Proper 16, August 24, 2008

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W
Decatur, IN 46733
260-547-4248

www.zionfriedheim.org

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42

Celebrating our 170th Year
Chartered February 25, 1838

August 24, 2008
Proper 16
Matthew 16:13-20
A Great Confession

We’ve turned the corner. The kids are back in school. We focus now on their individual instruction. So also with the twelve. At Caesarea Philippi Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus takes His disciples out of the country to Caesarea Philippi, a city built in honor of Caesar Augustus. Jesus’ public ministry has come to a close and now He turns to the training of the twelve as He goes to Jerusalem to carry out His mission as Messiah. Let us pray to the Lord…

“God of all creation, You reach out to call people of all nations to Your kingdom. As You gather disciples from near and far, count us also among those who boldly confess Your Son Jesus Christ as Lord.”

When Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was, Peter was the spokesman — “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” According to the account there was no hesitation in answering. Peter did not say, “Let us think about it for a while.” His reply was spontaneous and immediate.

This indicates that God gave Peter the insight and put the words in his mouth. It was so great and true that Peter could never have thought up the answer in so many words if he had a year to consider the answer. Jesus acknowledged the correctness of the answer and told Peter that God HAD revealed it to him. Man on his own and in his weakness cannot know or understand the true identity of Jesus. The Lord Himself must reveal the truth of His Son. Today we consider Peter’s great confession of faith.

Outline: What God said through Peter.

1. Jesus is His Son — The Father and the Son they share the same nature. Peter expressed the opinion of the disciples, “You are the Christ.” This was an insight and understanding into the true nature of Jesus that Peter did not think up by himself. He had help from above. This key truth was revealed to him by God.

Man by himself cannot fathom the truth or the significance of Jesus as Son of God. Even today the person who confesses Jesus as the Christ does it by the power of the Holy Spirit. Only God knows who Jesus is, and He reveals this to us.

We can answer the question only through the intervention of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Spirit’s means are Word and Sacrament brought to the troubled heart of the sinner. The saving faith freely given by God leads each one of us to confess: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

God revealed who Jesus as to Peter. Such understanding was not transmitted from one person to the other as secondhand information. One who is infinitely greater than flesh and blood revealed the identity of the Messiah to Peter.

Today, the faithful of God continue to confess, “I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him…” through Word and Sacrament, Christ, the Son of the Living God, is ever revealed to mankind. “But the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel…”

2. Jesus is the Messiah — He is our Redeemer, the Savior: This speaks of Jesus’ nature and work. He who has keys has power and authority. It is the power and authority to lock or to unlock. The keys are to the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God, or salvation. To enter the kingdom is to be forgiven of sins. It is an awesome responsibility and privilege. To whom are the keys given?

In this case, they were given to Peter as the representative of the disciples, the church. Christ through the church gives the keys to His disciples. What are these keys? Are they not the Word and sacraments through which the grace of God is received?

Yet, the pastor does not exercise these keys in a vacuum or by himself. They are given to be distributed publicly on behalf of God’s people. It is given on behalf of the members of our Friedheim family. The source of our confession and our actions is the faith God our Father gives us. Because Jesus is the Christ, my sins are forgiven. Because Jesus is the Christ, I am empowered to live a new life. Because Jesus is the Christ, I have the sure certainty of eternal life.

Conclusion: To enter the Kingdom is to be forgiven of sins. It is an awesome responsibility and privilege. To whom does Christ give the keys? He gives them to the church. And what are these keys? They are the keys of forgiveness, life, salvation. Are they not found in the Word and Sacraments through which the grace of God is received?
This Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. To those who believe on His name He gives power to become the children of God and has promised them His Holy Spirit. He offers to us freely forgiveness, life, and salvation. Thanks be to God for this remarkable gift. Thanks be to God for His amazing mercy and grace!

