"The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give his life a ransom for many.” - Mathew 20:28
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Time in the Word Epiphany 5
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Epiphany 4
Mark 1:21-28
"Authority, so what?"
It is one thing to have authority and it is another to have that authority accepted. Lack of respect for authority is a problem of our day. Thirty-five years ago, millions in Iran demonstrated against the Shah to the point that he had to leave the country. The people refused to bow to his authority. Though he had authority as a king, his authority was no longer accepted, respected, and obeyed by a majority of the people. The same can happen to any person of authority, including Jesus Christ. What is our response to His authority? We must consider that question this morning. How should we properly respond to Jesus’ authority?
1. First, we must recognize His authority – Listen to verse 22 of our text for today. “And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as {one} having authority, and not as the scribes.”
From the testimony of the Scriptures, we see quite clearly that when Jesus speaks and when He acts people are bound to take notice. Jesus proved that He had that authority that comes from God by what He said. He spoke for God. But He backs up His words with His works. Jesus speaks and Jesus acts! He says only those things that God can say. He works miracles and acts of kindness that only God can perform. This truly is God in the flesh. No one can work like Him. No one can speak like Him. By His words and by His works we are called to recognize that there is none other. On He can be the Son of God.
Transition: But there is more than merely recognizing Jesus’ works and words for what they are. Few today would dispute what He has done. Few, if any, would put a disclaimer on His words and actions. But how do we respond to what He has said? What is our reaction to the miracles that He works? His words and works call us to action.
2. We must also respect Jesus’ authority – Listen to verses 23 and 24 of our text for today. “And just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, "What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are-- the Holy One of God!"
“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” (James 2:19) The devil himself recognizes Jesus’ power and authority. This is clearly demonstrated in our lesson for today. The devil was calling Jesus out. Respecting His authority, the devil knew that Jesus has the authority to destroy him. “What are going to do to us?” The demon asks. “Have You come to destroy us?” The demon knew his fate. He will be doomed forever by the one who has the authority to destroy him. That’s why he asks the question! It’s not a matter that he would be destroyed. That fact is perfectly obvious. The question is when, when will this demon be destroyed. Will you destroy me now or later, for You are the Holy One of God.
Our enemies make for our best critics. The demon gives testimony that this Jesus is the Christ, the very Son of God. We too, are called to acknowledge what even Jesus’ fiercest enemies are called to do. We are to respect Him for He is our Lord Almighty. The one to whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He, Jesus, is Lord of all.
3. We must finally respond to Jesus’ authority – Listen to verses 25 and following of our text for today. “And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice, and came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."
The inevitable happens. After nine anxious months a baby is finally delivered. We know what is coming. Yet, when that blessed event happens, we are filled with awe. We take in a spectacular sunrise or sunset. We recognize that this is something that happens every day.
The sun is supposed to rise and the beginning of the day. We expect it to set as dusk turns to night. However, when we take it all in we are filled with wonder and awe. Likewise when recognizing Jesus we respond with shouts of thanksgiving. As we are reminded in the catechism. “For it is my duty to thank and to praise, to serve and obey Him!” Yes, this is most certainly true!
The confrontation of Jesus with the demon only heightened the reality that this Jesus is King and Lord of all. May we resound in kind by offering Him our lives for service in His kingdom. Willingly following Him and praising Him for all that He has done.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Time in the Word - Epiphany 4
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Epiphany 3
"And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."(NASB)
Jesus came preaching, but what did He preach – law or gospel, or both? Mark gives us a summary of Jesus’ preaching. Since we honor and respect Jesus above all preachers, we would like to know the content of His preaching. What does Jesus have to say to us today? Our text gives us the answer…
Jesus preached the gospel of God
1. The time – "the time is fulfilled" – v. 15
Jesus began to preach in Galilee after John was put in prison. When John had finished his testimony, then Jesus began His public ministry. Notice what is happening here. The silencing of Christ's ministers shall not be the suppressing of Christ's gospel. John is imprisoned but the Gospel cannot be silenced. If some are laid aside, others shall be raised up. John’s imprisonment is the beginning of Jesus’ preaching. It is the signal for Jesus to carry on the same work that John had stated. Now Jesus is to begin with His message. And what is that message? Look at the second phrase of our verse for this morning.
2. The fact – "the kingdom of God is at hand" – v. 15
This is the message of what Jesus preached; "The gospel of the kingdom of God is at hand!" Christ came to set up the kingdom of God among us, that we might be brought into it, and that we might obtain salvation in His kingdom. He set up His kingdom by the preaching of His gospel, which brought about a power that has brought salvation and life.
Transition: The great truths Christ preached are found in our verse for this day. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. This time refers to the Old Testament, in which the kingdom of the Messiah was promised. A time was fixed for the introducing of God’s coming into this world. Jesus’ hearers on that day were not so well versed in those prophecies, nor did they observe the signs of the times, as to understand it themselves. Therefore Christ gives them His official notice; "The time once fixed in the past is now at hand. Glorious discoveries of divine light, life, and love, are now to be made; a new direction far more spiritual and heavenly than that, which you had been under, is now to commence."
