Reformation

Reformation Observed

October 29, 2006

John 8:34-36

Made free

Introduction: How are we to perceive ourselves? Some believe we exist to be free. That seems to be the American mantra, “I was born free, I live free, and I will die, free!”  The truth is we are born slaves to sin, for each and every one of us has been born into sin. We are in bondage to the power of the Devil.

Fortunately, this bondage was broken by a man who suffered on a cruel and bloody cross and then stood at the mouth of an open tomb. Christians are now declared to be slaves of Christ, but in Christ we are now slaves who are set free. The Emancipation proclamation is what will be remembered as one of Lincoln’s greatest acts as president. . Jesus’ death on the cruel, cruel, cross is what has guaranteed our freedom. The Reformation was the event that called for religious freedom – freedom of a burdened conscience, freedom from false teachings. We are declared to be free in Christ – free to live and love and serve.

As Christians we are

Born, destined to be slaves of sin –

Yet, we have been made free by Jesus Christ  the only-begotten Son of God –

I.        Each is born a slave to sin. (V. 34) “Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.”

A.     Because of our first parents Adam and Eve we have all been made slaves to sin.

1.      One of the hymns we teach our students in Morning Prayer at Wyneken expresses this truth so well.  “In Adam we have all been one, One huge rebellious man; We all have fled that evening voice That sought us as we ran.” [1]

2.      We remain in this state of slavery and bondage until the day we draw our last breath. Yes, we have been redeemed by Christ the crucified. Yes, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law. But at the same time, there is the “Old Adam [lurking] within us, {who} should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil lust so that a new man can daily come forth and arise who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” [2]  

St. Paul writes, in Romans, the sixth chapter, “We were buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”[3]

B.     Daily we fall short of the perfection the Father demands of us.

1.      We confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have not loved the Father with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors and ourselves. We justly deserve the Father’s present and eternal punishment.[4]

2.      We confess both sins of commission and sins of omission. This is what we mean when we say to God, “We have sinned by thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.” [5]

3.      Specifically, we plead guilty before God in everything. In Individual/Private Confession we pray, “I have lived as if God did not matter and as if I mattered most. My Lord’s name I have not honored as I should; my worship and prayers have faltered. I have not let His love have its way with me, and so my live for others has failed. There are those whom I have hurt, and those whom I failed to help. My thoughts and desires have been soiled with sin.” [6]

Transition: By being human we are born slaves to sin. Yet there is in us a “new man” which has made us a new people.

II.     We are made free by God’s Son. (V. 36) “So if the son has made you free you are free indeed.”

A.     You are made free because of the action of Jesus Christ.

1.      He is the one who entered this world. John in his Gospel will tell us, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.[7] But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.[8] 

2.      He is the one who bore your sin. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”[9]

3.      He is the one who offers you new life.  St. Paul would remind us, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”[10]

B.     This freedom can not be taken from you.

1.      Satan may howl and shriek. This is what he enjoys and he’s so good it! He’s so good at what he does. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 9 “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” [11] He’s always accusing, always judging, always condemning. He’s so critical. He does not approve of Christ and what He is doing in you. So He will continue to bellow and shout his accusations at us.

2.      But in a clear small voice someone speaks even louder - it is Christ your Savior who speaks His word of peace, “I forgive you” “I love you” “I care for you.” This is what moved the Evangelist John to write, “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”  [12]

Conclusion: How are we to perceive ourselves?  As humans we are born slaves of sin – Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. That’s the Law. Yet, by the grace of God we have been made free by the Son – So if the Son has made you free you are free indeed. In Jesus Christ you are free indeed. Believe and trust in this reality. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  

+ Soli Deo Gloria +

[1] “In Adam We Have All Been One” from Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

[2] “The Significance of Baptizing with Water” from Luther’s Small Catechism Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO pg. 303

[3] Romans 6:

[4] Confession of Sins from Divine Service II Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO p. 158

[5] Ibid

[6] Individual Confession and Absolution Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO p. 310

[7] John 1:14

[8] Galatians 4:4

[9] 1 Peter 2:24-25

[10] Romans 6:3-4

[11] 1 Peter 5:8-9

[12] 1 John 3:19-20

Trinity

Trinity Sunday

June 11, 2006

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

How many Gods do you have?

