s life. In 2004, B.A. Robinson put together a chart of world religions and their growth rates. Christianity was #1 with 2,039 million members, Islam was #2 with 1,226 million members, and the next 18 groups together total 2,921 million members. Christianity is dropping is numbers while Islam is growing at a rapid rate. The Holy Bible, God’s holy Word, tells us there is only one God, the true God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. All the other religions and cults of the world preach falsehoods which lead to damnation.
Today we celebrate Mission Festival Sunday. We celebrate God’s work in this work through our hands, stewardship, prayers, love, compassion, and mercy. So, what is mission? Where does mission begin? Where is the mission field?
Mission is a ministry to propagate faith or carry on humanitarian work. Missions occur everywhere in this world. Generally speaking, when people think of mission work, they think of poor third world countries such as Africa, Guatemala, Mexico, Sudan, Iraq, Russia, and on, and on, and on. Where is the mission field? You enter it every Sunday when you leave God’s House of Prayer. The mission field is all around you. You live in it every day.
Where do missions begin? St. Paul asks the same question in verse 14 of his epistle. Paul asks, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)
Mission begins with God. Mission is God working through His servants He sends out into the mission field. Mission is the proclamation of God’s Word and the right administration of the sacraments. Does this mean you cannot do mission work? No. However, when you go out into the world and proclaim the life saving message of Jesus Christ crucified, resurrected, and ascended for the world and the hearers want to be baptized, at that point your work is done and it is time to call a pastor.
The world needs pastors to proclaim the message of salvation to them because of sin. People around the world, in America, in big cities, and here in Duluth need to hear that Jesus died for their sins. People need to hear that Jesus has already accomplished their salvation in His suffering, death, and resurrection. People need to hear about Jesus so they can believe in Him.
As Christians, if we do nothing, how can they hear? How will people know they are sinners and dead in their trespasses? How will people believe in Jesus if they never hear of Him? God sent Abraham, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zachariah and so many more with His Word so that the people would hear and believe in Him.
God does this today as He calls and sends His pastors into the world to preach and teach Jesus Christ to the world. The Word is carried out and proclaimed in Law and Gospel for the salvation of the souls of men. God is working to save all people. He sent His Son to save the world, not with magic, or with a snap of His finger, but through His precious Body and innocent Blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins and the sins of the world.
What we have to remember is that God is in charge of Missions – not the LCMS or any other church body. God calls His pastors and sends them where He needs them. Pastors are God’s missionaries. God calls on His Church to perform acts of mercy. God wants us to be about worshiping Him and then through faith in Jesus, serve our neighbors in love.
We perform acts of mercy when we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, free the captive, and bury the dead. Jesus says, when we do these things for our brethren, we do it for Him.
We pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it in heaven.” We know and believe that the good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer. But we pray that it be done among us also. We pray for the Spirit of God to break and hinder every evil counsel and will that prevents the hallowing of God’s Name. We pray that His Spirit works in the loves of unbelievers to bring them to the knowledge of Jesus their Savior.
Today we bow at the Name of Jesus and humbly bring our petitions before His throne and ask Him to forgive the sins of those who oppose Him and to grant His Spirit to those who do not know Him.
Today we pray for the women and children of Iraq and also the babies in prison in Russia that God provide for their daily needs and also to turn them away from their false teachers and to bring them into Himself through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today we ask God for courage to say to our neighbor, I love you because Jesus first loved us. Do you know Jesus died for you?
Today we thank God for all our blessings as we share those blessings with others out of faith and in love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who loved us until death, even death on the cross.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The sermon for Mission Observance (the 15th Sunday after Pentecost).
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Islam believes in Allah. Judaism believes in a single God. Buddhism believes in the realization of the Four Noble Truths. Hinduism believes in the underlying universal life force. Jainism believes in obtaining asceticism in one’s life. In 2004, B.A. Robinson put together a chart of world religions and their growth rates. Christianity was #1 with 2,039 million members, Islam was #2 with 1,226 million members, and the next 18 groups together total 2,921 million members. Christianity is dropping is numbers while Islam is growing at a rapid rate. The Holy Bible, God’s holy Word, tells us there is only one God, the true God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. All the other religions and cults of the world preach falsehoods which lead to damnation.
Today we celebrate Mission Festival Sunday. We celebrate God’s work in this work through our hands, stewardship, prayers, love, compassion, and mercy. So, what is mission? Where does mission begin? Where is the mission field?
Mission is a ministry to propagate faith or carry on humanitarian work. Missions occur everywhere in this world. Generally speaking, when people think of mission work, they think of poor third world countries such as Africa, Guatemala, Mexico, Sudan, Iraq, Russia, and on, and on, and on. Where is the mission field? You enter it every Sunday when you leave God’s House of Prayer. The mission field is all around you. You live in it every day.
Where do missions begin? St. Paul asks the same question in verse 14 of his epistle. Paul asks, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)
Mission begins with God. Mission is God working through His servants He sends out into the mission field. Mission is the proclamation of God’s Word and the right administration of the sacraments. Does this mean you cannot do mission work? No. However, when you go out into the world and proclaim the life saving message of Jesus Christ crucified, resurrected, and ascended for the world and the hearers want to be baptized, at that point your work is done and it is time to call a pastor.
The world needs pastors to proclaim the message of salvation to them because of sin. People around the world, in America, in big cities, and here in Duluth need to hear that Jesus died for their sins. People need to hear that Jesus has already accomplished their salvation in His suffering, death, and resurrection. People need to hear about Jesus so they can believe in Him.
As Christians, if we do nothing, how can they hear? How will people know they are sinners and dead in their trespasses? How will people believe in Jesus if they never hear of Him? God sent Abraham, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zachariah and so many more with His Word so that the people would hear and believe in Him.
God does this today as He calls and sends His pastors into the world to preach and teach Jesus Christ to the world. The Word is carried out and proclaimed in Law and Gospel for the salvation of the souls of men. God is working to save all people. He sent His Son to save the world, not with magic, or with a snap of His finger, but through His precious Body and innocent Blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins and the sins of the world.
What we have to remember is that God is in charge of Missions – not the LCMS or any other church body. God calls His pastors and sends them where He needs them. Pastors are God’s missionaries. God calls on His Church to perform acts of mercy. God wants us to be about worshiping Him and then through faith in Jesus, serve our neighbors in love.
We perform acts of mercy when we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, free the captive, and bury the dead. Jesus says, when we do these things for our brethren, we do it for Him.
We pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it in heaven.” We know and believe that the good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer. But we pray that it be done among us also. We pray for the Spirit of God to break and hinder every evil counsel and will that prevents the hallowing of God’s Name. We pray that His Spirit works in the loves of unbelievers to bring them to the knowledge of Jesus their Savior.
Today we bow at the Name of Jesus and humbly bring our petitions before His throne and ask Him to forgive the sins of those who oppose Him and to grant His Spirit to those who do not know Him.
Today we pray for the women and children of Iraq and also the babies in prison in Russia that God provide for their daily needs and also to turn them away from their false teachers and to bring them into Himself through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today we ask God for courage to say to our neighbor, I love you because Jesus first loved us. Do you know Jesus died for you?
Today we thank God for all our blessings as we share those blessings with others out of faith and in love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who loved us until death, even death on the cross.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Mark 7:31-37 +
Jesus, help me.
The sermon for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
As an infant, you lived in darkness for nine months. Your mother fed you. She gave you shelter. You could not see or speak and for the first six months, the scientists say you couldn’t even hear. When you are born, your eyes open, your ears are hearing, and your mouth begins to wail.
However, your life is still in darkness. Your mouth and ears are closed to God’s Word. You are alone in this dark and fallen world. You weep and gnash your teeth in fear. You have no hope. Where do you go for help? Who will save you from this wretchedness?
If you are looking to this world for help, you will not find it. The doctors and nurses can give you a pill to make the pain go away. The psychiatrists can talk to you and give you empty promises of hope within yourself. In this fallen world and in your sinful flesh, there is no hope, no life, no happiness, no joy – just misery, sorrow, and death.
One day, the Lord called you unto Himself. His Spirit led your parents to bring you to Jesus at the Font. Jesus working through His servant cast out Satan from your soul and His Spirit entered and dwelled through the washing and regeneration of Holy Baptism. Jesus said to you, Ephphatha! – Be Opened!
Your ears heard the Word of God in all its truth and purity that day during the Divine Service. Your mouth was unleashed to sing God’s praises and to confess His holy Name. You are clean. You are forgiven. You are a Child of God.
Jesus opened heaven to you when He baptized you. Jesus gave you life. Jesus took you from the darkness of evil and brought you into the Light. Just as the heavens were torn open at Jesus’ baptism in the Jordon, they were opened for you in your baptism.
Jesus saved you from sin, death, and the power of the devil when He suffered and died on the cross for you. When Jesus breathed His last breath and died, the Temple curtain was torn in two revealing the Ark of the Covenant to all people for all time. With His very life, Jesus opened heaven for you and for the world.
The faith created in you, by the Holy Spirit, which enables you to cry out to God with your petitions, is a gift from God. The faith created in you, by the Holy Spirit, is what gives you hope. The faith created in you, by the Holy Spirit, is what saves you apart from any works of the Law you think you can do.
Faith sustained the Syrophoenician woman when she begged Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter. Faith in the man who was deaf and mute received Jesus’ gift of healing. St. Stephen remained true to the faith given him by God even as he was stoned to death.
You have been given this same gift of faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in your Baptism. This precious and holy gift was given to you and is sustained in you from the throne of God where Jesus lives and reigns today. This holy gift of faith receives the gifts from heaven as our Lord Jesus serves you in Word and Sacrament ministry.
You no longer live in the darkness. Jesus brought you into Himself, the Light and Life of the world, when He called you by name and crowned you as an heir of the heavenly kingdom. Yes, you still suffer many things but you now have hope in Jesus the Christ who laid His life down for you to save you and to forgive you.
Your ears now hear the living Word of God and your tongue confesses the holy Name of Jesus. You no longer need to seek help in this world. Your help comes to you from heaven by the hand of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who feeds you His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins.
Your faith is built on a sure foundation of God’s holy Word. The Cornerstone was laid for you at Mount Calvary when Jesus said, “It is finished!” You can now stand and seeing with the eyes of faith, gaze upon Mount Zion where the Lamb of God, who once was slain, lives and reigns to all eternity, with His Father, the angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven.
Jesus has done all things well! Jesus says to you this day, Ephphatha! – Be Opened! as He gives you His Body to eat and His Blood to drink. With your ears and mouth open to receive the gifts of heaven, Jesus says to you, “I forgive you all your sins.”
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The sermon for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
As an infant, you lived in darkness for nine months. Your mother fed you. She gave you shelter. You could not see or speak and for the first six months, the scientists say you couldn’t even hear. When you are born, your eyes open, your ears are hearing, and your mouth begins to wail.
However, your life is still in darkness. Your mouth and ears are closed to God’s Word. You are alone in this dark and fallen world. You weep and gnash your teeth in fear. You have no hope. Where do you go for help? Who will save you from this wretchedness?
If you are looking to this world for help, you will not find it. The doctors and nurses can give you a pill to make the pain go away. The psychiatrists can talk to you and give you empty promises of hope within yourself. In this fallen world and in your sinful flesh, there is no hope, no life, no happiness, no joy – just misery, sorrow, and death.
One day, the Lord called you unto Himself. His Spirit led your parents to bring you to Jesus at the Font. Jesus working through His servant cast out Satan from your soul and His Spirit entered and dwelled through the washing and regeneration of Holy Baptism. Jesus said to you, Ephphatha! – Be Opened!
Your ears heard the Word of God in all its truth and purity that day during the Divine Service. Your mouth was unleashed to sing God’s praises and to confess His holy Name. You are clean. You are forgiven. You are a Child of God.
Jesus opened heaven to you when He baptized you. Jesus gave you life. Jesus took you from the darkness of evil and brought you into the Light. Just as the heavens were torn open at Jesus’ baptism in the Jordon, they were opened for you in your baptism.
Jesus saved you from sin, death, and the power of the devil when He suffered and died on the cross for you. When Jesus breathed His last breath and died, the Temple curtain was torn in two revealing the Ark of the Covenant to all people for all time. With His very life, Jesus opened heaven for you and for the world.
The faith created in you, by the Holy Spirit, which enables you to cry out to God with your petitions, is a gift from God. The faith created in you, by the Holy Spirit, is what gives you hope. The faith created in you, by the Holy Spirit, is what saves you apart from any works of the Law you think you can do.
Faith sustained the Syrophoenician woman when she begged Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter. Faith in the man who was deaf and mute received Jesus’ gift of healing. St. Stephen remained true to the faith given him by God even as he was stoned to death.
You have been given this same gift of faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in your Baptism. This precious and holy gift was given to you and is sustained in you from the throne of God where Jesus lives and reigns today. This holy gift of faith receives the gifts from heaven as our Lord Jesus serves you in Word and Sacrament ministry.
You no longer live in the darkness. Jesus brought you into Himself, the Light and Life of the world, when He called you by name and crowned you as an heir of the heavenly kingdom. Yes, you still suffer many things but you now have hope in Jesus the Christ who laid His life down for you to save you and to forgive you.
Your ears now hear the living Word of God and your tongue confesses the holy Name of Jesus. You no longer need to seek help in this world. Your help comes to you from heaven by the hand of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who feeds you His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins.
Your faith is built on a sure foundation of God’s holy Word. The Cornerstone was laid for you at Mount Calvary when Jesus said, “It is finished!” You can now stand and seeing with the eyes of faith, gaze upon Mount Zion where the Lamb of God, who once was slain, lives and reigns to all eternity, with His Father, the angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven.
Jesus has done all things well! Jesus says to you this day, Ephphatha! – Be Opened! as He gives you His Body to eat and His Blood to drink. With your ears and mouth open to receive the gifts of heaven, Jesus says to you, “I forgive you all your sins.”
In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Mark 7:14-23 +
Jesus, help me.
The sermon for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Last week, many of us gathered in the Parish Hall to listen how God worked through His servants, Dick and Ruth Robertz, as they performed Acts of Mercy to the people in Cubulco, Guatemala and as they delivered 200 New Testament Bibles to the people and proclaimed the life saving message of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
During the presentation, they showed us a picture of the volcano in Cubulco. As you gaze upon the mountain, you see it standing before you, majestic, powerful, yet, sleeping and restful. The hillsides are covered in grass, trees, and other foliage. The mountain is beautiful and peaceful.
However, what you cannot see is what is inside. You cannot see the “heart” of the volcano. You cannot see the magma chamber that lies beneath this magnificent mountain. This magma is always moving looking for a way out of the earth. When the mountain explodes with its fury and rains it poisonous gases and lava upon the earth.
I have just described every sinner to you. God’s creatures are all beautiful and excellently made. God adorns each of us with beauty. He gives to some the most beautiful eyes to gaze into and others long flowing hair. Whatever the characteristic, every one of God’s creatures is beautiful.
However, you cannot see what is inside. You cannot see the heart of the person. You cannot see the original sin that permeates and infects every part of every person. Sin never goes away. Sin is always present. Sin is always looking for a way out of the sinner.
You cannot see the great dragon working as he lays temptations before you. You cannot see the poisonous and deadly assaults until they spew forth from the mouth of the sinner. When the eruption begins, every evil thought, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness bursts forth and either brings harm or destruction to whatever lies in its path.
The object of the evil within everyone of you is directed at a loved one, a friend, co-worker, and yes, even your Pastor. The evil within your heart is that which defiles you. Sin corrupts the purity of God’s creation. Sin corrupts you and me. Your life is dark, ugly, dirty, and evil. Sin is a reality. This is who you are.
You can stop the evil. You can resist the temptations of the evil one. If the temptation is too great, and you succumb to the power of the evil one, repent of your sin and receive God’s forgiveness. Then, having been cleansed by God of your sin, go and sin no more. Turn from the evil and try not to do it again.
Now, if you are sitting here this morning and saying to yourself, “I wonder about whom Pastor is speaking?” I am speaking about you and to you sinners. You are whom Jesus describes in the Gospel text this morning. You are the defiled ones. St. John reminds us in his First Epistle, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (I John 1:8) and “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us” (I John 1:10).
Is this all there is for us? Is all we have to look forward to is a life of strain, battle, conflict, injury, and death? No! St. John tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
Jesus, the eternal Son of God, sent to us by His Father, suffered all things for you. He suffered every temptation by Satan in the wilderness for you. He was persecuted for you. He was betrayed and beaten for you. He died on a cross, like a common criminal, for you, in your place and as your substitute. He died your death.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus is making you new. Your new life began when He washed you clean in Baptism. Yes, Jesus washed in His Blood and cleansed you of all your sins. Christ purified your soul. Jesus is restoring the image in you, which was shattered and lost when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden in Eden.
Jesus says, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him” (Mark 7:14b-15a). Jesus says that nothing from outside of you defiles you. Jesus comes to you from heaven in Word and Sacrament. His forgiveness comes from heaven itself. His Word comes to you through the power of the Holy Ghost through preaching and teaching. His love and mercy, grace and compassion are delivered to you through the Word, absolution, and His innocent Body and precious Blood, which were given and shed for you on the altar on Mount Calvary.
Christ purifies you when you confess your sins to your brothers and sisters and they absolve you of your sins. Christ purifies you when you live according to His Word. His purification comes when you humble yourself and serve one another in love.
We pray in the liturgy, “O Lord, open thou my lips and my mouth will declare Your praise” (Psalm 51:15). When we trust in God for all things, He strengthens us through His Spirit to enable us to live in love, to serve with humility, to comfort one another, for these are the gifts of faith.
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:14-18) and go in peace, cleansed and pure, filled with the Word of God, and forgiven in the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The sermon for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Last week, many of us gathered in the Parish Hall to listen how God worked through His servants, Dick and Ruth Robertz, as they performed Acts of Mercy to the people in Cubulco, Guatemala and as they delivered 200 New Testament Bibles to the people and proclaimed the life saving message of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
During the presentation, they showed us a picture of the volcano in Cubulco. As you gaze upon the mountain, you see it standing before you, majestic, powerful, yet, sleeping and restful. The hillsides are covered in grass, trees, and other foliage. The mountain is beautiful and peaceful.
However, what you cannot see is what is inside. You cannot see the “heart” of the volcano. You cannot see the magma chamber that lies beneath this magnificent mountain. This magma is always moving looking for a way out of the earth. When the mountain explodes with its fury and rains it poisonous gases and lava upon the earth.
I have just described every sinner to you. God’s creatures are all beautiful and excellently made. God adorns each of us with beauty. He gives to some the most beautiful eyes to gaze into and others long flowing hair. Whatever the characteristic, every one of God’s creatures is beautiful.
However, you cannot see what is inside. You cannot see the heart of the person. You cannot see the original sin that permeates and infects every part of every person. Sin never goes away. Sin is always present. Sin is always looking for a way out of the sinner.
You cannot see the great dragon working as he lays temptations before you. You cannot see the poisonous and deadly assaults until they spew forth from the mouth of the sinner. When the eruption begins, every evil thought, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness bursts forth and either brings harm or destruction to whatever lies in its path.
The object of the evil within everyone of you is directed at a loved one, a friend, co-worker, and yes, even your Pastor. The evil within your heart is that which defiles you. Sin corrupts the purity of God’s creation. Sin corrupts you and me. Your life is dark, ugly, dirty, and evil. Sin is a reality. This is who you are.
You can stop the evil. You can resist the temptations of the evil one. If the temptation is too great, and you succumb to the power of the evil one, repent of your sin and receive God’s forgiveness. Then, having been cleansed by God of your sin, go and sin no more. Turn from the evil and try not to do it again.
Now, if you are sitting here this morning and saying to yourself, “I wonder about whom Pastor is speaking?” I am speaking about you and to you sinners. You are whom Jesus describes in the Gospel text this morning. You are the defiled ones. St. John reminds us in his First Epistle, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (I John 1:8) and “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us” (I John 1:10).
Is this all there is for us? Is all we have to look forward to is a life of strain, battle, conflict, injury, and death? No! St. John tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
Jesus, the eternal Son of God, sent to us by His Father, suffered all things for you. He suffered every temptation by Satan in the wilderness for you. He was persecuted for you. He was betrayed and beaten for you. He died on a cross, like a common criminal, for you, in your place and as your substitute. He died your death.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus is making you new. Your new life began when He washed you clean in Baptism. Yes, Jesus washed in His Blood and cleansed you of all your sins. Christ purified your soul. Jesus is restoring the image in you, which was shattered and lost when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden in Eden.
Jesus says, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him” (Mark 7:14b-15a). Jesus says that nothing from outside of you defiles you. Jesus comes to you from heaven in Word and Sacrament. His forgiveness comes from heaven itself. His Word comes to you through the power of the Holy Ghost through preaching and teaching. His love and mercy, grace and compassion are delivered to you through the Word, absolution, and His innocent Body and precious Blood, which were given and shed for you on the altar on Mount Calvary.
Christ purifies you when you confess your sins to your brothers and sisters and they absolve you of your sins. Christ purifies you when you live according to His Word. His purification comes when you humble yourself and serve one another in love.
We pray in the liturgy, “O Lord, open thou my lips and my mouth will declare Your praise” (Psalm 51:15). When we trust in God for all things, He strengthens us through His Spirit to enable us to live in love, to serve with humility, to comfort one another, for these are the gifts of faith.
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:14-18) and go in peace, cleansed and pure, filled with the Word of God, and forgiven in the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Mark 7:1-13 +
Jesus, help me.
The sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
What is tradition? The Greek word in the text today means tradition only in the sense of what is transmitted. In this sense, tradition is that which is handed down verbally from one generation to another. Tradition always has a beginning and meaning. When we hold to our traditions, we are obliged to know why we do what we do. The why of tradition is important, as we listen to our Lord’s teaching this holy day.
Jesus comes face-to-face with the Pharisees once again. This time, the Pharisees are looking to pick a fight with Jesus in order to charge Him with a crime. The Pharisees observe the disciples eating without washing their hands. They become offended that Jesus would not instruct His disciples to hold to the traditions of the Elders of Israel.
Once again, the Pharisees are blind concerning the truth of Scripture. They hold to their traditions to the point of veneration, that is, worship. Their elevation of man’s rules equal to or greater than God’s Law is idolatry. They lost sight of their own traditions and the meaning of their traditions. They are blinded by sin.
The Pharisees took God’s Law seriously. However, they thought that they could justify themselves by following its dictates. In fact, they added to the Law of God both to assist themselves in keeping it, and in order to measure their own righteousness, especially in comparison to others. These hypocrites sought to follow their own way, not God’s way.
Are we hypocrites? Do we give God lip service? Do we serve our traditions to the point that we venerate them? Are our hearts on the things of God or the things of men? When we hold to our traditions without knowing why we do these things, we need to repent and turn from our sin of idolatry.
Our Lord Jesus directs us this morning to His Word. Jesus quotes from the Book of Isaiah. Jesus said to the Pharisees and He says to us today, “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men” (Is. 29:13).
The Pharisees did not believe the very Word of God that confessed to be true. This is what we do. When our hearts are on the things of men, we seek our own glory. This is why we so often say, “But that’s not the way we’ve ever done it here.” We need to ask God to forgive us and turn away from ourselves and return to God.
God says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Jesus is saying the same thing to the Pharisees in the text today. Cast aside your desires and obey Me and My Word. Trust Me. Our obedience belongs to God alone.
Dear Christians, your gracious Lord cleansed your heart and changed it in your baptism. There He cleansed you in the washing of water with the word. When the goodness and loving kindness of God appeared in Christ Jesus, he saved you—not on account of the righteous deeds you’ve done, but by virtue of his mercy in the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out richly upon you through Christ Jesus your Savior, that you might be justified by his grace and made an heir of eternal life.
Through this washing, God in His love and mercy toward you enables you to trust in Him, and live a life that is pleasing to Him. A true and living faith will produce good works. For though God looks to the heart and knows whether one truly believes, the believing heart will show its faith to others. As Luther put it, God saves by His grace through faith alone, but true faith is never alone. While your works don’t
save you, they are the natural outgrowth of the faith that God gives you through His means of grace – His Word and Sacrament.
As we prayed together in the Collect, we ask our gracious Lord to defend us from all false teaching and error. We ask God for His Spirit to strengthen us so we may confess the One true God and rejoice in His good gifts of life and salvation. For these are things that you cannot bring forth yourselves, but that God can and promises to give to you. For Christ Jesus shed his blood for you, and his blood continues to plead on behalf of sinners. He has promised and continually delivers, the forgiveness of all of your sins. And therein He has made you heirs of everlasting life, in the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
What is tradition? The Greek word in the text today means tradition only in the sense of what is transmitted. In this sense, tradition is that which is handed down verbally from one generation to another. Tradition always has a beginning and meaning. When we hold to our traditions, we are obliged to know why we do what we do. The why of tradition is important, as we listen to our Lord’s teaching this holy day.
Jesus comes face-to-face with the Pharisees once again. This time, the Pharisees are looking to pick a fight with Jesus in order to charge Him with a crime. The Pharisees observe the disciples eating without washing their hands. They become offended that Jesus would not instruct His disciples to hold to the traditions of the Elders of Israel.
Once again, the Pharisees are blind concerning the truth of Scripture. They hold to their traditions to the point of veneration, that is, worship. Their elevation of man’s rules equal to or greater than God’s Law is idolatry. They lost sight of their own traditions and the meaning of their traditions. They are blinded by sin.
The Pharisees took God’s Law seriously. However, they thought that they could justify themselves by following its dictates. In fact, they added to the Law of God both to assist themselves in keeping it, and in order to measure their own righteousness, especially in comparison to others. These hypocrites sought to follow their own way, not God’s way.
Are we hypocrites? Do we give God lip service? Do we serve our traditions to the point that we venerate them? Are our hearts on the things of God or the things of men? When we hold to our traditions without knowing why we do these things, we need to repent and turn from our sin of idolatry.
Our Lord Jesus directs us this morning to His Word. Jesus quotes from the Book of Isaiah. Jesus said to the Pharisees and He says to us today, “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men” (Is. 29:13).
The Pharisees did not believe the very Word of God that confessed to be true. This is what we do. When our hearts are on the things of men, we seek our own glory. This is why we so often say, “But that’s not the way we’ve ever done it here.” We need to ask God to forgive us and turn away from ourselves and return to God.
God says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Jesus is saying the same thing to the Pharisees in the text today. Cast aside your desires and obey Me and My Word. Trust Me. Our obedience belongs to God alone.
Dear Christians, your gracious Lord cleansed your heart and changed it in your baptism. There He cleansed you in the washing of water with the word. When the goodness and loving kindness of God appeared in Christ Jesus, he saved you—not on account of the righteous deeds you’ve done, but by virtue of his mercy in the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out richly upon you through Christ Jesus your Savior, that you might be justified by his grace and made an heir of eternal life.
Through this washing, God in His love and mercy toward you enables you to trust in Him, and live a life that is pleasing to Him. A true and living faith will produce good works. For though God looks to the heart and knows whether one truly believes, the believing heart will show its faith to others. As Luther put it, God saves by His grace through faith alone, but true faith is never alone. While your works don’t
save you, they are the natural outgrowth of the faith that God gives you through His means of grace – His Word and Sacrament.
As we prayed together in the Collect, we ask our gracious Lord to defend us from all false teaching and error. We ask God for His Spirit to strengthen us so we may confess the One true God and rejoice in His good gifts of life and salvation. For these are things that you cannot bring forth yourselves, but that God can and promises to give to you. For Christ Jesus shed his blood for you, and his blood continues to plead on behalf of sinners. He has promised and continually delivers, the forgiveness of all of your sins. And therein He has made you heirs of everlasting life, in the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ John 6:51-69 +
Jesus, help me.
The sermon for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Can you see Jesus? No. Can you see the glamour and splendor of heaven where Jesus reigns? No. How do you believe? How do you get the eternal life Jesus speaks of in the text today? Jesus says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (v. 51).
Jesus is preaching in the Synagogue at Capernaum. Jesus tells all who are listening that He is life. If you eat His flesh and drink His blood, you will live. Why does Jesus mention life and living so much in this part of His sermon? Simple: Apart from God in Jesus, His Son, our Savior, we are dead. Jesus wants all to believe in Him and live.
Our lives including our thoughts, words, and deeds, transgress God and our neighbors. We think we can everything for ourselves. We really don’t need anyone’s assistance. We’ll do it our way and we’ll be alright. Dear sinners, can you live eternally on your own accord? Do you have the power within yourself to believe in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God? NO! If you think, you do, repent of your sin and ask God for His mercy and forgiveness.
Faith is something, which only God can create and sustain. Once God, through His Spirit, creates faith in the sinner, the only thing the sinner can do is reject that faith, thus rejecting God Himself. You cannot obtain Christ yourself. You can do no amount of good works to accept Jesus. Faith is a gift. God creates saving faith through the power of His Spirit.
Jesus preaches against the poison and lies of Satan. Jesus tells you, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6) Jesus says He is the way to everlasting life. He says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:53-54).
Jesus says if you do not believe in Him as the One who died for you to save you from sin, death, and the power of the devil, you have no life in you. You will die and go to hell. Your unbelief will damn you forever. However, Jesus says, if you believe in Me, you will live. Jesus will raise you up and usher you into His kingdom of glory forever.
To eat and to drink is to believe. To eat and drink Christ is to live. In Jesus Christ, He gives you the food to sustain your soul. Jesus gives you Himself because He is Life. “Thus the entire thought is rounded out and made complete, the wonderful circle of salvation is closed. Jesus, the Life, is the center. All who are made one with him by faith are joined to him and are made full partakers of his life, not only of something which he has, or of something which he does (we following his example), but of what he himself is."
The zwh, that is the life Jesus gives to you is His own. Jesus exchanged His life on the cross to give you and all believers’ life with Him in eternity. The last part of verse 51, Jesus says, “The bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” Jesus tells you about the death He will suffer on your behalf on the cross. He shall give His flesh for the life of the world. Jesus teaches us, in one sentence, the Doctrine of Justification. Jesus says, in My life, in My death, I declare you, sinner, not guilty before My Father who is in heaven.
St. John writes in his prologue, “In Him, [in Jesus], was life” (John 1:4a). Jesus descended from His throne to bring life to a dying world. His sending is a gift from His Father. His death is His gift to you. Your faith is a gift from both Father and Son through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus teaches you that there is life in Him for eternity and death for all who reject Him. Two paths. Two results. Life and death. Which do you prefer? Our Father in heaven sent His only-begotten Son to give Life to the world. Will all people receive this wonderful gift of life? We pray they do. However, we do know there are some who reject the Son of God as their Lord and Savior. Remember dear brothers and sisters in Christ, your life is not your own. Your life belongs to God. You are the Baptized. The Son of God grants you His Spirit every day to lead, guide, and sustain you in all you do. Today, Jesus says to you, eat My flesh. Drink My blood. Believe in Me, the Bread of Life, and you will live forever with Me in paradise.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The sermon for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Can you see Jesus? No. Can you see the glamour and splendor of heaven where Jesus reigns? No. How do you believe? How do you get the eternal life Jesus speaks of in the text today? Jesus says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (v. 51).
Jesus is preaching in the Synagogue at Capernaum. Jesus tells all who are listening that He is life. If you eat His flesh and drink His blood, you will live. Why does Jesus mention life and living so much in this part of His sermon? Simple: Apart from God in Jesus, His Son, our Savior, we are dead. Jesus wants all to believe in Him and live.
Our lives including our thoughts, words, and deeds, transgress God and our neighbors. We think we can everything for ourselves. We really don’t need anyone’s assistance. We’ll do it our way and we’ll be alright. Dear sinners, can you live eternally on your own accord? Do you have the power within yourself to believe in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God? NO! If you think, you do, repent of your sin and ask God for His mercy and forgiveness.
Faith is something, which only God can create and sustain. Once God, through His Spirit, creates faith in the sinner, the only thing the sinner can do is reject that faith, thus rejecting God Himself. You cannot obtain Christ yourself. You can do no amount of good works to accept Jesus. Faith is a gift. God creates saving faith through the power of His Spirit.
Jesus preaches against the poison and lies of Satan. Jesus tells you, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6) Jesus says He is the way to everlasting life. He says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:53-54).
Jesus says if you do not believe in Him as the One who died for you to save you from sin, death, and the power of the devil, you have no life in you. You will die and go to hell. Your unbelief will damn you forever. However, Jesus says, if you believe in Me, you will live. Jesus will raise you up and usher you into His kingdom of glory forever.
To eat and to drink is to believe. To eat and drink Christ is to live. In Jesus Christ, He gives you the food to sustain your soul. Jesus gives you Himself because He is Life. “Thus the entire thought is rounded out and made complete, the wonderful circle of salvation is closed. Jesus, the Life, is the center. All who are made one with him by faith are joined to him and are made full partakers of his life, not only of something which he has, or of something which he does (we following his example), but of what he himself is."
The zwh, that is the life Jesus gives to you is His own. Jesus exchanged His life on the cross to give you and all believers’ life with Him in eternity. The last part of verse 51, Jesus says, “The bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” Jesus tells you about the death He will suffer on your behalf on the cross. He shall give His flesh for the life of the world. Jesus teaches us, in one sentence, the Doctrine of Justification. Jesus says, in My life, in My death, I declare you, sinner, not guilty before My Father who is in heaven.
St. John writes in his prologue, “In Him, [in Jesus], was life” (John 1:4a). Jesus descended from His throne to bring life to a dying world. His sending is a gift from His Father. His death is His gift to you. Your faith is a gift from both Father and Son through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus teaches you that there is life in Him for eternity and death for all who reject Him. Two paths. Two results. Life and death. Which do you prefer? Our Father in heaven sent His only-begotten Son to give Life to the world. Will all people receive this wonderful gift of life? We pray they do. However, we do know there are some who reject the Son of God as their Lord and Savior. Remember dear brothers and sisters in Christ, your life is not your own. Your life belongs to God. You are the Baptized. The Son of God grants you His Spirit every day to lead, guide, and sustain you in all you do. Today, Jesus says to you, eat My flesh. Drink My blood. Believe in Me, the Bread of Life, and you will live forever with Me in paradise.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Ephesians 4:17 - 5:2 +
Jesus, help me.
The sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
There are many people in this world today who live as the Gentiles lived during the days when St. Paul was a pastor. They have no conscience. They lie and steal. They murder. They take whatever pleases them including their neighbor’s wife and goods. They live their lives in sin. They have no place for God in their lives. They live with the devil. St. Paul says to you today,
“Do not give place to the devil. Live in Christ.”
St. Paul says this about sinners, “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.”
St. Paul describes our natural sinful condition. The Gentiles are the pagans, the heathen, all those who do not know God and are outside of God’s people. That’s who we were by nature. And that’s not a good place to be. We were born dead--yes, we can put it that strongly. Paul describes this state with strong terms: “futility,” “darkened in understanding,” “alienated from the life of God,” “ignorance,” “hardness of heart.” St. Paul says, “Do not give place to the devil.”
This dead natural condition shows itself in a life of deadness: “callous,” like toughened skin that’s no longer sensitive to what it ought to feel; giving ourselves over to “sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” Now when we hear “sensuality,” we think immediately of sexual sins. When we hear “greedy,” we think of covetousness for money and possessions. And what Paul is saying here certainly includes those sins against those commandments. But it’s more than that. Our sinful state extends to “every kind of impurity.” Whether we’re talking about blatant vices, crass immorality, or more refined, respectable sins, like pride and self-righteousness, all of it is covered here. Whatever appeals to your “selfish self,” the “you” that wants to be your own god and wants everything and everyone to serve your own pleasure--that is the pervasive, perverse desire that is marked by “every kind of impurity.” REPENT!
“Do not give place to the devil. Live in Christ.”
Our life apart from God as sinners is pretty ugly. Do not worry. God is making you anew. He is re-creating you in His Son, Jesus Christ. God gave you life. Yes, you once were dead but now you live. You live because of Jesus. Let’s examine ourselves in the new Light of Christ.
St. Paul says, “But that is not the way you learned Christ!--assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
“Put off your old self.” “Put on the new self.” Discard that sinful old life every day as you pray to God and repent of your sins. Drown that OLD ADAM in repentance. Cast that old sinful life aside. Rise anew, forgiven by your Father in heaven for the sake of His Son, Jesus, and put on the NEW ADAM in Christ.
Dear Christian, you are a little CHRIST. Jesus clothed you in His righteousness when He Baptized you. Jesus covered your sins with His blood and righteousness. You are made white in the Blood of the Lamb. Our Baptism was not just a one day event. Baptism is our life. Baptism is where we find our identity. Baptism is an every day renewal as we die with Christ and rise with Him forgiven of all our trespasses.
That’s why Paul teaches us “to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” It is a daily renewal, which follows on the once-and-for-all break with the old life that happened in our baptism. New people in Christ put on their new clothing one day at a time, a daily dying and rising with Christ. So Luther writes in the Large Catechism: “Therefore let everybody regard his Baptism as the daily garment which he is to wear all the time.”
The new self that you put on is God’s creation, “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” You are a new creation in Christ. There’s a whole new you! God did it. He made you who you are. And he created you to be like him, to share in his character; “In true righteousness and holiness.” You were created to love the right and to hate the wrong, to walk in love and to turn away from sin; “True righteousness and holiness.” It’s built into your DNA as a Christian. The Holy Spirit leads you to walk in that newness of life.