3. The response – "repent and believe" –v.15
Notice how God keeps time. When the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand. Christ gave His hearers back then as well as us today the ability to understand the times that they might know what they ought to do. Christ tells us that that the kingdom is approaching. They must repent, and believe the gospel. They had broken the moral law, and could not be saved by their own good works for the hearers then as well as us today are condemned under guilt. They must therefore take the benefit of a covenant of grace, they must submit to a remedial law, and this is the evidence that God’s kingdom truly has come---there must be repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.
By repentance, we must lament and forsake our sins, and by faith, we must receive the forgiveness of our sins. By repentance, we must give glory to our Creator whom we have offended; by faith, we must give glory to our Redeemer who came to save us from our sins. Both of these; repentance and faith must go together.
We must not think that reforming our lives will save us without trusting in the righteousness and grace of Christ. Nor can we say that trusting in Christ will save us without the reformation of our hearts and lives. Christ has joined these two together, repentance as well as faith. And let no one think to put these two away. They will mutually assist and befriend each other. Repentance will quicken faith, and faith will make repentance evangelical; so that the sincerity of both together will be evidenced by a diligent conscientious obedience to all of God's commandments.
Thus with the arrest of John the preaching of the gospel by Jesus has begun, and thus it continues to this very. Still the call remains, repent, and believe; we are called upon to live a life of repentance and live a life of faith. That is the basis of the gospel message. That is our high Christian calling to this very day.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Time in the Word - Epiphany 3
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Epiphany 2
John 1:43-51
"Your Part in Church Growth"
Parishes across our Synod are asked to fill out numerous forms this time of year to show how much they have grown and in many areas across our country, there are churches that have not confirmed or baptized an adult in over 3 to 5 years. Here at Zion God has blessed us yet may mainline churches have been losing members. Churches all across our synod are losing members. By God’s grace, we have grown. (By close to 25% over the last twenty-five years.) That’s remarkably good but there is still room for us to grow.
Across our national church body, there has been a new interest in adding numbers to the church. In the nineteenth century, evangelism was identified with mass meetings, revivals, and evangelists. Today we happily have turned to a Bible based form of evangelism in terms of what some like to refer to as "personal evangelism". Recent statistics show that people join the church primarily through the invitations of friends. Sometimes it is called "relational evangelism". A Christian becomes a friend of a non-Christian; the believer invites him/her to church, and does what he-she can to help that unchurched friend. Our text gives an example of this type of evangelism when Philip brought Nathaniel to see Jesus. This morning let’s see how you can help the church to grow…
1. You must first follow Jesus – Listen to verse 43 of our text for this morning…"The next day He purposed to go forth into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow Me." Philip was called immediately by Christ Himself. Philip was called in a direct way: Jesus found Philip. Christ sought us, and found us, before we made any inquiries after Him. . Philip was brought to be a disciple by the power of Christ going along with that word, "Follow Me!"
Here we see the nature of true Christianity; it is following Christ, devoting ourselves to His will and His way, attending His movements, and treading in His steps. Here we see the efficacy of the grace of God, as it is the rod of His strength.
David reminds us in Psalm 23 "Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me". We find our totality in Christ alone. The world says "find yourself…find happiness in pursuing your own goals and traveling your own road, set your own compass, carve out your own niche in this world" John, on the other hand reminds us simply "He must increase, I must decrease"
2. You "find" an unchurched person - verse 45 "Philip found Nathaniel…" We are told that Philip was of Bethsaida, and Andrew and Peter were so too, (v. 44). These first disciples received not honor from the place of their roots, but reflected honor upon it. Bethsaida signifies the house of nets, because mostly fishermen inhabited it; there Christ chose disciples, who were to be furnished with extraordinary gifts of the Spirit. They did not need the ordinary advantages of learning; their knowledge came from on high. "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:25”
Bethsaida was a wicked place. On the northeast shore of the Sea of Galilee, Philip the tetrarch rebuilt Bethsaida and renamed it "Julias", after Julia, the daughter of Caesar Augustus.
In Matthew 11:21 we are told how Jesus spoke out against that city when He said "… Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes“ Yet even there was a remnant, according to the election of grace.
What mistakes and weaknesses Philip labored under: he called Christ "Jesus of Nazareth," whereas he was of Bethlehem; he called Jesus the Son of Joseph, whereas Joseph was but Jesus’ supposed Son. Philip serves us well as an n illustration. Young beginners in religion are subject to mistakes, which time and the grace of God will rectify. It was his weakness to say, we have found Him. Christ found both of them (Philip and Nathaniel before they found Christ. Philip did not yet comprehend what all of this meant but he was intent on finding his brother and sharing Christ with him.
So often, the excuse is made, "I don’t know it all so I can’t witness for Christ!" Jesus doesn’t expect us to "know it all" as if we ever could. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic Philip told Nathaniel all that he knew. That is what we are expected to do; we are to simply share Christ and tell our family and friends to come and see.
