+ The Name of the Lord +

+ John 2:1-11 +

2012-01-17T15:01:00.002-05:00

The Word of God preached on the Second Sunday after Epiphany.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Matthew 3:13-17 +

2012-01-17T15:00:00.002-05:00

The Word of God preached on the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, have mercy.

+ John 1:1-14 +

2012-01-17T14:58:00.002-05:00

The Word of God preached on the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas Day).

Lord, have mercy.

+ Luke 1:39-56 +

2011-12-22T10:09:00.002-05:00

The Word of God preached on the Fourth Sunday in Advent. The text is Luke 1:39-56.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

+ Daniel 12:1-4; 7:1-14 +

2011-12-17T14:27:00.002-05:00

The Word of God preached on Advent feria III. Daniel's View of the End: Part III.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Matthew 11:2-10 +

2011-12-13T19:49:00.000-05:00

The Word of God preached on The Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete Sunday).

Lord, have mercy.

+ Daniel 6:1-28 +

2011-12-11T13:39:00.001-05:00

Advent feria II -- Daniel's View of the End: Part II

Lord have mercy.

+ Luke 21:25-36 +

2011-12-06T09:56:00.000-05:00

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.

+ Daniel 2:19-45 +

2011-12-03T17:54:00.001-05:00

The Word of God preached on Advent feria I. Daniel's View of the End: Part 1.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Roamns 13:11-14 +

2011-11-28T18:38:00.001-05:00

The Word of God preached on the First Sunday in Advent.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Luke 17:11-19 +

2011-11-27T08:13:00.001-05:00

The Word of God preached on the Day of Thanksgiving.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Matthew 25:1-13 +

2011-11-21T16:55:00.001-05:00

The Word of God preached on the Last Sunday of the Church Year.

Lord, have mercy.

+ John 4:46-54 +

2011-11-19T10:19:00.001-05:00

The Word of God preached on the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Isaiah 55:1-9 and Matthew 22:1-14 +

2011-11-07T17:08:00.002-05:00

The Word of God preached on the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity.

+ John 8:31-36 +

2011-11-02T10:05:00.000-04:00

The Word of God preached on Reformation Day.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Matthew 9:1-8 +

2011-10-31T17:08:00.000-04:00

The Word of God preached on the Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Matthew 22:34-46 +

2011-10-29T14:00:00.001-04:00

The Word of God preached on the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Ephesians 4:1-6 + (part 2)

2011-10-23T18:36:00.000-04:00

+ Ephesians 4:1-6 + (part 1)

2011-10-23T18:31:00.000-04:00

The Word of God preached on the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity.

+ Galatians 5:25 - 6:10 + (part 2)

2011-10-06T20:49:00.001-04:00

+ Galatians 5:25 - 6:10 + (part 1)

2011-10-06T20:48:00.002-04:00

The Word of God preached on the 15th Sunday after Trinity.

+ Luke 17:11-19 + (part 2)

2011-10-06T20:45:00.001-04:00

+ Luke 17:11-19 + (part 1)

2011-10-06T20:43:00.000-04:00

The Word of God preached on the 14th Sunday after Trinity.

+ Luke 10:23-37 + (part 2)

2011-09-19T17:22:00.000-04:00

+ Luke 10:23-37 + (part 1)

2011-09-19T17:17:00.002-04:00

The Word of God preached on the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Gen. 4:1-15 and Luke 18:9-13 +

2011-09-05T15:34:00.000-04:00

Part two of the sermon...

+ Gen. 4:1-15 and Luke 18:9-13 +

2011-09-05T15:33:00.001-04:00

The preaching of the Word on the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity.

Lord, have mercy.

The ABC3s of Miscellany: “Come Lord Jesus” – A Table Prayer (in Greek)

2011-08-28T22:29:00.000-04:00

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...

+ Luke 19:41-48 + (part 2)

2011-08-28T22:23:00.000-04:00

+ Luke 19:41-48 + (part 1)

2011-08-28T22:20:00.001-04:00

The Word of God preached on the Tenth Sunday after Trinity.

+ Luke 16:1-9 +

2011-08-24T18:11:00.002-04:00

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.

+ Matthew 7:15-23 + (part 2)

2011-08-15T07:54:00.000-04:00

+ Matthew 7:15-23 + (part 1)

2011-08-15T07:53:00.001-04:00

The preaching of the Word of God on the Eighth Sunday after Trinity.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Matthew 5:20-26 + (part 2)

2011-08-15T07:52:00.000-04:00

+ Matthew 5:20-26 + (part 1)

2011-08-15T07:51:00.000-04:00

The preaching of the Word of God on the Sixth Sunday after Trinity.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Luke 5:1-10 + (part 2)

2011-07-26T10:33:00.000-04:00

+ Luke 5:1-10 + (part 1)

2011-07-26T10:27:00.000-04:00

The preaching of the Word of God on teh Fifth Sundat after Trinity.

Lord, have mercy.

+ Luke 6:36-42 + (part 2)

2011-07-18T20:40:00.001-04:00

+ Luke 6:36-42 + (part 1)

2011-07-18T20:38:00.001-04:00

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.

+ Luke 15:1-10 + (part 2)

2011-07-10T22:00:00.000-04:00

Part 2

+ Luke 15:1-10 +

2011-07-10T21:59:00.001-04:00

The preaching of God's Word on the Third Sunday after Trinity.

Lord have mercy.

+ Luke 14:15-24 + ... (part 2)

2011-07-03T22:02:00.000-04:00

Part 2...

+ Luke 14:15-24 + ... (Part 1)

2011-07-03T21:32:00.001-04:00

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.

+ Luke 16:19-31 + (Part 2)

2011-06-30T15:43:00.001-04:00

+ Luke 16:19-31 + (Part 1)

2011-06-30T15:39:00.002-04:00

The preaching of God's Word on the First Sunday after Trinity -- June 26 + A.D. 2011.

Lord, have mercy.

June 21, 2011 -- THE WIND!

2011-06-22T17:08:00.002-04:00

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.

+ John 3:1-15 + (part 2)

2011-06-20T12:31:00.000-04:00

Part 2....

+ John 3:1-15 + (part 1)

2011-06-20T12:26:00.001-04:00

The preaching of God's Word on Holy Trinity Sunday -- June 19 + A.D. 2011.

Lord, have mercy.

CONDEMNING THE ERRORS OF MARTIN LUTHER

2011-06-15T12:05:00.000-04:00

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

+ John 14:1-14 +

2011-05-26T11:54:00.001-04:00

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 +

+ John 16:16-22 +

2011-05-14T12:10:00.003-04:00

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 +

Lindemann on Jubilate Sunday, The Third Sunday after Easter

2011-05-14T10:24:00.004-04:00

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.

You get there!!!

2011-04-24T08:30:00.003-04:00

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.

Rite Vocatus...

2011-03-18T15:40:00.004-04:00

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.

President Harrison requests help for Japan.

2011-03-14T22:07:00.001-04:00

+ Matthew 20:1-16 +

2011-02-20T23:36:00.002-05:00

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 +

+ Matthew 17:1-9 +

2011-02-14T10:05:00.002-05:00

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 +

CHURCH FOOTBALL

2011-02-07T11:14:00.002-05:00

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.

+ Matthew 13:24-30 +

2011-02-07T09:59:00.001-05:00

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 +

+ Matthew 8:23-27 +

2011-02-07T09:56:00.001-05:00

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 +

+ John 2:1-11 +

2011-02-07T09:51:00.003-05:00

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 +

+ John 2:1-11 +

2011-02-07T09:51:00.000-05:00

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 +

Real Worship

2011-01-29T18:27:00.003-05:00

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

The "Coventry Carol"

2010-12-08T18:15:00.001-05:00

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.

E'en so, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come

2010-12-02T18:25:00.000-05:00

Silent Night, Holy Night in the German language (beautiful)

2010-11-27T21:55:00.001-05:00

Silent Night, Holy Night
St. Thomas Boys Choir (Thomanerchor)

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Alles schläft, einsam wacht
Nur das traute, hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh.