INTRODUCTION: Most people in our society today claim to be mono-theists – they claim to worship only one God. Is this so?  In many respects people in our world are for the most part poly-theists worshiping many gods because they are devoted to persons and things other then God. Could it be said that most people’s choice of God is much akin to Baskin Robins™ - with 31 flavors – one for each day of the month? Our Old Testament lesson declares that God is one, and that no other god has any reality. What would this say to our world today?

I.        What makes a god?

A.     One to whom you are totally devoted. Where your heart is there your treasure will be.

B.     What is your “passion” – this is your “god”

II.     What “gods” are available in our time?

A.     The god of success –

1.      The American Dream still lives

2.      The one with the most toys wins!

B.     The god of contentment –

1.      We have never had it so good

2.      What we consider necessities others regard as luxuries – e.g. the average “welfare” family often has – color televisions, air conditioning, two cars, DVD players, a VCR, etc.

C.     The god of ease –

1.       “I keep working for the week-end” from Huey Lewis & the News

2.      Retire early –

III.   If God is your one God, you must love Him totally - God lays His command to love “upon your heart” – v.6

A.     It is not enough to know you are to love God, nor to understand investigate, or discuss the command. God is not to be analyzed, scrutinized, or dissected. He is totally “other” 

B.     It is to be a matter of the heart. It involves your feelings, your emotions, your will.

C.     Our faith dare not be only cerebral. It must get deep into the psyche so that the whole person responds in obedience to God’s command.

CONCLUSION: The words of our text for this morning make up the Shema, the chief and basic confession of the Old Testament – that there is one God and He is to be worshiped totally. Though God manifests Himself in three persons – He is one essence. To love and worship God calls for us to believe that God is one and He is to be loved with one’s total being.

Pentecost

The Feast of Pentecost

June 4, 2006

John 7:38

"Out of his heart shall flow rivers of water"

Introduction: Out of whose heart? From whose heart comes the water of the Spirit? Scholars are divided in interpreting this text. Is it Christ or is it the believer’s heart? Out of whose heart shall flow rivers of water? Is this a reference to the believer or does the text speak of Christ?  Could it be referring to both?

This morning, let us consider the source of the Spirit.

I.  In a significant way, our text must refer to Christ.

A.   Christ is the center of everything that is written in the Scriptures. Not only in the New Testament but clearly and plainly Christ is seen in the pages of the Old Testament.

B.    He is the one predicted by the prophets of Old. He is the One by whom salvation would be won for the entire world. He was the One of whom the Father spoke in the garden when He said, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed. He will crust your head and you will nip at his heel.” Genesis 3:16

C.    In the midst of the desert when the people were thirsting for lack of water, it was Moses, who brought water from the rock. Then we are reminded that the rock was Christ.

Transition: Today on Pentecost Sunday when we celebrate the Father’s out pouring of the Spirit and the birth of missions we find Christ at the center of the Spirit’s work and activity. But why does the Spirit work? And where is His work centered? The Savior came to seek and save the lost. The Spirit works to bring individuals into Christ’s kingdom. The kingdom always involves people, one soul at a time.

II.   The text can rightfully center on the believer.

A.   By faith Christ makes His home in the human heart. Recall Jesus’ words, “I make My home with him.” The Savior desires to have an intimate relationship with each and every believer. His desire is to live with you, to direct you, to fellowship with you, to fill you.

B.   Since Christ is the source of the Spirit, Christ living in the believer’s heart allows the believer to produce rivers of living water.

Illustration: Isn’t it amazing what “a little bit of rain” can do?  We really haven’t had a lot of rain. We’ve just had “a little bit of rain” followed by “a little bit of rain” followed by “a little bit of rain” followed by “ a little bit of rain” this past month. That “little bit of rain” can add up!  And in a month or two, come July and August if we have that “little bit of rain” which many might call “a million dollar shower” – that three quarter of an inch of rain that comes at exactly the right time will turn an average yield into a bin buster. In a more significant way the Holy Spirit comes to us continually – refreshing and stimulating us spiritually.

This is how we impact the world and others living around us a little at a time.  By living out your faith you demonstrated your faith each day, a little at a time - you make obvious the compassion of Christ. By expressing the fruit of the Spirit in your life your neighbors are invited to behold Christ. By living out your faith the world is won for Christ - one soul at a time.

