Pentecost

Feast of Pentecost

May 15, 2005

John 20:22

When God is Your Mother

INTRODUCTION:  Today is confirmation Sunday – it’s also the feast day of Pentecost – the birthday of missions. Ironically, it’s the church holiday when I was confirmed some 34 years ago.

Today is a day in which we focus on the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is best known as the creative agent of God. When Adam was created God breathed into him, and Adam became a person – a living soul. The Holy Spirit is given credit in Genesis for creating the universes. Everything we see about us has come from Him.

John explains to us the events which took place on that first Easter he reminds us; "On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” - John 20:19 

On that first Easter Jesus breathed the Spirit on His disciples. And the result? There is a new creation. On this Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005 - the day of your confirmation – a day in which each of us vow to remain faithful to Jesus - may we each remember this eternal truth – the Holy Spirit is like a mother who gives birth in us to be a new creation in Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is our mother –

I.        He gives us spiritual birth so that we become a new creature.

A.     To be a Christian is to be born again of the Spirit of God. What does it mean to be “born again”?

1.      To be “born again” simply means that we are born spiritually. We are born physically and we are born spiritually.

2.      Each of us will experience 3 important birthdays in our lives; to be born physically – when you are given life on this earth, to be born spiritually - in baptism, to be born in glory – when we take a walk from the kingdom of grace into the kingdom of glory. Today we affirm the new birth the Spirit gave to you when you were baptized. 

B.     Born into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

1.      If there is anything you would remember from your Catechism instruction and this day of your confirmation it would be that ours is not a religion. – A religion is based on working your way up the ladder of perfection or reaching some level of spirituality. To the contrary; ours is a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. As Christ has established this relationship with you – so walk with Him – every day – remember His last five words He spoke before His Ascension – “I am with you always” – not a wish - but a reality we know by faith.

2.      The 2nd  point I would have you remember from your instruction is the fact that the most important points of our faith can all be boiled down to two words – DO and DONE.  Do throws us back into the Law which none of us can fulfill. It only shows us our failures and drags us down. Done; on the other hand, reminds us of all that has been worked out by our Savior. At the bloody cross and the empty tomb our salvation was worked out completely – There’s nothing else that we need to do – Jesus has done it all!

Transition: The Holy Spirit is our mother. He gives us spiritual birth so that we become a new creature. He places us into a new family.

II.     The Spirit gives us birth into a new family – the Church.

A.     Pentecost is the birthday of missions.

1.      It was the day in which the Spirit said Go – Go into the world and be My disciples. Today the same Spirit is giving you His marching orders – Go!

2.      Go into the world and be Jesus’ disciple. May it never be said that people are surprised that you are a Christian! Bloom where you’re planted – become salt and light in this world – be a sermon in shoes!

B.     The Spirit gathers believers into the church.

1.      It’s more then any human organization – it is Holy people and sheep who gather to hear the words of their Shepherd.

2.       Come regularly – to Hear Jesus’ word – to receive His Supper – to receive His purpose, promise and peace!

C.    The result – that you might be a new people of God.

1.      You experience daily – the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation – as the Savior comes to you through His Word.

2.      Here you grow in grace and in favor with God and your neighbor. Enjoying your brothers and sisters in Christ. Grow in your faith as whole families come together to be the body of Christ at this place!

3.      Where you pray for these brothers and sisters in Christ and where they approach the throne room of God with their petitions on your behalf.

CONCLUSION: The Hebrew word for the Holy Spirit is the word “breath” or “wind” - To live is to breathe. On that first Easter night Jesus breathes the Spirit on His disciples.  What Jesus’ disciples experienced we all need – We want and need the Spirit’s life as much as possible. As the Spirit has directed you these many years we have His promise that He will continue to guide and direct you – Fare thee well child of God! Be a witness – live as salt and light in this world. 

Confirmation 2005

Confirmation

May 1, 2005

John 14: 1-14

Jesus said, “I am the Way”

INTRODUCTION: Standing here before you today makes me feel, well, a little dated.  {In your words, “old!”} With the exception of Kevin I’ve had the privilege of baptizing you and together all of us in this parish have watched you grow up among us. It’s been a privilege to be a part of your life as together we’ve studied Scripture, prayed, and talked about these matters of faith. 

Each confirmation class takes on it’s own personality and you are quite unique in a number of ways; particularly since every single one of you can trace your family roots back to the original Buuck brother which founded this parish! True, you may be an 8th generation member of this congregation but today you write a new chapter as you pledge yourselves to remain faithful to Christ in time and eternity.-for you share a common family history that is thicker then blood - and that is the walk of faith. 

