So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “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.” (John 20:21-23)
The Evangelical Lutheran Church reads this Bible passage and many others at the ordinations of the men our Lord Jesus Christ calls into His service to preach the Word in season and out of season. The Preaching Office is so important that the Reformers addressed its importance in Article XIV of the Augsburg Confession (Augustana). Let us review:
" It is taught among us that nobody should publicly teach or preach or administer the sacraments in the church without a regular call."
What does Augustana XIV mean? Has its meaning changed since the Confession was read before the Princes in 1530? For some in The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), Augustana means everything concerning the Preaching Office. For others, it means nothing. What happened to Augustana XIV? Where did go?
The LCMS has always held that a pastor was a man who was educated (seminary residency), examined, called (Divine Call), and ordained. She was serious about Augustana XIV. No one was to publicly teach or preach in the Church, nor administer the sacraments in the Church, without a regular call (rite vocatus). In 1989, everything changed for the LCMS. The Synod voted, in convention, to rescind Augustana XIV and replace it with the "lay ministry."
I asked earlier, what happened to Augustana XIV? The answer is that politics removed it from the LCMS. 1989 was a fateful year for the LCMS. She discarded a primary doctrine which the Evangelical Lutheran Church held for 459 years. Now, education and examination are no longer primary instruments in the Church. (See 2 Tim. 2:2; 3:2; Titus 1:9)
The LCMS has created many programs to put men into the preaching office; DELTO (Distance Education Leading to Ordination); AR (Alternate Route); SMPP (Specific Ministry Pastoral Program), and others. The LCMS has also rejected Augustana XIV by allowing men who resigned their Divine Call to continue to preach and administer the sacraments. She also allows men who have retired (resigned their Divine Call) to do the same. She also allows men to "read" sermons written by the pastor during his absence. Why? And yet, she condemns the actions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for allowing women in the preaching office. What's the difference? Rejection of the Confession is still rejection.
What can be done about this? Can Augustana XIV be restored in the LCMS? Is there any hope that this terrible wrong can be corrected? My answer is yes. I say IT'S TIME! The President of the Synod has been given all the tools and authority to correct the problems stemming from the rejection of Augustana XIV. His actions must include discipline and possible removal of those who do not conform.
It is about theology. It has to be about theology otherwise the LCMS is just another business in the United States of America. In my previous post, Steadfast Office - Theology, not Politics, Rev. McCall made an astute observation in his comment (#23). He asked, (paraphrasing) if nothing is done about an erring brother, does that mean I am still tolerating such behavior (tolerating his sin)? Or, do I or he need to leave.
His questions are asked because politics have taken over the LCMS. If the LCMS held to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, Rev. McCall's questions would not have to be asked. The erring brother, congregation, District President, or whom ever sinned was corrected, then all would be well in the LCMS. As it is, those who do hold fast to the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions are asking if they have to leave what they confess. This is just wrong. If the erring person refuses to confess his sin and repent (turn from evil), he must be removed from the Church (Matthew 18)
My prayer is that the Lord of the Church grant strength and courage to His Church to stand strong and be bold to call sinners to repentance.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Steadfast Office -- Theology, not Politics
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20) NKJV
Jesus' words in verse 20a are important to His Church on earth. Any church body should be mindful of it. An honest question about it may be: has the LCMS kept this verse in mind? Do we teach all things? Do we need to repent? As the Psalmist laments, How long O Lord? Lord, have mercy upon us.
Recently, while attending the Minnesota North District Convention, another brother under the yoke of Christ came up to me and said, "This isn't about theology. It's about politics." My stomach ached. I was sick. I asked him, “Are you kidding me? We are churchman gathered together to talk about the Church. Since when does politics dictate to the Church?”
I may be naive. I may be ignorant about many things. There are a few things however I am confident about. One thing I know for sure is that I believe Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. I know that the One I confess to be Lord is the same One who called and ordained me into His holy service to teach His people to observe all things [He] has commanded. I know it's about theology. It has to be. If the Church is all about politics, then what are we doing with the Holy Bible and the Lutheran Confessions? If it's all about politics, then these precious books are nothing more than books with mere common words written on their pages.
The Church must be about theology. If Church is about politics, it becomes a business. That would make everyone in this "business" we call church nothing more than businessmen who are directed by politics. When I was confronted with the reality that the LCMS is not about theology but politics, my conscience was burdened.
How can I, as an under-shepherd of the Good Shepherd, teach them all things He has commanded us when it's not about theology? I began to think that's probably why we got ourselves into the situation we're in today; it's because of politics. The LCMS got herself into trouble because she cast aside the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions and replaced these things with politics which has resulted in By-Laws, open communion, contemporary worship, dancers, screen, projectors, women preachers and teachers, etc.
On that fateful day, April 16, 2012, when I was told that the Minnesota North District Convention is not about theology but politics, I came to the realization that The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod will never repair the wrongs she has committed and continues to commit.
IT'S TIME! for reformation! IT'S TIME! for confession and absolution. IT'S TIME! that NO means NO once again in the Church. IT'S TIME! to return to the command of Jesus that we, the Church be about theology and teach them all things He has commanded us.
Jesus' words in verse 20a are important to His Church on earth. Any church body should be mindful of it. An honest question about it may be: has the LCMS kept this verse in mind? Do we teach all things? Do we need to repent? As the Psalmist laments, How long O Lord? Lord, have mercy upon us.
Recently, while attending the Minnesota North District Convention, another brother under the yoke of Christ came up to me and said, "This isn't about theology. It's about politics." My stomach ached. I was sick. I asked him, “Are you kidding me? We are churchman gathered together to talk about the Church. Since when does politics dictate to the Church?”
I may be naive. I may be ignorant about many things. There are a few things however I am confident about. One thing I know for sure is that I believe Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. I know that the One I confess to be Lord is the same One who called and ordained me into His holy service to teach His people to observe all things [He] has commanded. I know it's about theology. It has to be. If the Church is all about politics, then what are we doing with the Holy Bible and the Lutheran Confessions? If it's all about politics, then these precious books are nothing more than books with mere common words written on their pages.
The Church must be about theology. If Church is about politics, it becomes a business. That would make everyone in this "business" we call church nothing more than businessmen who are directed by politics. When I was confronted with the reality that the LCMS is not about theology but politics, my conscience was burdened.
How can I, as an under-shepherd of the Good Shepherd, teach them all things He has commanded us when it's not about theology? I began to think that's probably why we got ourselves into the situation we're in today; it's because of politics. The LCMS got herself into trouble because she cast aside the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions and replaced these things with politics which has resulted in By-Laws, open communion, contemporary worship, dancers, screen, projectors, women preachers and teachers, etc.
On that fateful day, April 16, 2012, when I was told that the Minnesota North District Convention is not about theology but politics, I came to the realization that The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod will never repair the wrongs she has committed and continues to commit.
IT'S TIME! for reformation! IT'S TIME! for confession and absolution. IT'S TIME! that NO means NO once again in the Church. IT'S TIME! to return to the command of Jesus that we, the Church be about theology and teach them all things He has commanded us.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
University Lutheran Chapel
Go to this website to read more about the plight of University Lutheran Chapel in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
http://www.ulcmn.org/
On April 26th, ULC Filed Suit against the Officers and Directors of the Minnesota South District in Hennepin County District Court.
Here is the actual complaint files by Rev. Kind and the Church:
http://www.ulcmn.org/Files/Save%20ULC%20Files/Filed%20Complaint.pdf
Here is Rev. Kind's Apologia:
http://www.ulcmn.org/Files/Save%20ULC%20Files/Apologia.pdf
Please keep all concerned in your prayers as the courts seek to resolve this case.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Forget priests, this was a lay minister; forget bishops, what did our Synod allow?
Forget priests, this was a lay minister; forget bishops, what did our Synod allow?
April 1st, 2012 Post by Pastor Joshua Scheer
Recently in the same circuit as my first call there has been a horrible set of news. One of the men who shepherded congregations (he is a lay minister only but was allowed to and acted fully as a pastor) was brought up on charges for felony criminal sexual conduct with a minor. In a small town, and in a rural community this sends ripples across the whole region.
But this is not just a story about a man who has fallen into great sin right now because this is not the first time this man has been in this situation. The news story linked below reports that this man, who is still on the LCMS roster, had first been convicted of sex crimes against a minor in 1983 when he as a Lutheran principal had a three year sexual relationship that began with a 10 year old child at the school he oversaw. He was convicted for this.
Here is the story (or at least half of it, the second half will be coming out on Wednesday).
http://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/event/article/id/32090/
Now some questions -
How did this man become a “lay minister”? His record shows that in 1989 he graduated from Mequon. How was this even possible to go through the lay ministry program there with such a past?
Did the various District Presidents (1983 Minnesota South; 1989 South Wisconsin; 1989 Minnesota North) know this? If so, how did the various District Presidents allow this to happen? Were none of those men concerned with this man having access to children again and again in ministry situations (a position of trust)? If they did not know, how could this happen, what level in the certification/placement/call process needs to be changed to make sure that men that are not above reproach are not put into congregations?
What sort of things can be done SYNODWIDE to find out if there are more of these men (and women in the case of teachers) serving in situations where sheep are vulnerable to their abusive behavior? What would need to happen for a SYNODWIDE background check for each worker?
As we saw the Roman Catholics suffer dearly for their cover-ups of these kind of situations, is there a way in which we can SYNODWIDE show due diligence to correct this situation, make those who are responsible take their responsibility, and prevent future occurrences?
There is something horribly wrong with the lack of oversight (or perhaps willful negligence) in this case which allowed a man who had raped a ten year old for three years and was convicted to become in all functional reality a pastor serving congregations.
We will have to wait for the second half of the article to come out on Wednesday, but my hope is that those people who may be guilty of such negligence would be considering their role in this horrific act and now crippling blow to congregations that this man served (not to mention the victim and family).
Now here is my suggestion:
Pray for the people involved in this: the victim and family of the victim; for Mr. Schauer and his family; for Trinity Lutheran, Lake George; for Immanuel Lutheran, Cass Lake; for Immanuel Lutheran, Courtland; for the Minnesota North District and the Bemidji Circuit; for the pastors involved in caring for wounded and wronged sheep; for Synodical officials who have to deal with this with integrity and compassion.
Read 1280 times
April 1st, 2012 Post by Pastor Joshua Scheer
Recently in the same circuit as my first call there has been a horrible set of news. One of the men who shepherded congregations (he is a lay minister only but was allowed to and acted fully as a pastor) was brought up on charges for felony criminal sexual conduct with a minor. In a small town, and in a rural community this sends ripples across the whole region.
But this is not just a story about a man who has fallen into great sin right now because this is not the first time this man has been in this situation. The news story linked below reports that this man, who is still on the LCMS roster, had first been convicted of sex crimes against a minor in 1983 when he as a Lutheran principal had a three year sexual relationship that began with a 10 year old child at the school he oversaw. He was convicted for this.
Here is the story (or at least half of it, the second half will be coming out on Wednesday).
http://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/event/article/id/32090/
Now some questions -
How did this man become a “lay minister”? His record shows that in 1989 he graduated from Mequon. How was this even possible to go through the lay ministry program there with such a past?
Did the various District Presidents (1983 Minnesota South; 1989 South Wisconsin; 1989 Minnesota North) know this? If so, how did the various District Presidents allow this to happen? Were none of those men concerned with this man having access to children again and again in ministry situations (a position of trust)? If they did not know, how could this happen, what level in the certification/placement/call process needs to be changed to make sure that men that are not above reproach are not put into congregations?
What sort of things can be done SYNODWIDE to find out if there are more of these men (and women in the case of teachers) serving in situations where sheep are vulnerable to their abusive behavior? What would need to happen for a SYNODWIDE background check for each worker?
As we saw the Roman Catholics suffer dearly for their cover-ups of these kind of situations, is there a way in which we can SYNODWIDE show due diligence to correct this situation, make those who are responsible take their responsibility, and prevent future occurrences?
There is something horribly wrong with the lack of oversight (or perhaps willful negligence) in this case which allowed a man who had raped a ten year old for three years and was convicted to become in all functional reality a pastor serving congregations.
We will have to wait for the second half of the article to come out on Wednesday, but my hope is that those people who may be guilty of such negligence would be considering their role in this horrific act and now crippling blow to congregations that this man served (not to mention the victim and family).
Now here is my suggestion:
Pray for the people involved in this: the victim and family of the victim; for Mr. Schauer and his family; for Trinity Lutheran, Lake George; for Immanuel Lutheran, Cass Lake; for Immanuel Lutheran, Courtland; for the Minnesota North District and the Bemidji Circuit; for the pastors involved in caring for wounded and wronged sheep; for Synodical officials who have to deal with this with integrity and compassion.
Read 1280 times
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
+ Matthew 3:13-17 +
The Word of God preached on the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
+ John 1:1-14 +
The Word of God preached on the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas Day).
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
+ Luke 1:39-56 +
The Word of God preached on the Fourth Sunday in Advent. The text is Luke 1:39-56.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
+ Daniel 12:1-4; 7:1-14 +
The Word of God preached on Advent feria III. Daniel's View of the End: Part III.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
+ Matthew 11:2-10 +
The Word of God preached on The Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete Sunday).
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
+ Luke 21:25-36 +
The Word of God preached on the Second Sunday in Advent. The text is Saint Luke 21:25-36.
I apologize for the video. The tripod leg must have collapsed.
I apologize for the video. The tripod leg must have collapsed.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
+ Daniel 2:19-45 +
The Word of God preached on Advent feria I. Daniel's View of the End: Part 1.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
+ Matthew 25:1-13 +
The Word of God preached on the Last Sunday of the Church Year.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
+ John 4:46-54 +
The Word of God preached on the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Monday, November 7, 2011
+ Isaiah 55:1-9 and Matthew 22:1-14 +
The Word of God preached on the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
+ Matthew 9:1-8 +
The Word of God preached on the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
+ Matthew 22:34-46 +
The Word of God preached on the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
+ Luke 10:23-37 + (part 1)
The Word of God preached on the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Monday, September 5, 2011
+ Gen. 4:1-15 and Luke 18:9-13 +
The preaching of the Word on the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
The ABC3s of Miscellany: “Come Lord Jesus” – A Table Prayer (in Greek)
The ABC3s of Miscellany: “Come Lord Jesus” – A Table Prayer (in Greek): I was cleaning my home study and came across a scrap of paper with the following words in Greek: ̓Έρχου κύριε Ἰησοῦ μεῖνον μεθ...
