Saturday, June 7, 2014

Time in the Word - Trinity

The Holy Triune God Recreates Us in the Image and Likeness of Christ Jesus

The Holy Triune God “created the heavens and the earth,” and “behold, it was very good” (Gen. 1:1, 31). However, after Adam and Eve fell into sin and plunged God’s good creation into decay and death, the Son of God would be “delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” to be “crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23). As Jesus “received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:33), He also raises up all the baptized and pours out the Spirit upon them through the preaching of His Gospel. He sends out His Apostles to “make disciples of all nations” by “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” and “teaching them to observe all that [He has] commanded” (Matt. 28:19–20). Through such baptizing and teaching–Gospel and Sacraments–the Holy Triune God recreates us in the Image and Likeness of His incarnate Son, Jesus the Christ, and behold, it is “very good” (Gen. 1:31).

Collect for the Feast of the Holy Trinity: Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever.

Prayer for the Holy Spirit: Lord God, heavenly Father, let Your Holy Spirit dwell in us that He may enlighten and lead us into all truth and evermore defend us from all adversities; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Collect for grace: Almighty God, heavenly Father, Your mercies are new to us every morning and, though we in no wise deserve Your goodness, You abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul. Give us, we humbly pray, Your Holy Spirit that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, and cheerfully serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Collect for peace: O God, from whom come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works, give to us, Your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Time in the Word
9–14 June 2014
Preparation for next week, the Feast of the Holy Trinity

Monday, 9 June 2014—Psalm 16:8–11; Antiphon, Liturgical Text—The antiphon for Sunday’s Introit is an ancient liturgical text: Blessed be the Holy Trinity and the undivided Unity. Let us give glory to Him because He has shown His mercy to us. The Triune God has shown His mercy to us by creating us, daily providing for all our needs, and in accomplishing our salvation by the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Our response, therefore, is to give glory to Him, and to set the Lord always before us, for He has made known to us the path of life.

Tuesday, 10 June 2014—Psalm 8—This psalm of David nicely ties together the three appointed readings for Trinity Sunday. The first two verses tell how the entire creation proclaims the majesty, glory, and strength of the Lord, the Creator of all things, as testified to in the Old Testament reading. The rest of the psalm speaks of Christ, the second Adam, our Savior, of whose redemption Peter preaches in the second reading, and who commissions His Church to make disciples by baptizing and teaching about Him in the Gospel reading.

Wednesday, 11 June 2014—Genesis 1:1—2:4a—The opening chapter of the Bible matter-of-factly recounts the creation of the earth, the universe, and all that is in them in seven days by God. Which person of the Trinity was responsible for the creation? All three persons! The first three verses alone proclaim this fact: The Spirit is said to be hovering over the face of the waters, while God (the Father) speaks—speaks His Word, who is the Son, as St John tells us in the opening verses of his Gospel. On the sixth day, there is further testament to the working of the Trinity, when God says, Let Us make man in Our own image, after Our likeness. Not just the Father, but the Son and the Holy Spirit as well, were involved in the work of creation, just as all three are involved in the work of salvation.

Thursday, 12 June 2014—Acts 2:14a, 22–36—The second reading for the Trinity Sunday is a continuation of St Peter’s Pentecost Day sermon in Jerusalem. In this portion, Peter speaks of Jesus Christ, a man attested to you by God with mighty wonders and signs, who was crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men, but raised up from the dead because He was not just a man, but also Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Peter quotes from Psalms 16 and 110, showing how the Old Testament testifies of Christ, and also proclaims how all three persons of the Trinity were involved in the salvation of mankind: Jesus (the Son) was delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God (the Father), has been exalted at the right hand of God, and now pours out His Spirit that people might hear and believe the Good News.