That’s what it means to put off the old self and to put on the new. But notice, Paul doesn’t let this stay in generalities. He gets down to specifics. There are real, specific differences in the way we live now as Christians, in how we deal with others, both inside and outside the body of Christ. Paul continues: “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Put off the old self, put on the new self. This affects, very specifically, such things as how we use our mouths and how we use our hands. It affects the words we choose, how we speak--and don’t speak--to one another. It affects how we deal with anger in our heart: Do we let it lead us into sin? Do we let anger fester and take root, or do we ask God’s help in dealing with our anger promptly? Putting off the old self means putting away the old ugly rags that used to fill our wardrobe, things like bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander. Putting on the new self, the new you, created in Christ Jesus, means clothing yourself with the new, beautiful garments God gives you, things like kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness.
“Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ah, there it is, isn’t it? “As God in Christ forgave you.” There is the gospel, the source of our new life in Christ. God forgave you all of your sins in Christ, by his death on the cross, when Jesus Christ paid the price for all of your sins with his holy, precious blood. God’s own Son gave himself up for you; put himself under God’s judgment for you, so you would be spared that judgment. Jesus was stripped, literally stripped, of his garments, and clothed with the mocking purple robe and the painful crown of thorns. He wore shame and dishonor, so that you would be clothed with forgiveness and life, everlasting life, the new life of love that we know now from God. And so our text concludes: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Baptized Christian, today God is calling you to put off the old self. Every kind of impurity, deceitful desires, corrupting talk--everything that belongs to the old way of life. That’s what not to wear. Throw those old rags out in the trash bin where they belong. Put on, in their place, the whole new wardrobe Christ has purchased for you freely: righteousness and holiness, love and forgiveness--things that go with being a Christian.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
There are many people in this world today who live as the Gentiles lived during the days when St. Paul was a pastor. They have no conscience. They lie and steal. They murder. They take whatever pleases them including their neighbor’s wife and goods. They live their lives in sin. They have no place for God in their lives. They live with the devil. St. Paul says to you today,
“Do not give place to the devil. Live in Christ.”
St. Paul says this about sinners, “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.”
St. Paul describes our natural sinful condition. The Gentiles are the pagans, the heathen, all those who do not know God and are outside of God’s people. That’s who we were by nature. And that’s not a good place to be. We were born dead--yes, we can put it that strongly. Paul describes this state with strong terms: “futility,” “darkened in understanding,” “alienated from the life of God,” “ignorance,” “hardness of heart.” St. Paul says, “Do not give place to the devil.”
This dead natural condition shows itself in a life of deadness: “callous,” like toughened skin that’s no longer sensitive to what it ought to feel; giving ourselves over to “sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” Now when we hear “sensuality,” we think immediately of sexual sins. When we hear “greedy,” we think of covetousness for money and possessions. And what Paul is saying here certainly includes those sins against those commandments. But it’s more than that. Our sinful state extends to “every kind of impurity.” Whether we’re talking about blatant vices, crass immorality, or more refined, respectable sins, like pride and self-righteousness, all of it is covered here. Whatever appeals to your “selfish self,” the “you” that wants to be your own god and wants everything and everyone to serve your own pleasure--that is the pervasive, perverse desire that is marked by “every kind of impurity.” REPENT!
“Do not give place to the devil. Live in Christ.”
Our life apart from God as sinners is pretty ugly. Do not worry. God is making you anew. He is re-creating you in His Son, Jesus Christ. God gave you life. Yes, you once were dead but now you live. You live because of Jesus. Let’s examine ourselves in the new Light of Christ.
St. Paul says, “But that is not the way you learned Christ!--assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
“Put off your old self.” “Put on the new self.” Discard that sinful old life every day as you pray to God and repent of your sins. Drown that OLD ADAM in repentance. Cast that old sinful life aside. Rise anew, forgiven by your Father in heaven for the sake of His Son, Jesus, and put on the NEW ADAM in Christ.
Dear Christian, you are a little CHRIST. Jesus clothed you in His righteousness when He Baptized you. Jesus covered your sins with His blood and righteousness. You are made white in the Blood of the Lamb. Our Baptism was not just a one day event. Baptism is our life. Baptism is where we find our identity. Baptism is an every day renewal as we die with Christ and rise with Him forgiven of all our trespasses.
That’s why Paul teaches us “to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” It is a daily renewal, which follows on the once-and-for-all break with the old life that happened in our baptism. New people in Christ put on their new clothing one day at a time, a daily dying and rising with Christ. So Luther writes in the Large Catechism: “Therefore let everybody regard his Baptism as the daily garment which he is to wear all the time.”
The new self that you put on is God’s creation, “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” You are a new creation in Christ. There’s a whole new you! God did it. He made you who you are. And he created you to be like him, to share in his character; “In true righteousness and holiness.” You were created to love the right and to hate the wrong, to walk in love and to turn away from sin; “True righteousness and holiness.” It’s built into your DNA as a Christian. The Holy Spirit leads you to walk in that newness of life.
That’s what it means to put off the old self and to put on the new. But notice, Paul doesn’t let this stay in generalities. He gets down to specifics. There are real, specific differences in the way we live now as Christians, in how we deal with others, both inside and outside the body of Christ. Paul continues: “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Put off the old self, put on the new self. This affects, very specifically, such things as how we use our mouths and how we use our hands. It affects the words we choose, how we speak--and don’t speak--to one another. It affects how we deal with anger in our heart: Do we let it lead us into sin? Do we let anger fester and take root, or do we ask God’s help in dealing with our anger promptly? Putting off the old self means putting away the old ugly rags that used to fill our wardrobe, things like bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander. Putting on the new self, the new you, created in Christ Jesus, means clothing yourself with the new, beautiful garments God gives you, things like kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness.
“Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ah, there it is, isn’t it? “As God in Christ forgave you.” There is the gospel, the source of our new life in Christ. God forgave you all of your sins in Christ, by his death on the cross, when Jesus Christ paid the price for all of your sins with his holy, precious blood. God’s own Son gave himself up for you; put himself under God’s judgment for you, so you would be spared that judgment. Jesus was stripped, literally stripped, of his garments, and clothed with the mocking purple robe and the painful crown of thorns. He wore shame and dishonor, so that you would be clothed with forgiveness and life, everlasting life, the new life of love that we know now from God. And so our text concludes: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Baptized Christian, today God is calling you to put off the old self. Every kind of impurity, deceitful desires, corrupting talk--everything that belongs to the old way of life. That’s what not to wear. Throw those old rags out in the trash bin where they belong. Put on, in their place, the whole new wardrobe Christ has purchased for you freely: righteousness and holiness, love and forgiveness--things that go with being a Christian.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Saturday, August 15, 2009
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+ A day at Lake Superior +
Tami and I took a break for a couple of hours and relaxed in Lake Superior.
+ A visit with my brother Adam+
My youngest brother, Adam, came to Duluth for a weekend visit last week when he conducted the 2009 Lake Superior Music Institute at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King.
Tami and I had a great visit with Adam, Beth, Zach, and Emilie.
Here are a couple of pictures. Enjoy!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
+ John 6:22-35 +
Jesus, help me.
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13)
The Old Testament reading: Exodus 16:2-15
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 4:1-16
The Holy Gospel reading: John 6:22-35 (sermon text)
Theme: Eat and Live!
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Jesus fed the multitude with 2 fish and five loaves of bread. The next morning, those remaining on the hillside after the banquet began to look around and could not find Jesus or His disciples anywhere. The people assumed Jesus went to Capernaum. When they got there, they ask Jesus, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” Why did they ask Jesus this question? What was the reason they were seeking Jesus in the first place? Did they come because they believed in Him as their Lord and God? Or, did they come because they were hungry?
The very darkness which held these people captive in sin, is the very darkness in which our lives live in this fallen world. Our Father in heaven sent the Light into the world but the world did not comprehend the Light (John 1:5). Jesus tells us that the people who sought Him did not seek because they saw the signs, those miracles Jesus did, but because they ate the loaves and were filled (John 6:26).
We are the same way. We take our eyes, ears, minds, and bodies off of the things of God, namely His Son, Jesus, and we seek after those earthly things which only perish. Jesus told the people and He tells us today, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (John 6:27)
Jesus tells us that the food of this world, which Satan would love for you to eat, will only perish and cause your soul to perish in the eternal flames of hell forever. Jesus invites us to eat the food which endures to everlasting life. Jesus says to eat His Word. Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Word of God every day. How is this done? How are we able to do this?
We have yet another gift of God in the Holy Spirit who calls us by the life-saving Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. This life-saving call came to us through the suffering and death of the Son of God on our behalf to pay the price for our sins and the sins of the world. This life-saving call is secured in the resurrection of God’s Son from the grave. Jesus came to bring life to the world. Life is a gift which only He can give because “in Him is life, and that life is the light of men” (John 1:4).
Jesus says to believe in Him and you will be saved. This is the work of God; believe in the One; that’s Jesus, the Son of God, whom He (the Father in heaven) sent (John 6:29). The Holy Spirit strengthens our faith every day through the Word to believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Faith is something God gives and sustains in us. Faith comes from outside of us. We can do nothing on our own to believe. God gives us this gift of faith.
Our God and Lord provides all things to sustain this earthly life. He also gives us those things from heaven to sustain our spiritual life. He gives us the Bread of Life. Just as God provided the manna and quail to the Israelites in the wilderness, now, in Jesus, God gives us the Bread of Life. He gives us His Son and the Son gives us His Body and Blood to eat and drink for the forgiveness of our sins. This is the food which endures to everlasting life.
God’s mercy was showered upon you when He sent the Bread of Life into this world. Your salvation was secured when the Son obediently died on the cross to save you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Even now and until the final Judgment Day, the Son gives you the food of everlasting life. He gives you His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins. He gives you the food which will never perish. He gives you life. He gives you Himself. Believe in Jesus! Eat His gift and you shall never hunger or thirst. Jesus is the source of your life. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is your salvation!
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13)
The Old Testament reading: Exodus 16:2-15
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 4:1-16
The Holy Gospel reading: John 6:22-35 (sermon text)
Theme: Eat and Live!
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Jesus fed the multitude with 2 fish and five loaves of bread. The next morning, those remaining on the hillside after the banquet began to look around and could not find Jesus or His disciples anywhere. The people assumed Jesus went to Capernaum. When they got there, they ask Jesus, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” Why did they ask Jesus this question? What was the reason they were seeking Jesus in the first place? Did they come because they believed in Him as their Lord and God? Or, did they come because they were hungry?
The very darkness which held these people captive in sin, is the very darkness in which our lives live in this fallen world. Our Father in heaven sent the Light into the world but the world did not comprehend the Light (John 1:5). Jesus tells us that the people who sought Him did not seek because they saw the signs, those miracles Jesus did, but because they ate the loaves and were filled (John 6:26).
We are the same way. We take our eyes, ears, minds, and bodies off of the things of God, namely His Son, Jesus, and we seek after those earthly things which only perish. Jesus told the people and He tells us today, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (John 6:27)
Jesus tells us that the food of this world, which Satan would love for you to eat, will only perish and cause your soul to perish in the eternal flames of hell forever. Jesus invites us to eat the food which endures to everlasting life. Jesus says to eat His Word. Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Word of God every day. How is this done? How are we able to do this?
We have yet another gift of God in the Holy Spirit who calls us by the life-saving Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. This life-saving call came to us through the suffering and death of the Son of God on our behalf to pay the price for our sins and the sins of the world. This life-saving call is secured in the resurrection of God’s Son from the grave. Jesus came to bring life to the world. Life is a gift which only He can give because “in Him is life, and that life is the light of men” (John 1:4).
Jesus says to believe in Him and you will be saved. This is the work of God; believe in the One; that’s Jesus, the Son of God, whom He (the Father in heaven) sent (John 6:29). The Holy Spirit strengthens our faith every day through the Word to believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Faith is something God gives and sustains in us. Faith comes from outside of us. We can do nothing on our own to believe. God gives us this gift of faith.
Our God and Lord provides all things to sustain this earthly life. He also gives us those things from heaven to sustain our spiritual life. He gives us the Bread of Life. Just as God provided the manna and quail to the Israelites in the wilderness, now, in Jesus, God gives us the Bread of Life. He gives us His Son and the Son gives us His Body and Blood to eat and drink for the forgiveness of our sins. This is the food which endures to everlasting life.
God’s mercy was showered upon you when He sent the Bread of Life into this world. Your salvation was secured when the Son obediently died on the cross to save you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Even now and until the final Judgment Day, the Son gives you the food of everlasting life. He gives you His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins. He gives you the food which will never perish. He gives you life. He gives you Himself. Believe in Jesus! Eat His gift and you shall never hunger or thirst. Jesus is the source of your life. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is your salvation!
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Psalm 136:1-9 +
Jesus, help me.
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12)
The Old Testament reading: Genesis 9:8-17
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
The Holy Gospel reading: Mark 6:45-56
Theme: God's mercy is for you.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good; and His mercy endures forever. This is our prayer after receiving the Body and Blood from our Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, life, and salvation. Our response to God for His mercy is a prayer which comes from Psalm 107:1. We are thankful for this blessing from God.
In the Old Testament reading for today, God promised Noah that He will never destroy the world again with water. As a sign of this promise, God put a rainbow in the sky. God showed His mercy to Noah with a sign. Noah and his family believed God. Whenever we look into the sky while it’s raining, we sometime see God’s sign and promise to us as we gaze upon the rainbow. The rainbow is a sign of God’s mercy toward His creation.
Are we deserving of this mercy which God showers upon us? Absolutely not. As sinners, we do not deserve anything from God except His wrath and punishment. We don’t learn from past mistakes. We don’t listen to history. We just do what we want to do. We look to ourselves for our strength. We hold ourselves accountable for our own actions. We are judge and jury over our lives. We hear ourselves saying, “It’s alright. You matter most.”
We can continue serving ourselves with our earthly possessions. We can continue to mistreat others. We can continue forsaking the Lord on the Sabbath. Repent! Living this way is contrary to God’s Word. This kind of life is not for the Baptized. This kind of life is a life with your father, the devil; the father of all lies. Living this way is living a lie. You lie to yourself; your neighbor; your God. Repent!
As the Baptized, a Child of God born from heaven in Jesus Christ, the very Son of God dwells in us through faith. God’s showered His mercy upon us that wonderful day when He called us His Child and made us an heir of His kingdom. God gave us life for the sake of His Son, Jesus, who suffered all things for us. The life God gives us is grounded in Christ because of the mercy God showed toward us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross in our place as our substitute.
Listen to Jesus! The Son of God who created the world and set His rainbow in the sky gave you the ultimate sign of mercy for you. As He was lifted up for all the world to see, He gave up His life on the cross to save you from your sins, eternal death, and the power of the devil. The sign of your salvation and God’s mercy for you is in the suffering and death of your Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.
Do not harden your hearts against God and His Word. See Christ in His signs and believe. He comes to in His Word. He comes to you in the Lord’s Supper. He is with always. He will never forsake you. Christ is your strength and comfort. He is the One upon whom your faith is built by the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray:
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good;
and His mercy endures forever. Amen.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12)
The Old Testament reading: Genesis 9:8-17
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
The Holy Gospel reading: Mark 6:45-56
Theme: God's mercy is for you.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good; and His mercy endures forever. This is our prayer after receiving the Body and Blood from our Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, life, and salvation. Our response to God for His mercy is a prayer which comes from Psalm 107:1. We are thankful for this blessing from God.
In the Old Testament reading for today, God promised Noah that He will never destroy the world again with water. As a sign of this promise, God put a rainbow in the sky. God showed His mercy to Noah with a sign. Noah and his family believed God. Whenever we look into the sky while it’s raining, we sometime see God’s sign and promise to us as we gaze upon the rainbow. The rainbow is a sign of God’s mercy toward His creation.
Are we deserving of this mercy which God showers upon us? Absolutely not. As sinners, we do not deserve anything from God except His wrath and punishment. We don’t learn from past mistakes. We don’t listen to history. We just do what we want to do. We look to ourselves for our strength. We hold ourselves accountable for our own actions. We are judge and jury over our lives. We hear ourselves saying, “It’s alright. You matter most.”
We can continue serving ourselves with our earthly possessions. We can continue to mistreat others. We can continue forsaking the Lord on the Sabbath. Repent! Living this way is contrary to God’s Word. This kind of life is not for the Baptized. This kind of life is a life with your father, the devil; the father of all lies. Living this way is living a lie. You lie to yourself; your neighbor; your God. Repent!
As the Baptized, a Child of God born from heaven in Jesus Christ, the very Son of God dwells in us through faith. God’s showered His mercy upon us that wonderful day when He called us His Child and made us an heir of His kingdom. God gave us life for the sake of His Son, Jesus, who suffered all things for us. The life God gives us is grounded in Christ because of the mercy God showed toward us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross in our place as our substitute.
Listen to Jesus! The Son of God who created the world and set His rainbow in the sky gave you the ultimate sign of mercy for you. As He was lifted up for all the world to see, He gave up His life on the cross to save you from your sins, eternal death, and the power of the devil. The sign of your salvation and God’s mercy for you is in the suffering and death of your Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.
Do not harden your hearts against God and His Word. See Christ in His signs and believe. He comes to in His Word. He comes to you in the Lord’s Supper. He is with always. He will never forsake you. Christ is your strength and comfort. He is the One upon whom your faith is built by the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray:
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good;
and His mercy endures forever. Amen.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Ephesians 2:11-22 +
Jesus, help me.
The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 11)
The Old Testament reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 2:11-22 (sermon text)
The Holy Gospel reading: Mark 6:30-44
Theme: Our identity is found in Jesus.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Who are we? Who are we as a congregation? Who are we as Christians? As a congregation, we are Christians and we’ll come to this definition in a couple of minutes. We are Lutherans. More importantly, we are Missouri-Synod Lutherans. As Christians, we are the Baptized. We confess our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We confess that we are sinners. We believe in One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What is unique about these answers as a congregation and a Christian? What is the common denominator in both sets of questions? Well, this is a two part answer. We are all sinners and we are all saved by the Blood of the eternal Son of God. As sinners, we all deserve our Father’s wrath and condemnation to hell forever. As saints washed in the Blood of the Lamb of God, we wear the cloak of righteousness of our Savior. We are joined together in the Blood of Christ and are built together in the eternal Son of God as a dwelling place for God by His Spirit.
Before we were Baptized into Christ, we were separated from Christ. We were aliens and strangers to God because we did not know Him. We had no hope. We only had an eternal death to look forward to; a life with the Devil forever and ever.
Now, like the Gentiles of Saint Paul’s day, we have been brought near to our Father in heaven by the Blood of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. The Son of God descended from His throne and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and made man – for us. He suffered all things in our place. He suffered our pains and afflictions. He suffered our temptations. He suffered our death. He rose from the dead to give us life.
Jesus is our identity. He is who we are because He made us one with Him in our Baptism. He made us one with each other. He is the foundation and cornerstone of our identity as Christians and as a congregation. Jesus is the foundation and cornerstone of our faith and life as Christians and Lutherans.
In a few minutes, the Lord of the Creation will call His flock unto Himself at the table He prepared for you in the presence of your enemies. At this holy table, your Lord Jesus will feed His flock just like He did during His ministry on earth. In the Holy Gospel, Jesus fed 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish. Today, Jesus feeds you with His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins.
Our Lord Jesus loves us, cares for us, and sustains our lives every day with His blessings from heaven. He does this because we are His friends and Children of His Father. Our lives are not our own. They belong to God. Jesus purchased us back from sin, death, and the power of the devil when He said, “It is finished!” on the cross at Calvary.
Our lives belong to God in the washing and regeneration of Holy Baptism. He made us His own through the Blood of His only-begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. God anointed us with His Spirit thus sealing us as one of His own. Who are we? We are the Baptized. We are called the Children of God. We are dwelling places for the Spirit of God.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 11)
The Old Testament reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 2:11-22 (sermon text)
The Holy Gospel reading: Mark 6:30-44
Theme: Our identity is found in Jesus.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Who are we? Who are we as a congregation? Who are we as Christians? As a congregation, we are Christians and we’ll come to this definition in a couple of minutes. We are Lutherans. More importantly, we are Missouri-Synod Lutherans. As Christians, we are the Baptized. We confess our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We confess that we are sinners. We believe in One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What is unique about these answers as a congregation and a Christian? What is the common denominator in both sets of questions? Well, this is a two part answer. We are all sinners and we are all saved by the Blood of the eternal Son of God. As sinners, we all deserve our Father’s wrath and condemnation to hell forever. As saints washed in the Blood of the Lamb of God, we wear the cloak of righteousness of our Savior. We are joined together in the Blood of Christ and are built together in the eternal Son of God as a dwelling place for God by His Spirit.
Before we were Baptized into Christ, we were separated from Christ. We were aliens and strangers to God because we did not know Him. We had no hope. We only had an eternal death to look forward to; a life with the Devil forever and ever.
Now, like the Gentiles of Saint Paul’s day, we have been brought near to our Father in heaven by the Blood of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. The Son of God descended from His throne and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and made man – for us. He suffered all things in our place. He suffered our pains and afflictions. He suffered our temptations. He suffered our death. He rose from the dead to give us life.
Jesus is our identity. He is who we are because He made us one with Him in our Baptism. He made us one with each other. He is the foundation and cornerstone of our identity as Christians and as a congregation. Jesus is the foundation and cornerstone of our faith and life as Christians and Lutherans.
In a few minutes, the Lord of the Creation will call His flock unto Himself at the table He prepared for you in the presence of your enemies. At this holy table, your Lord Jesus will feed His flock just like He did during His ministry on earth. In the Holy Gospel, Jesus fed 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish. Today, Jesus feeds you with His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins.
Our Lord Jesus loves us, cares for us, and sustains our lives every day with His blessings from heaven. He does this because we are His friends and Children of His Father. Our lives are not our own. They belong to God. Jesus purchased us back from sin, death, and the power of the devil when He said, “It is finished!” on the cross at Calvary.
Our lives belong to God in the washing and regeneration of Holy Baptism. He made us His own through the Blood of His only-begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. God anointed us with His Spirit thus sealing us as one of His own. Who are we? We are the Baptized. We are called the Children of God. We are dwelling places for the Spirit of God.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Ephesians 1:3-14 +
Jesus, help me.
The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10)
The Old Testament reading: Amos 7:7-15
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 1:3-14 (sermon text)
The Holy Gospel reading: Mark 6:14-29
Theme: Where does your salvation lie?
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Yesterday, in the news, in Southeastern Michigan, five young people were driving in there car and thought they could beat an AMTRAK train. They failed. All around us are unforeseen incidents; airliners crash; ships sink; young men and women die in war; young people suffer from a body that fails them. We live in uncertain times and as a result, many people are living their lives in fear – what will tomorrow bring? What will happen next? Is there anything we can be certain of in our lives? Are there any guarantees? What does the future hold for us?
St. Paul tells us today there is one thing of which we can be certain and that is the guarantee of our salvation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Our certainty is in the promise of the one true God. We have no reason to fret or worry. We have no reason to be anxious. Jesus secured the gift of everlasting life for us with His life on the cross. Our life with God our Father is secure for it is signed, sealed, and delivered to us in the Blood of the Lamb.
Our life with God our Father was earned for and given to us through the blood of the eternal Son of God. Jesus exchanged His life for ours and signed the “bill of death” that we owed the Father for our sins. Jesus signed that bill in blood shed for us and the world when He gave up His spirit and died.
Jesus purchased us back from death and paid the price for our sins with His very life. He gives us this gift of life through His grace. Grace is a gift of God bought with the very blood of the only-begotten Son of God. God’s grace was shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins.
When we were baptized by our Lord and Savior, our God and Father anointed us with the Holy Spirit and sealed His plan of salvation for us through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sealed by the Spirit of Christ, we have the promise of everlasting life. We hold to that promise of God every day; a promise which cannot be broken.
The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. He calls us by the Gospel, nourishes our faith, and keeps us steadfast in the true faith. Faith created and sustained by the Holy Spirit is the “down payment or the guarantee” that God our Father will carry through on His plan of salvation and call us home to glory to live with Him forever.
The Holy Spirit delivers God’s grace to us through Word and Sacraments. He brings us these heavenly gifts through Christ’s Bride – the Church. As we gather in this holy place, we, the faithful sheep, hear the voice of our Shepherd, our Lord Jesus, and are made secure in Him through the Word of God. When we come to Church and hear the Word, we abide in Christ and He abides in us. Jesus makes us secure in Himself through Word and sacraments.
Our salvation centers in Jesus Christ. In Him, our salvation was signed – with his blood of the cross; sealed by the working of the Spirit; and delivered through the work of those called the people of God, His body, His bride – the Church.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10)
The Old Testament reading: Amos 7:7-15
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 1:3-14 (sermon text)
The Holy Gospel reading: Mark 6:14-29
Theme: Where does your salvation lie?
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Yesterday, in the news, in Southeastern Michigan, five young people were driving in there car and thought they could beat an AMTRAK train. They failed. All around us are unforeseen incidents; airliners crash; ships sink; young men and women die in war; young people suffer from a body that fails them. We live in uncertain times and as a result, many people are living their lives in fear – what will tomorrow bring? What will happen next? Is there anything we can be certain of in our lives? Are there any guarantees? What does the future hold for us?
St. Paul tells us today there is one thing of which we can be certain and that is the guarantee of our salvation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Our certainty is in the promise of the one true God. We have no reason to fret or worry. We have no reason to be anxious. Jesus secured the gift of everlasting life for us with His life on the cross. Our life with God our Father is secure for it is signed, sealed, and delivered to us in the Blood of the Lamb.
Our life with God our Father was earned for and given to us through the blood of the eternal Son of God. Jesus exchanged His life for ours and signed the “bill of death” that we owed the Father for our sins. Jesus signed that bill in blood shed for us and the world when He gave up His spirit and died.
Jesus purchased us back from death and paid the price for our sins with His very life. He gives us this gift of life through His grace. Grace is a gift of God bought with the very blood of the only-begotten Son of God. God’s grace was shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins.
When we were baptized by our Lord and Savior, our God and Father anointed us with the Holy Spirit and sealed His plan of salvation for us through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sealed by the Spirit of Christ, we have the promise of everlasting life. We hold to that promise of God every day; a promise which cannot be broken.
The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. He calls us by the Gospel, nourishes our faith, and keeps us steadfast in the true faith. Faith created and sustained by the Holy Spirit is the “down payment or the guarantee” that God our Father will carry through on His plan of salvation and call us home to glory to live with Him forever.
The Holy Spirit delivers God’s grace to us through Word and Sacraments. He brings us these heavenly gifts through Christ’s Bride – the Church. As we gather in this holy place, we, the faithful sheep, hear the voice of our Shepherd, our Lord Jesus, and are made secure in Him through the Word of God. When we come to Church and hear the Word, we abide in Christ and He abides in us. Jesus makes us secure in Himself through Word and sacraments.
Our salvation centers in Jesus Christ. In Him, our salvation was signed – with his blood of the cross; sealed by the working of the Spirit; and delivered through the work of those called the people of God, His body, His bride – the Church.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Publications - Rev. Matthew Harrison
Follow this link to some outstanding pieces of work by The Reverend Matthew Harrison.
http://itistime.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=26
http://itistime.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=26
+ MDA Lock-Up +
I wish to thank all the dear saints of the Church who helped raise my bail so I could return to the pulpit and preach the Word of God.
God bless you all!
+ Pastor Wurst
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
A view into God's creation
Yesterday, I had the priviledge of going up the Gunflint Trail in Northern Minnesota for our pastors conference. The Gunflint Trail is north of Grand Marais, Minnesota.
Along the way, I saw 3 red fox, 1 deer (doe), 5 quail, 1 buzzard, many crows, 1 burro, and 1 moose (wooden, made by man). I also got to sit in one very large Adirondack chair.
God's creation is beautiful and active. Enjoy the pictures.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Time in the Word
I want to thank my friend The Reverend Daniel F. Dahling for next week's Time in the Word devotional study. Pastor Dahling was my Vicarage Supervisor last year in Decatur, Indiana.
Time in the Word
A Study for – Pentecost 7 (Proper 11)
July 13 through July 18, 2009
In the lessons for this coming Sunday several themes can be seen: that nature of a good shepherd, the functions of a good shepherd, and the togetherness of God’s people through a Davidic king, Christ, and the church. The last is suggested as the theme – togetherness. Jesus in the Gospel takes His disciples, who just returned from their preaching-healing mission, on a retreat. Jeremiah in the Old Testament lesson explains that the exile was due to false shepherds and the scattered sheep will be brought back to Israel under a Davidic king. Jew and Gentile (in the Epistle lesson) are made one through the blood of Christ and their oneness in the church. The Psalm’s refrain, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…” reminds us of the Gospel – “He had compassion on them.” The Hymn of the Day sings of Jesus who is the center of the church’s life and the foundation on which we build.
Monday, July 13, 2009 – Psalm 147:7-11, Antiphon, Psalm 145:16 – You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing. Jesus sets the table. Jesus supplies all that we may ever need. The Lord is faithful. We will never be in need. He has promised to supply our daily wants and desires. Daily tells how much God should give us, enough for the day. We do not ask God that He give us now what we need in years to come, but it is sufficient if we get what we need each day.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – Jeremiah 23:1-6 - Restoration. Exiles together under a Davidic king. Under new shepherds, God will return His people from captivity, and so a Davidic king will reign. In this passage Jeremiah predicts that because of false shepherds (rulers) the people will go into captivity. This happened in Jeremiah’s lifetime (586 BC) when the Jews were deported to Babylon. Jeremiah goes on to promises that God will raise up true shepherds who will bring back the exiles. In fact, there is to come a Davidic king who will rule with justice and righteousness. Under this Davidic ruler Israel will be restored as a nation.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 – Ephesians 2:11-22 – Reunion. Jews and Gentile together in Christ. Christ has made us one in God and in the church. The heart of Ephesians is in this passage. In Vv. 13-18 we learn of the peace Christ grained between Jew and Gentile. Vv. 19-22 spell out the consequences of that peace. In the person of Christ and His cross, Jew and Gentile are made one. Christ died for both, and they are one in Christ by faith. Thus, they have a oneness in Christ, oneness with God and with each other. Christ’s death has removed the hostility and cancelled the law which separated Jew from Gentile. The two are now one in the church. The practical result is that Gentiles are no longer aliens but members of God’s family.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 – Mark 6:30-44 – Retreat. Christ and the disciples together. Jesus takes His disciples to a lonely place for rest and teaches the crowd that gathers. This lesson combines the conclusion dealing with the sending out of the disciples and the introduction to the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples return from their preaching journey and are exhausted. People with needs throng around them so that they do not get any rest. Jesus takes them in a boat to a secluded spot that they may rest and be apart from the crowd. But the people will not let them alone. When the boat comes to shore, the people are waiting for them. Seeing the crowd, Jesus expresses compassion for them because they are as sheep without a shepherd. Before Jesus gives them physical bread, he gives them spiritual food by teaching them.
This is the only time Mark refers to the Twelve as “apostles.” It is an appropriate name; for they had just returned form a preaching-healing mission. An apostle is one who is sent forth by Christ.
Seeing the multitudes might have angered Jesus. He was taking the disciples apart for a retreat so sorely needed. He could have become impatient and told the people to scram. His reaction reveals His heart – compassion. He felt sorry for them because they were in desperate need. He has the heart of God, the God of love. Because of His compassion, Jesus cares about people.
Friday, July 17, 2009 – Psalm 23; key verse v.6— Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever... Goodness and mercy both refer to the benefits of being a child of God, namely that we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Hebrew for this word suggests”throughout the years”. Because of the relationship with have with Jesus Christ we will live and reign with Him throughout all eternity. What a comfort it is to have a relationship with our Lord and Savior.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 – LSB Hymn # 618 “I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table” – The image of our Good Shepherd who stands before us on the Sabbath to feed us His Body and Blood is comforting, so that, as weary sinners, we know and trust that we will never be turned away. Our Lord Jesus satisfies every need we have for body, mind, and spirit. He makes us whole. He heals our souls. He forgives our sins.
Prayer for Proper 11 (July 13 – July 18) – O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may be defended against all adversity; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen,
Prayer for Trinity 6 – Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of Your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer in time of affliction and distress: Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Home and Family: Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, and may Your blessing be with us forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer the Unemployed: Heavenly Father, we remember before You, those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Lead us so to use the wealth and resources of this rich land that all persons may find suitable and fulfilling employment and receive just payment for their labor; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Pray for Peace: O God, whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world simply cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being def3ended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.
Sources:
The Lutheran Hymnal © 1941 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
Lutheran Worship © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB One Year Lectionary © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Altar Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Hymn Selection Guide © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
Time in the Word
A Study for – Pentecost 7 (Proper 11)
July 13 through July 18, 2009
In the lessons for this coming Sunday several themes can be seen: that nature of a good shepherd, the functions of a good shepherd, and the togetherness of God’s people through a Davidic king, Christ, and the church. The last is suggested as the theme – togetherness. Jesus in the Gospel takes His disciples, who just returned from their preaching-healing mission, on a retreat. Jeremiah in the Old Testament lesson explains that the exile was due to false shepherds and the scattered sheep will be brought back to Israel under a Davidic king. Jew and Gentile (in the Epistle lesson) are made one through the blood of Christ and their oneness in the church. The Psalm’s refrain, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…” reminds us of the Gospel – “He had compassion on them.” The Hymn of the Day sings of Jesus who is the center of the church’s life and the foundation on which we build.
Monday, July 13, 2009 – Psalm 147:7-11, Antiphon, Psalm 145:16 – You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing. Jesus sets the table. Jesus supplies all that we may ever need. The Lord is faithful. We will never be in need. He has promised to supply our daily wants and desires. Daily tells how much God should give us, enough for the day. We do not ask God that He give us now what we need in years to come, but it is sufficient if we get what we need each day.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – Jeremiah 23:1-6 - Restoration. Exiles together under a Davidic king. Under new shepherds, God will return His people from captivity, and so a Davidic king will reign. In this passage Jeremiah predicts that because of false shepherds (rulers) the people will go into captivity. This happened in Jeremiah’s lifetime (586 BC) when the Jews were deported to Babylon. Jeremiah goes on to promises that God will raise up true shepherds who will bring back the exiles. In fact, there is to come a Davidic king who will rule with justice and righteousness. Under this Davidic ruler Israel will be restored as a nation.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 – Ephesians 2:11-22 – Reunion. Jews and Gentile together in Christ. Christ has made us one in God and in the church. The heart of Ephesians is in this passage. In Vv. 13-18 we learn of the peace Christ grained between Jew and Gentile. Vv. 19-22 spell out the consequences of that peace. In the person of Christ and His cross, Jew and Gentile are made one. Christ died for both, and they are one in Christ by faith. Thus, they have a oneness in Christ, oneness with God and with each other. Christ’s death has removed the hostility and cancelled the law which separated Jew from Gentile. The two are now one in the church. The practical result is that Gentiles are no longer aliens but members of God’s family.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 – Mark 6:30-44 – Retreat. Christ and the disciples together. Jesus takes His disciples to a lonely place for rest and teaches the crowd that gathers. This lesson combines the conclusion dealing with the sending out of the disciples and the introduction to the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples return from their preaching journey and are exhausted. People with needs throng around them so that they do not get any rest. Jesus takes them in a boat to a secluded spot that they may rest and be apart from the crowd. But the people will not let them alone. When the boat comes to shore, the people are waiting for them. Seeing the crowd, Jesus expresses compassion for them because they are as sheep without a shepherd. Before Jesus gives them physical bread, he gives them spiritual food by teaching them.
This is the only time Mark refers to the Twelve as “apostles.” It is an appropriate name; for they had just returned form a preaching-healing mission. An apostle is one who is sent forth by Christ.
Seeing the multitudes might have angered Jesus. He was taking the disciples apart for a retreat so sorely needed. He could have become impatient and told the people to scram. His reaction reveals His heart – compassion. He felt sorry for them because they were in desperate need. He has the heart of God, the God of love. Because of His compassion, Jesus cares about people.
Friday, July 17, 2009 – Psalm 23; key verse v.6— Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever... Goodness and mercy both refer to the benefits of being a child of God, namely that we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Hebrew for this word suggests”throughout the years”. Because of the relationship with have with Jesus Christ we will live and reign with Him throughout all eternity. What a comfort it is to have a relationship with our Lord and Savior.
Saturday, July 18, 2009 – LSB Hymn # 618 “I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table” – The image of our Good Shepherd who stands before us on the Sabbath to feed us His Body and Blood is comforting, so that, as weary sinners, we know and trust that we will never be turned away. Our Lord Jesus satisfies every need we have for body, mind, and spirit. He makes us whole. He heals our souls. He forgives our sins.
Prayer for Proper 11 (July 13 – July 18) – O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may be defended against all adversity; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen,
Prayer for Trinity 6 – Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of Your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer in time of affliction and distress: Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Home and Family: Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, and may Your blessing be with us forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer the Unemployed: Heavenly Father, we remember before You, those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Lead us so to use the wealth and resources of this rich land that all persons may find suitable and fulfilling employment and receive just payment for their labor; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Pray for Peace: O God, whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world simply cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being def3ended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.
Sources:
The Lutheran Hymnal © 1941 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
Lutheran Worship © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB One Year Lectionary © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Altar Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Hymn Selection Guide © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
+ Ephesians 1:3-14 +
Jesus, help me.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Yesterday, in the news, in Southeastern Michigan, five young people were driving in there car and thought they could beat an AMTRAK train. They failed. All around us are unforeseen incidents; airliners crash; ships sink; young men and women die in war; young people suffer from a body that fails them. We live in uncertain times and as a result, many people are living their lives in fear – what will tomorrow bring? What will happen next? Is there anything we can be certain of in our lives? Are there any guarantees? What does the future hold for us?