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
+ Luke 16:1-9 +
The preached Word of God on the Ninth Sunday after Trinity.
I praise the Lord for my brother under the yoke, the Rev. Fr. David Petersen.
Lord, have mercy.
I praise the Lord for my brother under the yoke, the Rev. Fr. David Petersen.
Lord, have mercy.
Monday, August 15, 2011
+ Matthew 7:15-23 + (part 1)
The preaching of the Word of God on the Eighth Sunday after Trinity.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
+ Matthew 5:20-26 + (part 1)
The preaching of the Word of God on the Sixth Sunday after Trinity.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
+ Luke 5:1-10 + (part 1)
The preaching of the Word of God on teh Fifth Sundat after Trinity.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Monday, July 18, 2011
+ Luke 6:36-42 + (part 1)
The Word of God preached on The Fourth Sunday after the Trinity at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King in Duluth, Minnesota. The text is Saint Luke 6:36-42.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
+ Luke 14:15-24 + ... (Part 1)
The Word of God preached on The Second Sunday after the Trinity at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King in Duluth, Minnesota. The text is Saint Luke 14:15-24. The preacher is Rev. John F. Wurst.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
+ Luke 16:19-31 + (Part 1)
The preaching of God's Word on the First Sunday after Trinity -- June 26 + A.D. 2011.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
June 21, 2011 -- THE WIND!
Here are three short videos of Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 when the wind was blowing at 40+ mph (sustained).
Video # 1 --- Approaching the famous Aerial Lift Bridge
Video # 2 --- Standing on the lift bridge and watching the swells in the Duluth Shipping Channel and also the Lake Superior Shore line.
Video # 3 --- Standing on Lake Superior Shore line north of the Duluth Shipping Channel.
Video # 1 --- Approaching the famous Aerial Lift Bridge
Video # 2 --- Standing on the lift bridge and watching the swells in the Duluth Shipping Channel and also the Lake Superior Shore line.
Video # 3 --- Standing on Lake Superior Shore line north of the Duluth Shipping Channel.
Monday, June 20, 2011
+ John 3:1-15 + (part 1)
The preaching of God's Word on Holy Trinity Sunday -- June 19 + A.D. 2011.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
CONDEMNING THE ERRORS OF MARTIN LUTHER
On this date, the papal bull was issued by Pope Leo X to condemn the writings of Blessed Martin Luther. The name of the bull was called Exsurge Domine which means "Arise, O Lord."
Read the papal Bull here:
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo10/l10exdom.htm
Read the papal Bull here:
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo10/l10exdom.htm
Thursday, May 26, 2011
+ John 14:1-14 +
Lord, have mercy.
Cantate (Midweek) -- Wednesday, May 25, 2011 (CLC - WI)
The Holy Gospel + St. John 14:1-14
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God the Father and His Son, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Are you at peace? Peace? What is that? Peace according to the world is a lack of trouble, despair, anxiety, anger, and the like. Peace to some is happiness. I could go on analyzing the state of the sinner. However, Jesus begins the Holy Gospel this holy night with the words, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1)
The reason you are not at peace is because you are a sinner. You live in a state of disobedience day in and day out. Unlike when you were a child, you do not get disciplined for your sins. The church has fallen away from handing down discipline to the impenitent.
Jesus says, "Let not your heart be troubled." He knows your pain and suffering. He knows you sin. What Jesus says to you who are burdened and heavy laden is to come to Him and He will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28) Jesus says, Come to Me and confess your sins and I will forgive you. When you hear the words from your pastor, "I forgive you all your sins in the Name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit, your hear and receive the gift of absolution from Jesus Himself.
Jesus is your comfort and more importantly, His work of salvation when He suffered and died on the cross to atone for your sins brings great comfort to the sinner. Even one step further, the cross, where Jesus was forsaken by all, even His Father, dying with your shame upon His shoulders and suffering for your guilt and your sins, is the peace that flows from the cross to you. The peace that Jesus gives you surpasses all understanding.
Over the past couple of weeks, Mr. Harold Camping created quite a stir prophesying that the world would end on Saturday, May 21, 2011. As you know, his prophecy was false. The world is still here. Now, Mr. Camping has adjusted his calculations and is now prophesying that the world will end on October 21, 2011. This is Mr. Camping's third attempt at prophesying the end of the world.
The false prophets of this world really know how to stir everyone up. Their work is the work of Satan. Satan works very hard at tempting the world and you to pull you away from the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matt. 16:16)
St. James writes, "Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) Turn your ears from listening to the false prophets of this world. Turn your ears away from the evil that the devil stirs up for you. Resist the devil and "be about the work of God; that is, believing in the One whom He sent." (John 6:29)
To believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is to know God and to know Jesus. You know Him because He revealed Himself to you in Holy Baptism. When you were washed and regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit, you died with Christ in His death and rose with Him in His resurrection. Jesus gave you life when He baptized you. And now, your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:3)
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me, Jesus says. (John 14:1) To know God and to believe in God is to know and to believe in Jesus, His only-begotten Son, who descended from His throne of glory to take on human flesh in His incarnation. God's Son then stood in the waters of the Jordan to become sin for you.
His suffering continued for you as He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. He suffered for you every time He was accused of being a false teacher. He was accused for you every time He said He was the Son of God. He suffered for you during His trials before Pilate and Herod. He suffered for you during the flogging by the Roman soldiers.
He was driven out of the Holy City of Jerusalem with the cross on His back like a common criminal for you. Finally reaching that small hill outside the city, the soldiers affixed Jesus to the altar for sacrifice. There Jesus hung, as a banner for the world to see, the Lamb of God, dying on the tree. The fire rained down from heaven in the wrath of His Father against your sins and your disobedience and your failures. Jesus hung on the cross suffering all your shame and taking all your guilt upon His shoulders. He did all for you, in your place, because He loves you.
King David writes in Psalm 23, "Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4) The comfort and peace you know in your life is because of Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior, who made atonement for your sins to restore you back to the Father who is in heaven.
You know the way. Jesus taught you well. He Himself says, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
Your life is rich and blessed because of the risen Lord Jesus. He sits on His throne of glory at the right hand of His Father declaring to the Father that you are blessed for His Name's sake. You are no longer guilty of your sins because Jesus paid the price for them all. Jesus has clothed you in His righteousness forever. Your sins, all your sins are forgiven this holy day.
In the Name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
+ SDG +
Cantate (Midweek) -- Wednesday, May 25, 2011 (CLC - WI)
The Holy Gospel + St. John 14:1-14
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God the Father and His Son, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Are you at peace? Peace? What is that? Peace according to the world is a lack of trouble, despair, anxiety, anger, and the like. Peace to some is happiness. I could go on analyzing the state of the sinner. However, Jesus begins the Holy Gospel this holy night with the words, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1)
The reason you are not at peace is because you are a sinner. You live in a state of disobedience day in and day out. Unlike when you were a child, you do not get disciplined for your sins. The church has fallen away from handing down discipline to the impenitent.
Jesus says, "Let not your heart be troubled." He knows your pain and suffering. He knows you sin. What Jesus says to you who are burdened and heavy laden is to come to Him and He will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28) Jesus says, Come to Me and confess your sins and I will forgive you. When you hear the words from your pastor, "I forgive you all your sins in the Name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Spirit, your hear and receive the gift of absolution from Jesus Himself.
Jesus is your comfort and more importantly, His work of salvation when He suffered and died on the cross to atone for your sins brings great comfort to the sinner. Even one step further, the cross, where Jesus was forsaken by all, even His Father, dying with your shame upon His shoulders and suffering for your guilt and your sins, is the peace that flows from the cross to you. The peace that Jesus gives you surpasses all understanding.
Over the past couple of weeks, Mr. Harold Camping created quite a stir prophesying that the world would end on Saturday, May 21, 2011. As you know, his prophecy was false. The world is still here. Now, Mr. Camping has adjusted his calculations and is now prophesying that the world will end on October 21, 2011. This is Mr. Camping's third attempt at prophesying the end of the world.
The false prophets of this world really know how to stir everyone up. Their work is the work of Satan. Satan works very hard at tempting the world and you to pull you away from the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matt. 16:16)
St. James writes, "Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) Turn your ears from listening to the false prophets of this world. Turn your ears away from the evil that the devil stirs up for you. Resist the devil and "be about the work of God; that is, believing in the One whom He sent." (John 6:29)
To believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is to know God and to know Jesus. You know Him because He revealed Himself to you in Holy Baptism. When you were washed and regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit, you died with Christ in His death and rose with Him in His resurrection. Jesus gave you life when He baptized you. And now, your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:3)
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me, Jesus says. (John 14:1) To know God and to believe in God is to know and to believe in Jesus, His only-begotten Son, who descended from His throne of glory to take on human flesh in His incarnation. God's Son then stood in the waters of the Jordan to become sin for you.
His suffering continued for you as He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. He suffered for you every time He was accused of being a false teacher. He was accused for you every time He said He was the Son of God. He suffered for you during His trials before Pilate and Herod. He suffered for you during the flogging by the Roman soldiers.
He was driven out of the Holy City of Jerusalem with the cross on His back like a common criminal for you. Finally reaching that small hill outside the city, the soldiers affixed Jesus to the altar for sacrifice. There Jesus hung, as a banner for the world to see, the Lamb of God, dying on the tree. The fire rained down from heaven in the wrath of His Father against your sins and your disobedience and your failures. Jesus hung on the cross suffering all your shame and taking all your guilt upon His shoulders. He did all for you, in your place, because He loves you.
King David writes in Psalm 23, "Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4) The comfort and peace you know in your life is because of Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior, who made atonement for your sins to restore you back to the Father who is in heaven.
You know the way. Jesus taught you well. He Himself says, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
Your life is rich and blessed because of the risen Lord Jesus. He sits on His throne of glory at the right hand of His Father declaring to the Father that you are blessed for His Name's sake. You are no longer guilty of your sins because Jesus paid the price for them all. Jesus has clothed you in His righteousness forever. Your sins, all your sins are forgiven this holy day.
In the Name of the Father and of the (+) Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
+ SDG +
Saturday, May 14, 2011
+ John 16:16-22 +
The sermon for Jubilate Sunday, May 15, 2011 otherwise known asa the Fourth Sunday of Easter in the Historic Lectionary of the Christian Church.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
The Holy Gospel according to Saint John, the sixteenth chapter, beginning at verse 16.
"A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and ulament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into vjoy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
The Holy Spirit called you here today to rejoice in the Name of the Lord. He calls you here by the Holy Gospel of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. He calls you out of the fallen world where your life is full of anguish and suffering, cries and lamenting. He calls you here so that the Lord of lords can serve you in forgiving your sins. He calls you here for the refreshment of your soul.
The Church celebrated the resurrection of Jesus from the dead just four weeks ago. You have celebrated the victory of life in Christ along with the Church. Today, the Liturgy leads us in much rejoicing; that is why today is called Jubilate Sunday from the first words of the Introit, "make a joyful noise unto the God."
Maybe you can't rejoice. Maybe you can't sing praises to God today. Maybe all you want to do is cry and curl up in your bed. Maybe you think you are alone and destitute. Maybe you even think God has forsaken you. You are not alone. The disciples also were sorrowful because Jesus is telling them that "A little while, and you will see Me no longer." (John 16:16a)
Jesus has foretold His arrest, suffering, death, and resurrection three times already. Once again, Jesus is telling the disciples about these events. They do not understand. They are more concerned about themselves and are sorrowful because they don't want the Lord Jesus to leave them. Their desire is that Jesus establish His kingdom on earth where they can be with Him all their lives.
Their sorrow and your sorrow will only last a little while. Even though you think your suffering and anguish will never end, it is only a little while. You have nothing to fear because Jesus comforts you, strengthens you, and gives you reason to rejoice in His holy Name.
The reality of your life as a sinner is that you will suffer. As a Christian, you will suffer even more for the Name of Jesus. The crosses laid upon you are temporary as is your life on earth. The world mocks you because of Jesus. The world laughs at you because of Jesus. The world persecutes you because of Jesus. Truly, truly, I say to you, your sorrow will pass and you will rejoice forever in the kingdom of God which has no end. You will rejoice forever as you worship the Father and His Son at the marriage feast of the Lamb. You will rejoice because Jesus promises to give you everlasting life when you believe in Him as your Lord and Savior.
The death and resurrection of God's only-begotten Son is the reason for sorrow but also the reason for rejoicing. The world rejoiced at the death of Jesus. They thought they had rooted out the one who opposed Caesar. They thought they rooted out a blasphemer who claimed to be God. They did not hear nor did they believe in Jesus. The world rejoices now but will suffer on the day of Judgment when the Lord says, I do not know you.
Your rejoicing is because Jesus went to His Father who is in heaven. Jesus tells us again that He is true God and true Man. He tells us that He is the only-begotten sent from the Father and that He also became true Man who ate, drank, slept, worked, suffered just like you. He died just like every other human being on earth. Jesus also declares that He is true God with His going to the Father. Death could not hold God's Son in the grave. He is risen from the dead never to die again. He lives and reigns at the right hand of His Father.
Because Jesus returned to His Father, you will see Him in a little while. You must remember that the Lord's time is not your time. His ways are not your ways. During your time on earth, you do suffer much because of sin, your flesh, and the temptations of the devil. However, Jesus only gives you that which you can bear. No more. No less.
Jesus also gives you the comfort you need. He told you that He will be with you even unto the end of the age. He will never leave you nor will He ever forsake you. He hears your prayers. He forgives your sins. He strengthens you through the preaching of His Word. He comforts you with the teaching of His Word where He reveals His promises to you. He feeds you and nourishes you with His precious body and innocent blood for the forgiveness of your sins.
A little while and you will see Him, worship Him, and live with Him forever. Do not be sad dear children. Your sorrow, anguish, and pain will only last a little while. Rather, REJOICE in the Lord Jesus Christ for He is risen from the dead. He is faithful. He has forgiven you all your sins this holy day. To God alone be all the glory, honor, and praise because Jesus is risen from the dead!
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
+ SDG +
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
The Holy Gospel according to Saint John, the sixteenth chapter, beginning at verse 16.
"A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and ulament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into vjoy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
The Holy Spirit called you here today to rejoice in the Name of the Lord. He calls you here by the Holy Gospel of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. He calls you out of the fallen world where your life is full of anguish and suffering, cries and lamenting. He calls you here so that the Lord of lords can serve you in forgiving your sins. He calls you here for the refreshment of your soul.
