Here is the information for our worship service on the 3rd.
Hymns:
902 Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now
587 I Know My Faith Is Founded
685 Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus
637 Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord
930 All You Works of God, Bless the Lord
941 We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God
Scripture Lessons
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
Psalm 62
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Luke 17:1-10
Collect of the Day
O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, by Your grace hear the prayers of Your Church. Grant that those things which we ask in faith we may receive through Your bountiful mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
May God bless our preparation and meditation for worship!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sermon for St. Michael and All Angels
I suppose it is good that I am running behind this week. This is my sermon from Sunday and it is Wednesday before I get it posted. But today is the 29th, which is actually the day to celebrate St. Michael. Hear, hear for tardiness!
St. Michael and All Angels
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sept. 26, 2010
Luke 10:17-20
“For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down”
In the name of Jesus, amen. “Just do what you’re told!” “Because I said so!” “Because I’m in charge!” Those emphatic statements have rung in our ears, and they likely have come out of our mouths. When we hear those statements, we probably hang our heads a bit. And when we say those words to others, it is later that we hang our heads as we realize how abrasive and even abusive we portray ourselves to be.
The Sunday for St. Michael and All Angels gives us a wonderful opportunity to focus on the work of God’s angels, his blessed creatures who serve the Lord day and night, never ceasing, never tiring to do the work of the Lord. Angels do what God tells them to do. The Lord says what they are to do and the Lord reaffirms that he is in charge of all things in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and the angels delight to carry out the will of the Lord. Praise God. Praise God for angels. Praise God for the work that the angels carry out.
The Revelation lesson and the Gospel lesson are likely describing the same event. You can read some of the commentaries in my office and come to the Sunday Bible class to discuss more about it, but theologians think that the same event is being talked about.
The archangel, aka the chief prince, aka the commanding officer Michael, given charge of the heavenly army, fought against the great dragon, the devil, Satan, the awful accuser, the dreadful deceiver of the whole world…and Michael won. The great dragon and his evil horde lost and they were cast out of heaven.
St. Luke says that the 72 disciples came back to Jesus and reported all that was taking place. Demons were being cast out in Jesus’ name and Jesus said, “I’m aware. I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority over the enemy and nothing shall hurt you. But do not rejoice in this, that the evil spirits are subject to you, but instead, rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
It was probably a decade ago that angels were all the rage, with TV shows and movies featuring the work of God’s created beings. It is not that I am finally getting with the times, but all the attention was interesting, because the Church of God has always been celebrating the work of angels.
Our hymn of the day gets it right- the angels do their work and to the Lord God we give all praise. And the hymn of the day recounts the Biblical record that the angels are deployed by the Lord God to work against the old Satanic foe and all the forces of the devil. The roaring lion is unceasing in his work to devour and tear up the people of God. But the angels are watchful. They are ready as they follow Christ their master to guard the lambs and sheep of God wherever they go.
For this, praise and thanks are given to God. Praise and thanks to God is the default position of the Christian. And you know why this is so.
It is so because the power of Satan is strong. The devil’s might is terrifying. The accusations of the cunning and slick serpent find the chinks in the Christian’s armor and effect great destruction. Satan never rests going after the children of God.
Satan creates dissension within the family of God. This happens when disagreement over and issue becomes less about the issue and more about personalities. Disagreement over an issue is fine. Disagreement that becomes personal can tear apart the family that God has knit together.
Satan creates division within individuals and great spiritual turmoil is created when the devil leads a person to believe that some sins are less egregious than others, or that some people are less deserving of God’s love than others. Christians have deluded themselves into thinking that their individual sins are not as bad as the sins of those people over there. Judgmental attitudes reign and they are destructive. Self-justification is a big problem because Christians put themselves in God’s position, breaking the first commandment, and start to order God around- Do what I say, when I say, and if I don’t need you, just stay in that box over there, just stay in that baptismal font, just stay on that altar in those silly symbolic acts. I’m in charge God, so please stay out of my and let me run things.
We believe we know best. And what we know best, through the school of experience, is that the division and dissension created by the devil is devastating. Through our sinful actions brought on by our sinful activity, we are divided from our spouse, our children, from our brothers and sisters, from the other lambs we share this fold with. The accuser of our brothers has a field day by pointing to the long laundry list of our sins.
But the accuser of our brothers, the fiend who accuses us and deceives us into doubting God’s certain Word, God’s unconditional love, God’s pure mercy, the accuser has been thrown down. Michael and the heavenly hosts, the Sabaoth, the angelic army, did battle with Satan and Michael won. Of course they did. Was the outcome ever in doubt?
The 72 declared that the demons were subject to them in the name of Jesus. There is the certainty of the outcome. Jesus. Name above all names. Name at which every knee shall bow and every tongue confess in heaven above, on earth below, and in the realm below the earth, that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. It is the Name, the glorious Name, the Name that is love and peace and strength and renewal. The power of the Name drives the demonic away.
There was another angel who did what the Lord told him to do. This was the archangel Gabriel, who showed up in Nazareth on March 25, and told a young virgin girl that she would have a child, a son in fact, and that her son would be the Son of the Most High God. Then Gabriel went over to Joseph’s house, woke him from his sleep and said that his fiancée was pregnant, not to worry, and that Joseph would call his son Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
The Name. The Name that saves. The Name that is placed on us. Jesus is the name we wear and bear to the world. Hearing the blessed name of Jesus reminds us that the accuser of our brethren has indeed been thrown down. The accuser has no more power to accuse since Jesus has ascended the throne of the cross, carrying your sins and mine, carrying our delusions and doubts. The accuser can no longer point his finger at us and accuse us of our sins since the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ looks at us and sees us wearing the robe of Christ’s righteousness. The devil has been cast down. Christ has triumphed.