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Hirten erst kundgemacht,
Durch der Engel Halleluja
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter, ist da,
Christ, der Retter, ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund,
Christ, in deiner Geburt,
Christ, in deiner Geburt.

Text and Music: Public domain
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Hallelujah!!!

2010-11-27T12:27:00.000-05:00

E'vn So Lord Jesus, Come Quickly Come

2010-11-21T08:23:00.001-05:00

Just thinking ahead this morning....

2010-11-15T10:16:00.001-05:00

Once in Royal David's City

Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord

2010-11-11T20:00:00.000-05:00

The Small Catechism: Preface

2010-10-23T12:43:00.001-04:00

The Small Catechism: Preface

You will also be able to review the Six Chief parts of Luther's Small Catechism from this site at Concordia Publishing House.

University of Michigan Fight Song

2010-10-09T11:27:00.000-04:00

HIGHER THINGS CONFERENCES - 2011

2010-09-24T13:51:00.000-04:00

Dear Friends,

It’s time to officially introduce Coram Deo, the 2011 Higher Things conferences!

Coram Deo is a Latin phrase that means “to stand before God,” in His presence, under His reign. But what does it mean that we live Coram Deo? Under the Law, life Coram Deo is terrifying because we’re living under God’s judgment and wrath. But under the Gospel, life Coram Deo is beautiful - a restoration of what God intended when He made Man in the beginning.

“Can mortal man be righteous before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?” (Job 4:17) This is the core religious question: How can a sinner destined to die stand before a righteous and holy God? Only by grace through faith for Christ’s sake! Join us this summer as we learn what it means to stand Coram Deo from this year’s plenary teachers: Rev. William Cwirla (Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hacienda Heights, CA) and Rev. Brent Kuhlman (Trinity Lutheran Church, Murdock, NE).

Higher Things holds multiple conferences each summer, hosting anywhere from 350–1200 young Lutherans at each conference. We’ve visited both costs and a bunch of cities in-between and taken them by storm! Our all-inclusive conferences are very reasonably priced for groups to attend annually, and they provide a great opportunity for youth to learn more about what Christ’s death on the Cross means for them while meeting other Lutherans their age from all over the United States (and beyond). At Higher Things conferences, the worship is worshipful, the study is studious, and the fun is, well, fun!

This summer, we will be holding three (yes, that’s 3) Coram Deo conferences:

July 5-8, 2011 - Las Vegas, Nevadaat the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

July 12-15, 2011 - Bloomington/Normal, Illinoisat Illinois State University

July 19-22, 2011- Atlanta, Georgiaat Emory University

Registration for the conferences will open on November 1, 2010 and close on February 28, 2011 - or whenever a site reaches capacity, whichever happens first. Conferences are generally planned for high school youth, but any confirmed youth is welcome with appropriate supervision by their group’s chaperone(s).

Detailed information including Registration instructions, checklists, forms, bulletin inserts, fliers, and a long list of Frequently Asked Questions are available at . Please feel free to contact us with any questions about this year’s Coram Deo conferences.

In Christ,

Sandra OstapowichHigher Things Conference & Retreat Coordinatorconferences@higherthings.org888-482-6630

Witness, Mercy, Life Together

2010-09-16T21:43:00.004-04:00

Holy Week and Easter

2010-03-30T18:46:00.002-04:00

I want to share a very nice writing from Pastor Peters over at Pastoral Meanderings on Holy Week and Easter...Enjoy!

+ Mark 9:30-37 +

2009-09-22T11:28:00.002-04:00

Jesus, help me.

The sermon for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The bond between a father and son is unique. It is different between mother and son. The father loves his son in a way to teach him all he will need to know to take care of his family one day. This bond can be difficult at times as the son learns obedience and duty from his father. As a son, the boy looks up to his father. He seeks his advice and yearns for his love and compassion. The father is steadfast always there when the son needs him.

During their time together, father and son experience many things together. When his boy is betrayed by classmates or teammates, the father is there to console his son and tell him everything is going to be alright. When the son gets hurt, by falling from a tree or off his bike, the father is there to comfort him in his suffering and pain with hugs, bandages, and a kiss. The father is not only there in the bad times but also the times of rejoicing, such as, Baptism, Confirmation, sports games, graduation, marriage, and birth of the grandchildren.

The bond of love is great!

Jesus is the eternal Son. The bond of love between He and His Father is great. There is nothing the Son wouldn’t do for His Father. When Adam and Eve fell into sin, the Lord promised the Redeemer, a Savior who would crush Satan and give life to all who believe on the Name of His Son.

The Father sent His Son into this world to do battle. The Son was sent off to war. This war was unlike any other war known to man. In this war, there are only warriors; the Son of God and Satan. This war would not be fought over territory or power. This war was for the souls of men for all time.

The Son came to earth and was born of a virgin. His suffering began in that manger in Bethlehem. What suffering you ask? The suffering as the Son begins to bear your iniquity and the iniquity of all men, even as a little baby. Leaders and kings sought to kill the Son from the day He was born. They were afraid of God’s Son.

During His life, the Son sought His Father in prayer when He was troubled, sorrowful, and in need. The Son never went against His Father’s wishes. He always clung to His Word. He always did as His Father gave to Him to do. The Son never said I’ll get to it in a little while. Or, don’t worry, it’ll get done. The Son never did anything half way. He did everything perfectly and according to the will of His Father.

The bond of love is great!

Now God’s Son tells His disciples, for the second time, that “He is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” Jesus tells His disciples the very purpose His Father sent Him into this world; he will sacrifice His life for the sins of all people.

But the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus was telling them just like people today do not believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The fear the disciples felt was a result of sin. They did not trust their Teacher and Lord.

The Son did as His Father asked Him to do. He went obediently with His betrayer at the hands of His enemies. He was despised and rejected by men. He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was stricken, smitten by His Father and afflicted. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities.

The Son laid His life down for you. He died the death you deserve for your sins. He is the sacrifice with which atonement was made for your sins. Look to the banner that rises out of the shadows and behold, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. By His stripes, you are healed.

Your sins are forgiven by the Blood of the Lamb who was forsaken by all, even His Father in heaven. Your sins are forgiven because of the sacrifice made by your High Priest whose name is Jesus, the Messiah sent to save you, me, and the world from death.

Jesus died for you and for me. But death is not the final act of this war. Jesus rose from the dead three days later. He is the Victor! Jesus conquered Satan. He conquered death. He conquered sin for all people. “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The Son lives. He now holds the keys of Hades and of Death.

The bond of love is great!

The Father sent His only-begotten Son into this world because of love. The Son lived an obedient life suffering all things for you because of love for His Father and you. The Son died because of love for you and all people. The Son rose from the dead to give life to all who believe on His Name.

Your sins are forgiven this day because of the bond of love between Father and Son.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ Romans 10:11-17 +

2009-09-22T11:26:00.002-04:00

Jesus, help me.

The sermon for Mission Observance (the 15th Sunday after Pentecost).

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Islam believes in Allah. Judaism believes in a single God. Buddhism believes in the realization of the Four Noble Truths. Hinduism believes in the underlying universal life force. Jainism believes in obtaining asceticism in one’s life. In 2004, B.A. Robinson put together a chart of world religions and their growth rates. Christianity was #1 with 2,039 million members, Islam was #2 with 1,226 million members, and the next 18 groups together total 2,921 million members. Christianity is dropping is numbers while Islam is growing at a rapid rate. The Holy Bible, God’s holy Word, tells us there is only one God, the true God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. All the other religions and cults of the world preach falsehoods which lead to damnation.

Today we celebrate Mission Festival Sunday. We celebrate God’s work in this work through our hands, stewardship, prayers, love, compassion, and mercy. So, what is mission? Where does mission begin? Where is the mission field?

Mission is a ministry to propagate faith or carry on humanitarian work. Missions occur everywhere in this world. Generally speaking, when people think of mission work, they think of poor third world countries such as Africa, Guatemala, Mexico, Sudan, Iraq, Russia, and on, and on, and on. Where is the mission field? You enter it every Sunday when you leave God’s House of Prayer. The mission field is all around you. You live in it every day.

