Advent mid week 1

Advent Mid-week #1

Romans 13:11-14

The day of salvation is at hand

Introduction: In our text this evening St. Paul speaks of the “Hour” as an opportunity. Paul considers Jesus’ return as the chance to share Christ and this occasion is just round the corner. The time is at hand. The return of Christ will happen quickly – in an instant – in the blink of an eye – in a flash!  In this passage Paul looks at the return of Christ as an opportunity. The hour of Jesus’ return is an opportunity for us to awake form sleep, to live in the light of day, to cloth ourselves with Christ.

What St. Paul would say to us this night – size the opportunity -

1. Seize the opportunity to awake from sleep v. 11 “And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” 

The time of salvation, the closing period of the present age, before the consummation of the kingdom - is this “present time.”  Now is the time for action, now is “the hour.” The full realization of our salvation will come at the second coming of Jesus Christ. This is not a new concept. Scripture speaks of this in many places.

·       Romans 8:23; “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

·        Hebrews 9:28; “Christ was sacrifices ones to take away the sins of may people; and He will appear a second time not to bear sin, but to bring salvation, to those who are waiting for Him.”

·       1 Peter 1:4-5; “[we] have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”} 

The time is “nearer now” then it was before.  Every day brings us closer to the second advent of Jesus Christ. Every day that passes brings us closer to that glorious day when we shall take a walk – from one end of the kingdom to the other. We walk - from the kingdom of grace - to the kingdom of glory.  We step over from earth which is fixed and limited - to heaven - which is beyond time and space.  

Transition: Seize the opportunity to wake form sleep. Seize the opportunity to live for the day.

2. Seize the opportunity to live as in the day – v. 13 “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”

Shopping, lively Christmas parties, getting the family together, a lovely tree, good food, and fun - Is that all there is to Christmas? You don’t have to be a Christian to have that kind of Christmas.

What is the real significance of Christmas? St Paul would remind us in his letter to the Galatians that at just the right time God sent His Son that we might becomes sons and daughters of God. {Galatians 4:4-7}  The Father sent Christ to the world at the right time – “When the time had fully come.”  At just the right time this same Jesus will return as Judge and King. Now is the time of preparation – here is the key – if we are prepared to welcome Him when we commemorate His birth we will be ready when He returns to judge the earth. In all of our preparations for the season keep your eyes heavenward.  

Transition: Seize the opportunity to wake form sleep, to live for the day, to put on Christ.

3. Seize the opportunity to put on Christ – v.14 “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about who to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

St. Paul would remind us in Galatians 3:27; “for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Paul exhorts believers to display outwardly what has already taken place inwardly – including practicing all the virtues associated with Christ. In our daily lives we shine forth the light of Christ by our works. By our words and actions we prove that our religion is “for real”.

There is perhaps no greater deception than this: that being in Christ is a benefit to us. Do you want to partake in the new creation? Leave YOU behind. Is this not the true message of Christmas? God became flesh and inhabited this world, walking among us. Love and Faith demonstrated Holiness and Healing.

Then Jesus, the Christ, lifted Himself up as a sacrifice for us, so that through His death might come new life for every man and woman; be it boy and girl, or those about to leave this world for the next. Jesus died so that we might live. He killed sin and the darkness so that we may walk in liberty within the light.

God’s Christmas tree was the cross, and the Gifts were those which came out of Christ’s crucifixion. Salvation. Sanctification. Confession. Repentance. Restoration. Resurrection. So Christmas is not about receiving. It is not about food and drink and festivity and caroler in front of the door or gift-giving behind the door. Christmas is about Death. And Resurrection. And Hope. And Faith. And Love.

Conclusion: We work while it is day. When you cut wood you heat twice. We prepare for the season and for our entrance into glory. Believer in Christ – now is your opportunity. Make the best of your time now while it is day - for night will come when no one will work.  