Friday, 13 June 2014—Matthew 28:16–20—Before His ascension to the right hand of His Father, Jesus charged His disciples with the task of making disciples of all nations. What are the tools which He has given to accomplish this task? His teaching and the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Baptism in the Name of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Which parts of His Word are important? Which of His Words are they to pass down faithfully? Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Finally, He promises always to be with us—and so He is, in Word and Sacrament, the means of grace.

Saturday, 14 June 2014—There are few hymns that are addressed to, or focus on, the Holy Spirit. Sunday’s Hymn of the Day, Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest (LSB #498), is one such hymn. It is of ancient origin, from at least the eighth century, and generally attributed to the great Frankish scholar and theologian, Rhabanus Maurus (though sometimes Gregory the Great or Charlemagne are given credit). In the Middle Ages, it was one of the best loved and most frequently used invocations of the Holy Spirit, and its singing was accompanied by the use of incense, candles, bells, and rich vestments. The last two stanzas are explicitly Trinitarian, making it ideal for Trinity Sunday: stanza six (like Luther’s explanation to the Third Article of the Creed) affirms that it is the Holy Spirit who teaches us to know the Triune God aright, and stanza seven is a doxology—a hymn of praise to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Sources:

Pentecost

Pentecost
8 June 2014
John 7:37-39
The promise of the coming Spirit

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You in communion with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

During the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, there was a daily ceremony involving water. Each day, the priests and the people would joyfully make their way to the pool of Siloam. Using a golden pitcher, water was drawn, taken back to the temple, and poured on the altar of burnt offering. The words of Isaiah 12:3 were then sung: "Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation."

On such an occasion, Jesus used the opportunity to extend a wonderful promise. He invites those who thirst to come to Him and drink. “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” v.37

Those who believe in Jesus will have "rivers of living water" flow from their hearts. V. 38

The apostle John explains that this promise concerns the Holy Spirit who calls gathers, enlightens, sanctifies and keeps us. “…this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive.” V. 39

Today, Jesus invites all the thirsty to come unto Him.

1. An Invitation – It’s a simple invitation. Jesus simply says, "Come."

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come; buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isaiah 55:1

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. - Revelation 22:17

We’ve been raised to know that nothing comes free. Everything comes with a price tag involved. If you want something, you must work for it. You must save for it. You may purchase only what you can afford. But in God’s economy, when it comes to your salvation the price has been paid in full. Better yet, it’s been paid when you could not.

The Lord gives an invitation. It is available to all.

2. Availability - "If any man thirsts let him come"

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. - John 6:37

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. - 1 John 5:1;

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. - Romans 10:13

3. Access - The way is open to Jesus! His well is never dry. If you will only come to Him, He will demonstrate His great saving power in your life. He loves you more than you could ever know.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Christ longs to save you. He longs to restore you. He longs to repair all that is broken. All He requires is that you come to Him

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29.

In the story of the Passover - The blood of the lamb could not save until it was applied to the doorpost. Any family could have slain a lamb and eaten the flesh, but only when the blood was applied was there safety to those abiding in the house - Exodus 12:13.

So it is with your salvation! Only the Blood of Jesus grants salvation to the human soul. Only by the work of Christ does the Spirit perform His work.

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22;

Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19.

At the Spirit’s bidding, Christ is inviting you to come to him to be satisfied. He offers you – that great exchange – God’s mercy and forgiveness purchase at the cost of His own Son! For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!

Today is Pentecost. It is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit promised by the Savior. What does Jesus mean when He says that He will send the Spirit? The Spirit is your comforter, an advocate.

As an advocate, he is your defense attorney. One who speaks for a defendant before the judge in a court of law. As Jesus promises the comforter will come this can only be good news for you. It is the Spirit Himself, which will plead your case before the mercy seat of God.

The Savior rules upon His throne. The Spirit stands as your advocate to defend and sustain you. The Advocate, the Spirit of truth, convicts the world with respect to sin, righteousness and judgment. He stands for you to intercede and plead your case before the Father. All is well. The Spirit has come as promised by the Savior.

