Advent 2

Mark 1:1-8
Should Christmas be Banned?

In Mark’s Gospel there is no Christmas! Mark begins his gospel with the adult Son of God. After John the Baptist’s preparation for Jesus, Jesus simply appears as a 30-year old adult seeking baptism from John.

If it were up to Mark, we would have no Christmas celebration. He simply introduces Jesus to his readers and begins with his presentation. Should we follow Mark as the Puritans did in the 17th Century by banning Christmas altogether? In the light of materialism of our modern world, maybe we should skip the Christmas “sell-abration”. And yet Christmas should not be forgotten. There is a significant importance of Christmas and the significance of Christ coming into our world.

What Christmas is all about.

1. Not how He was born; manger, angels, star.

A. These things are important.
1. They point that Jesus came to our world as human.
2. They point that He came in human history.

B. If we get hung up on just Jesus’ birth we can loose out.
1. He birth is most important.
2. He was not merely a “cute baby” a little lamb.

2. It’s who was born – “The Son of God”

A. He is Very God
1. Creator
2. The Almighty One

B. In Him is what all the prophets of old had written.
1. Over 800 prophecies concerning Christ are recorded in the Old Testament Scriptures
2. He fulfilled all of them.
3. After His resurrection, with the disciples on the way to Emmaus He opened the Scriptures to them explaining how the Christ must suffer and die and on the third day rise from the dead.

3. Why He was born – “The Christ of God’

A. The One who came into this world to save us.
1. We could not save ourselves.
2. Sin has separated us from the Father

B. By His suffering, death and resurrection we are saved and redeemed.
1. In Baptism we are brought into His family
2. Through this covenant of Baptism we are kept in the faith.

Church Expansion - Week 25

The first snow of the season fell on the last week of our project

North entrance

South entrance

Gathering space looking north

Geothermal pumps

duct work in the basement

A view of the parsonage

Old stained glass in new frames

Taken in full sun @ 4:430 pm

Original glass 1901

Chancel built by our members in 1987 

 The Last Supper donated by the Youth in 1938

Advent 1 mid-week

Isaiah 64:1-9

Waiting is a central part of life. When you think about it, we spend a huge chunk of our lives waiting.

Waiting to hear if you got the job. Waiting for the doctor to call. Waiting for your teenager to come home with the car. Waiting for the "other shoe" to drop.

Isaiah is waiting and longing for God to intervene in his world where things seem all wrong. "Oh that you would tear open the heavens and come down…" (64:1) he cries to God.

As we begin our Advent journey this year, we come to the first dimension of the Christmas Season. Waiting!

Most of us will do a lot of waiting during this season. There may even be some times when you will have to "wait it out" – at the crowded stores, the grocery stores or the post office (you do have your Christmas cards ready to go – don’t you?)

Our children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews are going into their "I can’t wait" mode. The retailers and shopkeepers are waiting for the "bottom line." While the rest of us finally close our eyes and drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve, computers in corporate offices will be analyzing data to determine whether this was a "good" Christmas.

But this is not the kind of waiting the bible is talking about. Our scripture lessons today are talking about waiting for God! As Israel longed for Messiah to come and fulfill their hopes and dreams, so each one of us has a place within that longs for the coming of the Lord.

The real gifts of this season are not the gifts you find in the stores and place under the tree. The real joy of the season is not the "holiday spirit" found in all the parties and gatherings. The real fulfillment of the season is not when we open even the most special gift with our hands…

The real gift of this season is when we open our hearts and wait for the coming of the Lord in our spirits "If only God would intervene and make everything right!" Have you ever had such a thought? Might makes right... it's who you know and not what you know... justice is more readily available if you can afford a legal "dream team"... Things just don't seem right.

And yet, if God were to hold me to a divine standard of righteousness, I would very quickly want mercy instead of God's justice. In Isaiah's words, "All our {my} righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth..." I do not call upon the Lord or seek the Lord as I should and, "... you have hidden your face from us and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity." If we persist in having it "our way" -- God will sing the "Burger King song to us." Namely, "Have it your way!" And yet it turns out that "our" way is the way of devastation while God's way is the way to life.

The Advent message in Isaiah's words are contained in verses 7-8. It might come out something like: "God, I am your child, the work of your hand. I belong to you and I pray that you would be merciful and not remember my failures for time and eternity. Please remember that I am your child."

As the season of Christ's birth draws nearer, there is opportunity to look closely at my inner bearings. As we sing, "O Holy child of Bethlehem" once again, we might look within to examine how His holiness has impacted our lives.