St. Paul tells us today there is one thing of which we can be certain and that is the guarantee of our salvation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Our certainty is in the promise of the one true God. We have no reason to fret or worry. We have no reason to be anxious. Jesus secured the gift of everlasting life for us with His life on the cross. Our life with God our Father is secure for it is signed, sealed, and delivered to us in the Blood of the Lamb.
Our life with God our Father was earned for and given to us through the blood of the eternal Son of God. Jesus exchanged His life for ours and signed the “bill of death” that we owed the Father for our sins. Jesus signed that bill in blood shed for us and the world when He gave up His spirit and died.
Jesus purchased us back from death and paid the price for our sins with His very life. He gives us this gift of life through His grace. Grace is a gift of God bought with the very blood of the only-begotten Son of God. God’s grace was shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins.
When we were baptized by our Lord and Savior, our God and Father anointed us with the Holy Spirit and sealed His plan of salvation for us through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sealed by the Spirit of Christ, we have the promise of everlasting life. We hold to that promise of God every day; a promise which cannot be broken.
The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. He calls us by the Gospel, nourishes our faith, and keeps us steadfast in the true faith. Faith created and sustained by the Holy Spirit is the “down payment or the guarantee” that God our Father will carry through on His plan of salvation and call us home to glory to live with Him forever.
The Holy Spirit delivers God’s grace to us through Word and Sacraments. He brings us these heavenly gifts through Christ’s Bride – the Church. As we gather in this holy place, we, the faithful sheep, hear the voice of our Shepherd, our Lord Jesus, and are made secure in Him through the Word of God. When we come to Church and hear the Word, we abide in Christ and He abides in us. Jesus makes us secure in Himself through Word and sacraments.
Our salvation centers in Jesus Christ. In Him, our salvation was signed – with his blood of the cross; sealed by the working of the Spirit; and delivered through the work of those called the people of God, His body, His bride – the Church.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Yesterday, in the news, in Southeastern Michigan, five young people were driving in there car and thought they could beat an AMTRAK train. They failed. All around us are unforeseen incidents; airliners crash; ships sink; young men and women die in war; young people suffer from a body that fails them. We live in uncertain times and as a result, many people are living their lives in fear – what will tomorrow bring? What will happen next? Is there anything we can be certain of in our lives? Are there any guarantees? What does the future hold for us?
St. Paul tells us today there is one thing of which we can be certain and that is the guarantee of our salvation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Our certainty is in the promise of the one true God. We have no reason to fret or worry. We have no reason to be anxious. Jesus secured the gift of everlasting life for us with His life on the cross. Our life with God our Father is secure for it is signed, sealed, and delivered to us in the Blood of the Lamb.
Our life with God our Father was earned for and given to us through the blood of the eternal Son of God. Jesus exchanged His life for ours and signed the “bill of death” that we owed the Father for our sins. Jesus signed that bill in blood shed for us and the world when He gave up His spirit and died.
Jesus purchased us back from death and paid the price for our sins with His very life. He gives us this gift of life through His grace. Grace is a gift of God bought with the very blood of the only-begotten Son of God. God’s grace was shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins.
When we were baptized by our Lord and Savior, our God and Father anointed us with the Holy Spirit and sealed His plan of salvation for us through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sealed by the Spirit of Christ, we have the promise of everlasting life. We hold to that promise of God every day; a promise which cannot be broken.
The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. He calls us by the Gospel, nourishes our faith, and keeps us steadfast in the true faith. Faith created and sustained by the Holy Spirit is the “down payment or the guarantee” that God our Father will carry through on His plan of salvation and call us home to glory to live with Him forever.
The Holy Spirit delivers God’s grace to us through Word and Sacraments. He brings us these heavenly gifts through Christ’s Bride – the Church. As we gather in this holy place, we, the faithful sheep, hear the voice of our Shepherd, our Lord Jesus, and are made secure in Him through the Word of God. When we come to Church and hear the Word, we abide in Christ and He abides in us. Jesus makes us secure in Himself through Word and sacraments.
Our salvation centers in Jesus Christ. In Him, our salvation was signed – with his blood of the cross; sealed by the working of the Spirit; and delivered through the work of those called the people of God, His body, His bride – the Church.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Friday, July 10, 2009
+ The Lord's House of Prayer +
The Lord be with you.
I invite you to visit the website of The Lutheran Church of Christ the King. I keep trying to make improvements over time to enrich the lives of those who visit.
Peace be with you.
+ Pastor Wurst
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Time in the Word
Time in the Word
A Study for – Pentecost 6 (Proper 10)
July 06 through July 11, 2009
LIFE IN CHRIST
Monday, July 06, 2009 – Psalm 85:8-13 - The Antiphon for this coming week’s Introit is from Psalm 85:7, “For Your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.” God preserves our lives for the sake of His Son, Jesus the Christ. In Christ, that is, in Holy Baptism, we are grafted into Christ and given His cloak of righteousness. In Baptism, our Lord rescued us from sin, death, and the devil when He brought us out of darkness and into His Light (Jesus). As sinners, cry this prayer daily, asking our Lord God to have mercy upon us and to forgive our sins.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009 – Amos 7:7-15 - In the Old Testament lesson, The Lord calls Amos to serve Him. Amos, a shepherd, is sent to proclaim the Word of the Lord. Amos says, “The Lord took me as I followed the flock.” Anytime in our lives, the Lord makes known to us His will for us. The Lord gives each of us vocations. He blesses and preserves us as we fulfill our vocations. The Lord blesses those who serve Him.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 – Ephesians 1:3-14 – St. Paul opens his epistle to the Church at Ephesus with a Trinitarian greeting. Beginning with our text today, St. Paul reminds the Christians about who they are in Jesus Christ. God gives every spiritual blessing to us in Christ. God chose us in Christ. God adopted us in Christ. God makes us acceptable to Him, through grace, in Christ. We are redeemed in the Blood of Christ. We are forgiven in Christ. God reveals Himself to us in Christ. God gives us our inheritance in Christ.
Thursday, July 09, 2009 – Mark 6:14-29 – John the Baptizer is taken prisoner by King Herod. John is eventually killed by Herod. Now, Herod has heard of Jesus and thinks it is John risen from the grave. Jesus is no mere prophet but He is the Prophet from on High. King Herod tried to rid the world of the King who was born in Bethlehem. He failed. Now, Herod hears of Jesus and tries again to rid the world of Him. He slays John thinking it is Jesus. He failed again at His murderous attempt on Jesus life. Herod kills the innocent again.
Friday, July 10, 2009 – Psalm 85:(1-7) 8-13 – In the Psalm appointed for next Sunday, we hear how Truth springs forth from the ground. Jesus is truth. He is risen! Our Lord gives life to all believe on His Name. In Christ, we are forgiven. Jesus suffered the wrath of the Father in our place. The salvation of the Lord is free and for all people. Believe and turn from your iniquity.
Saturday, July 11, 2009 – LSB Hymn # 819 “Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good” – In verse four, we hear how Jesus is the Rock upon which our faith is built and the very Cornerstone of our lives as Christians. He is our peace. He is our salvation. He is the Good Shepherd who sustains our lives.
Prayer for Proper 10 (July 05 – July 11) – O Lord, You granted Your prophets strength to resist the temptations of the devil and courage to proclaim repentance. Give us pure hearts and minds to follow Your Son faithfully even into suffering and death; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen,
Prayer for Trinity 5 – O God, You have prepared for those who love You good things that surpass all understanding. Pour into our hearts such love toward You that we, loving You above all things, may obtain Your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reignth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for blessing on the Word – Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a Word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Sources:
The Lutheran Hymnal © 1941 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
Lutheran Worship © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB One Year Lectionary © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Altar Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Hymn Selection Guide © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
A Study for – Pentecost 6 (Proper 10)
July 06 through July 11, 2009
LIFE IN CHRIST
Monday, July 06, 2009 – Psalm 85:8-13 - The Antiphon for this coming week’s Introit is from Psalm 85:7, “For Your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.” God preserves our lives for the sake of His Son, Jesus the Christ. In Christ, that is, in Holy Baptism, we are grafted into Christ and given His cloak of righteousness. In Baptism, our Lord rescued us from sin, death, and the devil when He brought us out of darkness and into His Light (Jesus). As sinners, cry this prayer daily, asking our Lord God to have mercy upon us and to forgive our sins.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009 – Amos 7:7-15 - In the Old Testament lesson, The Lord calls Amos to serve Him. Amos, a shepherd, is sent to proclaim the Word of the Lord. Amos says, “The Lord took me as I followed the flock.” Anytime in our lives, the Lord makes known to us His will for us. The Lord gives each of us vocations. He blesses and preserves us as we fulfill our vocations. The Lord blesses those who serve Him.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 – Ephesians 1:3-14 – St. Paul opens his epistle to the Church at Ephesus with a Trinitarian greeting. Beginning with our text today, St. Paul reminds the Christians about who they are in Jesus Christ. God gives every spiritual blessing to us in Christ. God chose us in Christ. God adopted us in Christ. God makes us acceptable to Him, through grace, in Christ. We are redeemed in the Blood of Christ. We are forgiven in Christ. God reveals Himself to us in Christ. God gives us our inheritance in Christ.
Thursday, July 09, 2009 – Mark 6:14-29 – John the Baptizer is taken prisoner by King Herod. John is eventually killed by Herod. Now, Herod has heard of Jesus and thinks it is John risen from the grave. Jesus is no mere prophet but He is the Prophet from on High. King Herod tried to rid the world of the King who was born in Bethlehem. He failed. Now, Herod hears of Jesus and tries again to rid the world of Him. He slays John thinking it is Jesus. He failed again at His murderous attempt on Jesus life. Herod kills the innocent again.
Friday, July 10, 2009 – Psalm 85:(1-7) 8-13 – In the Psalm appointed for next Sunday, we hear how Truth springs forth from the ground. Jesus is truth. He is risen! Our Lord gives life to all believe on His Name. In Christ, we are forgiven. Jesus suffered the wrath of the Father in our place. The salvation of the Lord is free and for all people. Believe and turn from your iniquity.
Saturday, July 11, 2009 – LSB Hymn # 819 “Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good” – In verse four, we hear how Jesus is the Rock upon which our faith is built and the very Cornerstone of our lives as Christians. He is our peace. He is our salvation. He is the Good Shepherd who sustains our lives.
Prayer for Proper 10 (July 05 – July 11) – O Lord, You granted Your prophets strength to resist the temptations of the devil and courage to proclaim repentance. Give us pure hearts and minds to follow Your Son faithfully even into suffering and death; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen,
Prayer for Trinity 5 – O God, You have prepared for those who love You good things that surpass all understanding. Pour into our hearts such love toward You that we, loving You above all things, may obtain Your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reignth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for blessing on the Word – Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a Word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Sources:
The Lutheran Hymnal © 1941 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
Lutheran Worship © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB One Year Lectionary © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Altar Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Hymn Selection Guide © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
+ Mark 6:1-13 +
The preaching of God's holy Word on the 5th Sunday after Pentecost A.D. 2009.
Jesus, help me.
The Holy Gospel
Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
In the past few weeks, we have learned from our Lord Jesus what happens when faith is present in the soul of a person. We listened to the parables of the Growing seed and the Mustard seed. We learned of Jairus’ faith and the faith of the woman with a flow of blood. When God creates faith in a person, that faith clings to its source; it clings to God and His Word. What happens when faith is not present? What happens, when a person, such as you and me, turns away from God or denies God altogether?
Each week, we examine our hearts against the Word of God and know that we are sinners. We are the people Jesus is talking about during His ministry. We are the ones that say, “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Jōsēs, Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” (v 3) Yes, we are.
Are we not the ones who hear the Word of God and are astonished at what our Lord tells us? Are we not the sinners who question the Word and the authority with which Jesus preaches and teaches it to us? Yes, we are.
Are we not the ones to whom Jesus marvels because of our unbelief? Where is our faith? What is our faith grounded on?
The townspeople of Nazareth knew Jesus. They knew His family. They heard of His teachings and miracles from the surrounding towns and some may have been witnesses. Now, they hear His teaching. They hear Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah. They hear Jesus say that “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4, 21). Their faith was weak or non-existent. They rejected Jesus as their Prophet and they rejected His teaching.
You hear Jesus speak to you in His Word. Do you become offended by what He says to you? Yes – of course you do. As a sinner, you don’t want to hear that you transgress God in your thoughts, words, and deeds. Israel didn’t want to hear it. The people of Nazareth didn’t want to hear. The Church throughout time has not wanted to hear it. Why should you and I be any different? We are no different. We all need God’s grace and mercy and especially His forgiveness for our sins.
The astonishment of the people presented itself because of their unbelief. However, you are the Baptized. You are not astonished because you know who Jesus is and from whence He gets His knowledge and power. You know because you believe.
God created you. Jesus saved you. Jesus baptized you. The Holy Spirit created faith in you. The faith which God gave you and sustains in you is built on the Son of God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Jesus is the Cornerstone of your faith (Eph. 2, 20).
The love our Lord has for you is beyond all human understanding. Jesus loves you when you are offended by His teaching. Jesus loves you when you are disobedient. Jesus loves you when you lie and deceive others. Jesus loves you because He died for you. Jesus’ love flows from His side and covers your soul. His love redeems you a lost and condemned creature. His love declares you “not guilty” of your sins before His Father in heaven.
Jesus loves you and hears your cries for mercy. Jesus sets your feet upon a rock when you slip and fall in sin. He established your steps in His Word and in His ways. Jesus’ love for you opens your ears to hear. Jesus forgives you when you transgress Him. Jesus delivers you in times of trial and tribulation because He loves you.
Let not your heart be troubled. Hear the Word. Believe the Word. Live the Word. You are the Baptized! Rejoice in the Lord! Again, I say rejoice! The LORD be magnified this holy day for the love He has shown you in Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through + Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Jesus, help me.
The Holy Gospel
Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
In the past few weeks, we have learned from our Lord Jesus what happens when faith is present in the soul of a person. We listened to the parables of the Growing seed and the Mustard seed. We learned of Jairus’ faith and the faith of the woman with a flow of blood. When God creates faith in a person, that faith clings to its source; it clings to God and His Word. What happens when faith is not present? What happens, when a person, such as you and me, turns away from God or denies God altogether?
Each week, we examine our hearts against the Word of God and know that we are sinners. We are the people Jesus is talking about during His ministry. We are the ones that say, “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Jōsēs, Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” (v 3) Yes, we are.
Are we not the ones who hear the Word of God and are astonished at what our Lord tells us? Are we not the sinners who question the Word and the authority with which Jesus preaches and teaches it to us? Yes, we are.
Are we not the ones to whom Jesus marvels because of our unbelief? Where is our faith? What is our faith grounded on?
The townspeople of Nazareth knew Jesus. They knew His family. They heard of His teachings and miracles from the surrounding towns and some may have been witnesses. Now, they hear His teaching. They hear Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah. They hear Jesus say that “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4, 21). Their faith was weak or non-existent. They rejected Jesus as their Prophet and they rejected His teaching.
You hear Jesus speak to you in His Word. Do you become offended by what He says to you? Yes – of course you do. As a sinner, you don’t want to hear that you transgress God in your thoughts, words, and deeds. Israel didn’t want to hear it. The people of Nazareth didn’t want to hear. The Church throughout time has not wanted to hear it. Why should you and I be any different? We are no different. We all need God’s grace and mercy and especially His forgiveness for our sins.
The astonishment of the people presented itself because of their unbelief. However, you are the Baptized. You are not astonished because you know who Jesus is and from whence He gets His knowledge and power. You know because you believe.
God created you. Jesus saved you. Jesus baptized you. The Holy Spirit created faith in you. The faith which God gave you and sustains in you is built on the Son of God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Jesus is the Cornerstone of your faith (Eph. 2, 20).
The love our Lord has for you is beyond all human understanding. Jesus loves you when you are offended by His teaching. Jesus loves you when you are disobedient. Jesus loves you when you lie and deceive others. Jesus loves you because He died for you. Jesus’ love flows from His side and covers your soul. His love redeems you a lost and condemned creature. His love declares you “not guilty” of your sins before His Father in heaven.
Jesus loves you and hears your cries for mercy. Jesus sets your feet upon a rock when you slip and fall in sin. He established your steps in His Word and in His ways. Jesus’ love for you opens your ears to hear. Jesus forgives you when you transgress Him. Jesus delivers you in times of trial and tribulation because He loves you.
Let not your heart be troubled. Hear the Word. Believe the Word. Live the Word. You are the Baptized! Rejoice in the Lord! Again, I say rejoice! The LORD be magnified this holy day for the love He has shown you in Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through + Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Time in the Word - Pentecost 5 (Proper 9)
A Study for – Pentecost 5 (Proper 9)
June 29 through July 4, 2009
God strengthens His Children
Monday, June 29, 2009 – Psalm 132:13-16 - The Antiphon for this coming week’s Introit is from Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” David reminds us that the Lord delivers the righteous. David tells us to trust in the Lord for all things. The Lord will bless those who fear Him.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 – Ezekiel 2:1-5 - In the Old Testament lesson, The Lord speaks to Ezekiel and then strengthens him for his mission with the Holy Spirit. The Lord then tells Ezekiel that He is sending him to Israel. The Lord sends Ezekiel with His Word to a rebellious people. The Lord says that Israel will know that a prophet was among them.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 – 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 – St. Paul reminds us that we are not to boast about ourselves but to proclaim the salvation earned for us by our Lord, Jesus Christ. Paul says that, although afflicted in body and soul by the devil, the Lord answered his prayer in verse 9 of the text. The Lord said to Paul and He says to us today, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” With St. Paul, we respond with joy and thanksgiving to God’s gift of grace with the words of verse 10, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Thursday, July 02, 2009 – Mark 6:1-13 – Jesus hears the groaning and grumbling of the people in Nazareth. The townspeople identify Jesus as Mary and Joseph’s son but do not believe Him to be the Son of God. They reject His authority as Teacher and do not understand nor believe because of the miracles He performs. Jesus is not welcome in His own hometown. He then sends the twelve out to preach the Word and call people to repentance. He sends them out with the bare necessities. God strengthened them for this journey.
Friday, July 03, 2009 – Psalm 123 – In the Psalm appointed for this coming Sunday, the Psalmist prayer is one of trust and reliance. He finds his strength from heaven itself. He knows he is a sinner. He calls upon the Lord for mercy and forgiveness. The Psalmists prayer is our prayer as we too are sinners that need God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Saturday, July 04, 2009 – LSB Hymn # 839 “O Christ, Our True and Only Light” – This hymn tells us of God’s work to save the world though the death and resurrection of Jesus. It also tells us of the work of the Holy Ghost as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth through the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
Prayer for the return of the wayward and erring – Almighty and most gracious God and Father, we implore You to turn the hearts of all who have forsaken the faith once delivered to Your Church, especially those who have wandered from it or are in doubt through the corruption of Your truth. Mercifully visit and restore them that in gladness of heart they may take pleasure in Your Word and be made wise to salvation through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for Proper 09 (June 29 – July 4) – O God, Your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy. Grant us the fullness of Your grace that we may be called to repentance and made partakers of Your heavenly treasures; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen,
Prayer for Trinity 4 – O Lord, grant that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by Your governance that Your Church may joyfully serve You in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reignth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, now and forever. Amen.
Sources:
The Lutheran Hymnal © 1941 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
Lutheran Worship © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB One Year Lectionary © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Altar Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Hymn Selection Guide © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
June 29 through July 4, 2009
God strengthens His Children
Monday, June 29, 2009 – Psalm 132:13-16 - The Antiphon for this coming week’s Introit is from Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” David reminds us that the Lord delivers the righteous. David tells us to trust in the Lord for all things. The Lord will bless those who fear Him.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 – Ezekiel 2:1-5 - In the Old Testament lesson, The Lord speaks to Ezekiel and then strengthens him for his mission with the Holy Spirit. The Lord then tells Ezekiel that He is sending him to Israel. The Lord sends Ezekiel with His Word to a rebellious people. The Lord says that Israel will know that a prophet was among them.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 – 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 – St. Paul reminds us that we are not to boast about ourselves but to proclaim the salvation earned for us by our Lord, Jesus Christ. Paul says that, although afflicted in body and soul by the devil, the Lord answered his prayer in verse 9 of the text. The Lord said to Paul and He says to us today, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” With St. Paul, we respond with joy and thanksgiving to God’s gift of grace with the words of verse 10, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Thursday, July 02, 2009 – Mark 6:1-13 – Jesus hears the groaning and grumbling of the people in Nazareth. The townspeople identify Jesus as Mary and Joseph’s son but do not believe Him to be the Son of God. They reject His authority as Teacher and do not understand nor believe because of the miracles He performs. Jesus is not welcome in His own hometown. He then sends the twelve out to preach the Word and call people to repentance. He sends them out with the bare necessities. God strengthened them for this journey.
Friday, July 03, 2009 – Psalm 123 – In the Psalm appointed for this coming Sunday, the Psalmist prayer is one of trust and reliance. He finds his strength from heaven itself. He knows he is a sinner. He calls upon the Lord for mercy and forgiveness. The Psalmists prayer is our prayer as we too are sinners that need God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Saturday, July 04, 2009 – LSB Hymn # 839 “O Christ, Our True and Only Light” – This hymn tells us of God’s work to save the world though the death and resurrection of Jesus. It also tells us of the work of the Holy Ghost as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth through the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
Prayer for the return of the wayward and erring – Almighty and most gracious God and Father, we implore You to turn the hearts of all who have forsaken the faith once delivered to Your Church, especially those who have wandered from it or are in doubt through the corruption of Your truth. Mercifully visit and restore them that in gladness of heart they may take pleasure in Your Word and be made wise to salvation through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for Proper 09 (June 29 – July 4) – O God, Your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy. Grant us the fullness of Your grace that we may be called to repentance and made partakers of Your heavenly treasures; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen,
Prayer for Trinity 4 – O Lord, grant that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by Your governance that Your Church may joyfully serve You in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reignth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, now and forever. Amen.
Sources:
The Lutheran Hymnal © 1941 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
Lutheran Worship © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB One Year Lectionary © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Altar Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Hymn Selection Guide © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The Harley "HOG" Parade in Duluth
My head Elder, Bill Berg, called me this afternoon to let me know that the HOGS were coming through Duluth right in front of the house and Church.
We went out and watched as so many riders came through with a police escort.
AWESOME --- just AWESOME!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The Best Wurst's in the World
I took my bride, Tami, to Wurst Day this afternoon in Mahtowa, Minnesota (near Barnum). We arrived at TJ's Country Store where the sign above the cash register read, "The Best Wurst's in the World."
I spoke to the man behind the counter, whose name was Tom (the owner), and I said to him, "So, You claim to have the best Wurst's in the world?" He responded, "Absolutely." I then said, "I beg to differ with you and handed him my driver license. Tom looked at my name and began to laugh.
We had a great time. Tom introduced us to his family and co-workers. We then treated ourselves to a homemade hotdog and enjoyed the sunshine.
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If you are ever in northern Minnesota, you have to stop at TJ's Country Store and have a Wurst. Tell Tom that Pastor WURST sent you.
You can visit Tom's website for more information at: TJ's Country Store.
I spoke to the man behind the counter, whose name was Tom (the owner), and I said to him, "So, You claim to have the best Wurst's in the world?" He responded, "Absolutely." I then said, "I beg to differ with you and handed him my driver license. Tom looked at my name and began to laugh.
We had a great time. Tom introduced us to his family and co-workers. We then treated ourselves to a homemade hotdog and enjoyed the sunshine.
.jpg)
If you are ever in northern Minnesota, you have to stop at TJ's Country Store and have a Wurst. Tell Tom that Pastor WURST sent you.
You can visit Tom's website for more information at: TJ's Country Store.
Friday, May 22, 2009
+ Ascension Day +
I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ for His Word, comfort, and also the strength of His Spirit every day. I also thank Pastor Schoessow (left) and Pastor Franck (right)for their service to our Lord and His Bride - the Church - last night as we led the celebration of our Lord's ascension to His throne at His Father's right hand in heaven.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
+ The Rite of Confirmation - 2009 +
Here is a picture of God's Children before His holy altar this past Sabbath Day when these beloved Children vowed to hold true the One true God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; the Holy Scriptures; the Lutheran Confessions; and to continue steadfast in the Word in worship and receiving the Lord's Body and Blood.
To God Alone be All the Glory now and forever! Amen.
To God Alone be All the Glory now and forever! Amen.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
God provides rest for the weary...
The Lord Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew xi, 28)
Rest for the body is good. We all think we can just keep burning the old candle at both ends. Our bodies need rest. Our souls need rest. Our Lord Jesus provides both to us sinners through His mercy and grace in His Word and Sacraments.
Rest for the temporal body comes from taking a nap in the afternoon. Rest can come by having a refreshment with friends in the afternoon or on the weekend. Rest comes to us when we sleep.
Rest for the soul comes when we pray, worship, study the Word, and feast on the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins.
For me, this week in Michigan, I anticipate participating in all of these ways of rest. I rest this day in the Word of God as I labor for Him who saved me and all creatures from sin, death, and the devil through His Blood on Mount Calvary.
My labors are nothing compared to those of our Lord who suffered all things for us. I labor to bring the Word of God to His flock in Duluth when I return. I also labor to bring the Word to my daughter in a few days as she will be joined together in one flesh with her fiance, Brian, before the Lord and His Church.
My rest will come when I am fed the Bod and Blood of our Lord on His Holy next Sunday - a day I cannot wait for.
This is a glorious day to be alive in Christ, to serve Him and His people. I do miss the flock at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King in Duluth, Minnesota. I hold them in my prayers every day.
Rest for the body is good. We all think we can just keep burning the old candle at both ends. Our bodies need rest. Our souls need rest. Our Lord Jesus provides both to us sinners through His mercy and grace in His Word and Sacraments.
Rest for the temporal body comes from taking a nap in the afternoon. Rest can come by having a refreshment with friends in the afternoon or on the weekend. Rest comes to us when we sleep.
Rest for the soul comes when we pray, worship, study the Word, and feast on the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins.
For me, this week in Michigan, I anticipate participating in all of these ways of rest. I rest this day in the Word of God as I labor for Him who saved me and all creatures from sin, death, and the devil through His Blood on Mount Calvary.
My labors are nothing compared to those of our Lord who suffered all things for us. I labor to bring the Word of God to His flock in Duluth when I return. I also labor to bring the Word to my daughter in a few days as she will be joined together in one flesh with her fiance, Brian, before the Lord and His Church.
My rest will come when I am fed the Bod and Blood of our Lord on His Holy next Sunday - a day I cannot wait for.
This is a glorious day to be alive in Christ, to serve Him and His people. I do miss the flock at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King in Duluth, Minnesota. I hold them in my prayers every day.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
+ John 20:19-31 +
The Second Sunday of Easter
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
Jesus, help me.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The war is over. Satan is conquered. The Temple was torn down three days ago and Jesus has rebuilt in just three days. The Messiah fulfills the Scriptures. Salvation is of the Lord. When Jesus accomplished all things, He said, “It is finished!” (John xix, 30) and gave up His spirit and died for you, me, and all men for all time.
It is now the evening of the Resurrection. It is early. The sun is coming over the horizon. However, the disciples can’t see it. They are huddled together in the upper room where they were with Jesus on Holy Thursday; the same room where they received Christ’s Body and Blood for the forgiveness of their sins.
Peter and John are back from the tomb. They did not see Jesus’ body. The door is locked. The disciples are afraid. They doubt the teaching of their Lord. They do not understand. They are sinners like you and me. They commit the most grievous of sins; unbelief. Because of their sin, they live in darkness. They do not want to die.
All of a sudden, they see Jesus standing among them. They hear the first words from His mouth since those most beautiful words, “It is finished!” Jesus speaks to them words of comfort. Jesus says, “Peace be with you,” that is, Jesus says, “I forgive you with the peace which only I can give to you.”
The war is over. Jesus brings peace to the sinners as only He can give. He says to them, “You are free! I made you free through My Blood which I poured out for you. You are forgiven because I paid for your sins. You have a new life in Me. You are Mine.”
The peace which Jesus gives to the disciples is the same peace He gives to you. The peace in Jesus the Christ comes to you through the Office of the Holy Ministry which Jesus established on earth. Jesus forgives His first pastors and then breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Jesus knows your every need. He knows your sin. He knows your dilemmas. He knows you are struggling with a poor economy. He knows about the layoffs or the lingering layoffs. He knows your suffering because He endured all things for you.
Christian, you do not need to fear for the things of your life. Your life is in the Resurrected Christ. He purchased you back from a life of anxiety and despair and even death itself with His own precious Blood and His innocent suffering and death.
Christ’s peace equals everlasting life. Your life is bound to Jesus in your Baptism. Jesus gives you His peace in that most wonderful gift which keeps on giving – Baptism. In Holy Baptism, Jesus washed you in His Blood and forgave your sins. Jesus gave you life when He grafted you into Himself – the True Vine.
Jesus continues to give you His peace. Through the Office of the Holy Ministry, Jesus sent me to you to proclaim to you, “Your sins are forgiven.” You see Christian, it’s not about you but it is about Jesus the Christ!
Jesus is doing for you what He has been doing since man was created in the image of God. Jesus serves you. Jesus loves you. Jesus forgives you. Jesus feeds you. Jesus hears your confession and buries your sins in His tomb never to be spoken of again.
Jesus lives today victorious over sin, death, and the devil. He lives to shower His mercy and grace upon you. He lives to strengthen you in your life through Word and Sacraments. Jesus lives to comfort your soul with His living Word. The very hands and feet which were pierced for you and the very side which received the Romans spear place into you mouth this holy day the very Body and Blood which won your salvation on the cross.
Jesus lives and brings you peace this holy day. Jesus lives to give you life.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
Jesus, help me.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The war is over. Satan is conquered. The Temple was torn down three days ago and Jesus has rebuilt in just three days. The Messiah fulfills the Scriptures. Salvation is of the Lord. When Jesus accomplished all things, He said, “It is finished!” (John xix, 30) and gave up His spirit and died for you, me, and all men for all time.
It is now the evening of the Resurrection. It is early. The sun is coming over the horizon. However, the disciples can’t see it. They are huddled together in the upper room where they were with Jesus on Holy Thursday; the same room where they received Christ’s Body and Blood for the forgiveness of their sins.
Peter and John are back from the tomb. They did not see Jesus’ body. The door is locked. The disciples are afraid. They doubt the teaching of their Lord. They do not understand. They are sinners like you and me. They commit the most grievous of sins; unbelief. Because of their sin, they live in darkness. They do not want to die.
All of a sudden, they see Jesus standing among them. They hear the first words from His mouth since those most beautiful words, “It is finished!” Jesus speaks to them words of comfort. Jesus says, “Peace be with you,” that is, Jesus says, “I forgive you with the peace which only I can give to you.”
The war is over. Jesus brings peace to the sinners as only He can give. He says to them, “You are free! I made you free through My Blood which I poured out for you. You are forgiven because I paid for your sins. You have a new life in Me. You are Mine.”
The peace which Jesus gives to the disciples is the same peace He gives to you. The peace in Jesus the Christ comes to you through the Office of the Holy Ministry which Jesus established on earth. Jesus forgives His first pastors and then breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Jesus knows your every need. He knows your sin. He knows your dilemmas. He knows you are struggling with a poor economy. He knows about the layoffs or the lingering layoffs. He knows your suffering because He endured all things for you.
Christian, you do not need to fear for the things of your life. Your life is in the Resurrected Christ. He purchased you back from a life of anxiety and despair and even death itself with His own precious Blood and His innocent suffering and death.
Christ’s peace equals everlasting life. Your life is bound to Jesus in your Baptism. Jesus gives you His peace in that most wonderful gift which keeps on giving – Baptism. In Holy Baptism, Jesus washed you in His Blood and forgave your sins. Jesus gave you life when He grafted you into Himself – the True Vine.
Jesus continues to give you His peace. Through the Office of the Holy Ministry, Jesus sent me to you to proclaim to you, “Your sins are forgiven.” You see Christian, it’s not about you but it is about Jesus the Christ!
Jesus is doing for you what He has been doing since man was created in the image of God. Jesus serves you. Jesus loves you. Jesus forgives you. Jesus feeds you. Jesus hears your confession and buries your sins in His tomb never to be spoken of again.
Jesus lives today victorious over sin, death, and the devil. He lives to shower His mercy and grace upon you. He lives to strengthen you in your life through Word and Sacraments. Jesus lives to comfort your soul with His living Word. The very hands and feet which were pierced for you and the very side which received the Romans spear place into you mouth this holy day the very Body and Blood which won your salvation on the cross.
Jesus lives and brings you peace this holy day. Jesus lives to give you life.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Monday, April 13, 2009
Eastertide at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King
The Service of Light begins the Vigil of Easter on Holy Saturday
Our Lord's House of Prayer on Easter morning
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
+ Jeremiah 31:31-34 +
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The text for our consideration is the Old Testament reading in Jeremiah.
Relationships are important to us. We all want to be liked and loved by our neighbors. A relationship with another person is important. In a relationship, we trust one another. We are honest. We show our support in times of trouble. We are fair. We give gifts because we love the other person. We enjoy fellowship with one another. We give and receive comfort from each other. Relationships are built on love and above all else – trust.
Jeremiah speaks of God’s relationship with the world. To understand this relationship, we need to study the work of God when He instituted the Old Covenant with Moses on Mount Sinai.
In the Book of Exodus, we hear how our Lord brought Israel out of Egypt. After He brought them forth, by the hand, from the bondage in Egypt, the Lord brought them to Mount Sinai. On this holy mountain, the Lord spoke to Moses and cut His covenant with Israel. The Lord gave Moses His Law to give to Israel. The Lord gave His Law because He loved the world. He gave the Law to protect His Children from harm, danger, and sin.
The Old Covenant consisted of trust. The Lord said “You shall not make anything to be with Me—gods of silver or gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves. An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you.” (Ex. xx, 23-24)
Under the Old Covenant, Israel was to offer Burnt Offerings and Peace Offerings to the Lord. Let’s ponder each for just a moment.
The Burnt Offering was totally consumed on God’s altar. The Burnt Offering illustrated our Lord’s total sacrifice of Himself on the cross. Total self-sacrifice, as pictured in the total burning of the Burnt Offering, describes love.
God is love. He loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for the sins of the world. God’s Son, Jesus, offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice for the world to save you from sin, death, and the devil.
St. Paul tells you and me about our relationship with each other and the world in Jesus Christ. St. Paul encourages you, me, and all Christians to imitate Christ’s love, “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Eph. v, 2) Love finds its greatest expression in self-sacrifice, the total giving of one’s life for God and man. St. John writes, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (I John iii, 16)
We learned earlier that trust was part of every relationship. Trust is very important. When trust is lost, pain, suffering, hate all enter into the relationship or the relationship could be lost altogether because trust is broken.
The Lord asked Adam and Eve to trust Him. The Lord asked Israel to trust Him. The Lord asks you and me to trust Him. Did they? Do we? No! In fact, trust was the very first thing the Lord wrote on those stone tablets. “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Ex. xx, 3) We all break this Commandment because we are sinners. When we disobey God, we must repent of our sin and confess it to Him and ask Him to forgive us. God’s mercy, compassion, and love are so great that He does forgive us.
Another part of the Old Covenant is the Peace Offering. Now many people throughout time have thought that the Peace Offering was made to make peace with God. Such a belief is not correct. The Peace Offering was made to God made in grateful acknowledgement of the peace, that is, the blessings received from God.
The Peace Offering was the third part of the Jewish Sacrificial System whereby the sinner demonstrated that peace from God was a realized fact. The first part was the Sin Offering which conveyed the forgiveness of sins thus bringing spiritual peace to the sinner from God. The second was the burnt offering signifying the self-surrender of the sinner whereby the sinner realized his peace with God. The third is the Peace Offering which was particularly associated with a meal eaten with thanksgiving and praise. The joyful eating of the Peace Offering is the primary activity. One does not eat and celebrate if there is no peace, and one does not eat and celebrate to create peace, but one eats and celebrates because there is peace!
The history of Israel since the days of Moses was one of persistent failure. Israel failed to live according to the terms of the covenant the Lord cut with them. Israel was not capable of obeying the Law or acknowledging the Lord as God. A new covenant was needed.
So the Lord speaks through Jeremiah and tells Israel and the world that He is going to cut a New Covenant. “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.” (Jer. xxxi, 34)
Remember, to cut a covenant, a sacrifice must be made and blood must be poured out on the altar.
The Lord institutes a New Covenant with us in His Son, Jesus Christ. No longer do we need to instruct others saying, “Know God” like Israel did because all people know the Lord from young to old, from the least to the greatest. To know God is to have the intimate personal knowledge that two people have with each other in a relationship that touches the mind, the emotions, and the will.
The Lord did this for all people when He wrote His Law in the minds and on the hearts of all people. He established a personal relationship with all people in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant (testament) in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’” (I Cor. xi, 25) Jesus entered the holy sanctuary of heaven and poured out His Blood for the world to redeem all men from their sins. Jesus purchased all men back from death itself with His suffering and death on the cross. On this holy altar, He revealed Himself to all people so that all who believe in Him shall not die but live forever. This is the Great Exchange between heaven and earth. The Son of God laid down His life to give life to all believers.
In Jeremiah, the Lord says to the world, that in this New Covenant, “I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jer. xxxi, 34b) Jeremiah prophesies about the coming of the Messiah who will save the world from death and give to all who believe in Him the forgiveness of their sins, life, and salvation.