The Church celebrated the resurrection of Jesus from the dead just four weeks ago. You have celebrated the victory of life in Christ along with the Church. Today, the Liturgy leads us in much rejoicing; that is why today is called Jubilate Sunday from the first words of the Introit, "make a joyful noise unto the God."
Maybe you can't rejoice. Maybe you can't sing praises to God today. Maybe all you want to do is cry and curl up in your bed. Maybe you think you are alone and destitute. Maybe you even think God has forsaken you. You are not alone. The disciples also were sorrowful because Jesus is telling them that "A little while, and you will see Me no longer." (John 16:16a)
Jesus has foretold His arrest, suffering, death, and resurrection three times already. Once again, Jesus is telling the disciples about these events. They do not understand. They are more concerned about themselves and are sorrowful because they don't want the Lord Jesus to leave them. Their desire is that Jesus establish His kingdom on earth where they can be with Him all their lives.
Their sorrow and your sorrow will only last a little while. Even though you think your suffering and anguish will never end, it is only a little while. You have nothing to fear because Jesus comforts you, strengthens you, and gives you reason to rejoice in His holy Name.
The reality of your life as a sinner is that you will suffer. As a Christian, you will suffer even more for the Name of Jesus. The crosses laid upon you are temporary as is your life on earth. The world mocks you because of Jesus. The world laughs at you because of Jesus. The world persecutes you because of Jesus. Truly, truly, I say to you, your sorrow will pass and you will rejoice forever in the kingdom of God which has no end. You will rejoice forever as you worship the Father and His Son at the marriage feast of the Lamb. You will rejoice because Jesus promises to give you everlasting life when you believe in Him as your Lord and Savior.
The death and resurrection of God's only-begotten Son is the reason for sorrow but also the reason for rejoicing. The world rejoiced at the death of Jesus. They thought they had rooted out the one who opposed Caesar. They thought they rooted out a blasphemer who claimed to be God. They did not hear nor did they believe in Jesus. The world rejoices now but will suffer on the day of Judgment when the Lord says, I do not know you.
Your rejoicing is because Jesus went to His Father who is in heaven. Jesus tells us again that He is true God and true Man. He tells us that He is the only-begotten sent from the Father and that He also became true Man who ate, drank, slept, worked, suffered just like you. He died just like every other human being on earth. Jesus also declares that He is true God with His going to the Father. Death could not hold God's Son in the grave. He is risen from the dead never to die again. He lives and reigns at the right hand of His Father.
Because Jesus returned to His Father, you will see Him in a little while. You must remember that the Lord's time is not your time. His ways are not your ways. During your time on earth, you do suffer much because of sin, your flesh, and the temptations of the devil. However, Jesus only gives you that which you can bear. No more. No less.
Jesus also gives you the comfort you need. He told you that He will be with you even unto the end of the age. He will never leave you nor will He ever forsake you. He hears your prayers. He forgives your sins. He strengthens you through the preaching of His Word. He comforts you with the teaching of His Word where He reveals His promises to you. He feeds you and nourishes you with His precious body and innocent blood for the forgiveness of your sins.
A little while and you will see Him, worship Him, and live with Him forever. Do not be sad dear children. Your sorrow, anguish, and pain will only last a little while. Rather, REJOICE in the Lord Jesus Christ for He is risen from the dead. He is faithful. He has forgiven you all your sins this holy day. To God alone be all the glory, honor, and praise because Jesus is risen from the dead!
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
+ SDG +
Lindemann on Jubilate Sunday, The Third Sunday after Easter
The Post-Easter season may be divided into two parts. In the first we look back, and three features are prominate: the Resurrection , the Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. This part comes to an end with the Second Sunday after Easter. In the second half we look to the future. First the Liturgy prepares us for two events yet to come: the Ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit. These dominate the following two Sundays. Christ now proceeds to found His kingdom here on earth, and this must be a spiritual kingdom. His followers are not to cling to His earthly Person but to become spiritualized. Therefore He sent the Holy Spirit, His Representative, to take His place, to be the Leader in the way and the Comforter. On the other hand, the coming Sundays offer a realistic view of practical life. More and more we are led away from the peaceful joys of Easter into the life of combat and reality. The newly baptized and all the believers have seen the Lord in the great mysteries. But after only seven days the white garments were taken from the new members, and they were sent back into life. Now they are to become adult and experienced. The following Sundays lead us back into the practical life.
Three weeks have passed since Easter. The Lord's resurrection has occupied the thought and mind of the Church. On the First Sunday after Easter the Liturgy brought us the story of the Lord's appearance to His disciples, and we heard His greeting of peace. On the Second Sunday after Easter we trustingly gathered as sheep about the Good Shepherd, who on Easter Day gathered us anew and now leads us to the green pastures of His holy mysteries. Until now the Church has centered eyes, ears, and heart on the Resurrection Lord. Beginning with this Sunday we are given a look into the future, into Christ's and our own future. For the first time the Liturgy broaches our Lord's Ascension. In this days's Holy Gospel our Lord plainly states: "A little while and you will see Me no more, because I go to the Father." We must not imagine, however, that the Church now is sad and sorrowful because of our Lord's departure. The joy of Easter is not lessened but rather grows greater. In this day's Holy Gospel the Apostles became sorrowful, but the Easter Christians delight to see the Savior ascend to heaven, for they are not at home on this earth. Heaven is their fatherland, and they yearn to follow their Bridegroom soon. The Head leads, the members follow. This suggests that we think and speak of our own future, for which the Church prepares us. Until now we have celebrated Easter. We felt as though we were in heaven. We could have cried with St. Peter, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make ... booths!" We forgot that we were still on earth. Now the Church leads us back into the crude everyday life. She offers no paradise in which only roses without thorns bloom. No, the Church tells the newly baptized and us plainly and crisply: The Christian life is hard, difficult life, a life of suffering, of combat, of testing. The Christian life is a pilgrimage to the heavenly home.
Yet this Sunday bears the name Jubilate, "Rejoice." The season is one of pure joy. The Holy Gospel is full of sorrow at the news of an impending separation. But even the sorrow of the disciples was to be turned into joy, a joy that became their own to such a degree that none could ever deprive them of it, least of all the world. This process of acquiring, rather finally possessing the never-failing joy is a true post-Easter story to every believing heart.
Three weeks have passed since Easter. The Lord's resurrection has occupied the thought and mind of the Church. On the First Sunday after Easter the Liturgy brought us the story of the Lord's appearance to His disciples, and we heard His greeting of peace. On the Second Sunday after Easter we trustingly gathered as sheep about the Good Shepherd, who on Easter Day gathered us anew and now leads us to the green pastures of His holy mysteries. Until now the Church has centered eyes, ears, and heart on the Resurrection Lord. Beginning with this Sunday we are given a look into the future, into Christ's and our own future. For the first time the Liturgy broaches our Lord's Ascension. In this days's Holy Gospel our Lord plainly states: "A little while and you will see Me no more, because I go to the Father." We must not imagine, however, that the Church now is sad and sorrowful because of our Lord's departure. The joy of Easter is not lessened but rather grows greater. In this day's Holy Gospel the Apostles became sorrowful, but the Easter Christians delight to see the Savior ascend to heaven, for they are not at home on this earth. Heaven is their fatherland, and they yearn to follow their Bridegroom soon. The Head leads, the members follow. This suggests that we think and speak of our own future, for which the Church prepares us. Until now we have celebrated Easter. We felt as though we were in heaven. We could have cried with St. Peter, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make ... booths!" We forgot that we were still on earth. Now the Church leads us back into the crude everyday life. She offers no paradise in which only roses without thorns bloom. No, the Church tells the newly baptized and us plainly and crisply: The Christian life is hard, difficult life, a life of suffering, of combat, of testing. The Christian life is a pilgrimage to the heavenly home.
Yet this Sunday bears the name Jubilate, "Rejoice." The season is one of pure joy. The Holy Gospel is full of sorrow at the news of an impending separation. But even the sorrow of the disciples was to be turned into joy, a joy that became their own to such a degree that none could ever deprive them of it, least of all the world. This process of acquiring, rather finally possessing the never-failing joy is a true post-Easter story to every believing heart.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
You get there!!!
I want to extend a HUGE thanksgiving to my brother under the yoke, The Rev. Fr. David Juhl, for his words of wisdom that follow...Thank you David. You can find Fr. Juhl's original post here.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
I just spoke with a friend who agreed with me that Holy Week and Easter is not the best time of the Church Year to be a "part-time" Christian. Usually I say something to that effect every Palm Sunday. It's a good thing for you to be in the house of the Lord for Holy Week and Easter. It's a good thing to clear your calendar as best you can and make room for hearing the Institution of the Supper, the Passion of the Christ, and His Resurrection from the dead. After all, it's the MAIN THING in the Christian faith. Instead there is planning for family gatherings and trying to play catch-up on life while some of mankind takes a breather this weekend. Good grief, even the New York Stock Exchange had the day off today!
The problem is making room for hearing the Word and receiving the Sacrament. Oh, there's room alright. But it's usually not convenient for our schedules. I work all day. I have tired children. I have to put supper on the table. Before you know it, it's 7:45 P.M. and, well, I missed Good Friday service at church. The situation is the same for Sunday and so is the symptom. I can't make time for church because there's other things I have to do. Sunday is my day off. I gotta make time for me, for my family, and for others. Church robs me of an hour that could be spent doing "me" things.
My mind drifts back to reading Michael Ruhlman's book on the Culinary Institute of America, The Making of A Chef. As I recall, there was a time early on in the book when Ruhlman noticed the weather getting bad. Perhaps it wouldn't be wise for him to drive the long distance to the CIA and take his skills test the next day. So he calls the instructor to tell him he won't be there. The instructor understands, but is quite cold to him. Ruhlman later asks the chef instructor about the cold demeanor. His instructor responds with three words:
YOU GET THERE.
Chefs must show up to work no matter what. Bad weather doesn't stop them. A cut on their finger doesn't stop them. Waiting for the cable guy doesn't stop them. Inconvenience doesn't stop them. They get to work. That's how they earn their livelihood. That ethic begins in skills class, the bottom rung of the curriculum. YOU GET THERE.
Granted, church and restaurants are two different things. One is work, the other is a matter of faith. Nevertheless, there's something we could learn from chefs. They get there. They make no excuses. They find a way to work around life.
That's my encouragement to you, especially if you are inclined to put attending church regularly low on your list of things to do either on the weekend or during special times like Holy Week. Lutherans understand the primacy of corporate Divine Service. The highest worship of God is to receive Good Things from Him. Good Things like the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. Good Things like praying and singing together with other brethren in the Christian faith. Good Things like resting for a while in the Presence of the Lord; truly Present in preaching, absolution, baptism, body and blood.
Please do not take the Holy Things for granted. Please do not set aside churchgoing simply because it doesn't fit into your schedule. Make every effort to "unbusy" your schedule and block out time with the Eternal God Who saves you from eternal death and gives you eternal life.
Unless you are sick and shouldn't be in public, NO EXCUSES. You get there.
Jesus loves you and is waiting to feed you with the Bread of Life. He makes NO EXCUSES. He is there.
Satis est. Sic satis superque.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
I just spoke with a friend who agreed with me that Holy Week and Easter is not the best time of the Church Year to be a "part-time" Christian. Usually I say something to that effect every Palm Sunday. It's a good thing for you to be in the house of the Lord for Holy Week and Easter. It's a good thing to clear your calendar as best you can and make room for hearing the Institution of the Supper, the Passion of the Christ, and His Resurrection from the dead. After all, it's the MAIN THING in the Christian faith. Instead there is planning for family gatherings and trying to play catch-up on life while some of mankind takes a breather this weekend. Good grief, even the New York Stock Exchange had the day off today!
The problem is making room for hearing the Word and receiving the Sacrament. Oh, there's room alright. But it's usually not convenient for our schedules. I work all day. I have tired children. I have to put supper on the table. Before you know it, it's 7:45 P.M. and, well, I missed Good Friday service at church. The situation is the same for Sunday and so is the symptom. I can't make time for church because there's other things I have to do. Sunday is my day off. I gotta make time for me, for my family, and for others. Church robs me of an hour that could be spent doing "me" things.
My mind drifts back to reading Michael Ruhlman's book on the Culinary Institute of America, The Making of A Chef. As I recall, there was a time early on in the book when Ruhlman noticed the weather getting bad. Perhaps it wouldn't be wise for him to drive the long distance to the CIA and take his skills test the next day. So he calls the instructor to tell him he won't be there. The instructor understands, but is quite cold to him. Ruhlman later asks the chef instructor about the cold demeanor. His instructor responds with three words:
YOU GET THERE.
Chefs must show up to work no matter what. Bad weather doesn't stop them. A cut on their finger doesn't stop them. Waiting for the cable guy doesn't stop them. Inconvenience doesn't stop them. They get to work. That's how they earn their livelihood. That ethic begins in skills class, the bottom rung of the curriculum. YOU GET THERE.
Granted, church and restaurants are two different things. One is work, the other is a matter of faith. Nevertheless, there's something we could learn from chefs. They get there. They make no excuses. They find a way to work around life.
That's my encouragement to you, especially if you are inclined to put attending church regularly low on your list of things to do either on the weekend or during special times like Holy Week. Lutherans understand the primacy of corporate Divine Service. The highest worship of God is to receive Good Things from Him. Good Things like the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. Good Things like praying and singing together with other brethren in the Christian faith. Good Things like resting for a while in the Presence of the Lord; truly Present in preaching, absolution, baptism, body and blood.
Please do not take the Holy Things for granted. Please do not set aside churchgoing simply because it doesn't fit into your schedule. Make every effort to "unbusy" your schedule and block out time with the Eternal God Who saves you from eternal death and gives you eternal life.
Unless you are sick and shouldn't be in public, NO EXCUSES. You get there.
Jesus loves you and is waiting to feed you with the Bread of Life. He makes NO EXCUSES. He is there.
Satis est. Sic satis superque.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Rite Vocatus...
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The Rite Vocatus (Right Call) or otherwise known as the Divine Call is that Call issued by Jesus Christ to the men He chooses to serve Him as an under-shepherd in His Church. The Rite Vocatus is extended to men after they have studied, been examined and prepared for the Office of the Holy Ministry (OHM). After receiving the Rite Vocatus, they are ordained into the OHM and begin their service to Christ and His Church in the place that Christ sent him to serve.
The Confessors during the Reformation stated in Article XIV, "Our churches teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church, or administer the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered call." This confession is made and founded on the Holy Scriptures when Jesus called and sent His disciples to serve Him and His Church in the public teaching and preaching of His Word and the right administration of His Sacraments of Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution, and the Lord's Supper.