Conclusion: The source of the Spirit always centers on Jesus Christ. Christ who won salvation for this world is the source of all life and the center of the Spirit’s work. Yet, as He dwells in you individually He touches one life at a time. “Out of his heart shall flow rivers of water.” From Himself - to you - to the ends of the earth - the Spirit flows.    

Ascension

Ascension

May 25, 2006

Acts 1:11

Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

INTRODUCTION: 40 days after the Resurrection and 10 days before Pentecost the church gathers to celebrate one of the earliest church holidays – the Ascension of our Lord. What does the ascension mean for us today in the 21st Century - living in the year of our Lord 2006? Let’s consider the words of the angels as they spoke to the 1st century believers.

1. Jesus Has Ascended

The Jesus whom the disciples had known now had a heavenly existence (cf. the double use of the phrase "into heaven").

2. He will return

The same Jesus they had known would return also enveloped in the cloud of the divine presence and glory (cf. Matthew 24:30; 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27).

CONCLUSION: Even so come Lord Jesus, come even today!

Confirmation 2006

Confirmation

May 7, 2006

Revelation 22:12

“And Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to give to every one according to what he has done” –Revelation 22:12

Introduction:  The first time I looked at your verse which you chose for your confirmation I was somewhat taken aback. Of course, the immediate context of this verse speaks about the end of the world. A verse that speaks of Judgment Day on the happy occasion of your confirmation just doesn’t seem to fit. But again, as I’ve said to each class – it’s your confirmation – you select the text and I’ll try to make it memorable!   [With this thought in mind let us pray…]

We are very much into the glorious season of Easter. Because Jesus has suffered for us on the cross, as He has taken to Himself the burden of our sin, and bore it in His body on the cross – all sin has been paid for, every burden has been lifted and the guilt is gone! 

Because Jesus rose from the dead on that first Easter morning we have been given the assurance that heaven is our home and that we will live and reign with Him throughout all eternity. The victory is His! To His children, His chosen people He has given the fruits of His victory.

How can we compare our Christian life to the life that was lived by our Savior?  It’s almost as if you were at a major competition such as a music or sporting event. Our Savior Jesus took it upon Himself to guarantee certain victory. He did everything to secure our salvation – everything from front to back.  What a celebration it was when Jesus suffered, died, and rose again – for me and for you. The next big event is the celebration that will take place when our Champion returns with His trophy in hand.

That’s where you and I find ourselves today. We are living between two great and glorious events. We are living in between the victory Christ has won for us and the festivities that will take place in glory when this present age comes to a close.

When Jesus returns in glory the victory party - the big celebration will really begin. Figuratively speaking, you and I are on the bus ride home - traveling to the main event. We’re traveling between the victory that occurred at the cross and empty tomb and the celebration that will last into eternity. It will all be trumpeted with the return of Christ to the planet earth visibly.  When every eye shall see Him – then it’ll really be time, as you put it, “to have some fun”!

Today you affirm your loyalty – loyalty to the Savior who has redeemed you – a loyalty to Him that will last beyond time. It is in this context that the Savior’s words come to you today.

I.   Jesus says, “And behold I am coming quickly.”

A.    Scripture reminds us it will happen in a twinkling or in the blinking of an eye – at the last trumpet – when the dead in Christ shall rise and we shall see Him. Scripture is very clear on this matter. We are told that “every eye shall see Him.”

Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.  Revelation 1:7

B.     Christ will return when people least expect it. But can we really tell - and do we really know - when Christ will return in glory? Again, Scripture is quite clear on the matter. Jesus Christ Himself will return when the last pagan is converted. What a glorious time to be alive!

Paul, your dad can attest to this – I was brought into the world of computers kicking and screaming!  Your world is so much different then when I was your age and your parents were your age! The use of the internet, instant messaging, text messages, lap top computers and I-pods are all a part of your world! 

There has been a literal explosion in information and technology. We are able to keep in touch as never before. That new cell phone you were hoping for this Christmas might very well have a GPS tracking devise on it where your Mom will now be able to tell from her cell phone - not only where you are at any moment - but exactly when you took off for school and when you arrived! 

So your Dad can now “do the math” to determine how fast you were driving as you made it to school! Ah, remember those “old school” math calculations we adults had to work through in school? 