Do what you’re told! The angels do what the Lord tells them to do on our behalf. We do what the Lord tells us to do. Rejoice, that our names are written in the book. Rejoice that you are cleansed through the waters of Holy Baptism. Rejoice that you are fed at the table of the Lord. Rejoice that your sins are forgiven. Rejoice that the mercy of God has reached you for the sake of your neighbor. Rejoice. That is what we are told to do. Rejoice that your names are written in heaven. SDG
St. Michael and All Angels
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sept. 26, 2010
Luke 10:17-20
“For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down”
In the name of Jesus, amen. “Just do what you’re told!” “Because I said so!” “Because I’m in charge!” Those emphatic statements have rung in our ears, and they likely have come out of our mouths. When we hear those statements, we probably hang our heads a bit. And when we say those words to others, it is later that we hang our heads as we realize how abrasive and even abusive we portray ourselves to be.
The Sunday for St. Michael and All Angels gives us a wonderful opportunity to focus on the work of God’s angels, his blessed creatures who serve the Lord day and night, never ceasing, never tiring to do the work of the Lord. Angels do what God tells them to do. The Lord says what they are to do and the Lord reaffirms that he is in charge of all things in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and the angels delight to carry out the will of the Lord. Praise God. Praise God for angels. Praise God for the work that the angels carry out.
The Revelation lesson and the Gospel lesson are likely describing the same event. You can read some of the commentaries in my office and come to the Sunday Bible class to discuss more about it, but theologians think that the same event is being talked about.
The archangel, aka the chief prince, aka the commanding officer Michael, given charge of the heavenly army, fought against the great dragon, the devil, Satan, the awful accuser, the dreadful deceiver of the whole world…and Michael won. The great dragon and his evil horde lost and they were cast out of heaven.
St. Luke says that the 72 disciples came back to Jesus and reported all that was taking place. Demons were being cast out in Jesus’ name and Jesus said, “I’m aware. I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority over the enemy and nothing shall hurt you. But do not rejoice in this, that the evil spirits are subject to you, but instead, rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
It was probably a decade ago that angels were all the rage, with TV shows and movies featuring the work of God’s created beings. It is not that I am finally getting with the times, but all the attention was interesting, because the Church of God has always been celebrating the work of angels.
Our hymn of the day gets it right- the angels do their work and to the Lord God we give all praise. And the hymn of the day recounts the Biblical record that the angels are deployed by the Lord God to work against the old Satanic foe and all the forces of the devil. The roaring lion is unceasing in his work to devour and tear up the people of God. But the angels are watchful. They are ready as they follow Christ their master to guard the lambs and sheep of God wherever they go.
For this, praise and thanks are given to God. Praise and thanks to God is the default position of the Christian. And you know why this is so.
It is so because the power of Satan is strong. The devil’s might is terrifying. The accusations of the cunning and slick serpent find the chinks in the Christian’s armor and effect great destruction. Satan never rests going after the children of God.
Satan creates dissension within the family of God. This happens when disagreement over and issue becomes less about the issue and more about personalities. Disagreement over an issue is fine. Disagreement that becomes personal can tear apart the family that God has knit together.
Satan creates division within individuals and great spiritual turmoil is created when the devil leads a person to believe that some sins are less egregious than others, or that some people are less deserving of God’s love than others. Christians have deluded themselves into thinking that their individual sins are not as bad as the sins of those people over there. Judgmental attitudes reign and they are destructive. Self-justification is a big problem because Christians put themselves in God’s position, breaking the first commandment, and start to order God around- Do what I say, when I say, and if I don’t need you, just stay in that box over there, just stay in that baptismal font, just stay on that altar in those silly symbolic acts. I’m in charge God, so please stay out of my and let me run things.
We believe we know best. And what we know best, through the school of experience, is that the division and dissension created by the devil is devastating. Through our sinful actions brought on by our sinful activity, we are divided from our spouse, our children, from our brothers and sisters, from the other lambs we share this fold with. The accuser of our brothers has a field day by pointing to the long laundry list of our sins.
But the accuser of our brothers, the fiend who accuses us and deceives us into doubting God’s certain Word, God’s unconditional love, God’s pure mercy, the accuser has been thrown down. Michael and the heavenly hosts, the Sabaoth, the angelic army, did battle with Satan and Michael won. Of course they did. Was the outcome ever in doubt?
The 72 declared that the demons were subject to them in the name of Jesus. There is the certainty of the outcome. Jesus. Name above all names. Name at which every knee shall bow and every tongue confess in heaven above, on earth below, and in the realm below the earth, that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. It is the Name, the glorious Name, the Name that is love and peace and strength and renewal. The power of the Name drives the demonic away.