+Soli Deo Gloria+

Advent 1

Advent 1

Matthew 24:37-44

Be ready for the unexpected day of Jesus’ return

Introduction: Vigilance is needed because the return of Christ will be unexpected for many living in this world.  It is a common failure among some people to ignore the signs of the times of impending disaster. It is confirmed at the time of an earthquake or hurricane. Such events were well documented and demonstrated in the storms of Katrina and Rita two years ago and in recent forest fires in California. 

People didn’t think things could get that bleak. They didn’t leave when they were suppose to and then it came to a point when evacuation was impossible there was no escape. At first they would not leave then they could not leave.  Some refuse to heed the warnings and so they suffer the consequences of the storm.

Vigilance is the price of preparedness.

1. Danger of preoccupation – V. 38 “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;”

For the people of Noah’s day it was a case of business as usual. They just did not think of a possible flood. The warning signs were all about. Noah would preach judgment, the approaching flood, and continued to build the ark. His message fell on deaf ears. The people were preoccupied with the business of living.

Some might lay the same claim against us Christians especially in this Advent season.  “You keep talking about Jesus coming back to this earth,” they say. “It’s been 2,000 years, He hasn’t returned.  Maybe you’re just a little preoccupied with all this talk of Jesus and His 2nd coming”. And yet, in this world people are constantly thinking about their future. They plan for retirement, they pre-arrange for their funeral, they make provisions for financing their children or their grandchildren’s education – planning, investing, saving for future events years in the making. Yet, they fail to make provisions for their immortal soul. What’s the difference? Some have a different set of priorities in life.    

Why all this concern?  Because there are people living even in our own community “without a prayer”.  They are living their day to day lives “without a prayer” of tomorrow or of their future destiny. They are missing – missing from fellowship – missing from a relationship with the Savior – mission from spiritual union with other believers. They are on the outside looking in – and they don’t even know it. 

You and I make provisions for the eventual return of Jesus Christ. Like Noah we speak about the eventual return of Christ and His visitation and we build and invest in ministry now. We work now to in making disciples for the kingdom for there will come a time when opportunities will cease and there will be no more time or hours to work but only night.   

Transition: There is the danger of preoccupation of time. There is also a danger in the danger of judgment.  

2. Danger of judgment – Vv. 40, 41 “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”

One will be taken into glory and the other will face judgment. The one taken was prepared for the Lord’s coming. For the other, it was too late. Their time of grace was wasted. How many shattered lives? How many misspent years attempted to gain the whole world only to have lost their soul?

The coming day is not to be put off. What words can more strongly describe the suddenness of our Savior’s coming! Men will be at their respective businesses, and suddenly the Lord of glory will appear. Women will be in their place of employment, but in that moment every other work will be laid aside, and every heart will turn inward and say, “It is the Lord! Am I prepared to meet him? Can I stand before Him?” And what, in fact, is the Day of Judgment to the whole world, but the day of death to every one?  This the Savior reminds us, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42 -KJV)

Transition: There is the danger of preoccupation, the danger of judgment, and the danger of the unexpected.

3. Danger of unexpectedness – V.43 “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have left his house be broken into.”

A thief strikes when least expected. A Christian needs to live on the alert for Jesus’ coming. There needs to be a heightened awareness. Christ could return at any moment. Or, His return may be delayed.  No one is certain of the day or the hour.  Pay attention!  

Conclusion: In the verse just prior to our text, {V. 37} Jesus reminds us that the time of His return is unknown to men. “No one know about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”  Those who spend their time attempting to predict the date are like those who spend their hours attempting to break the bank at Vegas. Yet, know this; the date in time has been fixed.

“Oh, the Places You'll Go!” – happens to be the last book written and illustrated by children's author Dr. Seuss. A young boy, referred to simply as “you,” initiates the action of the story. Dr. Seuss tells us “The Waiting Place” isn’t fun for anyone. Here people wait for other people...for people just waiting. Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No....waiting…is a part of life. And no, it isn’t fun. In life we wait - for anything and everything - even second chances.  In Advent it seems as if the saying or slogan is “Ready, set, Wait!”  Yet, vigilance is the price of preparation. Be on your watch. The end will come according to the Father’s appointed hour.