Time in the Word - Proper 16 - August 18-23, 2008

In the Lessons for this week God discloses Himself to His people. The Father gave Peter the insight to confess Jesus as the Christ. Through the prophet Isaiah the Lord promises to deliver His people from bondage. When Pal thinks of God in the Epistle lesson he burst forth in a doxology of praise and amazement at God whose nature and ways are beyond our comprehension. As the great hymn of the church “Built on the Rock the Church doest stand” reminds us the Rock is Christ upon which the Father builds His kingdom. This theme seems to be a great and glorious God revealing Himself that we might come to know and believe in Him.

Collect for Proper 16 – Almighty God, Whom is to know everlasting life. Grant us to know Your Son, Jesus to be the way, the truth, and the life that we may boldly confess Him to be the Christ and steadfastly walk in the way that leads to life eternal; through the same Jesu Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

Monday, August 18, 2008 – Psalm 2:6-7; Psalm 117 Antiphon, Psalm 115:18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord! In the Introit for next Sunday, the psalmist identifies Jerusalem as the Lord’s holy hill, the site of the temple. The Lord’s Anointed proclaims the Lord’s coronation degree as Easter people we see this fulfilled in Jesus resurrection (see Acts 13:33) Christ is superior to all. His superiority over angels is seen in Hebrews 1:5 and His appointment as our high priest is seen in Hebrews 5:5.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 – Isaiah 51:1-6 – God discloses Himself in His name. He promises to deliver His people from exile. In this deliverance from exile will ultimately come the deliverance from sin and our bondage to Satan. Ultimately salvation through Christ will come to all nations (see also Isaiah 46:13) as the Gospel message is preached to the entire world.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 – Romans 11: 33-12:8 – Knowledge of God is deeper than our understanding. Paul appeals to us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God and to use our gifts in service. Romans chapter 12 begins the ethical section of Romans. For Paul ethics are the by-product of theology. “Therefore” refers to the preceding theology of justification. The “mercies of God” refer to God’s grace in Christ. In response to what God has done, we are to offer our whole selves as a sacrifice. This is our worship — practical living. When we totally dedicate ourselves to God, we will know the will of God and humbly use our gifts in service. The specific moral admonitions are specific applications of this offering of service as a sacrifice.

Thursday, August 21, 2008 – Matthew 16:13-20 – God reveals that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Peter tries to dissuade Jesus from going to Jerusalem, but Jesus calls his disciples to take up their crosses and follow him to death. We are still at Caesarea Philippi. Peter had just made his famous confession that Jesus is the Messiah. Thereupon Jesus announces that he must go to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and rise again.

For Peter this was a denial of Jesus’ being the Christ, Lord, and King. It did not fit at all into the concept of the Messiah who as God’s Son would be victor over any and all enemies, even death.

But, Jesus saw in Peter’s rebuke a temptation of Satan not to fulfill his mission. Then he called upon his disciples to similarly deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow him to death and resurrection. For the principle of life is to lose it in order to find it. When Christ returns, every disciple will be rewarded for what he has done with his life.

Friday, August 22, 2008 Psalm 138- The Psalm appointed for next Sunday is a royal song of praise for God’s saving help against threatening foes. In many respects it is like Psalm 18 except this time it is more concise and direct. Two Hebrew four-line stanzas (Vv. 1-3, 608) develop the main theme; at the center of the psalm is a two-line stanza (Vv.4-5) which expands the praise of the Lord to a universal company of earth’s royalty.

Saturday, August 23, 2008 –Romans 3:28 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “Dear Christians one and all Rejoice.” This verse is one of the key verses of the New Testament. When Luther translated this verse he added the word “alone” indicating that faith is not man’s contribution or decision but rather God’s gift. (See Ephesians 2:8-9)

Sources:
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH

Proper 15 - August 17, 2008

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Friedheim

10653 N – 550 W
Decatur, IN 46733
260-547-4248

www.zionfriedheim.org

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42

Celebrating our 170th Year
Chartered February 25, 1838

August 17, 2008
Proper 15
Matthew 15:21-28
Help me Jesus!

“Almighty and ever-living God, You have given great and precious promises to those who believe. Grant us the perfect faith which overcomes all doubts.”