There was another angel who did what the Lord told him to do. This was the archangel Gabriel, who showed up in Nazareth on March 25, and told a young virgin girl that she would have a child, a son in fact, and that her son would be the Son of the Most High God. Then Gabriel went over to Joseph’s house, woke him from his sleep and said that his fiancée was pregnant, not to worry, and that Joseph would call his son Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
The Name. The Name that saves. The Name that is placed on us. Jesus is the name we wear and bear to the world. Hearing the blessed name of Jesus reminds us that the accuser of our brethren has indeed been thrown down. The accuser has no more power to accuse since Jesus has ascended the throne of the cross, carrying your sins and mine, carrying our delusions and doubts. The accuser can no longer point his finger at us and accuse us of our sins since the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ looks at us and sees us wearing the robe of Christ’s righteousness. The devil has been cast down. Christ has triumphed.
Do what you’re told! The angels do what the Lord tells them to do on our behalf. We do what the Lord tells us to do. Rejoice, that our names are written in the book. Rejoice that you are cleansed through the waters of Holy Baptism. Rejoice that you are fed at the table of the Lord. Rejoice that your sins are forgiven. Rejoice that the mercy of God has reached you for the sake of your neighbor. Rejoice. That is what we are told to do. Rejoice that your names are written in heaven. SDG
Monday, September 20, 2010
Worship info for Sept. 26
This coming Sunday we'll mark St. Michael and All Angels in our worship, which actually occurs Sept. 29th. But we'll move it up so we can focus on the Lord's blessings through His angels.
Hymns
905 Come, thou almighty king
522 Lord God, to thee we give all praise
930 All you works of God, bless the Lord
708 Lord, Thee I love with all my heart
Scripture lessons
Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3
Revelation 12:7-12
Luke 10:17-20
Collect of the Day
O God, You are the strength of all who trust in You, and without Your aid we can do no good thing. Grant us the help of Your grace that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Collect of the Day for St. Michael and All Angels
Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as Your holy angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
May God bless our preparation and meditation for worship. pastor
Hymns
905 Come, thou almighty king
522 Lord God, to thee we give all praise
930 All you works of God, bless the Lord
708 Lord, Thee I love with all my heart
Scripture lessons
Daniel 10:10-14; 12:1-3
Revelation 12:7-12
Luke 10:17-20
Collect of the Day
O God, You are the strength of all who trust in You, and without Your aid we can do no good thing. Grant us the help of Your grace that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Collect of the Day for St. Michael and All Angels
Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as Your holy angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
May God bless our preparation and meditation for worship. pastor
Not quite a good start
It looks like I might go 0-2 at the start of my fantasy league season. Right now I'm trailing 59-55. I have the San Francisco 49ers defense in tonight's game. They are playing the Saints. All I ask if for a couple of interceptions or fumble recoveries. Please. If not, I'll be looking up, which is not what I expected since I have Tom Brady at QB and Chris Johnson at RB. Both had subpar games yesterday. GGrrr...
Sermon for St. Matthew, Sept. 19th
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
St. Matthew Sunday
Sept. 19, 2010
Ezekiel 2:8-3:11; Matthew 9:9-13
Speak with my words to them
In the name of Jesus, the one who called Matthew to follow him, and the one who continues to issue that call today, amen.
Of the four evangelists, perhaps Matthew was the smartest. But Luke was the physician, wasn’t he? We think he was, but being a physician then was not the same as being a physician today. Remember that at one point leeches were considered good medical practice. And perhaps you saw the old Saturday night Live skit where Steve Martin played a barber. The barber was looked to for medical help, and the barber’s diagnosis of a young girl’s ailment was due to a small toad or dwarf living in her stomach. Google it and you’ll see how funny that skit is.
John was a fisherman, and you likely know that it doesn’t take a whole lot of smarts to bait a hook. Worm, hook, water, done. Fishing in the first century took more brawn than brains.
And we don’t know a whole lot about Mark.
But Matthew was a tax collector. That job took some brains. It required some education. It required some intellect to determine if that goat equaled enough money to satisfy the amount of tax owed, or if a couple of extra doves were needed. And it took some shrewdness to make sure that no one realized how much extra money you were collecting and keeping and making sure that Caesar got what was his.
So perhaps Matthew was the smartest of the four evangelists. Of the four gospels, Matthew’s is the longest. Matthew includes the most references to the Old Testament. Those are very simple ways to deduce that Matthew had some good gray matter between his ears.
But…Matthew’s intelligence is not our focus. When Jesus called Matthew to leave his booth, Jesus said “Follow me”, not “Follow your own path and do what you want to do”. And our OT lesson from Ezekiel gives us the calling of that great prophet.
There the Lord feeds His prophet. “Son of man, open your mouth and eat what I give you.” And Ezekiel looked and there before him was a scroll. Eat it. Fill your belly with this scroll. It is a scroll of lamentation, woe, and mourning. And when Ezekiel ate it, behold, it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.
After a delectable feast on God’s Word, Ezekiel was sent to the house of Israel. God, the Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the father of great King David, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all the people within the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church, God told Ezekiel to speak with my words to them. Don’t speak with your words Ezekiel. Don’t you presume to know more than me! Do not dare to speak your thoughts and your opinions and your feelings. Speak with my words to them.
Matthew was told the same thing. Follow me, the Lord Jesus told him. Speak my words to the people of Israel. Write my words to those lost sheep, to those who are stuck in their self-righteousness. Do not rely on what you know, what you think you know, or what you guess at. Rely on me, for I am the one who called you. Speak with my words to the people you meet.
That is not as easy at it sounds. We generally like how smart we are. We often are impressed by the things we can do, the way we can build something, the way we can solve problems, the way we can manage time, people, and projects. We like the way we can turn a phrase, craft a sentence, take the music on the page and improvise in a way that is quite beautiful.