“If Johnny lives 16 miles from school - and there is one traffic light located five miles from the school - which pauses for 47 seconds - and Johnny arrives at school in 23 minuets - how fast was Johnny traveling?”

With the advances in information and technology today - what once took Lutheran Bible Translators TM years to produce a translation of the New Testament into a new peoples’ language - is now done in a matter of months!

With the events in our world unfolding politically, economically, and socially could it be that this is the last generation? Could Christ return in your generation and in your lifetime? The possibility always exists that Christ could return within any generation but within your lifetime? YES! The possibility is there. The last person to be converted could happen within your lifetime.

Transition: Christ is coming quickly. He has promised to come bearing gifts.

II.     And my reward with Me.

A.  Christ has promised that when He returns He will come rewarding us. What is it that we deserve? According to our thoughts riddled with sin. According to our words which are so often filled with malice and venom and lies. According to our deeds which are so often self directed, self centered and self motivated. – All three – thoughts, words and deeds are filled with sin.

We deserve God’s wrath, displeasure, temporal death and eternal damnation.  Yet He deals with us not according to our sins. Instead He forgives us. He takes our sins and separates them as far as the East is from the West and He remembers our sin no more. You know the Scripture well;

 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1John 1:8

B.  For our sin we deserve God’s wrath, displeasure, temporal death and eternal damnation. In exchange for our sin He bestows on us His grace and every blessing.  Jesus gives us life – real and abundant life. Jesus said in the Gospel of John, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full". John 10:11 The life He gives to you is a life that has no end.

He brought you to life when you were born into this world. He has given you talents, abilities and gifts to be used in this world for the good of our neighbor. This is how you show your love for God by serving your neighbor. The real work starts now – as you let your light shine before men that they might know you are a Christian – that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Transition:  Christ is coming quickly. He has promised to come bringing gifts. When He comes He will reward you.

III.       to give to every one according to what he has done.

A.   His reward is to everyone according to his own work.  On the surface, that sounds a lot like compensation and payment for something we’ve done or deserved. But we must remember that everything we have, even our faith – is a gift from God.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17   

Yes, we are always on the receiving end of God’s Hand. He doesn’t reward us because we’re so much better then some or not as bad as others. No, He rewards us according to the faith He has already given us. The reward we receive - the crown of everlasting life is what Christ has already earned for us by going to the cross and breaking free from the empty tomb.

B.   In light of what Jesus has already won for you my prayer for you is that you would simply avail yourselves to those gifts He has offered to you. Continue to do what you have been doing up to this very moment in time.

Make use of God’s Holy Word. It is His message to you. Here He speaks to you daily. Avail yourself to His Word for His desire is to talk to you. As we pray every Sunday, my prayer for you is that you would hear God’s Word, that you would “read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them – that you would embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life which was given you in our Savior Jesus Christ.”

Daily remember your baptism. Since we cannot carry it out turn to Him who has carried it out on His own out stretched arms. On the day of your baptism Christ entered your life and has continued to direct your life to this very hour. When you come to Him confessing your sin, Jesus who is faithful and just - forgives your sin and cleanses you from all unrighteousness.

Make use of His meal. When you receive His body and blood in this comforting sacrament you receive the gifts He intends you to have. It is a most glorious meal. It has all the essentials! The forgiveness of sins, the strength of your faith, the assurance that you belong to God and heaven is your home! What more could you need? Nothing more then to live your life as a redeemed child of God. This is what I like to call “Sacramental living” live as a redeemed child of God. Be a blessing to those around you – in short, be a sermon in shoes.

Pray!  Take your joys and sorrows your burdens and cares to the throne room of grace and be thankful as He answers each petition.

Make use of the talents and abilities the Savior has given to you. Each of us has gifts. You have been given many. Your challenge –discover what God has given you and then use these talents for His service. Love Jesus. Serve your neighbor. Be a blessing.

Conclusion: We all can be proud of you. The verses you have chosen will serve you well. Remember what you have been taught, cling to that which is good, and may the Savior walk with you each and every day of your life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Easter Sunrise

Easter Sunrise

April 16, 2006

1 Corinthians 15:19-28

Victory is Guaranteed

INTRODUCTION: Days prior to Super Bowl III New York Jets quarterback “Broadway Joe” Namath guaranteed victory. The country was shocked and taken aback. How could he be so sure, so brazen, and so confident? People simply didn’t make such predictions.