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Wyneken Graduation Homily

Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School

Graduation Homily

3 May 2014

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. –1 Timothy 4:12

Changes. They are a coming. That’s the theme of most graduations. So true with your class…seriously!

You’ve been together, 8, 9, 10 years…the most time you will spend at any other school. This will be the last time you’ll be together as a class. True. We’ll see you. At church. In the community. But not all of you, in one room, together. So cherish this moment.

You’ll move on. To Heritage. To Bellmont. Or some other school. Most of you will be in school for another 4, 8, 10 years. 12 or more if you become a pastor or a doctor.

For most of you, by the time, your time in school is over Pr. Brege and I will probably be retired. Probably we won’t be here. Someone else will take our place. Pr. Brock will be the face of your time at Wyneken. He’ll be the connection between now and then.

So, yes, change is bound to come. And, when you consider the changes, which you will witness in the next ten, twenty, and thirty years from this night. I do not know if we can possibly imagine the things you will experience in your life.

But there is One will not change. And cannot change. His name is Jesus. He’s promised you. In His Word. In Malachi 3:6, “I am the Lord, I do not change.” And then, He gives a wonderful promise, “…therefore, you children of Jacob will not be destroyed.”

“You cannot be destroyed”, because God keeps His promises. Always. Every time. Without exception. St. Paul reminds us, “but when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who are under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” –Galatians 4:4-7

The verse you have selected is quite appropriate for a night such as this. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. –1 Timothy 4:12

St. Paul is writing to young Timothy who was a young pastor. He says, “Let no one despise or look down on you because of your youth”. Rather, “be an example to the believers”.

So, I ask you this night, what are we expecting of you? We are expecting of you - Be an example to others, especially to believers. Still, be an example to everyone; in your home, at church, and in the community.

True. The faith is taught. And your pastors and teachers have taught you well. But, the faith is also caught. So, be an example.

Be an example –in speech, in conduct. And, I might add, in what you message. And, in what you tweet. And in all of your non-verbal communication.

Be an example. You might be the only Bible another person reads. There will be times when you will face temptation. Don’t give into them. Rather resist them. Be armed. With God’s Word, and His Sacraments. Remember your baptism. Remember who you are and whose you are. Remember to pray. Go back to the hymns we taught you in Morning Prayer. Hymns are the Christian’s prayer book. And you’ve memorized 48 of them this year alone. They will help you during troubled times.

Be consistent. In your worship life. After the winter we’ve had, everyone wants to be outside this summer. And one of the things I love to do in summer is grill outside. Picture in your mind a Webber grill. With a mound of burning coals. Remove one of those coals. It’s still hot. But over time, left to itself, it can grow cold. The point, you need to be worshiping with your church family on a regular basis. Someone once told me “I got burned out from church!” Not so! It was not burnout…it was rust out. He simply stopped going. I say to you, break the mold! Don’t rust out! Go to that place where God’s presence is known!

Let no one despise you for your youth. Some kid, probably your age, had the wherewithal to bring his lunch. His mother probably packed it for him. A loaf of bread and a few fish. Jesus used that lunch to feed 5,000 people. Think of what Jesus can do with your abilities, talents and gifts to influence others. The possibilities are endless. This is your verse Wyneken class of 2014! Use it! Let no one despise you for your youth.

Be an example –“in love, in faith, in purity.” “The life you live is not your own. The life you live is rooted in Christ. You are, for the sake of Christ, loved and treasured and of great value in this world. Apart from any perception of yourself. Another’s evaluation. Or your own feelings or failures. It’s a reality that comes from outside of you. Hanging there on a cross.”[1]

This does not mean that we are free from suffering, failure or loss. We often fail and fail miserably. But the stuff of self-identity is the difference between two words, “do” and “done”. In the words of John the Baptizer, “I must decrease, He must increase.” You are free. You are free to be anything you want. You are free to be cop a teacher or a farmer. You are free to be a line cook or a garbage man. You are free to be a truck driver, a plastic surgeon or stay at home mom.