The Lord says to you today, “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Ps. 100, 11-12)
In His new Covenant, Jesus offered Himself, on our behalf, as the Sin Offering bringing to you, from heaven, the forgiveness of your sins. Jesus gives you spiritual peace in Himself. Jesus surrendered Himself to His Father, for you, as the Burnt Offering which was totally consumed on His holy altar. Jesus sacrificed Himself for you. He did so because He loves you. Finally, Jesus is the Peace Offering in the Holy Supper which He gives to you to eat and drink because He has already given you His peace which surpasses all understanding.
In this New Covenant, that is, in His Supper, Jesus forgives your sins. He gives you life and salvation. He justified you in His death, that is, Jesus declares you not guilty before His Father. Jesus prayed to His Father, “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.” (John xvii, 9-10)
Jesus prays for you. You are His. He washed you clean in His Blood and wrote His Name on you. Let us praise our God for His Son, Jesus the Christ, for His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. Jesus forgives you. Jesus loves you. You shall live because He died and rose from the dead – for you.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The text for our consideration is the Old Testament reading in Jeremiah.
Relationships are important to us. We all want to be liked and loved by our neighbors. A relationship with another person is important. In a relationship, we trust one another. We are honest. We show our support in times of trouble. We are fair. We give gifts because we love the other person. We enjoy fellowship with one another. We give and receive comfort from each other. Relationships are built on love and above all else – trust.
Jeremiah speaks of God’s relationship with the world. To understand this relationship, we need to study the work of God when He instituted the Old Covenant with Moses on Mount Sinai.
In the Book of Exodus, we hear how our Lord brought Israel out of Egypt. After He brought them forth, by the hand, from the bondage in Egypt, the Lord brought them to Mount Sinai. On this holy mountain, the Lord spoke to Moses and cut His covenant with Israel. The Lord gave Moses His Law to give to Israel. The Lord gave His Law because He loved the world. He gave the Law to protect His Children from harm, danger, and sin.
The Old Covenant consisted of trust. The Lord said “You shall not make anything to be with Me—gods of silver or gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves. An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you.” (Ex. xx, 23-24)
Under the Old Covenant, Israel was to offer Burnt Offerings and Peace Offerings to the Lord. Let’s ponder each for just a moment.
The Burnt Offering was totally consumed on God’s altar. The Burnt Offering illustrated our Lord’s total sacrifice of Himself on the cross. Total self-sacrifice, as pictured in the total burning of the Burnt Offering, describes love.
God is love. He loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for the sins of the world. God’s Son, Jesus, offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice for the world to save you from sin, death, and the devil.
St. Paul tells you and me about our relationship with each other and the world in Jesus Christ. St. Paul encourages you, me, and all Christians to imitate Christ’s love, “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Eph. v, 2) Love finds its greatest expression in self-sacrifice, the total giving of one’s life for God and man. St. John writes, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (I John iii, 16)
We learned earlier that trust was part of every relationship. Trust is very important. When trust is lost, pain, suffering, hate all enter into the relationship or the relationship could be lost altogether because trust is broken.
The Lord asked Adam and Eve to trust Him. The Lord asked Israel to trust Him. The Lord asks you and me to trust Him. Did they? Do we? No! In fact, trust was the very first thing the Lord wrote on those stone tablets. “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Ex. xx, 3) We all break this Commandment because we are sinners. When we disobey God, we must repent of our sin and confess it to Him and ask Him to forgive us. God’s mercy, compassion, and love are so great that He does forgive us.
Another part of the Old Covenant is the Peace Offering. Now many people throughout time have thought that the Peace Offering was made to make peace with God. Such a belief is not correct. The Peace Offering was made to God made in grateful acknowledgement of the peace, that is, the blessings received from God.
The Peace Offering was the third part of the Jewish Sacrificial System whereby the sinner demonstrated that peace from God was a realized fact. The first part was the Sin Offering which conveyed the forgiveness of sins thus bringing spiritual peace to the sinner from God. The second was the burnt offering signifying the self-surrender of the sinner whereby the sinner realized his peace with God. The third is the Peace Offering which was particularly associated with a meal eaten with thanksgiving and praise. The joyful eating of the Peace Offering is the primary activity. One does not eat and celebrate if there is no peace, and one does not eat and celebrate to create peace, but one eats and celebrates because there is peace!
The history of Israel since the days of Moses was one of persistent failure. Israel failed to live according to the terms of the covenant the Lord cut with them. Israel was not capable of obeying the Law or acknowledging the Lord as God. A new covenant was needed.
So the Lord speaks through Jeremiah and tells Israel and the world that He is going to cut a New Covenant. “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.” (Jer. xxxi, 34)
Remember, to cut a covenant, a sacrifice must be made and blood must be poured out on the altar.
The Lord institutes a New Covenant with us in His Son, Jesus Christ. No longer do we need to instruct others saying, “Know God” like Israel did because all people know the Lord from young to old, from the least to the greatest. To know God is to have the intimate personal knowledge that two people have with each other in a relationship that touches the mind, the emotions, and the will.
The Lord did this for all people when He wrote His Law in the minds and on the hearts of all people. He established a personal relationship with all people in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant (testament) in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’” (I Cor. xi, 25) Jesus entered the holy sanctuary of heaven and poured out His Blood for the world to redeem all men from their sins. Jesus purchased all men back from death itself with His suffering and death on the cross. On this holy altar, He revealed Himself to all people so that all who believe in Him shall not die but live forever. This is the Great Exchange between heaven and earth. The Son of God laid down His life to give life to all believers.
In Jeremiah, the Lord says to the world, that in this New Covenant, “I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (Jer. xxxi, 34b) Jeremiah prophesies about the coming of the Messiah who will save the world from death and give to all who believe in Him the forgiveness of their sins, life, and salvation.
The Lord says to you today, “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Ps. 100, 11-12)
In His new Covenant, Jesus offered Himself, on our behalf, as the Sin Offering bringing to you, from heaven, the forgiveness of your sins. Jesus gives you spiritual peace in Himself. Jesus surrendered Himself to His Father, for you, as the Burnt Offering which was totally consumed on His holy altar. Jesus sacrificed Himself for you. He did so because He loves you. Finally, Jesus is the Peace Offering in the Holy Supper which He gives to you to eat and drink because He has already given you His peace which surpasses all understanding.
In this New Covenant, that is, in His Supper, Jesus forgives your sins. He gives you life and salvation. He justified you in His death, that is, Jesus declares you not guilty before His Father. Jesus prayed to His Father, “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.” (John xvii, 9-10)
Jesus prays for you. You are His. He washed you clean in His Blood and wrote His Name on you. Let us praise our God for His Son, Jesus the Christ, for His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. Jesus forgives you. Jesus loves you. You shall live because He died and rose from the dead – for you.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ John 3:14-21 +
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Jesu Jevu.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (I Tim. i, 2)
The Nation of Israel lived a life that was quite repetitive; faith, sin, confession, deliverance. This same cycle is the same for the life of the Christian.
Israel wasn’t happy or satisfied with their present station in life. The Lord delivered them from bondage in Egypt. The Lord heard their cries for food and fed them. They thirst and the Lord gave them drink. To Israel, these gifts weren’t good enough.
SIN
Israel unleashed their anger against Moses and the Lord by saying, “And the people spoke against God and against Moses: ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.’” (Num. xxi, 5)
To think that life, food, and water from heaven aren’t good enough? Israel sinned. Israel thought they could provide better for themselves. We act the same way. We aren’t that appreciative for the gifts the Lord gives us. We complain. We confront the Lord and say, “Why have You allowed us to suffer during this recession? What did we do to deserve this? Why are we struggling financially? We’ve worked hard all our life and now this? Why me? Why now? We aren’t happy or satisfied that we are eating hamburger helper and drinking water from the tap. Why can’t we have our steaks and bottled water?
We are sinners. We attack each other with our forked tongues. We are selfish creatures. We haven’t learned one thing from the past. Because of Israel’s disobedience, “So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.” (Num. xxi, 6) Many from the Nation of Israel died in their iniquity. The same goes for sinners today. Many will reject the Lord and will die in their iniquity. So we pray, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark ix, 24)
REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, & INTERCESSION
While the fiery serpents slithering among the people of Israel and biting them, injecting their deadly venom into their bodies, Israel repented and cried out to Moses, “’We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people.” (Num. xxi, 7)
Israel comes before their brother, Moses, and confesses their sin. They petition Moses to intercede on their behalf to the Lord for deliverance from the fiery serpents. Moses hears their confession and prays to the Lord on behalf of Israel. Israel says, “Amen” to the Lord for what He has already said to them.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (I John i, 8-10)
When we sin, and we sin daily, we have the promise of God that we can come before Him in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. St. Paul says to Timothy and to us to day, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” (I Tim. ii, 5)
Israel confessed their sin to Moses. Moses interceded on their behalf to the Lord. The Lord heard their confession and gave Moses the deliverance from the fiery serpents that Israel pleaded for so they would not die.
Bazaar as this cure is, the Lord knew what He was doing. For the Nation of Israel, the serpent was inseparably bound to the story of the fall. This was Satan’s disguise, the emblem of sin and death and all that is anti-God. Shall they look to that which cannot but bring to their remembrance the origin of all that is evil in the world? Yes, they shall, for there is healing nowhere else. (Bird: Fusion Trees, 60) Israel must trust the Lord for their deliverance.
DELIVERANCE
The Lord is merciful. He heals. He enlivens. He shows compassion. (Bird: Trees)
“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” (Num. xxi, 8-9)
The Lord instructed Moses to raise a fiery serpent on a pole so that all who were bitten and looked upon it would live. The Lord used an emblem for healing which also shows Israel the source of their pain – sin itself. (Bird: Trees) So it is with us sinners and all sinners in the world. We have all been bitten by the Great Dragon. The venom of his poison runs through our souls. We are dead unless the Father in heaven delivers us from death.
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John iii, 14-15)
The Son of God was lifted up on a staff on a small outside Jerusalem. He hung between two thieves like a common criminal. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. iv, 15)
Our Father shows the world His mercy. He raises the staff in Jerusalem with the emblem that shows the world their salvation – He shows the world that life is yours when you believe in His Son, Jesus the Christ.
This banner that flew for six hours over Jerusalem for the world to see is the emblem of healing, forgiveness, life, and salvation.
Our Lord Jesus is the heavenly divine sign that reveals to the world the will of God that man be saved by faith alone, not by good works. This sign of God depicting His only begotten Son is foolishness to the world. The sinner can’t believe such a simple message.
“Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? Some seek after signs and others seek wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to some a stumbling block and to others foolishness, but to those who are called, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (I Cor. i, 20-25 paraphrased)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John iii, 16-17)
Thus, on the cross we see our Serpent of salvation, the very Holy One of God who became like Satan that He might defeat Satan. Atop that piece of wood hung the world’s sin, death, and punishment, all compacted with the flesh and bones of Jesus. Now, we are directed to look to Him to be saved. Jesus is lifted up “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John iii, 15)
In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through + Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Jesu Jevu.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (I Tim. i, 2)
The Nation of Israel lived a life that was quite repetitive; faith, sin, confession, deliverance. This same cycle is the same for the life of the Christian.
Israel wasn’t happy or satisfied with their present station in life. The Lord delivered them from bondage in Egypt. The Lord heard their cries for food and fed them. They thirst and the Lord gave them drink. To Israel, these gifts weren’t good enough.
SIN
Israel unleashed their anger against Moses and the Lord by saying, “And the people spoke against God and against Moses: ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.’” (Num. xxi, 5)
To think that life, food, and water from heaven aren’t good enough? Israel sinned. Israel thought they could provide better for themselves. We act the same way. We aren’t that appreciative for the gifts the Lord gives us. We complain. We confront the Lord and say, “Why have You allowed us to suffer during this recession? What did we do to deserve this? Why are we struggling financially? We’ve worked hard all our life and now this? Why me? Why now? We aren’t happy or satisfied that we are eating hamburger helper and drinking water from the tap. Why can’t we have our steaks and bottled water?
We are sinners. We attack each other with our forked tongues. We are selfish creatures. We haven’t learned one thing from the past. Because of Israel’s disobedience, “So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.” (Num. xxi, 6) Many from the Nation of Israel died in their iniquity. The same goes for sinners today. Many will reject the Lord and will die in their iniquity. So we pray, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark ix, 24)
REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, & INTERCESSION
While the fiery serpents slithering among the people of Israel and biting them, injecting their deadly venom into their bodies, Israel repented and cried out to Moses, “’We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people.” (Num. xxi, 7)
Israel comes before their brother, Moses, and confesses their sin. They petition Moses to intercede on their behalf to the Lord for deliverance from the fiery serpents. Moses hears their confession and prays to the Lord on behalf of Israel. Israel says, “Amen” to the Lord for what He has already said to them.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (I John i, 8-10)
When we sin, and we sin daily, we have the promise of God that we can come before Him in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. St. Paul says to Timothy and to us to day, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” (I Tim. ii, 5)
Israel confessed their sin to Moses. Moses interceded on their behalf to the Lord. The Lord heard their confession and gave Moses the deliverance from the fiery serpents that Israel pleaded for so they would not die.
Bazaar as this cure is, the Lord knew what He was doing. For the Nation of Israel, the serpent was inseparably bound to the story of the fall. This was Satan’s disguise, the emblem of sin and death and all that is anti-God. Shall they look to that which cannot but bring to their remembrance the origin of all that is evil in the world? Yes, they shall, for there is healing nowhere else. (Bird: Fusion Trees, 60) Israel must trust the Lord for their deliverance.
DELIVERANCE
The Lord is merciful. He heals. He enlivens. He shows compassion. (Bird: Trees)
“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” (Num. xxi, 8-9)
The Lord instructed Moses to raise a fiery serpent on a pole so that all who were bitten and looked upon it would live. The Lord used an emblem for healing which also shows Israel the source of their pain – sin itself. (Bird: Trees) So it is with us sinners and all sinners in the world. We have all been bitten by the Great Dragon. The venom of his poison runs through our souls. We are dead unless the Father in heaven delivers us from death.
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John iii, 14-15)
The Son of God was lifted up on a staff on a small outside Jerusalem. He hung between two thieves like a common criminal. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. iv, 15)
Our Father shows the world His mercy. He raises the staff in Jerusalem with the emblem that shows the world their salvation – He shows the world that life is yours when you believe in His Son, Jesus the Christ.
This banner that flew for six hours over Jerusalem for the world to see is the emblem of healing, forgiveness, life, and salvation.
Our Lord Jesus is the heavenly divine sign that reveals to the world the will of God that man be saved by faith alone, not by good works. This sign of God depicting His only begotten Son is foolishness to the world. The sinner can’t believe such a simple message.
“Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? Some seek after signs and others seek wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to some a stumbling block and to others foolishness, but to those who are called, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (I Cor. i, 20-25 paraphrased)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John iii, 16-17)
Thus, on the cross we see our Serpent of salvation, the very Holy One of God who became like Satan that He might defeat Satan. Atop that piece of wood hung the world’s sin, death, and punishment, all compacted with the flesh and bones of Jesus. Now, we are directed to look to Him to be saved. Jesus is lifted up “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John iii, 15)
In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through + Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Saturday, March 21, 2009
+ Luke 23:26-33 + "Nails"
Jesus, help me.
In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I say to “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Luke xxiii, 28)
I warned you when I entered the city about your destruction. You did not hear Me. Before I came, My Father sent John to you. John “preached a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Luke iii, 3) You rejected him. I traveled throughout the region preaching and teaching that the kingdom of God is hand. You did not hear Me. You rejected Me.
I’ve called you to repent for three years and you rejected My teaching. Now, in the face My impending death is the “day of your visitation.” (Luke xix, 44) Do not cry for Me. I am doing what My Father sent Me to do. I must be lifted up as a banner for the world to see. I must go to the cross and offer My life as the sacrifice to My Father to atone for the sins of the world.
“My Father loves Me. I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. ” (John x, 17-18a) I love you. I was born in the flesh for you. I humbled Myself and put Myself under My Father’s Law – for you. I was called a liar and nearly killed – for you. I was betrayed by one of My own disciples.
REPENT Daughters of Jerusalem. Turn from your evil ways. Do not succumb to the evil one’s temptations. I am the Light of the world. “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, that you may become sons of light.” (John xii, 35-36)
I laid Myself out on My Father’s altar for all to see. The Roman soldiers affixed Me to the altar with nails through My hands and feet. I challenged the Devil beneath the earth to combat. During this great battle, the Devil bruised My head, that is, I died. However, with My feet, I crushed the head of the Ancient Dragon and destroyed his palace forever.
I hung on the cross for the world to see. I will gather unto Myself, from the four corners of the world, all nations before My throne. I will ask each soul to give an account. Do you believe in Me? If your answer is – yes – then on My right you go. If you deny Me, I will deny you before My Father and the holy angels. (Luke xii, 9) To the righteous on My right, I will usher into the kingdom where I have prepared a place for you. To the unrighteous on My left, I will send you to hell to live with your father, the devil, who is the father of lies.
Truly, truly, I say to you, Do not cry for Me. Cry for yourselves and your children because you do not repent of your sins. Cry for those who condemn and persecute Me, since they will not share in the redemption I bring to the world.
REPENT!
I came to bring life to the world. I came to conquer sin, death, and the devil. I gave you life when I baptized you into My death. Just as My Father brought Me forth from the grave by His glory, you shall walk in the newness of life with Me in paradise. (Rom. vi, 3-4)
I gave you life because you believe in Me. I forgive your sins because you came, as a child, humble in heart, with your confession. I feed you My Body and Blood because you hunger and thirst for righteousness. (Matt. v, 6)
Do not weep for Me. Repent of your sins and your tears of repentance and mourning will be turned into tears of joy when I come to bring you into My Father’s house where I have prepared a place for you. (John xiv, 2)
Feel the nails which you hold in your hand. Those nails are a symbol of the nails driven through My hands and feet for you. The nails affixed me to the altar. I was alone. The world mocked Me. My Father forsook Me. I cried out, “It is finished!” I gave My life in exchange for yours.
I died in your place sinner. I paid the price for your sins. You are now free. I declare you not guilty by the very blood I spilled at the base of My Father’s altar. I, the Lamb of God, took away your sin and the sin of the world.
Believe in Me and you will live. Go now, go in My peace. Your sins are forgiven. Go and sin no more. (John viii, 11)
In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I say to “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Luke xxiii, 28)
I warned you when I entered the city about your destruction. You did not hear Me. Before I came, My Father sent John to you. John “preached a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Luke iii, 3) You rejected him. I traveled throughout the region preaching and teaching that the kingdom of God is hand. You did not hear Me. You rejected Me.
I’ve called you to repent for three years and you rejected My teaching. Now, in the face My impending death is the “day of your visitation.” (Luke xix, 44) Do not cry for Me. I am doing what My Father sent Me to do. I must be lifted up as a banner for the world to see. I must go to the cross and offer My life as the sacrifice to My Father to atone for the sins of the world.
“My Father loves Me. I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. ” (John x, 17-18a) I love you. I was born in the flesh for you. I humbled Myself and put Myself under My Father’s Law – for you. I was called a liar and nearly killed – for you. I was betrayed by one of My own disciples.
REPENT Daughters of Jerusalem. Turn from your evil ways. Do not succumb to the evil one’s temptations. I am the Light of the world. “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, that you may become sons of light.” (John xii, 35-36)
I laid Myself out on My Father’s altar for all to see. The Roman soldiers affixed Me to the altar with nails through My hands and feet. I challenged the Devil beneath the earth to combat. During this great battle, the Devil bruised My head, that is, I died. However, with My feet, I crushed the head of the Ancient Dragon and destroyed his palace forever.
I hung on the cross for the world to see. I will gather unto Myself, from the four corners of the world, all nations before My throne. I will ask each soul to give an account. Do you believe in Me? If your answer is – yes – then on My right you go. If you deny Me, I will deny you before My Father and the holy angels. (Luke xii, 9) To the righteous on My right, I will usher into the kingdom where I have prepared a place for you. To the unrighteous on My left, I will send you to hell to live with your father, the devil, who is the father of lies.
Truly, truly, I say to you, Do not cry for Me. Cry for yourselves and your children because you do not repent of your sins. Cry for those who condemn and persecute Me, since they will not share in the redemption I bring to the world.
REPENT!
I came to bring life to the world. I came to conquer sin, death, and the devil. I gave you life when I baptized you into My death. Just as My Father brought Me forth from the grave by His glory, you shall walk in the newness of life with Me in paradise. (Rom. vi, 3-4)
I gave you life because you believe in Me. I forgive your sins because you came, as a child, humble in heart, with your confession. I feed you My Body and Blood because you hunger and thirst for righteousness. (Matt. v, 6)
Do not weep for Me. Repent of your sins and your tears of repentance and mourning will be turned into tears of joy when I come to bring you into My Father’s house where I have prepared a place for you. (John xiv, 2)
Feel the nails which you hold in your hand. Those nails are a symbol of the nails driven through My hands and feet for you. The nails affixed me to the altar. I was alone. The world mocked Me. My Father forsook Me. I cried out, “It is finished!” I gave My life in exchange for yours.
I died in your place sinner. I paid the price for your sins. You are now free. I declare you not guilty by the very blood I spilled at the base of My Father’s altar. I, the Lamb of God, took away your sin and the sin of the world.
Believe in Me and you will live. Go now, go in My peace. Your sins are forgiven. Go and sin no more. (John viii, 11)
In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Your answer please....
The church will do anything to get the answer in Bible Class correct...What say you?
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Altar of God at Christmas 2008
Here are a couple pictures of Christmas at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King.
Friday, March 6, 2009
+ Mark 8:27-38 +
Second Sunday in Lent
Jesus, help me.
In the Name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Are you one of those shopping around for a Jesus that suits your fancy? Are you looking for a Jesus who’ll put you in sync with your inward spiritual self and who’ll put you tap the divine potential within yourself? If so, there’s one for you.
Are you looking for a more practical Jesus who’ll help you raise your children with straight A’s and happy smiles, run a successful business, or manage your finances with biblical principles? If so, there’s one for you too.
Or, are you shopping for the open-minded Americanized Jesus who feels equally at home in a church, synagogue, or mosque; who accepts every prayer to any god; the Jesus of many ways, many truths, and many lives? If so, then there is certainly a Jesus for you too.
Whether you choose the spiritual, the practical, the open-minded Jesus, or another such, you’re really getting the same thing – the Jesus who is also known by another name, Satan.
For among the vast number of masks worn by the demons, none is so well used, none is so popular, none is so convincing as the Jesus disguise. For hell is just as happy with those who believe in a fake Jesus, as with those who believe in no Jesus at all.
For there is no difference. There is only one Christ, there is only one Jesus, there is only one Savior, but there are a world full of imitations. And each fake Jesus will gladly take you by the hand, walk with you and talk with you, and lead you safely through this world until you hear, “Well done, good and faithful fool,” spoken by the devil below. (Chad Bird)
The Son of the One true God, the God-Man, Jesus the Christ says to you, “deny yourself.” Jesus says to deny your sinful fleshly self. Your human flesh and blood is sinful and furnishes you no strength. Your sinful thoughts, words, and deeds only lead to traps. When you stand alone on your own measure with your own personalized Jesus of this world, you will fail and die in your iniquities.
Jesus says to deny yourself, the world, and your sinful flesh. Jesus says to put away your false gods and pride. Jesus says to submit your life in humility. St. Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. ii, 20)
The “I” of the flesh is dead. The “I” by faith in Christ is alive. The Christians greatest battle is with his own sinful self. In Christ, you can say like St. Paul, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. Viii, 31)
Next, Jesus says, “take up your cross.” Jesus doesn’t say, “Take up His cross” because no one can carry His atoning cross. To take up your cross is to live a sanctified life. “Taking up your cross” is to live in Christ. It is to worship your King with awe and reverence. It is to be obedient to your parents, masters, and authorities. “Taking up your cross” means you will suffer for the Name of Jesus the Christ.
You will suffer persecution for the Name of Jesus. Look now at the drawing on the back of your worship ordo. The caption reads, “This crude drawing with inscription, found in the palace of Septimius Severus (ruled A.D. 193-211), apparently was by a pagan youth who sought to ridicule a fellow student named Alexamenos who was a Christian. The crucifix with a donkey’s head on the figure of Christ reveals the scandal of the cross and the ancient world’s utter contempt for the crucified Christ. The Greek inscription reads, “Alexamenos worships [his] God,” attesting to the Christian belief in the divinity of Christ.”
You, dear Christian, who bear your cross to the place of death have already been sentenced and found guilty. St. Paul teaches us in his Epistle to Rome, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Rom. vi, 1-4)
The cruciform life places you at odds with the world. The world wants you to chase after those false Christ’s that the devil puts before you. Jesus says, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark viii, 35) To lose your life for the Gospel is to inherit the kingdom of God which is now and not yet. When you lose your life in Christ, you live out your Baptism and confess the Name of the One true God and your Savior Jesus the Christ.
To lose your life means to uphold the Word of God. It means to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. To lose your life means Jesus will not be ashamed of you when He comes to judge the world. To lose your life means a daily life of contrition, to be truly sorrow for your sins, repentance, and confession. You lose your life now by believing in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will save it on Judgment Day when our Lord ushers you into His kingdom.
St. Paul tells us in today’s Epistle, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, [that is, declared not guilty,] we shall be saved from wrath through Him [Jesus]. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” (Rom. v, 8-11)
If you were asked “Who is Jesus?” take up your cross and respond, “He is the Christ.” (Mark viii, 29b) Jesus is not the Christ of the many faces, but of one. Jesus is the infant face pressed against His virgin mother’s breast; His is the face wet with river water from John the Baptizer’s hand; His is the face aglow on the Mount of Transfiguration; His is the face set toward Jerusalem; and His face is the face kissed by Judas, slapped by the Jews, defiled by the spit of the ungodly, and spattered red with the sacrificial blood that dripped from His thorn-pierced brow. This is the face of God – the only face that saves you, that forgives you, that shines upon you and gives you peace.
Every drop of Blood that falls from this pulpit, that falls from the watery font, that falls from the chalice onto your tongue – every drop of His Blood is an ocean of absolution for you. The Blood of Christ is painted onto your body and soul to free you from the sword of the destroying Angel. Jesus’ Blood is sprinkled onto the Mercy Seat of the heavenly temple that you might enter the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem above. Jesus’ Blood makes the devils retreat. His Blood moistens the lips of those who thirst for righteousness. His Blood extinguishes the fires of sin that burn in the members of your flesh.
Jesus’ Blood is the Blood poured out for all mankind. His Blood was poured out for you. The Blood of the cross is the Blood of the One and only true Jesus. (Chad Bird)
In the Name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Jesus, help me.
In the Name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Are you one of those shopping around for a Jesus that suits your fancy? Are you looking for a Jesus who’ll put you in sync with your inward spiritual self and who’ll put you tap the divine potential within yourself? If so, there’s one for you.
Are you looking for a more practical Jesus who’ll help you raise your children with straight A’s and happy smiles, run a successful business, or manage your finances with biblical principles? If so, there’s one for you too.
Or, are you shopping for the open-minded Americanized Jesus who feels equally at home in a church, synagogue, or mosque; who accepts every prayer to any god; the Jesus of many ways, many truths, and many lives? If so, then there is certainly a Jesus for you too.
Whether you choose the spiritual, the practical, the open-minded Jesus, or another such, you’re really getting the same thing – the Jesus who is also known by another name, Satan.
For among the vast number of masks worn by the demons, none is so well used, none is so popular, none is so convincing as the Jesus disguise. For hell is just as happy with those who believe in a fake Jesus, as with those who believe in no Jesus at all.
For there is no difference. There is only one Christ, there is only one Jesus, there is only one Savior, but there are a world full of imitations. And each fake Jesus will gladly take you by the hand, walk with you and talk with you, and lead you safely through this world until you hear, “Well done, good and faithful fool,” spoken by the devil below. (Chad Bird)
The Son of the One true God, the God-Man, Jesus the Christ says to you, “deny yourself.” Jesus says to deny your sinful fleshly self. Your human flesh and blood is sinful and furnishes you no strength. Your sinful thoughts, words, and deeds only lead to traps. When you stand alone on your own measure with your own personalized Jesus of this world, you will fail and die in your iniquities.
Jesus says to deny yourself, the world, and your sinful flesh. Jesus says to put away your false gods and pride. Jesus says to submit your life in humility. St. Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. ii, 20)
The “I” of the flesh is dead. The “I” by faith in Christ is alive. The Christians greatest battle is with his own sinful self. In Christ, you can say like St. Paul, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. Viii, 31)
Next, Jesus says, “take up your cross.” Jesus doesn’t say, “Take up His cross” because no one can carry His atoning cross. To take up your cross is to live a sanctified life. “Taking up your cross” is to live in Christ. It is to worship your King with awe and reverence. It is to be obedient to your parents, masters, and authorities. “Taking up your cross” means you will suffer for the Name of Jesus the Christ.
You will suffer persecution for the Name of Jesus. Look now at the drawing on the back of your worship ordo. The caption reads, “This crude drawing with inscription, found in the palace of Septimius Severus (ruled A.D. 193-211), apparently was by a pagan youth who sought to ridicule a fellow student named Alexamenos who was a Christian. The crucifix with a donkey’s head on the figure of Christ reveals the scandal of the cross and the ancient world’s utter contempt for the crucified Christ. The Greek inscription reads, “Alexamenos worships [his] God,” attesting to the Christian belief in the divinity of Christ.”
You, dear Christian, who bear your cross to the place of death have already been sentenced and found guilty. St. Paul teaches us in his Epistle to Rome, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Rom. vi, 1-4)
The cruciform life places you at odds with the world. The world wants you to chase after those false Christ’s that the devil puts before you. Jesus says, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark viii, 35) To lose your life for the Gospel is to inherit the kingdom of God which is now and not yet. When you lose your life in Christ, you live out your Baptism and confess the Name of the One true God and your Savior Jesus the Christ.
To lose your life means to uphold the Word of God. It means to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. To lose your life means Jesus will not be ashamed of you when He comes to judge the world. To lose your life means a daily life of contrition, to be truly sorrow for your sins, repentance, and confession. You lose your life now by believing in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will save it on Judgment Day when our Lord ushers you into His kingdom.
St. Paul tells us in today’s Epistle, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, [that is, declared not guilty,] we shall be saved from wrath through Him [Jesus]. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” (Rom. v, 8-11)
If you were asked “Who is Jesus?” take up your cross and respond, “He is the Christ.” (Mark viii, 29b) Jesus is not the Christ of the many faces, but of one. Jesus is the infant face pressed against His virgin mother’s breast; His is the face wet with river water from John the Baptizer’s hand; His is the face aglow on the Mount of Transfiguration; His is the face set toward Jerusalem; and His face is the face kissed by Judas, slapped by the Jews, defiled by the spit of the ungodly, and spattered red with the sacrificial blood that dripped from His thorn-pierced brow. This is the face of God – the only face that saves you, that forgives you, that shines upon you and gives you peace.
Every drop of Blood that falls from this pulpit, that falls from the watery font, that falls from the chalice onto your tongue – every drop of His Blood is an ocean of absolution for you. The Blood of Christ is painted onto your body and soul to free you from the sword of the destroying Angel. Jesus’ Blood is sprinkled onto the Mercy Seat of the heavenly temple that you might enter the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem above. Jesus’ Blood makes the devils retreat. His Blood moistens the lips of those who thirst for righteousness. His Blood extinguishes the fires of sin that burn in the members of your flesh.
Jesus’ Blood is the Blood poured out for all mankind. His Blood was poured out for you. The Blood of the cross is the Blood of the One and only true Jesus. (Chad Bird)
In the Name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Genesis 22:1-18 +
First Sunday in Lent
Jesus, help me.
The text for our meditation today is the Old Testament just read. Let us consider these words of our Lord, “And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” So far, the Word of the Lord.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Introduction:
We are all tested by God, our parents, teachers, or even our friends at one time or another. How might our parents or teachers test us? First, our parents may ask us to do something around the house or the yard. We may not think this task is necessary so we may ponder whether to do as they ask. The same goes with our teachers. They ask us to do things all the time. This might include staying in a certain area on the playground. It may be to huddle in a corner of the classroom. It may be that we have to write a paper or do a project in class. All of these things are tests. When we do as we are asked, our response to our parents and teachers is an act of obedience and trust. We listen to them. This morning, we heard from God’s Word how Abraham was tested by God. Abraham did just as God told him didn’t he? So, this morning, we are going to look at two people who listened and obeyed God. The first is Abraham and the second is Jesus.
I. God saves Isaac.
A. God commands Abraham to take his only-begotten Son, Isaac, and go up on the mountain and offer him as a burnt offering.
B. The Angel of the Lord stopped Abraham from killing Isaac because Abraham trusted in God above all things.
C. Abraham believed God and trusted Him and because of his faith in God, God spared his son, Isaac. In place of Isaac, God provided a ram for the burnt offering.
Transition:
God spared the life of Isaac because his father, Abraham, believed in God. Abraham was a righteous man because of his faith in God. However, the world and everyone who lives in it are sinners and separated from God and His love “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
II. God saves the world from sin.
A. Because of sin committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden, all men and the world have fallen away from God. We need a Savior. We need someone who will take away the sin of the world and save us from dying and living an eternal death apart from God and His love.
B. God sends His only-begotten Son into the world.
1. Jesus had to be born of the flesh to take on our flesh so that He might take our place under the law.
2. Jesus had to be born of the flesh so that He might be able to suffer and die in our place, as our substitute.
3. Jesus sacrificed Himself upon God’s altar to save all men from their sins.
a. He saved us not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.
b. He died to save us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. The devil can longer accuse us because the Seed of the woman has crushed his head.
c. Jesus did all things perfectly. He trusted His Father who sent Him into this world. This precious Gospel message is simply stated this way, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Conclusion:
God saved the life of Isaac because his father believed in God and trusted Him for everything in his life. Although we fall short of God’s glory because of our sin, we know that we are forgiven of our sins because Jesus died on the cross to give us this precious gift and the gifts of life and salvation. As we continue our Lenten pilgrimage, let us always remember that Jesus sacrificed Himself for each and every one of us so that we may live with Him in heaven one. His promises are sure for all of us this day as He is risen from the grave and lives today at His Father’s right hand, ruling over His creation and taking care of us, His children. Praise be to God for His love and mercy in our lives. God’s promises are sure this day our sins are forgiven for the sake of His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Jesus, help me.
The text for our meditation today is the Old Testament just read. Let us consider these words of our Lord, “And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” So far, the Word of the Lord.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Introduction:
We are all tested by God, our parents, teachers, or even our friends at one time or another. How might our parents or teachers test us? First, our parents may ask us to do something around the house or the yard. We may not think this task is necessary so we may ponder whether to do as they ask. The same goes with our teachers. They ask us to do things all the time. This might include staying in a certain area on the playground. It may be to huddle in a corner of the classroom. It may be that we have to write a paper or do a project in class. All of these things are tests. When we do as we are asked, our response to our parents and teachers is an act of obedience and trust. We listen to them. This morning, we heard from God’s Word how Abraham was tested by God. Abraham did just as God told him didn’t he? So, this morning, we are going to look at two people who listened and obeyed God. The first is Abraham and the second is Jesus.
I. God saves Isaac.
A. God commands Abraham to take his only-begotten Son, Isaac, and go up on the mountain and offer him as a burnt offering.
B. The Angel of the Lord stopped Abraham from killing Isaac because Abraham trusted in God above all things.
C. Abraham believed God and trusted Him and because of his faith in God, God spared his son, Isaac. In place of Isaac, God provided a ram for the burnt offering.
Transition:
God spared the life of Isaac because his father, Abraham, believed in God. Abraham was a righteous man because of his faith in God. However, the world and everyone who lives in it are sinners and separated from God and His love “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
II. God saves the world from sin.
A. Because of sin committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden, all men and the world have fallen away from God. We need a Savior. We need someone who will take away the sin of the world and save us from dying and living an eternal death apart from God and His love.
B. God sends His only-begotten Son into the world.
1. Jesus had to be born of the flesh to take on our flesh so that He might take our place under the law.
2. Jesus had to be born of the flesh so that He might be able to suffer and die in our place, as our substitute.
3. Jesus sacrificed Himself upon God’s altar to save all men from their sins.
a. He saved us not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.
b. He died to save us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. The devil can longer accuse us because the Seed of the woman has crushed his head.
c. Jesus did all things perfectly. He trusted His Father who sent Him into this world. This precious Gospel message is simply stated this way, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Conclusion:
God saved the life of Isaac because his father believed in God and trusted Him for everything in his life. Although we fall short of God’s glory because of our sin, we know that we are forgiven of our sins because Jesus died on the cross to give us this precious gift and the gifts of life and salvation. As we continue our Lenten pilgrimage, let us always remember that Jesus sacrificed Himself for each and every one of us so that we may live with Him in heaven one. His promises are sure for all of us this day as He is risen from the grave and lives today at His Father’s right hand, ruling over His creation and taking care of us, His children. Praise be to God for His love and mercy in our lives. God’s promises are sure this day our sins are forgiven for the sake of His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Luke 22:39-46 +
Ash Wednesday - "Stone"
Jesus, help me.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (i Tim. i, 4)
Prayer is a gift from God. Prayer is conversation with God our Father. Tonight, Jesus goes into the Garden to pray. Jesus goes to talk His Father.
Jesus goes to pray because He is suffering in His heart from the weight of the sin of the world. As the divine wrath of the Father crushed His Son, Jesus shed His Blood for you and for the whole world.
Jesus makes His own to be partakers of His suffering and tribulation, even as He takes along his disciples with Him into the Garden. Yet, such suffering by Christians indeed bears no comparison to the suffering by Jesus, neither to its greatness nor to its effects or results.