The text you have chosen is taken from Jesus’ words recorded in John chapter 14. What would the Savior say to you this day? He would remind us; “Do not be worried our upset – believe in God – believe also in Me.” (v.1) Jesus your Savior is the only way to God.  He is the way - the only way; the truth - the only truth; and He is the life – for He offers us life eternal as a gift.

I.                    Jesus would remind us that He is the one and only way to life everlasting with the Father.

A.     As the author and finisher of our faith He has created mansions glorious for us.

1.      He reminds us that there are many rooms in our Father’s house. We don’t have to worry that we’ll some day find a “no vacancy” sign in heaven – there is always room for us.

2. Jesus has said, “I am going to prepare a place for you.”

a.       This would suggest to us that in heaven there is personal space for us.

b.      This personal space has been made specifically for you.

c.       You place in glory was individually created by your own redeemer.

3.      If this were not so He would have said so. But since it is as He has promised we believe it as fact.

B.      We will be ushered into these mansions by our gracious Savior.

1.      Notice His promise; “After I go and prepare a place for you I will come back and take you to Myself.”  What a great time to be alive – in the next few years you’ll be making decisions on your career, your family, where you will live –

But ultimately that’s only half the equation – Jesus here reminds us that our ultimate goal is to be with Him in glory – He will receive us only when our work here is done.

2.      Notice a second blessing “You will be where I am.”

Transition: Not only is Jesus the only way to everlasting life – only through Him do we gain access to the Father.

II.                 We come to the Father through Jesus the Son.

A.      Through Him and Him alone we gain access to the Father.

1.      “I am the way the truth and the life, no one goes to the Father except through Me.”

a.       He is not one among many “gods”. And there are many from which people choose these days…and in this culture the most popular idol begging to be served is the self!

b.      Yet Jesus would remind us -There are no other options. We come to the Father through Jesus the Son – He is the only way; the only truth; the only way to find life!

2.      Recall Jesus’ word to Philip “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father. Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?” (v.9) How you will answer this question will determine you destiny – Seeking Him you will find fulfillment.

B.      The result of our life in Him is the resulting life everlasting.

1.      “If you ask Me anything in My name I will do it.” How then should we pray?

a.       Temporal gifts and blessings – conditionally – “Thy will be done.”

b.      Spiritual gifts and blessings – unconditionally – Requests such as, forgiveness, life, salvation never have to be begged or asked for.  They come from the gracious hand of our Savior.

2.      We live our lives by the words of the hymn, “I’m but a stranger here – heaven is my home.” On earth we are but pilgrims and strangers. Thus we live balanced lives – with our feet on the ground and our eyes heavenward. We experience the here and now as we await eternity!

CONCLUSION: Jesus – He is the way, the only way; the truth, the only truth; and the life – He offers us life eternal, which comes from our gracious heavenly Father.

Easter Dawn

Easter Dawn 

March 27, 2005

Luke 24:1-6

Vain Seeking

INTRODUCTION: Easter morning must have been amazing for the disciples. They had missed the message and must have been awed by the reality of it all. They received the rebuke, “why seek ye the living among the dead?” They heard the correction: “He is risen as He said.” Their seeking was vain! It is easy to be critical of them, but people today are still vain seeking.

I.               Seeking Him in Places He Cannot Be Found.

A.       In religion.

1.      Probably nothing has done more to hide Christ than organized religion.

2.      If He is found in much Christianity, it is accidental.

B.       In philosophy.

1.           The whole tone of modern philosophy is humanistic.

2.           There is no room for Christ because it is too full of human values, which mirror sinful mortals.

C.       In legalism.

1.      Through meeting and keeping terms of the law.

2.      Anything that makes performance necessary to salvation is incorrect because it misses the point of the resurrection.