3. You tell what Jesus means to you - verse 45 (continued,) "Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and {also} the Prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Philip had just a simple acquaintance with Christ, yet he steps aside to seek Nathaniel. Notice what is happening here. When we have the fairest opportunities of getting good to our own souls, yet ever then we must seek opportunities of doing good to the souls of others, remembering the words of Christ, "It is more blessed to give than to receive," (Acts 20:35). Philip simply said, “we have found him of whom Moses and the prophets have written".
Notice the joy that Philip has upon this new acquaintance with Christ: "We have found him whom we have so often talked of, so long wished and waited for; at last, he is come, he is come, and we have found him!"
4. You invite the person to see Jesus - verse 46 "And Nathaniel said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him," Come and see." Come and see. Let us not stand arguing here, and raising difficulties to ourselves, which we cannot get over; let us go and converse with Christ Himself and these difficulties, will all vanish! It is folly to spend that time in doubtful disputing. Granted, there is much to be said for wanting "pure teaching "and "correct doctrine" and yet much time is sadly spent over disputes that matter little in the final analysis. "When reckoned in the counsels of God, whose going to care anyway!"
Philip persuades his brother to experience Christ personally. This is what we are called to do to share Christ and to experience Him personally in our life. Philip says to his brother Come and see; not, Go and see, but, "Come, and I will go along with you".
Jesus would go forth into Galilee to call these two brothers... Christ will find out all those that are given to Him, wherever they are, and none of them shall be lost. In mercy, He has called and found us. Like Philip go forth this day as you share Christ with your family and friends inviting them to come and see.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Time in the Word - Epiphany 2
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The Baptism of our Lord
Mark 1:4-11
The Three Great Days of Your Life
What would you say was the greatest day of your life? A Wedding? A Graduation? Possibly Childbirth? A Christian has three great days of his/her life; they happen to be the day he is born into this world, the day he is born-again in baptism, and the day he is born into glory. What do you think? Are these the three most important days of your life? Let’s see why these are the three greatest days you will ever have…
1 The day of your birth – "In those days Jesus came from Nazareth" verse 9
Life is a great privilege and adventure. It began on your birthday. When you were born into this world, you became a part of the human race. You became a part of your family. You were given the gift of life and placed here upon this world to be a part of society; to contribute, to provide for others. You were given talents, abilities and gifts to praise God as you serve your neighbor. Yes, your birthday is important for it is the day that you were officially welcomed into this world and were recognized as a person living on this earth.
2 The day of your rebirth-Baptism- "was baptized by John" verse 9
Why is baptism the second greatest day in your life? From the old baptismal rite we recall these words "We also learn from God’s Word that we are all conceived and born sinful and are in need of forgiveness. We would be lost forever unless delivered from sin, death, and everlasting condemnation. But the Father of all mercy and grace has sent His Son Jesus Christ, who atoned for the sin of the whole world that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (LW Agenda pg. 91) Why is the day of your baptism such an important day? In baptism, we are given life- new life in Jesus.
A. New Birth is given in baptism- "The Spirit descending upon Him like a dove" –10 When Jesus was baptized the Holy Spirit fell on Him and from that moment He began His public work of proclaiming that the Kingdom of God had come. Likewise, when you were baptized you received the Holy Spirit into your life. You received the full measure of the Holy Spirit in your baptism. In your baptism, you were given a new birth, a washing away of your sins and a renewal of the Holy Ghost. There is nothing lacking in you – your baptism makes you complete!
B. When you were baptized you received an adoption into God’s family – the Father called Jesus "My beloved Son" –11 As Jesus was called God’s one and only Son so in your baptism God called you His only child. You are a part of a human family by virtue of your human birth – but what an even greater family you were born into when you became a part of God’s family! You are a child of God! You are a part of God’s family! Because of the wonderful gift of baptism, you are a child of the King!
Transition: The day you were born into this world, the day you are born again in baptism and finally, the third great and glorious day for you is the day that you are born into glory. That’s your third birthday!
3 The day you are born into glory. Jesus would again hear the voice of His Father will you hear His voice too?
A. "Well done good and faithful servant" were the words that Jesus heard as He accomplished all that the Father sent Him out to do. He came into this world to suffer and die for the sins of the entire world. He came to redeem and to save that which was lost. He came to redeem me a lost and condemned creature…He has purchased me from sin, from death and from the power of the devil not with gold or silver but with His holy precious blood and His innocent sufferings and death. Well done! is what the Father will say to you on the day that you enter into glory.
B. Enter into the glory I have prepared for you… That is what the Father will say to you because of the redemption that is found in Christ Jesus. Jesus suffered and died for me so "that I might be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness" "Even as Jesus is risen from the dead so He lives and reigns through all eternity!" Jesus has said, "Because I live you will live also!" Jesus has said, "Were I am going there you will follow" Heaven is your destiny because Jesus Christ has risen to new life and bestows that life to you!
The year 2012 is fresh before us…like a virgin field of fresh fallen snow. A New Year should remind us of grace – God’s do over. We are entering into a new era. What will be said of this generation and of you as you live out your days in the year 2012 and beyond? May it be said of us that we have found the importance of these three important days of our lives. Live for Christ daily – make each day count! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.