Where do missions begin? St. Paul asks the same question in verse 14 of his epistle. Paul asks, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)

Mission begins with God. Mission is God working through His servants He sends out into the mission field. Mission is the proclamation of God’s Word and the right administration of the sacraments. Does this mean you cannot do mission work? No. However, when you go out into the world and proclaim the life saving message of Jesus Christ crucified, resurrected, and ascended for the world and the hearers want to be baptized, at that point your work is done and it is time to call a pastor.

The world needs pastors to proclaim the message of salvation to them because of sin. People around the world, in America, in big cities, and here in Duluth need to hear that Jesus died for their sins. People need to hear that Jesus has already accomplished their salvation in His suffering, death, and resurrection. People need to hear about Jesus so they can believe in Him.

As Christians, if we do nothing, how can they hear? How will people know they are sinners and dead in their trespasses? How will people believe in Jesus if they never hear of Him? God sent Abraham, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zachariah and so many more with His Word so that the people would hear and believe in Him.

God does this today as He calls and sends His pastors into the world to preach and teach Jesus Christ to the world. The Word is carried out and proclaimed in Law and Gospel for the salvation of the souls of men. God is working to save all people. He sent His Son to save the world, not with magic, or with a snap of His finger, but through His precious Body and innocent Blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins and the sins of the world.

What we have to remember is that God is in charge of Missions – not the LCMS or any other church body. God calls His pastors and sends them where He needs them. Pastors are God’s missionaries. God calls on His Church to perform acts of mercy. God wants us to be about worshiping Him and then through faith in Jesus, serve our neighbors in love.

We perform acts of mercy when we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, free the captive, and bury the dead. Jesus says, when we do these things for our brethren, we do it for Him.

We pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it in heaven.” We know and believe that the good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer. But we pray that it be done among us also. We pray for the Spirit of God to break and hinder every evil counsel and will that prevents the hallowing of God’s Name. We pray that His Spirit works in the loves of unbelievers to bring them to the knowledge of Jesus their Savior.

Today we bow at the Name of Jesus and humbly bring our petitions before His throne and ask Him to forgive the sins of those who oppose Him and to grant His Spirit to those who do not know Him.

Today we pray for the women and children of Iraq and also the babies in prison in Russia that God provide for their daily needs and also to turn them away from their false teachers and to bring them into Himself through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today we ask God for courage to say to our neighbor, I love you because Jesus first loved us. Do you know Jesus died for you?

Today we thank God for all our blessings as we share those blessings with others out of faith and in love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who loved us until death, even death on the cross.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ Mark 7:31-37 +

2009-09-22T11:24:00.002-04:00

Jesus, help me.

The sermon for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

As an infant, you lived in darkness for nine months. Your mother fed you. She gave you shelter. You could not see or speak and for the first six months, the scientists say you couldn’t even hear. When you are born, your eyes open, your ears are hearing, and your mouth begins to wail.

However, your life is still in darkness. Your mouth and ears are closed to God’s Word. You are alone in this dark and fallen world. You weep and gnash your teeth in fear. You have no hope. Where do you go for help? Who will save you from this wretchedness?

If you are looking to this world for help, you will not find it. The doctors and nurses can give you a pill to make the pain go away. The psychiatrists can talk to you and give you empty promises of hope within yourself. In this fallen world and in your sinful flesh, there is no hope, no life, no happiness, no joy – just misery, sorrow, and death.

One day, the Lord called you unto Himself. His Spirit led your parents to bring you to Jesus at the Font. Jesus working through His servant cast out Satan from your soul and His Spirit entered and dwelled through the washing and regeneration of Holy Baptism. Jesus said to you, Ephphatha! – Be Opened!

Your ears heard the Word of God in all its truth and purity that day during the Divine Service. Your mouth was unleashed to sing God’s praises and to confess His holy Name. You are clean. You are forgiven. You are a Child of God.

Jesus opened heaven to you when He baptized you. Jesus gave you life. Jesus took you from the darkness of evil and brought you into the Light. Just as the heavens were torn open at Jesus’ baptism in the Jordon, they were opened for you in your baptism.

Jesus saved you from sin, death, and the power of the devil when He suffered and died on the cross for you. When Jesus breathed His last breath and died, the Temple curtain was torn in two revealing the Ark of the Covenant to all people for all time. With His very life, Jesus opened heaven for you and for the world.

The faith created in you, by the Holy Spirit, which enables you to cry out to God with your petitions, is a gift from God. The faith created in you, by the Holy Spirit, is what gives you hope. The faith created in you, by the Holy Spirit, is what saves you apart from any works of the Law you think you can do.

Faith sustained the Syrophoenician woman when she begged Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter. Faith in the man who was deaf and mute received Jesus’ gift of healing. St. Stephen remained true to the faith given him by God even as he was stoned to death.

You have been given this same gift of faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in your Baptism. This precious and holy gift was given to you and is sustained in you from the throne of God where Jesus lives and reigns today. This holy gift of faith receives the gifts from heaven as our Lord Jesus serves you in Word and Sacrament ministry.

You no longer live in the darkness. Jesus brought you into Himself, the Light and Life of the world, when He called you by name and crowned you as an heir of the heavenly kingdom. Yes, you still suffer many things but you now have hope in Jesus the Christ who laid His life down for you to save you and to forgive you.

Your ears now hear the living Word of God and your tongue confesses the holy Name of Jesus. You no longer need to seek help in this world. Your help comes to you from heaven by the hand of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who feeds you His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins.

Your faith is built on a sure foundation of God’s holy Word. The Cornerstone was laid for you at Mount Calvary when Jesus said, “It is finished!” You can now stand and seeing with the eyes of faith, gaze upon Mount Zion where the Lamb of God, who once was slain, lives and reigns to all eternity, with His Father, the angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven.

Jesus has done all things well! Jesus says to you this day, Ephphatha! – Be Opened! as He gives you His Body to eat and His Blood to drink. With your ears and mouth open to receive the gifts of heaven, Jesus says to you, “I forgive you all your sins.”

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ Mark 7:14-23 +

2009-09-22T11:23:00.003-04:00

Jesus, help me.

The sermon for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Last week, many of us gathered in the Parish Hall to listen how God worked through His servants, Dick and Ruth Robertz, as they performed Acts of Mercy to the people in Cubulco, Guatemala and as they delivered 200 New Testament Bibles to the people and proclaimed the life saving message of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

During the presentation, they showed us a picture of the volcano in Cubulco. As you gaze upon the mountain, you see it standing before you, majestic, powerful, yet, sleeping and restful. The hillsides are covered in grass, trees, and other foliage. The mountain is beautiful and peaceful.

However, what you cannot see is what is inside. You cannot see the “heart” of the volcano. You cannot see the magma chamber that lies beneath this magnificent mountain. This magma is always moving looking for a way out of the earth. When the mountain explodes with its fury and rains it poisonous gases and lava upon the earth.

I have just described every sinner to you. God’s creatures are all beautiful and excellently made. God adorns each of us with beauty. He gives to some the most beautiful eyes to gaze into and others long flowing hair. Whatever the characteristic, every one of God’s creatures is beautiful.

However, you cannot see what is inside. You cannot see the heart of the person. You cannot see the original sin that permeates and infects every part of every person. Sin never goes away. Sin is always present. Sin is always looking for a way out of the sinner.

You cannot see the great dragon working as he lays temptations before you. You cannot see the poisonous and deadly assaults until they spew forth from the mouth of the sinner. When the eruption begins, every evil thought, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness bursts forth and either brings harm or destruction to whatever lies in its path.

The object of the evil within everyone of you is directed at a loved one, a friend, co-worker, and yes, even your Pastor. The evil within your heart is that which defiles you. Sin corrupts the purity of God’s creation. Sin corrupts you and me. Your life is dark, ugly, dirty, and evil. Sin is a reality. This is who you are.

You can stop the evil. You can resist the temptations of the evil one. If the temptation is too great, and you succumb to the power of the evil one, repent of your sin and receive God’s forgiveness. Then, having been cleansed by God of your sin, go and sin no more. Turn from the evil and try not to do it again.