+Soli Deo Gloria+

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day

November 22, 2007

Luke 17:19 “Rise and go your way, you faith has made you well.”

Introduction: Two miracles take place in the healing of the ten lepers. Nine receive physical healing, but one got both physical and spiritual healing. It is the latter that we who are healthy need. Jesus said to the Samaritan that he was healed by his faith. Were not the other nine healed even without faith? Jesus is referring to the spiritual miracle that took place in the foreigner. “Well” comes from the word “save” and “wholeness”.  This second miracle made him whole in terms of gratitude - which was the outward sign - of his well-being inside.

Consider the Double Miracle

I.        What you are saved from – Ingratitude. This is illustrated by acts of selfishness, taking things for granted and negativism. 

A.     Selfishness. Sinful humans with their own agendas plans and attitudes crowd out a spirit of thanksgiving. We live in a land of plenty. We live in a time of so many opportunities. We live in an age in which there are countless advantages for us to succeed. Do we consider the needs and concerns of others or do we think and operate only for ourselves?

B.     Ingratitude raises its ugly head by taking things for granted. On this day of Thanksgiving we are challenged to contemplate our blessings. This past week when our students at Wyneken assembled for chapel I gave them an assignment. It’s an assignment which each of us should take.  Make an assessment of the blessings you have received. Recall those people the Lord has placed in your life – who have become a blessing to you. Then simply say “thank you!”  This helps us from taking things for granted.

C.     Negativism is also a cause for ingratitude. True we all have challenges in our lives. There are plenty of hurdles placed before us. There are enough voices in our world which simply say “no, you can’t!”  What should our attitude be? Thanksgiving is thanks living. If we truly live blessed and thankful lives negativism is eliminated from the equation.

Transition: We are saved from ingratitude. We are saved for gratitude. 

II.     What you are saved for – gratitude. How do we demonstrate an attitude of gratitude?  We do this by counting our blessings, recognizing God as the one who blesses us, and praising Him for His goodness.

A.     Counting your blessings – V. 15a “one of them when he saw he was healed, came back.”  This one lone leper realized his life had been saved. He saw He had been saved. There had been a change, a huge change in his life. Did he move on? Of  course not. He returned to give thanks.

B.     Recognizing God as the one who blesses us.  Vs. 16 “He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him – and he was a Samaritan.” This miracle had not happen by chance. It wasn’t luck, or fate, or his good fortune. It was the God and God alone who had healed him. It was God and God alone who had had mercy upon him. It was God and God alone who had intervened in his life. A change had taken in his life and he knew it.

C.     Praising God for His goodness – V. 15b “praising God in a loud voice.”  With such a change taking place in his life this leper returned to thank the God. He praised the Savior for the blessings he had received. How do we make thanksgiving a way of life? We do more then come to a worship service – in service we praise the name of our Lord. As God has blessed you – be a blessing – to those people in your life.

Conclusion: What you are saved for? We are saved for an attitude of gratitude. How do we demonstrate this attitude of gratitude?  We do this by - counting our blessings, recognizing God as the One who blesses us, and praising Him for His goodness. A blessed Thanksgiving in Jesus’ Name.

+Soli Deo Gloria+

Thanksgiving Eve

Thanksgiving Eve

November 21, 2007

1 Samuel 12:24

Serve the Lord

“But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.”

Introduction: It could be said that Samuel lived and served during a time of transition. He was the last judge to serve Israel as the nation desired to be ruled by a king. Although he resisted a monarchy nevertheless the Lord instructed Samuel to give the people a king.  By divine appointment Saul was brought into contact with Samuel, and Samuel was directed to anoint him as Israel’s first king.

At king Saul’s inauguration Samuel called the people to renewed faithfulness to the Lord who not only had given them a king but who had carried them through many perils.