“Whatever your hand finds it to do…do it with all your might.” –Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human master.” – Colossians 3:23 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord.” – Colossians 3:17 Remember the Service Master cleaning service. In all you do - you are rendering service to the Master. What you do is a reflection of who you are.

“Everyone can be great...because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make you subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. And soul generated by love.”[2]

The life you live is not your own. The life you live find its identity in Jesus Christ. Fare thee well child of God. Godspeed and God bless. And remember, in two years, when you get your driver’s license. The first person you take for a ride…is your pastor!

1.191 Word

86.6% Reading ease

3.2 Reading level

[1] Pr. James Wetzstein Chapel of Resurrection, Valparaiso, IN 29 March 2014

[2] Martin Luther King Jr.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Time in the Word - Pentecost

The Risen Lord Jesus Pours Out the Holy Spirit

The Lord took “some of the Spirit” that was on Moses “and put it on the seventy elders” of Israel (Numbers 11:25), and they “prophesied in the camp” (Numbers 11:26). In the same way, our risen Lord Jesus poured out His Holy Spirit at the Feast of Pentecost—the fiftieth day and the “Eighth Sunday” of Easter. When “a sound like a mighty rushing wind” and “tongues as of fire appeared” and rested on each of the twelve Apostles, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” and proclaimed “the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:2–4, 11). The Lord Jesus grants this same Spirit to His Church on earth to proclaim Him glorified on the cross and risen victorious from the grave for us sinners. From His open heart, our crucified and risen Lord pours out His Holy Spirit in “rivers of living water” (John 7:38) and invites everyone who thirsts to come to Him and drink freely (John 7:37). Through this life-giving work of the Holy Spirit, we hear our pastors “telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11) and “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).

Collect for Pentecost Eve: Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Pentecost Day: O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Collect for Pentecost Monday: O God, who gave Your Holy Spirit to the apostles, grant us that same Spirit that we may live in faith and abide in peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Collect for the Holy Spirit: Lord God, heavenly Father, let Your Holy Spirit dwell in us that He may enlighten and lead us into all truth and evermore defend us from all adversities; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .

Time in the Word
2–7 June 2014
Preparation for next week, the Day of Pentecost

Monday, 2 June 2014—Psalm 104:24, 27–28, 30; antiphon, Liturgical Text—On the Day of Pentecost, we focus our attention on the Holy Spirit and His rôle in establishing the Christian Church. The antiphon is a portion of an ancient prayer to the Holy Spirit: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Psalm 104 is a hymn of praise celebrating the wonders of God’s creation. But it is careful to direct our attention not so much to the creation, but to the Creator. The portion of the psalm used in the Introit proclaims that the Holy Spirit, too, with the Father and the Son, was involved in the creation, especially of man, into whose nostrils God breathed the breath (Spirit) of life.

Tuesday, 3 June 2014—Psalm 25:1–15—This psalm of David makes an excellent prayer for daily use. It first contrasts godly (the one who trusts in God) with the ungodly. In verses 4–11, we consider our sins, especially as contrasted with the righteousness of God, and pray for forgiveness and spiritual renewal, trusting in the mercy and steadfast love of the Lord. Verses 12–15 deal with sanctification—godly living—asking for guidance, instruction. The closing verses of the psalm, though not appointed for next week’s reading, brings the plea full circle, as, once again, we pray for deliverance from suffering and from persecution by our foes, those who are opposed to the Lord and to those faithful to the Lord.

Wednesday, 4 June 2014—Numbers 11:24–30—Because the task of caring for the children of Israel was overwhelming, the Lord instructed Moses to appoint seventy men as elders to assist him. For some unknown reason, two of them, Eldad and Medad, failed to present themselves at the tabernacle for commissioning. Yet, the Spirit rested upon them, also. Some of the others thought that they should be stopped from prophesying, proclaiming the Word of the Lord. Moses exclaims, Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them! Though pastors are appointed to fulfill certain tasks in the Lord’s Church, all Christians are called upon to give witness to the hope that is in them (1 Peter 3:15) by proclaiming the Word of God, as opportunities are presented.