Now, if you are sitting here this morning and saying to yourself, “I wonder about whom Pastor is speaking?” I am speaking about you and to you sinners. You are whom Jesus describes in the Gospel text this morning. You are the defiled ones. St. John reminds us in his First Epistle, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (I John 1:8) and “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us” (I John 1:10).

Is this all there is for us? Is all we have to look forward to is a life of strain, battle, conflict, injury, and death? No! St. John tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

Jesus, the eternal Son of God, sent to us by His Father, suffered all things for you. He suffered every temptation by Satan in the wilderness for you. He was persecuted for you. He was betrayed and beaten for you. He died on a cross, like a common criminal, for you, in your place and as your substitute. He died your death.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus is making you new. Your new life began when He washed you clean in Baptism. Yes, Jesus washed in His Blood and cleansed you of all your sins. Christ purified your soul. Jesus is restoring the image in you, which was shattered and lost when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden in Eden.

Jesus says, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him” (Mark 7:14b-15a). Jesus says that nothing from outside of you defiles you. Jesus comes to you from heaven in Word and Sacrament. His forgiveness comes from heaven itself. His Word comes to you through the power of the Holy Ghost through preaching and teaching. His love and mercy, grace and compassion are delivered to you through the Word, absolution, and His innocent Body and precious Blood, which were given and shed for you on the altar on Mount Calvary.

Christ purifies you when you confess your sins to your brothers and sisters and they absolve you of your sins. Christ purifies you when you live according to His Word. His purification comes when you humble yourself and serve one another in love.

We pray in the liturgy, “O Lord, open thou my lips and my mouth will declare Your praise” (Psalm 51:15). When we trust in God for all things, He strengthens us through His Spirit to enable us to live in love, to serve with humility, to comfort one another, for these are the gifts of faith.

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:14-18) and go in peace, cleansed and pure, filled with the Word of God, and forgiven in the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ Mark 7:1-13 +

2009-09-22T11:21:00.002-04:00

Jesus, help me.

The sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

What is tradition? The Greek word in the text today means tradition only in the sense of what is transmitted. In this sense, tradition is that which is handed down verbally from one generation to another. Tradition always has a beginning and meaning. When we hold to our traditions, we are obliged to know why we do what we do. The why of tradition is important, as we listen to our Lord’s teaching this holy day.

Jesus comes face-to-face with the Pharisees once again. This time, the Pharisees are looking to pick a fight with Jesus in order to charge Him with a crime. The Pharisees observe the disciples eating without washing their hands. They become offended that Jesus would not instruct His disciples to hold to the traditions of the Elders of Israel.

Once again, the Pharisees are blind concerning the truth of Scripture. They hold to their traditions to the point of veneration, that is, worship. Their elevation of man’s rules equal to or greater than God’s Law is idolatry. They lost sight of their own traditions and the meaning of their traditions. They are blinded by sin.

The Pharisees took God’s Law seriously. However, they thought that they could justify themselves by following its dictates. In fact, they added to the Law of God both to assist themselves in keeping it, and in order to measure their own righteousness, especially in comparison to others. These hypocrites sought to follow their own way, not God’s way.

Are we hypocrites? Do we give God lip service? Do we serve our traditions to the point that we venerate them? Are our hearts on the things of God or the things of men? When we hold to our traditions without knowing why we do these things, we need to repent and turn from our sin of idolatry.

Our Lord Jesus directs us this morning to His Word. Jesus quotes from the Book of Isaiah. Jesus said to the Pharisees and He says to us today, “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men” (Is. 29:13).

The Pharisees did not believe the very Word of God that confessed to be true. This is what we do. When our hearts are on the things of men, we seek our own glory. This is why we so often say, “But that’s not the way we’ve ever done it here.” We need to ask God to forgive us and turn away from ourselves and return to God.

God says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Jesus is saying the same thing to the Pharisees in the text today. Cast aside your desires and obey Me and My Word. Trust Me. Our obedience belongs to God alone.

Dear Christians, your gracious Lord cleansed your heart and changed it in your baptism. There He cleansed you in the washing of water with the word. When the goodness and loving kindness of God appeared in Christ Jesus, he saved you—not on account of the righteous deeds you’ve done, but by virtue of his mercy in the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out richly upon you through Christ Jesus your Savior, that you might be justified by his grace and made an heir of eternal life.

Through this washing, God in His love and mercy toward you enables you to trust in Him, and live a life that is pleasing to Him. A true and living faith will produce good works. For though God looks to the heart and knows whether one truly believes, the believing heart will show its faith to others. As Luther put it, God saves by His grace through faith alone, but true faith is never alone. While your works don’t
save you, they are the natural outgrowth of the faith that God gives you through His means of grace – His Word and Sacrament.

As we prayed together in the Collect, we ask our gracious Lord to defend us from all false teaching and error. We ask God for His Spirit to strengthen us so we may confess the One true God and rejoice in His good gifts of life and salvation. For these are things that you cannot bring forth yourselves, but that God can and promises to give to you. For Christ Jesus shed his blood for you, and his blood continues to plead on behalf of sinners. He has promised and continually delivers, the forgiveness of all of your sins. And therein He has made you heirs of everlasting life, in the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ John 6:51-69 +

2009-09-22T11:19:00.003-04:00

Jesus, help me.

The sermon for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Can you see Jesus? No. Can you see the glamour and splendor of heaven where Jesus reigns? No. How do you believe? How do you get the eternal life Jesus speaks of in the text today? Jesus says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (v. 51).

Jesus is preaching in the Synagogue at Capernaum. Jesus tells all who are listening that He is life. If you eat His flesh and drink His blood, you will live. Why does Jesus mention life and living so much in this part of His sermon? Simple: Apart from God in Jesus, His Son, our Savior, we are dead. Jesus wants all to believe in Him and live.

Our lives including our thoughts, words, and deeds, transgress God and our neighbors. We think we can everything for ourselves. We really don’t need anyone’s assistance. We’ll do it our way and we’ll be alright. Dear sinners, can you live eternally on your own accord? Do you have the power within yourself to believe in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God? NO! If you think, you do, repent of your sin and ask God for His mercy and forgiveness.

Faith is something, which only God can create and sustain. Once God, through His Spirit, creates faith in the sinner, the only thing the sinner can do is reject that faith, thus rejecting God Himself. You cannot obtain Christ yourself. You can do no amount of good works to accept Jesus. Faith is a gift. God creates saving faith through the power of His Spirit.

Jesus preaches against the poison and lies of Satan. Jesus tells you, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6) Jesus says He is the way to everlasting life. He says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:53-54).

Jesus says if you do not believe in Him as the One who died for you to save you from sin, death, and the power of the devil, you have no life in you. You will die and go to hell. Your unbelief will damn you forever. However, Jesus says, if you believe in Me, you will live. Jesus will raise you up and usher you into His kingdom of glory forever.

To eat and to drink is to believe. To eat and drink Christ is to live. In Jesus Christ, He gives you the food to sustain your soul. Jesus gives you Himself because He is Life. “Thus the entire thought is rounded out and made complete, the wonderful circle of salvation is closed. Jesus, the Life, is the center. All who are made one with him by faith are joined to him and are made full partakers of his life, not only of something which he has, or of something which he does (we following his example), but of what he himself is."

The zwh, that is the life Jesus gives to you is His own. Jesus exchanged His life on the cross to give you and all believers’ life with Him in eternity. The last part of verse 51, Jesus says, “The bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” Jesus tells you about the death He will suffer on your behalf on the cross. He shall give His flesh for the life of the world. Jesus teaches us, in one sentence, the Doctrine of Justification. Jesus says, in My life, in My death, I declare you, sinner, not guilty before My Father who is in heaven.

