Wyneken Chapel Service #2

Wyneken Chapel Service
8 March 2017
Exodus 16:1–15;
John 6:27–35, 48–51
Catechism: What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
“Bread from Heaven”

The Israelites were overcome. With pure joy! The Lord had delivered them! Pharaoh and his army were no more!  Miriam sang, “Sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea!”

Then the celebration turned into panic!  Where will our next meal come from?  Instead of trusting in God to provide. They began to grumble. Against Moses and Aaron. “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger” (Exodus 16:3).

They were in a wilderness. Without food. Without water. And for a while. They thought that they had it better. Back in Egypt. As slaves! 

But the Lord was merciful. Slow to anger. And abounding in love. He promised to rain down bread from heaven. So they could eat and be satisfied. The Lord heard their grumbling. Though they deserved to die. He responded with love. “At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God” (16:12).

God was faithful to His promise. Bread fell from heaven. God provided for their physical hunger. He fed His newborn children. So that they would not go hungry in the wilderness and die.  They would not die. God provided for Israel. Throughout the years of their pilgrimage. (40 years)  

Just as the Father provided for His people then. He continues to provide for you. He sent forth Jesus. Our dear redeemer. Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of John, “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This bread comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” (John 6:48–51).

Christ is the new and greater manna. For He comes not merely to satisfy your physical hunger. He comes to satisfy those who, “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). For it is He alone that can satisfy the hunger of your souls. Whoever eats of this bread—Jesus Christ—will live forever. For His flesh. And His blood. Nourish and strengthen the soul. Unto eternal life. 

“Sir, give us this bread always.” Begged the disciples (John 6:34). And so He does. Every time you are gathered. Around His gifts of Word and Supper. Christ feeds you with heavenly manna. Just as He fed the Israelites in the wilderness. He feeds you with holy food. 

Just as you sing in the Communion hymn: “Lord Jesus Christ, life-giving bread, May I in grace possess You. Let me with holy food be fed, In hunger I address You” (LSB 625:1). 

Manna from heaven. Life-giving bread. —Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. That is your spiritual sustenance. As you wander through the wilderness of this world. That is the Lord’s salutary gift to you.—A gift that is undeserved. To be sure.  A gift! That comes from your loving and faithful Lord. Amen.

_______________

Words –600
Passive Sentences – 1%
Readability –84.0%
Reading Level – 3.3

I AM the gate

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

Friedheim

Celebrating our 179th Year

10653 N – 550 W

Decatur, IN 46733

www.zionfriedheim.org

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith

Acts 2:42

Chartered 25 February 1838

Celebrating our 179th Year

Mid-week 2

March 8, 2017

John 10:7-10

Jesus said, “I am the gate”

As we review the words of the Savior, we have a better understanding of His will and His ways. Last week we learned that Jesus is the light of the world. Tonight we will learn that He is the door, which leads to eternal life. He is the gate, which lead into mansions glorious. In very clear words Jesus would tell us, “I tell you the truth I am the door for the sheep.”

I. Whoever enters through Him will be saved.

A. “All others who came before Me are thieves and robbers.” (V.8)

1. There had been many false Christ’s who had come, claiming to be the only Christ.

2. In our day, to this very hour, many false prophets will come claiming to be Him. “Jesus answered, “watch out, and do not let anyone fool you. Because man men will come in My name, saying I am the Messiah and fool many people.” (Matthew 24:4-5)

3. These imposters cannot help, they cannot heal, they cannot lead. They only seek to destroy. “The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy.” (v. 10)

B. There is something special about the Savior’s voice – He speaks as a true shepherd.

1. “The sheep do not listen to them” (v. 8)

2. “My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me and I give them eternal life and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

Transition: Jesus is the true door. Whoever comes in by Him will be saved. And in His care, they will live securely.

II. As the true door, He gives life to the fullest measure.

A. Jesus reminds us why He came into this world.

1. “I have come in order that they might have life.” (v. 10b)

2. The life He gives is one He won for us by suffering on the cross. He lost His life to give us our life. He sacrificed Himself so we could obtain glory.

B. The life He offers is “life in all its fullness.” (V.10c)

1. The wine He offered at His first miracle in Cana was “the best.” (John 2)

2. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. The blessing He bestows are only the best; forgiveness, life, salvation. 

Jesus is the gate for the sheep. They enter through a marked door to safety and security. Listen to your Shepherd’s voice and follow Him into a safe way made secure by Him. 

Words –450

Passive Sentences – 3%

Readability – 86.5

Reading Level – 4.0

Don't Be Afraid...To Be Alone

Mid-Week Lenten 2
March 7, 2001
John 16:32
"Don't Be Afraid…To Be Alone"

"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me."