So, to understand who would be filling a pulpit in a congregation should be examined first by God's Word and then by the Lutheran Confessions, where in harmony, both declare that no one should preach or teach publicly or administer the Sacraments without the Rite Vocatus (the rightly ordered call).
Our beloved men of Synod who are elected to serve do not have a Call to preach, teach, or administer the Sacraments. This statement pertains to those ordained men serving the Synod and Districts of the LCMS. Election to their administrative offices is not the Rite Vocatus to serve Christ in the OHM.
I must also address our beloved brothers who once served Christ in the OHM and then chose to retire from service, that is, they resigned their Call (Rite Vocatus), and so, they are not to be preaching, teaching, or administering the Sacraments.
The Rite Vocatus does not include those men in the seminaries who go out on their Vicarage (internship) are not to be preaching because they are not Called by Christ to do so. The Rite Vocatus does not "license" men in their first year of studies at the seminary to go and preach either. Just because men have completed Liturgy 101 and Preaching 101 does not mean they are Called by Christ to preach, teach, or adminster the Sacraments.
What this does mean that many congregations, Districts, and the Synod herself must repent of their current practices of filling pulpits by men who do not have the Rite Vocatus (the rightly ordered Call).
Some will read these words and say to themselves, This guy is a radical. He's young. He doesn't know of what he speaks. Others might say, Luther said..., or, Walther said..., or ven that our tradition holds that ... All I can say is, turn to God's Word and the Lutheran Confessions and these will answer your questions.
I am not wrong on this one. I do not agree that just because a bunch of people got together in convention some year and said this is alright does not make it so. How dare we call ourselves Lutheran when we don't practice what we confess. Lutheran confess the Holy Scriptures and the Confessions held in the Book of Concord of 1580. If we are going to violate the Scriptures and Confessions in any way, form, or fashion that we choose, what makes Missouri any different from teh ELCA or any other heretical body? Repent.
Some have thrown Martin Luther at me in defense of this heresy saying that Luther had Philip Melancthon preach preach for him in Wittenberg when he was away. This is wrong. Melancthon never preached. Luther urged Philip to preach but Philip refused. After being refused, Luther then urged Spalatin to to urge the congregations to Call Melancthon so that the Word of God could be preached in his absence. (LW AE 4 : Letters I, 304-310)
What has happened to our beloved Synod is that the evil desires of the heart have taken over and discarded the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions on this matter. In our history, we, as the body of Christ under the umbrella of the LCMS, have seen that the fruit of this world is desirable to eat and so we ate and ocntinue to eat. We have fallen and continue to live against God's will when it comes to those who should be preaching, teaching, and Administering the Sacraments. We, as a Synod, Districts, Congregations, and the men themselves, must confess their sin and repent, that is turn from the evil we do and return to righteousness. Lord, have mercy. Help us dear Lord.
Is there such a thing as an exceptional case or an emergency when it comes to preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments? Absolutely not! If a congregation is without an under-shepherd, then a neighboring pastor should go and serve them. If their called pastor falls ill or is hospitalized, then the members either wait for another under-shepherd to come to them or they should go to where the Word of God is being preached and the Sacraments administered at a neighboring congregation. The congregation does not hold the authority of the OHM. If the congregation chose to call a man from their midst when their pastor fell ill for a prolonged period of time, then the man can serve. "No one should publicly teach in the Church, or administer the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered call." (AC XIV)
As Lutherans who subscribe to this confession, we cannot pick and choose which articles we will hold to and which ones we will cast aside to fill the desires of our sinful hearts.
One final remark concerning the OHM there is no reason whatsoever, that a man from the congregation should ever preach in the absence of his pastor. This includes the "so-called reading" a sermon prepared by the pastor. This is wrong. It violates the Rite Vocatus. The only way this could happen is again, if the pastor was incapacited for a long period of time or has vacated his office, and the congregation calls a man from their midst.
Just because we, the sinners, have declared otherwise, does not make the practice correct. What we are doing to the hears of God's Word in the pews in our congregations is damaging, detrimental, and abusive. I extend my personal apology for these grievous and wrongful actions and practices to the congregations who must endure these false practices.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, You would have all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. By Your almighty power and unsearchable wisdom, break and hinder all the counsels of those who hate Your Word and who, by corrupt teaching, would destroy it. Enlighten them with the knowledge of Your glory that they may know the riches of Your heavenly grace and, in peace and righteousness, serve You, the only true God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one true God, forever and ever. Amen.
The Rite Vocatus (Right Call) or otherwise known as the Divine Call is that Call issued by Jesus Christ to the men He chooses to serve Him as an under-shepherd in His Church. The Rite Vocatus is extended to men after they have studied, been examined and prepared for the Office of the Holy Ministry (OHM). After receiving the Rite Vocatus, they are ordained into the OHM and begin their service to Christ and His Church in the place that Christ sent him to serve.
The Confessors during the Reformation stated in Article XIV, "Our churches teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church, or administer the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered call." This confession is made and founded on the Holy Scriptures when Jesus called and sent His disciples to serve Him and His Church in the public teaching and preaching of His Word and the right administration of His Sacraments of Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution, and the Lord's Supper.
So, to understand who would be filling a pulpit in a congregation should be examined first by God's Word and then by the Lutheran Confessions, where in harmony, both declare that no one should preach or teach publicly or administer the Sacraments without the Rite Vocatus (the rightly ordered call).
Our beloved men of Synod who are elected to serve do not have a Call to preach, teach, or administer the Sacraments. This statement pertains to those ordained men serving the Synod and Districts of the LCMS. Election to their administrative offices is not the Rite Vocatus to serve Christ in the OHM.
I must also address our beloved brothers who once served Christ in the OHM and then chose to retire from service, that is, they resigned their Call (Rite Vocatus), and so, they are not to be preaching, teaching, or administering the Sacraments.
The Rite Vocatus does not include those men in the seminaries who go out on their Vicarage (internship) are not to be preaching because they are not Called by Christ to do so. The Rite Vocatus does not "license" men in their first year of studies at the seminary to go and preach either. Just because men have completed Liturgy 101 and Preaching 101 does not mean they are Called by Christ to preach, teach, or adminster the Sacraments.
What this does mean that many congregations, Districts, and the Synod herself must repent of their current practices of filling pulpits by men who do not have the Rite Vocatus (the rightly ordered Call).
Some will read these words and say to themselves, This guy is a radical. He's young. He doesn't know of what he speaks. Others might say, Luther said..., or, Walther said..., or ven that our tradition holds that ... All I can say is, turn to God's Word and the Lutheran Confessions and these will answer your questions.
I am not wrong on this one. I do not agree that just because a bunch of people got together in convention some year and said this is alright does not make it so. How dare we call ourselves Lutheran when we don't practice what we confess. Lutheran confess the Holy Scriptures and the Confessions held in the Book of Concord of 1580. If we are going to violate the Scriptures and Confessions in any way, form, or fashion that we choose, what makes Missouri any different from teh ELCA or any other heretical body? Repent.
Some have thrown Martin Luther at me in defense of this heresy saying that Luther had Philip Melancthon preach preach for him in Wittenberg when he was away. This is wrong. Melancthon never preached. Luther urged Philip to preach but Philip refused. After being refused, Luther then urged Spalatin to to urge the congregations to Call Melancthon so that the Word of God could be preached in his absence. (LW AE 4 : Letters I, 304-310)
What has happened to our beloved Synod is that the evil desires of the heart have taken over and discarded the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions on this matter. In our history, we, as the body of Christ under the umbrella of the LCMS, have seen that the fruit of this world is desirable to eat and so we ate and ocntinue to eat. We have fallen and continue to live against God's will when it comes to those who should be preaching, teaching, and Administering the Sacraments. We, as a Synod, Districts, Congregations, and the men themselves, must confess their sin and repent, that is turn from the evil we do and return to righteousness. Lord, have mercy. Help us dear Lord.
Is there such a thing as an exceptional case or an emergency when it comes to preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments? Absolutely not! If a congregation is without an under-shepherd, then a neighboring pastor should go and serve them. If their called pastor falls ill or is hospitalized, then the members either wait for another under-shepherd to come to them or they should go to where the Word of God is being preached and the Sacraments administered at a neighboring congregation. The congregation does not hold the authority of the OHM. If the congregation chose to call a man from their midst when their pastor fell ill for a prolonged period of time, then the man can serve. "No one should publicly teach in the Church, or administer the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered call." (AC XIV)
As Lutherans who subscribe to this confession, we cannot pick and choose which articles we will hold to and which ones we will cast aside to fill the desires of our sinful hearts.
One final remark concerning the OHM there is no reason whatsoever, that a man from the congregation should ever preach in the absence of his pastor. This includes the "so-called reading" a sermon prepared by the pastor. This is wrong. It violates the Rite Vocatus. The only way this could happen is again, if the pastor was incapacited for a long period of time or has vacated his office, and the congregation calls a man from their midst.
Just because we, the sinners, have declared otherwise, does not make the practice correct. What we are doing to the hears of God's Word in the pews in our congregations is damaging, detrimental, and abusive. I extend my personal apology for these grievous and wrongful actions and practices to the congregations who must endure these false practices.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, You would have all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. By Your almighty power and unsearchable wisdom, break and hinder all the counsels of those who hate Your Word and who, by corrupt teaching, would destroy it. Enlighten them with the knowledge of Your glory that they may know the riches of Your heavenly grace and, in peace and righteousness, serve You, the only true God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one true God, forever and ever. Amen.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
+ Matthew 20:1-16 +
The sermon for Septuagesima Sunday.
Lord, have mercy.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Today you are on a journey. Today you look back and see the mountain from which you just descended with Jesus upon which He was Transfigured. As you look back to last week’s lesson, you remember that the glory of the Lord shone before the eyes of Peter, James, and John as Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah. You also remember that you cannot stay atop that mountain. You cannot get to the New Jerusalem without going through the cross on Mount Calvary.
Today, you set your face toward Jerusalem. You must go to the cross with Jesus. On the way, during this pre-Lenten season, Jesus tells you a parable about a landowner who goes out and hires people to work in his vineyard. Traditionally, in the Lutheran Church, preachers preach this text based on sola gratia, that is Grace Alone; one of the solas that the Lutheran Church is known for. However, today, you will hear the teaching of Jesus. You will hear about His grace as He pours it out in your life. You will also hear about koinonia, that is, your Life Together, in Christ and in this place, and in this community.
THE PARABLE
In this parable, Jesus is speaking about the kingdom of heaven. He likens it to a landowner, the men he hires to labor in the vineyard, the vineyard itself, which is the world. The landowner hires men to go into the vineyard and work. Jesus is speaking about his Church. He is talking to you who bear His Name.
For some in the world, Jesus called early in their life and they work, that is, confess His Name, all their life. For others, Jesus calls later in life, say around 30-40 years of age, and they work throughout their life confessing His Name. Finally, there are those that Jesus calls later in life, maybe near death, and they confess His Name for a short while before He calls them home in glory.
On Judgment Day, all who confess the Name of Jesus will be called blessed. They will inherit the kingdom promised to them in their Baptism. They will receive their crown of glory and they will live forever worshiping God: Father, Son, and Spirit before the throne. Those who deny the Son of God will also receive their just reward. They will get exactly what’s coming to them – eternal condemnation.
Sounds great! What’s the problem? The problem in this parable is the heart of the workers. The heart is evil. It is jealous. It envy’s what the others have. The workers want their fair share. If they worked all day, they want more money than what the man or woman received for only working an hour. You want your fair share too don’t you? Don’t lie! You know in your heart that you’ve been going to Church and Bible class a lot longer than some you know and yet, those other people are going to get the same reward as you? That’s not fair! Fair you say? Be careful what you ask for. If God gave you what you deserved, you would be in hell forever because of your sins. Hell – that’s what you deserve as a sinner. Repent. Call upon the Lord in the day of trouble. God will forgive you.
GRACE
Forgiveness is God’s grace. St. Paul reminds you that when you start complaining about your life and what’s fair in this world that God’s grace is sufficient for you. Grace is an underserved gift. Your life is filled with the grace of God to the point that your cup overflows.
You are blessed. Your life is full because God loves you. He loves you so much that He sent His only-begotten Son to suffer and die for you, in your place, to pay the price for your sin. God’s love for is so great that at the end of the day, when you stand before Him, He will give to you, not what you deserve, but what His Son has earned for you with His blood. God will give you everlasting life because of His grace to you through His Son Jesus Christ.
Our heavenly Father began pouring His grace to you when His Son claimed you from darkness and rescued you in the waters of Holy Baptism. When your Lord took you in His arms, He washed you clean of your sin when you died with Him in His death and rose again with Him in His resurrection. God gave you life from above when you were regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit. When you came up out of the river of life, Jesus gave you a most precious gift of grace. He gave you His cloak. It wasn’t a robe made of cloth. His cloak is His righteousness. Christ covered your sins with His pure divine goodness and mercy.
LIFE TOGETHER
Your life together in this community, this state, this country, and this world is not because of anything you’ve done to make it happen. Your life is yours because God gives it to you as His gift. Your life together as Christians is not because of your good deeds. It is not because of your charming personality. Your life together is because you are knit together in the blood of Christ.
Your life together in this world is special. It is given by God through His Son and sustained by His Spirit by His grace. You life together is bound together by the blood of Christ that was shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. God’s grace is sure; it is concrete; it will never go away. His grace is given to you free of charge with no strings attached. He daily and richly binds you unto Himself and gives you life through His Son Jesus Christ. God works daily in serving you and giving to you that which you need for salvation. God is serving you with His immortal medicine which heals you of your disease which is known as sin.
Your Physician brings to you His eternal food for your soul because it hungers and thirsts for righteousness. You cannot toil or buy this food. The Bread of Heaven is yours to eat and drink at the command of Jesus. He invites you to come to His table and receive from Him, the King of kings and the Lord of lords His Body and His Blood which were given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Come weary sinner. Come out of the fields. Come to the Lord and receive comfort for your soul Come and receive the food which Jesus died to give to you. Come to the foot of the cross and receive the forgiveness of your sins. All things are now ready.
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.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Lord, have mercy.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Today you are on a journey. Today you look back and see the mountain from which you just descended with Jesus upon which He was Transfigured. As you look back to last week’s lesson, you remember that the glory of the Lord shone before the eyes of Peter, James, and John as Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah. You also remember that you cannot stay atop that mountain. You cannot get to the New Jerusalem without going through the cross on Mount Calvary.
