Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day

November 25, 2004

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

INTRODUCTION: Thanksgiving by definition is the formal public expression of returning thanks to God. How do we do that? Let’s see what Scripture would tell us this morning. How do we have Thanksgiving?

1. Rejoice always! (Vs. 16)   “May you always be joyful in your life in the Lord. I say it again: rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 

A.                 In this verse Paul tells us twice to rejoice. Why rejoice? We might not necessarily feel like rejoicing. Yet we do rejoice for this is how thankful hearts respond to God – they rejoice.

B.                 We rejoice when we recall the fruits of His Spirit, which are evident in every believer’s life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Transition: We give thanks in rejoicing we understand thanksgiving by making our requests known to God.

2.         Pray without ceasing (Vs. 17)   “Don’t worry about anything but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart.” (Philippians 4:6)

A.                 Worry can drain us of any joy. There is much for us to be concerned in this dark and sinful world. Thus our focus is on Him who supplies us with all that we need to support our body and life. “Make your requests known to God” Paul would remind us – we “take it to the Lord” in prayer.

B.                 Our prayers are also filled with gratitude and praise. Gratitude, for His redemption in Christ for His mercy and grace. Praise, because He has blessed us in so many ways. His mercies are new to us every day.  His blessings cannot be counted. He is a God of grace and glory.

Transition: We rejoice, we pray always with thankful hearts – regardless of circumstance.

3. In everything give thanks (Vs. 18) “…be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants of you in your life in Christ Jesus.”

A.                 “Now that we have been put right with God through faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us by faith into the experience of God’s grace in which we now live. We rejoice, then, in the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! And we also rejoice in our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval and His approval creates hope. This hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit who is God’s gift to us.” (Romans 5:1-4)

Out thanks is not limited to or dictated by circumstances – in every circumstance - in every condition – in every situation – regardless of its origin we return to God worship and praise.

B.                 “Because you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure.” (James 1:3) We endure because of faith; faith given to us by God in the first place – faith, which trusts God’s promises – faith, which takes God at His Word. 

CONCLUSION: How do we have thanksgiving? With our prayers with gratitude to God, in every circumstance we bless the Lord. A blessed Thanksgiving to each of you in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Reformation

Reformation

October 31, 2004

Romans 5:1-11

What Christ Has Made Possible

INTRODUCTION: Today is Reformation Sunday. A day for us to celebrate the freedom we enjoy through the Gospel of Christ. To fully understand and appreciate what Christ has made possible for us we need to remember four specific realities.

I.   Remember what we once were.

A.       Without strength “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Vs. 6)

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.” (Philippians 4:13)

B.       Ungodly “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Vs. 6)

C.       Sinners “But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Vs. 8)

D.       Enemies “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Vs. 10)

TRANSITION: We remember what we were but we also recall what God in Christ has done for us.

II.        Remember what Christ did for us.

A.       He died for us. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Vs. 6)

“But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Vs. 8)

1.   He didn’t have to; He wanted to! “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

2.      He gave us life. “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

B.       He Justified us [“to declare or pronounce us as righteous before God”]

1.          This we could never do. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3:5)

2.          Justified us “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (vs. 1)

3.          Reconciled us to the Father “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Vs. 10)

TRANSITION: Now we can better appreciate what Christ has made possible for us to have.

III.   What we have now

A.       Peace “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”(Vs.1)

B.       Access to grace “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,” (Vs.2)

C.       Hope “and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Vs.2b)

D.       The Holy Spirit “And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Vs. 5)

TRANSITION: As an added benefit – as if He had not done enough for us – we have something to look forward to in the future.

IV.   What we will have in the future

A.     Salvation – from the wrath which is to come “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Vs.9)

B.     Eternally saved through His life “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

CONCLUSION: Past, present, future – they all have God’s mark on them- a blessed Reformation in Christ!