Jesus is in the Garden on the Mount of Olives. He goes to pray a stone’s throw from Peter, James, and John. Jesus does not abandon them. He goes off and secludes Himself to speak with His Father.
In the Garden, the farmers would place olive presses strategically throughout so the olive pickers didn’t have so far to walk. When they picked the olives, they would take them to the closest press and the operator would then begin to harvest the oil by squeezing the olives in the press.
This illustrates the suffering of our Lord Jesus. He comes to the Garden on the night He is going to be betrayed, suffering under the weight of sin and now the wrath of His Father begins to press down on Him. The pain is excruciating. His suffering is great. Jesus is in so much pain that He sweats blood. He pours out His blood for all mankind; suffering all for you and for me.
The sin and disobedience of our first parents brought sin and death into the world. Our sin and disobedience contribute to the suffering Jesus endured. We are to blame for the innocent blood shed that night in the Garden. Our sin and the sin of the world did this to Jesus.
Jesus was not only suffering the weight of the sin of the world; He was also suffering from the temptations of Satan too. Just as Jesus was tempted in the wilderness at the beginning of His ministry, He is again assaulted by the evil one of this world. Satan hurls everything he can at Jesus so He won’t go to the cross.
Jesus is so sorrowful that He says, “My soul is grievously afflicted unto death.” (Matt. xxvi, 38) This is the kind of sorrow that numbs the understanding, causes ones hands to fall to their side and causes the feet to be unable to carry the master.
Suffering under the weight of the world’s sin and His soul hurting from the anguish of His Father’s wrath, His strength gone from His body, Jesus calls to His knees in prayer. He pleads with His Father, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke xxii, 42)
Jesus weak and tempted prays that His Father’s will be done. Jesus battled the temptations of Satan by trusting His Father and a disciplined prayer life. Jesus encourages us to pray that we may not enter into temptation.
We are weak just like the disciples. Jesus gives us the same warning. Pray. Pray incessantly. Jesus says, “…I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” (John xvi, 23)
Our Lord and Savior suffered in the Garden for you. He went to cross to die for your sins. On the cross, with the weight of the world’s sin on His shoulders, the fire of His Father’s wrath upon Him, Jesus died to give you life; the great exchange for the world. The life of God’s only Son sacrificed on the altar of God in exchange for the life of the world.
As we journey with Jesus these next 40 days and nights, let us prepare our hearts to receive His gifts, especially the gift of life given to us by our Savior in Baptism when He washed us clean and called us to be His own.
Pray lest you fall into temptation. Pray to your Father, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.” (Ps. iv, 1)
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Jesus, help me.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (i Tim. i, 4)
Prayer is a gift from God. Prayer is conversation with God our Father. Tonight, Jesus goes into the Garden to pray. Jesus goes to talk His Father.
Jesus goes to pray because He is suffering in His heart from the weight of the sin of the world. As the divine wrath of the Father crushed His Son, Jesus shed His Blood for you and for the whole world.
Jesus makes His own to be partakers of His suffering and tribulation, even as He takes along his disciples with Him into the Garden. Yet, such suffering by Christians indeed bears no comparison to the suffering by Jesus, neither to its greatness nor to its effects or results.
Jesus is in the Garden on the Mount of Olives. He goes to pray a stone’s throw from Peter, James, and John. Jesus does not abandon them. He goes off and secludes Himself to speak with His Father.
In the Garden, the farmers would place olive presses strategically throughout so the olive pickers didn’t have so far to walk. When they picked the olives, they would take them to the closest press and the operator would then begin to harvest the oil by squeezing the olives in the press.
This illustrates the suffering of our Lord Jesus. He comes to the Garden on the night He is going to be betrayed, suffering under the weight of sin and now the wrath of His Father begins to press down on Him. The pain is excruciating. His suffering is great. Jesus is in so much pain that He sweats blood. He pours out His blood for all mankind; suffering all for you and for me.
The sin and disobedience of our first parents brought sin and death into the world. Our sin and disobedience contribute to the suffering Jesus endured. We are to blame for the innocent blood shed that night in the Garden. Our sin and the sin of the world did this to Jesus.
Jesus was not only suffering the weight of the sin of the world; He was also suffering from the temptations of Satan too. Just as Jesus was tempted in the wilderness at the beginning of His ministry, He is again assaulted by the evil one of this world. Satan hurls everything he can at Jesus so He won’t go to the cross.
Jesus is so sorrowful that He says, “My soul is grievously afflicted unto death.” (Matt. xxvi, 38) This is the kind of sorrow that numbs the understanding, causes ones hands to fall to their side and causes the feet to be unable to carry the master.
Suffering under the weight of the world’s sin and His soul hurting from the anguish of His Father’s wrath, His strength gone from His body, Jesus calls to His knees in prayer. He pleads with His Father, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke xxii, 42)
Jesus weak and tempted prays that His Father’s will be done. Jesus battled the temptations of Satan by trusting His Father and a disciplined prayer life. Jesus encourages us to pray that we may not enter into temptation.
We are weak just like the disciples. Jesus gives us the same warning. Pray. Pray incessantly. Jesus says, “…I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” (John xvi, 23)
Our Lord and Savior suffered in the Garden for you. He went to cross to die for your sins. On the cross, with the weight of the world’s sin on His shoulders, the fire of His Father’s wrath upon Him, Jesus died to give you life; the great exchange for the world. The life of God’s only Son sacrificed on the altar of God in exchange for the life of the world.
As we journey with Jesus these next 40 days and nights, let us prepare our hearts to receive His gifts, especially the gift of life given to us by our Savior in Baptism when He washed us clean and called us to be His own.
Pray lest you fall into temptation. Pray to your Father, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.” (Ps. iv, 1)
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Mark 9:2-9 +
The Transfiguration of our Lord
Jesus, help me.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Holy is He! Holy is the Lord your God. As sinners, you are dead. You seek your own desires. You blaspheme the Holy One. You take the Lord for granted. You say you will serve Him and proclaim His Name but instead, you hide and cower in the darkness. You love the evil of this world. You love yourself more than God.
As sinners, you cannot help yourselves. You are weak. You are self-centered. Your love is shallow. Repent! The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and turn from your wickedness.
Your brother, Peter, was weak too. He wanted to stay on the mountain. He wanted no part of Mount Calvary, that new and greater Zion where God’s Blood was spilt and the Scapegoat bore our sins to death, where God was revealed and seen not in glory but in His humble, bloody, dying mercy. To his shame, he wanted no part of Mount Calvary.
Your Lord knew His way. He discussed His exodus, that His death, with Moses and Elijah. Jesus knew He must go through Calvary to complete the mission His Father sent Him to do. There is no other way. You either die to this life and ascend or you die in eternal death and descend.
Peter learned from Jesus “that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8, 31) Peter learned that “salvation is of the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9) Peter continued to listen to Jesus and His Word. Peter repented and lived. You also learn. You come to God’s holy House of Prayer to listen. You come to listen to Jesus in His Word. You come to confess your sins and receive the mercy of God in His absolution.
Your life is transformed by the Word of God. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom. 12, 2) Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The gift of life is a gift from God. You received this gift in Holy Baptism.
Your life was transformed in Christ when He washed you clean in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Your life, “with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (II Cor 3, 18)
You are a sinner. You are dead in your trespasses. However, you are also a saint. You are alive in Jesus the Christ who suffered and died for your sins. Your life is a gift from God. The life you have is because Jesus “gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” (Gal 1, 4)
Redeemed by Christ, You no longer stand in this world but in the coming world. Your name is written in the Book of Life. Your life is in Christ. He bound you to Himself in your Baptism. He clothed you in His righteousness. Your robed is no longer black but white.
In Christ, you are alive. The Holy One of God suffered, died, and rose from the dead to give you life. He is victorious. He lives! His victory is your victory. Believing in Jesus, you have His promise that you will be numbered among the saints in heaven, clothed in a white robed, worshiping and praising the Ancient of Days and His Son on the throne in Zion.
God strengthened Peter for the journey by giving him a glimpse of His glory on the mountain. It did not keep Peter from stumbling from time to time. Nor did it take away all of Peter's troubles in this life. But neither did Peter's stumbling keep God from loving and saving him. Again and again, despite Peter's sin, God intervened and welcomed him back. This is the way God works - by grace, in mercy, through the Law and the Gospel. It was so for Peter, and it is so also for you. Listen to Him! Behold the glory of His Word. Behold He invites, He welcomes, He absolves, He loves. Behold, His mercy.
Come, and eat what Peter saw on the Mountain. Be strengthened by that eating, by being joined to the Flesh of Mary's womb shining with God's true love, united to Divine majesty. Be consoled and comforted by the God who has gone before you to bring you to him. And rejoice in the company of Moses, Elijah, Peter, and the whole cloud of witnesses already at rest. For there on the mountain Peter saw his future - and yours.
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
Jesus, help me.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Holy is He! Holy is the Lord your God. As sinners, you are dead. You seek your own desires. You blaspheme the Holy One. You take the Lord for granted. You say you will serve Him and proclaim His Name but instead, you hide and cower in the darkness. You love the evil of this world. You love yourself more than God.
As sinners, you cannot help yourselves. You are weak. You are self-centered. Your love is shallow. Repent! The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and turn from your wickedness.
Your brother, Peter, was weak too. He wanted to stay on the mountain. He wanted no part of Mount Calvary, that new and greater Zion where God’s Blood was spilt and the Scapegoat bore our sins to death, where God was revealed and seen not in glory but in His humble, bloody, dying mercy. To his shame, he wanted no part of Mount Calvary.
Your Lord knew His way. He discussed His exodus, that His death, with Moses and Elijah. Jesus knew He must go through Calvary to complete the mission His Father sent Him to do. There is no other way. You either die to this life and ascend or you die in eternal death and descend.
Peter learned from Jesus “that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8, 31) Peter learned that “salvation is of the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9) Peter continued to listen to Jesus and His Word. Peter repented and lived. You also learn. You come to God’s holy House of Prayer to listen. You come to listen to Jesus in His Word. You come to confess your sins and receive the mercy of God in His absolution.
Your life is transformed by the Word of God. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom. 12, 2) Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The gift of life is a gift from God. You received this gift in Holy Baptism.
Your life was transformed in Christ when He washed you clean in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Your life, “with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (II Cor 3, 18)
You are a sinner. You are dead in your trespasses. However, you are also a saint. You are alive in Jesus the Christ who suffered and died for your sins. Your life is a gift from God. The life you have is because Jesus “gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” (Gal 1, 4)
Redeemed by Christ, You no longer stand in this world but in the coming world. Your name is written in the Book of Life. Your life is in Christ. He bound you to Himself in your Baptism. He clothed you in His righteousness. Your robed is no longer black but white.
In Christ, you are alive. The Holy One of God suffered, died, and rose from the dead to give you life. He is victorious. He lives! His victory is your victory. Believing in Jesus, you have His promise that you will be numbered among the saints in heaven, clothed in a white robed, worshiping and praising the Ancient of Days and His Son on the throne in Zion.
God strengthened Peter for the journey by giving him a glimpse of His glory on the mountain. It did not keep Peter from stumbling from time to time. Nor did it take away all of Peter's troubles in this life. But neither did Peter's stumbling keep God from loving and saving him. Again and again, despite Peter's sin, God intervened and welcomed him back. This is the way God works - by grace, in mercy, through the Law and the Gospel. It was so for Peter, and it is so also for you. Listen to Him! Behold the glory of His Word. Behold He invites, He welcomes, He absolves, He loves. Behold, His mercy.
Come, and eat what Peter saw on the Mountain. Be strengthened by that eating, by being joined to the Flesh of Mary's womb shining with God's true love, united to Divine majesty. Be consoled and comforted by the God who has gone before you to bring you to him. And rejoice in the company of Moses, Elijah, Peter, and the whole cloud of witnesses already at rest. For there on the mountain Peter saw his future - and yours.
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
+ Matthew 8:1-13 +
Jesus, help me.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This evening, we will meditate on the Old Testament and the Holy Gospel.
Introduction:
The LAW and the GOSPEL of the Holy Scriptures can be summarized with two simple words – DO and DONE. The LAW tells us what WE MUST DO to be saved. That’s right – If you want to be in charge of your salvation, all you have to do is fulfill God’s LAW and you will live. This is precisely what Jesus said to the lawyer when the lawyer asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life. The Gospel, on the other hand, tell us what Jesus, the very Son of God, has already DONE for us with His death on the cross. There is no greater message in the world than that of Jesus Christ and Him crucified!
I. “DO!”
A. Naaman was a powerful man.
B. He was the Commander of the Syrian Army.
C. He was a man of valor, that is, a man strong in mind and spirit in order to do brave things in the face of danger.
D. Naaman was also a sinner and a leper.
E. What Naaman couldn’t with all of his power, authority, and bravery was heal his own disease of leprosy.
1. The king of Syria sent Naaman to the king of Israel where the Israelite slave said Naaman could be healed.
2. The king of Israel was outraged that this man was sent to him and tore his clothes. He said, “Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me.”
3. When Elisha heard that the king tore his clothes, he sent word to the king saying, “Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
4. When Naaman arrived, Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.”
a. Where’s the magic?
b. Where is the thunder?
c. Where is the great miracle?
d. Is this all you’re going to do is tell me to jump in this dirty river? There are greater waters in the rivers of Damascus. I could go there and be clean.
F. Naaman trusted no one, only himself.
G. Naaman was furious. He thought he knew more than Elisha. Naaman thought going into the river was a stupid idea.
H. As sinners, we are just like Naaman. We think we’ve got all the answers. We know better than God Himself. We don’t want to listen to anyone else’s ideas or follow anyone else’s advice when it comes to the matters of our own lives. We’re the BOSS! We know it all!
Transition:
As baptized Children of God in Christ Jesus, we know better than to act as Naaman did and therefore humble ourselves before God, just like the leper that came to Jesus in the Gospel, and we plead with God, for the sake of Your Son, have mercy on us and ask Him to heal us of our iniquities.
II. “DONE!”
A. As Children of God, we know the truth about God.
B. As Children of God, we obey His Word.
1. When we don’t, we are sorry for our sins.
2. When we don’t obey, we repent.
C. As Children of God, we are able to come to God because Jesus has DONE all things for us in His death.
1. We do not need to fear sickness.
2. We do not need to fear humiliation.
3. We do not need to fear anxiety or despair.
4. We do not need to worry.
D. As Children of God, all God asks of us is to trust in Him alone.
E. This is what the leper did when he came to Jesus.
1. He trusted Him.
2. He worshiped Him.
3. He asked Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
4. This is what our Lord and Savior asks us to do.
a. He says, “Ask, and it will be given to you.”
b. He says, “Seek, and you will find.”
c. He says, “Knock, and it will be opened to you.”
5. We come before our Lord and ask Him to forgive us of our sins.
6. Jesus says, through the mouth of His servant, “I forgive you.”
Application:
Just like Naaman, we are selfish and self-relying sinners. However, we are also just the leper who knows and trusts in God for all things and so we come and worship the King who saved the world by dying on a wooden tree like a common criminal. We are simultaneously saint and sinner. Yes, brothers and sisters, this bloody cross which our Lord was affixed is where we see Him in all His glory. Our faith and all our strength comes from the God-Man who was pierced, beaten, and afflicted for each and every one of us. Because of Jesus and His love for us, we are healed. We are forgiven. We have all of these wonderful gifts because we are the baptized. God purchased us back from sin, death, and the devil at the greatest price of all; the death of His only-begotten Son. Yes, as Christians, we come and we worship. We bow low before our King and say, Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. We trust in the Word of God and all the power it holds. The response from our King, our Lord, our Savior, and our God is this: Rise, your sins are forgiven. Go and sin no more. Truly, truly, I say to you, this is most certainly true. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This evening, we will meditate on the Old Testament and the Holy Gospel.
Introduction:
The LAW and the GOSPEL of the Holy Scriptures can be summarized with two simple words – DO and DONE. The LAW tells us what WE MUST DO to be saved. That’s right – If you want to be in charge of your salvation, all you have to do is fulfill God’s LAW and you will live. This is precisely what Jesus said to the lawyer when the lawyer asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life. The Gospel, on the other hand, tell us what Jesus, the very Son of God, has already DONE for us with His death on the cross. There is no greater message in the world than that of Jesus Christ and Him crucified!
I. “DO!”
A. Naaman was a powerful man.
B. He was the Commander of the Syrian Army.
C. He was a man of valor, that is, a man strong in mind and spirit in order to do brave things in the face of danger.
D. Naaman was also a sinner and a leper.
E. What Naaman couldn’t with all of his power, authority, and bravery was heal his own disease of leprosy.
1. The king of Syria sent Naaman to the king of Israel where the Israelite slave said Naaman could be healed.
2. The king of Israel was outraged that this man was sent to him and tore his clothes. He said, “Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to heal him of his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me.”
3. When Elisha heard that the king tore his clothes, he sent word to the king saying, “Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.”
4. When Naaman arrived, Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.”
a. Where’s the magic?
b. Where is the thunder?
c. Where is the great miracle?
d. Is this all you’re going to do is tell me to jump in this dirty river? There are greater waters in the rivers of Damascus. I could go there and be clean.
F. Naaman trusted no one, only himself.
G. Naaman was furious. He thought he knew more than Elisha. Naaman thought going into the river was a stupid idea.
H. As sinners, we are just like Naaman. We think we’ve got all the answers. We know better than God Himself. We don’t want to listen to anyone else’s ideas or follow anyone else’s advice when it comes to the matters of our own lives. We’re the BOSS! We know it all!
Transition:
As baptized Children of God in Christ Jesus, we know better than to act as Naaman did and therefore humble ourselves before God, just like the leper that came to Jesus in the Gospel, and we plead with God, for the sake of Your Son, have mercy on us and ask Him to heal us of our iniquities.
II. “DONE!”
A. As Children of God, we know the truth about God.
B. As Children of God, we obey His Word.
1. When we don’t, we are sorry for our sins.
2. When we don’t obey, we repent.
C. As Children of God, we are able to come to God because Jesus has DONE all things for us in His death.
1. We do not need to fear sickness.
2. We do not need to fear humiliation.
3. We do not need to fear anxiety or despair.
4. We do not need to worry.
D. As Children of God, all God asks of us is to trust in Him alone.
E. This is what the leper did when he came to Jesus.
1. He trusted Him.
2. He worshiped Him.
3. He asked Him, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
4. This is what our Lord and Savior asks us to do.
a. He says, “Ask, and it will be given to you.”
b. He says, “Seek, and you will find.”
c. He says, “Knock, and it will be opened to you.”
5. We come before our Lord and ask Him to forgive us of our sins.
6. Jesus says, through the mouth of His servant, “I forgive you.”
Application:
Just like Naaman, we are selfish and self-relying sinners. However, we are also just the leper who knows and trusts in God for all things and so we come and worship the King who saved the world by dying on a wooden tree like a common criminal. We are simultaneously saint and sinner. Yes, brothers and sisters, this bloody cross which our Lord was affixed is where we see Him in all His glory. Our faith and all our strength comes from the God-Man who was pierced, beaten, and afflicted for each and every one of us. Because of Jesus and His love for us, we are healed. We are forgiven. We have all of these wonderful gifts because we are the baptized. God purchased us back from sin, death, and the devil at the greatest price of all; the death of His only-begotten Son. Yes, as Christians, we come and we worship. We bow low before our King and say, Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. We trust in the Word of God and all the power it holds. The response from our King, our Lord, our Savior, and our God is this: Rise, your sins are forgiven. Go and sin no more. Truly, truly, I say to you, this is most certainly true. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Friday, February 13, 2009
Chapman has the right idea!
Jon Chattman of The Huffington Post has the right idea about the Stimulus Package of the American Government. Chapman says to give the money to those with student loans so they can spend their paychecks an boost the economy.
Read more here
Read more here
Monday, February 9, 2009
+ Mark 1:29-39 +
Jesus, help me.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (I Tim. i, 4)
The text we will consider this day is the Holy Gospel just read. Hear again the Word of the Lord. “Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.” (Mark i, 29-31) This is the Word of the Lord.
On the sixth day of creating, “God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.’ ‘God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.’ ‘Then God blessed them.’ ‘God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.’”
(Gen. i, 26a, 27a, 28a, 31a)
Man was created pure and holy. Adam served his God in the Garden where they dwelled together. Adam and Eve praised God for all their blessings. They trusted God.
“One day, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Rev. xii, 9)
This great dragon told his lies to the woman. She turned from the Word of God and ate the fruit which God said was forbidden. She and her husband ate. They honored themselves. They served self rather than the Lord their God. They died that day.
The disobedience of Adam and Eve is your disobedience. You do not always serve the Lord . You are like all people before you. Break this old pattern and repent of your sins. Repent of your disobedience and turn back to the Lord.
“Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only.” (I Sam. vii, 3-4)
Israel heeded the words of Gods prophet. They repented of their sin and cast all their false gods aside and served the Lord only.
We do not often think about the effects of sin. The ultimate result of sin is death. However, illness, disease, drunkenness, addiction, anger, hate, cancer, unbelief are all a result of sin. This list is in now way all inclusive. Sin destroyed God’s world and His people.
Today, St. Mark tells about the time when Jesus came to the house of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Simon and the other disciples told Jesus about her. They trusted Him. They just witnessed Jesus casting out demons that possessed a man. They believed Jesus could help her.
Jesus came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. (Mark i, 31a) He said nothing. He touched her. He comforted her. He lifted her up. He healed her.
Glory be to Him who loved us,
Washed us from each spot and stain (LSB 506, 2a)
We aren’t told much about the joy in this woman’s heart. We are told that when Jesus healed her of the fever, she served them. (Mark i, 31b) She served the Lord for the blessing He bestowed on her. He made her clean. In response to God’s love and His mercy and compassion, she honored the Son of God and His disciples with her service which draws from her faith and trust in God.
The Lord says to you through His prophet Jeremiah, “Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” (Jer. xxiv, 7)
God is serving us through His Son in His Word and Sacraments. The Holy Spirit continues to call you by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God is working in your life forgiving you of your sins and clothing you in His Son’s righteousness. He heals you just like He did Simon’s moth-in-law.
Our Lord and our God loves you. His mercy never ends. His compassion and love come to you for the sake of His Son, Jesus, the Christ, who suffered and died for you. Jesus died on the cross, taking all your iniquity, quilt, and shame unto Himself.
Do not fear little lambs. Although you are sinners, trust in the Lord your God and turn from your wickedness and serve the Lord with all your heart. (I Sam. xii, 20) The Lamb of God took your sins and wickedness and nailed it to His cross and buried in His tomb.
The Son of God is Life. He gives this life to you in Holy Baptism. He washed you clean. He forgives your sin and disobedience. He feeds you His own Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins. Come, weary sinner, come before the Lord your God for all things are now ready.
St. John writes, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John i, 4) The Father sent His only-begotten Son into the world to save all men from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Jesus brought life to a fallen world. He brought life to you. He gives you life because He is life.
He conquered death with life. On that Good Friday, when the skies were dark from noon to 3:00 pm, Life conquered death. God defeated Satan. Light and Life now fill the world as the Holy of holies is no longer hidden but revealed for all to see. Jesus died for all. He died for you.
Join with me and “make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100)
O Lord Jesus Christ, You who in an innocent manner were accused as an evil-doer for the sake of our sins, let Your holy suffering redound to the good of us poor evil-doers. You King of Truth, make us partakers of Your Kingdom, guide us into all Truth, and transfer us from the gracious Kingdom of Truth into the Kingdom of eternal Glory.
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (I Tim. i, 4)
The text we will consider this day is the Holy Gospel just read. Hear again the Word of the Lord. “Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.” (Mark i, 29-31) This is the Word of the Lord.
On the sixth day of creating, “God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.’ ‘God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.’ ‘Then God blessed them.’ ‘God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.’”
(Gen. i, 26a, 27a, 28a, 31a)
Man was created pure and holy. Adam served his God in the Garden where they dwelled together. Adam and Eve praised God for all their blessings. They trusted God.
“One day, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Rev. xii, 9)
This great dragon told his lies to the woman. She turned from the Word of God and ate the fruit which God said was forbidden. She and her husband ate. They honored themselves. They served self rather than the Lord their God. They died that day.
The disobedience of Adam and Eve is your disobedience. You do not always serve the Lord . You are like all people before you. Break this old pattern and repent of your sins. Repent of your disobedience and turn back to the Lord.
“Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only.” (I Sam. vii, 3-4)
Israel heeded the words of Gods prophet. They repented of their sin and cast all their false gods aside and served the Lord only.
We do not often think about the effects of sin. The ultimate result of sin is death. However, illness, disease, drunkenness, addiction, anger, hate, cancer, unbelief are all a result of sin. This list is in now way all inclusive. Sin destroyed God’s world and His people.
Today, St. Mark tells about the time when Jesus came to the house of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Simon and the other disciples told Jesus about her. They trusted Him. They just witnessed Jesus casting out demons that possessed a man. They believed Jesus could help her.
Jesus came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. (Mark i, 31a) He said nothing. He touched her. He comforted her. He lifted her up. He healed her.
Glory be to Him who loved us,
Washed us from each spot and stain (LSB 506, 2a)
We aren’t told much about the joy in this woman’s heart. We are told that when Jesus healed her of the fever, she served them. (Mark i, 31b) She served the Lord for the blessing He bestowed on her. He made her clean. In response to God’s love and His mercy and compassion, she honored the Son of God and His disciples with her service which draws from her faith and trust in God.
The Lord says to you through His prophet Jeremiah, “Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” (Jer. xxiv, 7)
God is serving us through His Son in His Word and Sacraments. The Holy Spirit continues to call you by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God is working in your life forgiving you of your sins and clothing you in His Son’s righteousness. He heals you just like He did Simon’s moth-in-law.
Our Lord and our God loves you. His mercy never ends. His compassion and love come to you for the sake of His Son, Jesus, the Christ, who suffered and died for you. Jesus died on the cross, taking all your iniquity, quilt, and shame unto Himself.
Do not fear little lambs. Although you are sinners, trust in the Lord your God and turn from your wickedness and serve the Lord with all your heart. (I Sam. xii, 20) The Lamb of God took your sins and wickedness and nailed it to His cross and buried in His tomb.
The Son of God is Life. He gives this life to you in Holy Baptism. He washed you clean. He forgives your sin and disobedience. He feeds you His own Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins. Come, weary sinner, come before the Lord your God for all things are now ready.
St. John writes, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John i, 4) The Father sent His only-begotten Son into the world to save all men from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Jesus brought life to a fallen world. He brought life to you. He gives you life because He is life.
He conquered death with life. On that Good Friday, when the skies were dark from noon to 3:00 pm, Life conquered death. God defeated Satan. Light and Life now fill the world as the Holy of holies is no longer hidden but revealed for all to see. Jesus died for all. He died for you.
Join with me and “make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100)
O Lord Jesus Christ, You who in an innocent manner were accused as an evil-doer for the sake of our sins, let Your holy suffering redound to the good of us poor evil-doers. You King of Truth, make us partakers of Your Kingdom, guide us into all Truth, and transfer us from the gracious Kingdom of Truth into the Kingdom of eternal Glory.
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Saturday, February 7, 2009
+ God's creation in the Northlands +
My beautiful bride and I went for a drive up the Northshore this afternoon. While we were out experiencing the beauty of God's creation, we realized that what we were seeing had to be shared with others.
Enjoy the view of God's handiwork in northern Minnesota.
view photos here
Enjoy the view of God's handiwork in northern Minnesota.
view photos here
Monday, February 2, 2009
+ Luke 2:22-32 +
The Purification of Mary and The Presentation of our Lord
Jesus, help me.
The temple was magnificent. Its beauty was matched by no other. The inside of the temple was covered with pure gold. Magnificent! The Ark of the Covenant is hidden by the veil. The lampstands provide light to all who enter this holy place. The showbread is given to the priests for food. Incense filled the temple with a sweet aroma. The people of Israel prayed in the temple. They brought their sacrifices before the Lord in this holy place. They were forgiven of their sins when a lamb was sacrificed on their behalf and the blood poured out at the foot of the altar. The unclean came here with their offerings to the Lord to become clean. Mary came with Jesus because she was unclean. Mary was poor. She could not afford a lamb so she brought the alternate sacrifice directed by the Lord. There was no need for a lamb because Jesus is the Lamb brought to His temple for sacrifice. The Infant Priest is in His Father’s house. God is with us. Come and worship Christ the newborn King. He is born for you. He comes to you because of your sin and trespasses. Repent and turn from your evil ways. Cry out to the Lord of Hosts and ask Him to hear your prayer or repentance. Moan like a dove in genuine sorrow and penitence and hide in the cleft of the rock, that is, in the wounds of the Lord Christ, the true Rock, that your nakedness and uncleanness may not be exposed before God. Repent! Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world is here. The Firstborn of God, the holy One of Israel is in His Father’s house. The salvation of God is present in the flesh for you. Jesus took on your flesh into His divinity to partake of flesh and blood that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Jesus freed you from bondage and death by laying down His life in your place. Jesus is merciful. He is faithful. He is your Shepherd who restores your soul with His forgiveness. Jesus gives aid to you from heaven this day. He forgives your sins. He feeds you. He gives you shelter. He hears your prayers. He seals you in His Blood and presents you holy, cleansed, and pure before the Father in heaven. The temple is now arrayed and adorned with the glory of God. God is no longer hidden under wood and metal and stowed behind a curtain. God is present! He is here! He is with us in the flesh of man. Salvation is of the Lord! Praise be to God for all blessings received. “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Jesus, help me.
The temple was magnificent. Its beauty was matched by no other. The inside of the temple was covered with pure gold. Magnificent! The Ark of the Covenant is hidden by the veil. The lampstands provide light to all who enter this holy place. The showbread is given to the priests for food. Incense filled the temple with a sweet aroma. The people of Israel prayed in the temple. They brought their sacrifices before the Lord in this holy place. They were forgiven of their sins when a lamb was sacrificed on their behalf and the blood poured out at the foot of the altar. The unclean came here with their offerings to the Lord to become clean. Mary came with Jesus because she was unclean. Mary was poor. She could not afford a lamb so she brought the alternate sacrifice directed by the Lord. There was no need for a lamb because Jesus is the Lamb brought to His temple for sacrifice. The Infant Priest is in His Father’s house. God is with us. Come and worship Christ the newborn King. He is born for you. He comes to you because of your sin and trespasses. Repent and turn from your evil ways. Cry out to the Lord of Hosts and ask Him to hear your prayer or repentance. Moan like a dove in genuine sorrow and penitence and hide in the cleft of the rock, that is, in the wounds of the Lord Christ, the true Rock, that your nakedness and uncleanness may not be exposed before God. Repent! Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world is here. The Firstborn of God, the holy One of Israel is in His Father’s house. The salvation of God is present in the flesh for you. Jesus took on your flesh into His divinity to partake of flesh and blood that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Jesus freed you from bondage and death by laying down His life in your place. Jesus is merciful. He is faithful. He is your Shepherd who restores your soul with His forgiveness. Jesus gives aid to you from heaven this day. He forgives your sins. He feeds you. He gives you shelter. He hears your prayers. He seals you in His Blood and presents you holy, cleansed, and pure before the Father in heaven. The temple is now arrayed and adorned with the glory of God. God is no longer hidden under wood and metal and stowed behind a curtain. God is present! He is here! He is with us in the flesh of man. Salvation is of the Lord! Praise be to God for all blessings received. “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Jonah 3:1-5, 10 +
Jesus, help me.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (i Tim. i, 4)
Come, follow Me, the Savior spake,
All in My way abiding:
Deny yourselves, the world forsake,
Obey My call and guiding.
O bear the cross, whate’er betide,
Take My example for your guide.
(LSB 688, 1)
The Lord called Jonah to serve and call the people of Ninevah to repent from their wickedness. But Jonah ignored the call of the Lord. Jonah was more interested in his own life. Jonah wanted no part of Ninevah.
Jonah withdraws and isolates himself. He has the attitude of “every man for himself.” Jonah finds himself secluded in the belly of the ship on its way to Tarshish. During the tempest, Jonah, knowing he is the cause of the storm, calls to be thrown overboard.
Jonah now lies in the belly of the great fish, isolated and alone. When the Lord delivers Jonah after three days, He calls Jonah to serve a second time. He says, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” (Jonah iii, 2)
Jonah faithfully heeds the call of the Lord. The Lord does not give up on His people. The Lord is faithful. Moses said, “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deuteronomy vii, 9)
Jonah is faithful to the Lord. Jonah repented of his sin against the Lord and the Lord delivered him from Sheol. When Jonah call on the king of Ninevah and the great city, they too will be faithful to YHWH and heed the Word preached by YHWH’s prophet.
The message of the Lord was to repent from wickedness or be destroyed. When the king and all the people heard the message which Jonah preached they immediately repented of their evil ways. The Lord God spared the city of Ninevah because the people believed.
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, rescued you from Sheol when He baptized you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Immediately, Christ saved you by the very Blood He shed for you on Calvary. Immediately, without hesitation, you received God’s grace and mercy. Immediately, the Holy Ghost created saving faith in you. Immediately, you received God’s gift of everlasting life because of His Son’s life giving gift of atonement which Jesus made on your behalf on the cross.
The Word of God accomplished all that He sent out to do. His Word did not return void and empty. YHWH’s call to Ninevah accomplishes His salvific purpose to draw all people unto Himself. St. Paul puts it this way in his letter to the Thessalonians, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (I Thess. v, 24)
Today, we are commemorating the Conversion of St. Paul. Unlike Jonah, when the Lord called Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul immediately did as he was told by Jesus. When Ananias came to Paul, by the direction of our Lord, and told Paul why he was there, “Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.” (Acts ix, 18)
The Lord calls you through by the Gospel. The Holy Spirit creates and sustains the saving faith within you through the power of God’s holy Word.
The Lord calls you to repent for the sake of His Son, Jesus, the Christ, who suffered and died for you. Our Lord Jesus suffered the weight of the sin of the world and gave up His life on the cross to give you everlasting life with His Father.
Jesus drank the cup of His Father’s wrath in your place. He suffered all things for you. Jesus, being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross for you.
Jesus death, resurrection, and ascension is the life saving Gospel message to the world. This great salvific message is not restricted to any one man, king, or city. This message is for all people. This message is for you!
Repent! and be baptized in the Name of Jesus. St. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” (Rom. i, 16) The Word of God is power. The Word comes to you through teaching and preaching. Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke xi, 28)
Jesus was sent from heaven to suffer and die for you. He was sent to conquer sin, death, and the devil for you. Jesus was sent to preach the way of salvation for you. Jesus did all this well. Jesus lives today to serve you in His Word and Sacraments. He comes to you in his Body and Blood which were given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Take eat! This is My Body! Take drink! This is My Blood! Salvation is from the Lord! Depart in peace brothers and sisters. Your sins are forgiven by the crucified and resurrected Lord Jesus! Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (i Tim. i, 4)
Come, follow Me, the Savior spake,
All in My way abiding:
Deny yourselves, the world forsake,
Obey My call and guiding.
O bear the cross, whate’er betide,
Take My example for your guide.
(LSB 688, 1)
The Lord called Jonah to serve and call the people of Ninevah to repent from their wickedness. But Jonah ignored the call of the Lord. Jonah was more interested in his own life. Jonah wanted no part of Ninevah.
Jonah withdraws and isolates himself. He has the attitude of “every man for himself.” Jonah finds himself secluded in the belly of the ship on its way to Tarshish. During the tempest, Jonah, knowing he is the cause of the storm, calls to be thrown overboard.
Jonah now lies in the belly of the great fish, isolated and alone. When the Lord delivers Jonah after three days, He calls Jonah to serve a second time. He says, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” (Jonah iii, 2)
Jonah faithfully heeds the call of the Lord. The Lord does not give up on His people. The Lord is faithful. Moses said, “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deuteronomy vii, 9)
Jonah is faithful to the Lord. Jonah repented of his sin against the Lord and the Lord delivered him from Sheol. When Jonah call on the king of Ninevah and the great city, they too will be faithful to YHWH and heed the Word preached by YHWH’s prophet.
The message of the Lord was to repent from wickedness or be destroyed. When the king and all the people heard the message which Jonah preached they immediately repented of their evil ways. The Lord God spared the city of Ninevah because the people believed.
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, rescued you from Sheol when He baptized you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Immediately, Christ saved you by the very Blood He shed for you on Calvary. Immediately, without hesitation, you received God’s grace and mercy. Immediately, the Holy Ghost created saving faith in you. Immediately, you received God’s gift of everlasting life because of His Son’s life giving gift of atonement which Jesus made on your behalf on the cross.
The Word of God accomplished all that He sent out to do. His Word did not return void and empty. YHWH’s call to Ninevah accomplishes His salvific purpose to draw all people unto Himself. St. Paul puts it this way in his letter to the Thessalonians, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (I Thess. v, 24)
Today, we are commemorating the Conversion of St. Paul. Unlike Jonah, when the Lord called Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul immediately did as he was told by Jesus. When Ananias came to Paul, by the direction of our Lord, and told Paul why he was there, “Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.” (Acts ix, 18)
The Lord calls you through by the Gospel. The Holy Spirit creates and sustains the saving faith within you through the power of God’s holy Word.
The Lord calls you to repent for the sake of His Son, Jesus, the Christ, who suffered and died for you. Our Lord Jesus suffered the weight of the sin of the world and gave up His life on the cross to give you everlasting life with His Father.
Jesus drank the cup of His Father’s wrath in your place. He suffered all things for you. Jesus, being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross for you.
Jesus death, resurrection, and ascension is the life saving Gospel message to the world. This great salvific message is not restricted to any one man, king, or city. This message is for all people. This message is for you!