Today, you set your face toward Jerusalem. You must go to the cross with Jesus. On the way, during this pre-Lenten season, Jesus tells you a parable about a landowner who goes out and hires people to work in his vineyard. Traditionally, in the Lutheran Church, preachers preach this text based on sola gratia, that is Grace Alone; one of the solas that the Lutheran Church is known for. However, today, you will hear the teaching of Jesus. You will hear about His grace as He pours it out in your life. You will also hear about koinonia, that is, your Life Together, in Christ and in this place, and in this community.
THE PARABLE
In this parable, Jesus is speaking about the kingdom of heaven. He likens it to a landowner, the men he hires to labor in the vineyard, the vineyard itself, which is the world. The landowner hires men to go into the vineyard and work. Jesus is speaking about his Church. He is talking to you who bear His Name.
For some in the world, Jesus called early in their life and they work, that is, confess His Name, all their life. For others, Jesus calls later in life, say around 30-40 years of age, and they work throughout their life confessing His Name. Finally, there are those that Jesus calls later in life, maybe near death, and they confess His Name for a short while before He calls them home in glory.
On Judgment Day, all who confess the Name of Jesus will be called blessed. They will inherit the kingdom promised to them in their Baptism. They will receive their crown of glory and they will live forever worshiping God: Father, Son, and Spirit before the throne. Those who deny the Son of God will also receive their just reward. They will get exactly what’s coming to them – eternal condemnation.
Sounds great! What’s the problem? The problem in this parable is the heart of the workers. The heart is evil. It is jealous. It envy’s what the others have. The workers want their fair share. If they worked all day, they want more money than what the man or woman received for only working an hour. You want your fair share too don’t you? Don’t lie! You know in your heart that you’ve been going to Church and Bible class a lot longer than some you know and yet, those other people are going to get the same reward as you? That’s not fair! Fair you say? Be careful what you ask for. If God gave you what you deserved, you would be in hell forever because of your sins. Hell – that’s what you deserve as a sinner. Repent. Call upon the Lord in the day of trouble. God will forgive you.
GRACE
Forgiveness is God’s grace. St. Paul reminds you that when you start complaining about your life and what’s fair in this world that God’s grace is sufficient for you. Grace is an underserved gift. Your life is filled with the grace of God to the point that your cup overflows.
You are blessed. Your life is full because God loves you. He loves you so much that He sent His only-begotten Son to suffer and die for you, in your place, to pay the price for your sin. God’s love for is so great that at the end of the day, when you stand before Him, He will give to you, not what you deserve, but what His Son has earned for you with His blood. God will give you everlasting life because of His grace to you through His Son Jesus Christ.
Our heavenly Father began pouring His grace to you when His Son claimed you from darkness and rescued you in the waters of Holy Baptism. When your Lord took you in His arms, He washed you clean of your sin when you died with Him in His death and rose again with Him in His resurrection. God gave you life from above when you were regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit. When you came up out of the river of life, Jesus gave you a most precious gift of grace. He gave you His cloak. It wasn’t a robe made of cloth. His cloak is His righteousness. Christ covered your sins with His pure divine goodness and mercy.
LIFE TOGETHER
Your life together in this community, this state, this country, and this world is not because of anything you’ve done to make it happen. Your life is yours because God gives it to you as His gift. Your life together as Christians is not because of your good deeds. It is not because of your charming personality. Your life together is because you are knit together in the blood of Christ.
Your life together in this world is special. It is given by God through His Son and sustained by His Spirit by His grace. You life together is bound together by the blood of Christ that was shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. God’s grace is sure; it is concrete; it will never go away. His grace is given to you free of charge with no strings attached. He daily and richly binds you unto Himself and gives you life through His Son Jesus Christ. God works daily in serving you and giving to you that which you need for salvation. God is serving you with His immortal medicine which heals you of your disease which is known as sin.
Your Physician brings to you His eternal food for your soul because it hungers and thirsts for righteousness. You cannot toil or buy this food. The Bread of Heaven is yours to eat and drink at the command of Jesus. He invites you to come to His table and receive from Him, the King of kings and the Lord of lords His Body and His Blood which were given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Come weary sinner. Come out of the fields. Come to the Lord and receive comfort for your soul Come and receive the food which Jesus died to give to you. Come to the foot of the cross and receive the forgiveness of your sins. All things are now ready.
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.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Monday, February 14, 2011
+ Matthew 17:1-9 +
The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Good morning My Children,
I love you. I am happy to see you here in My house this morning. I must ask you on this most holy day, “Why aren’t you listening?” You always seem to get yourselves in trouble when you stop listening. I’ve told you time after time about your first parents, Adam and Eve. I told them not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil but they went ahead and did it anyway. They stopped listening to Me and got themselves and all people in trouble when they listened to the great liar, the devil. Because Adam and Eve did not listen to Me, they brought sin and death into My world through their disobedience and unbelief.
Then, there was your brother Moses. He called upon Me to give My people Israel water to drink. I told Moses to speak to the rock and what did he do? He struck the rock twice. Moses didn’t listen. Because of his disobedience and unbelief, the people of Israel did not enter the land I promised to them.
I could tell about so many instances of your ancestors and their disobedience because they stopped listening. That’s the problem with you, My Children, you just don’t seem to listen to Me unless you think there is something in it for you.
Let’s take a look at your brother, Peter. He’s a pretty rough go of things as a disciple of My Son. He’s a great student but he’s no different from his ancestors or from you. He listens but he doesn’t always hear.
When My Son, Jesus, asked Peter and the other disciples who people say He is, the others reported John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. When Jesus asked them who they say He is, Peter answered, with My help, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Then, when My Son predicts His own death and resurrection for the salvation of the world, Peter rebukes Him. Peter stopped listening. Peter got in trouble and My Son rebuked him in return, not as His disciple, but as Satan.
Today, My Son has taken Peter, James, and John with Him up on a holy mountain. There is much going on today. I glorify My Son in the presence of His disciples. My servants, Moses and Elijah are present talking with My Son. The three disciples are present but not so attentive to all that is happening.
What about you? Are you paying attention? Are you watching and listening to everything that is going on atop of this holy mountain? If you aren’t, I beg you to focus and tune out your personal agenda’s and listen.
My Son, My only-begotten Son, is on this mountain talking with Moses and Elijah about His impending death on the cross. He is talking about His exodus. He is talking with His brothers and receiving their mutual consolation about upcoming events. He is hearing encouragement from the men who proclaimed His coming, death, and resurrection from the dead during their ministries when they lived on the earth.
My Son, Jesus, has tabernacled with Peter, James, John, and the other disciples for nearly three years now; He tabernacled with Moses and Elijah when they served Israel, My holy nation. Now, Jesus is tabernacling, that is, dwelling and abiding with them again. What does Peter do? He speaks out of turn. He loses focus. He falls into unbelief by thinking that this is the end, that the promised kingdom is come. Peter wants to take a short cut. He hasn’t heard My Son when He preached and taught about His suffering and death to atone for the sins of the world.
Peter, oh, Peter, you are so weak. Why do you rely on yourself for things? Don’t you know you is standing before you in His glory? You should. You just confessed His holy Name just days ago. I transfigured Him and revealed His divinity to you and yet you do not believe. All you want to do is stay on earth and build three tabernacles. My Son’s kingdom is not on earth.
I sent My Son into His creation to take away the sin of the world. He came and took on flesh and became your brother to suffer at the hands of sinful men for your sins. My Son came to die on the cross to reveal His glory to all mankind. He came to die and save you and the world from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He came to redeem you back to me, your heavenly Father. He is the Lamb of God who takest away the sin of the world.
My Son, Jesus, He listened to Me every day He was on earth. He listened and preached everything I told Him. He revealed My truth to you and the world in His teachings. He revealed Himself to the world with the signs He did throughout His ministry.
I transfigured My Son on this mountain top to reveal the glory of the cross upon which He would die. You doubt and ask, “What cross?” Again, you aren’t listening. Remember I told you My Son, Jesus was having a conversation with Moses and Elijah. Remember how I told you the conversation was about My Son’s exodus? Yes, My Son will not return to Me until He goes through the cross to atone for the sins for the world.
Your brother, Peter, he later repents of his unbelief and he is forgiven by My Son, your Lord and Savior, Jesus. I know you, too, are sorry for your sins. I’ve heard your confession this holy day. You do not have to fear. Your sins are forgiven.
Now, in the coming days, you do not have to worry. My Son is with you. Seek Him while He may be found. Do you desire to see Him transfigured? Open My Word and come face-to-face with My Son and there you will behold Him in the flesh and also His divinity. Open My Word which I have given you through My Spirit and tabernacle with My Son.
Hear Him Children! His message for you is one of everlasting nature. The message My Son brings to you and reveals to you is the message of salvation. You only need to believe in Him and you will be saved. Salvation belongs to My Son and only those who believe in His Name will be saved.
Open My Word and behold My Son and hear Him!
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.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Good morning My Children,
I love you. I am happy to see you here in My house this morning. I must ask you on this most holy day, “Why aren’t you listening?” You always seem to get yourselves in trouble when you stop listening. I’ve told you time after time about your first parents, Adam and Eve. I told them not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil but they went ahead and did it anyway. They stopped listening to Me and got themselves and all people in trouble when they listened to the great liar, the devil. Because Adam and Eve did not listen to Me, they brought sin and death into My world through their disobedience and unbelief.
Then, there was your brother Moses. He called upon Me to give My people Israel water to drink. I told Moses to speak to the rock and what did he do? He struck the rock twice. Moses didn’t listen. Because of his disobedience and unbelief, the people of Israel did not enter the land I promised to them.
I could tell about so many instances of your ancestors and their disobedience because they stopped listening. That’s the problem with you, My Children, you just don’t seem to listen to Me unless you think there is something in it for you.
Let’s take a look at your brother, Peter. He’s a pretty rough go of things as a disciple of My Son. He’s a great student but he’s no different from his ancestors or from you. He listens but he doesn’t always hear.
When My Son, Jesus, asked Peter and the other disciples who people say He is, the others reported John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. When Jesus asked them who they say He is, Peter answered, with My help, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Then, when My Son predicts His own death and resurrection for the salvation of the world, Peter rebukes Him. Peter stopped listening. Peter got in trouble and My Son rebuked him in return, not as His disciple, but as Satan.
Today, My Son has taken Peter, James, and John with Him up on a holy mountain. There is much going on today. I glorify My Son in the presence of His disciples. My servants, Moses and Elijah are present talking with My Son. The three disciples are present but not so attentive to all that is happening.
What about you? Are you paying attention? Are you watching and listening to everything that is going on atop of this holy mountain? If you aren’t, I beg you to focus and tune out your personal agenda’s and listen.
My Son, My only-begotten Son, is on this mountain talking with Moses and Elijah about His impending death on the cross. He is talking about His exodus. He is talking with His brothers and receiving their mutual consolation about upcoming events. He is hearing encouragement from the men who proclaimed His coming, death, and resurrection from the dead during their ministries when they lived on the earth.
My Son, Jesus, has tabernacled with Peter, James, John, and the other disciples for nearly three years now; He tabernacled with Moses and Elijah when they served Israel, My holy nation. Now, Jesus is tabernacling, that is, dwelling and abiding with them again. What does Peter do? He speaks out of turn. He loses focus. He falls into unbelief by thinking that this is the end, that the promised kingdom is come. Peter wants to take a short cut. He hasn’t heard My Son when He preached and taught about His suffering and death to atone for the sins of the world.
Peter, oh, Peter, you are so weak. Why do you rely on yourself for things? Don’t you know you is standing before you in His glory? You should. You just confessed His holy Name just days ago. I transfigured Him and revealed His divinity to you and yet you do not believe. All you want to do is stay on earth and build three tabernacles. My Son’s kingdom is not on earth.
I sent My Son into His creation to take away the sin of the world. He came and took on flesh and became your brother to suffer at the hands of sinful men for your sins. My Son came to die on the cross to reveal His glory to all mankind. He came to die and save you and the world from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He came to redeem you back to me, your heavenly Father. He is the Lamb of God who takest away the sin of the world.
My Son, Jesus, He listened to Me every day He was on earth. He listened and preached everything I told Him. He revealed My truth to you and the world in His teachings. He revealed Himself to the world with the signs He did throughout His ministry.
I transfigured My Son on this mountain top to reveal the glory of the cross upon which He would die. You doubt and ask, “What cross?” Again, you aren’t listening. Remember I told you My Son, Jesus was having a conversation with Moses and Elijah. Remember how I told you the conversation was about My Son’s exodus? Yes, My Son will not return to Me until He goes through the cross to atone for the sins for the world.
Your brother, Peter, he later repents of his unbelief and he is forgiven by My Son, your Lord and Savior, Jesus. I know you, too, are sorry for your sins. I’ve heard your confession this holy day. You do not have to fear. Your sins are forgiven.
Now, in the coming days, you do not have to worry. My Son is with you. Seek Him while He may be found. Do you desire to see Him transfigured? Open My Word and come face-to-face with My Son and there you will behold Him in the flesh and also His divinity. Open My Word which I have given you through My Spirit and tabernacle with My Son.
Hear Him Children! His message for you is one of everlasting nature. The message My Son brings to you and reveals to you is the message of salvation. You only need to believe in Him and you will be saved. Salvation belongs to My Son and only those who believe in His Name will be saved.
Open My Word and behold My Son and hear Him!
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.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
Monday, February 7, 2011
CHURCH FOOTBALL
Quarterback Sneak - Worshippers quietly leaving before the Benediction.
Draw Play - What children do with the bulletin during worship.
Halftime - The period between worship and Sunday school when many choose to leave.
Benchwarmer - Those who will not sing, listen, or pray, and apparently do nothing but sit.
Backfield-in-Motion - Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain) during the service.
Staying in the Pocket - What happens to a lot of money that should be given to teh Lord's work.
Two-Minute Warning - The point at which you realize the service is almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings.
Instant Replay - The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week's sermon illustrations.
Sudden Death - What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes into overtime.
End Run - Getting out of church quickly, without speaking to any guests or fellow members.
Blitz - The rush for the restaurants following the closing hymn.
Draw Play - What children do with the bulletin during worship.
Halftime - The period between worship and Sunday school when many choose to leave.
Benchwarmer - Those who will not sing, listen, or pray, and apparently do nothing but sit.
Backfield-in-Motion - Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain) during the service.
Staying in the Pocket - What happens to a lot of money that should be given to teh Lord's work.
Two-Minute Warning - The point at which you realize the service is almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings.
Instant Replay - The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week's sermon illustrations.