Trinity

Trinity Sunday

June 6, 2004

Proverbs 8:22-31

Implications for Creation

INTRODUCTION: There continues to be significant discussions on the topic of how the world was brought forth. In many segments of our country evolution remains a controversial subject. There are many people in our country captivated by the question of how did we get here and how did it all happen. One of the questions which man has asked for ages is the question of origin. WHENCE? WHERE DO THINGS COME FROM? WHERE DO I COME FROM?

Our text for today does not deal with the “how” but rather with the “who” of creation. Without a doubt, the One who created the universe is God. This we affirm in the words of the 1st Article of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth…” Wise King Solomon would remind us from the fact of creation there are significant implications. Today we shall deal with them as we consider the ramifications for creation.

As believers we take it as fact that God created this world. Because God created this world we affirm three realities.

I.                    We affirm that this is my Father’s world.

A.     God made this world – in six days – but also in 10 phrases. How did He do this? We leave that up to science, which can teach us certain things but not everything. Science can explain to us how it all works yet it remains a miracle to be seen. For example last spring 15 tiny seeds planted into the ground produced 160 squash, which contained literally hundreds of seeds that if planted this spring could produce enough squash to feed this entire parish! No, I won’t repeat my mistake of planting too much squash…this year I’m trying my luck with Zucchini!

B.     He controls this world – nothing will happen without His knowledge and consent. We’re not left to chance. We believe in the providence of God. He controls the events of this world, He controls our very lives.

C.      He will also end this world – at just the right time – when the last Christian has been converted. Again, everything works according to His Master Plan. This leads to a question. Are you a part of the Master’s plan of salvation?

Transition: God has created this world. He has done all things according to His good and gracious will

II.                 We affirm that this world is good – because God has made it.

A.     True, sin has ruined the world, placing a curse on it. The Lord speaking to Adam reminds us “because of you cursed is the ground. For you both thorns and thistles it shall grow and by the sweat of your brow shall you eat bread” (Genesis 3)

B.     Yet Christ has redeemed the world at the bloody cross. Sin has lost its grip – death its sting – Isaac Watts in 1719 put it this way:

No more let sins and sorrows grow

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found, 

Far as the curse is found

Far as far as the curse is found

                        Joy to the World, the Lord is Come Hymn 87 from The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis, Mo

C.     We can delight in God’s creation. Solomon reminds us in verse 31 “rejoicing in the world, His earth And having delight in the sons of men”

Transition: We affirm this is the Father’s world, which is good. Thus life is intended by God to be good.

III.               We affirm that life has purpose.

A.     We are created by God to be in the world, to be a witness, to make a difference.

B.     He is with us – even now – as He comes to us in Word and Sacrament – as He dwells in each believer’s heart.

C.     Life now is lived for God – by means of vocation and service. We do more then merely come to a worship service. In service we worship God.

CONCLUSION: On this Trinity Sunday we remember that God is eternal. The Triune God created the world, the universe and humanity. Since God has created this world, we celebrate as an act of pure grace for our benefit. To God be the glory – great things He has done!

Ascension

Ascension Day

May 20, 2004

Ephesians 1:16-23

The coming of God

INTRODUCTION: The ascension of Jesus commemorates Jesus’ visible departure from earth and return to heaven. But despite His physical absence He has not left us.  It is true, as He Himself observed, that He has finished the saving work He came to earth to do as He cried from the bloody cross “It is finished!”

But this does not mean that God is finished with us. Jesus Himself once informed His disciples that His leave –taking for heaven would be a signal for the Holy Spirit to come to them, a coming we have witnessed continually ever since the first Pentecost. Today’s Epistle is one more assurance that Jesus ascension is the signal not only for the Holy Spirit come to us but also for God the father and even Jesus Himself to come to us in unexpected ways.

I.                    The Holy Spirit comes to us

A.         God the Father sends Him “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ...may give to you the Spirit of wisdom,” V.17

B.          The Holy Spirit comes to us through the Gospel “revelation, so that you may know Him better,” (v.17)

C.         He enlightens our understanding through that Gospel “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints” (18)

D.         As a result we are strengthened in our hope and longing for heaven. “...and His incomparable great power for us who believe” (19)

II.                 God the Father comes to us.

A.       We have already experienced His power in the faith he has given us. (v.19)

B.        We are promised even more of His power “his incomparably great power”, the same powers of God that exalted Christ in His resurrection and ascension.