We spend a lot of time in school, listening to teachers, squirreled away in the basement of the library with our books and our papers. We spend a lot of time learning, being an apprentice, listening to older workers and figuring out the ‘tricks of the trade’. And so we take pride in what we know.
But the Lord says, “Speak with my words to them.” For someone like Ezekiel, or Jeremiah or Joel or Amos, for someone like Matthew or Mark or Luke or John, for you and for me, the Lord says to us, “Not by your smarts, not by your strength, not by your creativity, but by my Spirit. It is by my Spirit who brings the living Word of the Living Savior to your ears, to your heart. Speak with my words to them.”
Who is the ‘them’? Them is out there. Them is in here. Them are at work and them are in the classroom. Speak with my words to all people. Certainly in this place, in these services conducted in the Lord’s House, it is the Word of God that is spoken, the Word that frightens and condemns, the Word that comforts and saves.
So I think we are pretty clear on who is the ‘them’.
But what words are we to speak? And whose words should spill out of our mouths?
“Speak with my words to them.” That is, the Lord’s words, the words that mean something, the words that are solid and certain, trustworthy and true. Those kind of words are not often heard in our age of half-truths, of pseudo-truth, of white lies, gray lies, red, pink, and green lies. I’m not allowed to talk to telemarketers, and this is because I generally believe what people tell me. Believing what people say is a good thing, unless the words that people say are deceptive, false, or harmful.
The words of the Lord are words that we know. They have been spoken to us. They have been applied to us, and we have been speaking them. Our worship services are sung Scripture. Have you noticed how the pages of our hymnal are replete with Bible passages? We are not speaking the words of men. We are not speaking the words of North Africans, the area from where the historic order of Christian worship originated. We are speaking, singing, and praying the Lord’s words.
They are familiar words in a familiar language. Ezekiel was not sent to a foreign land, to people with a strange tongue. Neither was Matthew. He was sent to the lost people of Israel, to the sheep who had wandered away, and through Matthew, the Lord Himself sought after His people.
Everyday we find ourselves amidst people who speak the same language as us. Whether these people are inside the Church or not, they understand loss, hurt, and rejection. Christians and non-Christians alike deal with death, hopelessness, trial, and tragedy. They know joy and happiness, peace and calm. But sadly, the people outside of the Church, who do not rejoice in the Lord’s relationship, they do not know the Victor who overcomes the losses. They do not know the Divine Healer of our hurts, nor do they know the Forgiver who reverses our rejection. They do not know Jesus and are unable to respond to His call of “Follow me”.
The Lord sends us to speak. How? When the Lord’s call comes, our excuses come out quickly. I’m too young. I’m too old. I’m not smart enough. I don’t want to be perceived as a meddler. I wouldn’t know what to say. First of all, there is no such thing as too young or too old. Children and the elderly often make the strongest statements of faith through their living. Children simply blurt out the truth that Jesus loves them and they are overjoyed with that great knowledge. The elderly testify to God’s grace as they bear up under long illnesses, often with great pain and suffering. Indeed, they that wait on the Lord shall have their strength renewed like the soaring eagles.
Secondly, you wouldn’t know what to say? You’re not smart enough? That’s right. None of us are. But you are not speaking your words. I do not offer my opinion. Speak with my words to them, says the lord. Speak your story with the words of the Lord. Speak of your sin and God’s grace. Speak of your lost condition and how the Lord found you. Speak of your weakness and God’s strength. Speak of your self-centeredness and them speak of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross.
Now some will hear and some will not. The Lord knows that people possess hard foreheads and stubborn hearts. People may close their ears. People may turn their back on us and walk away. People may respond with words of hate and condemnation. People may curl their hands into fists. We can’t control that. We know how stiff-necked and pig-headed we are. But the Lord’s command is simple: speak. Whether they hear or not is not your business. Your business is to speak. When you speak, speak the Lord’s words. You know the words. You live the words.
The Lord’s words are love. They are grace. They are forgiveness. They are the Lord’s words for you and they are in you. SDG
St. Matthew Sunday
Sept. 19, 2010
Ezekiel 2:8-3:11; Matthew 9:9-13
Speak with my words to them
In the name of Jesus, the one who called Matthew to follow him, and the one who continues to issue that call today, amen.
Of the four evangelists, perhaps Matthew was the smartest. But Luke was the physician, wasn’t he? We think he was, but being a physician then was not the same as being a physician today. Remember that at one point leeches were considered good medical practice. And perhaps you saw the old Saturday night Live skit where Steve Martin played a barber. The barber was looked to for medical help, and the barber’s diagnosis of a young girl’s ailment was due to a small toad or dwarf living in her stomach. Google it and you’ll see how funny that skit is.
John was a fisherman, and you likely know that it doesn’t take a whole lot of smarts to bait a hook. Worm, hook, water, done. Fishing in the first century took more brawn than brains.
And we don’t know a whole lot about Mark.
But Matthew was a tax collector. That job took some brains. It required some education. It required some intellect to determine if that goat equaled enough money to satisfy the amount of tax owed, or if a couple of extra doves were needed. And it took some shrewdness to make sure that no one realized how much extra money you were collecting and keeping and making sure that Caesar got what was his.