The prophet Isaiah writes, ”How long, O Lord, how long?” We all have good times. And we all have bad times. 2011 has it been your good time or your bad time?

Bad times like that give us a hint at the despair and desperation found in this reading. Several generations had passed from the return of the exiles in Babylon. Jerusalem and its Temple were being rebuild. A sense of normal living had returned. Yet, the people were forlorn. Life was hard. And God seemed to be far away.

Isaiah spoke the prayer of the people. How long before the people returned to glory? How long before God's presence shone before the nations? Note the prayer for divine intervention was mixed with self-examination. The loss of stature was not necessarily God's fault [64:5b-7]. Yet, also note the sense of hope. The petitioner called upon God as Father and asked for his return [63:16-17].

Like those who lamented in Jerusalem, we, too, may have times we feel cut off from God and his blessing. Yet, there is always hope. For the Lord is coming. Soon!

When did you experience "bad times?" How did God give you hope?

I. Isaiah 64:1-9

A. Isaiah was praying for God to deliver Israel from Babylonian captivity.

• Isaiah 63:18-19 refer to the destruction of the temple (63:18) which is a reference to the Babylonians conquering Judea and exiling the Israelite population to the various cities of the Babylonian empire.

• Isaiah 64:1-9 begins by asking God to rend the heavens to come down and deliver Israel from the Babylonians. Isaiah may have been thinking of the sky as being like the roof of a tent, separating the earth from the heavens. Isaiah was asking God to tear this tent open to come down and set things right.

• God answers this prayer with the destruction of the Babylonian empire and the return of the Israelites to their homeland under the Persian King Cyrus.

B. God, however, answers this prayer in another, much more profound way. God answers this prayer in a way Isaiah could not even imagine.

• God literally tore open the heavens and came down to the earth as a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. God did this to deliver us from our sins.

• Let’s take a closer look at Isaiah 64:1-9

C. An outline of Isaiah 64:1-9

I. Isaiah 64:1-2: Isaiah asks God to tear open the heaven and come down to the earth himself. When this happens, the mountains will quake and nations will tremble. In other words, wondrous events will happen and the statuesque will drastically change

II. Isaiah 64:3-4: Isaiah remembers God’s past actions. God’s actions in the past caused wondrous events to happen and the statuesque to drastically change.

III. Isaiah 64:5-7: Isaiah realizes, however, that we are sinners and do not deserve to have God tear open the heavens and come down to earth on our behalf.

IV. Isaiah 8-9: Despite our undeserving nature, Isaiah asks God to delivers us anyways. He asks God to deliver us based on his love for us rather than our righteous behavior.

D. This is what Christmas is all about

•We all are held captive by our sinful nature. No matter how hard we try, we can not love God and neighbor in a manner that is pleasing to God. At some point, our sinful desires, such as lust, greed, pride, jealousy, anger, prejudice etc…, will get in the way of our ability to love. So….

•God tore open the heavens to come to earth in the person of Jesus to set us free from our sinful desires. Jesus did this through his life, death and resurrection.

•God did this, simply because He loves us.

II. During Advent, we should contemplate the ramifications of God tearing open the heavens and bursting into human existence.

A. God, the creator of everything, knows what it’s like to be a human. God knows the pain and joy that comes with living as a human on this earth.

B. We now know what a perfect life looks like. The relationship between Jesus and his Father is the same type of relationship we should have with God. Jesus modeled a perfect love for his Father and neighbor. We now know the standard for holy living.

C. Our sins are paid for on the cross. Through the cross, we receive forgiveness for our sins. This frees us to live in an eternal love relationship with God.

D. Sin, death and evil have been defeated on our behalf. The resurrection of Jesus demonstrates that we have the victory.

E. The forgiveness of our sins paved the way for the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts

III. Conclusion

A. God loves us so much, that He himself tore open the heavens and came down to earth as a human being. He became one of us. If you never responded to this love by repenting of your sins and trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord, you can do so now.

B. Simply tell God that you want to change and become the loving person He created you to be. Then, acknowledge your trust that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is sufficient to take care of all your sins. Say this to God and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.

Time in the Word - Advent 2

Collect for Advent 2—Stir up our Your power, O lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Protect us by your strength and save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Almighty and everlasting God whose will it is to restore all things to your beloved Son, whom you anointed priest forever and king of all creation: Grant that all people of the earth, now divided by the power of sin, may be united under the glorious and gentle rule of your Son.