Gracious God our heavenly Father, we thank you for all things, and especially for the salvation that is ours in your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We pray now that you would open our hearts and our minds to thy saving Word. Teach us, we pray 0 Lord, to walk according to You and your Word, for it is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. In the precious name of Christ we pray, Amen.

Dear friends in Christ, If you were to take a close look at our daily lives and our daily schedules, each and everyone of us would see that we're quite busy. There are those days when we have so much on our "plate" that it's hard to find even a moment to relax and just catch our breath.
And sometimes, it may even feel like we are losing this rat race here on earth. I wonder if this is actually what God has called us to do with our lives? I wonder, if this is maybe a human concept or rationale that we adhere to, to find ourselves always busy and never alone? I wonder if we live our lives this way, because we're afraid to be alone. After all, loneliness does rank near the top of all the things we dread.
Loneliness takes the form of many and various forms. Think of the elderly man in a nursing home who has outlived all of his contemporaries and somehow is forgotten by his family and relatives. Think of the widowed grandmother who never hears from her kids or grandkids. What about the single-mom who has to place her kids in daycare and work 2 or 3 jobs just to make ends meet?
What about the college kid who has a hard time fitting in or making friends soon after they leave home? Loneliness can be one of the more complex fears in our lives. Often times, loneliness is accompanied by many other factors: grief, depression, fear itself, unhealthy stress, and in some extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.
Loneliness really stems from the fact that because of sin, man's perfect relationship with God was severed when Adam and Eve fell from grace and fell into sin. See, really everything in life does have a theological component to it; we just don't know it. We, too reap the deadly benefits of our first parents. We too are born sinful and unclean. We too inherit and are born with the fear of being all alone.
Besides, we are actually made with an internal and inherent need for the support of our family members, and the love and compassion of others. It's for a good reason that Jesus says over and over "Love one another," "Be kind and compassionate to others," "Love as I have first loved you." Jesus knew what He was talking about, contrary to popular belief. You see, Jesus was fully Divine and at the same time, fully man; yet another mystery we don't fully understand, but yet we do understand by faith.

What Jesus is telling us is that we are to fear not. We don't have to be afraid to be alone! That's right, Don't be afraid to be alone. Yet we struggle with this more than we need to, but that's what we humans do best, struggle with those things we really need to let God handle. Besides, God has already handled everything for our good and benefit. In fact, what hasn't God handled in the universe?
In our text for tonight, Jesus says directly to His disciples that they will scatter each to his own home. It was fear that caused the disciples to go their own way and forsake Jesus. We too act just like the disciples, don't we? Sometimes, we learn well the mistakes of others by making the mistakes ourselves. We too forsake Christ when we choose to do what we want over what He wants. Our actions and behaviors isolate us from God, the very condition that leaves us alone and afraid.
This is the very condition that God doesn't want us in. God doesn't want us to be separated from Him or from His love. That's why God the Father did something about our dreadful and helpless situation. He sent His Beloved Son Jesus Christ who bore all our sins and hell itself so that we don't have to so that we don't have to be afraid. That's right, we are indeed free from all sin and its ugly consequences.
We are not alone. Jesus is our faithful companion. Because Jesus bore on the cross the forsakenness of God, God will never forsake us. We know this to be true for in Hebrews 13:5, God has said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." I think we can all take a sigh of relieve here. God has paid for all our sins with the very blood of Jesus Christ and now we know that God is never going to leave us. That my friends is Good News, very Good News.
It even gets better though. When we do stray and wander, God doesn't leave us for the wolves. God pursues us and brings us back into His flock and care. God does this through His Word, through the Holy Spirit, through the Sacraments, through pastors and His servants and people. God takes care of us, better than we could image or even do ourselves. God is always with us. As Christians, we have been brought to faith by the work of the Holy Spirit and have the Spirit's presence within us.
God has indeed made us His own. We belong to God, we are his children. Thanks be to God for His unending riches and glory in Christ Jesus.
When I said it gets better, I meant it. God is with us in every situation and circumstance in our lives. He will be there when things are good, and when things are bad.
In the very next verse of John 16, verse 33, Jesus says to you and to me these very words: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the World." This too is Good News, very Good News. In Jesus we have peace. Let me say it again, in Jesus we have peace. In this world we will have trouble Jesus even tells us this beforehand. Let us ask in faith, for God to give us His strength to endure and persevere through that which will be troublesome. And now take heart, Jesus has overcome the world for us. Jesus has indeed overcome all sin, death itself through His death and resurrection, and the mean old Devil. Satan is a defeated foe, let's live as those who have the victory, for the victory is ours in Jesus Christ.
Just as I have said that God is with us always and in every situation and circumstance, God will be with us in every stage of our lives. He is there in the miracle of conception, the awe and nervousness of delivery, the "terrific" two's, something I'm learning about right now. God is with us in all our homework and projects, all our long hours at work or on the road. God is with us when we are middle-aged and even when death may be experienced in our family and even in our own death, whenever that might be. The One, who holds the stars in His hands, also holds you and me in His hands.
That is why we worship the One who created all, the eternal Creator, the Alpha and the Omega. In this season of Lent with our focus on repentance, let us not forget two things about the cross: With Jesus hanging on the cross, we see first hand the love that God has for us. No doubt about it. It doesn't get any more graphic than the crucifixion of Christ. But also we see what it is for man to be alone and separated from God. Jesus did that so we would not have to experience that type of separation for eternity. Christ substituted Himself for the very punishment we so deserve. As we cry Abba Father, let us thank Him who gave His very Son on our behalf.
It is with great joy that we remember Christ's very words in Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Christ is always with us, to the very end. We indeed, do not have to be afraid to be alone because we are not alone. Christ the crucified and risen, our very Redeemer, lives and is with us each and every day. Let us fear not and just believe. Amen.