Introduction: The cry of Peter from our gospel lesson last week is the cry of faith – Jesus! Help me! Now we hear the same cry from a foreigner a Syroiphoenician woman. Jesus, Son of David, have mercy! Will the Savior respond? Why should He? He isn’t under any obligation to help her…or is He?

Jesus yields to the persistent pleas of a Canaanite mother. Jesus retired to a territory outside Israel and consequently He is approached by a pagan Gentile mother, a Canaanite, a Syroiphoenician who asks Him to heal her daughter who is suffering from demon possession.

Is Jesus’ ministry limited only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel? At first glance it appears so, because Jesus tells her His ministry was first and foremost to the Jews. With that He brushes her off.

Still, she persisted in her appeals - until He granted her request. Jesus is impressed with her faith. As a result, she was commended and her daughter was instantly healed. In this exchange we learn of the universality of Christ’s ministry and we see that faith has no racial boundaries.

Who doesn’t need help? For many, it is a daily need. At times great needs appear as in the case of the Canaanite mother. Some may feel unworthy of asking Jesus for help. What do they have to offer of Him?

For some, they have not been to church, are not church members, do not pray or read the Bible, possibly they may be living less then stellar lives. And yet they stand in the need of the Savior’s help. They are in need of the touch of His healing hand. They have nothing to offer. Too often they have been forgotten. And yet, their plight is real.

They stand in the need of prayer. This woman had nothing going for her that Jesus should help her. Yet He reaches out to her in her time of need. Why? How so?

Are you any different o man? Why should the Savior think of you? Who are you - as to demand an audience of Him? Why should He answer your petitions? Are you so high and mighty that He should take notice of you? Does your righteousness exceed the Scribes and the Pharisees? Does not your sin disqualify you? Who are you that you should ask of Him?

The answer my friends, boils down to one word – faith - placing our confidence in Christ and His sure and certain words.

Outline: You, like this woman, can receive Jesus’ help —

1. If you have a real need — And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed v. 22. The pagan woman asked Jesus to have mercy on her. It is significant that she identified her daughter to the degree that the help given to the child would be given to her. Here is a depth of love that is possible between parent and child. A true parent wishes she could take the pain and trouble of the child. The woman kept crying out to Jesus, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Vs. 22) She pleads for mercy but her concern is for her daughter who suffers from demon possession.

You can receive Jesus’ help –

2. If you are humble —But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table Vv. 26, 27. Mere crumbs are all she asks for, for she knows that behind this teacher with whom she is talking is God’s plenty. The power of God can never be exhausted for it has its foundation not in our good intentions or our own human resources but in Jesus Christ, whom the woman recognized as her Lord.

Her response is quick. It exhibits a spirit – a faith that no doubt gave Jesus great joy. He had no time for those who just hoped for the best – those people; like many today, who find it difficult to place complete and total confidence in God’s good grace, because deep down they think that they have something to offer Him in exchange for His mercy.

The woman only responds with two words: “Help me!” She had no arguments – she had no excuses. She knew she had no claim on Jesus. She is only a woman, a foreigner.

You can receive Jesus’ help –

3. If you have faith —Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. v. 28. Until Jesus said, “O woman, great is your faith,” no mention is made of faith. Jesus did not ask if she believed He was able to help her. In this struggle to overcome Jesus’ reluctance to help, He saw her faith. It was a faith that He could heal her daughter, because she addressed him as Messiah, “Son of David.”

He saw faith in her knowledge that He would help her. This was demonstrated by her persistence. Faith is the key to getting a hearing and a blessing from Christ. It is not a matter of race, religion; the determining factor is faith in Christ and Him alone.

Still, her faith persisted, and that persistence paid off! Christ’s power becomes ours, as we believe that He can overcome any barrier, any obstacle, with His divine love. The Syroiphoenician woman had such faith; she believed Christ’s power was great enough to surmount the obstacles of race, distance, and disease.