Thursday, 5 June 2014—Acts 2:1–21—The Epistle reading for the Day of Pentecost is, as you might imagine, the account of the giving of the Holy Spirit on the first Day of Pentecost, and the establishment of the New Testament Church. This special gift was given to the disciples in the early Church for two main reasons: to testify that these men were speaking by the authority of God (for only God could grant such a gift in fulfillment of prophecy), and in order to proclaim the Word of God to people of many different tongues. Since the New Testament had not been written down yet, it also could not be translated yet. In our day, the written Word of God, the Bible, fulfills both these purposes, delivering the truth of God in a language which we can understand.

Friday, 6 June 2014—John 7:37–39—Jesus foretells the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit will be fully poured out upon the Church, causing living waters to flow out from their hearts, that is, all believers will be empowered to testify to the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation which comes through Jesus Christ alone.

Saturday, 7 June 2014—The majestic Hymn of the Day, Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord (LSB #497), was written by Martin Luther. In addition to writing catechism hymns for each of the six chief parts of Christian doctrine, Luther wrote this one to help remember the third article of the Apostles’ Creed. The chief teaching of the Christian faith—the doctrine of salvation by faith rather than works—is clearly proclaimed throughout this great hymn. Sing it confidently and boldly. The Holy Spirit has brought you to faith, and by Word and Sacrament, He will continue to keep you in the one true faith.

Sources:

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

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Ascension

May 29, 2014

The Ascension of Our Lord

Luke 24:44-53

"Power for Ending & Beginning"

Introduction: The Ascension of our Lord marks the ending as well as a beginning. The earthly ministry of Jesus has been accomplished. Now, as recorded in the closing words of Luke's gospel, Jesus gave final instructions to His disciples. Then He ascended on high to the position of eternal glory that He, the Son of God, had left in order to be our Redeemer. But this ending was truly a beginning. For now, He would bestow power on His faithful people. This night let us consider the power for ending as well as beginning.

1. We end and begin with the powerful Word of our Savior.

A. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Word.

1. The sweep of salvation history covers "everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms" (Luke 24:44). In Christ, all things are completed.

2. Luke's gospel is a record of that fulfillment. It started with the prediction that at just the right time Christ would come into the world. Luke outlines for us how Christ finds His way all the way back to the people of promise in the genealogy of Jesus. Luke records for us Jesus' birth, His trip to the temple to be circumcised and then at the age of twelve.

We have recorded for us his life and ministry, which culminated in Jesus' death and resurrection. During these past forty days we too have been witnesses of His resurrection...Luke has lead us to the conclusion that this Jesus is none other than the very Son of God, the chosen One of the Father.

B. Jesus reveals Himself as the Center of the Word.

1. In our text, we are reminded that Jesus "opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" (v. 45). What this simply means is that without Jesus Christ the Word becomes a mere record of ancient history. But with His revelation which comes through the Word we know Jesus to be the way the truth and the life.

2. Jesus' death and resurrection is the key that opens up the Word. In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have come to know that He holds for us the key, which opens the gate, which leads to eternal life.

C. This fulfilled, Christ-centered Word must be proclaimed in the world.

1. The proclamation is repentance and forgiveness in Jesus' Holy Name.

2. It is proclaimed to all people and all nations for God desires all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Transition: Scripture's purpose is not a dead end. It is a new beginning, for it has power through this proclamation of Jesus' suffering, death, resurrection and ascension to bring repentance, forgiveness and life to all who believe. This is the new beginnings, which Christ brings to us this day.

2. We end and begin with the power of the Holy Spirit.

A. We are called to be His witnesses.

1. We witness to what the disciples had seen in Christ. In spirit we were there as Jesus suffered, was crucified, died and was buried. We too have seen His resurrected from the dead.