For blessing on the Word – Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed. Make it a word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith. May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip, and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You send it; through Jesus Christ, my Lord.

A prayer before we study the Word – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others in Your holy faith.

Lord Jesus, You come in all the terror of the last judgment and when men least expect You. In these days You come to clothe our misery with the garment of Your mercy —a garment of glory and immortality. But You will come again on a future day, and in such dread majesty that men will wither away with fear. O my Savior, condemn me not on that day of the world’s destruction. Visit me now in Your l love and mercy. I am resolved to prepare my soul. I desire that You come love and be born within me, so that when the convulsions of nature warn me of Your coming to judge me, I may lift up my head and, while the rest of men tremble at the thunder of Your judgment, , grant that I may have confidence in You because You are in my heart. Amen 

The dominant theme of this coming Sunday is preparation for Christ’s coming. John the Baptist is sent to prepare the people for Christ’s first coming by preaching a Baptism of repentance. In the Old Testament lesson the Lord calls for a way to be prepared for His coming. The Epistle lesson deals with the Second Coming and the end of the world. Christians are to prepare by living blameless lives. The suggested Psalm of the day indicates that righteousness shall precede God’s coming. As we focus on John the Baptist’s words he calls on us to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming. On Advent 1 we were assured that Jesus is coming again. This Sunday we prepare for His coming. As the Gospel suggests He may be coming to some for the first time; for all He will be coming a second time at the end of time.

Monday, 28 November 2011—Psalm 80:1, 8a, 9b, 7; Antiphon, Psalm 80:3— Restore us, O God; make Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” The whole purpose of Jesus coming into this world was to save us. In these weeks counting down to Christmas we remember that Jesus entered time and space to be our Savior. As He came at just the right time to redeem us He will appear at the right time to receive us into glory. His timing is impeccable, His ways are perfect. 

The psalmist prays for the restoration of God’s people, remembering the deliverance God wrought through Joseph. In Advent, we, too, pray for restoration—restoration from the bondage of sin. The vine out of Egypt of verse 8 recalls the flight of the Christ-child into Egypt to avoid Herod’s persecution. That Vine has taken deep root and filled the land, and it is through Christ, who is the Vine, that we have been restored.

Tuesday, 29 November 2011—Psalm 85—Another psalm asking God for restoration, Psalm 85 recounts the forgiveness of the Lord in the past, and prays that He might once again make known His steadfast love, or mercy.

With confidence, the psalmist can say, ‘Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.’ For the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Lord do meet in the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; there, righteousness and peace kiss each other. (v. 10)

Wednesday, 30 November 2011—Isaiah 40:1–11—‘Comfort, comfort my people,’ the Lord instructs Isaiah. Release from the bondage of sin is at hand. The voice crying in the wilderness shall prepare the way for the glory of the Lord to be revealed. The Word of God, which stands forever, shall assume flesh in order to bring comfort to the people by removing the blot of iniquity. Then He shall ‘tend his flock like a shepherd.’

Thursday, 1 December 2011—2 Peter 3:8–14—Isaiah wrote his prophecy of the coming of Christ seven hundred years before He came. It must have seemed an interminable amount of time for those who lived during those years, wondering when God would fulfill His promises. But the Apostle Peter reminds us that the Lord has His own timetable, and a good purpose for accomplishing things in His own time. He further admonishes us to be ready for the Lord’s Second Coming at any time, and to live lives of holiness and godliness waiting for that day.

Friday, 2 December 2011—Mark 1:1–8—In fulfillment of the words of the prophets Isaiah and Malachi, John the Baptist comes to prepare the people for the coming of the promised One. The coming of Jesus Christ is Good News (Gospel), Mark proclaims boldly at the outset of his Gospel, but we must be prepared for His coming. John the Baptist prepared the world in his day, and continues to do so in our day, by calling people to repentance, urging them to confess their sins, be baptized.

Saturday, 3 December 2011—The hymn of the day, On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry (LSB 344), recounts the Old Testament and Gospel readings of the work of John the Baptist. It closes with a doxological stanza which proclaims the Good News that Jesus’ ‘advent sets Thy people free.’ This is Good News, indeed!

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Some thoughts concerning our worship life together 

The Lord’s Prayer is the chief prayer of the Christian Church and it is prayed here at the chief event of the Divine Service.  As children of God, we call upon “Our Father” as we prepare to encounter Jesus in His Supper, acknowledging that in the Sacrament He will answer our petitions. The congregation prays, “Thy kingdom come,” then receives the kingdom of God in the coming of Christ in His body and blood. We pray, “Thy will be done,” then witness salvation being distributed. We pray for forgiveness of sins and hear Christ’s own Word proclaiming that in His death He has accomplished everything needed to “forgive us our trespasses.”