Sudden Death - What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes into overtime.
End Run - Getting out of church quickly, without speaking to any guests or fellow members.
Blitz - The rush for the restaurants following the closing hymn.
+ Matthew 13:24-30 +
The sermon for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany.
The Parable of the wheat and the tares.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The world that we live in a very beautiful place. You can anywhere in this city, state, country, or anywhere overseas, east or west, and see some of the most beautiful sites in the world. Here in Duluth, you don't have to travel far to see Lake Superior and its shoreline. In Washington, D.C., there are all the Government buildings, each with its own beauty, and of course, the monuments and museums. In England, there is Windsor Castle, home of the Queen of England and further west, Stonehenge. In Paris, there is the Eiffel Tower. There is beauty throughout the world wherever you go.
On the other side of life, you may also experience terrible and difficulty in your life. Go to Detroit, Michigan and travel through the slums. You will cry and be afraid for your life. If you dare to drive through certain areas of Los Angeles, you may enter the area but because of the evil that resides in certain areas, you may not get out without being carjacked or worse.
The world that we live in is God's handiwork. The world is His creation. However, because of man's disobedience against God, man brought sin and death into God's creation. This wonderful creation is now full of things beautiful and ugly; things pure and corrupted; holy and unholy.
Jesus teaches you today concerning the kingdom of God in His parable about the wheat and tares. If you have ever been near the wheat fields in the mid-west part of America, or anywhere wheat is grown, you will know that there is nothing more beautiful as wheat that is ready for harvest. Especially when the sun is either rising or setting and its rays shine down on the wheat giving it that golden color unmatched by anything else in the world.
What you may not see in the field of wheat is the weeds or tares that grow among the stalks of wheat. The weeds, tares, cockle, or darnel that the wicked sowed on top of the wheat looks very similar to the wheat until it begins to bear fruit. The stalk looks similar. The leaves look similar. The fruit though is way different.
Jesus tells you that the field is the world. The owner, farmer, master of the servants is the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, God's only-begotten Son. The wheat is those who believe in Jesus. The tares are those who do not believe. The tares are those who believe that they must do something to earn their salvation. The one who sows the tares is the enemy of the owner, that is, Jesus. The enemy is the devil.
Jesus is sowing seed throughout the world through His servants. Jesus is sowing His seed through preaching and teaching of His faithful pastors. When the world sleeps, when you sleep, the devil is sowing his tares wherever the Word of God is faithfully preached. The devil is sowing tares the world-over. He is sowing tares here in Duluth, Minnesota.
The wheat grows because it is fed by God. You grow because you come to church. You hear God's Word in worship and Bible study and Jesus feeds your soul. This is the way it is for all Christians. However, there is also those among us Christians hearing the Word of God and do not believe. They continue to grow in this world right along side of you and your families and the Church.
Believers and unbelievers live together in this world. How can one tell the difference? By their works, that is, by the fruit of their faith. The Christian's fruit is their witness to Jesus. The unbelievers testimony is heretical and draws one away from Christ.
The devil has always been trying to imitate God and he always will until this world passes away on Judgment Day. Martin Luther tells an old story to illustrate the devil's imitating God. The story goes like this, “When God formed man out of a clod of earth and breathed into him the breath of life, so that man became a living soul, the devil, seeking to emulate God also took a lump of earth, in order to form a man out of it; but instead it turned out to be a toad. The point of the story was to show that the devil is forever and a day trying to ape our Lord God, presuming to cloak himself with divine mien and appearance, pretending to be God.”
This is what the devil has been doing since Eden. He casts his imitation seed where the Lord sows His Seed, that is His Word, and while the Word of God is producing Christians who bear fruit of good works to the glory of God, through Jesus Christ, the devils seed produces unbelievers who bear no fruit. The Lord’s seed produces wheat while the devils seed produces tares.
So, what do you do about the tares, those weeds that are growing up with the wheat? Do you uproot them? Do you rip them out and cast them aside? Do you kill the tares with weed killer or a spade? Jesus says to you, “Do nothing concerning the tares.”
Jesus did not give His Church the power of the sword. He did not give to His Church the task of killing the unbelievers. Jesus gave His Church His Word that proclaims salvation in the Name of Jesus. Jesus gives His Church the duty to proclaim the Good News to all people. Jesus says to those who believe on His Name to go and tell others about His atoning sacrifice on the cross to save them from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Jesus tells you to tell others, even the tares in your community, about Him and what He has already done for them to earn salvation for them.
Your vocation as a Christian is to believe in the One whom the Father sent. Your vocation is to believe in Jesus and to share the Good News. Jesus will take care of the tares, that is, the unbelievers in this world. You are not to try and get rid of them. You are not to avoid them. You grow along side of them.
On the Day of Judgment, Jesus will send His angels to first separate the tares from the wheat, tie them in bundles, and then cast them into the fire. Then the angels will gather the wheat, that is, the believers, the righteous ones, the sheep, that is, you, into the kingdom of God that has no end.
Jesus is the final Judge over the souls of this world. He died for you so that on Judgment Day, you, the Baptized, bearing the Name of the Trinity, will be called blessed and then ushered into His kingdom to partake of the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Live every day in Christ. Abide with Jesus in His Word. Grow in faith by coming to Church to worship your King, your Savior, Your God and Lord. Do not fear the tares. Abide in Christ. He cares for you and sustains you every day. He nourishes your soul with His means of grace, that is, His word and Supper. He protects you from the tares and the evil one in this world.
Trust in the Lord thy God and you will live. When you fail and transgress Him, do not worry, He forgives you all your sins as He does this holy day.
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.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The Parable of the wheat and the tares.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
The world that we live in a very beautiful place. You can anywhere in this city, state, country, or anywhere overseas, east or west, and see some of the most beautiful sites in the world. Here in Duluth, you don't have to travel far to see Lake Superior and its shoreline. In Washington, D.C., there are all the Government buildings, each with its own beauty, and of course, the monuments and museums. In England, there is Windsor Castle, home of the Queen of England and further west, Stonehenge. In Paris, there is the Eiffel Tower. There is beauty throughout the world wherever you go.
On the other side of life, you may also experience terrible and difficulty in your life. Go to Detroit, Michigan and travel through the slums. You will cry and be afraid for your life. If you dare to drive through certain areas of Los Angeles, you may enter the area but because of the evil that resides in certain areas, you may not get out without being carjacked or worse.
The world that we live in is God's handiwork. The world is His creation. However, because of man's disobedience against God, man brought sin and death into God's creation. This wonderful creation is now full of things beautiful and ugly; things pure and corrupted; holy and unholy.
Jesus teaches you today concerning the kingdom of God in His parable about the wheat and tares. If you have ever been near the wheat fields in the mid-west part of America, or anywhere wheat is grown, you will know that there is nothing more beautiful as wheat that is ready for harvest. Especially when the sun is either rising or setting and its rays shine down on the wheat giving it that golden color unmatched by anything else in the world.
What you may not see in the field of wheat is the weeds or tares that grow among the stalks of wheat. The weeds, tares, cockle, or darnel that the wicked sowed on top of the wheat looks very similar to the wheat until it begins to bear fruit. The stalk looks similar. The leaves look similar. The fruit though is way different.
Jesus tells you that the field is the world. The owner, farmer, master of the servants is the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, God's only-begotten Son. The wheat is those who believe in Jesus. The tares are those who do not believe. The tares are those who believe that they must do something to earn their salvation. The one who sows the tares is the enemy of the owner, that is, Jesus. The enemy is the devil.
Jesus is sowing seed throughout the world through His servants. Jesus is sowing His seed through preaching and teaching of His faithful pastors. When the world sleeps, when you sleep, the devil is sowing his tares wherever the Word of God is faithfully preached. The devil is sowing tares the world-over. He is sowing tares here in Duluth, Minnesota.
The wheat grows because it is fed by God. You grow because you come to church. You hear God's Word in worship and Bible study and Jesus feeds your soul. This is the way it is for all Christians. However, there is also those among us Christians hearing the Word of God and do not believe. They continue to grow in this world right along side of you and your families and the Church.
Believers and unbelievers live together in this world. How can one tell the difference? By their works, that is, by the fruit of their faith. The Christian's fruit is their witness to Jesus. The unbelievers testimony is heretical and draws one away from Christ.
The devil has always been trying to imitate God and he always will until this world passes away on Judgment Day. Martin Luther tells an old story to illustrate the devil's imitating God. The story goes like this, “When God formed man out of a clod of earth and breathed into him the breath of life, so that man became a living soul, the devil, seeking to emulate God also took a lump of earth, in order to form a man out of it; but instead it turned out to be a toad. The point of the story was to show that the devil is forever and a day trying to ape our Lord God, presuming to cloak himself with divine mien and appearance, pretending to be God.”
This is what the devil has been doing since Eden. He casts his imitation seed where the Lord sows His Seed, that is His Word, and while the Word of God is producing Christians who bear fruit of good works to the glory of God, through Jesus Christ, the devils seed produces unbelievers who bear no fruit. The Lord’s seed produces wheat while the devils seed produces tares.
So, what do you do about the tares, those weeds that are growing up with the wheat? Do you uproot them? Do you rip them out and cast them aside? Do you kill the tares with weed killer or a spade? Jesus says to you, “Do nothing concerning the tares.”
Jesus did not give His Church the power of the sword. He did not give to His Church the task of killing the unbelievers. Jesus gave His Church His Word that proclaims salvation in the Name of Jesus. Jesus gives His Church the duty to proclaim the Good News to all people. Jesus says to those who believe on His Name to go and tell others about His atoning sacrifice on the cross to save them from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Jesus tells you to tell others, even the tares in your community, about Him and what He has already done for them to earn salvation for them.
Your vocation as a Christian is to believe in the One whom the Father sent. Your vocation is to believe in Jesus and to share the Good News. Jesus will take care of the tares, that is, the unbelievers in this world. You are not to try and get rid of them. You are not to avoid them. You grow along side of them.
On the Day of Judgment, Jesus will send His angels to first separate the tares from the wheat, tie them in bundles, and then cast them into the fire. Then the angels will gather the wheat, that is, the believers, the righteous ones, the sheep, that is, you, into the kingdom of God that has no end.
Jesus is the final Judge over the souls of this world. He died for you so that on Judgment Day, you, the Baptized, bearing the Name of the Trinity, will be called blessed and then ushered into His kingdom to partake of the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Live every day in Christ. Abide with Jesus in His Word. Grow in faith by coming to Church to worship your King, your Savior, Your God and Lord. Do not fear the tares. Abide in Christ. He cares for you and sustains you every day. He nourishes your soul with His means of grace, that is, His word and Supper. He protects you from the tares and the evil one in this world.
Trust in the Lord thy God and you will live. When you fail and transgress Him, do not worry, He forgives you all your sins as He does this holy day.
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.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ Matthew 8:23-27 +
The sermon for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
The sea is stilled.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Many of you here today either know someone who is a fisherman or enjoys being out on the water. Most of the time, when fishermen go out to sea, their trip is uneventful. The men get up, eat breakfast, bait the hooks, cast the lines into the sea and wait. As they wait, they may do maintenance on the ship to preserve her from destruction and failure.
All of a sudden, you hear a scream coming from behind you, “MAN OVERBOARD!” The captain sounds the alarm and swings the ship around as fast as he can. The engines are screaming with power to turn her around so the crew can save their buddy from certain death.
You, along with the entire crew are watching and looking for your shipmate. Finally, a cry cuts through the wind from port, “I GOT HIM! He’s at 10:00 o’clock. HE’S ALIVE! HURRY!” The others grab for the safety equipment near the rail; gaff hook, preserver. Everyone is ready to pitch in to save their friend and colleague.
The Captain pulls the ship up close, being careful not to run over the crewman and the others pull him to safety. Onboard, the man is no longer terrified. His fears are subdued. The crew’s anxiety subsides. The Captain is relieved. Danger and death overcome.
The sailors of the US Navy face this danger every day. However, they train every day just in case something like this does happen to one of their brothers and crew. What about you? Have you ever been in a situation like this one? Have you ever been part of a crew? Have you ever been called upon to save someone? Have you ever been called upon to lay your life down for someone else?
Of course you have. You see, you boarded the Ship of Christ the day you were baptized into Christ. Your Baptism is the day your Lord, your Captain, pulled you out of the sea of darkness and death. He saved you. He brought you onboard His Ship, called the Church, and gave you refuge and safe passage.
Christ pulled you from the cold, dark depths of death and the clutches of Satan and gave you life from above. He cloaked you with His righteousness. He fed you with His Word. He gave you rest that holy day. He took you out of darkness and made you an heir of His heavenly kingdom. He promised you that you would never be alone ever again. He told you that you are numbered among the faithful, that is, all the others that He pulled from the depths of darkness. He numbers you among His crew, that is, His saints.
Now, safely onboard Christ’s Ship, your life seems to be passing by, day after day, without a care in the world. Everything is going great. You own your home. You’re married. You have children. The job is going great. Promotions abound due to your diligence, initiative, and take-charge attitude. The cars are running great. No worries.
All of a sudden – BAM! The house catches fire! HELP! I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO! HELP ME! You cry out into the darkness of night. You look around and your neighbors stand with you. Where is your help in time of need? Won’t anybody do anything to help me? Within moments, you hear the wining pitch of the sirens on top of the fire truck. Help finally arrives.
Is this the way it is with your spiritual life? You go to church every week. You attend Bible class on Sunday and maybe one day during the week too. You read the Bible at home. You pray every day. You help people who are in need. You volunteer at the hospital once or twice a month.
All of s sudden – BAM! Your spouse or child dies. HELP! I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO! WHY ME? WHY IS GOD DOING THIS TO ME? HELP ME! You cry out into the darkness of night. You look around and you’re alone in the darkness. You continue to cry out, WHY ME? WHY NOW? WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS? You have fallen out of the Ship. You are drowning in your sin of unbelief. You pray and nothing happens. You’re afraid. You cry out, FORGIVE ME FOR I HAVE SINNED!
The trial just mentioned is allowed by God in your life for one reason; to test your faith. The sea enraged with its anger to test the faith of the disciples. What do you do in the time of trial? You become afraid just like the disciples did. You cry out for help just like the disciples did. Why are you fearful, O You of little faith?
Your enemies are things like the raging sea nor the slippery roads not even vagrants and thieves. Your enemies are Satan, your flesh, jealousy, envy, idolatry, a lack of honor, a cursed tongue that spits vile of evil whenever it likes. REPENT. Deny yourself and turn to the Lord thy God with true contrition in your heart and receive His forgiveness for your sins.