2. He too have witnessed to what we by faith have seen ourselves. The resurrection of Jesus Christ has the power to change lives. Every person who passed by the open tomb of the resurrected Christ had their lives changed. Before the resurrection, they were fearful and doubting. But after the resurrection, their lives were changed as the witnessed Jesus alive from the dead.

B. But wait! The Power will come!

1. On the day of Pentecost the Savior would "clothe" the disciples with the power of the Holy Spirit. Having received power from on high they began in Jerusalem and were His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the rest of the world.

2. We too, begin by the power of the Spirit to witness to Jesus Christ. As we have received the power of the spirit in baptism, we go out into the world witnessing of what Christ has done for us in our lives as well.

Transition: A witness is one who cannot but speak and live the endings and beginnings that God, by grace, has bestowed upon His people. As we begin, we receive the living Christ.

3. We end and begin under Christ's powerful blessing.

A. The ending point of Jesus' earthly ministry was His glorious Ascension.

1. Jesus ascended to heaven to receive all glory and honor from God the Father.

2. He ascended to bless His Christ as its living, present Head as He comes to us, His children through Word and Sacrament.

B. We are blessed with joy.

1. The disciples did not mourn Jesus' leaving; the rejoiced for they knew that He was returning to the Father.

2. This is far different from Memorial Day sadness and helplessness when we remember those who are no more. Christ continues to be alive and with us. We might not see Him but He remains with us. As He has promised, "Lo, I am with you always, even 'till the end of the age" (Matthew 28:28)

3. He who rose is with us this night. He will return at His Second Advent to take us to be where He now lives and rules at the right hand of the Father.

Conclusion: So, filled with joy, the disciples waited and "were continually in the temple" (v. 53). We too await the Lord's return not with sadness but with joy, not in weakness but in His power and strength. The ascension is the ending that brought new beginnings. It is power like that of our baptism. Our earthly lives will end one day but will also begin again with joy our entrance into life eternal.

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Sunday, May 25, 2014

Time in the Word - Easter 7

Time in the Word

Christians in a non-Believing World

Easter 7

May 26-31, 2014

This coming week will be the last Sunday in Easter. Easter 7 serves as a bridge between Ascension and Pentecost. We look back to the Ascension or forward to Pentecost. Because Easter was so late this year, we will be celebrating Ascension the last week of May. .

A Daytime Collect for Eastertide Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit.

Collect for Easter 7 - O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

A Prayer for Ascension – Almighty God, as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

For Agriculture - Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper; we implore You, the work of farmers, especially in this planting season. Grant them seasonable weather that they may gather in the fruits of the earth and thus proclaim Your goodness. May we see by this noble vocation that by Your aid we are helping to feed the world and cause all who give thanks over their food to treat those who produce it with honor and respect.

An Evening Collect for Eastertide – Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with Your whole Church. Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of our life, in the end of the world. Abide with us with Your grace and goodness, with Your Holy Word and sacrament, with Your strength and blessing. Abide with us when the night of affliction and temptation comes upon us, the night of fear and despair when death shall come. Abide with us and with all the faithful through time and eternity.

Monday, May 26, 2014 – Psalm 68:1-10 - This is the Psalm suggested for the last Sunday in Easter.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014 – Acts 1:12—26 – Christians in the world pray for the Spirit. At His ascension, Jesus promised to send the Spirit to the disciples. The risen Lord meets with His eleven disciples a short distance from Jerusalem where before ascending to His Father, He promises them the Spirit who will give them power to witness throughout the world. Then they returned to an upper room in Jerusalem to pray. With the disciples are Jesus’ brothers and mother. This is her last appearance in the New Testament — she is seen among the first Christians praying and waiting for the Spirit. This deals with both the Ascension and next Sunday’s Pentecost. The First Lesson is similar to today’s Acts 1:1-11. Otherwise, the Lesson can be used to prepare for the upcoming Pentecost celebration.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 – 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11 – Christians in the world share Christ’s sufferings. Christians are to rejoice over the privilege of sharing Christ’s suffering, and, after suffering, God will restore and strengthen them. The exhortations to the newly baptized are continued in this passage. They are warned of impending persecution for being Christians, for at this time it was a crime to be a Christian. They are not to be surprised when suffering comes, but to rejoice that they suffer as Jesus did. When suffering comes, the new Christians are to be humble, trust in God’s care, be on guard against temptation, and to remember that suffering is over and God will strengthen them. They are to take comfort in the fact that suffering is experienced by the whole church.