Sources

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

LECTIONALRY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES B © 1981 John Brokhoff CSS Publishing Lima, OH

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Worshiping with Angels and Archangels – An Introduction to the Divine Service by Scot Kinnaaman © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis p. 35

Advent 1

Mark 13:33-37

Today we celebrate the first Sunday of a new Church year. As we prepare for the celebration of the Savior’s first Advent we prepare for His Second Advent – His sure and certain return on the Last Great Day. You and I as 21st Century Christians have no better way to live our lives now then from the perspective of eternity. As we prepare for the observance of our Lord’s first coming we must remember that the entire Christian life is oriented towards the last advent of Christ with its glorious eternal salvation.

God requires of us alertness.

I. The Lord wants us to be spiritually alert at all times.

A. Jesus’ inevitable return in power and glory will be sudden, and unexpected. Verse 35 refers to the four watches of the night - making the point that the Lord’s coming can come at any time. "So keep watch! You do not know when the owner of the house will come back. It may be in the evening or at midnight. It may be when the rooster crows or at dawn.

B. While we wait, there can be many things that cause us to neglect our responsibilities of watching and waiting for the Lord sure and certain return.

1. This can happen by overlooking the threatening dangers of our own sinfulness. This is what we pray for in the prayer of the day that we might be rescued from the threatening perils of our sin and then be saved by the Savior’s might deliverance. Isaiah makes mention of this in the Old Testament lesson for today when he says, All of us have become like someone who is "unclean." All of the good things we do are like polluted rags to you. All of us are like leaves that have dried up. Our sins sweep us away like the wind. [Isaiah 64:6]

2. Then there is the temptation to confirm to the world’s view of the supreme importance of material things. Thinking that have the latest thing will cause us true happiness. Says the Savior in the Sermon on the Mount Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. [Matthew 6:31-34;]

3. Then of course there is the very weakness of our own flesh. We are by nature sinful and unclean. We need, especially in this Advent season to pray to the Lord, “Kyrie Elysian.”

C. The result of yielding to temptation is misbelieve, despair, and prodigal living all of which call forth the wrath of the Lord. Although it is correct to conclude that our neglect of God-given responsibilities calls for God’s wrath and punishment it is not correct to give the impression that we can somehow earn God’s favor by changing our lives and carrying out our responsibilities. In other words, the answer to the Law is not more Law. We can’t get right with God by simply saying “We’ll work harder at it!”

The solution to our issues with sin is found in the sweet and comforting message of the Gospel. The returning Lord has already come to endure in our place the punishment for our sinful disobedience and failings: in Him we have the grace of God and so you do not lack any gift; God has called you into fellowship with His Son, who will confirm us to the end. This Paul announces to us in the Epistle lesson for this day!

Transition: God requires alertness and He works it in you.

II. God Himself effects spiritual alertness in us.

A. Mark’s Gospel proclaims the works of our Savior Jesus. In this new church year we will hear 37 selections from the Gospel of Mark. Mark's Gospel has also been called a story of the death of Jesus with a long introduction. Mark's Gospel is about the period leading up to and just after the death of Jesus.

B. The retuning Lord has already come once to accept the punishment for our failings. This is the story of the cross. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting our sins against us and He has now given us this message of reconciliation. This is what causes us to say with joy “Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth!”

C. By bringing us to faith in Jesus, God now motivates and enables us to seek and do His will. The Holy Spirit instructs believers by answering the question that arises from faith-filled hearts “what is my Savior’s will for my Life?” The Holy Spirit helps us realize the importance of spiritual alertness. And in His Supper the Lord provides the nourishment that enables us to remain alert. In providing for us this “food for the soul” we are enabled to remain alert waiting for the Lord’s coming.

Only by God’s grace in Christ can we eagerly and alertly look forward to the Lord’s return. No better preparation can be found, either for Christmas or for Judgment Day, than the spiritual alertness that God wills and works.