So perhaps Matthew was the smartest of the four evangelists. Of the four gospels, Matthew’s is the longest. Matthew includes the most references to the Old Testament. Those are very simple ways to deduce that Matthew had some good gray matter between his ears.
But…Matthew’s intelligence is not our focus. When Jesus called Matthew to leave his booth, Jesus said “Follow me”, not “Follow your own path and do what you want to do”. And our OT lesson from Ezekiel gives us the calling of that great prophet.
There the Lord feeds His prophet. “Son of man, open your mouth and eat what I give you.” And Ezekiel looked and there before him was a scroll. Eat it. Fill your belly with this scroll. It is a scroll of lamentation, woe, and mourning. And when Ezekiel ate it, behold, it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.
After a delectable feast on God’s Word, Ezekiel was sent to the house of Israel. God, the Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the father of great King David, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all the people within the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church, God told Ezekiel to speak with my words to them. Don’t speak with your words Ezekiel. Don’t you presume to know more than me! Do not dare to speak your thoughts and your opinions and your feelings. Speak with my words to them.
Matthew was told the same thing. Follow me, the Lord Jesus told him. Speak my words to the people of Israel. Write my words to those lost sheep, to those who are stuck in their self-righteousness. Do not rely on what you know, what you think you know, or what you guess at. Rely on me, for I am the one who called you. Speak with my words to the people you meet.
That is not as easy at it sounds. We generally like how smart we are. We often are impressed by the things we can do, the way we can build something, the way we can solve problems, the way we can manage time, people, and projects. We like the way we can turn a phrase, craft a sentence, take the music on the page and improvise in a way that is quite beautiful.
We spend a lot of time in school, listening to teachers, squirreled away in the basement of the library with our books and our papers. We spend a lot of time learning, being an apprentice, listening to older workers and figuring out the ‘tricks of the trade’. And so we take pride in what we know.
But the Lord says, “Speak with my words to them.” For someone like Ezekiel, or Jeremiah or Joel or Amos, for someone like Matthew or Mark or Luke or John, for you and for me, the Lord says to us, “Not by your smarts, not by your strength, not by your creativity, but by my Spirit. It is by my Spirit who brings the living Word of the Living Savior to your ears, to your heart. Speak with my words to them.”
Who is the ‘them’? Them is out there. Them is in here. Them are at work and them are in the classroom. Speak with my words to all people. Certainly in this place, in these services conducted in the Lord’s House, it is the Word of God that is spoken, the Word that frightens and condemns, the Word that comforts and saves.
So I think we are pretty clear on who is the ‘them’.
But what words are we to speak? And whose words should spill out of our mouths?
“Speak with my words to them.” That is, the Lord’s words, the words that mean something, the words that are solid and certain, trustworthy and true. Those kind of words are not often heard in our age of half-truths, of pseudo-truth, of white lies, gray lies, red, pink, and green lies. I’m not allowed to talk to telemarketers, and this is because I generally believe what people tell me. Believing what people say is a good thing, unless the words that people say are deceptive, false, or harmful.
The words of the Lord are words that we know. They have been spoken to us. They have been applied to us, and we have been speaking them. Our worship services are sung Scripture. Have you noticed how the pages of our hymnal are replete with Bible passages? We are not speaking the words of men. We are not speaking the words of North Africans, the area from where the historic order of Christian worship originated. We are speaking, singing, and praying the Lord’s words.
They are familiar words in a familiar language. Ezekiel was not sent to a foreign land, to people with a strange tongue. Neither was Matthew. He was sent to the lost people of Israel, to the sheep who had wandered away, and through Matthew, the Lord Himself sought after His people.
Everyday we find ourselves amidst people who speak the same language as us. Whether these people are inside the Church or not, they understand loss, hurt, and rejection. Christians and non-Christians alike deal with death, hopelessness, trial, and tragedy. They know joy and happiness, peace and calm. But sadly, the people outside of the Church, who do not rejoice in the Lord’s relationship, they do not know the Victor who overcomes the losses. They do not know the Divine Healer of our hurts, nor do they know the Forgiver who reverses our rejection. They do not know Jesus and are unable to respond to His call of “Follow me”.
The Lord sends us to speak. How? When the Lord’s call comes, our excuses come out quickly. I’m too young. I’m too old. I’m not smart enough. I don’t want to be perceived as a meddler. I wouldn’t know what to say. First of all, there is no such thing as too young or too old. Children and the elderly often make the strongest statements of faith through their living. Children simply blurt out the truth that Jesus loves them and they are overjoyed with that great knowledge. The elderly testify to God’s grace as they bear up under long illnesses, often with great pain and suffering. Indeed, they that wait on the Lord shall have their strength renewed like the soaring eagles.
Secondly, you wouldn’t know what to say? You’re not smart enough? That’s right. None of us are. But you are not speaking your words. I do not offer my opinion. Speak with my words to them, says the lord. Speak your story with the words of the Lord. Speak of your sin and God’s grace. Speak of your lost condition and how the Lord found you. Speak of your weakness and God’s strength. Speak of your self-centeredness and them speak of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross.
Now some will hear and some will not. The Lord knows that people possess hard foreheads and stubborn hearts. People may close their ears. People may turn their back on us and walk away. People may respond with words of hate and condemnation. People may curl their hands into fists. We can’t control that. We know how stiff-necked and pig-headed we are. But the Lord’s command is simple: speak. Whether they hear or not is not your business. Your business is to speak. When you speak, speak the Lord’s words. You know the words. You live the words.