As we gather together this night to celebrate yet another Thanksgiving Samuel’s words are quite fitting: “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.”-1 Samuel 12:24

At this time of Thanksgiving Samuel reminds us:

I.        Consider what great things He has done for you.

A.     Just consider the blessings God has showered down upon you. These blessings come indeed without our prayer. Luther in His explanation to the 4th Petition reminds us that He provides for us daily. Each and every day the Lord has made it His business to provide for His children – just as you provide for your children.  Our daily bread includes; “everything that belongs to the support and wants of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious servants, pious and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.”  

Interesting enough, Luther also encourages us that in our prayers we should ask the Lord to lead us to know and understand this reality – namely - that He is the one who supplies our needs and then to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

B.     What follows the 4th Petition? Naturally it’s the 5th Petition. The Lord provides for our physical needs. He alone provides for our spiritual needs as well. 

When we petition God to forgive us Luther again would reminds us; “We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor on their account deny our prayer; for we are worthy of none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but that He would grant them all to us by grace; for we daily sin much and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. 

So will we also heartily forgive and readily do good to, those who sin against us.”  

We need the Lord’s direction in our life for only with His strength are we able to heartily forgive and readily do good to those who have sinned against us! By ourselves we cannot do this. By His grace it becomes a reality in our lives.   

Transition: Once we have considered the wonders of His love we are moved to serve Him with our very lives.

II.     But be sure to fear the Lord…

A.     “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” is the way wise King Solomon instructs us in Proverbs 1:7.  Samuel and the wise king reach the same conclusion; - we need a loving reverence for God that includes submission to His lordship and confidence in His promises.

B.     Conversely, we are to reject any sort of foolishness. The fool; by definition - is that individual who hates knowledge and correction of any kind.  

Furthermore they are quick to quarrel, they are complacent, and they trust in themselves rather than in God.

Transition: Luther explains that proper respect for God is attained when we are to fear, love and trust in Him above all things. With a proper attitude toward God we can now help and serve our neighbor.

III.   Serve Him faithfully with all your heart.

A.     Best applied with the acronym - “JOY” - Jesus – others- you. Easy to put to memory – it takes a lifetime to live it daily in our lives.

B.     Thus we have the call to faithful service. God has given you a vocation to serve God and your neighbor faithfully in this generation. Each has a divine mission to serve God as we serve our neighbor – no one can be called to any higher service – what you do for Jesus as you serve your neighbor is your mission field!

Conclusion: With sincere and thankful hearts we consider the great things the Lord has done; we fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully from the heart.

When we begin to do this thanksgiving become a habit – it becomes thanks living. A blessed thanksgiving - to each of you - in Jesus’ Name.

+Soli Deo Gloria+

All Saints

November 4, 2007

Genesis 32:22-30

Sermon by Seminarian Chris Hull

In the strong name of our crucified and risen lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Let us pray.  If God Himself be for me, I may a host defy.  For when I pray before me, my foes confounded fly.  If Christ, my head, and master befriend me from above, what foe or what disaster can drive me from his love, Amen.

Your brother is coming with four hundred men behind him.  This is the news Jacob receives from his servants.  Jacob knows that Esau is not coming to give him a hug and butterfly kisses, but to chop off his head.  Why not, Jacob had stolen Esau’s birth rite and taken his blessing from his father Isaac.  He then ran from Esau and became a wealthy man under Laban.  Jacob has the birth rite, blessing from Isaac, and worldly goods, and yet he still fears his brother Esau. He sits alone waiting for day break when he will see his brother and possibly face his death.  In this moment, God appears in the form of a man and wrestles with Jacob.  God, the God who created the world and destroyed it in the flood, becomes a man and wrestles with the flesh of Jacob.  God cripples him, blesses him, and leaves Jacob with no fear of death, for after God, what can man do.  God cripples us his saints in order that he may bless us and forever destroy the fear we have of the devil, world, and our own sinful flesh.

GOD CRIPPLES HIS SAINTS IN ORDER THAT HE MAY BLESS THEM

I.