II.          Seeking Him Among People Where He Cannot Be Found.

            A. The gloomy and despairing.

1.      If He is found here, it should not be so.

2.      No room for gloom and despair among His people.

B. The doubting and unsure.

1.        If Job could say, “I know that my redeemer liveth,” how much more should we. (Job 19:35)

2.        How sad to live life unsure of the things that pertain to Him.

C. The habitually sinning.

1.   Salvation makes a change; where there is no change, there must be a questioning of salvation.

2.   He should not be found among those who constantly practice sin.

D.    The worldly.

1.      “If ye then be risen with Christ…”

2.      He should not be found among those unwilling to renounce the world.

III.         Seeking Him in Ways in Which He Cannot Be Found.

            A. Ritualism.

1.      No religious observance leads to Christ.

2.      No religious observance necessary to come to Him.

B. Self-effort.

1.       Includes all forms of religious observance and self-help philosophies.

2.       No amount of self-effort can avail in finding Him.

C. Morality.

1.        Neither doing good or refraining from doing bad.

2.        There is no moral standard – even a hypothetical one – adequate to reach Him.

Conclusion: Then how or where is He found? He is found directly; He is found by faith; He is found in prayer; He is found in His Word and Sacrament. “Why seek ye the living among the dead?”

Easter

Easter 

March 27, 2005 

Luke 24:36-49

He is Risen

INTRODUCTION: Students often suffer anxiety before school begins. They wonder what the teacher is like. We often wonder what people are really like out of the public eye. This incident provides a special insight into Christ. The risen Christ was like the living Christ; since He is the same, He is today what He was then.

I.        He is concerned about peace. (V.36)

A.       It was shown in this meeting.

1.      They had much to be upset about.

2.      His first words were, “peace be unto you.”

B.       This continues to be His message.

1.      It is never His purpose for His people to be upset.

a.      He takes no delight in the distresses of His people.

b.      He desires us to find peace in the midst of strife.

2.      When we are filled with strife, the cause is within us.

II.      He is concerned about faith (Vv. 38-39, 41-43)

A.       Christ questions, “Why are ye troubled and why do thought arise in your hearts” (vv. 38-39)

1.      He challenges their unbelief.

2.      He does so in a unique way.

a.      Before His ascension, Christ had forbidden Mary to touch Him.

b.      Now He encourages Thomas to do so

c.      He did whatever was necessary to encourage their faith.

B.       He confronts their continued unbelief. (41-43)

1.      It seems to make difference here (unbelief of confusion).

2.      He gives them evidence to go one.

a.      He eats here – not for His need but for theirs.

b.      He shows His great patience with people.

C.       He still challenges doubt and demands belief.

1.      He rebukes unbelief and seeks to eliminate it.

2.      He encourages faith in every possible way – He gives us many “signs along the way”

 III. He is concerned about intimate fellowship (vv. 40, 43)

A.       He allows real intimacy.

1.      He allows touch

2.      He shows His hands and feet.

B.       He still desires intimacy with His people

1.      He pushes us to fellowship with Him.

2.      He hears our grief.

3.      He indulges our infirmities.

4.      He is a brother born for our every adversity.

IV. He is concerned about Scripture (vv. 44-45)

A.         He exalts the Scriptures, insists it must be kept entirely.

1.      Jesus always shows a high view of Scripture.

2.      Our view of Scripture should be based on His view.

B.         He desires us to have a high view of Scripture now.

1.      The Bible must be in the foreground.

2.      The Bible must be a practical part of our lives.

V. He is concerned about the souls of all people (vv.46-49)

A.       Christ gives a clear commandment.

1.      Reason for His suffering – forgiveness of sins.

2.      That message must be preached to everyone.

3.      Disciples given specific responsibility.

4.      Promise of the Holy Spirit’s help given.

B.       Christ is still interested in the salvation of mankind.

1.      The missionary spirit is the spirit of Christ.

2.      He is concerned with each individual.

Conclusion: It is easy to know what Christ was like as we have much recorded about Him such as this incident. We can summarize by saying that He was concerned about people. If you know Him, you can’t be like Him without concern for people. If you don’t know Him, that is the starting point.

Good Friday

Good Friday

March 25, 2005

Luke 23:34

Jesus’ Prayer of Intercession

“Father forgive them for they know not what they do”

INTRODUCTION: The trial was over, the procession had wended its way to Calvary’s hill. The cross was stretched out and the Lord laid upon it. The nails pounded, and the cross dropped into the ground. Lifting His eyes to heaven, He speaks. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”

I.                    Why Did Christ Pray This Prayer.

A.       Expresses His essential reason for dying.

1.      Dying that all might be forgiven.

2.      Prayer expresses basis of Cross.

B.        Reveals His character.

1.      Loving compassion upon those apart.

2.      Thoughts always for others.

C.       Provides disciples with example.

1.      Taught by precept and example.

2.      Becomes the example for us. 

D.       It was a fulfillment of prophecy.

1.      Isaiah 53:12 “Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great and He will divide the spoils with the strong because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.”