The Lord’s words are love. They are grace. They are forgiveness. They are the Lord’s words for you and they are in you. SDG
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Sermon for Sept. 12
Pentecost 16
Sept. 12, 2010
Luke 15:1-10
The Angel’s Joy
In the name of Jesus, amen. In our Gospel lesson this morning, does Jesus teach us how to make an angel happy? Jesus does talk about happiness and angels. And if you want to make an angel happy, if you want happiness in heaven, here is what you have to do: repent.
Again, for at least the fourth week in a row, the Gospel lesson focuses our attention on repentance, the necessity of it, and the blessing of it. And repentance is not something that we like to hear.
Happiness and repentance are not usually placed in the same sentence. Happiness and repentance are often placed at the extreme ends of a pole, of a spectrum. They are considered to be polar opposites, but that is not so. That idea is a delusion, and clouds our vision.
There is a lost sheep. There is a lost coin. The last half of Luke 15 shows us two sons who are both lost. And when the lost are found, when the lost discover the depths of their “lost-ness”, there is repentance and there is tremendous happiness, joy, frivolity, and mirth.
The angels before God in heaven experience joy and happiness, not for their own sake, but for the sake of the children of God who repent. Repentance occurs, not because people enjoy the way it makes them feel, but repentance occurs because God wills it. God our Father desires repentance because God longs to receive our sorrow, our shame, so that He can forgive our sins. God longs to forgive our sins of thought, word, and deed. God longs to forgive the sins we commit against our family and against strangers, against God Himself.
And when repentance takes place, there is rejoicing. The angels of God celebrate, give each other high fives and fist bumps. They cheer over the sinner being reconciled and restored to a right relationship with God. What we have today is the Gospel of the outcast for the outcast.
The last several Sundays Luke has talked about fellowship with the Lord and God’s desire that all people come to Him through His Son Jesus. Jesus is the narrow door that we enter through. We love the people around us because we love the Lord Jesus more. We have fellowship with God the Father because of Jesus the Son. But this fellowship, this inclusion, does not make all people happy.
There was grumbling because Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners. These people were drawing near to hear what Jesus had to say. They were drawing near and Jesus was receiving them, welcoming them, eating with them, and accepting them. He gave them what they needed. He gave them a call to repentance. And he gave them restoration.
Losing something is awful. Finding what was lost is great. The sheep that was lost was devastating news. Shepherds didn’t work alone, but in groups, at least in pairs. The shepherd responsible for the lost sheep would go after the lost one, leaving the ninety-nine in the hands of other shepherds. So you can imagine the joy at finding the sheep he is responsible for. The sheep likely didn’t know it was lost, and now finds itself being carried home on the shoulders of its shepherd.
We are often the lost sheep for we do not know the condition of our own lost-ness. Choices are made and paths are taken that we believe to be the right one but the realization soon comes that the choice was wrong and the path was not correct. We follow where our heart leads. We take the path of least resistance. We look for others to do our work. We seek something for nothing. And before long we realize that we are in the wilderness. We don’t know exactly where we are, we simply know that where we are is not where we want to be or where we need to be. And from that pitiable perspective, we are lead to believe that no one is coming to search for us. We believe the message that since we have made our beds we are the ones who will sleep there. We believe the message that the things we have done, the choices we have made, the paths we have traveled are so wrong and mistaken that there is no way to undo what was done or to even turn around and go back. As lost sheep we lie down and wait for our death. We are lost, beyond hope of being found.
Those are the messages of the devil. God cannot forgive you. You aren’t good enough. You don’t pray enough. You don’t do enough. You don’t give enough. You don’t believe enough. True, true, true. All of that is true. My devotional life is lacking. My prayer life is deficient. When the opportunity to give is presented to me, I jam my hands in my pocket. When the voices cry for mercy and compassion, I plug my ears and turn my back on them. And all of the devil’s messages, which have been bought by our world, are delusions.
Delusions. They are deadly because they cloud our minds, our heart, our vision of the truth. Here is the truth: “Jesus sinners doth receive; Oh, may all this saying ponder who in sin’s delusions live and from God and heaven wander! Here is hope for all who grieve: Jesus sinners doth receive!”
Here is the truth, as the prophet Ezekiel spoke the Lord’s words: “I myself will be their shepherd.” The shepherd searches for the sheep. The shepherd searches for you, hunts for you, listens to your crying and sobbing. When the shepherd finds you, there is rejoicing. He picks you up, hoists you onto his own shoulders and carries you back to the flock.
We repent of our wandering, of our chasing after what is worthless. We repent of the way that we push others out of the way, using our shoulders and sides to force the weaker away. We butt with our horns to make sure we get what is ours. And we realize how terribly we treat our fellow sheep. We repent. We acknowledge to God all of our sins. When that takes place, the angels in heaven rejoice at what takes place. They rejoice as the cross of Christ is lifted high, as the Lamb of God’s self-offering is celebrated. The Shepherd is the Lamb that was slain who takes away the sins of the world. The Shepherd is the Lamb, by whose blood we are sprinkled and cleansed. We are found. We are restored to our place within the family of God.