Our Lord Jesus commands the sea to be still. He calms the fear in the hearts and souls of His disciples. He commands the sea because He created the sea. He rules over all things He created. Jesus also conquered Satan. Jesus came into this world to save you, me, and the whole world from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Jesus fulfilled the words Moses wrote in Genesis 3:15 when He said, “It is finished!” Jesus conquered the old evil foe with His very life. The old dragon is chained up. He will tempt you but he cannot destroy you for he himself is conquered.
Jesus also conquered sin and death. Yes, as a sinner, you will continue to commit sins throughout your life. The difference now is that Jesus paid the price for your sins. His blood was poured for you and all sinners. His blood covers your sins and makes them white as snow. Jesus forgives you because He loves you. He forgives you because He atoned for your sins. You are His friend. You are no longer a slave but a friend. You have a dwelling place waiting for you in heaven because of what Jesus has already done for you on the cross and because He is risen from the grave. You will die because of sin but you also have the promise of Jesus, God’s only-begotten Son, that you will live forever in paradise because you believe on His Name for your salvation.
Martin Luther teaches us about what to do in the time of trial and distress. “Call upon [the Name of the Lord] in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.” Pray to God and ask Him for His help. He will deliver you.
One thing I think most Lutherans and Christians do not understand is how God works through His means of grace. When the soul is troubled, Christ gives to you His servant, the pastor. When you are bothered by sin you have committed, Christ gives you a seelsorger, that is, a curer of the soul, the pastor. When you are bothered or fearful with the other many and various trials this fallen world throws at you, Christ gives you comfort through His servant, the pastor. The pastor is God’s instrument that He uses to comfort the soul, to relive the stress in your life, to suffer with you in your trials. The pastor brings Jesus to you with His Word and Sacraments. The pastor gives you Christ’s peace that surpasses all understanding through the use of God’s Word in confession and absolution.
The pastor stands in the stead of Christ to comfort, console, strengthen, forgive, and to bless the Children of God given over to him to care for. The pastor shepherd’s you to those still waters and gives you drink from the cup of salvation. He feeds you with the Bread from heaven. He looses the bondage of sin that tries to snuff you out with Christ’s forgiveness that flows from the His cross where Jesus earned your salvation for you.
Do not fear little ones. You are not alone. The world cannot hurt you. The devil cannot hurt you. Jesus has already conquered sin, death, and the devil for you. When you stray, Jesus forgives you. When you lie, Jesus forgives you. When you hurt your neighbor, Jesus forgives you. When you go it alone and deny your Lord, Jesus forgives this one too. He loves you. He suffered all things for you. He died for you. He rose again for you. Go in peace. Your sins are forgiven.
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.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
The sea is stilled.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Many of you here today either know someone who is a fisherman or enjoys being out on the water. Most of the time, when fishermen go out to sea, their trip is uneventful. The men get up, eat breakfast, bait the hooks, cast the lines into the sea and wait. As they wait, they may do maintenance on the ship to preserve her from destruction and failure.
All of a sudden, you hear a scream coming from behind you, “MAN OVERBOARD!” The captain sounds the alarm and swings the ship around as fast as he can. The engines are screaming with power to turn her around so the crew can save their buddy from certain death.
You, along with the entire crew are watching and looking for your shipmate. Finally, a cry cuts through the wind from port, “I GOT HIM! He’s at 10:00 o’clock. HE’S ALIVE! HURRY!” The others grab for the safety equipment near the rail; gaff hook, preserver. Everyone is ready to pitch in to save their friend and colleague.
The Captain pulls the ship up close, being careful not to run over the crewman and the others pull him to safety. Onboard, the man is no longer terrified. His fears are subdued. The crew’s anxiety subsides. The Captain is relieved. Danger and death overcome.
The sailors of the US Navy face this danger every day. However, they train every day just in case something like this does happen to one of their brothers and crew. What about you? Have you ever been in a situation like this one? Have you ever been part of a crew? Have you ever been called upon to save someone? Have you ever been called upon to lay your life down for someone else?
Of course you have. You see, you boarded the Ship of Christ the day you were baptized into Christ. Your Baptism is the day your Lord, your Captain, pulled you out of the sea of darkness and death. He saved you. He brought you onboard His Ship, called the Church, and gave you refuge and safe passage.
Christ pulled you from the cold, dark depths of death and the clutches of Satan and gave you life from above. He cloaked you with His righteousness. He fed you with His Word. He gave you rest that holy day. He took you out of darkness and made you an heir of His heavenly kingdom. He promised you that you would never be alone ever again. He told you that you are numbered among the faithful, that is, all the others that He pulled from the depths of darkness. He numbers you among His crew, that is, His saints.
Now, safely onboard Christ’s Ship, your life seems to be passing by, day after day, without a care in the world. Everything is going great. You own your home. You’re married. You have children. The job is going great. Promotions abound due to your diligence, initiative, and take-charge attitude. The cars are running great. No worries.
All of a sudden – BAM! The house catches fire! HELP! I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO! HELP ME! You cry out into the darkness of night. You look around and your neighbors stand with you. Where is your help in time of need? Won’t anybody do anything to help me? Within moments, you hear the wining pitch of the sirens on top of the fire truck. Help finally arrives.
Is this the way it is with your spiritual life? You go to church every week. You attend Bible class on Sunday and maybe one day during the week too. You read the Bible at home. You pray every day. You help people who are in need. You volunteer at the hospital once or twice a month.
All of s sudden – BAM! Your spouse or child dies. HELP! I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO! WHY ME? WHY IS GOD DOING THIS TO ME? HELP ME! You cry out into the darkness of night. You look around and you’re alone in the darkness. You continue to cry out, WHY ME? WHY NOW? WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS? You have fallen out of the Ship. You are drowning in your sin of unbelief. You pray and nothing happens. You’re afraid. You cry out, FORGIVE ME FOR I HAVE SINNED!
The trial just mentioned is allowed by God in your life for one reason; to test your faith. The sea enraged with its anger to test the faith of the disciples. What do you do in the time of trial? You become afraid just like the disciples did. You cry out for help just like the disciples did. Why are you fearful, O You of little faith?
Your enemies are things like the raging sea nor the slippery roads not even vagrants and thieves. Your enemies are Satan, your flesh, jealousy, envy, idolatry, a lack of honor, a cursed tongue that spits vile of evil whenever it likes. REPENT. Deny yourself and turn to the Lord thy God with true contrition in your heart and receive His forgiveness for your sins.
Our Lord Jesus commands the sea to be still. He calms the fear in the hearts and souls of His disciples. He commands the sea because He created the sea. He rules over all things He created. Jesus also conquered Satan. Jesus came into this world to save you, me, and the whole world from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Jesus fulfilled the words Moses wrote in Genesis 3:15 when He said, “It is finished!” Jesus conquered the old evil foe with His very life. The old dragon is chained up. He will tempt you but he cannot destroy you for he himself is conquered.
Jesus also conquered sin and death. Yes, as a sinner, you will continue to commit sins throughout your life. The difference now is that Jesus paid the price for your sins. His blood was poured for you and all sinners. His blood covers your sins and makes them white as snow. Jesus forgives you because He loves you. He forgives you because He atoned for your sins. You are His friend. You are no longer a slave but a friend. You have a dwelling place waiting for you in heaven because of what Jesus has already done for you on the cross and because He is risen from the grave. You will die because of sin but you also have the promise of Jesus, God’s only-begotten Son, that you will live forever in paradise because you believe on His Name for your salvation.
Martin Luther teaches us about what to do in the time of trial and distress. “Call upon [the Name of the Lord] in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.” Pray to God and ask Him for His help. He will deliver you.
One thing I think most Lutherans and Christians do not understand is how God works through His means of grace. When the soul is troubled, Christ gives to you His servant, the pastor. When you are bothered by sin you have committed, Christ gives you a seelsorger, that is, a curer of the soul, the pastor. When you are bothered or fearful with the other many and various trials this fallen world throws at you, Christ gives you comfort through His servant, the pastor. The pastor is God’s instrument that He uses to comfort the soul, to relive the stress in your life, to suffer with you in your trials. The pastor brings Jesus to you with His Word and Sacraments. The pastor gives you Christ’s peace that surpasses all understanding through the use of God’s Word in confession and absolution.
The pastor stands in the stead of Christ to comfort, console, strengthen, forgive, and to bless the Children of God given over to him to care for. The pastor shepherd’s you to those still waters and gives you drink from the cup of salvation. He feeds you with the Bread from heaven. He looses the bondage of sin that tries to snuff you out with Christ’s forgiveness that flows from the His cross where Jesus earned your salvation for you.
Do not fear little ones. You are not alone. The world cannot hurt you. The devil cannot hurt you. Jesus has already conquered sin, death, and the devil for you. When you stray, Jesus forgives you. When you lie, Jesus forgives you. When you hurt your neighbor, Jesus forgives you. When you go it alone and deny your Lord, Jesus forgives this one too. He loves you. He suffered all things for you. He died for you. He rose again for you. Go in peace. Your sins are forgiven.
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.
+ Soli Deo Gloria +
+ John 2:1-11 +
The sermon for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany
The Wedding at Cana
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.” (John 2:6-8)
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Our pilgrimage has brought us to Cana. Cana is a small village north of Nazareth in Galilee. Galilee is outside of Jerusalem in the land of the Gentiles. Mary, the mother of our Lord is there too. Some say she may have been the host of this wedding celebration or a close relative of the host as Mary is greatly concerned and involved with the wine situation.
Is the text about Mary? No, not all together. There is one thing important about Mary’s role that we must consider. She is reminding God about the needs of His people. Jesus responds in love for His mother and reminding her that the time of manifestation to the world, that is, His hour of suffering and dying, has not yet come.
Is the text about the dutiful servants? No but we can learn much from their obedience to the Word of God and doing as our Lord directs us in our daily lives.
The Gospel lesson is about Jesus. It is about His work in our lives as He serves us. Remember, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 When Jesus reminds His mother, Mary, that His hour has not yet come, He is reminding her that this is not the time for Him to die and reveal Himself to the world.
However, Jesus does come to the wedding feast as a servant. He doesn’t ignore the wishes of His mother. He fills her need, and the needs of all the guests according to His time and His will. This is very important for us to understand so we don’t fall into the same trap as Mary and start telling God what He has to do and when it must be accomplished.
Jesus came to this wedding to celebrate the marriage of two young people. He came and dwelt among them. He was there to rejoice with these young people, and their families, as their new life began together according to God’s institution of marriage.
During the feast, the wine runs out. This is a major event. This is not the way the bridegroom thought the day was going to go. What’s left to give to our guests? That’s right – we have water. The bridegroom thought he could quench the thirst of his guests with good old water, that beverage of choice of the working man. Yes, we can give them water. But, the water will only quench their lips and thirst. Will the water gladden the hearts of the guests? No. Without wine, the wedding celebration will seem sad and more like an every day, ho-hum event in the lives of these young people; but, only if Jesus does not act on their behalf.
If they do not ask Jesus to help them; if they paste on cheery faces and swallow real hard, and pretend everything is fine and dandy without the wine, then, yes, their wedding celebration will devolve. And, they will be just another bride and groom, moving through the wedding, moving into married life, moving into a life in which Jesus is neither present nor at work.
This is the way it is in our lives too. We swallow hard, put on cheery faces and pretend everything is fine and dandy in our lives, in our community, and in our congregation. Without Christ in our lives, nothing is good. It’s all bad. It’s rotten to the core. Without Christ, we are dead in our trespasses. Without Christ, we are set to wander the earth, like Cain, without the blessing of God.
We are just like this young couple, joined in marriage, and going it alone. We are lost in this fallen world. We have no direction. We don’t ask Jesus for help in our lives. We don’t ask Jesus to help us in our marriages, jobs, vocations, congregations. Nope. We just go it alone and complain about everything. It’s always someone else’s fault that our life is so bad and crummy. We run Jesus right out of every facet of our lives. What are we left with? SIN and DEATH! REPENT!
Jesus never gives up on you. He is always with you. He gives to you everything you need. He gives you strength when you are weak. He gives you courage when you are afraid. He gives you food when you are hungry. He gives you water when you thirst. He gives you shelter when you are desolate. He gives you money and riches beyond measure when you are poor. He gives you friends and family when you are lonely.
More than this, He gives you His forgiveness when you fail to obey. He forgets your sins even when you remember them. He heals you of your diseases. He restores your soul with His righteousness. He serves you. When you are hungry, he fills you not only with the bread of earth but with His Body that was given for you. When you thirst, He not only gives you that which sustains your body but He gives you His Blood which was poured out for you for the forgiveness of your sins.
When you are in despair, Jesus gives you hope. The hope Jesus gives you is that while you are a sinner, He died for you, in your place, to justify you before His Father who is in heaven. Jesus died to save you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He died to atone for your sins. He declares you not guilty before God. He saved you. He gives you that new hope in Himself which the world cannot give to you.
Jesus does for you what you cannot do for yourself. Jesus changes plain water into wine. Not just any old wine but the best wine ever tasted. He makes you new everyday when He forgives you all your sins. You, who were once dead in sin, are now alive in Christ Jesus.
Sin and death no longer have dominion over you. Your life is secured in the Christ through His Blood which was shed for you on the cross at Calvary. Your Bridegroom transformed your earthly love for one another with His divine love. In your dark and gloomy days, Jesus is your Light. On the days when your love grows cold for each other, Jesus warms your heart.
Jesus unites you together in the one common Chalice from you drink this holy day. He unites you in the common font which you were washed and cleansed of your sin. Jesus does for you what you cannot do for yourselves.
That is what our Lord does.
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 Wedding at Cana
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.” (John 2:6-8)
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Our pilgrimage has brought us to Cana. Cana is a small village north of Nazareth in Galilee. Galilee is outside of Jerusalem in the land of the Gentiles. Mary, the mother of our Lord is there too. Some say she may have been the host of this wedding celebration or a close relative of the host as Mary is greatly concerned and involved with the wine situation.
Is the text about Mary? No, not all together. There is one thing important about Mary’s role that we must consider. She is reminding God about the needs of His people. Jesus responds in love for His mother and reminding her that the time of manifestation to the world, that is, His hour of suffering and dying, has not yet come.
Is the text about the dutiful servants? No but we can learn much from their obedience to the Word of God and doing as our Lord directs us in our daily lives.
The Gospel lesson is about Jesus. It is about His work in our lives as He serves us. Remember, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 When Jesus reminds His mother, Mary, that His hour has not yet come, He is reminding her that this is not the time for Him to die and reveal Himself to the world.