C.       As a matter of fact, we receive more than His power – we receive Him. Jesus said in John 14:23 “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

III.               Jesus comes to us.

A.        He is over all things, yet, he is for the sake of, and for the benefit of, the church “for the church,” (v.22)

B.         He fills all things; yet, the church completes His fullness just as a body completes the head to the body. To paraphrase vv.22-23 “In that body lives fully the One who fills the while wide universe.”

CONCLUSION: This is the destiny of man to be with God. Ultimately it is the Son of Man, Jesus Christ our Ascended Lord who rules over everything. He is over all things and in Him we live and reign.

Confirmation 2004

Confirmation Sunday

Easter 4

May 2, 2004

John 10:27-28

We live secure

INTRODUCTION: Today’s confirmation class, the class of 2004 is once again a unique class; a class all their own. There are six of you from the public school and six who attend our Wyneken School. Nine of you I’ve baptized while three have transferred from sister congregations. As a congregation we‘ve watched all of you grow up among us – it has been a privilege to walk with you as you have grown and matured in your faith.

The theme for this school year at Wyneken has been “Jesus our Good Shepherd” and during our observance of Lent we set our focus on Psalm 23, the Shepherd’s Psalm as we focused out attention on the Shepherd & the Sheep. It is only appropriate that you should be confirmed today on “Good Shepherd Sunday.” 

The text you have selected is from the Gospel lesson - appointed to be read in churches on this, the 4th Sunday of Easter. Jesus tells us, “My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me, and I give them eternal life and they shall never perish and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:2728)

A young Christian, a person about your age, was once asked, “What is the most important thing you have learned about God?” The reply, “That God can be trusted in every circumstance of life.” This life lesson I pray you have learned as well – if so, your parents, your teachers, and your pastor have served you well.

There is talk these days about the future soundness of the Social Security system. Will our spiritual security ever fail us? Jesus assures us that when your life is in the Shepherd’s hands we will live securely.

I.                    You belong to the Good Shepherd. “My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me.”

A.       As a sheep of His flock you listen to the voice of your Shepherd.

1.      There are other voices all trying to get our attention.

2.      Out struggle in this life is quit simply who will we listen to and to whom will we follow. It is not that our baptism didn’t work. It’s not that Jesus’ suffering and death didn’t redeem us. It’s a continuing question. Will we continue to hear and follow our Savior or will we as it were, change the channel? The challenge for us is to stay focused on Christ our Good Shepherd.

B.        We are assured of the Shepherd’s love and care for He knows us.

1.      Your Shepherd knows your needs. He knows you even better then you know yourself.

2.      As a Good Shepherd who knows you He will provide you with all that you need to support your body and life.

C.       We follow after Him alone.

1.      We don’t have to follow after other Shepherds voices, which would tempt us.

2.      We follow the direction and the voice of our true Shepherd. Jesus reminds us, “My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me...” My prayer is that you would hear, obey and follow the Good Shepherd faithfully.

Transition: We live securely because we belong to the Good Shepherd. Our Good Shepherd gives us two promises.

II.                 Jesus gives us his Word and Promise “I give them eternal life.”

A.        The real story is not what we do, but rather what our shepherd has done. His cross and empty tomb guarantees for us life everlasting with our Shepherd in heaven.

B.        In glory we will live and reign with Him forever. Just thing of the life decisions you will be making in the next few years. Where will you go to school? What career will you choose? Whom will you marry? Where will you life? But of all the decisions you will eve make the most important decision has been made already for you – “I give them eternal life and they will never perish.”

C.        In sin all we like sheep wander. Jesus our Good Shepherd finds us. He carries us and brings us to a safe place. This is how we come to know how must He loves us. That’s why we follow Him; not because the law says we must, not because we are afraid of sin or death – but because we trust the Good Shepherd!