St. John writes in his prologue, “In Him, [in Jesus], was life” (John 1:4a). Jesus descended from His throne to bring life to a dying world. His sending is a gift from His Father. His death is His gift to you. Your faith is a gift from both Father and Son through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus teaches you that there is life in Him for eternity and death for all who reject Him. Two paths. Two results. Life and death. Which do you prefer? Our Father in heaven sent His only-begotten Son to give Life to the world. Will all people receive this wonderful gift of life? We pray they do. However, we do know there are some who reject the Son of God as their Lord and Savior. Remember dear brothers and sisters in Christ, your life is not your own. Your life belongs to God. You are the Baptized. The Son of God grants you His Spirit every day to lead, guide, and sustain you in all you do. Today, Jesus says to you, eat My flesh. Drink My blood. Believe in Me, the Bread of Life, and you will live forever with Me in paradise.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ Ephesians 4:17 - 5:2 +

2009-09-22T11:16:00.002-04:00

Jesus, help me.

The sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

There are many people in this world today who live as the Gentiles lived during the days when St. Paul was a pastor. They have no conscience. They lie and steal. They murder. They take whatever pleases them including their neighbor’s wife and goods. They live their lives in sin. They have no place for God in their lives. They live with the devil. St. Paul says to you today,

“Do not give place to the devil. Live in Christ.”

St. Paul says this about sinners, “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.”

St. Paul describes our natural sinful condition. The Gentiles are the pagans, the heathen, all those who do not know God and are outside of God’s people. That’s who we were by nature. And that’s not a good place to be. We were born dead--yes, we can put it that strongly. Paul describes this state with strong terms: “futility,” “darkened in understanding,” “alienated from the life of God,” “ignorance,” “hardness of heart.” St. Paul says, “Do not give place to the devil.”

This dead natural condition shows itself in a life of deadness: “callous,” like toughened skin that’s no longer sensitive to what it ought to feel; giving ourselves over to “sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” Now when we hear “sensuality,” we think immediately of sexual sins. When we hear “greedy,” we think of covetousness for money and possessions. And what Paul is saying here certainly includes those sins against those commandments. But it’s more than that. Our sinful state extends to “every kind of impurity.” Whether we’re talking about blatant vices, crass immorality, or more refined, respectable sins, like pride and self-righteousness, all of it is covered here. Whatever appeals to your “selfish self,” the “you” that wants to be your own god and wants everything and everyone to serve your own pleasure--that is the pervasive, perverse desire that is marked by “every kind of impurity.” REPENT!

“Do not give place to the devil. Live in Christ.”

Our life apart from God as sinners is pretty ugly. Do not worry. God is making you anew. He is re-creating you in His Son, Jesus Christ. God gave you life. Yes, you once were dead but now you live. You live because of Jesus. Let’s examine ourselves in the new Light of Christ.

St. Paul says, “But that is not the way you learned Christ!--assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

“Put off your old self.” “Put on the new self.” Discard that sinful old life every day as you pray to God and repent of your sins. Drown that OLD ADAM in repentance. Cast that old sinful life aside. Rise anew, forgiven by your Father in heaven for the sake of His Son, Jesus, and put on the NEW ADAM in Christ.

Dear Christian, you are a little CHRIST. Jesus clothed you in His righteousness when He Baptized you. Jesus covered your sins with His blood and righteousness. You are made white in the Blood of the Lamb. Our Baptism was not just a one day event. Baptism is our life. Baptism is where we find our identity. Baptism is an every day renewal as we die with Christ and rise with Him forgiven of all our trespasses.

That’s why Paul teaches us “to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” It is a daily renewal, which follows on the once-and-for-all break with the old life that happened in our baptism. New people in Christ put on their new clothing one day at a time, a daily dying and rising with Christ. So Luther writes in the Large Catechism: “Therefore let everybody regard his Baptism as the daily garment which he is to wear all the time.”

The new self that you put on is God’s creation, “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” You are a new creation in Christ. There’s a whole new you! God did it. He made you who you are. And he created you to be like him, to share in his character; “In true righteousness and holiness.” You were created to love the right and to hate the wrong, to walk in love and to turn away from sin; “True righteousness and holiness.” It’s built into your DNA as a Christian. The Holy Spirit leads you to walk in that newness of life.

That’s what it means to put off the old self and to put on the new. But notice, Paul doesn’t let this stay in generalities. He gets down to specifics. There are real, specific differences in the way we live now as Christians, in how we deal with others, both inside and outside the body of Christ. Paul continues: “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Put off the old self, put on the new self. This affects, very specifically, such things as how we use our mouths and how we use our hands. It affects the words we choose, how we speak--and don’t speak--to one another. It affects how we deal with anger in our heart: Do we let it lead us into sin? Do we let anger fester and take root, or do we ask God’s help in dealing with our anger promptly? Putting off the old self means putting away the old ugly rags that used to fill our wardrobe, things like bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander. Putting on the new self, the new you, created in Christ Jesus, means clothing yourself with the new, beautiful garments God gives you, things like kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness.

“Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ah, there it is, isn’t it? “As God in Christ forgave you.” There is the gospel, the source of our new life in Christ. God forgave you all of your sins in Christ, by his death on the cross, when Jesus Christ paid the price for all of your sins with his holy, precious blood. God’s own Son gave himself up for you; put himself under God’s judgment for you, so you would be spared that judgment. Jesus was stripped, literally stripped, of his garments, and clothed with the mocking purple robe and the painful crown of thorns. He wore shame and dishonor, so that you would be clothed with forgiveness and life, everlasting life, the new life of love that we know now from God. And so our text concludes: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Baptized Christian, today God is calling you to put off the old self. Every kind of impurity, deceitful desires, corrupting talk--everything that belongs to the old way of life. That’s what not to wear. Throw those old rags out in the trash bin where they belong. Put on, in their place, the whole new wardrobe Christ has purchased for you freely: righteousness and holiness, love and forgiveness--things that go with being a Christian.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ My Bride +

2009-08-15T20:29:00.000-04:00

Tami and I on Lake Superior over on Park Point, Minnesota.

+ A day at Lake Superior +

2009-08-15T15:08:00.003-04:00

Tami and I took a break for a couple of hours and relaxed in Lake Superior.

+ A visit with my brother Adam+

2009-08-15T15:03:00.006-04:00

My youngest brother, Adam, came to Duluth for a weekend visit last week when he conducted the 2009 Lake Superior Music Institute at The Lutheran Church of Christ the King.

Tami and I had a great visit with Adam, Beth, Zach, and Emilie.

Here are a couple of pictures. Enjoy!

+ Lake Superior Music Institute - 2009 +

2009-08-15T14:53:00.003-04:00

+ John 6:22-35 +

2009-08-01T12:48:00.002-04:00

Jesus, help me.

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13)
The Old Testament reading: Exodus 16:2-15
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 4:1-16
The Holy Gospel reading: John 6:22-35 (sermon text)

Theme: Eat and Live!

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Jesus fed the multitude with 2 fish and five loaves of bread. The next morning, those remaining on the hillside after the banquet began to look around and could not find Jesus or His disciples anywhere. The people assumed Jesus went to Capernaum. When they got there, they ask Jesus, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” Why did they ask Jesus this question? What was the reason they were seeking Jesus in the first place? Did they come because they believed in Him as their Lord and God? Or, did they come because they were hungry?

The very darkness which held these people captive in sin, is the very darkness in which our lives live in this fallen world. Our Father in heaven sent the Light into the world but the world did not comprehend the Light (John 1:5). Jesus tells us that the people who sought Him did not seek because they saw the signs, those miracles Jesus did, but because they ate the loaves and were filled (John 6:26).

We are the same way. We take our eyes, ears, minds, and bodies off of the things of God, namely His Son, Jesus, and we seek after those earthly things which only perish. Jesus told the people and He tells us today, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (John 6:27)

Jesus tells us that the food of this world, which Satan would love for you to eat, will only perish and cause your soul to perish in the eternal flames of hell forever. Jesus invites us to eat the food which endures to everlasting life. Jesus says to eat His Word. Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Word of God every day. How is this done? How are we able to do this?

We have yet another gift of God in the Holy Spirit who calls us by the life-saving Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. This life-saving call came to us through the suffering and death of the Son of God on our behalf to pay the price for our sins and the sins of the world. This life-saving call is secured in the resurrection of God’s Son from the grave. Jesus came to bring life to the world. Life is a gift which only He can give because “in Him is life, and that life is the light of men” (John 1:4).