You can receive Jesus’ help –

4. If you are persistent — But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us. v. 23. When the woman begged for mercy, Jesus was perfectly silent. He ignored her as though she said nothing. She was invisible. There are times when God is silent when we cry to Him for help or for answers. In this silence God is saying something to us. It is a testing of faith. The test is whether we have patience and persistence in our prayers. Are you angry at Him because you petitioned Him once and received no reply? We have no right to expect “instant answers to our prayers.” Prayer often is a wrestling, a waiting upon God. Sometimes God appears to be silent. Sometimes that silence is the call for us to call upon Him again.

The persistent faith of the woman on behalf of her child exhibits a great confidence in the attitude of Christ’s resources as the Son of God. Mere crumbs are all she asks for – this would satisfy her. Her persistence enabled her to be specific in her request.

Conclusion: Great was this woman’s faith. Not because of her potential - what she could be – or of any particular power she had. She is found to be great because of her unyielding faith. She had the confidence to ask of Him who alone could heal.

The words of Christ to the woman were not words of displeasure or arrogance is it might appear initially. They brought to the surface a tenacious, persistent faith in the power of God. May we too offer to Christ the same utter loyalty, the same unquestioning obedience, and the same persistent faith.

Faith is the only thing needed when we go to God for help. Faith and no other possession, is the only necessity for receiving God’s help. The woman would not take no for an answer.

She knew her place alright – but she also understood what the Savior was committed to do. When it comes to the Savior helping those who place their confidence in Him - nothing will deter Him.

He knows of this woman’s faith – He’s already made up His mind. Her child will recover. When we cry to Jesus for help in a desperate situation, He comes to us without fail. May we be given such a simple yet great faith – a faith that will not let go but clings to Jesus Christ alone.

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

Hank's back at ISU

Henry returned to Terre Haute, IN for his senior year at Indiana State University
Here's Hank with Sycamore Sam during freshman orientation in the fall of 2005

The campus is across the street from the Vigo County Court House on US Hwy 41

For Hank ISU has been More From day one...

Here's Sam greeting students as they arrive at the main gate at ISU

Every campus has to have at least one fountain...

One view of the ISU campus...

And another...

Any of you who do any kind of baking might not know that Clabber Girl baking soda is made in Terre Haute, IN

St Mary of the Woods College is also located in Terre Haute, IN In 1840, six Sisters of Providence left their convent in Ruille-sur-Loir, France, on a journey to the wilderness of Indiana. Mother Theodore Guerin, a woman whose spirit and philosophy are the foundations the College relies on to this day, led the sisters on their journey.

Mother Theodore Guerin was cannonized in the fall of 2006 becoming one of only a few Americans to reach sainthood. Ironically on the same day Indiana State broke a 25 game loosing streak- currently the longest in NCAA history. Sadly it's the only football game ISU has won in the last three years...

Here is a view of the commons in the ISU Union Bldg. where most kids hang out...

A picture...countless thoughts

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well here are two taken at our recent parish picnic. Here we have three kids a nineteen, twenty and twenty-one year old. Daughter Lydia is on the left, son Henry is on the right. Both will be back at school in a few days. The couple in the background above Lydia Mitch was the first person I confirmed when I came to Friedheim twenty-one years ago. I officiated at his wedding with his wife Angie - standing next to him. I’ve baptized their two children. He now serves on our Wyneken School Board. He serves our community on the Decatur Fire Department.

The young man in the middle is Jacob. I’ve had the privilege to baptize him and confirm him in the faith. Jacob returned to the States for two weeks while being stationed in Iraq with his two older brothers Josh and Zach. That’s right -three brother - serving in the same unit at the same time in Iraq. Jacob is serving as a medic. His life is on hold right now. College will have to wait until he returns. He’s sacrificing his life so that we can pursue our dreams and live our lives in freedom. This puts a face on what our bravest and brightest are doing.

The young man standing next to me is Andrew. He was the first infant I baptized when I came to Zion in March 1987. He’s one of Henry’s best friends. Andrew has spent many hours in the parsonage hanging out with classmates and friends as many hours as Hank has spent at his house. Soon they will all be out on their own. God bless them! Where has the time gone?