            God wrestles with Jacob.  He does not come down in Jacob’s time of need and give him courage, nor does he send his angels to destroy Esau and his small army. Instead, he grapples and struggles with Jacob and his fear of Esau.  Jacob fears his brother and does not trust the promises of God.  God promised Jacob that his children would be as numerous as the stars in the sky.  How can he have many descendants if Esau kills him?  This is the question running through Jacob’s head.  He doubts the promise of God and therefore fears his brother.  He does not fear God, but instead fears the flesh and death.  Therefore, God struggles with Jacob in order to wrestle him away from his fear of death.

            We do this same thing today.  God has promised us everlasting life through the waters of Holy Baptism, yet we still go through this life in fear of sin, death, and the devil.  We fear that next bill in the mail, or that interview we have with the boss to see if we are needed for work through the next year or possibly that exam next week; instead of placing our trust in God that he will provide all that we need to support this body and life.  Like Jacob, we fear those things that do not have power over us.  We fear the devil and his temptations and the world with all its pressure.  We pray to God to take all these things away, but like Jacob, God will not tell us to run away from our troubles in life. God will instead come down and wrestle with us in order to take us away from these fears and instead trust in Him.

II.

             While God wrestles with Jacob, He brings Jacob into submission by crippling him.  Jacob is winning the match and God must do something in order for Jacob to stop using his physical body in order to survive life.  God therefore places his hand on Jacob’s hip and dislocates it.  Jacob is left with a limp for the rest of his life.  He is left with a mark to show that God has humbled him and left him in total reliance on His promises.  Jacob cannot run away from Esau as he did before, but instead must face his brother and have faith that God will not let him die.  Jacob cannot trust in his strength, wisdom, wit, wealth, or any other human tool to overcome the wrath of his brother.  He must trust that God will protect him.

            As Jacob, we pray to God to be faithful to us, yet we still wish to fight our own fights.  We want to bring our own weapons to whatever challenge that comes upon us. When the devil tempts us, we actually believe that we can overcome him by our own reason and strength.  When the world weighs down on us, we think that we can lift that heavy burden with our own power and might.  However, we cannot do this because of our own sinful nature that only wants to give into the temptations of the devil and fear the persecutions of the world.  However, as Jacob, God dislocates our human reason and leaves us crippled.  God cripples us, not by placing his hand on us physically, but by placing the mighty hand of the Law on our hearts and minds. God brings us the Law to cripple us and show us that we cannot face the world and the devil on our own, because we cannot do anything but sin and give into the pleasures of the world.  God not only cripple us, but he kills us.  

God kills us by drowning us in the waters of Holy Baptism. God kills us so that we have no fear of the world and its trials and we are not overcome by the devil and all his minions. God leaves the mark of the cross on our foreheads and upon our hearts so that we may know that we are his and not our own.  We are Christ’s and he shall never abandon us in our hour of need.  He will wrestle us away from the snares of the devil and the burdens of the world.  We need only remember our crippling moment in our baptism, where God killed us and brought us back to a new life, and we may bow our head to the world and have no fear, for Christ has overcome the devil and the world for us.

III.

            Jacob continues to cling to the body of God, demanding a blessing.  Jacob knows that he is weakened by the crushing blow to his hip and knows that only with the blessing of God is he able to face his brother and fear no ill.  Jacob proclaims his reliance on God and prays for a blessing.  God, who has wrestled with Jacob and crippled his leg is gracious and blesses him.  This was the point of the wrestling match the entire time.  God did not come down to challenge Jacob or to cripple him, but to bless him.  He blesses Jacob because Jacob is a weak sinful being.  Jacob is blessed by his birth rite, by his blessing from his father Isaac, and by the gifts given to him from Laban.  More importantly, Jacob received the promise from God that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the heavens.  Nevertheless, God continues showering blessings upon Jacob because he loves him.  God wrestles with Jacob and cripples him so that he may receive the blessing and the promise of the Savior.