Thursday, May 29, 2014 – John 17:1-11 – Christians in the world are prayed for. Before His departure, Jesus prays for His disciples. This lesson is a part of Christ’s high priestly prayer, the end of His farewell discourse at the Last Supper begun in chapter 13. The hour of His departure has come. He reports to the Father that He has accomplished the work He was sent to do.

Friday, May 30, 2014 – Psalm 47 – This Psalm is suggested for Ascension.

Saturday, May 31, 2014 – Acts 2:21 – This verse is the inspiration for the hymn, “Christ is the World’s Redeemer“{LSB 539}. The suggested hymn for this week reminds us that Jesus is the Savior of the world. Having examined the realities of Easter, we now go out into the world as witnesses of the Savior. This is what living the faith means. Expressing what those 1^st Century disciples proclaimed, “We are witnesses to these things”

Sources:

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

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Easter 6

Easter 6
John 14:15-21
I will not leave you desolate

“O God, from whom all good things do come. Lead us by the inspiration of Your Spirit to think those things that are right, and by Your goodness help us to do them.”

Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior reaches out to His fearful, lonely and hurting followers of all ages when He says to us, "I will not leave you desolate." These words of comfort and hope mirror the last five words that He spoke to humans before He ascended into heaven. When He said in Matthew 28, "I am with you always..." Jesus your Savior gives you His guarantee that He will not walk out on you. Consider His words and promises this day.

We too can experience the same feelings of abandonment.

We experience trials, sickness and death. And what do we feel? We can feel as if Christ has left us too.

When these things happen, all of our options all seem to be bad ones. We feel as if we are thrown to the wind. With no one to help us. We lose our sense of direction and our sense of perspective because these fears of loneliness can overwhelm us.

These feelings of hopelessness have become a product of our times. We live with such rapid changes all around us. There are family problems, jobs that are threatened, economic situations and issues that appear to be out of our control. Social and societal shifts we cannot understand. And because so much is beyond our control, we can feel the sense that we too, are losing control.

It is then that we conclude that our life is full of troubles and challenges and how weak we really are. As the old quip reminds us, "any fool can handle a crisis...it's the day to day living that wears me down!"

In this midst of this trouble and strife, this chaos and confusion that the Savior comes to us with His Word of comfort and promise. Jesus understands our station in life and He promises to do something about our sorry lot.

He promises us the Counselor. For your aid and comfort.

Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come and appears on our behalf to be a mediator, an intercessor, and a genuine helper for us.

Who is this counselor? He is the Spirit of truth, the One who can be known and revealed only by faith. He is the One who dwells and lives within you. While so many live with the mistaken notion that perception is reality, the Savior confirms to you that He is the reality and the solution to any feelings of abandonment.

Jesus promised His disciples that He was leaving. They reasoned, they concluded, that they must solider it alone. This perception became their reality. Yet Jesus' promises trump any and all false conclusions. You are not alone. He sends you the Counselor, the Spirit of truth.

You are not alone. "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." John 16:13. "The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:17

He will guide you - as a father leads his child by the hand, so will the Holy Spirit lead and guide you. You are not alone. Christ has conquered. Christ has risen. The Spirit has come. He leads you still. Into all truth. Wherever you might go.