Repent! and be baptized in the Name of Jesus. St. Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” (Rom. i, 16) The Word of God is power. The Word comes to you through teaching and preaching. Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke xi, 28)
Jesus was sent from heaven to suffer and die for you. He was sent to conquer sin, death, and the devil for you. Jesus was sent to preach the way of salvation for you. Jesus did all this well. Jesus lives today to serve you in His Word and Sacraments. He comes to you in his Body and Blood which were given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Take eat! This is My Body! Take drink! This is My Blood! Salvation is from the Lord! Depart in peace brothers and sisters. Your sins are forgiven by the crucified and resurrected Lord Jesus! Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Matthew 7:6-12 +
Jesus, help me.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (i Tim. i, 4)
We live in a world fallen by sin. We live in a world where the values and ideals of mankind are superior to anything else in the world. History doesn’t seem to matter. God seems to have taken a back seat to mankind. Christianity is shrinking. Islam is growing beyond leaps and bounds. Spirituality is more important than the Church or the Bible. Abortion is legal. Abortion is man’s choice. Man knows better for himself than God.
On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court ruled to legalize abortion. On January 22, 1973, the US Supreme Court legalized murder in America. On January 22, 1973, the people of America relied upon themselves and made a bad choice.
Since January 22, 1973, the people of America who chose abortion over life chose to kill over 49 ½ million children. Over 49 ½ million children martyred because someone didn’t want them or love them.
The choice to choose life or death is not yours to make. You do not have a choice. God says, “Thou shalt not murder.” God is clear on this subject. Life is given by God in the womb. Life can only be taken by God when He calls you home. The Lord provides for His Children.
Idolatry in its simplest form is to trust in yourself for all you need. Repent! You are not God. If you trust in yourself for everything, then you live contrary to God’s Word and against God Himself.
The Israelites were worshiping false gods. Samuel called them to repent of their sins and to turn away from their evil ways and return to the Lord. Samuel called Israel to serve only the Lord and He would deliver them from the hands of the Philistines. Israel repented and prayed to the Lord for deliverance. The Lord provided for His Children and confused the Philistines and the Israelites drove them away.
Your life is no different. If you are in need, Jesus says to ask and it will be given you. If you are troubled, Jesus says to knock and it will be opened to you. If you are pregnant today and contemplating the life of the child living in your womb, call upon the Lord in the day of your trouble and He will give you rest. You do not have the right, privilege, or the authority to take the life that lives inside of you. The life of that child belongs to God.
There was a Child who lived in Bethlehem whom the evil king Herod wanted dead. In order to kill this Child, the evil king ordered all boys age two and younger killed. Herod had no right. Herod did not have the authority. He killed those boys out of hatred for the King of the Jews. Herod killed those boys because he was threatened by Jesus.
Sinners kill. Cain killed his brother out of jealousy. The Jews and Gentiles killed Jesus because they were afraid of Him. Peter says to the men of Israel, “But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.” (Acts iii, 14-15) We all disobey God when we break the fifth commandment by cutting down our brothers and sisters with our forked tongue.
In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter tells the people amazed at the healing of the lame man that this man was healed in the Name of Jesus. He was healed in the Name of the holy One, the innocent One whom they cried out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (Luke xxiii, 21) Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it. Jesus brought salvation to all who believe in Him. Jesus brought life to the world.
The Jews and Gentiles did not have the right, privilege, or the authority to kill Jesus. They did what pleased them. They crucified Jesus to get of the threat. They murdered Him. They took innocent blood and spilled it at Calvary. The world killed Jesus. Our sins, our hatred, our evil ways all brought Jesus to the cross and we nailed Jesus to God’s altar with all our iniquity. One thing we, the sinners of this world could not do is take His life from Him. Jesus laid down His life to conquer sin, death, and the devil for all mankind. Jesus died for you. Jesus died for your children. Jesus died for the more than 49.5 million children killed in abortion.
Our Lord, our Savior, our God hangs on the tree for all to see. All of those afflicted by sin can look to the cross and be healed in Jesus. To be healed is to be forgiven. If you had an abortion, confess your sin to God and receive His holy absolution for your sin. Repent and be forgiven in the Name of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus tells us to ask, to seek, and to knock when we need something. All three of these verbs indicate intensity. Jesus says to be constant in our requests of the Father in heaven. To seek is more fervent than to ask and to knock is still more fervent than to seek.
Jesus tells us to ask for what we need. Jesus says to seek what we earnestly desire. He says to knock on the gates of heaven when our desire becomes persistent or annoying.
The promise Jesus gives us in the Gospel is not that all our prayers will be answered or that He is teaching us how to pray but rather the Father in heaven is so amazingly willing to give.
All of this is possible because of Jesus, the eternal and only-begotten Son of God. Jesus made it possible for us to come before the throne and ask for those things we need. Things like bread, food, shelter, protection from evil, protection from Satan’s temptations, deliverance and forgiveness from the things we’ve done against our brothers or sisters and against God. Jesus opened heaven to all believers. Jesus heals all who come to Him and are heavy laden.
Jesus forgives the sinner who raises false idols. Jesus forgives the sinner who profanes the Word and the Church. Jesus forgives the disobedient. Jesus forgives murders. Jesus forgives adulterers. Jesus forgives thieves. Jesus forgives blasphemers. Jesus forgives coveters. Jesus forgives you.
Jesus forgives you when you repent because He shed His blood for you.
The hymn writer says this about the blessings of God in your life:
What God ordains is always good;
His will is just and holy.
As He directs my life for me,
I follow meek and lowly.
My God indeed
In every need
Knows well how He will shield me;
To Him then, I will yield me.
What God ordains is always good;
Though I the cup am drinking
Which savors now of bitterness,
I take it without shrinking.
For after grief
God gives relief,
My heart with comfort filling
And all my sorrows stilling.
(LSB 760, vv. 1, 5)
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (i Tim. i, 4)
We live in a world fallen by sin. We live in a world where the values and ideals of mankind are superior to anything else in the world. History doesn’t seem to matter. God seems to have taken a back seat to mankind. Christianity is shrinking. Islam is growing beyond leaps and bounds. Spirituality is more important than the Church or the Bible. Abortion is legal. Abortion is man’s choice. Man knows better for himself than God.
On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court ruled to legalize abortion. On January 22, 1973, the US Supreme Court legalized murder in America. On January 22, 1973, the people of America relied upon themselves and made a bad choice.
Since January 22, 1973, the people of America who chose abortion over life chose to kill over 49 ½ million children. Over 49 ½ million children martyred because someone didn’t want them or love them.
The choice to choose life or death is not yours to make. You do not have a choice. God says, “Thou shalt not murder.” God is clear on this subject. Life is given by God in the womb. Life can only be taken by God when He calls you home. The Lord provides for His Children.
Idolatry in its simplest form is to trust in yourself for all you need. Repent! You are not God. If you trust in yourself for everything, then you live contrary to God’s Word and against God Himself.
The Israelites were worshiping false gods. Samuel called them to repent of their sins and to turn away from their evil ways and return to the Lord. Samuel called Israel to serve only the Lord and He would deliver them from the hands of the Philistines. Israel repented and prayed to the Lord for deliverance. The Lord provided for His Children and confused the Philistines and the Israelites drove them away.
Your life is no different. If you are in need, Jesus says to ask and it will be given you. If you are troubled, Jesus says to knock and it will be opened to you. If you are pregnant today and contemplating the life of the child living in your womb, call upon the Lord in the day of your trouble and He will give you rest. You do not have the right, privilege, or the authority to take the life that lives inside of you. The life of that child belongs to God.
There was a Child who lived in Bethlehem whom the evil king Herod wanted dead. In order to kill this Child, the evil king ordered all boys age two and younger killed. Herod had no right. Herod did not have the authority. He killed those boys out of hatred for the King of the Jews. Herod killed those boys because he was threatened by Jesus.
Sinners kill. Cain killed his brother out of jealousy. The Jews and Gentiles killed Jesus because they were afraid of Him. Peter says to the men of Israel, “But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.” (Acts iii, 14-15) We all disobey God when we break the fifth commandment by cutting down our brothers and sisters with our forked tongue.
In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter tells the people amazed at the healing of the lame man that this man was healed in the Name of Jesus. He was healed in the Name of the holy One, the innocent One whom they cried out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (Luke xxiii, 21) Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it. Jesus brought salvation to all who believe in Him. Jesus brought life to the world.
The Jews and Gentiles did not have the right, privilege, or the authority to kill Jesus. They did what pleased them. They crucified Jesus to get of the threat. They murdered Him. They took innocent blood and spilled it at Calvary. The world killed Jesus. Our sins, our hatred, our evil ways all brought Jesus to the cross and we nailed Jesus to God’s altar with all our iniquity. One thing we, the sinners of this world could not do is take His life from Him. Jesus laid down His life to conquer sin, death, and the devil for all mankind. Jesus died for you. Jesus died for your children. Jesus died for the more than 49.5 million children killed in abortion.
Our Lord, our Savior, our God hangs on the tree for all to see. All of those afflicted by sin can look to the cross and be healed in Jesus. To be healed is to be forgiven. If you had an abortion, confess your sin to God and receive His holy absolution for your sin. Repent and be forgiven in the Name of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus tells us to ask, to seek, and to knock when we need something. All three of these verbs indicate intensity. Jesus says to be constant in our requests of the Father in heaven. To seek is more fervent than to ask and to knock is still more fervent than to seek.
Jesus tells us to ask for what we need. Jesus says to seek what we earnestly desire. He says to knock on the gates of heaven when our desire becomes persistent or annoying.
The promise Jesus gives us in the Gospel is not that all our prayers will be answered or that He is teaching us how to pray but rather the Father in heaven is so amazingly willing to give.
All of this is possible because of Jesus, the eternal and only-begotten Son of God. Jesus made it possible for us to come before the throne and ask for those things we need. Things like bread, food, shelter, protection from evil, protection from Satan’s temptations, deliverance and forgiveness from the things we’ve done against our brothers or sisters and against God. Jesus opened heaven to all believers. Jesus heals all who come to Him and are heavy laden.
Jesus forgives the sinner who raises false idols. Jesus forgives the sinner who profanes the Word and the Church. Jesus forgives the disobedient. Jesus forgives murders. Jesus forgives adulterers. Jesus forgives thieves. Jesus forgives blasphemers. Jesus forgives coveters. Jesus forgives you.
Jesus forgives you when you repent because He shed His blood for you.
The hymn writer says this about the blessings of God in your life:
What God ordains is always good;
His will is just and holy.
As He directs my life for me,
I follow meek and lowly.
My God indeed
In every need
Knows well how He will shield me;
To Him then, I will yield me.
What God ordains is always good;
Though I the cup am drinking
Which savors now of bitterness,
I take it without shrinking.
For after grief
God gives relief,
My heart with comfort filling
And all my sorrows stilling.
(LSB 760, vv. 1, 5)
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Mark 8:27-35 +
Jesus, help me.
I. Introduction
A. When you get up from sleeping everyday, do you set your priorities according to your will or the will of God? Most would answer this question saying their will because you, the individual is the one who must get through the day and accomplish all that needs to be done. What do you think your life would be like if, when you awoke, you planned your day according to the will of God? Instead of rushing off to McDonald’s or some other fast food restaurant for breakfast, you stayed at home a few minutes to pray and give thanks for the blessings in your life. Instead of cursing the co-worker for not helping you, praise them for something they did do at the office and give thanks to God for that person. Instead of skipping Bible Class to go to breakfast stay and study the Word with your brothers and sisters and receive the strength from God in your life.
B. Today, we celebrate the Confession of St. Peter. Today, we celebrate a man who not only lived with our Lord and Savior but devoted his life to Jesus. Today, we celebrate our life in Christ as we examine who Jesus is.
II. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
A. They answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” (Mk. 8:28)
B. The Gospel of Matthew also includes Jeremiah as a possibility.
C. However, if you were to ask this same question of people today, you will get many varied responses.
1. Some will answer and say Jesus was a man who lived in Nazareth.
2. Some will say Jesus was a prophet and teacher with miraculous powers.
3. Others will say Jesus is the Messiah while others deny this about Jesus.
4. There are still others who deny that Jesus was true God and true Man and only say He was one or the other but not both. They deny the two natures of Christ.
5. While there are some who say Jesus could not be God because He was created.
6. Better yet, some will say Jesus cannot be God because there is no God.
D. Like Peter, we cannot answer this question that Jesus asks on our own.
1. We cannot answer because our hearts are soiled with the darkness of sin.
2. As sinners, we cannot answer because of our pride, arrogance, hatred, lust, and lies which so love to partake in.
3. We cannot answer because “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)
4. We cannot answer because of sin. Isaiah wrote, “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Is. 64:6)
Transition:
We need God’s help to answer this question that our Lord and Savior puts before us. Before we can attempt to answer this question, we need to come to God and confess our sins and trespasses and ask Him for His forgiveness. We need to REPENT!
III. Our Father in heaven gives us the knowledge of His Son, Jesus.
A. God gave us knowledge of His Son when the Holy Spirit was joined with our spirit in Holy Baptism.
B. The Holy Spirit reveals the Son to us when we study the Word of God, that is, when we study Jesus in our Bible studies.
C. The Holy Spirit increases our knowledge of Jesus when we hear the Word proclaimed in church on Sunday mornings.
D. Believing in Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God, brings from heaven a gift which only God can give to those who believe in His Son. The gift is everlasting life, the forgiveness of sins, and salvation.
1. These gifts are given to all those who believe because of what Jesus has done for us. What did Jesus do for you?
a. Jesus humbled Himself to be born of a virgin.
b. Jesus put Himself under the Law of God to fulfill the Law – something you cannot do.
c. Jesus hungered and thirst in the wilderness while being tempted by Satan – for you.
d. Jesus was humiliated for you.
e. Jesus was beaten for you.
f. Jesus died for you.
g. Jesus rose from the dead for you.
h. Jesus loves you.
i. Jesus heals you.
j. Jesus gives you all your daily needs.
k. Jesus hears your prayers and intercedes on your behalf to the Father for your needs.
l. Jesus feeds you His Word.
m. Jesus feeds you His Body and Blood.
n. Jesus cleanses you from all your iniquities.
2. Jesus gives all these gifts and more because of the love He has for you. His love runs so deep – for you – that He gave His life for you on the cross to save you from your sins.
E. When you are asked about who Jesus is you will be able to stand up with St. Peter and all the saints and with a loud voice, shout to the mountaintops that “Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God!”
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
I. Introduction
A. When you get up from sleeping everyday, do you set your priorities according to your will or the will of God? Most would answer this question saying their will because you, the individual is the one who must get through the day and accomplish all that needs to be done. What do you think your life would be like if, when you awoke, you planned your day according to the will of God? Instead of rushing off to McDonald’s or some other fast food restaurant for breakfast, you stayed at home a few minutes to pray and give thanks for the blessings in your life. Instead of cursing the co-worker for not helping you, praise them for something they did do at the office and give thanks to God for that person. Instead of skipping Bible Class to go to breakfast stay and study the Word with your brothers and sisters and receive the strength from God in your life.
B. Today, we celebrate the Confession of St. Peter. Today, we celebrate a man who not only lived with our Lord and Savior but devoted his life to Jesus. Today, we celebrate our life in Christ as we examine who Jesus is.
II. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
A. They answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” (Mk. 8:28)
B. The Gospel of Matthew also includes Jeremiah as a possibility.
C. However, if you were to ask this same question of people today, you will get many varied responses.
1. Some will answer and say Jesus was a man who lived in Nazareth.
2. Some will say Jesus was a prophet and teacher with miraculous powers.
3. Others will say Jesus is the Messiah while others deny this about Jesus.
4. There are still others who deny that Jesus was true God and true Man and only say He was one or the other but not both. They deny the two natures of Christ.
5. While there are some who say Jesus could not be God because He was created.
6. Better yet, some will say Jesus cannot be God because there is no God.
D. Like Peter, we cannot answer this question that Jesus asks on our own.
1. We cannot answer because our hearts are soiled with the darkness of sin.
2. As sinners, we cannot answer because of our pride, arrogance, hatred, lust, and lies which so love to partake in.
3. We cannot answer because “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)
4. We cannot answer because of sin. Isaiah wrote, “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Is. 64:6)
Transition:
We need God’s help to answer this question that our Lord and Savior puts before us. Before we can attempt to answer this question, we need to come to God and confess our sins and trespasses and ask Him for His forgiveness. We need to REPENT!
III. Our Father in heaven gives us the knowledge of His Son, Jesus.
A. God gave us knowledge of His Son when the Holy Spirit was joined with our spirit in Holy Baptism.
B. The Holy Spirit reveals the Son to us when we study the Word of God, that is, when we study Jesus in our Bible studies.
C. The Holy Spirit increases our knowledge of Jesus when we hear the Word proclaimed in church on Sunday mornings.
D. Believing in Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God, brings from heaven a gift which only God can give to those who believe in His Son. The gift is everlasting life, the forgiveness of sins, and salvation.
1. These gifts are given to all those who believe because of what Jesus has done for us. What did Jesus do for you?
a. Jesus humbled Himself to be born of a virgin.
b. Jesus put Himself under the Law of God to fulfill the Law – something you cannot do.
c. Jesus hungered and thirst in the wilderness while being tempted by Satan – for you.
d. Jesus was humiliated for you.
e. Jesus was beaten for you.
f. Jesus died for you.
g. Jesus rose from the dead for you.
h. Jesus loves you.
i. Jesus heals you.
j. Jesus gives you all your daily needs.
k. Jesus hears your prayers and intercedes on your behalf to the Father for your needs.
l. Jesus feeds you His Word.
m. Jesus feeds you His Body and Blood.
n. Jesus cleanses you from all your iniquities.
2. Jesus gives all these gifts and more because of the love He has for you. His love runs so deep – for you – that He gave His life for you on the cross to save you from your sins.
E. When you are asked about who Jesus is you will be able to stand up with St. Peter and all the saints and with a loud voice, shout to the mountaintops that “Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God!”
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Matthew 2:1-12 +
Jesus, help me.
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this day of celebration is the Holy Gospel read a few minutes ago with special emphasis on the following verses. (vv 1-2) “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (v. 11) “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
This is the Word of our Lord.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Introduction:
The one thing we, as Christians, should always do, when reading the Holy Scriptures, is to ask ourselves questions such as What does this event or events have to do with me? How does this particular text affect my life as a farmer, machinist, homemaker, dentist, lawyer, doctor, analyst, machine operator, and the like? Maybe we ask ourselves, where is the Law and Gospel in this text? These are very important questions for every Christian when listening to a sermon or reading the Bible. The question before us this evening is this; what does the worship of the wise men mean to me in 2009?
Transition:
As Christians living some 2000 years after our Lord ascended into heaven, we find the true purpose of being a Christian in the desire and actions of the wise men that came from the East.
I. The Christian worships God in fear, love, and trust above all things.
A. To understand the purpose and meaning of these verses concerning the wise men and their worship of the King in Bethlehem, we need to understand what it means to worship.
1. Worship is reverence offered to God.
2. Worship is to honor God with songs of praise and thanksgiving.
3. Worship is coming before our Creator and asking Him for those things we need in our life.
4. Worship is bringing our sacrifices before the Lord with thanksgiving.
5. Worship is to fall down on one’s face, to kneel down, to bow low before the Lord.
B. As Christians, we worship the one true God – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
1. The first worship offered to God is written in Genesis 4, which reads, “And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.”
a. Abel brought his gift before God with joy and love in his heart for all that God had given to him. The LORD respected his offering.
b. Cain brought his gift before the LORD with selfish motives and pride in his heart to show the LORD how well he has done.
i. Cain was selfish.
ii. Cain was not worshiping the LORD but rather himself in his self-centered pride.
iii. As a result, Cain’s countenance fell and he became angry against the LORD and his brother. “So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?”
c. Cain killed his brother out of jealousy.
2. We are idolaters.
a. As Christians, we can fall into the same trap as Cain did. We may find ourselves worshiping the idols in our lives such as the house we live in, the beautiful clothes we wear, the amount of money we have in the bank, or how successful we by bragging about how much we do in our daily lives.
b. We are just like the Israelites. The Prophet Isaiah writes, “Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.”
c. We are a prideful people and the sin that permeates our souls loves us to act contrary to God and His Word.
d. God tells us, “(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God).”
i. St. Peter writes in his epistle, “As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”
ii. “Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.’”
Transition:
Cain committed idolatry and then he murdered his brother. The Israelites worshiped many false gods made by their own hands. Cornelius bowed down to Peter. John worshiped the angel. These are all acts of false worship. This is what Satan wants us to do. He wants us to do anything we want that makes us feel good. However, these acts of worship are contrary to the Word of God and go against what God desires from us. God desires us to worship Him and Him alone.
II. We, as Christians, desire to worship God because God put His Name on us.
A. Our desire to worship God flows from our baptism, where we died with Jesus Christ in His death and rose again with Him in His resurrection, and God made us an heir of His kingdom.
B. Our desire to worship God comes from our desire and need for God’s forgiveness of our sins.
C. Our desire is to bring the first fruits of our labors before the Lord with contrite hearts and love for the Lord. TELL THE STORY OF THE MAN WHO STOOD IN THE OFFERING PLATE SIGNIFIYING HIS WHOLE SACRIFICE TO GOD.
D. Our desire is to be with God to receive from Him the strength we need for our souls through the hearing of His Word and the proclamation of His Word.
E. We desire to be strengthened in body and soul and forgiven of all our iniquities through the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Isaiah prophesied, “The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” This prophecy came true when the wise men came from the East.
a. The wise men had a desire to seek the Christ Child and so they followed His star.
b. When the wise men found the baby Jesus, they fell down on their faces and worship Him.
c. The wise men were in the presence of their Creator and honored Him.
d. The wise men worshiped the one true God, which is the desire of God.
F. St. Paul tells us what it means to worship the Lord in his Epistle to the Philippians. He writes, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Application:
The message from God to you this day, as we continue to celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord, is the same message the wise men received in their countries. Go to My Son and worship Him for this is the reason I sent Him to you. He came to save the world from sin, death, and the power of the devil. As we come into this holy house of prayer each week, let us remember that we are in the presence of the One true God who has redeemed us from the clutches of Satan and purchased us back with the blood of the Lamb on the altar of God at Calvary. When we hear His Name, the Name above all other names, let us bow before the King and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.
In + Jesus Name.
Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this day of celebration is the Holy Gospel read a few minutes ago with special emphasis on the following verses. (vv 1-2) “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (v. 11) “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
This is the Word of our Lord.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Introduction:
The one thing we, as Christians, should always do, when reading the Holy Scriptures, is to ask ourselves questions such as What does this event or events have to do with me? How does this particular text affect my life as a farmer, machinist, homemaker, dentist, lawyer, doctor, analyst, machine operator, and the like? Maybe we ask ourselves, where is the Law and Gospel in this text? These are very important questions for every Christian when listening to a sermon or reading the Bible. The question before us this evening is this; what does the worship of the wise men mean to me in 2009?
Transition:
As Christians living some 2000 years after our Lord ascended into heaven, we find the true purpose of being a Christian in the desire and actions of the wise men that came from the East.
I. The Christian worships God in fear, love, and trust above all things.
A. To understand the purpose and meaning of these verses concerning the wise men and their worship of the King in Bethlehem, we need to understand what it means to worship.
1. Worship is reverence offered to God.
2. Worship is to honor God with songs of praise and thanksgiving.
3. Worship is coming before our Creator and asking Him for those things we need in our life.
4. Worship is bringing our sacrifices before the Lord with thanksgiving.
5. Worship is to fall down on one’s face, to kneel down, to bow low before the Lord.
B. As Christians, we worship the one true God – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
1. The first worship offered to God is written in Genesis 4, which reads, “And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.”
a. Abel brought his gift before God with joy and love in his heart for all that God had given to him. The LORD respected his offering.
b. Cain brought his gift before the LORD with selfish motives and pride in his heart to show the LORD how well he has done.
i. Cain was selfish.
ii. Cain was not worshiping the LORD but rather himself in his self-centered pride.
iii. As a result, Cain’s countenance fell and he became angry against the LORD and his brother. “So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?”
c. Cain killed his brother out of jealousy.
2. We are idolaters.
a. As Christians, we can fall into the same trap as Cain did. We may find ourselves worshiping the idols in our lives such as the house we live in, the beautiful clothes we wear, the amount of money we have in the bank, or how successful we by bragging about how much we do in our daily lives.
b. We are just like the Israelites. The Prophet Isaiah writes, “Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.”
c. We are a prideful people and the sin that permeates our souls loves us to act contrary to God and His Word.
d. God tells us, “(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God).”
i. St. Peter writes in his epistle, “As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”
ii. “Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.’”
Transition:
Cain committed idolatry and then he murdered his brother. The Israelites worshiped many false gods made by their own hands. Cornelius bowed down to Peter. John worshiped the angel. These are all acts of false worship. This is what Satan wants us to do. He wants us to do anything we want that makes us feel good. However, these acts of worship are contrary to the Word of God and go against what God desires from us. God desires us to worship Him and Him alone.
II. We, as Christians, desire to worship God because God put His Name on us.
A. Our desire to worship God flows from our baptism, where we died with Jesus Christ in His death and rose again with Him in His resurrection, and God made us an heir of His kingdom.
B. Our desire to worship God comes from our desire and need for God’s forgiveness of our sins.
C. Our desire is to bring the first fruits of our labors before the Lord with contrite hearts and love for the Lord. TELL THE STORY OF THE MAN WHO STOOD IN THE OFFERING PLATE SIGNIFIYING HIS WHOLE SACRIFICE TO GOD.
D. Our desire is to be with God to receive from Him the strength we need for our souls through the hearing of His Word and the proclamation of His Word.
E. We desire to be strengthened in body and soul and forgiven of all our iniquities through the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Isaiah prophesied, “The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” This prophecy came true when the wise men came from the East.
a. The wise men had a desire to seek the Christ Child and so they followed His star.
b. When the wise men found the baby Jesus, they fell down on their faces and worship Him.
c. The wise men were in the presence of their Creator and honored Him.
d. The wise men worshiped the one true God, which is the desire of God.
F. St. Paul tells us what it means to worship the Lord in his Epistle to the Philippians. He writes, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Application:
The message from God to you this day, as we continue to celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord, is the same message the wise men received in their countries. Go to My Son and worship Him for this is the reason I sent Him to you. He came to save the world from sin, death, and the power of the devil. As we come into this holy house of prayer each week, let us remember that we are in the presence of the One true God who has redeemed us from the clutches of Satan and purchased us back with the blood of the Lamb on the altar of God at Calvary. When we hear His Name, the Name above all other names, let us bow before the King and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.
In + Jesus Name.
Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Luke 2:40-52 +
Jesus, help me.
As you were growing up, your parents probably often asked themselves, as you asked yourself about your children, “What will my child do?” At twelve years of age, for example, children are getting a handle on algebra, diagramming sentences, and joining school bands. Already at such a young age, parents ask their children, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” Some children, and probably most, don’t know the answer to this question. The gifted children may have a very definite idea that they’d like to pursue the arts or music. Some children think they will follow in their parents’ vocations.
When Jesus was twelve, he knew His vocation. He knew what His Father wanted Him to do. The Gospel today makes this very clear. Jesus is in the temple. What’s going on there? Is Jesus merely showing a gift or desire for the religious life? Was Jesus pushing the boundaries of parental authority? These questions led His mother, Mary, to ask.
Perhaps as parents, though, we ask the wrong question. Instead of asking, “What will my child do?” maybe we should ask,
“Who is this Child?”
This question, “Who are you?” focuses on identity rather than on vocation. And that actually needs to be answered first. When you know who you are, then the matter of what you do becomes clearer.
Who is this Child Jesus?
Jesus’ identity was revealed from His infancy. The angel Gabriel told Mary, “behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.” The angel Gabriel also told Jesus’ step-father, Joseph, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Also, the same message was proclaimed to the shepherds watching over their flock in the fields, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
From this identity proclaimed by the angels of God flows what Jesus will do. Jesus will be circumcised – One who must keep the Law. Jesus will be presented to the Lord at the temple when He is 40 days old. He will visit the temple at the age of twelve.
This last event, the visit to the temple, Luke has identified as one key event of Jesus’ youth to summarize who Jesus is throughout life. Jesus is the Son of the heavenly Father. Jesus knows His identity. He tells His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, He must be in His Fathers’ house. Jesus is already, at the age of twelve, concerned with the matters of His Father.
The question you need to ask yourself is “Who am I as a Child of God?”
Do you consider this question from within Holy Baptism, your identity as a Child of God? Do you consider Sunday School, Bible Class, and Catechism as school, or as something you must do, rather than living your relationship with your Father in heaven? Do you consider “church matters” as mere obligations rather than living as a Child of God? Are you distracted by other “houses and matters” of this life? Is your identity built on Jesus, the Son of the Father?
Jesus is the holy Son. He is where He should be – in His Father’s house about His Father’s business. He willingly seeks after His Father. Listen to the words of the Psalmist and hear how Jesus seeks after and is about His Father’s work.
“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:97-104)
Jesus is obedient, willing, Word-hearing, promise-trusting, faithful, even learning. He will always be about the matters of the Father, e.g., curing and caring, teaching and preaching. Jesus identity is found in the Temple. He fulfills the purpose of the temple in His Body. Jesus did not come to this Passover to prove that He could hold His own against the teachers. He came to the temple at Passover because He Himself would be the Passover Lamb, in Jerusalem, for all people. That visit to Jerusalem and the temple, that Passover, would be the sword quite unexpected by Mary, Jesus’ family, and the disciples.
As sinners, we always want proof. We don’t trust God the way He wants us to. Proof! Here it is. The proof that Jesus is the Son of the Highest is with His resurrection from the dead. Only after His resurrection did Jesus open the Scriptures for the disciples. After His resurrection, Jesus equips His disciples for what they will do.
In the heavenly sanctuary, at His Father’s right hand, Jesus still carries out His Father’s matters of intercession for you. The Father sent the Holy Spirit, in the Name of His Son, Jesus, into your heart, that you would know the father through Jesus. The Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies you in the Father’s house. Jesus continues to feed you with the Bread of Life.
You rightly grasp Jesus when you see Him by faith. You grasp Him in His Word. You hold onto Him in the preaching of the Word. You receive Him in, with, and under the bread and wine in His holy Supper when you receive His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins.
Therefore, as a Child of God, born of water and the Spirit, you are an heir of Christ, the Son of the living God, through the waters of Holy Baptism. As a Child of God, you long for the new creation, to be forever in the temple with the Lord Almighty and His Son, Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain for your sins.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
As you were growing up, your parents probably often asked themselves, as you asked yourself about your children, “What will my child do?” At twelve years of age, for example, children are getting a handle on algebra, diagramming sentences, and joining school bands. Already at such a young age, parents ask their children, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” Some children, and probably most, don’t know the answer to this question. The gifted children may have a very definite idea that they’d like to pursue the arts or music. Some children think they will follow in their parents’ vocations.
When Jesus was twelve, he knew His vocation. He knew what His Father wanted Him to do. The Gospel today makes this very clear. Jesus is in the temple. What’s going on there? Is Jesus merely showing a gift or desire for the religious life? Was Jesus pushing the boundaries of parental authority? These questions led His mother, Mary, to ask.
Perhaps as parents, though, we ask the wrong question. Instead of asking, “What will my child do?” maybe we should ask,
“Who is this Child?”
This question, “Who are you?” focuses on identity rather than on vocation. And that actually needs to be answered first. When you know who you are, then the matter of what you do becomes clearer.
Who is this Child Jesus?
Jesus’ identity was revealed from His infancy. The angel Gabriel told Mary, “behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.” The angel Gabriel also told Jesus’ step-father, Joseph, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Also, the same message was proclaimed to the shepherds watching over their flock in the fields, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
From this identity proclaimed by the angels of God flows what Jesus will do. Jesus will be circumcised – One who must keep the Law. Jesus will be presented to the Lord at the temple when He is 40 days old. He will visit the temple at the age of twelve.
This last event, the visit to the temple, Luke has identified as one key event of Jesus’ youth to summarize who Jesus is throughout life. Jesus is the Son of the heavenly Father. Jesus knows His identity. He tells His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, He must be in His Fathers’ house. Jesus is already, at the age of twelve, concerned with the matters of His Father.
The question you need to ask yourself is “Who am I as a Child of God?”
Do you consider this question from within Holy Baptism, your identity as a Child of God? Do you consider Sunday School, Bible Class, and Catechism as school, or as something you must do, rather than living your relationship with your Father in heaven? Do you consider “church matters” as mere obligations rather than living as a Child of God? Are you distracted by other “houses and matters” of this life? Is your identity built on Jesus, the Son of the Father?
Jesus is the holy Son. He is where He should be – in His Father’s house about His Father’s business. He willingly seeks after His Father. Listen to the words of the Psalmist and hear how Jesus seeks after and is about His Father’s work.
“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:97-104)
Jesus is obedient, willing, Word-hearing, promise-trusting, faithful, even learning. He will always be about the matters of the Father, e.g., curing and caring, teaching and preaching. Jesus identity is found in the Temple. He fulfills the purpose of the temple in His Body. Jesus did not come to this Passover to prove that He could hold His own against the teachers. He came to the temple at Passover because He Himself would be the Passover Lamb, in Jerusalem, for all people. That visit to Jerusalem and the temple, that Passover, would be the sword quite unexpected by Mary, Jesus’ family, and the disciples.
As sinners, we always want proof. We don’t trust God the way He wants us to. Proof! Here it is. The proof that Jesus is the Son of the Highest is with His resurrection from the dead. Only after His resurrection did Jesus open the Scriptures for the disciples. After His resurrection, Jesus equips His disciples for what they will do.
In the heavenly sanctuary, at His Father’s right hand, Jesus still carries out His Father’s matters of intercession for you. The Father sent the Holy Spirit, in the Name of His Son, Jesus, into your heart, that you would know the father through Jesus. The Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies you in the Father’s house. Jesus continues to feed you with the Bread of Life.
You rightly grasp Jesus when you see Him by faith. You grasp Him in His Word. You hold onto Him in the preaching of the Word. You receive Him in, with, and under the bread and wine in His holy Supper when you receive His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins.
Therefore, as a Child of God, born of water and the Spirit, you are an heir of Christ, the Son of the living God, through the waters of Holy Baptism. As a Child of God, you long for the new creation, to be forever in the temple with the Lord Almighty and His Son, Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain for your sins.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A Blessed New Year to you all
As we begin a New Year in 2009, let us always remember that Jesus suffered and died for our sins. He laid down His life to give us life in Himself. 2009 is going to be a GREAT year. 2009 is a year to worship the King of kings and Lord of lords. 2009 is a time to worship Immanuel - which means - with us is God.
Friday, October 3, 2008
+ Farewell ... for now +
To the readers of this blog,
The Lord be with you. When I began this blog, it was my sincere interest to post sermons and devotions on the Name of the Lord for your edification.
I have not been able to blog as I intended. To be sure, my heart desires to continue with this endeavor but I confess, I do not have the time to keep this blog going any longer.
My Lord and Savior has Called me to serve Him and His flock at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King. My devotion is to my God first, my wife and the church.
I will not delete the blog from Blogspot as of yet. I will let it alone for a while. If the time comes when I can continue, I will pick up this project and continue it.
I will keep you all in my prayers.
Peace be with you.
In Christ's service,
Pastor
The Lord be with you. When I began this blog, it was my sincere interest to post sermons and devotions on the Name of the Lord for your edification.
I have not been able to blog as I intended. To be sure, my heart desires to continue with this endeavor but I confess, I do not have the time to keep this blog going any longer.
My Lord and Savior has Called me to serve Him and His flock at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King. My devotion is to my God first, my wife and the church.
I will not delete the blog from Blogspot as of yet. I will let it alone for a while. If the time comes when I can continue, I will pick up this project and continue it.
I will keep you all in my prayers.
Peace be with you.
In Christ's service,
Pastor
Saturday, September 27, 2008
+ Revelation 12:7-12 +
The celebration of St. Michael and All Angels (observed).
Let us pray.
Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in a wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as Your holy angels serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, One God, now and forever. Amen.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The first war was when Satan engaged Adam and Eve in the Garden and seduced them into sin. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God they brought sin and death into His perfect creation. War is a result of sin. War is deadly; it is horrific; it is waged against God and against our neighbor everyday.
War continues in this world because of sin. War is a result of the work of Satan. Satan thrives on hatred, disobedience, and murder. These acts are a result of Satan’s work. He is the first murderer and he continues to foster hatred and killing throughout the world.
Brothers and sisters in Christ do not be afraid. We know, love, and believe in One who is greater than this evil doer. His Name is Jesus. Jesus is our Mighty Warrior. He is the eternal and only-begotten Son of God. He promised in Genesis that He shall put enmity, that is, open hostility, between Satan and the woman. Our Lord promised to crush the serpent’s head.
The warfare between Jesus and Satan continued after the Incarnation, after the Baptism of our Lord when Jesus entered the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. For forty days and nights the evil one tried his best to conquer Jesus. In the end, Jesus defeated Satan and his temptations with the Word of God.
The war between Jesus and Satan continued throughout His ministry. Jesus was faced with people possessed by demons. Jesus was faced with liars, murderers, traitors, blasphemers, thieves, betrayers, and the like. The war continued in the halls of justice as Herod and Pilate heard testimony. Within these walls His body was beaten with sticks and whipped with leather and steel. His flesh was torn to shreds. The war was then taken to the people where they cried out “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” The war between God and Satan culminated in the greatest battle ever to be fought on earth.