And there is joy, the joy of the angels over our repentance. And the Father beams as He looks at His beloved and says, “The lost is found. The outcast is brought in. My sinful child repents. My sinful child is forgiven.” This is joy, joy to the heart. “Let these words my soul relieve: Jesus sinners doth receive.” SDG
Sept. 12, 2010
Luke 15:1-10
The Angel’s Joy
In the name of Jesus, amen. In our Gospel lesson this morning, does Jesus teach us how to make an angel happy? Jesus does talk about happiness and angels. And if you want to make an angel happy, if you want happiness in heaven, here is what you have to do: repent.
Again, for at least the fourth week in a row, the Gospel lesson focuses our attention on repentance, the necessity of it, and the blessing of it. And repentance is not something that we like to hear.
Happiness and repentance are not usually placed in the same sentence. Happiness and repentance are often placed at the extreme ends of a pole, of a spectrum. They are considered to be polar opposites, but that is not so. That idea is a delusion, and clouds our vision.
There is a lost sheep. There is a lost coin. The last half of Luke 15 shows us two sons who are both lost. And when the lost are found, when the lost discover the depths of their “lost-ness”, there is repentance and there is tremendous happiness, joy, frivolity, and mirth.
The angels before God in heaven experience joy and happiness, not for their own sake, but for the sake of the children of God who repent. Repentance occurs, not because people enjoy the way it makes them feel, but repentance occurs because God wills it. God our Father desires repentance because God longs to receive our sorrow, our shame, so that He can forgive our sins. God longs to forgive our sins of thought, word, and deed. God longs to forgive the sins we commit against our family and against strangers, against God Himself.
And when repentance takes place, there is rejoicing. The angels of God celebrate, give each other high fives and fist bumps. They cheer over the sinner being reconciled and restored to a right relationship with God. What we have today is the Gospel of the outcast for the outcast.
The last several Sundays Luke has talked about fellowship with the Lord and God’s desire that all people come to Him through His Son Jesus. Jesus is the narrow door that we enter through. We love the people around us because we love the Lord Jesus more. We have fellowship with God the Father because of Jesus the Son. But this fellowship, this inclusion, does not make all people happy.
There was grumbling because Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners. These people were drawing near to hear what Jesus had to say. They were drawing near and Jesus was receiving them, welcoming them, eating with them, and accepting them. He gave them what they needed. He gave them a call to repentance. And he gave them restoration.
Losing something is awful. Finding what was lost is great. The sheep that was lost was devastating news. Shepherds didn’t work alone, but in groups, at least in pairs. The shepherd responsible for the lost sheep would go after the lost one, leaving the ninety-nine in the hands of other shepherds. So you can imagine the joy at finding the sheep he is responsible for. The sheep likely didn’t know it was lost, and now finds itself being carried home on the shoulders of its shepherd.
We are often the lost sheep for we do not know the condition of our own lost-ness. Choices are made and paths are taken that we believe to be the right one but the realization soon comes that the choice was wrong and the path was not correct. We follow where our heart leads. We take the path of least resistance. We look for others to do our work. We seek something for nothing. And before long we realize that we are in the wilderness. We don’t know exactly where we are, we simply know that where we are is not where we want to be or where we need to be. And from that pitiable perspective, we are lead to believe that no one is coming to search for us. We believe the message that since we have made our beds we are the ones who will sleep there. We believe the message that the things we have done, the choices we have made, the paths we have traveled are so wrong and mistaken that there is no way to undo what was done or to even turn around and go back. As lost sheep we lie down and wait for our death. We are lost, beyond hope of being found.
Those are the messages of the devil. God cannot forgive you. You aren’t good enough. You don’t pray enough. You don’t do enough. You don’t give enough. You don’t believe enough. True, true, true. All of that is true. My devotional life is lacking. My prayer life is deficient. When the opportunity to give is presented to me, I jam my hands in my pocket. When the voices cry for mercy and compassion, I plug my ears and turn my back on them. And all of the devil’s messages, which have been bought by our world, are delusions.
Delusions. They are deadly because they cloud our minds, our heart, our vision of the truth. Here is the truth: “Jesus sinners doth receive; Oh, may all this saying ponder who in sin’s delusions live and from God and heaven wander! Here is hope for all who grieve: Jesus sinners doth receive!”
Here is the truth, as the prophet Ezekiel spoke the Lord’s words: “I myself will be their shepherd.” The shepherd searches for the sheep. The shepherd searches for you, hunts for you, listens to your crying and sobbing. When the shepherd finds you, there is rejoicing. He picks you up, hoists you onto his own shoulders and carries you back to the flock.
We repent of our wandering, of our chasing after what is worthless. We repent of the way that we push others out of the way, using our shoulders and sides to force the weaker away. We butt with our horns to make sure we get what is ours. And we realize how terribly we treat our fellow sheep. We repent. We acknowledge to God all of our sins. When that takes place, the angels in heaven rejoice at what takes place. They rejoice as the cross of Christ is lifted high, as the Lamb of God’s self-offering is celebrated. The Shepherd is the Lamb that was slain who takes away the sins of the world. The Shepherd is the Lamb, by whose blood we are sprinkled and cleansed. We are found. We are restored to our place within the family of God.