            God continues wrestling with us today.  God does even more for us this day than he did for his servant Jacob.  God not only leaves us needing his grace, he leaves us in need of his life giving breath.  God struggled with the flesh by sending his only begotten son into the flesh.  Christ wrestled with the sins of man and overcame the devil, the world, and our sinful condition. He overcame the devil with every nail driven into his hands on the cross.  He created the world anew when his precious blood drained from the tree onto the cursed ground.  Christ forever destroyed our sinful flesh when he resurrected gloriously from the tomb on the eighth day.  Christ struggled with the flesh and won the victory.  As God struggled with Jacob in order to bless him, so Christ struggled with the flesh in order to bless you.  We do not struggle because Christ has already struggled with us and has wrestled us away from the fear of death.

            Be comforted saints of God, for Christ continues blessing you today.  You         receive the birth rite of Christ as you die and resurrect with him through the waters of holy baptism.  On your foreheads bright and glorious shines the witness of Christ’s cross. Christ Himself comes to you this day in his very body and blood in order to grant you peace and forgiveness so that you may have the strength to face the snares and wickedness of the devil.  God has wrestled and struggled with you and now he blesses you as his own child.  Know that as you wrestle with the pains of the world, God struggles to wrestle you away and bring you into his blessed Gospel of light and release.  Christ has wrestled with the devil, killed sin, and death, and therefore now blesses you with the gift of inheritance and everlasting life.  You now have no need of fear, for you walk with the cross of Christ before you and the world can do nothing to you.  Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, amen.

Reformation

Reformation (observed)

October 28, 2007

The Sin Problem

Introduction: The fact that God is holy and that man is sinful produces a problem for man’s salvation. Just as a leopard can not change his spots neither can a Holy God - nor sinful man - change their natures. So here comes the issue with which we must wrestle today…by what means can they [a holy God and a condemned sinner] come into a right relationship with each other? This was the primary question which pushed Luther in his quest. How does the sinner get right with God? How are God and man to become reconciled?

Two futile attempts to get around this issue remain popular to this day. How does man become reconciled to God? Atheism simply says, you don’t have to worry about getting right with God because He really doesn’t exist. If you take God out of the equation then you don’t have to wrestle with the issue of pleasing Him. Taking God out of the equation can be downright scary for in so doing man moves into the center and becomes a god unto himself with his own agendas, plans and outcomes.   

Yet another attempt to avoid this issue of getting right with God is to come to the conclusion that man, is basically good; that there are but a few flaws in man, that as a spiritual person man is just and moral and good. God is not eliminated however He is greatly minimized.  And yet - the very conscience of man will not allow him to get around this issue. As we have confessed this morning by nature each of us are sinful and unclean.

We are - by our very nature - poor miserable sinners. So to the issue of this day – How do God and man come together?    

I.        Man’s “Solution” Is a Religion aimed at Pleasing God:

A.     Islam’s 5 Pillars is an excellent example of following certain rules to obtain God’s’ favor. Notice that they are all works related and man centered. You must fast, pray, give alms, make a pilgrimage and give you confession according to a strict code of conduct.   

B.     Observing Jewish Law is yet another example; Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s book 10 Commandments for everyday living didn’t become a national best seller a few years ago for nothing! People are prone to ask, “Tell me what to do and I’ll do it”. The young man who engaged Jesus and the jailer at Philippi speaking to Paul and Silas ask a similar question, “what must I do to be saved?” – Acts  16:30-31

C.     To live simply by “the Golden Rule” is yet another example of folks who want to be spiritual but not necessarily be a part of an “organized” religion. I simply do - unto others - as I see fit.

Transition: Man’s solution to getting right with God is to do as he pleases. Yet what would the Lord’s have to say concerning these things?  

II.     God’s Word However, Requires a Changed Nature;

A.     Man’s works are inadequate. Listen to what Scripture has to say concerning this matter:

1.      Romans 3:20 – “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”

2.      John 3:5 – “Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”

3.      Ephesians 2:8,9 – “For by grace ye have been saved and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works lest no man should boast.”