Jesus says to believe in Him and you will be saved. This is the work of God; believe in the One; that’s Jesus, the Son of God, whom He (the Father in heaven) sent (John 6:29). The Holy Spirit strengthens our faith every day through the Word to believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Faith is something God gives and sustains in us. Faith comes from outside of us. We can do nothing on our own to believe. God gives us this gift of faith.

Our God and Lord provides all things to sustain this earthly life. He also gives us those things from heaven to sustain our spiritual life. He gives us the Bread of Life. Just as God provided the manna and quail to the Israelites in the wilderness, now, in Jesus, God gives us the Bread of Life. He gives us His Son and the Son gives us His Body and Blood to eat and drink for the forgiveness of our sins. This is the food which endures to everlasting life.

God’s mercy was showered upon you when He sent the Bread of Life into this world. Your salvation was secured when the Son obediently died on the cross to save you from sin, death, and the power of the devil. Even now and until the final Judgment Day, the Son gives you the food of everlasting life. He gives you His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins. He gives you the food which will never perish. He gives you life. He gives you Himself. Believe in Jesus! Eat His gift and you shall never hunger or thirst. Jesus is the source of your life. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is your salvation!

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ Psalm 136:1-9 +

2009-08-01T11:12:00.001-04:00

Jesus, help me.

The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12)
The Old Testament reading: Genesis 9:8-17
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
The Holy Gospel reading: Mark 6:45-56

Theme: God's mercy is for you.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good; and His mercy endures forever. This is our prayer after receiving the Body and Blood from our Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, life, and salvation. Our response to God for His mercy is a prayer which comes from Psalm 107:1. We are thankful for this blessing from God.

In the Old Testament reading for today, God promised Noah that He will never destroy the world again with water. As a sign of this promise, God put a rainbow in the sky. God showed His mercy to Noah with a sign. Noah and his family believed God. Whenever we look into the sky while it’s raining, we sometime see God’s sign and promise to us as we gaze upon the rainbow. The rainbow is a sign of God’s mercy toward His creation.

Are we deserving of this mercy which God showers upon us? Absolutely not. As sinners, we do not deserve anything from God except His wrath and punishment. We don’t learn from past mistakes. We don’t listen to history. We just do what we want to do. We look to ourselves for our strength. We hold ourselves accountable for our own actions. We are judge and jury over our lives. We hear ourselves saying, “It’s alright. You matter most.”

We can continue serving ourselves with our earthly possessions. We can continue to mistreat others. We can continue forsaking the Lord on the Sabbath. Repent! Living this way is contrary to God’s Word. This kind of life is not for the Baptized. This kind of life is a life with your father, the devil; the father of all lies. Living this way is living a lie. You lie to yourself; your neighbor; your God. Repent!

As the Baptized, a Child of God born from heaven in Jesus Christ, the very Son of God dwells in us through faith. God’s showered His mercy upon us that wonderful day when He called us His Child and made us an heir of His kingdom. God gave us life for the sake of His Son, Jesus, who suffered all things for us. The life God gives us is grounded in Christ because of the mercy God showed toward us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross in our place as our substitute.

Listen to Jesus! The Son of God who created the world and set His rainbow in the sky gave you the ultimate sign of mercy for you. As He was lifted up for all the world to see, He gave up His life on the cross to save you from your sins, eternal death, and the power of the devil. The sign of your salvation and God’s mercy for you is in the suffering and death of your Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

Do not harden your hearts against God and His Word. See Christ in His signs and believe. He comes to in His Word. He comes to you in the Lord’s Supper. He is with always. He will never forsake you. Christ is your strength and comfort. He is the One upon whom your faith is built by the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray:
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good;
and His mercy endures forever. Amen.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ Ephesians 2:11-22 +

2009-08-01T11:09:00.002-04:00

Jesus, help me.

The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 11)
The Old Testament reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 2:11-22 (sermon text)
The Holy Gospel reading: Mark 6:30-44

Theme: Our identity is found in Jesus.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Who are we? Who are we as a congregation? Who are we as Christians? As a congregation, we are Christians and we’ll come to this definition in a couple of minutes. We are Lutherans. More importantly, we are Missouri-Synod Lutherans. As Christians, we are the Baptized. We confess our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We confess that we are sinners. We believe in One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

What is unique about these answers as a congregation and a Christian? What is the common denominator in both sets of questions? Well, this is a two part answer. We are all sinners and we are all saved by the Blood of the eternal Son of God. As sinners, we all deserve our Father’s wrath and condemnation to hell forever. As saints washed in the Blood of the Lamb of God, we wear the cloak of righteousness of our Savior. We are joined together in the Blood of Christ and are built together in the eternal Son of God as a dwelling place for God by His Spirit.

Before we were Baptized into Christ, we were separated from Christ. We were aliens and strangers to God because we did not know Him. We had no hope. We only had an eternal death to look forward to; a life with the Devil forever and ever.

Now, like the Gentiles of Saint Paul’s day, we have been brought near to our Father in heaven by the Blood of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. The Son of God descended from His throne and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and made man – for us. He suffered all things in our place. He suffered our pains and afflictions. He suffered our temptations. He suffered our death. He rose from the dead to give us life.

Jesus is our identity. He is who we are because He made us one with Him in our Baptism. He made us one with each other. He is the foundation and cornerstone of our identity as Christians and as a congregation. Jesus is the foundation and cornerstone of our faith and life as Christians and Lutherans.

In a few minutes, the Lord of the Creation will call His flock unto Himself at the table He prepared for you in the presence of your enemies. At this holy table, your Lord Jesus will feed His flock just like He did during His ministry on earth. In the Holy Gospel, Jesus fed 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish. Today, Jesus feeds you with His Body and Blood for the forgiveness of your sins.

Our Lord Jesus loves us, cares for us, and sustains our lives every day with His blessings from heaven. He does this because we are His friends and Children of His Father. Our lives are not our own. They belong to God. Jesus purchased us back from sin, death, and the power of the devil when He said, “It is finished!” on the cross at Calvary.

Our lives belong to God in the washing and regeneration of Holy Baptism. He made us His own through the Blood of His only-begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. God anointed us with His Spirit thus sealing us as one of His own. Who are we? We are the Baptized. We are called the Children of God. We are dwelling places for the Spirit of God.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ Ephesians 1:3-14 +

2009-08-01T11:04:00.002-04:00

Jesus, help me.

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 10)
The Old Testament reading: Amos 7:7-15
The Epistle reading: Ephesians 1:3-14 (sermon text)
The Holy Gospel reading: Mark 6:14-29

Theme: Where does your salvation lie?

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Yesterday, in the news, in Southeastern Michigan, five young people were driving in there car and thought they could beat an AMTRAK train. They failed. All around us are unforeseen incidents; airliners crash; ships sink; young men and women die in war; young people suffer from a body that fails them. We live in uncertain times and as a result, many people are living their lives in fear – what will tomorrow bring? What will happen next? Is there anything we can be certain of in our lives? Are there any guarantees? What does the future hold for us?

St. Paul tells us today there is one thing of which we can be certain and that is the guarantee of our salvation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Our certainty is in the promise of the one true God. We have no reason to fret or worry. We have no reason to be anxious. Jesus secured the gift of everlasting life for us with His life on the cross. Our life with God our Father is secure for it is signed, sealed, and delivered to us in the Blood of the Lamb.

Our life with God our Father was earned for and given to us through the blood of the eternal Son of God. Jesus exchanged His life for ours and signed the “bill of death” that we owed the Father for our sins. Jesus signed that bill in blood shed for us and the world when He gave up His spirit and died.

Jesus purchased us back from death and paid the price for our sins with His very life. He gives us this gift of life through His grace. Grace is a gift of God bought with the very blood of the only-begotten Son of God. God’s grace was shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins.

When we were baptized by our Lord and Savior, our God and Father anointed us with the Holy Spirit and sealed His plan of salvation for us through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sealed by the Spirit of Christ, we have the promise of everlasting life. We hold to that promise of God every day; a promise which cannot be broken.

The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. He calls us by the Gospel, nourishes our faith, and keeps us steadfast in the true faith. Faith created and sustained by the Holy Spirit is the “down payment or the guarantee” that God our Father will carry through on His plan of salvation and call us home to glory to live with Him forever.