Lent Mid-week 2

Lent Mid-week 2

March 8, 2006

John 18:15

Jesus I will Ponder Now

“Simon Peter also followed in Jesus’ path and another disciple”

INTRODUCTION: Following Jesus’ arrest in the garden Peter and John follow behind the soldiers as Jesus is lead to Annas. Annas just so happened to be the father-in-law of Caiaphas – who had been appointed to serve as high priest.

It wasn’t left to chance that Jesus was sent to have an audience with Annas. Annas was the principle player within the Jewish Council. He made sure to keep a power hold within the court, keeping tight control within his family power base.

History tells us that four of Annas's sons were among those who succeeded him. His son-in-law, Caiaphas, held office from A.D. 18 until 36, during the time of Jesus' active ministry. 

Although others held the priestly office, Annas seems to have been the elder statesman and the power behind the throne.

Together these two men; Annas and Caiaphas, brokered much influence within the temple and the court - It was Caiaphas who had given counsel and warning to the Sanhedrin that it was expedient that one man should die for the sake of the people.            -John 18:14

Peter and John follow behind – they desire to see what will occur next.

I.        With Peter and John we view Christ’s Passion.

A.     “Yet, O Lord, not thus alone make me see Thy Passion.”

1.      During this holy season we meditate on what Christ did and endured to earn our salvation.

2.      We mark His arrest, trial, suffering and crucifixion.

B.     “But its cause to me make known and its termination.”

1.      The cause for which Christ was arrested, tried, scourged and crucified was to win for me salvation.

2.      When Christ died – all of our sin died. Our sins, with all evil lusts were all drowned and killed.

Transition: But we do more then merely observe Christ’s action. We recall, affirm and believe what Christ has done. He suffered and died that I may receive salvation and life.

II.     We also recall the impact of Christ’s suffering.

A.     “Ah! I also and my sin wrought Thy deep affliction.”

1.      It was my sin and mine alone which caused Jesus to suffer and die.

2.      It is my sin which caused me to be separated from the Father, from Christ, and my neighbor.

B.     “This indeed the cause has been of Thy crucifixion.”

1.      Christ suffered for me because I can do nothing to earn my salvation. My sin robs me of fellowship with God or with my neighbor. “Lord if You should mark iniquity who shall stand…”  -Psalm 130:3 

2.      Because Christ has suffered for me and on my behalf I now enjoy the blessings that come from Christ’s bloody cross; salvation, forgiveness, life eternal.

CONCLUSION: Peter and John remain in the wings to see what will transpire next. What happens is that Jesus is abandoned by God and by men to take on our sin to Himself and thus win for us salvation. “Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood be for my soul the highest good.”*

- I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table” from The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

Lent mid-week 2

Mid-week 2

February 16, 2005

John 10:7-10

Jesus said,  “I am the gate”

INTRODUCTION: As we review the words of the Savior we have a better understanding of His will and His ways. Last week we learned that Jesus is the light of the world. Tonight we will learn that He is the door, which leads to eternal life. He is the gate, which lead into mansions glorious. In very clear words Jesus would tell us, “I tell you the truth I am the door for the sheep.”

I.                    Whoever enters through Him will be saved.

A.      “All others who came before Me are thieves and robbers.” (V.8)

1.       There had been many false Christ’s who had come, claiming to be the only Christ.

2.       In our day, to this very hour, many false prophets will come claiming to be Him. “Jesus answered, “watch out, and do not let anyone fool you. Because man men will come in My name, saying I am the Messiah and fool many people.” (Matthew 24:4-5)

3.       These imposters can not help, they can not heal, they cannot lead. They only seek to destroy. “The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy.” (v. 10)

B.      There is something special about the Savior’s voice – He speaks as a true shepherd.

1.      “The sheep do not listen to them” (v. 8)

2.      “My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me and I give them eternal life and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

Transition: Jesus is the true door. Whoever comes in by Him will be saved. And in His care they will live securely.