In a more serious note St. Paul guarantees our victory over death. From the perspective of what God intended for us – that we should not die but live – death is indeed a certain enemy.  Yet here in our text Paul makes a bold statement – our victory over death is guaranteed! How is this so?

I.        Our victory over death is guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection.

A.     Christ is the first-fruits.

1.      Just as the first sheaf of grain offered as a sacrifice to God in the Old Testament represented the full harvest that was to follow, so Christ’s resurrection is the first of many resurrections that will surely follow. (v.20)

2.      Because our resurrection from the dead is assured, our physical death can be regarded as sleep (“who have fallen asleep” v.20)

3.      The hope we have based on Christ’s resurrection does not relate only to this life but also to life beyond physical death (v.19)

B.     Christ is the source of life.

1.      Death is an event brought on by the first man, Adam.

2.      The second Adam, Jesus Christ, the God-man, by His death and resurrection abolished death (V.22; 2 Timothy 1:10)

Transition: But when will this banishment of death occur for us in view of the fact that we must all experience physical death? “Each in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ” (V.23) Our victory over death is guaranteed!

II.     At Christ’s 2nd Coming.

A.     The triumphs of evil that we see around us, especially the devastation caused by death, will not continue forever.

1.      Christ is even now in control and will one day openly display His victory over all evil.

2.      In the meantime He will not permit any evil, including death, to destroy us. (Vv.25, 27)

B.     The day is coming when all the forces opposing God will be utterly destroyed. (V. 24)

1.      The scheming of Satan, the plotting of evil people, the perversities of our sinful nature, the grip of death will be conquered.

2.      From that day on there will be no more death!

C.     The second coming of Christ will mark the beginning of a new existence in which the Triune God will be everything to us in a kingdom of glory without end. (V.28)

CONCLUSION: Can we guarantee victory without any hesitation or doubt? The resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees our victory over death, pointing us to that day when we shall rise to endless life, and death shall be no more!

Easter Festival

Easter Festival

April 16, 2006

Isaiah 25:6-9

Easter Joy

INTRODUCTION: The one thing most people want is happiness. Our expressions at Easter indicate that Easter is supposed to a happy time, “Easter Joy” and “Happy Easter” are just a few expressions which come to mind. It is a time of rejoicing not because of our happy circumstances but because, and only because of what God has done for us in the Resurrection. True Christians are happy regardless of the hardships they may face. If circumstances indicate that you may be experiencing hardships, handicaps and misfortunes God has a message for you this day – Easter joy is based not on outward circumstances rather on God’s victory which He invites you to share this day.

Easter is a happy time because…

I.        It is a feast – Isaiah 25:6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines.

A.     This passage from Isaiah looks forward to the day when God would destroy death forever. Isaiah looks to the day when God would offer a fest for all the nations. A banquet in the Old Testament stood as a symbol of the consummation of God’s saving purpose in history.

B.     This feast is a celebration of God’s victory over death. God will swallow death up forever and thus death will no longer plague mankind. This is the work of God, and people have reason to celebrate His salvation with joy.

II.     It is a victory – Isaiah 25:7-8 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.

A.     A question could be asked “how can we find an Easter message in an Old Testament passage?  It is found in the form of a promise of the future. The future was fulfilled on Easter.

B.     Today we’ve been given a perspective of God’s plan of salvation which was in His mind from the time of creation. When Isaiah wrote these words is was God Himself giving us His Word. On Easter God gave us His deed!

III.   It is salvation – Isaiah 25:9 In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD; we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.

A.     Your happiness does not depend on your well being in this world. Christians to this hour are oppressed, persecuted, and defeated yet they still rejoice. How so?

B.     The reason is the source of Christian’s joy – God. A person can rejoice because God Himself has defeated our worst enemy – death. God has provided a banquet feast for us.

CONCLUSION: On Easter we celebrate the reality that life overcomes death by the power of the resurrection. This was the promise Isaiah hoped for – for us today we celebrate its reality. Now death is dead forever! This is what God has done for us! This is reason for rejoicing and celebration.