This great battle was fought on a small hill outside Jerusalem; a place called the “Skull.” On this small hill, Rome’s place of death and destruction, our Lord Jesus was nailed to a cross. His body was broken by the beatings. His spirit was crying forth to His Father. His blood poured out like a geyser for all mankind. Bowing His head, Jesus gave up His spirit and died.
Salvation is of the Lord. With His death and resurrection, Jesus made right what went so wrong so long ago in the Garden when the Great War began. With His death and resurrection, Jesus redeemed, that is, He purchased back, all men and opened heaven to all who believe on His Name. Life and communion with the Father in heaven are restored to all who believe in Jesus.
Satan’s head is crushed. The Lamb conquered the great dragon. The Light and Life of this world has quenched the lies and deceit of Satan forever. Satan can no longer accuse the saints before the throne of God. Satan is conquered. The Son of God is risen! He is risen indeed. He lives! Alleluia!
By the blood of the Lamb, St. Michael and his angels defeated Satan and his angels and threw them all out of heaven. Satan can no longer go before the throne of God to accuse the saints. The gates of heaven are closed to the accuser. Satan no longer has access to the throne. The victory belongs to St. Michael and All Angels because of the blood of the Lamb. The very Lamb of God sacrificed Himself on God’s holy altar at Calvary to buy back all those dead in sin.
What was this war about? This was is about Life and death. This war is about the forgiveness of sins. This war is about God’s love for the world; it is about you and me; it is about everlasting life with God in the new creation worshiping the Lamb who once was slain. How was this war won? The Son of God died for the world.
Life belongs to all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. On the day our Lord calls us home to glory we will be able to say:
Behold Him there! The risen Lamb!
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of Glory and of grace!
(LSB 574, 5)
Behold, the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Let us pray.
Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in a wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as Your holy angels serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, One God, now and forever. Amen.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The first war was when Satan engaged Adam and Eve in the Garden and seduced them into sin. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God they brought sin and death into His perfect creation. War is a result of sin. War is deadly; it is horrific; it is waged against God and against our neighbor everyday.
War continues in this world because of sin. War is a result of the work of Satan. Satan thrives on hatred, disobedience, and murder. These acts are a result of Satan’s work. He is the first murderer and he continues to foster hatred and killing throughout the world.
Brothers and sisters in Christ do not be afraid. We know, love, and believe in One who is greater than this evil doer. His Name is Jesus. Jesus is our Mighty Warrior. He is the eternal and only-begotten Son of God. He promised in Genesis that He shall put enmity, that is, open hostility, between Satan and the woman. Our Lord promised to crush the serpent’s head.
The warfare between Jesus and Satan continued after the Incarnation, after the Baptism of our Lord when Jesus entered the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. For forty days and nights the evil one tried his best to conquer Jesus. In the end, Jesus defeated Satan and his temptations with the Word of God.
The war between Jesus and Satan continued throughout His ministry. Jesus was faced with people possessed by demons. Jesus was faced with liars, murderers, traitors, blasphemers, thieves, betrayers, and the like. The war continued in the halls of justice as Herod and Pilate heard testimony. Within these walls His body was beaten with sticks and whipped with leather and steel. His flesh was torn to shreds. The war was then taken to the people where they cried out “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” The war between God and Satan culminated in the greatest battle ever to be fought on earth.
This great battle was fought on a small hill outside Jerusalem; a place called the “Skull.” On this small hill, Rome’s place of death and destruction, our Lord Jesus was nailed to a cross. His body was broken by the beatings. His spirit was crying forth to His Father. His blood poured out like a geyser for all mankind. Bowing His head, Jesus gave up His spirit and died.
Salvation is of the Lord. With His death and resurrection, Jesus made right what went so wrong so long ago in the Garden when the Great War began. With His death and resurrection, Jesus redeemed, that is, He purchased back, all men and opened heaven to all who believe on His Name. Life and communion with the Father in heaven are restored to all who believe in Jesus.
Satan’s head is crushed. The Lamb conquered the great dragon. The Light and Life of this world has quenched the lies and deceit of Satan forever. Satan can no longer accuse the saints before the throne of God. Satan is conquered. The Son of God is risen! He is risen indeed. He lives! Alleluia!
By the blood of the Lamb, St. Michael and his angels defeated Satan and his angels and threw them all out of heaven. Satan can no longer go before the throne of God to accuse the saints. The gates of heaven are closed to the accuser. Satan no longer has access to the throne. The victory belongs to St. Michael and All Angels because of the blood of the Lamb. The very Lamb of God sacrificed Himself on God’s holy altar at Calvary to buy back all those dead in sin.
What was this war about? This was is about Life and death. This war is about the forgiveness of sins. This war is about God’s love for the world; it is about you and me; it is about everlasting life with God in the new creation worshiping the Lamb who once was slain. How was this war won? The Son of God died for the world.
Life belongs to all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. On the day our Lord calls us home to glory we will be able to say:
Behold Him there! The risen Lamb!
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of Glory and of grace!
(LSB 574, 5)
Behold, the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Fall Pastors' Conference
Earlier this week, I picked up my brother in Christ, Rob Franck, and we drove to the Lutheran Island Camp for the Minnesota North District's Fall Pastors' Conference.
The presenter was The Reverend Doctor R. Reed Lessing from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Lessing presented Jonah: The Survivor Series.
This was one of the most interesting lectures I've heard to date. I wish that Dr. Lessing had more time to unpack the theology of Jonah for us but as with everything in life, there usually isn't enough time to everything we need to do in the time alloted us.
The connection made between Jonah and Noah was just outstanding. Kudos Dr. Lessing!
The presenter was The Reverend Doctor R. Reed Lessing from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Lessing presented Jonah: The Survivor Series.
This was one of the most interesting lectures I've heard to date. I wish that Dr. Lessing had more time to unpack the theology of Jonah for us but as with everything in life, there usually isn't enough time to everything we need to do in the time alloted us.
The connection made between Jonah and Noah was just outstanding. Kudos Dr. Lessing!
Reflections
To all the readers of this blog, I sincerely ask for your patience while I am getting settled into the parish life at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King. I had hoped I would have kept up on my posts of the various events but the life of the church and the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ come first.
Now that I have a few minutes, there are a couple of things I wish to share with you all.
My bride and I were blessed in the months of August and September as our son, Benjamin and his family, came to visit all the way from southern Iowa in August and my brother, Rob and his family, came to visit all the way from the "little finger" of Michigan where they live in Maple City (NW of Traverse City). Rob actually drove four more hours than Ben did so Rob got a prize upon arrival - BEER!
Here are a couple of pictures of the grandkids, Evelyn and Dominic, playing in Lake Superior.
Tami and I enjoyed our time with our kids and grandkids. We also enjoyed the time with my brother and his family. We didn't have much to get pictures but this one is great as Rob and his family are leaving at 6:30 AM CDT for Escanaba, Michigan.
As we all know, vacations are never long enough and we never ever have enough time to spend with our loved ones. We miss them all so much.
Thank you for coming to stay with us and spend time with us.
Now that I have a few minutes, there are a couple of things I wish to share with you all.
My bride and I were blessed in the months of August and September as our son, Benjamin and his family, came to visit all the way from southern Iowa in August and my brother, Rob and his family, came to visit all the way from the "little finger" of Michigan where they live in Maple City (NW of Traverse City). Rob actually drove four more hours than Ben did so Rob got a prize upon arrival - BEER!
Here are a couple of pictures of the grandkids, Evelyn and Dominic, playing in Lake Superior.
Tami and I enjoyed our time with our kids and grandkids. We also enjoyed the time with my brother and his family. We didn't have much to get pictures but this one is great as Rob and his family are leaving at 6:30 AM CDT for Escanaba, Michigan.
As we all know, vacations are never long enough and we never ever have enough time to spend with our loved ones. We miss them all so much.
Thank you for coming to stay with us and spend time with us.
Friday, September 26, 2008
+ Isaiah 55:6-11 +
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Grace, mercy, and peace to each of you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (i Tim. i, 2) Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” (John i, 1, 14a, 16)
Every year we set aside a day to celebrate this magnificent miracle, the Word becoming flesh. We call it Christmas, the day the eternal Word was incarnate as a baby and born into the flesh.
The Word that became flesh for you and me did not return empty, but accomplished the purpose for which He was sent (John i, 1). The Son of God became incarnate as a little babe for one reason, to save our wretched souls from death. This death is not the physical death we think of in our lives but this death is a death which separates us and all mankind from communion and fellowship with God the Father in heaven. The Son of God completed all the work His Father sent Him to do and He did it all perfectly. This is why we always begin with Christ as our point of departure because without Him, their would be no proclamation of the Gospel.
When we interact with other human beings, we talk about a variety of subjects. During these conversations, the topic of discussion may be ourselves and what is going on in our lives or it may be about the person we’re speaking with or maybe even someone else. We are chatty creatures. The fact of the matter is, when we discuss ourselves with other people, we are opening a portal or window into our lives. We are revealing to the other person something about ourselves.
This revelation may be about something that is troubling us or it may be about something we are planning to do, like take a vacation, buy a car or a home or maybe about something we promised we would do for someone like help them with a report or project or maybe even homework. But when we open ourselves up as a topic of conversation, we are revealing a little bit more about ourselves each time.
The difference between our words going forth from our mouths and the proclamation of the Word of God is sin. As sinners, our words do not contain pure truth as God’s Word does. We lie and embellish the truth to make it sound better. We forget to fulfill our promises or are late in keeping them. We may even lie about something just to get attention. We do these things because we are sinners. This is who we are. Our word goes forth but we’re lucky if it returns having accomplished what we sent it out to do. However, the proclamation of the Gospel will always accomplish what Christ wants it to because these are His words given to us by His Spirit through the Prophets and Apostles and Jesus wants everyone to hear them and believe in Him. This is the purpose of Holy Scripture “these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John xx, 31)
To believe in Jesus is to know Him and to know Jesus is to know the Father. Jesus is the One who reveals the Father to us. Jesus is the one who reveals the purposes, plans, and promises of His Father. Jesus reveals the will of His Father without blemish or spot. Jesus is perfect in every way. That’s why we can say that Jesus not only spoke God’s Word, but actually is the Word of God in the flesh.
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Is. lv, 10-11) Jesus accomplished the purpose for which He was sent. Just as the rain and snow come down from heaven to bring life to the earth, the Word descended from heaven and was incarnate as a baby to bring life to the barren fields of hearts enslaved by sin with His death upon the cross (vv 10-11). “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke ix, 56)
Jesus became flesh for us so that He could die in the flesh for us. In His death as our substitute, Jesus paid the price for our sins and accomplished our redemption. Pardon and peace were won for us. IT IS FINISHED! In His resurrection, Jesus publicly demonstrated that He had succeeded in His life-giving mission.
Jesus, The Word made flesh accomplished the purpose for which He was sent. Now all that Christ won for you and me – victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil, the forgiveness of sins, everlasting life, and salvation – is delivered to you and me personally through the proclamation of His Word, and the proper administration of Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Because these words of grace are built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, we can be assured that;
The Word that now comes to us does not return empty or void, but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent (v 11). God’s powerful word of pardon comes to us in many wonderful and trustworthy ways. When we hear or read the Good news that our sins are forgiven, we can trust God’s word of promise. When we recall God’s promise to us that in Holy Baptism He made us His child. This promise is guaranteed. We can take God at His word. No doubt. No worry. No unbelief. Trust in God and hear His promises. When we hear the words of Jesus, “This is My body, which is given for you” and “This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” (TLH, p. 150) these words are pure, true, and full of life.
These Gospel words accomplish their purpose because they bring us Jesus and all His benefits. These promises of the Gospel sometimes seem too good to be true. But our Lord is merciful and gracious and His thoughts and His ways are so much better that they are as the heavens are higher than the earth. But as sinners, we don’t see things in our lives as the Lord sees them. We always think we know better than God. Our ways and our thoughts always include something we must do to earn God’s approval. Repent! Repent of these evil thoughts. These evil thoughts are the work of the devil. The devil will do everything he can to pull you away from Jesus and the Father. Repent and turn to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John xiv, 6)
The Gospel brings to each and every one of us, personally, all that Jesus has already won for us. Christ acts through the means of grace, Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper to give us all that He is – Himself, His life, and His righteousness.
For the same reason – because it is Christ that gives the Word its power – we also have full confidence that;
The Word of Christ that now goes out through all of us does not return empty or void, but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent (v 11). The same Word that brought us new life now goes out through us, for the life of the world. St. Paul asks in his letter to the Romans, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?" (Rom. x, 14b) The answer is clear in Holy Scripture. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. x, 17)
No matter who delivers the Gospel, the Gospel delivers Jesus Christ who was crucified for all men and raised from the grave so that all who believe on His Name will have everlasting life. Each of us has opportunities in his daily life to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel has life-giving power whether it is shared by an adult or child, a man or woman, pastor or layman.
God’s Word is powerful. In His Word to us, God has given us new life. By His Word that goes out through us, God brings life to the world.
Because the Word, made flesh for you and me, accomplished the purpose for which He was sent, the Word that comes to you and me and goes through all of us accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent. The Lord keep you steadfast in His Word. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen. (Phil. iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Grace, mercy, and peace to each of you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (i Tim. i, 2) Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” (John i, 1, 14a, 16)
Every year we set aside a day to celebrate this magnificent miracle, the Word becoming flesh. We call it Christmas, the day the eternal Word was incarnate as a baby and born into the flesh.
The Word that became flesh for you and me did not return empty, but accomplished the purpose for which He was sent (John i, 1). The Son of God became incarnate as a little babe for one reason, to save our wretched souls from death. This death is not the physical death we think of in our lives but this death is a death which separates us and all mankind from communion and fellowship with God the Father in heaven. The Son of God completed all the work His Father sent Him to do and He did it all perfectly. This is why we always begin with Christ as our point of departure because without Him, their would be no proclamation of the Gospel.
When we interact with other human beings, we talk about a variety of subjects. During these conversations, the topic of discussion may be ourselves and what is going on in our lives or it may be about the person we’re speaking with or maybe even someone else. We are chatty creatures. The fact of the matter is, when we discuss ourselves with other people, we are opening a portal or window into our lives. We are revealing to the other person something about ourselves.
This revelation may be about something that is troubling us or it may be about something we are planning to do, like take a vacation, buy a car or a home or maybe about something we promised we would do for someone like help them with a report or project or maybe even homework. But when we open ourselves up as a topic of conversation, we are revealing a little bit more about ourselves each time.
The difference between our words going forth from our mouths and the proclamation of the Word of God is sin. As sinners, our words do not contain pure truth as God’s Word does. We lie and embellish the truth to make it sound better. We forget to fulfill our promises or are late in keeping them. We may even lie about something just to get attention. We do these things because we are sinners. This is who we are. Our word goes forth but we’re lucky if it returns having accomplished what we sent it out to do. However, the proclamation of the Gospel will always accomplish what Christ wants it to because these are His words given to us by His Spirit through the Prophets and Apostles and Jesus wants everyone to hear them and believe in Him. This is the purpose of Holy Scripture “these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John xx, 31)
To believe in Jesus is to know Him and to know Jesus is to know the Father. Jesus is the One who reveals the Father to us. Jesus is the one who reveals the purposes, plans, and promises of His Father. Jesus reveals the will of His Father without blemish or spot. Jesus is perfect in every way. That’s why we can say that Jesus not only spoke God’s Word, but actually is the Word of God in the flesh.
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Is. lv, 10-11) Jesus accomplished the purpose for which He was sent. Just as the rain and snow come down from heaven to bring life to the earth, the Word descended from heaven and was incarnate as a baby to bring life to the barren fields of hearts enslaved by sin with His death upon the cross (vv 10-11). “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke ix, 56)
Jesus became flesh for us so that He could die in the flesh for us. In His death as our substitute, Jesus paid the price for our sins and accomplished our redemption. Pardon and peace were won for us. IT IS FINISHED! In His resurrection, Jesus publicly demonstrated that He had succeeded in His life-giving mission.
Jesus, The Word made flesh accomplished the purpose for which He was sent. Now all that Christ won for you and me – victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil, the forgiveness of sins, everlasting life, and salvation – is delivered to you and me personally through the proclamation of His Word, and the proper administration of Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Because these words of grace are built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, we can be assured that;
The Word that now comes to us does not return empty or void, but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent (v 11). God’s powerful word of pardon comes to us in many wonderful and trustworthy ways. When we hear or read the Good news that our sins are forgiven, we can trust God’s word of promise. When we recall God’s promise to us that in Holy Baptism He made us His child. This promise is guaranteed. We can take God at His word. No doubt. No worry. No unbelief. Trust in God and hear His promises. When we hear the words of Jesus, “This is My body, which is given for you” and “This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” (TLH, p. 150) these words are pure, true, and full of life.
These Gospel words accomplish their purpose because they bring us Jesus and all His benefits. These promises of the Gospel sometimes seem too good to be true. But our Lord is merciful and gracious and His thoughts and His ways are so much better that they are as the heavens are higher than the earth. But as sinners, we don’t see things in our lives as the Lord sees them. We always think we know better than God. Our ways and our thoughts always include something we must do to earn God’s approval. Repent! Repent of these evil thoughts. These evil thoughts are the work of the devil. The devil will do everything he can to pull you away from Jesus and the Father. Repent and turn to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John xiv, 6)
The Gospel brings to each and every one of us, personally, all that Jesus has already won for us. Christ acts through the means of grace, Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper to give us all that He is – Himself, His life, and His righteousness.
For the same reason – because it is Christ that gives the Word its power – we also have full confidence that;
The Word of Christ that now goes out through all of us does not return empty or void, but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent (v 11). The same Word that brought us new life now goes out through us, for the life of the world. St. Paul asks in his letter to the Romans, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?" (Rom. x, 14b) The answer is clear in Holy Scripture. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. x, 17)
No matter who delivers the Gospel, the Gospel delivers Jesus Christ who was crucified for all men and raised from the grave so that all who believe on His Name will have everlasting life. Each of us has opportunities in his daily life to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel has life-giving power whether it is shared by an adult or child, a man or woman, pastor or layman.
God’s Word is powerful. In His Word to us, God has given us new life. By His Word that goes out through us, God brings life to the world.
Because the Word, made flesh for you and me, accomplished the purpose for which He was sent, the Word that comes to you and me and goes through all of us accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent. The Lord keep you steadfast in His Word. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen. (Phil. iv, 7)
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
+ John 12:20-33 +
Holy Cross Day - 2008
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (Titus i, 4)
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this day is the Holy Gospel read a few minutes ago. Hear again the words of our Lord. Jesus says, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John xii, 32)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Moses writes and tells us of the disobedient Israelites in the Old Testament today. He tells us how the Israelites again grumbled and cursed God and His blessings. How dare You bring us out into the wilderness to die? Where is our food and drink? We have no water and we detest this worthless bread.
The Israelites were really good at sinning. They were proud and arrogant. They didn’t recognize the blessings of God throughout their lives and cursed Him for not doing a better job at taking of them.
This resentment by the Israelites angered the Lord. So, the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the Israelites. Many of the people died from the snake bites.
The people are dying from the venom of the snakes. You can hear the cries of help all around you. “Moses, we have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” You can hear the echoes of the Kyrie Eleison! You can hear the call of deliverance from evil. You can hear the voices crying out to heaven – save us Lord!
The Lord instructed Moses what to do. “So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” (Num. xxi, 9)
The story of the Israelites is our story and our life today in 2008. We are arrogant. We are proud. We are self-centered and wretched. We lie. We steal. We murder every chance we get. We love to tear down our brothers and sisters and we love to push God aside and say – LATER! I’ll get to you when I have a free moment. Just like the Israelites, we say to God, how dare you take my job away from me? How dare you take the food off my table and give me this worthless soup kitchen food. How dare you!
This attitude and these sins is what Jesus is talking about in the Gospel today. Jesus is telling us that we are the reason He was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and made man. We are the cause and the reason for the hour of which He speaks. We are sinners. Just like the Israelites, our cries go forth to heaven with pleas for mercy and forgiveness. We cry out with the great Kyrie Eleison! We send our prayers to the Father asking for deliverance.
Just like the Israelites, we too have a cross to look at to be saved from our wretchedness. This cross, however, does not bear an image of a serpent but rather the image of God’s glory revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus tells us, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” (John xii, 23) The hour is upon our Lord. He knows full well what lies ahead of Him. Jesus says, “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” (John xii, 27)
The hour that Jesus speaks of is His crucifixion. He knows that is about to suffer at the hands of men. He will take on the weight of all the sin of the world upon His shoulders, be beaten, crucified, and killed for something He did not do. He is going to die because of our sin.
The suffering and eventual death Jesus died on the cross was a suffering and death that we should have died. The cross is where we should have been nailed to for our sin. But out of Fatherly divine goodness and mercy, our Father in heaven sent His eternal and only begotten Son into this fallen world to die in our place. Jesus paid the ransom price His Father demanded for sin. The price tag was huge! The price was death! Jesus died and made atonement for our sins on our behalf as our substitute.
St. John writes in his first epistle, “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” (i John ii, 2) Propitiation means to reconcile man back to the Father in heaven through a sacrificial death. Jesus did this very thing for us when He gave up His life freely at Calvary. He sacrificed His life for the sins of the world. Jesus said, “for this purpose I came to this hour.” (John xii, 27b)
Earlier in the Gospel, Jesus says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John iii, 16) “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (i John iv, 10-11)
The cross of Jesus and the atoning sacrifice He made on the cross for the sins of the world is a stumbling block and foolishness to those who do not believe. (i Cor. i, 23) To us, the baptized, the cross is the power of God. (i Cor. i, 18)
Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John xii, 32) The cross is the power of Christ which He uses to draw all people to Himself to give them life and salvation. The cross is for the world. The cross is for you. The cross is why you know your sins are forgiven because Jesus died for you and paid for your sins with His life.
Drawn to the cross, which Thou hast blessed
With healing gifts for souls distressed,
To find in Thee my life, my rest,
Christ crucified, I come.
(LSB 560, 1)
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understand guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (Titus i, 4)
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this day is the Holy Gospel read a few minutes ago. Hear again the words of our Lord. Jesus says, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John xii, 32)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Moses writes and tells us of the disobedient Israelites in the Old Testament today. He tells us how the Israelites again grumbled and cursed God and His blessings. How dare You bring us out into the wilderness to die? Where is our food and drink? We have no water and we detest this worthless bread.
The Israelites were really good at sinning. They were proud and arrogant. They didn’t recognize the blessings of God throughout their lives and cursed Him for not doing a better job at taking of them.
This resentment by the Israelites angered the Lord. So, the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the Israelites. Many of the people died from the snake bites.
The people are dying from the venom of the snakes. You can hear the cries of help all around you. “Moses, we have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” You can hear the echoes of the Kyrie Eleison! You can hear the call of deliverance from evil. You can hear the voices crying out to heaven – save us Lord!
The Lord instructed Moses what to do. “So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.” (Num. xxi, 9)
The story of the Israelites is our story and our life today in 2008. We are arrogant. We are proud. We are self-centered and wretched. We lie. We steal. We murder every chance we get. We love to tear down our brothers and sisters and we love to push God aside and say – LATER! I’ll get to you when I have a free moment. Just like the Israelites, we say to God, how dare you take my job away from me? How dare you take the food off my table and give me this worthless soup kitchen food. How dare you!
This attitude and these sins is what Jesus is talking about in the Gospel today. Jesus is telling us that we are the reason He was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and made man. We are the cause and the reason for the hour of which He speaks. We are sinners. Just like the Israelites, our cries go forth to heaven with pleas for mercy and forgiveness. We cry out with the great Kyrie Eleison! We send our prayers to the Father asking for deliverance.
Just like the Israelites, we too have a cross to look at to be saved from our wretchedness. This cross, however, does not bear an image of a serpent but rather the image of God’s glory revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus tells us, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” (John xii, 23) The hour is upon our Lord. He knows full well what lies ahead of Him. Jesus says, “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” (John xii, 27)
The hour that Jesus speaks of is His crucifixion. He knows that is about to suffer at the hands of men. He will take on the weight of all the sin of the world upon His shoulders, be beaten, crucified, and killed for something He did not do. He is going to die because of our sin.
The suffering and eventual death Jesus died on the cross was a suffering and death that we should have died. The cross is where we should have been nailed to for our sin. But out of Fatherly divine goodness and mercy, our Father in heaven sent His eternal and only begotten Son into this fallen world to die in our place. Jesus paid the ransom price His Father demanded for sin. The price tag was huge! The price was death! Jesus died and made atonement for our sins on our behalf as our substitute.
St. John writes in his first epistle, “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” (i John ii, 2) Propitiation means to reconcile man back to the Father in heaven through a sacrificial death. Jesus did this very thing for us when He gave up His life freely at Calvary. He sacrificed His life for the sins of the world. Jesus said, “for this purpose I came to this hour.” (John xii, 27b)
Earlier in the Gospel, Jesus says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John iii, 16) “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (i John iv, 10-11)
The cross of Jesus and the atoning sacrifice He made on the cross for the sins of the world is a stumbling block and foolishness to those who do not believe. (i Cor. i, 23) To us, the baptized, the cross is the power of God. (i Cor. i, 18)
Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John xii, 32) The cross is the power of Christ which He uses to draw all people to Himself to give them life and salvation. The cross is for the world. The cross is for you. The cross is why you know your sins are forgiven because Jesus died for you and paid for your sins with His life.
Drawn to the cross, which Thou hast blessed
With healing gifts for souls distressed,
To find in Thee my life, my rest,
Christ crucified, I come.
(LSB 560, 1)
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understand guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
+ Matthew 18:1-20 +
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this day is the Holy Gospel read a few minutes ago. Hear again the words of our Lord. Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matt. xviii, 18-20)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
There are two basic emotions in this world; love and hate. “Love is the principal force behind human life. Christians have understood that love literally set the universe in motion.” Love is why God created man and woman. Love is why Jesus became flesh. Love is why Jesus suffered and died. Love, by definition, is who God is.
When we look around the world we live in, we see evidence of life and death. The evidence of life is seen in God’s creation and in every living thing around us. The evidence of death is obvious too but the most obvious place we see death is when we look at human beings. Human beings are all infected with original sin which separated us from God the Father and His love.
However, as Christians baptized into the holy Name of God, having died with Christ in His death and raised with Christ in His resurrection to the newness of life, we are no longer dead to sin because of the redeeming and reconciling love of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross to save us from our sins, death, and the power of the devil.
We live because God loves us and forgives us daily. Just as Christ commanded us to love one another, He also says to us today to forgive one another.
But when we live apart from Christ and His Word, we fall off the narrow path of Christ and find ourselves on the slippery slope of Satan known as the broad path which leads to destruction.
On this broad path, we commit idolatry. We murder. We steal. We commit adultery. We covet all those wonderful things that others have which we want but God has not given to us.
When we hold grudges and hatred toward our brother, we sin. When we stop coming to church and or Bible class because someone did or said something we didn’t like, we sin. When we become delinquent in our worship and study of the Word, we sin. This is who we are. We are sinners and we need forgiveness and love from God and our fellow mankind.
In verse 18, Jesus says to us, “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (v. 18) We can and should forgive one another. That’s what Christians do! There is no reason to carry hatred around in our hearts for our brothers and sisters. Rather, if someone says something or does something that causes an offense, go to them and inform them of their wrong doing so they have the opportunity to repent of their sin. This, brothers and sisters, is love. Love for your neighbor. Love them. Listen to them. Be ready to forgive them when they repent.
If they fail to repent, “…take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’” (Matt. xviii, 16) This second action of taking witnesses is a second act of love and mercy toward the one who has fallen away from Christ and is impenitent. In Christ, continue to call your brother or sister to repentance so that God’s grace may abound. Pray for them that they turn from their evil ways. Pray that the Holy Spirit brings them back to Christ and causes their stubbornness to cease.
If your brother or sister continues to reject God and His Word, “…tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” (Matt. xviii, 17) If the impenitent refuses to confess, this last step is to excommunicate them from the Church. This means they are under Church discipline and not allowed to receive the Lord’s Supper. This step of excommunication is an act of love in Christ for the impenitent sinner. This does not mean they are banished. Rather, excommunication means that now the pastor and the congregation’s lives go into over-drive as they go after the impenitent, out of love, and continue to call them to repentance. The Church continues to pray for the impenitent. The Church loves them even more. The objective is see the person back in Church and back at the Table of the Lord receiving the Body and Blood our Lord, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of their sins.
Jesus came out of love for the world. He came to suffer our shame and take our guilt upon Himself. The very Son of God, the sinless One, became sin for us and paid the ransom price, which His Father demanded, for sin. Jesus died for us. Jesus rejoices with His Father when we repent of our sins and receive His forgiveness. The Church on earth and the angels and archangels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents and turns away from their sinful lives. Brothers and sisters, heaven and earth are rejoicing for us this very day because Jesus has done all things well. Praise be to God for His Son Jesus Christ and the love He has shown to us with His life on the cross.
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understand guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this day is the Holy Gospel read a few minutes ago. Hear again the words of our Lord. Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matt. xviii, 18-20)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
There are two basic emotions in this world; love and hate. “Love is the principal force behind human life. Christians have understood that love literally set the universe in motion.” Love is why God created man and woman. Love is why Jesus became flesh. Love is why Jesus suffered and died. Love, by definition, is who God is.
When we look around the world we live in, we see evidence of life and death. The evidence of life is seen in God’s creation and in every living thing around us. The evidence of death is obvious too but the most obvious place we see death is when we look at human beings. Human beings are all infected with original sin which separated us from God the Father and His love.
However, as Christians baptized into the holy Name of God, having died with Christ in His death and raised with Christ in His resurrection to the newness of life, we are no longer dead to sin because of the redeeming and reconciling love of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross to save us from our sins, death, and the power of the devil.
We live because God loves us and forgives us daily. Just as Christ commanded us to love one another, He also says to us today to forgive one another.
But when we live apart from Christ and His Word, we fall off the narrow path of Christ and find ourselves on the slippery slope of Satan known as the broad path which leads to destruction.
On this broad path, we commit idolatry. We murder. We steal. We commit adultery. We covet all those wonderful things that others have which we want but God has not given to us.
When we hold grudges and hatred toward our brother, we sin. When we stop coming to church and or Bible class because someone did or said something we didn’t like, we sin. When we become delinquent in our worship and study of the Word, we sin. This is who we are. We are sinners and we need forgiveness and love from God and our fellow mankind.
In verse 18, Jesus says to us, “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (v. 18) We can and should forgive one another. That’s what Christians do! There is no reason to carry hatred around in our hearts for our brothers and sisters. Rather, if someone says something or does something that causes an offense, go to them and inform them of their wrong doing so they have the opportunity to repent of their sin. This, brothers and sisters, is love. Love for your neighbor. Love them. Listen to them. Be ready to forgive them when they repent.
If they fail to repent, “…take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’” (Matt. xviii, 16) This second action of taking witnesses is a second act of love and mercy toward the one who has fallen away from Christ and is impenitent. In Christ, continue to call your brother or sister to repentance so that God’s grace may abound. Pray for them that they turn from their evil ways. Pray that the Holy Spirit brings them back to Christ and causes their stubbornness to cease.
If your brother or sister continues to reject God and His Word, “…tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” (Matt. xviii, 17) If the impenitent refuses to confess, this last step is to excommunicate them from the Church. This means they are under Church discipline and not allowed to receive the Lord’s Supper. This step of excommunication is an act of love in Christ for the impenitent sinner. This does not mean they are banished. Rather, excommunication means that now the pastor and the congregation’s lives go into over-drive as they go after the impenitent, out of love, and continue to call them to repentance. The Church continues to pray for the impenitent. The Church loves them even more. The objective is see the person back in Church and back at the Table of the Lord receiving the Body and Blood our Lord, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of their sins.
Jesus came out of love for the world. He came to suffer our shame and take our guilt upon Himself. The very Son of God, the sinless One, became sin for us and paid the ransom price, which His Father demanded, for sin. Jesus died for us. Jesus rejoices with His Father when we repent of our sins and receive His forgiveness. The Church on earth and the angels and archangels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents and turns away from their sinful lives. Brothers and sisters, heaven and earth are rejoicing for us this very day because Jesus has done all things well. Praise be to God for His Son Jesus Christ and the love He has shown to us with His life on the cross.
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understand guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
+ Matthew 16:21-28 +
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
What does it mean to be a disciple? A disciple is one who “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.” A disciple is one who listens to their teacher, learns what they are being taught either by reading, observation, or by doing. A disciple is one who clings to their teachers words and holds onto the knowledge received as the truth.
Now, we are not disciples the same way the twelve were when Jesus was teaching throughout His ministry. We are, by definition, because we all learn from someone and spread their teaching. Some of us have a director or manager whom we listen to and learn from at work and then pass on to others what they have taught us. Some of us are students and we listen to our teachers or professors and hold onto what they are teaching us so we can learn and pass the examinations. After school or college, we then take that information and teach others. Even our little children here this morning listen to their parents and learn what they are teaching them so when they grow up, they can teach their children or someone else.
We don’t always listen to our teachers and the lessons they give us – do we? No! We want to do it our way. We want to be in control. We think we have all the answers. Sometimes when we don’t listen to our teachers, and this includes Mom and Dad, and the boss at work, we do our own thing and maybe someone could get hurt.
We don’t listen because we don’t trust. We are arrogant and pompous creatures.
However, all of us here today are disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is our Teacher. His message is one of salvation and everlasting life. His message is truth without error. We listen to Jesus, believe His teaching, and then go throughout the world proclaiming the saving message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified to all the world.
However, when we act like Peter and go against Jesus and His Word, we don’t trust God. When we don’t trust God, we are guilty of sinning against God because we broke the First Commandment. When we don’t trust God and ignore His teaching, we are of our father the devil. Jesus tells us, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.” (John viii, 44a)
For the past four weeks, Jesus has been teaching us about trusting Him. On August 10th, the sermon was about Jesus walking on the water and Peter’s lack of trust in Jesus. On August 17th, we learned about the faith and trust the Canaanite woman had in Jesus that He would heal her daughter of the demon that possessed her. Last week, we learned how the Father in heaven revealed to Peter who Jesus was when Peter responded to Jesus’ question, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. xvi, 16) This week, Peter is center stage once again, with the other disciples, but this time Peter rebukes his Teacher, Jesus, and tries to stop Jesus from going to the cross to die.
4 weeks ago, Peter took his eyes off Jesus and nearly drowned in the Sea of Galilee. Last week, Peter, by the power of the Holy Spirit, confessed Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. Today, he is bold enough to rebuke the Messiah and tells Jesus to His face, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matt. xvi, 22b)
Jesus’ response was clear to Peter, to the world, and to you here at Christ the King. If you are not with Me you are against Me. Peter did not want Jesus to die on the cross. Peter is not hearing or understanding what Jesus is teaching. The cross is a stumbling block for those who do not believe. The cross is a stumbling block for those who think they have something to contribute to salvation and everlasting life. Jesus is the only Way to everlasting life. When challenged by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus rebuked Satan when he tried to keep Jesus from going to the cross. Jesus said, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” (Matt. iv, 10)
Just as Jesus rebuked Satan, He also rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew xvi, 23)
The Lord says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” (Isaiah lv, 8) Our Teacher, Jesus Christ, is the greatest Teacher ever to walk the earth. His teachings are without error. His message is one of suffering, humility, persecution, service, love, death, and resurrection. His message is one of life and death. Jesus lived the very message He preached. His way leads to everlasting life. All other ways lead to destruction.
Jesus lived the message He preached. He was persecuted many times. The people of His hometown of Nazareth were offended at His teaching. He was nearly thrown off the edge of the city. He loved the woman at the well. He loved and cried over His brother Lazarus. He loved His mother even in the face of death. Jesus suffered at the hands of the Roman soldiers. He was beaten because of our sin. He was ridiculed because of our disobedience. Jesus died for our sins. Yes – Jesus died because of us. Jesus was sent to save the world. He was going to do this by dying on a cross and then rise again three days later. If we do not believe this message or the Teacher who teaches it, then we are no better than Peter. If we are like Peter, than Jesus’ words are the same to us. He says, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matt. xvi, 23)
Jesus tells us about His ways for our life. He says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matt. xvi, 24)
What does it mean to take up your cross? It simply means to “deny yourself of all self-righteousness, selfishness, self-centeredness and live in Christ. To take up your cross means to accept whatever burden, trial, persecution, trouble, labor, peril, or death the heavenly Father may see fit to impose on you and follow His Son Jesus faithfully.” To take up your cross means for the sake of the Word and the faith voluntarily to take and to bear the hatred of the devil, the world, of the flesh, of sin, and of death.”
As sinners, it is not easy to take up our crosses every day. It is not easy to trust in the Lord above all things. It is not easy to pick up God’s Word and study it daily. It’s not easy because sin, the world, and our flesh battle against us. This cosmic war for our soul rages on day after day after day for the rest of our natural born days on earth. Satan is working against us. The world is working against us. We are working against ourselves. But, as Christians, we know that God has sent us the Helper because our Savior told us so. As Christians, we know we are not alone because Jesus told us so. We know that Satan can’t defeat us because Jesus conquered him and crushed his head when He said, “It is finished!” (John xix, 30b)
As Christians, we know with all confidence that Jesus is on our side because He teaches us in his Word about the gifts of the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation which He won for us on Calvary. Jesus died for us. Jesus has compassion and mercy for us. Jesus pours out His grace upon us daily. Why? He did because He loves us.
Our Teacher, Jesus Christ, tells us to trust Him. When we fail, He forgives us when we repent of our sins. Jesus says to us today, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John xv, 12-13)
You are God’s Children. You bear the Name of the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your Baptism. You are a living temple of the Holy Spirit. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” (i Peter ii, 21) Christ is our refuge and strength. He is our every need in time of trial and persecution. He wants us to keep our eyes on Him and Him alone. He is Lord. He is our Savior. Praise be to God that He is a God of love and mercy who gives us hope, strength, courage, and most of all, His blessing. Amen.