Time in the Word - Proper 15 - August 11-16, 2008

No one is excluded for God’s favor and help. This is illustrated in Jesus’ healing of a Canaanite woman’s daughter, who at that time had no claim for held from a Jew. The Old Testament lesson gives us the picture of foreigners from all over the world gathering in God’s house as a house of prayer for all peoples. Paul in the Epistle lesson says the disobedience of the Jews, resulted in the gospel’s going to the Gentiles. The theme is the universalism, but it deals with God’s acceptance of all who repent and believe regardless of national or social identification. God is not for Jews only as was once considered in the time of Jonah and Ruth. Faith which clings and cries out to God “have mercy Lord” is what unifies.

Collect for Proper 15 – Almighty and everlasting Father, You give Your children many blessings even though we are undeserving. In every trial and temptation grant us steadfast confidence in Your loving-kindness and mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Monday, August 11, 2008 – Psalm 28: 1-2, 6-8; Antiphon, Vs.8 The Lord is the strength of His people He is the saving refuge of His anointed. In the Introit for next Sunday, His mighty and saving acts are shown. He saves them as circumstances require – He remains a refuge to His people. God’s reputation and character is at stake. He must save. He must redeem. He must be a refuge to His people. We remain safe and secure as He has come to redeem His own. All who come to Him in faith find security in His saving acts.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 – Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 – God’s house is for all peoples. God promises to gather all people to Himself. Everyone (v. 6). Though God desires everyone to enter the kingdom, not all will enter. God makes a universal appeal. His will is for all people to be saved. This is not universalism, the teaching that in the end all will be saved and none shall go to hell. For the Jews of Isaiah’s time that was a revolutionary thought: that Gentiles and foreigners would be brought to God and would share in the worship of God. In this pericope, a non-Jew will be with God and in God’s house if he keeps the Sabbath and is faithful to the covenant.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 – Romans 11:1-2a, 13-15, 28-32 – God’s kingdom includes Gentiles. The disobedience of the Jews resulted in the reconciliation of the Gentiles. The Jews’ rejection of Christ results in the world’s reconciliation. Paul now turns to address Gentiles, for he is the apostle to the Gentiles. He discusses the salvation of Jews and Gentiles. This aroused the Jews’ jealousy who will in the end accept Christ. Their disobedience caused salvation to come to the Gentiles, a blessing in disguise. However, God has not disowned his people, for his all and gifts are irrevocable. Both Jews and Gentiles will receive mercy for their disobedience.

Thursday, August 14, 2008 – Matthew 15:21-28 – God’s Son heals one of another race. Jesus hears the persistent appeal of a Canaanite woman. Jesus yields to the persistent pleas of a Canaanite mother. Jesus retired to a territory outside Israel and consequently he is approached by a pagan Gentile mother, a Canaanite, to heal her mentally-ill daughter. Is Jesus’ ministry limited to the Jews? At first it seems so, because Jesus told her that his ministry was for the Jews. She persisted in her appeals until he was impressed with her faith in him. As a result, she was complimented and her daughter was instantly healed. In this story we learn of the universality of Christ’s ministry and we see that faith has no racial boundaries.

Friday, August 15, 2008 - Psalm 67- The Psalm appointed for next Sunday is a communal prayer seeking the Lord’s blessing. Possibly it was used as a benediction at the close of worship. God’s blessing His people as well as His saving acts on their behalf will catch the attention of the nations and move them to praise His holy name.

Saturday, August 16, 2008 –2 Corinthians 3:18 – This passage is the inspiration for the hymn “Renew Me, O Eternal light.” In contrast to Moses, being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory Christ Himself is the glory of God in the fullness of its radiance, his is the eternal and unfading glory which He has with the Father before the world began. We who believe are made partakers in this glory by being gradually transformed into the likeness of Christ.

Sources:
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A © 1980 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts Zachariah names John, Jesus feeds the 5,000 © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Family Vacation

We're going to the windy city for a few days. Taking off after service and will get back some time Tuesday. Henry takes off for the Haute Saturday...it's been a fast summer!