II.                 As the true door He gives life to the fullest measure.

A.     Jesus reminds us why He came into this world.

1.      “I have come in order that they might have life.” (v. 10b)

2.      The life He gives is one He won for us by suffering on the cross. He lost His life to give us our life. He sacrificed Himself so we could obtain glory.

B.      The life He offers is “life in all its fullness.” (V.10c)

1.      The wine He offered at His first miracle in Cana was “the best.” (John 2)

2.      Anything worth doing is worth doing well. The blessing He bestows are only the best; forgiveness, life, salvation.

CONCLUSION: Jesus is the gate for the sheep. They enter through a marked door to safety and security. Listen to your Shepherd’s voice and follow Him into a safe way made secure by Him.

Lent mid-week 2

Lent Mid-week 2

March 3, 2004

Psalm 23:2

The Good Shepherd who provides for us

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (KJV)

At the cross on Calvary’s hill the Son of God Jesus Christ was suspended between earth and heaven. There He bore the sins of the entire earth in His body. He carried your sins and mine on His own back that we might have salvation and life. The Shepherd-King David describes how that was carried out for us in the second verse of this most beloved Psalm. Here we see how the Good Shepherd who gives His life for us. David speaks to us tonight reminding us: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

There is a great benefit in being in the Savior’s presence. The Christian knows that God is with him and that He will take care of him now.  But what about tomorrow? What about tomorrow?   As we look to the future we can expect the benefit of the Savior’s mercy and care especially when we need it the most.

1.      With the Savior by our side David can speak of a position of security - “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”

Consider the happiness of the saints as the sheep of God's pasture. They are well placed, well laid: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. We have all the supports and comforts of this life given to us from God's good hand.  Our daily bread comes from Him, as He alone is our Father. This greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who will relish only in that which pleases the senses.  But to a godly man, who tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, and by faith relishes that, though he has but little of the world, to him, it is a green pasture. Ps. 37:16 reminds us: “Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked.”  And in Proverbs 15:16-17 we are reminded: “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and turmoil with it. Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, than a fattened ox and hatred with it.”

God's ordinances are the green pastures in which food is provided for all believers. The word of life is the nourishment of the new man. It is milk for babes, pasture for sheep, never barren, never served up bland, never parched, but always a green pasture for faith to feed in. God makes His saints to lie down; He gives them quiet and contentment in their own minds, whatever their lot is; their souls dwell at ease in him, and that makes every pasture green.

A question for us to ponder. Are we blessed with the green pastures of the ordinances of the Good Shepherd? Let us not think it enough to pass through them, but let us lie down in them, abide in them; this is my rest forever. It is by a constancy of the means of grace that the soul is fed.

2. David now speaks of the progress of Salvation “He leadeth me beside the still waters”     

We are well guided, well led. The shepherd of Israel guides Joseph like a flock; and every believer is under the same guidance: “He leadeth me beside the still waters.” Those that feed on God's goodness must follow His direction. He leads them by His providence, by his word, by his Spirit. He disposes of their affairs for the best, according to His counsel. He disposes their affections and actions according to His command. He directs their eye, their way, and their heart, into His love.

The still waters by which He leads them, is not only a pleasant prospect, but a cooling portion, a reviving cordial, a refreshing drink when they are thirsty and weary. God provides for His people not only food and rest, but refreshment also and pleasure. The consolations of God, the joys of the Holy Ghost, are these still waters, by which the saints are led, streams, which flow from the fountain of living waters and make glad the city of our God.

God leads His people, not to the stagnate and standing waters that corrupt and gather filth. Not to the troubled sea, nor to the rapid rolling floods, but to the silent waters; for the still but running waters agree best with those spirits that flow out towards God and yet do it silently - the prayers of His saints.

We lie down in security – “Come unto Me...” Jesus has told us, “...all Ye that are weary...” wearied by the troubles and burdens of life. “Come unto Me... all who are heavy-laden...” Heavy laden with the guilt and burdens of sin.

“Come unto Me...” the Good Shepherd has said “ ...and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." {Matthew 11:28-30}  He will supply us with all that we will ever need for our soul. “It is well, it is well, with my soul.” He alone will lead to the quiet waters, which give us the Father’s peace.