D.        We also know of the quiet waters and green pastures He provides us. We live thankful lives for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation we have been given. We are Easter people and we are given the gift of eternal life.

Transition: Jesus has promised us eternal life. He has also provided security and safety.

III.               Jesus’ word and promise is sure “No one shall snatch them out of My hand.”

A.       There is a choice, and it’s simple, whose sheep will you be? I’m not saying that you will be perfect, and I’m not saying that sin doesn’t matter. What I am saying is that every day in what we think, do and say we are answering the question, “whose sheep will I be?”

B.       We struggle, we are tempted, we often fail to listen to our Savior and follow where He leads. Yet, we keep coming back to Him because nowhere else can we find the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation that is ours in Jesus Christ our Good Shepherd.

CONCLUSION: I am Jesus’ little lamb. Ever glad at heart I am. For my shepherd gently guides me. Knows my needs and well provides me. Loves me every day the same, even calls me by my name.

Easter Dawn

Easter Dawn

April 11, 2004

Matthew 28:6

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

INTRODUCTION:  The words are spoken every Easter "He is Risen! He Is risen indeed Alleluia! They define us as Christians. But what does it mean that Jesus is alive?  Let's consider the reality that Jesus is risen indeed.  Because Jesus lives…

I.        Life is really worth living.

A.      It has meaning. Because He lives you will live also.  Imagine

life without the resurrection. Would there really be any purpose or meaning to life without the hope of the resurrection? Life would only be confined to this life. All we could hope for would be brief detours along life’s journey. No wonder the philosophy of the time of St. Paul was one of simply for the moment. St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:32: “If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised let us eat, drink, (and be merry) for tomorrow we die”

But life truly does have meaning because Jesus is alive. The life Jesus gives us is life in abundance. It is life in abundance with a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is life in all of its fullness. It is life with all of its possibilities. It is life with a promise because Jesus Christ is alive. John 10:10 says: “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and that they might have it abundantly”

Transition: Not only do we have a life worth living we have a future.

I.        We have a future.

A.     God has a future for you. 

Ø      In Proverbs 23:18 God declares – “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”

Ø      In Proverbs 24:14 we read: “Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find it, then there will be a future and your hope will not be cut off”

Ø      The Lord speaking in Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us “For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

Notice in all three references future and hope are connected. “My hope is built on nothing less then Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean to Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand” [TLH # 370 stanza 1]

B.     He has promised to guide and direct you through His living Son Jesus. “I will never leave you and I will never forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5) He has promised to be with us always – “even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20)

C.     His resurrection is a guarantee of this promise. The promises of Jesus are so simple and yet so profound. He promises us in John 14:19 “because I live you will live also”

Transition: We have a life worth living. We have a future and not even death can derail us.

III.   Even death can not harm us.

A.     It is life's most difficult subject.  Some would rather talk about anything then death. But for us death is so meaningless because it is powerless.

Death is so limited...

it has not crippled love,

it has not shattered hope,

it has not corroded faith,

it has not eaten away peace,

   nor destroyed confidence.

It has not killed friendship,

it has not shut out memories,

it has not silenced courage,

it has not invaded the soul,

    nor reduced eternal life.

It has not quenched the Spirit,

it cannot, has not,

    nor will not lesson the power of the resurrection.

B.     We can handle death only because Jesus handled it for us. Jesus handled it for us. Jesus in going to the cross to carry our sins defeated death in His own death. Matthew commenting on the scene at the moment of Jesus’ death tells us: “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised and coming out of their tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:51-52) 

When Jesus died death died! At the moment of Jesus’ death the table was cracked and death itself started working backwards!

IV.  Eternity is ours

A.     We can know this for certain. “I’m but a stranger here heaven is my home” is the way we sing the last hymn of our hymnal. That’s a reality we know as Christian believers!

B.     How can we be assured that eternity is ours? The Father will keep His promises – the Father will keep His Word. “(even) if we are faithless He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13)

CONCLUSION He is Risen! He is risen indeed Alleluia! That is your reality! A blessed Easter!