“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
What does it mean to be a disciple? A disciple is one who “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.” A disciple is one who listens to their teacher, learns what they are being taught either by reading, observation, or by doing. A disciple is one who clings to their teachers words and holds onto the knowledge received as the truth.
Now, we are not disciples the same way the twelve were when Jesus was teaching throughout His ministry. We are, by definition, because we all learn from someone and spread their teaching. Some of us have a director or manager whom we listen to and learn from at work and then pass on to others what they have taught us. Some of us are students and we listen to our teachers or professors and hold onto what they are teaching us so we can learn and pass the examinations. After school or college, we then take that information and teach others. Even our little children here this morning listen to their parents and learn what they are teaching them so when they grow up, they can teach their children or someone else.
We don’t always listen to our teachers and the lessons they give us – do we? No! We want to do it our way. We want to be in control. We think we have all the answers. Sometimes when we don’t listen to our teachers, and this includes Mom and Dad, and the boss at work, we do our own thing and maybe someone could get hurt.
We don’t listen because we don’t trust. We are arrogant and pompous creatures.
However, all of us here today are disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is our Teacher. His message is one of salvation and everlasting life. His message is truth without error. We listen to Jesus, believe His teaching, and then go throughout the world proclaiming the saving message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified to all the world.
However, when we act like Peter and go against Jesus and His Word, we don’t trust God. When we don’t trust God, we are guilty of sinning against God because we broke the First Commandment. When we don’t trust God and ignore His teaching, we are of our father the devil. Jesus tells us, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.” (John viii, 44a)
For the past four weeks, Jesus has been teaching us about trusting Him. On August 10th, the sermon was about Jesus walking on the water and Peter’s lack of trust in Jesus. On August 17th, we learned about the faith and trust the Canaanite woman had in Jesus that He would heal her daughter of the demon that possessed her. Last week, we learned how the Father in heaven revealed to Peter who Jesus was when Peter responded to Jesus’ question, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. xvi, 16) This week, Peter is center stage once again, with the other disciples, but this time Peter rebukes his Teacher, Jesus, and tries to stop Jesus from going to the cross to die.
4 weeks ago, Peter took his eyes off Jesus and nearly drowned in the Sea of Galilee. Last week, Peter, by the power of the Holy Spirit, confessed Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. Today, he is bold enough to rebuke the Messiah and tells Jesus to His face, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matt. xvi, 22b)
Jesus’ response was clear to Peter, to the world, and to you here at Christ the King. If you are not with Me you are against Me. Peter did not want Jesus to die on the cross. Peter is not hearing or understanding what Jesus is teaching. The cross is a stumbling block for those who do not believe. The cross is a stumbling block for those who think they have something to contribute to salvation and everlasting life. Jesus is the only Way to everlasting life. When challenged by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus rebuked Satan when he tried to keep Jesus from going to the cross. Jesus said, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” (Matt. iv, 10)
Just as Jesus rebuked Satan, He also rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew xvi, 23)
The Lord says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” (Isaiah lv, 8) Our Teacher, Jesus Christ, is the greatest Teacher ever to walk the earth. His teachings are without error. His message is one of suffering, humility, persecution, service, love, death, and resurrection. His message is one of life and death. Jesus lived the very message He preached. His way leads to everlasting life. All other ways lead to destruction.
Jesus lived the message He preached. He was persecuted many times. The people of His hometown of Nazareth were offended at His teaching. He was nearly thrown off the edge of the city. He loved the woman at the well. He loved and cried over His brother Lazarus. He loved His mother even in the face of death. Jesus suffered at the hands of the Roman soldiers. He was beaten because of our sin. He was ridiculed because of our disobedience. Jesus died for our sins. Yes – Jesus died because of us. Jesus was sent to save the world. He was going to do this by dying on a cross and then rise again three days later. If we do not believe this message or the Teacher who teaches it, then we are no better than Peter. If we are like Peter, than Jesus’ words are the same to us. He says, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matt. xvi, 23)
Jesus tells us about His ways for our life. He says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matt. xvi, 24)
What does it mean to take up your cross? It simply means to “deny yourself of all self-righteousness, selfishness, self-centeredness and live in Christ. To take up your cross means to accept whatever burden, trial, persecution, trouble, labor, peril, or death the heavenly Father may see fit to impose on you and follow His Son Jesus faithfully.” To take up your cross means for the sake of the Word and the faith voluntarily to take and to bear the hatred of the devil, the world, of the flesh, of sin, and of death.”
As sinners, it is not easy to take up our crosses every day. It is not easy to trust in the Lord above all things. It is not easy to pick up God’s Word and study it daily. It’s not easy because sin, the world, and our flesh battle against us. This cosmic war for our soul rages on day after day after day for the rest of our natural born days on earth. Satan is working against us. The world is working against us. We are working against ourselves. But, as Christians, we know that God has sent us the Helper because our Savior told us so. As Christians, we know we are not alone because Jesus told us so. We know that Satan can’t defeat us because Jesus conquered him and crushed his head when He said, “It is finished!” (John xix, 30b)
As Christians, we know with all confidence that Jesus is on our side because He teaches us in his Word about the gifts of the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation which He won for us on Calvary. Jesus died for us. Jesus has compassion and mercy for us. Jesus pours out His grace upon us daily. Why? He did because He loves us.
Our Teacher, Jesus Christ, tells us to trust Him. When we fail, He forgives us when we repent of our sins. Jesus says to us today, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John xv, 12-13)
You are God’s Children. You bear the Name of the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your Baptism. You are a living temple of the Holy Spirit. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” (i Peter ii, 21) Christ is our refuge and strength. He is our every need in time of trial and persecution. He wants us to keep our eyes on Him and Him alone. He is Lord. He is our Savior. Praise be to God that He is a God of love and mercy who gives us hope, strength, courage, and most of all, His blessing. Amen.
“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Monday, August 25, 2008
+ Matthew 16:13-20 +
“My Bride, I ask you, “Who am I?” but you cannot answer the question. You cannot answer because your heart is soiled with the darkness of sin and cannot see the Light of the world. You think you are more important than Me. You place yourselves above Me and continue to wallow in the mud of Satan. You do not come to My house when you should. You curse Me. You deny Me. You turn your backs on Me. You do not love each other or care for each other the way I asked you too. Do you want to know why you behave the way you do? It is because you do not trust Me and you have taken your eyes off of Me. You do not see Me for who I Am. So, I ask you again, Who am I?
I have been with you from the beginning of time. We created you out of the dust of the earth. My Father gave your parents His promise that I would come to you. I spoke to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob but I did not reveal my name to them. When I heard your cries in Egypt, I revealed My name to Moses. I AM. I told Moses to say, “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
I am the One who stood guard as your ancestors crossed the Red Sea. It was I who stood between you and the Egyptians in the cloud. It was I who parted the Sea which allowed them to cross over on dry ground.
I am the One who loves you from the beginning. I give you food to eat. I give you wine to drink. I give you clothing, shelter, and all the things you need to sustain your life. I give you My love which is more abundant than anything you could ever imagine.
I am the One who washed all your sins away in the font of Holy Baptism. I took you into My arms and held you in My bosom. As I poured the water over your head, you entered everlasting life through My death. Your sins and iniquities were forgiven immediately. I buried our arch enemy at the bottom of the font. The water and the blood which flowed from My side crushed the evil one forever. You now know Me because in these waters I revealed Myself to you. I am not only revealed to you, but I dwell within you and My Spirit too. In these Holy Waters, I revealed My Father to you for I told you in My Word, “I and My Father are One.”
I asked My disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” The people have not heard what I have told them through My prophets. They do not remember all that I have done for them and their ancestors from the beginning of time. I still love them. I long for their repentance so that I can forgive them. However, My disciples have been with Me now for almost three years. They have heard My teachings. They witnessed My miracles. So I asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Before Peter said anything, “the Spirit who once hovered over the primordial chaotic waters of the universe, who lit upon the Messiah in the form of a dove, opened Peter’s lips. Out came the Word of God: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” I answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
I am the Rock upon which I will build My church. Your faith and your works will not suffice. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This is why My Father sent Me to you. I came because He loves Me and you. I came out of love for My Father and you. I did all that He asked Me to do. I did it perfectly because I wanted to restore the communion and fellowship we once had together. You cannot be restored except through Me.
Just as Moses held up the rod with his strong arm so your ancestors could be free; I held up My arms on the Tree of Life so you could have everlasting life with Me and My Father in heaven. My way is not easy. My way is a way of suffering and humility. My way is a way of love. People will persecute you as they did Me. The Chief Priests and Elders sent men after Me with swords and clubs. These same people, including the Chief Priests and the Elders, listened to Me in their synagogues but did not hear Me. The high priest called Me a liar when I confessed who I am. They tore My clothes. They accused Me of blasphemy. They spit in My face. They beat Me and struck Me with their fists. They bound Me and led Me away to another trial. They stripped Me down and humiliated Me. They drove a crown of thorns into My head. They wanted Me dead. I carried their own weapon of destruction which would be used against Me. They nailed Me; My hands and feet. Not longer after they hoisted Me up for all to see, so that all who look upon Me and believe My Word, will live forever with Me in paradise. Just before I died, I tore the temple curtain so that My Glory would be revealed to all people. I gave My life not just for the Jews but for the Gentiles too. The Holy of Holies is set before you on the Tree of Life for all to see and believe. Who am I?
I heard your confession here in My house. My Spirit dwells within you. I am the Rock that you rest upon. Come and dine with Me at My table. I am here every week ready to serve you My holy meal of life with its gift of forgiveness and strengthening of your faith to sustain your life in Me. I invite you to “Take Eat” and “Take Drink”. This is My Body and My Blood which was given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. At My table, there is no substitute as some would have you believe. There is no magic here in which these elements of bread and wine change into Me. Hear My Word, This bread and this wine are given to you by Me, in My blood of the New Testament which I made with you.
My Bride, who am I? I am Jesus, the Son of God. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” ” Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
I have been with you from the beginning of time. We created you out of the dust of the earth. My Father gave your parents His promise that I would come to you. I spoke to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob but I did not reveal my name to them. When I heard your cries in Egypt, I revealed My name to Moses. I AM. I told Moses to say, “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
I am the One who stood guard as your ancestors crossed the Red Sea. It was I who stood between you and the Egyptians in the cloud. It was I who parted the Sea which allowed them to cross over on dry ground.
I am the One who loves you from the beginning. I give you food to eat. I give you wine to drink. I give you clothing, shelter, and all the things you need to sustain your life. I give you My love which is more abundant than anything you could ever imagine.
I am the One who washed all your sins away in the font of Holy Baptism. I took you into My arms and held you in My bosom. As I poured the water over your head, you entered everlasting life through My death. Your sins and iniquities were forgiven immediately. I buried our arch enemy at the bottom of the font. The water and the blood which flowed from My side crushed the evil one forever. You now know Me because in these waters I revealed Myself to you. I am not only revealed to you, but I dwell within you and My Spirit too. In these Holy Waters, I revealed My Father to you for I told you in My Word, “I and My Father are One.”
I asked My disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” The people have not heard what I have told them through My prophets. They do not remember all that I have done for them and their ancestors from the beginning of time. I still love them. I long for their repentance so that I can forgive them. However, My disciples have been with Me now for almost three years. They have heard My teachings. They witnessed My miracles. So I asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Before Peter said anything, “the Spirit who once hovered over the primordial chaotic waters of the universe, who lit upon the Messiah in the form of a dove, opened Peter’s lips. Out came the Word of God: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” I answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
I am the Rock upon which I will build My church. Your faith and your works will not suffice. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This is why My Father sent Me to you. I came because He loves Me and you. I came out of love for My Father and you. I did all that He asked Me to do. I did it perfectly because I wanted to restore the communion and fellowship we once had together. You cannot be restored except through Me.
Just as Moses held up the rod with his strong arm so your ancestors could be free; I held up My arms on the Tree of Life so you could have everlasting life with Me and My Father in heaven. My way is not easy. My way is a way of suffering and humility. My way is a way of love. People will persecute you as they did Me. The Chief Priests and Elders sent men after Me with swords and clubs. These same people, including the Chief Priests and the Elders, listened to Me in their synagogues but did not hear Me. The high priest called Me a liar when I confessed who I am. They tore My clothes. They accused Me of blasphemy. They spit in My face. They beat Me and struck Me with their fists. They bound Me and led Me away to another trial. They stripped Me down and humiliated Me. They drove a crown of thorns into My head. They wanted Me dead. I carried their own weapon of destruction which would be used against Me. They nailed Me; My hands and feet. Not longer after they hoisted Me up for all to see, so that all who look upon Me and believe My Word, will live forever with Me in paradise. Just before I died, I tore the temple curtain so that My Glory would be revealed to all people. I gave My life not just for the Jews but for the Gentiles too. The Holy of Holies is set before you on the Tree of Life for all to see and believe. Who am I?
I heard your confession here in My house. My Spirit dwells within you. I am the Rock that you rest upon. Come and dine with Me at My table. I am here every week ready to serve you My holy meal of life with its gift of forgiveness and strengthening of your faith to sustain your life in Me. I invite you to “Take Eat” and “Take Drink”. This is My Body and My Blood which was given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. At My table, there is no substitute as some would have you believe. There is no magic here in which these elements of bread and wine change into Me. Hear My Word, This bread and this wine are given to you by Me, in My blood of the New Testament which I made with you.
My Bride, who am I? I am Jesus, the Son of God. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” ” Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
+ Matthew 15:21-28 +
"O woman, great is your faith!"
Jesus help me.
The 14th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 15) “Series A"
Matthew 15:21-28 – The Canaanite woman
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this day is the Holy Gospel read a few minutes ago. Hear again the words of our Lord. “Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” (Matt. xv, 28)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The world in which we live today differs very little from the world in the Gospel text. We live in a fallen world corrupted by sin. We can do nothing to earn salvation. Our Lord Jesus Christ descended from heaven to save the very world from sin, death, and the devil which was created through Him. Jesus died on the cross to take our sin, shame, and guilt unto Himself, rose again on the third day so that we may live.
In the Gospel today, we are presented with a woman from Canaan who heard about Jesus and His teachings. She must have been familiar with the Scriptures because she came to Jesus crying out, “And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” (Matt. xv, 22b)
She cries for mercy because she was conscious of the misery in her soul. Why do you come to the Lord this day? What afflictions vex you today? Is it loneliness? Anxiety? Arthritis? Age? Addiction of some sort? Pain from surgery? Has the examination of your heart this past week exposed the sins and the things of this world, which afflict your soul? I know my soul aches because of my disobedience. This is why we cried out a few minutes ago – Kyrie eleison, that is, Lord, have mercy. This cry “expresses our humility and appreciation of our own weakness and need.” Our cry to the Lord and the cry of the Canaanite woman for mercy come by faith.
The woman’s need is clear. Her daughter is vexed with a devil. She knows her only help was in Jesus. What a shining example of faith.
Jesus does not respond at first. Is He ignoring her? No. He is testing her faith. Then the disciples jumped into to help. “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” (Matt. xv, 23b) The disciple’s actions by urging Jesus to help the woman were not actions of mercy but rather actions to get rid of her because they didn’t want to be bothered by her.
Jesus answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt. xv, 24) This is the second test of the woman. She is a Gentile and now her ears hear that the Lord was not sent to any except the lost house of Israel. What is she to do?
What do you do brothers and sisters when it seems that the Lord does not answer your prayers? What do you do when you feel forsaken by God? What do you do when you are lonely? What do you do when the world persecutes you for being a Christian? As Jesus said, we can do nothing. Rather, we persist in our faith and cling to our God and His Word above all things.
The Canaanite woman does just what God tells her to do. She persists in her faith. She clings to God alone. She comes after Jesus and worships Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” (Matt. xv, 25) She pleads to Him for His mercy and help. Her faith holds fast to the promises of Scripture. Her faith is confident and strong that Jesus will help her and her daughter.
After Jesus tries her faith for the third time when He said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” (Matt. xv, 26) “The woman takes Christ captive in His Word, when He’s angriest, and makes out of His cruel words a comforting inversion. The woman responds that I am a dog. Let it be, I will gladly be a dog; now give me the consideration that you give a dog.”
The woman is kneeling before the Master who created the world and died on a cross to save it from sin, death, and the power of the devil. She is kneeling before the Bread of Life who descended from heaven to feed the world His Body and Blood. “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John vi, 35) The Canaanite woman wants the food, which only Jesus can give. She wants the food of everlasting life.
You too will come shortly before your King to receive from Him His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins. You will come to this holy table set before you, united as one with all the saints in heaven and one earth, in this blessed Sacrament instituted by your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins. He gave up His life so that we would live. He says to us this day, “O Children, great is thy faith. Be it unto thee as thou have asked. Your sins are forgiven.”
“This example of the Canaanite woman serves us well in that, when our Lord God puts off answering, we do not let up but firmly trust that He will finally say “YES,” and even though He does not say it loudly and publicly, still says it privately in our hearts, until the time comes when we see and experience it in fact, provided that we don’t become lazy and lax in prayer and perseverance.”
Your pain, anxiety, misery, loneliness, arthritis, addictions, acts of disobedience, and other afflictions will be done away with according to the will of God.
Jesus’ primary concern out of love for us is to keep us in the saving faith to everlasting life. Pray at all times. Persevere in your faith. Come to this holy house of prayer and worship the Lord and be persistent in your requests to Jesus, the Great Physician. Come and feed on His Word. Come to His table and receive from Him His body and blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. Come weary sinner; come before the Lord, for all things are now ready. Your sins are forgiven.
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Jesus help me.
The 14th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 15) “Series A"
Matthew 15:21-28 – The Canaanite woman
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this day is the Holy Gospel read a few minutes ago. Hear again the words of our Lord. “Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” (Matt. xv, 28)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The world in which we live today differs very little from the world in the Gospel text. We live in a fallen world corrupted by sin. We can do nothing to earn salvation. Our Lord Jesus Christ descended from heaven to save the very world from sin, death, and the devil which was created through Him. Jesus died on the cross to take our sin, shame, and guilt unto Himself, rose again on the third day so that we may live.
In the Gospel today, we are presented with a woman from Canaan who heard about Jesus and His teachings. She must have been familiar with the Scriptures because she came to Jesus crying out, “And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” (Matt. xv, 22b)
She cries for mercy because she was conscious of the misery in her soul. Why do you come to the Lord this day? What afflictions vex you today? Is it loneliness? Anxiety? Arthritis? Age? Addiction of some sort? Pain from surgery? Has the examination of your heart this past week exposed the sins and the things of this world, which afflict your soul? I know my soul aches because of my disobedience. This is why we cried out a few minutes ago – Kyrie eleison, that is, Lord, have mercy. This cry “expresses our humility and appreciation of our own weakness and need.” Our cry to the Lord and the cry of the Canaanite woman for mercy come by faith.
The woman’s need is clear. Her daughter is vexed with a devil. She knows her only help was in Jesus. What a shining example of faith.
Jesus does not respond at first. Is He ignoring her? No. He is testing her faith. Then the disciples jumped into to help. “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” (Matt. xv, 23b) The disciple’s actions by urging Jesus to help the woman were not actions of mercy but rather actions to get rid of her because they didn’t want to be bothered by her.
Jesus answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt. xv, 24) This is the second test of the woman. She is a Gentile and now her ears hear that the Lord was not sent to any except the lost house of Israel. What is she to do?
What do you do brothers and sisters when it seems that the Lord does not answer your prayers? What do you do when you feel forsaken by God? What do you do when you are lonely? What do you do when the world persecutes you for being a Christian? As Jesus said, we can do nothing. Rather, we persist in our faith and cling to our God and His Word above all things.
The Canaanite woman does just what God tells her to do. She persists in her faith. She clings to God alone. She comes after Jesus and worships Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” (Matt. xv, 25) She pleads to Him for His mercy and help. Her faith holds fast to the promises of Scripture. Her faith is confident and strong that Jesus will help her and her daughter.
After Jesus tries her faith for the third time when He said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” (Matt. xv, 26) “The woman takes Christ captive in His Word, when He’s angriest, and makes out of His cruel words a comforting inversion. The woman responds that I am a dog. Let it be, I will gladly be a dog; now give me the consideration that you give a dog.”
The woman is kneeling before the Master who created the world and died on a cross to save it from sin, death, and the power of the devil. She is kneeling before the Bread of Life who descended from heaven to feed the world His Body and Blood. “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John vi, 35) The Canaanite woman wants the food, which only Jesus can give. She wants the food of everlasting life.
You too will come shortly before your King to receive from Him His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins. You will come to this holy table set before you, united as one with all the saints in heaven and one earth, in this blessed Sacrament instituted by your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins. He gave up His life so that we would live. He says to us this day, “O Children, great is thy faith. Be it unto thee as thou have asked. Your sins are forgiven.”
“This example of the Canaanite woman serves us well in that, when our Lord God puts off answering, we do not let up but firmly trust that He will finally say “YES,” and even though He does not say it loudly and publicly, still says it privately in our hearts, until the time comes when we see and experience it in fact, provided that we don’t become lazy and lax in prayer and perseverance.”
Your pain, anxiety, misery, loneliness, arthritis, addictions, acts of disobedience, and other afflictions will be done away with according to the will of God.
Jesus’ primary concern out of love for us is to keep us in the saving faith to everlasting life. Pray at all times. Persevere in your faith. Come to this holy house of prayer and worship the Lord and be persistent in your requests to Jesus, the Great Physician. Come and feed on His Word. Come to His table and receive from Him His body and blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. Come weary sinner; come before the Lord, for all things are now ready. Your sins are forgiven.
In + Jesus Name. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
+ Installation Service +
I was Installed as Pastor of The Lutheran Church of Christ the King in Duluth, Minnesota on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 4:00 PM CDT. I thank all the brothers you were able to attend. The Lord surely has blessed my life and I give Him all the honor and praise for bringing me to this glorious day.
I ask that you keep me and my bride and the congregation in your prayers as we move forward and listen and hear what the Lord of the Church has for us and our lives together as brothers and sisters in Christ here in Duluth.
+ SDG +
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Safe and sound...
Tami and I arrived at our new home in Duluth, Minnesota on Tuesday evening around 10:00 PM CDT. We had a nice visit with my brother and his family in Maple City, Michigan on Monday evening. I thank them for all their love and support and especially for storing some of our househole goods for the past two years. THANK YOU BIG BROTHER!
We thank God for watching over us as we traveled. We continue to thank Him for all blessings received.
+ SDG +
We thank God for watching over us as we traveled. We continue to thank Him for all blessings received.
+ SDG +
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
+ The Call to Serve +
My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has called me to serve as pastor to the flock at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King in Duluth, Minnesota.I will be installed as their pastor on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 4:00 PM.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say rejoice!
+ SDG +
+ The Rite of Ordination +
I thank God for the gift of His Holy Spirit these past five years during my time of study at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.It is by God's direction and calling that He brought me to this place and through His called servants, placed me into the Office of the Holy Ministry on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at Our Savior Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Hartland, Michigan.
I give our Lord thanks and praise daily for my beautiful and supportive bride who was at my side through this journey at the seminary. Tami is so wonderful, kind, loving, and supportive that without her I don't think I could've made it. Our Father in heaven has blessed me with this wonderful gift from heaven for the past 12 1/2 years. Tami, thank you for all your love, prayers, and support. I love you!
I also thank my parents and family members for their love and support these past five years. I especially want to thank my brother and son who are both pastors in the Church for their unending support and guidance.
Finally, to all the brothers in the holy Office who have helped me, prayed with me, supported me through their congregations, sent cards or emails and most especially, called on the telephone when their voices were most needed. Thank you all. I especially want to thank all the brothers who came to the ordination to support me onthis wonderful most holy day.
To God be all the glory and honor, now and forever. Amen.
+ SDG +
Friday, July 25, 2008
The work of a shepherd (Part 3)
In my second post about the work of a shepherd, I described for you the work of pastors in Siberia, Russia.
I received a communication from my brother that his work in Siberia is near an end. He will be returning home early next week.
I humbly ask all who read this blog to keep my brother and his companions in your prayers as they return home.
Praise be to God for these humble servants who go forth into the world to proclaim the life saving message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified to save all men from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
+ SDG +
I received a communication from my brother that his work in Siberia is near an end. He will be returning home early next week.
I humbly ask all who read this blog to keep my brother and his companions in your prayers as they return home.
Praise be to God for these humble servants who go forth into the world to proclaim the life saving message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified to save all men from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
+ SDG +
Thursday, July 17, 2008
+ Divine Call +
I received my Divine Call to serve our Lord at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King in Duluth, Minnesota. Praise be to God.
Dr. Fickenscher called me on Friday, June 20, 2008 but I finally received the paperwork on July 14, 2008. I was so excited when the telephone call came and I heard those beautiful words, Please come to the office to pick up your Call documents.
I have spent two days filling out paperwork, taking and receiving telephone calls, arranging a move through four states, and most of all, I find myself saying to my beautiful bride, "We're going to Minnesota!" Then she says, "I can't wait!"
I thank God every day for His rich blessings in my life. I continue to thank Him for providing me a place to serve Him and His Children and I also thank Him for sending me to proclaim His gospel; the life saving Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Dr. Fickenscher called me on Friday, June 20, 2008 but I finally received the paperwork on July 14, 2008. I was so excited when the telephone call came and I heard those beautiful words, Please come to the office to pick up your Call documents.
I have spent two days filling out paperwork, taking and receiving telephone calls, arranging a move through four states, and most of all, I find myself saying to my beautiful bride, "We're going to Minnesota!" Then she says, "I can't wait!"
I thank God every day for His rich blessings in my life. I continue to thank Him for providing me a place to serve Him and His Children and I also thank Him for sending me to proclaim His gospel; the life saving Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Monday, July 14, 2008
+ Romans 8:12-17 +
The sermon for Trinity 8. This sermon is the last I will preach at St. John Lutheran Church (Bingen) in Decatur, Indiana (my vicarage assignment).
Jesus help me.
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this day is written in the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans viii, 13) This is the Word of the Lord.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Martin Luther said, “You should know that the Holy Scriptures constitute a book which turns the wisdom of all other books into foolishness, because not one teaches about eternal life except this one alone.” The Holy Scriptures reveal the Father to us and give us the two great doctrines of God – Law and Gospel. The Law shows us our sin and the Gospel shows us our Savior. Last week, Pastor Barnes told us about two trees, the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Two trees. Two paths.
St. Paul tells us more about these two paths in his epistle to the Romans, the path of the flesh and the path of the Spirit.
The first path is our flesh. This path only leads to destruction. Adam and Eve wanted more than what God gave them. They wanted to be like God knowing good and evil. (Genesis iii, 5b) Their coveting and disobedience brought death, that is, spiritual death into the world. Cain got angry because his sacrifice was not accepted by God. His anger resulted in the death of his brother. (Genesis iv, 4-8)
We are no different. We all have our false gods. Our gods may be pride, self-worth, our big home, our new fancy $350,000 combine, our new Cadillac, our status in the community or the church. We all have one thing in common and that is we all face the greatest idol in the world everyday when we look in the mirror. If you follow the path of the flesh, you will die. In your death, you will be separated from God and His love forever. Repent. Repent and receive God’s forgiveness of your sins.
The second path is the Spirit of God. This path leads to everlasting life because of the redeeming act of Jesus Christ on the cross for you. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of St. Matthew, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” (Matthew vii, 13) Jesus is the narrow gate. He is the way to eternal life.
We were put on the narrow path when Christ baptized us and made us His Children. St. Paul says in today’s Epistle, “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Romans viii, 17)
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” (Romans iii, 28) We can do nothing to earn everlasting life. We cannot contribute to what Jesus has done for us on the cross. Jesus took our place on the cross. Jesus died our death as our substitute. Jesus died because we cannot keep His Law. He fulfilled the Law for us and did it perfectly. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark x, 45) Jesus died to save the world from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
To take up our cross and follow Jesus means to live in the Spirit of God and exercise our Baptism daily. Luther tells us, “[Baptism] signifies that the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil lusts, should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance and be put to death, and that the new man should come forth daily and rise up, cleansed and righteous, to live forever in God’s presence.” (SC IV, IV, a)
St. Paul instructs us, “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians v, 16) Paul also says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians v, 25)
Jesus gave His Spirit to the world. Jesus gave us His Spirit in Baptism. Because we are the Children of God, the Holy Spirit works daily in our lives as He “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies” us “with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.” (SC II, III)
We have the path of life because of Jesus and His compassion and love for us. Jesus became flesh for us. He was despised and rejected by men. Jesus borne our griefs and carried our sorrows to the cross. He was stricken, smitten by His Father and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities and by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah liii, 3-5)
This is the message you've heard all your life. This message of Law and Gospel is the the message you will continue to hear Sunday after Sunday after Sunday. Jesus did all of this so we, the baptized, would have everlasting life. Jesus did all this so our sins are forgiven when we repent. Jesus did all this so that we would know He is our God and we are His Children. Jesus did all this because of His love for His Father and for us.
Thanks be to God for His love, His mercy, His grace, His Word, His Son, and His Holy Spirit which He gives to us daily for the crown of life given to us who believe in Jesus Christ.
You will be in my prayers. The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen.
“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Jesus help me.
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this day is written in the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans viii, 13) This is the Word of the Lord.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Martin Luther said, “You should know that the Holy Scriptures constitute a book which turns the wisdom of all other books into foolishness, because not one teaches about eternal life except this one alone.” The Holy Scriptures reveal the Father to us and give us the two great doctrines of God – Law and Gospel. The Law shows us our sin and the Gospel shows us our Savior. Last week, Pastor Barnes told us about two trees, the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Two trees. Two paths.
St. Paul tells us more about these two paths in his epistle to the Romans, the path of the flesh and the path of the Spirit.
The first path is our flesh. This path only leads to destruction. Adam and Eve wanted more than what God gave them. They wanted to be like God knowing good and evil. (Genesis iii, 5b) Their coveting and disobedience brought death, that is, spiritual death into the world. Cain got angry because his sacrifice was not accepted by God. His anger resulted in the death of his brother. (Genesis iv, 4-8)
We are no different. We all have our false gods. Our gods may be pride, self-worth, our big home, our new fancy $350,000 combine, our new Cadillac, our status in the community or the church. We all have one thing in common and that is we all face the greatest idol in the world everyday when we look in the mirror. If you follow the path of the flesh, you will die. In your death, you will be separated from God and His love forever. Repent. Repent and receive God’s forgiveness of your sins.
The second path is the Spirit of God. This path leads to everlasting life because of the redeeming act of Jesus Christ on the cross for you. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of St. Matthew, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” (Matthew vii, 13) Jesus is the narrow gate. He is the way to eternal life.
We were put on the narrow path when Christ baptized us and made us His Children. St. Paul says in today’s Epistle, “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Romans viii, 17)
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” (Romans iii, 28) We can do nothing to earn everlasting life. We cannot contribute to what Jesus has done for us on the cross. Jesus took our place on the cross. Jesus died our death as our substitute. Jesus died because we cannot keep His Law. He fulfilled the Law for us and did it perfectly. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark x, 45) Jesus died to save the world from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
To take up our cross and follow Jesus means to live in the Spirit of God and exercise our Baptism daily. Luther tells us, “[Baptism] signifies that the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil lusts, should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance and be put to death, and that the new man should come forth daily and rise up, cleansed and righteous, to live forever in God’s presence.” (SC IV, IV, a)
St. Paul instructs us, “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians v, 16) Paul also says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians v, 25)
Jesus gave His Spirit to the world. Jesus gave us His Spirit in Baptism. Because we are the Children of God, the Holy Spirit works daily in our lives as He “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies” us “with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.” (SC II, III)
We have the path of life because of Jesus and His compassion and love for us. Jesus became flesh for us. He was despised and rejected by men. Jesus borne our griefs and carried our sorrows to the cross. He was stricken, smitten by His Father and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities and by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah liii, 3-5)
This is the message you've heard all your life. This message of Law and Gospel is the the message you will continue to hear Sunday after Sunday after Sunday. Jesus did all of this so we, the baptized, would have everlasting life. Jesus did all this so our sins are forgiven when we repent. Jesus did all this so that we would know He is our God and we are His Children. Jesus did all this because of His love for His Father and for us.
Thanks be to God for His love, His mercy, His grace, His Word, His Son, and His Holy Spirit which He gives to us daily for the crown of life given to us who believe in Jesus Christ.
You will be in my prayers. The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen.
“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Amen.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Thursday, July 10, 2008
+ Mark 8:1-9 +
Here is the sermon for Trinity 7 midweek.
Jesus help me.
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this evening is the Holy Gospel read a few minutes ago. Hear again these words of our Lord, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.” (Mark viii, 2-3)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We citizens of America often take many things in our lives for granted. We have food to eat. We have shelter over our heads. We have this beautiful church to worship God. We have clothes to keep warm and make us look good.
The people who followed Jesus left everything behind as they followed Him for three days. They had no regard for themselves except for the words and teachings that came forth from the lips of our Lord Jesus.
Jesus knew their need and had compassion for them. His desire for their lives was not see them faint or die as they tried to return home for food but His desire was to feed them and give them life. This miracle of feeding the 4,000 is about more than the power of God as the miracle shows His love and compassion for the world.
The multitude that followed Jesus was very focused on Jesus. They listened to Him and heard His words. They were feeding on the Bread of Life as He seduced them with the knowledge of salvation.
In the Gospel of John, the day after Jesus fed the 5,000, Jesus said to the crowd, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” (John vi, 26-27) Jesus also says of Himself, “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John vi, 33) In addition, And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John vi, 33)
Jesus fed these 4,000 souls with more than the earthly food to sustain their earthly lives; He fed them the Word of God, which brings everlasting life. Jesus preached the Kingdom of God.
Yes, Jesus had great compassion for the people and He provided for their every need. He took the bread, gave thanks, and gave to His disciples to administer to the multitude. Afterwards, He took the fish, gave thanks, and His disciples gave it to the crowd. They ate until they were full. When the meal was complete, the disciples gathered seven baskets of leftovers.
The seven baskets of leftovers show us that man can never be satisfied with the bounty of our Lord. The mercy and grace of God are far greater than our actual needs, as His love and compassion are far greater than our sins.
Jesus came into this world to save it from sin and death. His love for the world conquered death as He said, “’It is finished!’ and bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John xix, 30b)
Jesus gives us the Bread from heaven for the forgiveness of our sins, life, and salvation. He is the Bread which satisfies the souls of His Children. He is the One who provides so much that our cups overflow.
Jesus conquered all accusations, guilt, and shame, regret, remorse, fear, hatred, lust, sorrow, and pain because He had compassion for us. He loved us. “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians ii, 8)
Jesus came to teach. He came to feed. He came to heal. He came to give life to you. Come weary sinners; come before the foot of the cross. The table is set. The body and blood of Christ are for you, given and shed for the forgiveness of your sins. Jesus says to you this night, “Come, for all things are now ready.” (Luke xiv, 17b)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
+ SDG +
Jesus help me.
The Holy Scripture we will meditate on this evening is the Holy Gospel read a few minutes ago. Hear again these words of our Lord, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.” (Mark viii, 2-3)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We citizens of America often take many things in our lives for granted. We have food to eat. We have shelter over our heads. We have this beautiful church to worship God. We have clothes to keep warm and make us look good.
The people who followed Jesus left everything behind as they followed Him for three days. They had no regard for themselves except for the words and teachings that came forth from the lips of our Lord Jesus.
Jesus knew their need and had compassion for them. His desire for their lives was not see them faint or die as they tried to return home for food but His desire was to feed them and give them life. This miracle of feeding the 4,000 is about more than the power of God as the miracle shows His love and compassion for the world.
The multitude that followed Jesus was very focused on Jesus. They listened to Him and heard His words. They were feeding on the Bread of Life as He seduced them with the knowledge of salvation.
In the Gospel of John, the day after Jesus fed the 5,000, Jesus said to the crowd, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” (John vi, 26-27) Jesus also says of Himself, “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John vi, 33) In addition, And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John vi, 33)
Jesus fed these 4,000 souls with more than the earthly food to sustain their earthly lives; He fed them the Word of God, which brings everlasting life. Jesus preached the Kingdom of God.
Yes, Jesus had great compassion for the people and He provided for their every need. He took the bread, gave thanks, and gave to His disciples to administer to the multitude. Afterwards, He took the fish, gave thanks, and His disciples gave it to the crowd. They ate until they were full. When the meal was complete, the disciples gathered seven baskets of leftovers.
The seven baskets of leftovers show us that man can never be satisfied with the bounty of our Lord. The mercy and grace of God are far greater than our actual needs, as His love and compassion are far greater than our sins.
Jesus came into this world to save it from sin and death. His love for the world conquered death as He said, “’It is finished!’ and bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John xix, 30b)
Jesus gives us the Bread from heaven for the forgiveness of our sins, life, and salvation. He is the Bread which satisfies the souls of His Children. He is the One who provides so much that our cups overflow.
Jesus conquered all accusations, guilt, and shame, regret, remorse, fear, hatred, lust, sorrow, and pain because He had compassion for us. He loved us. “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians ii, 8)
Jesus came to teach. He came to feed. He came to heal. He came to give life to you. Come weary sinners; come before the foot of the cross. The table is set. The body and blood of Christ are for you, given and shed for the forgiveness of your sins. Jesus says to you this night, “Come, for all things are now ready.” (Luke xiv, 17b)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
+ SDG +
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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