The 1st Word

Luke 23:34

March 12, 2003

1st Word - "The word of Intercession"

INTRODUCTION:  As He began His passion knowing all that was going to take place; knowing all that would be required of Him Jesus took the time to pray. It is a simple prayer yet a profound petition. It gives us an overall picture of what this Jesus is all about.  Jesus - on the cross suspended between earth and heaven prays: "Father forgive them for they know not what they do"

1.        The reason for this prayer is obvious.

A.                It tells why He was dying. He is dying for man is blind to his sin. In ignorance man falls to the wayside and follows a different road.

B.                 This prayer reveals Jesus' character. The ruthless world says: " Don't get mad - get even!"  The attitude of this present age says, "divide and conquer" "to the victor comes the spoils" "An eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth."  Jesus responds by saying: "Father forgive them"

C.                This prayer becomes a perfect example for Jesus' followers - His disciples.  As the Savior has forgiven so we too forgive. A student is under his master and taught by Him. As the Savior has so taught us to forgive what else can we do but forgive?

D.                Jesus prays this pray to fulfill prophecy. As He prays for and asks for His accusers' pardon the events once predicted of old are beginning to take shape. God is acting - God is moving. 

2.        Who are the objects of this first prayer from the cross?

A.                First there are the soldiers who nailed Him there. Do they recognize Jesus to be the Savior, the world's redeemer? Or do they see Him as one of many upstarts among the Jews?  Do they simply see Him as one who is worthless? It does not matter what they thing of Him. He prays for them - regardless - regardless of whom they were, regardless of where they had been, regardless of what they had done.

B.                 Then there are the Jews who condemned Him to be nailed there. "It is necessary that one man die for the sake of the country".  That's how the High Priest and the leadership sized things up. Little did they know they were speaking prophetically. His death is sufficient for all.

C.                 The Savior prays for all who have in any way contributed to the sin load, which brought Him to the cross. The Savior, as He prays offers up this request to the Father for you and for me.  All who are in need of the Savior's mercy are included in this petition. How good it was of the Savior to pray for you and me.

Transition: Thus the Savior offered up a prayer as the first word from the cross. How was that prayer answered?

3.        Jesus prayer was answered in three specific ways.

A.                First, the soldiers and the Jews were spared then and there. The Lord's visitation was curtailed and halted. Jesus had told Peter in the garden  "are not 10,000 legion of angels at My disposal?  Yet all this must be done that the Scriptures may be fulfilled".

B.                 The Jewish nation was give 40 years of grace to receive the great message of the cross and empty tomb. When Jesus rose from the dead appeared to His disciples and ascended the early disciples didn't run off to Athens or Rome. They went right back to the very city where Jesus was crucified. Until Jerusalem was destroyed in the year 70 AD the inhabitants of that city had the very eyewitnesses of the resurrection living in their neighborhoods.

C.                This prayer was answered as all people have been forgiven - God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son - Now, people must simply receive the forgiveness, which has already been provided. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  "Whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life."

CONCLUSION: On the cross, suspended between earth and heaven the Savior prayed for you - Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

1st Petition

February 20, 2002

The 1st Petition

“Hallowed Be Thy Name”

INTRODUCTION:  “Hallowed Be thy Name” That’s how the first petition reads.  What does that phrase really mean? What are we asking for when we pray that God’s name would be kept holy?  In a nutshell we pray that God’s name would be hallowed among us. This happens when we keep from profaning God’s Word.

How is God’s Word Profaned?

A.     God’s Word is profaned when anyone teaches otherwise than what God’s Word teaches. There is but one plan of salvation, one doctrinal standard, one message for the ages. That message speaks of sin and grace; of law and gospel.  That message says that we are all sinners for there is none that does good and does not sin. The wages of sin, the bible reminds us, is death, for all have sinned. Yet the gospel tells us that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting our sins against us.  That is why we can clearly and plainly say that in Jesus Christ all sin is forgiven period!

When we teach other then this clear message we profane the Word of God. We need to place a clear message before the world today as our former Synodical President Al Barry put it “keep the message straight and get the message out” We do not want to add nor subtract from what is clearly stated in God’s holy Word. 

B.     The faith is to be taught – it’s also to be caught.  We can profane the name of God when anyone lives otherwise than God’s Word clearly teaches.  Luther in his hymn reminds us “that man a godly life might live God did these Ten Commandments give” the Word of God gives us a clear directive. It teaches us what we are to do and what we are not to do and how we are to live. We want that Word of God to direct us so that our lives may reflect what God’s Word truly teaches.

TRANSITION: The Word of God is profaned when we teach and act contrary to it. How is God’s name hallowed?

II.     God’s Name is Hallowed

A.     God’s name is hallowed when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity. God’s Word is true and pure in and of itself. That’s the beauty of God’s Word.  It needs nothing added to it. It speaks for itself. It is in and of itself clear, pure and bold. All the Lord asks of us is that we present it whole and undefiled. That’s what we pray for in this first petition. 