B.     Only God Himself is able to create a new nature in man:

1.      2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”

2.      John 3:6 - That which is born of flesh is flesh that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

3.      God cannot lower His standard. He can not adjust midstream. He is bound by His Word. These standards are not subject to the wills of change. God has given us a life-line which is connected to the power of His Word.

Transition: As the Lord has given us His message found in His Word we see a clear image of Jesus Christ God’s own dear Son.

III.   God’s Solution Is found only in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

A.     Jesus paid all of the debt for man’s sin. God’s Word is so clear on this mater.

1.      Romans 3:24 – “…and justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

2.      1 Peter 2:24 – “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”

3.      Hebrews 7:25 – “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.”

B.     He gives redeemed men His righteousness and peace.

1.      2 Corinthians 5:21- “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

2.      Romans 10:4 – “Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

Conclusion: Jesus is the only way for God to be both Just in His dealings toward man and the one who justifies of the sinner. Thanks be to God for this free gift of faith.

Ascension

Ascension

May 17, 2007

Acts 1:8

Preparation to Witness

Introduction: Today is one of the chief feast days in the life and history of the church. What does this day signify? What is so important concerning this day- this Feast of the Ascension of our Lord?  Ascension marks the fact that Jesus’ work on earth is complete. Today marks the fact that Jesus' mission is complete. Yet, there is work for the members of His body to do- We review Jesus words, “And you will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You shall be witnesses of Me in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria- even to the uttermost parts of the earth. Jesus by these words reminds us that we shall receive:

The Power: “But ye shall receive power…”

Jesus has not let us weak- He has not left us powerless.  To the contrary, The Lord has given power and strength to His church. He equips us to work for Him as His representatives.

The places where we are given this power are found specifically in His Word which is preached, taught, read and shared. It is found specifically in His blessed Sacraments. It is found specifically in the message of Christ’s forgiveness. 

Transition: There is power there are also provisions the Lord has for His people.

The Provision: “After that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…”

God has provided you with His Spirit. Some believe that in the Ascension Jesus has left us. These believe that there is somehow a sense of separation or distance between Christ and His Church. They reason that the Church is on earth and Christ is in heaven so somehow Christ has distanced Himself from His people.  Not so! For He has sent us His Holy Spirit.

For what is the role of the Holy Spirit? He calls, gathers, enlightens sanctifies and keeps us in the one true faith. Luther would remind us that the Holy Spirit has called you by the Gospel, gathered you into His church, enlightened you with His gifts, makes you perfect, blameless and holy and will continue to keep you faithful to Him and to the Christian faith.  This is the provision He has given to you.

Transition: There is power given, there is provision of the Holy Spirit. There is also the prospect of being witnesses for Christ.

The Prospect: “And ye shall be witnesses unto me…” 

The early Christians said repeatedly; “We are witnesses of these things” All the disciples and believers spoke concerning what he Savior had done. The result? Whole families were brought into the family as the Lord was adding them those that were being saved. 

You too are witnesses- You too tell the wonderful news concerning Jesus Christ. This is the only way the Church of Jesus Christ grows- one Christian at a time. Yet it is always the Holy Spirit who adds the increase.

Transition: Yet where shall we go? The Holy Spirit has also provided the place.  

The Places: “In Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

It’s where God has planted you. For the early Christians of the 1st Century it started in Jerusalem, then Judea, it grew into Samaria- then finally to the uttermost parts of the earth.

For us, living in the 21st Century? It starts sat Friedheim, then it expands into Preble Township, it grows into Northeast Indiana. And with respect to the uttermost parts of the earth. It’s getting so much easier to reach so many. The nations are literally coming to our borders. Residents from foreign lands continue to make their home here in our area. These are also the people God places in your life. This is your mission field.

Conclusion: The 1st Century directive of reaching out continues to be our directive. God the Holy Spirit does all of the work from front to back. He simply uses us to be His instrument. The Holy Spirit has provided the power, the provision, the prospect, the place. Thanks be to God. He has done it all.