However, Jesus does come to the wedding feast as a servant. He doesn’t ignore the wishes of His mother. He fills her need, and the needs of all the guests according to His time and His will. This is very important for us to understand so we don’t fall into the same trap as Mary and start telling God what He has to do and when it must be accomplished.
Jesus came to this wedding to celebrate the marriage of two young people. He came and dwelt among them. He was there to rejoice with these young people, and their families, as their new life began together according to God’s institution of marriage.
During the feast, the wine runs out. This is a major event. This is not the way the bridegroom thought the day was going to go. What’s left to give to our guests? That’s right – we have water. The bridegroom thought he could quench the thirst of his guests with good old water, that beverage of choice of the working man. Yes, we can give them water. But, the water will only quench their lips and thirst. Will the water gladden the hearts of the guests? No. Without wine, the wedding celebration will seem sad and more like an every day, ho-hum event in the lives of these young people; but, only if Jesus does not act on their behalf.
If they do not ask Jesus to help them; if they paste on cheery faces and swallow real hard, and pretend everything is fine and dandy without the wine, then, yes, their wedding celebration will devolve. And, they will be just another bride and groom, moving through the wedding, moving into married life, moving into a life in which Jesus is neither present nor at work.
This is the way it is in our lives too. We swallow hard, put on cheery faces and pretend everything is fine and dandy in our lives, in our community, and in our congregation. Without Christ in our lives, nothing is good. It’s all bad. It’s rotten to the core. Without Christ, we are dead in our trespasses. Without Christ, we are set to wander the earth, like Cain, without the blessing of God.
We are just like this young couple, joined in marriage, and going it alone. We are lost in this fallen world. We have no direction. We don’t ask Jesus for help in our lives. We don’t ask Jesus to help us in our marriages, jobs, vocations, congregations. Nope. We just go it alone and complain about everything. It’s always someone else’s fault that our life is so bad and crummy. We run Jesus right out of every facet of our lives. What are we left with? SIN and DEATH! REPENT!
Jesus never gives up on you. He is always with you. He gives to you everything you need. He gives you strength when you are weak. He gives you courage when you are afraid. He gives you food when you are hungry. He gives you water when you thirst. He gives you shelter when you are desolate. He gives you money and riches beyond measure when you are poor. He gives you friends and family when you are lonely.
More than this, He gives you His forgiveness when you fail to obey. He forgets your sins even when you remember them. He heals you of your diseases. He restores your soul with His righteousness. He serves you. When you are hungry, he fills you not only with the bread of earth but with His Body that was given for you. When you thirst, He not only gives you that which sustains your body but He gives you His Blood which was poured out for you for the forgiveness of your sins.
When you are in despair, Jesus gives you hope. The hope Jesus gives you is that while you are a sinner, He died for you, in your place, to justify you before His Father who is in heaven. Jesus died to save you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He died to atone for your sins. He declares you not guilty before God. He saved you. He gives you that new hope in Himself which the world cannot give to you.
Jesus does for you what you cannot do for yourself. Jesus changes plain water into wine. Not just any old wine but the best wine ever tasted. He makes you new everyday when He forgives you all your sins. You, who were once dead in sin, are now alive in Christ Jesus.
Sin and death no longer have dominion over you. Your life is secured in the Christ through His Blood which was shed for you on the cross at Calvary. Your Bridegroom transformed your earthly love for one another with His divine love. In your dark and gloomy days, Jesus is your Light. On the days when your love grows cold for each other, Jesus warms your heart.
Jesus unites you together in the one common Chalice from you drink this holy day. He unites you in the common font which you were washed and cleansed of your sin. Jesus does for you what you cannot do for yourselves.
That is what our Lord does.
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 2:1-11 +
The sermon for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany
The Wedding at Cana
Date: January 16, 2011 – The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Text: John 2:1-11 – The Wedding at Cana
Theme: Jesus does for you what you cannot do for yourself.
Place: The Lutheran Church of Christ the King – Duluth, Minnesota
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.” (John 2:6-8)
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Our pilgrimage has brought us to Cana. Cana is a small village north of Nazareth in Galilee. Galilee is outside of Jerusalem in the land of the Gentiles. Mary, the mother of our Lord is there too. Some say she may have been the host of this wedding celebration or a close relative of the host as Mary is greatly concerned and involved with the wine situation.
Is the text about Mary? No, not all together. There is one thing important about Mary’s role that we must consider. She is reminding God about the needs of His people. Jesus responds in love for His mother and reminding her that the time of manifestation to the world, that is, His hour of suffering and dying, has not yet come.
Is the text about the dutiful servants? No but we can learn much from their obedience to the Word of God and doing as our Lord directs us in our daily lives.
The Gospel lesson is about Jesus. It is about His work in our lives as He serves us. Remember, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 When Jesus reminds His mother, Mary, that His hour has not yet come, He is reminding her that this is not the time for Him to die and reveal Himself to the world.
However, Jesus does come to the wedding feast as a servant. He doesn’t ignore the wishes of His mother. He fills her need, and the needs of all the guests according to His time and His will. This is very important for us to understand so we don’t fall into the same trap as Mary and start telling God what He has to do and when it must be accomplished.
Jesus came to this wedding to celebrate the marriage of two young people. He came and dwelt among them. He was there to rejoice with these young people, and their families, as their new life began together according to God’s institution of marriage.
During the feast, the wine runs out. This is a major event. This is not the way the bridegroom thought the day was going to go. What’s left to give to our guests? That’s right – we have water. The bridegroom thought he could quench the thirst of his guests with good old water, that beverage of choice of the working man. Yes, we can give them water. But, the water will only quench their lips and thirst. Will the water gladden the hearts of the guests? No. Without wine, the wedding celebration will seem sad and more like an every day, ho-hum event in the lives of these young people; but, only if Jesus does not act on their behalf.
If they do not ask Jesus to help them; if they paste on cheery faces and swallow real hard, and pretend everything is fine and dandy without the wine, then, yes, their wedding celebration will devolve. And, they will be just another bride and groom, moving through the wedding, moving into married life, moving into a life in which Jesus is neither present nor at work.
This is the way it is in our lives too. We swallow hard, put on cheery faces and pretend everything is fine and dandy in our lives, in our community, and in our congregation. Without Christ in our lives, nothing is good. It’s all bad. It’s rotten to the core. Without Christ, we are dead in our trespasses. Without Christ, we are set to wander the earth, like Cain, without the blessing of God.
We are just like this young couple, joined in marriage, and going it alone. We are lost in this fallen world. We have no direction. We don’t ask Jesus for help in our lives. We don’t ask Jesus to help us in our marriages, jobs, vocations, congregations. Nope. We just go it alone and complain about everything. It’s always someone else’s fault that our life is so bad and crummy. We run Jesus right out of every facet of our lives. What are we left with? SIN and DEATH! REPENT!
Jesus never gives up on you. He is always with you. He gives to you everything you need. He gives you strength when you are weak. He gives you courage when you are afraid. He gives you food when you are hungry. He gives you water when you thirst. He gives you shelter when you are desolate. He gives you money and riches beyond measure when you are poor. He gives you friends and family when you are lonely.
More than this, He gives you His forgiveness when you fail to obey. He forgets your sins even when you remember them. He heals you of your diseases. He restores your soul with His righteousness. He serves you. When you are hungry, he fills you not only with the bread of earth but with His Body that was given for you. When you thirst, He not only gives you that which sustains your body but He gives you His Blood which was poured out for you for the forgiveness of your sins.
When you are in despair, Jesus gives you hope. The hope Jesus gives you is that while you are a sinner, He died for you, in your place, to justify you before His Father who is in heaven. Jesus died to save you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He died to atone for your sins. He declares you not guilty before God. He saved you. He gives you that new hope in Himself which the world cannot give to you.
Jesus does for you what you cannot do for yourself. Jesus changes plain water into wine. Not just any old wine but the best wine ever tasted. He makes you new everyday when He forgives you all your sins. You, who were once dead in sin, are now alive in Christ Jesus.
Sin and death no longer have dominion over you. Your life is secured in the Christ through His Blood which was shed for you on the cross at Calvary. Your Bridegroom transformed your earthly love for one another with His divine love. In your dark and gloomy days, Jesus is your Light. On the days when your love grows cold for each other, Jesus warms your heart.
Jesus unites you together in the one common Chalice from you drink this holy day. He unites you in the common font which you were washed and cleansed of your sin. Jesus does for you what you cannot do for yourselves.
That is what our Lord does.
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 Wedding at Cana
Date: January 16, 2011 – The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Text: John 2:1-11 – The Wedding at Cana
Theme: Jesus does for you what you cannot do for yourself.
Place: The Lutheran Church of Christ the King – Duluth, Minnesota
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
“Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.” (John 2:6-8)
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Our pilgrimage has brought us to Cana. Cana is a small village north of Nazareth in Galilee. Galilee is outside of Jerusalem in the land of the Gentiles. Mary, the mother of our Lord is there too. Some say she may have been the host of this wedding celebration or a close relative of the host as Mary is greatly concerned and involved with the wine situation.
Is the text about Mary? No, not all together. There is one thing important about Mary’s role that we must consider. She is reminding God about the needs of His people. Jesus responds in love for His mother and reminding her that the time of manifestation to the world, that is, His hour of suffering and dying, has not yet come.
Is the text about the dutiful servants? No but we can learn much from their obedience to the Word of God and doing as our Lord directs us in our daily lives.
The Gospel lesson is about Jesus. It is about His work in our lives as He serves us. Remember, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 When Jesus reminds His mother, Mary, that His hour has not yet come, He is reminding her that this is not the time for Him to die and reveal Himself to the world.
However, Jesus does come to the wedding feast as a servant. He doesn’t ignore the wishes of His mother. He fills her need, and the needs of all the guests according to His time and His will. This is very important for us to understand so we don’t fall into the same trap as Mary and start telling God what He has to do and when it must be accomplished.
Jesus came to this wedding to celebrate the marriage of two young people. He came and dwelt among them. He was there to rejoice with these young people, and their families, as their new life began together according to God’s institution of marriage.
During the feast, the wine runs out. This is a major event. This is not the way the bridegroom thought the day was going to go. What’s left to give to our guests? That’s right – we have water. The bridegroom thought he could quench the thirst of his guests with good old water, that beverage of choice of the working man. Yes, we can give them water. But, the water will only quench their lips and thirst. Will the water gladden the hearts of the guests? No. Without wine, the wedding celebration will seem sad and more like an every day, ho-hum event in the lives of these young people; but, only if Jesus does not act on their behalf.
If they do not ask Jesus to help them; if they paste on cheery faces and swallow real hard, and pretend everything is fine and dandy without the wine, then, yes, their wedding celebration will devolve. And, they will be just another bride and groom, moving through the wedding, moving into married life, moving into a life in which Jesus is neither present nor at work.
This is the way it is in our lives too. We swallow hard, put on cheery faces and pretend everything is fine and dandy in our lives, in our community, and in our congregation. Without Christ in our lives, nothing is good. It’s all bad. It’s rotten to the core. Without Christ, we are dead in our trespasses. Without Christ, we are set to wander the earth, like Cain, without the blessing of God.
We are just like this young couple, joined in marriage, and going it alone. We are lost in this fallen world. We have no direction. We don’t ask Jesus for help in our lives. We don’t ask Jesus to help us in our marriages, jobs, vocations, congregations. Nope. We just go it alone and complain about everything. It’s always someone else’s fault that our life is so bad and crummy. We run Jesus right out of every facet of our lives. What are we left with? SIN and DEATH! REPENT!
Jesus never gives up on you. He is always with you. He gives to you everything you need. He gives you strength when you are weak. He gives you courage when you are afraid. He gives you food when you are hungry. He gives you water when you thirst. He gives you shelter when you are desolate. He gives you money and riches beyond measure when you are poor. He gives you friends and family when you are lonely.
More than this, He gives you His forgiveness when you fail to obey. He forgets your sins even when you remember them. He heals you of your diseases. He restores your soul with His righteousness. He serves you. When you are hungry, he fills you not only with the bread of earth but with His Body that was given for you. When you thirst, He not only gives you that which sustains your body but He gives you His Blood which was poured out for you for the forgiveness of your sins.
When you are in despair, Jesus gives you hope. The hope Jesus gives you is that while you are a sinner, He died for you, in your place, to justify you before His Father who is in heaven. Jesus died to save you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He died to atone for your sins. He declares you not guilty before God. He saved you. He gives you that new hope in Himself which the world cannot give to you.
Jesus does for you what you cannot do for yourself. Jesus changes plain water into wine. Not just any old wine but the best wine ever tasted. He makes you new everyday when He forgives you all your sins. You, who were once dead in sin, are now alive in Christ Jesus.
Sin and death no longer have dominion over you. Your life is secured in the Christ through His Blood which was shed for you on the cross at Calvary. Your Bridegroom transformed your earthly love for one another with His divine love. In your dark and gloomy days, Jesus is your Light. On the days when your love grows cold for each other, Jesus warms your heart.
Jesus unites you together in the one common Chalice from you drink this holy day. He unites you in the common font which you were washed and cleansed of your sin. Jesus does for you what you cannot do for yourselves.
That is what our Lord does.
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, January 29, 2011
Real Worship
You've got to read this one by Fr. Hollywood...IT'S GREAT!!!
I love this picture! Take a really good look at the picture before you read his post!
http://networkedblogs.com/dyzmR
I love this picture! Take a really good look at the picture before you read his post!
http://networkedblogs.com/dyzmR
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The "Coventry Carol"
The traditional Christmas carol "Coventry Carol" sung by the choir of
Westminster Cathedral.
The "Coventry Carol" is a Christmas carol dating from the 16th Century. The carol was performed in Coventry as part of a mystery play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors. The play depicts the Christmas story from chapter two in the Gospel of Matthew. The carol refers to the Massacre of the Innocents, in which Herod orders all male infants under the age of two in Bethlehem to be killed. The lyrics of this haunting carol represent a mother's lament for her doomed child. It is the only carol that has survived from this play.
Westminster Cathedral.
The "Coventry Carol" is a Christmas carol dating from the 16th Century. The carol was performed in Coventry as part of a mystery play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors. The play depicts the Christmas story from chapter two in the Gospel of Matthew. The carol refers to the Massacre of the Innocents, in which Herod orders all male infants under the age of two in Bethlehem to be killed. The lyrics of this haunting carol represent a mother's lament for her doomed child. It is the only carol that has survived from this play.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
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