B.     God’s name is hallowed when we; that is you and I lead a holy life according to the Word of God.  “Savior, lead, I follow Thee” is how the phrase from the hymn reads. God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path. We hallow God’s name when we are directed by the Word in our daily living.

Jesus our Lord and Savior perfectly lived His life according to God’s Word.  He lived a holy and a perfect life. He followed in the ways of the Law of the Lord. Then, He went to the cross and offered up His life as a ransom for us all. He exchanges His perfect life for your and my life of sin. In His suffering, death and resurrection He gives us salvation and life. It is His life and death, which has saved us. It is His Holy Spirit, which fills us to be the men, the women, the body and girls of faith.

CONCLUSION: “Hallowed be Thy Name”. May we use God’s Word correctly.  May the faith among us be taught as well as caught. May we hallow God’s name by honoring His Word in our reading, our study, our teaching and in our living.

Don't Be Afraid To Be Alone

Mid-Week Lenten 1

March 7, 2001 

John 16:32

"Don't Be Afraid…To Be Alone"

Seminarian Jon W. Smithley

Grace, Mercy and Peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!    Tonight's Sermon text is John 16:32 which reads:

(Jesus said) "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone.  Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me."

Please join me as we pray.   Gracious God our heavenly Father, we thank you for all things, and especially for the salvation that is ours in your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.   We pray now that you would open our hearts and our minds to thy saving Word. Teach us, we pray 0 Lord, to walk according to You and your Word, for it is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. In the precious name of Christ we pray, Amen.

Dear friends in Christ, If you were to take a close look at our daily lives and our daily schedules, each and everyone of us would see that we're quite busy.   There are those days when we have so much on our "plate" that it's hard to find even a moment to relax and just catch our breath.

And sometimes, it may even feel like we are losing this rat race here on earth.   I wonder if this is actually what God has called us to do with our lives?   I wonder, if this is maybe a human concept or rationale that we adhere to, to find ourselves always busy and never alone?   I wonder if we live our lives this way, because we're afraid to be alone.   After all, loneliness does rank near the top of all the things we dread.

Loneliness takes the form of many and various forms.  Think of the elderly man in a nursing home who has outlived all of his contemporaries and somehow is forgotten by his family and relatives.   Think of the widowed grandmother who never hears from her kids or grandkids.   What about the single-mom who has to place her kids in daycare and work 2 or 3 jobs just to make ends meet?   What about the college kid who has a hard time fitting in or making friends soon after they leave home? Loneliness can be one of the more complex fears in our lives. Often times, loneliness is accompanied by many other factors: grief, depression, fear itself, unhealthy stress, and in some extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.

I believe that loneliness really stems from the fact that because of sin, man's perfect relationship with God was severed when Adam and Eve fell from grace and fell into sin.   See, really everything in life does have a theological component to it; we just don't know it.  We, too reap the deadly benefits of our first parents.  We too are born sinful and unclean. We too inherit and are born with the fear of being all alone.

Besides, we are actually made with an internal and inherent need for the support of our family members, and the love and compassion of others.   It's for a good reason that Jesus says over and over  "Love one another,"   "Be kind and compassionate to others,"   "Love as I have first loved you."   Jesus knew what He was talking about, contrary to popular belief.   You see, Jesus was fully Divine and at the same time, fully man; yet another mystery we don't fully understand, but yet we do understand by faith.

What Jesus is basically telling us is that we are to fear not.   We don't have to be afraid to be alone!  That's right, Don't be afraid to be alone.  Yet we struggle with this more than we need to, but that's what we humans do best, struggle with those things we really need to let God handle.   Besides, God has already handled everything for our good and benefit. In fact, what hasn't God handled in the universe?

In our text for tonight, Jesus says directly to His disciples that they will scatter each to his own home.  It was fear that caused the disciples to go their own way and forsake Jesus. We too act just like the disciples, don't we?  Sometimes, we learn well the mistakes of others by making the mistakes ourselves.  We too forsake Christ when we choose to do what we want over what He wants.  Our actions and behaviors isolate us from God, the very condition that leaves us alone and afraid.

This is the very condition that God doesn't want us in.  God doesn't want us to be separated from Him or from His love. That's why God the Father did something about our dreadful and helpless situation.   He sent His Beloved Son Jesus Christ who bore all our sins and hell itself so that we don't have to so that we don't have to be afraid.   That's right, we are indeed free from all sin and its ugly consequences.   We are not alone. Jesus is our faithful companion. Because Jesus bore on the cross the forsakenness of God, God will never forsake us.   We know this to be true for in Hebrews 13:5, God has said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."   I think we can all take a sigh of relieve here.   God has paid for all our sins with the very blood of Jesus Christ and now we know that God is never going to leave us.   That my friends is Good News, very Good News.