Easter Festival

Easter Festival Service

April 11, 2004

Luke 24:1-11

Life Now Has Meaning

INTRODUCTION: Have you ever felt that life has no meaning? We approach this Easter celebration with the words: “He is risen, He is risen indeed – Hallelujah!” Yet, for some the Hallelujahs ring hollow. Some, possibly a few within this very room today, have come to the conclusion that life has little meaning.

They may feel unimportant and small, frequently overlooked; others have slighted them. Rarely recognized they feel passed over. In this big world in which we life they are commonly referred to as “the little people” and that’s how they feel!

Then there are those, whose companion through this pilgrimage on this earth is calamity and misfortune. If there were a hole to fall into they would encounter it. Suffering and calamity accompany them. For them, life is a constant struggle. For them life too has lost its mean, purpose and joy.

On this Easter, let us consider one of the most pressing issues of our time. Does life have meaning? If life is to have meaning where do we find it? The message of Easter is simply this: Life has meaning only when it is centered in Jesus Christ risen from the dead.

I.        To be sure the meaninglessness of life is a problem of human nature.

A.     In this fallen world of ours many have no purpose that reaches beyond this life; hence either one of tow reactions are found in man. Man becomes either cynical or hopelessness settles in.

1.        Man can easily become the cynic. He doubts God because all he sees are apparent contradictions in life. There is no good deed, which goes unpunished. The righteous suffer while the wicked walk away unscathed, and so he questions whether life has any meaning or purpose.

2.        Then there are those who live within a spirit of hopelessness. Solomon of old reminds us in Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Hopeless people have no vision and so they travel through life aimlessly. How could man fall to such depths?

B.     The Fall robbed human beings of their life, hope and future.  Man is now separated from God and at enmity with Him. The fall created a wedge to form between God and man – a wedge that prevents man from having any semblance of hope or joy.

C.     Because of our sin, our only future is death and damnation. “It is appointed for man once to die, and after that come judgment” the Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27 Will this be the fate of every man?

Transition: Something radical has taken place to change the destiny of man. We celebrate that today – The resurrection of Jesus Christ – physically and bodily risen from the dead.

II.     Christ gives meaning to our life.

A.     His work gives meaning

1.      He suffered and died (v.7a) “the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,”  (NAS)

2.      He rose again V.6 of our text reminds us: "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,” (NAS)

3.      This work was necessary (v.7) for people to have forgiveness “the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men.” Later on that night Jesus, speaking to the Emmaus disciples will remind them in Luke 24:26-27: "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” (NAS)

B.     This gives meaning to all history

1.      The previous ages looked forward to it.

a.       God’s saving acts in the Old Testament prefigured it (e.g. today’s Old Testament Reading Ex. 15:1-11)

b.      The Old Testament predictions foretold it.

Ø      Isaiah 52:13: “Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up, and greatly exalted.” (NAS)

c.       Christ Himself predicted it

Ø      Luke 9:22, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day." (NAS)

Ø      Luke 9:44;  "Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men." (NAS)

Ø      Luke 17:24-25; "For just as the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day. "But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” (NAS)

Ø      Luke 18:31-33: “And He took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. "For He will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again." (NAS)

2.      Due to His work, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to all ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 –today’s Epistle)

C.     This gives meaning to each of us.

1.      Through the proclamation of Christ God offers the forgiveness of sins.

2.      With sin forgiven, we have life through the Living One

Ø      Luke 24:5-7: “and as {the women} were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, {the men} said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." (NAS)

Ø      1 Corinthians 15:20-21: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man {came} death, by a man also {came} the resurrection of the dead. “(NAS)

3.      We now have a future and a hope – eternal life with God.  Life does have meaning. It is not limited merely to this earthly existence. We have an eternal hope with Christ in heaven.

4.      We now have a purpose in life – to proclaim repentance and forgiveness. We walk out of this house today a renewed people to be salt and light in this world sharing the living Lord Jesus with all we meet.

CONCLUSION: Life is no longer meaningless, because “He is not here, He was raised!”