2.      This provides another in the great chain of prophecy.

II.                 For Who Was He Praying?

A.       The immediate subjects.

1.      Had just been nailed to the cross.

2.      Would comprehend the soldiers at this point.

B.        The further extension.

1.      Death was caused by the demand of national pride.

2.      Comprehends the Jewish nations.

C.       The ultimate extension.

1.      The real sin is taking place here.

a.       Note the crucifixion – “For they know not what they do.”

b.      Sin is rejection of the Son of God.

2.      Thus it extends to everyone.

a.       Anyone who rejects Christ is guilty of the same sin Christ asks to have forgiven.

b.      Had we been there, we would have done the same thing no doubt.

III.               Was the Prayer Answered?

A.       Physically.

1.      Soldiers and Jews spared.

2.      Jerusalem and Jewish nation spared.

B.        Spiritually.

1.      Why He was dying.

a.       All was forgiven in His death.

b.      Made it plain that even those actually participating were pardoned.

2.      The Father did forgive.

a.       Only some accepted the proffered salvation.

b.      You have already been forgiven the sin of rejecting Christ by Christ’s baptism into His death.

CONCLUSION: “Father forgive them…” is an expression of His heart. Have you received His forgiveness?

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday

March 24, 2005

Colossians 1:24

“The Suffering Christ”

“Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church”

INTRODUCTION: It would be difficult to overstress the sufferings of Christ. The price He paid for our sin actually surpasses human explanation.

I.                     What Christ Suffered

A.     Crucifixion – but much more…

B.     Indifference of others

C.     Human limitations

D.     Misunderstandings.

E.     False accusations

F.      Total rejection

II.                   The “Lack” in His Sufferings. (Col.1:24)

A.     Meaning:

1.      God the Father was satisfied. (Isaiah 53:11)

2.      Christ enemies were not – as far as they are concerned, there was more to go.

B.     Application:

1.      He is not here to suffer. He’s suffered on the bloody cross once and for all.

2.      His followers and servants suffer along with Him –vicariously.

3.      Truth – If you are not suffering some things because of your Christianity, is your faith shallow?

III.                  Is it worth it?

A.     Christ gave His life; can we not give something? (2 Corinthians 5:15)

B.     We suffer for so many other things.

C.     It is but a moment (1 Peter 5:10)

D.     The future glory is tied in with the present sufferings. (2 Timothy 2:12)

CONCLUSION: There is no room for masochism here. This is suffering for doing what one deems right and proper. 

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday

March 20, 2005

Matthew 21:1-11

“Christ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem”

INTRODUCTION: Today is Palm Sunday, the first day of what is traditionally known as “Holy Week” or “Passion Week” During this week we will walk with the Savior, observing His Passion. As He approached Jerusalem coming to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives Jesus presents Himself as the Prince of Peace. While many received Him on that day as their royal King most will reject this prince and His kingdom. As we will observe, this prince will pay the ultimate price for the peace of the world and for the peace from above and for our salvation.

As we review Jesus approach to the city we observe that a beast of burden carries our Lord who Himself will carry the burden of the world’s sin –

Consider the donkey.

A.     Not a symbol of status but was used for service.

1.   Jesus is known as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” according to Revelation. In the Nicene Creed we confess that Jesus is,  “…begotten of His ‘Father before all worlds. God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by Whom all things were made…”

2.   Yet He will describe His ministry thus, “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45)

B.      The donkey was not used for battle but for burdens.

1.   How fitting that Jesus should be sitting on such a beast of burden for He offers His life for the sins of the world.

2.    This is what John had predicted in the desert when he proclaimed Christ. “The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’.” (John 1:29)

Transition: The donkey is a perfect reflection of Jesus’ person. She will also reflect on His work.

The Colt is a perfect reflection of Jesus’ ministry.

A.     He came to bear the burden of people warn down by sin and strife.

1.   Strife due to living in an imperfect world filled with sickness, war, strife, etc.

2.   Sin, which is the root ill for all men, is what Jesus came to eliminate.

B.      Jesus came to bear the ultimate burden – the burden of our sin.

1.   Sin of omission – when we had the opportunity to do good but failed. Where we could have prevented evil but chose not to get involved.

2.   Sin of commission – offenses against God and our neighbor committed in thought, word and action – only one conclusion can be claimed – we are guilty before God and our neighbor.

CONCLUSION: The Son of Man the Prince of peace appeared on that first Palm Sunday to offer Himself for the life of the world. Today we offer our praise and we journey withy Him as He offers up Himself for the sin of all and for your salvation and life.