It even gets better though.  When we do stray and wander, God doesn't leave us for the wolves.  God pursues us and brings us back into His flock and care.  God does this through His Word, through the Holy Spirit, through the Sacraments, through pastors and His servants and people.   God takes care of us, better than we could image or even do ourselves.   God is always with us.   As Christians, we have been brought to faith by the work of the Holy Spirit and have the Spirit's presence within us.

God has indeed made us His own.   We belong to God, we are his children.   Thanks be to God for His unending riches and glory in Christ Jesus.

When I said it gets better, I meant it.  God is with us in every situation and circumstance in our lives.   He will be there when things are good, and when things are bad.  In the very next verse of John 16, verse 33, Jesus says to you and to me these very words: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the World."   This too is Good News, very Good News.   In Jesus we have peace.  Let me say it again, in Jesus we have peace.   In this world we will have trouble Jesus even tells us this beforehand.  Let us ask in faith, for God to give us His strength to endure and persevere through that which will be troublesome.  And now take heart, Jesus has overcome the world for us.  Jesus has indeed overcome all sin, death itself through His death and resurrection, and the mean old Devil.   Satan is a defeated foe, let's live as those who have the victory, for the victory is ours in Jesus Christ.

Just as I have said that God is with us always and in every situation and circumstance, God will be with us in every stage of our lives.   He is there in the miracle of conception, the awe and nervousness of delivery, the "terrific" two's, something I'm learning about right now.  God is with us in all our homework and projects, all our long hours at work or on the road.  God is with us when we are middle-aged and even when death may be experienced in our family and even in our own death, whenever that might be.   The One, who holds the stars in His hands, also holds you and me in His hands.

That is why we worship the One who created all, the eternal Creator, the Alpha and the Omega.   In this season of Lent with our focus on repentance, let us not forget two things about the cross: With Jesus hanging on the cross, we see first hand the love that God has for us.  No doubt about it. It doesn't get any more graphic than the crucifixion of Christ.  But also we see what it is for man to be alone and separated from God. Jesus did that so we would not have to experience that type of separation for eternity.  Christ substituted Himself for the very punishment we so deserve.  As we cry Abba Father, let us thank Him who gave His very Son on our behalf.

It is with great joy that we remember Christ's very words in Matthew 18:20:  "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."   Christ is always with us, to the very end.   We indeed, do not have to be afraid to be alone because we are not alone.   Christ the crucified and risen, our very Redeemer, lives and is with us each and every day.  Let us fear not and just believe.  Amen.

Now may the peace of Christ that passes all understanding keep and guard your minds and hearts to life everlasting.  Amen.

Mid-week Lent 2

Midweek Lenten Service 2 Noon

March 15, 2000  

Genesis 28:10-17 

“Surprised by God”

INTRODUCTION:  Jacob was surprised that God was present. He thought he was alone and far from God because God, he thought, was restricted to his geographical area. Are we surprised to find God in places other than in a church?  Would you be surprised to find God in a cocktail lounge, in a jail, in nature, in a hospital?  God comes to people wherever they are in need, regardless of the place.

When God comes to you…

1.                 Be aware of His presence v. 16  “Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it."

A.    God is truly with us always! I will never leave you. I will never forsake you.  I am with you always.

            B.      Especially at those times when we did not expect it or recognize

God’s presence in our lives.  He comes in Word & Sacrament to sustain and forgive.

2.                 Be reverent v. 17 “And he was afraid and said, How awesome is this place!”

A.    Are we respectful of the holy?  What is our reaction once we have encountered God? Are we changed? Are we different?

B.      This was a life changing moment for Jacob.  What are those life-changing moments in our lives? They ought to be awesome for us as they were for him.

3.                 Be cognizant of its significance v. 17 “ This is the house of God… the gate of heaven”

A.    Jacob grasped what God was doing in his life. He would never be the same.

B.      Likewise, in those encounters with God may we walk away changed and different people.

Conclusion:  “Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure

Flee the world which would deceive us, And to sin our souls allure.

Ever in His footsteps treading, Body here, yet soul above.

Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do the Father’s bidding,

Faithful Lord, abide with me; Savior, lead, I follow Thee. {TLH #409 stanza 1}

Mid-week Lent 2

Midweek Lenten Service 2 Evening

March 15, 2000 

Romans 5:1-11 

“Confident even in the midst of suffering”

INTRODUCTION: In this season of Lent we place our focus on the cross and the sufferings of the Savior.  We realize that in the midst of His earthly life the Savior suffered for our sin and us too.  As we walk with the Savior, we too will encounter various and sundry pains and sorrows. The Bible refers to them as afflictions and sufferings. And, although they may appear outwardly to be physical in nature, there is a spiritual connection attached to them. Lurking behind ever trial, every suffering, every affliction is the Devil tempting us to give up or to give in.  Yet through it all we can say with St. Paul that we are able to overcome and win the victory. We find strength and courage as we suffer with the suffering Savior.

Because of Christ who suffered for us

1.                 We will share in God’s glory vs.1- 2 “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”

This little verse sums up our entire Christian faith.  Everything we are as Christians hangs on this little verse.  Just consider what Paul reminds us here:

A.    You and I share in the glory of God because we have been justified by faith. We stand before God perfect and whole because of faith. We trust God. We believe God.  Therefore we are counted as righteous before God because we trust God at His Word.

B.      And what is the result of such faith and trust? We have peace with God.  We know where we stand. We know where we are headed. Our salvation is all wrapped up in the works and merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. We don’t have to worry about working our way up to God. We don’t have to worry about doing more or sinning less. Our peace is not based on anything that we do. It all depends on Him. If Jesus Christ has declares us not guilty of sin. We have a peace that this world simply can not give. A Savior who suffered for us that we might live wins our peace. 

C.    What’s more we also exalt in the hope of the glory of God. There are some in this world who live as if there is no tomorrow. They do so, because that is what they actually believe. They live for the moment or they live for the day because they have become convinced that what they have in this short period of life is all that there is.  They are convinced that there is nothing more so they live as if they until there is nothing left you and I, on the other hand. live with an eternal perspective. We live in the hope of a new tomorrow. We live in the hope that we will see the glory of God. We live as if there is a tomorrow for there really is. Our life is not tied only to what I do today. True, what I do today is very important. But the future is what I really live for.

 As Christians you and I live for an eternal tomorrow. We live in hope of the glory of God. In short, we live with the hope and promise of living with Jesus forever in paradise. That is what shapes our present. That is what gives meaning to all that we do.

O they tell me of a home far beyond the skies,

O they tell me of a home far away;

O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,

O they tell me of an unclouded day.

O the land of cloudless day,

O the land of an unclouded day,

O they tell me of a home where not storm clouds rise,

O they tell me of an unclouded day.

O they tell me of a home where my friends have gone,

O they tell me of that land far away,

Where the tree of life in eternal bloom

Sheds its fragrance through the unclouded day. 

O they tell me of a King in His beauty there,

And they tell me that mine eyes shall behold

Where He sits on the throne that is whiter than snow,

In the city that is made of gold

O they tell me that He smiles on His children there,

And His smile drives their sorrows all away;

And they tell me that no tears ever come again

In that lovely land of unclouded day.

O the land of cloudless day,

O the land of an unclouded day,

O they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,

O they tell me of an unclouded day.

The Unclouded Day 

By Rev. Josiah Kelly Alwood 

Spring Hill (now Tedro), Ohio 1879

Transition: Because heaven is our home and since we live in the expectation of this eternal hope we endure whatever might come our way - we know that even the sufferings that we might be forced to endure are only temporary. They will not last forever!

2.                 We suffer in hope vs. 3- 4  “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;”

We live in a fallen world. Because of a fallen world, because of our fallen nature we must endure present sufferings. Each person must suffer, and some sufferings may appear to be unmanageable. But then, in the midst of our suffering we turn to the only One who can help us, our suffering Savior Jesus and He brings a transformation in us. Listen, again to how Paul describes this change.  Sufferings bring about perseverance, which leads to a proven character, which finally leads to hope. Our hope is nothing more and nothing less then what we expect to happen. We expect Christ to bring us to completion. He will carry us safely to be with Him in glory. This is our hope. ” My hope is built on nothing less then Jesus’ blood and righteous, I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” {TLH #370 stanza 1}

3.                 We are reconciled with God vs. 11 “And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

We stand reconciled to God. Once we were at odds now we are at peace. Once we were enemies, now we are friends. Once we were opposed to one another, now we are one.  This was all made possible through our Lord Jesus. Thanks be to God. We are now in His camp, apart of His family, restored, refreshed, redeemed.

CONCLUSION: You and I can be content…even in the midst of suffering. We belong to a Savior who suffered for us, who helps us endure the sufferings that we share in the life.  We belong to Him and in His hands we are safe and we are secure.  Fare thee well, for all is well in Jesus our suffering Savior!

+ Soli Deo Gloria+

NB: The song Unclouded Day was sung by Willie Nelson on his family album in 1979 and performed for the Farm Aid benefit in the 1980’s.