Church Expansion - week 24

Men’s restroom and fixtures

Woman’s restroom and fixtures

In Milwaukee they call it a “bubbler”

Drop off entry with primer coat

Drop off entry with final coat

North door

Gathering area looking into the sanctuary 

New south entry way

Carpet and lights in the gathering area

new frames for the stained glass in the new gathering area

Thanksgiving Day

Luke 12:22-31 "Be Anxious For Nothing"

Introduction: Once again it’s Thanksgiving – yet some are not feeling too thankful. Not that they don’t want to be this way…it’s more complicated then that. What it all boils down to is that there are a number of people living these last days of 2011 in worry and fear. It seems as if there is so much stress to go around these days…mounting bills, a sense of fear of the unknown, of tomorrow, or just needing enough energy to make it through the day. It’s not that we don’t want to be thankful but rather there are some who feel so burdened and burned out by life that they can’t see the forest for the trees, and the bushes, and the brambles, and all other obstacles "in our road". The question that is therefore being asked is "Will God help us?" will He sustain us when life’s twists and turns seems to set us on a course of which there are unforeseen obstacles lurking at every turn? For our text for today we find god’s "Yes" and "Amen"! Of course He will see us through this is what He tells us in His word for today. Jesus reminds us that we need not worry for He is in control. We need not fear for He is able to quiet our panic and fright. Jesus tells us we have nothing to fear.

{1} Do Not Worry

A. About your life—what you will eat.

1. We need not worry because life is more then food. Life is more then merely existing and sustaining our way of living. There is more to life then just living.

2. Jesus reminds us that life is meant to experience God. That is why He has called us to His marvelous light of the Gospel. He called us to belong to Him, to have fellowship with Him. Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of John "I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly. In Him, St. Paul reminds us "we live, and move and have our being". When we seek after Him then we will be doing more then just living from day to day we will live life with a purpose-a divine purpose.
Life is more then food. It is more then fashion as Jesus goes on to explain to us that neither should we become anxious.

B. About your body-what you will wear. Our body is designed to be more then to be a model upon which we don our clothing.

1. The body is more then clothes. This statement is one that is needed to be contemplated today. Tomorrow morning literally thousands of people will flock to the malls to begin the busiest shopping days of the year. True, there is something to be said about dressing appropriately and fashionably but we can take any good thing to extremes. Do we need to buy into the temptation that we should desire the $100 shoes as opposed to the $30 pair which is made of the same material, and assembled at the same factory but the one is more expensive because the product has a certain label on it, or it is indorsed by a certain celebrity. Does the clothing really make the man or woman? Jesus would tell us otherwise.

2. The body is not merely meant for cloths, rather it is meant to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. As the Savior has redeemed us to be His own He now lives within us through His Spirit. Thus by these words we are called to remember that our bodies are meant to be lived with a noble and holy purpose. We are called to live as His people being His witnesses in this world; and in this generation. As we live for Him we are called to trust in Him.

{2} Trust God

A. Consider the Ravens

1. They do not sow, reap, or contribute anything to life.

2. They have no storehouse or barn.

3. Yet God feeds them. He sustains all of the created order.

4. You are of more value then birds! If God is able to sustain even the smallest and the most insignificant of creatures He will sustain you for you are of tremendous value to him. He suffered and died for you. He redeemed and rescued you. He has called you to be His own dear child. Consequently He will sustain and care for you.

B. Consider how the lilies grow.

1. They do not labor.

2. They do not spin.

3. Yet not even Solomon in his entire splendor was dressed as these. If there is inner beauty which comes to the creatures how much more will He maintain your life and sustain it?

C. Consider the grass

1. It’s here today gone tomorrow, like so many things in this "throw away society"

2. You and I, on the other hand. will spend eternity with Christ. Thus the Savior sets for us a pattern of life by which we will find contentment.

a. Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink. In other words, look beyond living only for today.

b. This is what the Pagans run after. They seek the thrill of the moment, which lasts but a moment. Live rather, with an eternal perspective.

c. God already knows you need these things to survive!

3. Seek first, a relationship with Christ in His kingdom.

a. Through word, sacraments, fellowship, prayer draw close to God.

b. As you do these things, all that you need will be added to you. That is the Savior’s promise to you and to me. By Him and through Him He will sustain us.

Conclusion: The Savior is not giving us a simplistic rule for life. It’s not simply going by the phrase "Don’t worry – be happy" Rather He calls us to fear not for He is in control. He’ll fight our fight; He’ll accomplish for us what we can not do. Yes, He is for us; He will overcome and give to us the victory! As we seek Him we will find contentment in life, and there find reasons to rejoice knowing that we can be a peace as God is at peace in what he has created and how He sustains His own creation. Let us then live contented lives on this Thanksgiving Day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.