The Holy Spirit delivers God’s grace to us through Word and Sacraments. He brings us these heavenly gifts through Christ’s Bride – the Church. As we gather in this holy place, we, the faithful sheep, hear the voice of our Shepherd, our Lord Jesus, and are made secure in Him through the Word of God. When we come to Church and hear the Word, we abide in Christ and He abides in us. Jesus makes us secure in Himself through Word and sacraments.

Our salvation centers in Jesus Christ. In Him, our salvation was signed – with his blood of the cross; sealed by the working of the Spirit; and delivered through the work of those called the people of God, His body, His bride – the Church.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ A Taste of SOLA +

2009-07-17T21:41:00.001-04:00

Thank you Pastor Weedon for posting this beautiful video.

+ The Lake Superior Music Institute +

2009-07-17T11:44:00.001-04:00

Publications - Rev. Matthew Harrison

2009-07-16T20:19:00.001-04:00

Follow this link to some outstanding pieces of work by The Reverend Matthew Harrison.

http://itistime.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=26

+ MDA Lock-Up +

2009-07-16T10:51:00.002-04:00

I wish to thank all the dear saints of the Church who helped raise my bail so I could return to the pulpit and preach the Word of God.

God bless you all!

+ Pastor Wurst

A view into God's creation

2009-07-15T13:56:00.006-04:00

Yesterday, I had the priviledge of going up the Gunflint Trail in Northern Minnesota for our pastors conference. The Gunflint Trail is north of Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Along the way, I saw 3 red fox, 1 deer (doe), 5 quail, 1 buzzard, many crows, 1 burro, and 1 moose (wooden, made by man). I also got to sit in one very large Adirondack chair.

God's creation is beautiful and active. Enjoy the pictures.

Time in the Word

2009-07-11T16:41:00.002-04:00

I want to thank my friend The Reverend Daniel F. Dahling for next week's Time in the Word devotional study. Pastor Dahling was my Vicarage Supervisor last year in Decatur, Indiana.

Time in the Word
A Study for – Pentecost 7 (Proper 11)
July 13 through July 18, 2009

In the lessons for this coming Sunday several themes can be seen: that nature of a good shepherd, the functions of a good shepherd, and the togetherness of God’s people through a Davidic king, Christ, and the church. The last is suggested as the theme – togetherness. Jesus in the Gospel takes His disciples, who just returned from their preaching-healing mission, on a retreat. Jeremiah in the Old Testament lesson explains that the exile was due to false shepherds and the scattered sheep will be brought back to Israel under a Davidic king. Jew and Gentile (in the Epistle lesson) are made one through the blood of Christ and their oneness in the church. The Psalm’s refrain, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…” reminds us of the Gospel – “He had compassion on them.” The Hymn of the Day sings of Jesus who is the center of the church’s life and the foundation on which we build.

Monday, July 13, 2009 – Psalm 147:7-11, Antiphon, Psalm 145:16 – You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing. Jesus sets the table. Jesus supplies all that we may ever need. The Lord is faithful. We will never be in need. He has promised to supply our daily wants and desires. Daily tells how much God should give us, enough for the day. We do not ask God that He give us now what we need in years to come, but it is sufficient if we get what we need each day.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – Jeremiah 23:1-6 - Restoration. Exiles together under a Davidic king. Under new shepherds, God will return His people from captivity, and so a Davidic king will reign. In this passage Jeremiah predicts that because of false shepherds (rulers) the people will go into captivity. This happened in Jeremiah’s lifetime (586 BC) when the Jews were deported to Babylon. Jeremiah goes on to promises that God will raise up true shepherds who will bring back the exiles. In fact, there is to come a Davidic king who will rule with justice and righteousness. Under this Davidic ruler Israel will be restored as a nation.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 – Ephesians 2:11-22 – Reunion. Jews and Gentile together in Christ. Christ has made us one in God and in the church. The heart of Ephesians is in this passage. In Vv. 13-18 we learn of the peace Christ grained between Jew and Gentile. Vv. 19-22 spell out the consequences of that peace. In the person of Christ and His cross, Jew and Gentile are made one. Christ died for both, and they are one in Christ by faith. Thus, they have a oneness in Christ, oneness with God and with each other. Christ’s death has removed the hostility and cancelled the law which separated Jew from Gentile. The two are now one in the church. The practical result is that Gentiles are no longer aliens but members of God’s family.

Thursday, July 16, 2009 – Mark 6:30-44 – Retreat. Christ and the disciples together. Jesus takes His disciples to a lonely place for rest and teaches the crowd that gathers. This lesson combines the conclusion dealing with the sending out of the disciples and the introduction to the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples return from their preaching journey and are exhausted. People with needs throng around them so that they do not get any rest. Jesus takes them in a boat to a secluded spot that they may rest and be apart from the crowd. But the people will not let them alone. When the boat comes to shore, the people are waiting for them. Seeing the crowd, Jesus expresses compassion for them because they are as sheep without a shepherd. Before Jesus gives them physical bread, he gives them spiritual food by teaching them.

This is the only time Mark refers to the Twelve as “apostles.” It is an appropriate name; for they had just returned form a preaching-healing mission. An apostle is one who is sent forth by Christ.

Seeing the multitudes might have angered Jesus. He was taking the disciples apart for a retreat so sorely needed. He could have become impatient and told the people to scram. His reaction reveals His heart – compassion. He felt sorry for them because they were in desperate need. He has the heart of God, the God of love. Because of His compassion, Jesus cares about people.

Friday, July 17, 2009 – Psalm 23; key verse v.6— Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever... Goodness and mercy both refer to the benefits of being a child of God, namely that we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The Hebrew for this word suggests”throughout the years”. Because of the relationship with have with Jesus Christ we will live and reign with Him throughout all eternity. What a comfort it is to have a relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Saturday, July 18, 2009 – LSB Hymn # 618 “I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table” – The image of our Good Shepherd who stands before us on the Sabbath to feed us His Body and Blood is comforting, so that, as weary sinners, we know and trust that we will never be turned away. Our Lord Jesus satisfies every need we have for body, mind, and spirit. He makes us whole. He heals our souls. He forgives our sins.

Prayer for Proper 11 (July 13 – July 18) – O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may be defended against all adversity; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen,

Prayer for Trinity 6 – Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft into our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of Your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer in time of affliction and distress: Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Home and Family: Visit, we implore You, O Lord, the homes in which Your people dwell, and keep far from them all harm and danger. Grant us to dwell together in peace under the protection of Your holy angels, and may Your blessing be with us forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer the Unemployed: Heavenly Father, we remember before You, those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Lead us so to use the wealth and resources of this rich land that all persons may find suitable and fulfilling employment and receive just payment for their labor; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Pray for Peace: O God, whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world simply cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being def3ended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Sources:
The Lutheran Hymnal © 1941 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
Lutheran Worship © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB One Year Lectionary © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Altar Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Hymn Selection Guide © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

+ Ephesians 1:3-14 +

2009-07-11T16:38:00.001-04:00

Jesus, help me.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Yesterday, in the news, in Southeastern Michigan, five young people were driving in there car and thought they could beat an AMTRAK train. They failed. All around us are unforeseen incidents; airliners crash; ships sink; young men and women die in war; young people suffer from a body that fails them. We live in uncertain times and as a result, many people are living their lives in fear – what will tomorrow bring? What will happen next? Is there anything we can be certain of in our lives? Are there any guarantees? What does the future hold for us?

St. Paul tells us today there is one thing of which we can be certain and that is the guarantee of our salvation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Our certainty is in the promise of the one true God. We have no reason to fret or worry. We have no reason to be anxious. Jesus secured the gift of everlasting life for us with His life on the cross. Our life with God our Father is secure for it is signed, sealed, and delivered to us in the Blood of the Lamb.

Our life with God our Father was earned for and given to us through the blood of the eternal Son of God. Jesus exchanged His life for ours and signed the “bill of death” that we owed the Father for our sins. Jesus signed that bill in blood shed for us and the world when He gave up His spirit and died.

