Confirmation

Confirmation Sunday

Easter 3

5 May 2019

In all things…Christ”

Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promises us forgiveness of sin and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily need, and especially in time of temptation, we may seek Your help and by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promise. To that end, Lord Jesus, bless Thy Word that we may trust in Thee.”

The text you have chosen, as a class verse sounds perfectly fine, good, and fitting. It’s been used as a class verse before. I’m sure it will be used again. Your verse reads, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.

Most folks interpret and explain this passage as saying, “We’re all good!” The Lord’s in charge. He’s got this! So, whatever happens. Either for good or for ill. There must be a reason. It must be God’s will, because all things work for good”  Right?  Wrong!  

The Apostle Paul himself, who wrote these words, suffered terribly. From our first lesson for today. When he was called on the road, the Lord told Ananias the prophet whom He sent to open Paul’s eyes, “for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”  (Acts 9:26)

Paul often mentions the trials that he endured, which would have driven most to despair.  (See 2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Sometimes bad things happen because it’s your responsibility. That’s easy to understand. Sometimes bad things happen because of sin. But sometimes.- Bad things happen as the result of accidents. And sometimes.  Bad things happen possibly even because of chance. Sometimes life just happens. Which include bad things happening. 

Let’s face it. We all struggle. We all suffer. Some suffer more and some struggle less. But none are exempt. It’s a part of living in this fallen world. We all experience pain, heartache, and loss. And sometimes, there’s just no reason other than we are human and pain is a part of the process. So why should we think that somehow we will be exempt from suffering?

Do not assume that life is supposed to be easy. And when things don’t go your way, it’s tempting to feel like you have been personally wronged. Not everything has a reason. Remember, we’re living in a broken world, outside of Eden. The present time is marked by sufferings because of man’s fall into sin.

God is not responsible for our pain. We are not responsible for our pain. What happened in the Garden of Eden is responsible for the human condition. And the human condition is hard wired for pain and suffering. God is not causing us to hurt. Rather, He is hurting with us. That’s why Jesus entered into time and space. At just the right time. The Lord Himself was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Remember Isaiah’s words,

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” –Isaiah 53:4-6

What we do with our hurt is what matters. How we handle tragedy is what brings purpose into our pain.  In all things, we look to Jesus.

Not everything has a reason. Yet you can find meaning for everything that happens. Because Christ is always present, offering His gifts for you.  Says the Lord Jesus, “I am with you always!” (Matthew 28) and “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)    

To help us make sense of the world in which we live - and God’s timing - remember the explanation to the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer: “Thy will be done.”

What does this mean?

God's good and gracious will certainly is done without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

God’s will is done, this is true,

Even if we don’t pray or if we do.

But we ask that it be done in this prayer,

So when it’s done among us, we’ll have a share.

How is God’s will done?

God's will is done when he breaks and defeats every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh, which try to prevent us from keeping God's name holy and letting his kingdom come.

God’s will is done whenever He

Defeats and hinders any evil treachery

Which the devil, world, self would have us do

To scorn God’s name and stop His kingdom too.

When does this happen?

God's will is done when he strengthens and keeps us firm in his Word and in the faith as long as we live. This is his good and gracious will.

God’s will is done when our faith is strengthened,

And we’re kept in God’s Word as our life is lengthened.

God’s will is good and always gracious,

Both here on earth and in heavenly places.

God can use our pains and struggles for a greater good.

Christ delivers us from sin and then declares who we are in Christ and reminds us of our dependence on Him for everything.

From this morning’s gospel – Peter was content to go back to his old ways - with what he was familiar. Jesus asks, “You don't have any fish do you?" Whatever Peter was trying, it was not working. They were fishing without Jesus’ words, as He had reminded them, "apart from me you can do nothing." – John 15:5 

Yet Jesus never gave up on Peter. He’ll never give up on you. After His resurrection, Jesus treated Peter like His dearest friend, forgave him, and restored Him to His position and call to love his neighbor. He told Peter, "Feed My lambs. Feed My sheep." Jesus tells you, redeemed, restored, and forgiven, to get back to work too. You can only do so by repentance and faith in Jesus.[1]

“Lord, to whom shall we go you have the words of eternal life.” –John 6:68 Peter responds by throwing himself at Jesus. Peter goes to Jesus with reckless abandon.  And this is what you are encouraged to do this day, run headlong into the waiting arms of your Savior. Seek Him and His promises.

And don’t despair at returning to your Lord for forgiveness and life. These gifts He gives continually. God loves you whether you feel it or not! His love has been poured out for you through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. 

“Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave.” – St. John Chrysostom

Because you belong to God as his children, trust yourselves to his loving care. Regardless of circumstances. For He has promised to order your days as He directs your path. "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we can ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations., forever and ever./ Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-31

Words -1,230

Passive Sentences –13%

Readability – 81.6

Reading Level –4.5

Luther’s Seal © Higher Things

Images  Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
Luther's Seal © Higher Things

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[1] Former fieldworker  Pr. Tim Daub, Easter 3 homily "People that bother you" April 15, 2019 Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hecla, South Dakota