Jesus purchased us back from death and paid the price for our sins with His very life. He gives us this gift of life through His grace. Grace is a gift of God bought with the very blood of the only-begotten Son of God. God’s grace was shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins.

When we were baptized by our Lord and Savior, our God and Father anointed us with the Holy Spirit and sealed His plan of salvation for us through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sealed by the Spirit of Christ, we have the promise of everlasting life. We hold to that promise of God every day; a promise which cannot be broken.

The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. He calls us by the Gospel, nourishes our faith, and keeps us steadfast in the true faith. Faith created and sustained by the Holy Spirit is the “down payment or the guarantee” that God our Father will carry through on His plan of salvation and call us home to glory to live with Him forever.

The Holy Spirit delivers God’s grace to us through Word and Sacraments. He brings us these heavenly gifts through Christ’s Bride – the Church. As we gather in this holy place, we, the faithful sheep, hear the voice of our Shepherd, our Lord Jesus, and are made secure in Him through the Word of God. When we come to Church and hear the Word, we abide in Christ and He abides in us. Jesus makes us secure in Himself through Word and sacraments.

Our salvation centers in Jesus Christ. In Him, our salvation was signed – with his blood of the cross; sealed by the working of the Spirit; and delivered through the work of those called the people of God, His body, His bride – the Church.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. (Philippians iv, 7)

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

+ The Lord's House of Prayer +

2009-07-10T20:47:00.003-04:00

The Lord be with you.

I invite you to visit the website of The Lutheran Church of Christ the King. I keep trying to make improvements over time to enrich the lives of those who visit.

Peace be with you.

+ Pastor Wurst

Time in the Word

2009-07-05T09:02:00.001-04:00

Time in the Word
A Study for – Pentecost 6 (Proper 10)
July 06 through July 11, 2009

LIFE IN CHRIST

Monday, July 06, 2009 – Psalm 85:8-13 - The Antiphon for this coming week’s Introit is from Psalm 85:7, “For Your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.” God preserves our lives for the sake of His Son, Jesus the Christ. In Christ, that is, in Holy Baptism, we are grafted into Christ and given His cloak of righteousness. In Baptism, our Lord rescued us from sin, death, and the devil when He brought us out of darkness and into His Light (Jesus). As sinners, cry this prayer daily, asking our Lord God to have mercy upon us and to forgive our sins.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009 – Amos 7:7-15 - In the Old Testament lesson, The Lord calls Amos to serve Him. Amos, a shepherd, is sent to proclaim the Word of the Lord. Amos says, “The Lord took me as I followed the flock.” Anytime in our lives, the Lord makes known to us His will for us. The Lord gives each of us vocations. He blesses and preserves us as we fulfill our vocations. The Lord blesses those who serve Him.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009 – Ephesians 1:3-14 – St. Paul opens his epistle to the Church at Ephesus with a Trinitarian greeting. Beginning with our text today, St. Paul reminds the Christians about who they are in Jesus Christ. God gives every spiritual blessing to us in Christ. God chose us in Christ. God adopted us in Christ. God makes us acceptable to Him, through grace, in Christ. We are redeemed in the Blood of Christ. We are forgiven in Christ. God reveals Himself to us in Christ. God gives us our inheritance in Christ.

Thursday, July 09, 2009 – Mark 6:14-29 – John the Baptizer is taken prisoner by King Herod. John is eventually killed by Herod. Now, Herod has heard of Jesus and thinks it is John risen from the grave. Jesus is no mere prophet but He is the Prophet from on High. King Herod tried to rid the world of the King who was born in Bethlehem. He failed. Now, Herod hears of Jesus and tries again to rid the world of Him. He slays John thinking it is Jesus. He failed again at His murderous attempt on Jesus life. Herod kills the innocent again.

Friday, July 10, 2009 – Psalm 85:(1-7) 8-13 – In the Psalm appointed for next Sunday, we hear how Truth springs forth from the ground. Jesus is truth. He is risen! Our Lord gives life to all believe on His Name. In Christ, we are forgiven. Jesus suffered the wrath of the Father in our place. The salvation of the Lord is free and for all people. Believe and turn from your iniquity.

Saturday, July 11, 2009 – LSB Hymn # 819 “Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good” – In verse four, we hear how Jesus is the Rock upon which our faith is built and the very Cornerstone of our lives as Christians. He is our peace. He is our salvation. He is the Good Shepherd who sustains our lives.

Prayer for Proper 10 (July 05 – July 11) – O Lord, You granted Your prophets strength to resist the temptations of the devil and courage to proclaim repentance. Give us pure hearts and minds to follow Your Son faithfully even into suffering and death; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen,

Prayer for Trinity 5 – O God, You have prepared for those who love You good things that surpass all understanding. Pour into our hearts such love toward You that we, loving You above all things, may obtain Your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reignth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for blessing on the Word – Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a Word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Sources:
The Lutheran Hymnal © 1941 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
Lutheran Worship © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB One Year Lectionary © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Altar Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LSB Hymn Selection Guide © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

+ Mark 6:1-13 +

2009-07-05T08:54:00.003-04:00

The preaching of God's holy Word on the 5th Sunday after Pentecost A.D. 2009.

Jesus, help me.

The Holy Gospel
Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

In the past few weeks, we have learned from our Lord Jesus what happens when faith is present in the soul of a person. We listened to the parables of the Growing seed and the Mustard seed. We learned of Jairus’ faith and the faith of the woman with a flow of blood. When God creates faith in a person, that faith clings to its source; it clings to God and His Word. What happens when faith is not present? What happens, when a person, such as you and me, turns away from God or denies God altogether?

Each week, we examine our hearts against the Word of God and know that we are sinners. We are the people Jesus is talking about during His ministry. We are the ones that say, “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Jōsēs, Judas, and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” (v 3) Yes, we are.

Are we not the ones who hear the Word of God and are astonished at what our Lord tells us? Are we not the sinners who question the Word and the authority with which Jesus preaches and teaches it to us? Yes, we are.

Are we not the ones to whom Jesus marvels because of our unbelief? Where is our faith? What is our faith grounded on?

The townspeople of Nazareth knew Jesus. They knew His family. They heard of His teachings and miracles from the surrounding towns and some may have been witnesses. Now, they hear His teaching. They hear Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah. They hear Jesus say that “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4, 21). Their faith was weak or non-existent. They rejected Jesus as their Prophet and they rejected His teaching.

You hear Jesus speak to you in His Word. Do you become offended by what He says to you? Yes – of course you do. As a sinner, you don’t want to hear that you transgress God in your thoughts, words, and deeds. Israel didn’t want to hear it. The people of Nazareth didn’t want to hear. The Church throughout time has not wanted to hear it. Why should you and I be any different? We are no different. We all need God’s grace and mercy and especially His forgiveness for our sins.

The astonishment of the people presented itself because of their unbelief. However, you are the Baptized. You are not astonished because you know who Jesus is and from whence He gets His knowledge and power. You know because you believe.

God created you. Jesus saved you. Jesus baptized you. The Holy Spirit created faith in you. The faith which God gave you and sustains in you is built on the Son of God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Jesus is the Cornerstone of your faith (Eph. 2, 20).

The love our Lord has for you is beyond all human understanding. Jesus loves you when you are offended by His teaching. Jesus loves you when you are disobedient. Jesus loves you when you lie and deceive others. Jesus loves you because He died for you. Jesus’ love flows from His side and covers your soul. His love redeems you a lost and condemned creature. His love declares you “not guilty” of your sins before His Father in heaven.

Jesus loves you and hears your cries for mercy. Jesus sets your feet upon a rock when you slip and fall in sin. He established your steps in His Word and in His ways. Jesus’ love for you opens your ears to hear. Jesus forgives you when you transgress Him. Jesus delivers you in times of trial and tribulation because He loves you.
Let not your heart be troubled. Hear the Word. Believe the Word. Live the Word. You are the Baptized! Rejoice in the Lord! Again, I say rejoice! The LORD be magnified this holy day for the love He has shown you in Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through + Christ Jesus. Amen.

+ Soli Deo Gloria +