And there is joy, the joy of the angels over our repentance. And the Father beams as He looks at His beloved and says, “The lost is found. The outcast is brought in. My sinful child repents. My sinful child is forgiven.” This is joy, joy to the heart. “Let these words my soul relieve: Jesus sinners doth receive.” SDG
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Worship info for Sept. 19
Here is the information for this coming Sunday's service:
Hymns
692 Praise to You and Adoration
566 By Grace I'm Saved
781 We Give Thee But Thine Own
518 By All Your Saints in Warfare vv1,25,3
769 Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ
851 Lord of Glory, You Have Bought us
Lessons
Ezekiel 2:8-3:11
Ephesians 4:7-16
Matthew 9:9-13
Collect of the Day
O Lord, keep Your Church in Your perpetual mercy; and because without You we cannot but fall, preserve us from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Collect of the Day for the Commemoration of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (Sept. 21)
O Son of God, our blessed Savior Jesus Christ, You called Matthew the tax collector to be an apostle and evangelist. Through his faithful and inspired witness, grant that we may also follow You, leaving behind all covetous desires and love of riches; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
May God bless our preparation and meditation for worship.
Hymns
692 Praise to You and Adoration
566 By Grace I'm Saved
781 We Give Thee But Thine Own
518 By All Your Saints in Warfare vv1,25,3
769 Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ
851 Lord of Glory, You Have Bought us
Lessons
Ezekiel 2:8-3:11
Ephesians 4:7-16
Matthew 9:9-13
Collect of the Day
O Lord, keep Your Church in Your perpetual mercy; and because without You we cannot but fall, preserve us from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Collect of the Day for the Commemoration of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (Sept. 21)
O Son of God, our blessed Savior Jesus Christ, You called Matthew the tax collector to be an apostle and evangelist. Through his faithful and inspired witness, grant that we may also follow You, leaving behind all covetous desires and love of riches; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
May God bless our preparation and meditation for worship.
Wait till next year?
I'm generally not in the habit of agreeing with anything Cub-related, but is it time to pull the plug on the Cardinals' season and say, "Wait till next year"?
I think it is. The team is competing, they are trying, they just aren't good enough this year. They have a talented roster with legitimate candidates for MVP (Pujols), Cy Young (Wainwright), and ROY (Garcia). But in order to win the whole thing, you need your great players to be great and you need career years from everybody else. This year, the greats are great (Pujols, Carpenter, and Wainwright) but everybody else is average or worse.
So...wait till next year. But at least for Cards fans the good news is that we don't root for the Cubs, where waiting till next year begins the day after Opening Day.
I think it is. The team is competing, they are trying, they just aren't good enough this year. They have a talented roster with legitimate candidates for MVP (Pujols), Cy Young (Wainwright), and ROY (Garcia). But in order to win the whole thing, you need your great players to be great and you need career years from everybody else. This year, the greats are great (Pujols, Carpenter, and Wainwright) but everybody else is average or worse.
So...wait till next year. But at least for Cards fans the good news is that we don't root for the Cubs, where waiting till next year begins the day after Opening Day.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Burning Books?
Not Knowing What Will Take Place Tomorrow
It is quite likely that you have heard the news about the proposed burning of the Qur’an by a “Christian” “pastor” in Gainesville, FL on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attack on our country.
By my use of quotation marks, you can also likely guess what some of my thoughts are on the matter. Burning Qur’an’s, especially by a Christian organization, is not a good thing to do. It does not project the right message of Christianity.
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are dynamic groups and a wide range of perspectives can be found. We know that within Christianity you’ll find believers who are opposed to abortion and believers who feel that abortion is acceptable. Within the three major religions of the world, there are segments that can be radicalized.
I do not support what Rev. Terry Jones is planning to do. (In a Friday story in the Washington Post it was reported that Jones was going to cancel the Qur’an burning because a Florida Imam said that the cultural center at Ground Zero would not be built if Jones did not burn the Qur’an. But the people planning the cultural center said that the Florida Imam did not speak for them. Jones is now reconsidering the cancellation of the event.) From where I sit, Rev. Jones is seeking attention, and he is getting it in droves. The media salivates for a story like this.
And I wonder if Rev. Jones’ Qur’an burning-gimmick is not driven by fear. From various media reports, Jones is a Bible believer. That is great. Millions of Christians around the world can be labeled the same way. If he is indeed a Bible believer, what is he afraid of? Paraphrasing Dr. Luther, he wanted the Qur’an to be circulated freely amongst people, for when the Bible and the Qur’an are placed side-by-side, the Bible wins every time! The claims of the Bible are supported by religious and secular history, by archaeology, and by eyewitness claims that have been recorded. No other religion, Islam included, can make that statement. What is there to fear?
When people ask your opinion of what may or may not take place tomorrow, tell them that burning books- Bible, Qur’an, Torah, cookbook, Catcher in the Rye- is wrong. It does certainly not present Christianity in a light that is favorable. When you are asked your opinion, this is a good opportunity to speak of the hope that is in you, that in our holy book we know with certainty of God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy that come to us through Jesus the living Word of God.
“God’s Word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever; To spread its light from age to age shall be our chief endeavor. Through life it guides our way, in death it is our stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, we keep its teachings pure throughout all generations.” {LSB 582}
It is quite likely that you have heard the news about the proposed burning of the Qur’an by a “Christian” “pastor” in Gainesville, FL on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attack on our country.
By my use of quotation marks, you can also likely guess what some of my thoughts are on the matter. Burning Qur’an’s, especially by a Christian organization, is not a good thing to do. It does not project the right message of Christianity.
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are dynamic groups and a wide range of perspectives can be found. We know that within Christianity you’ll find believers who are opposed to abortion and believers who feel that abortion is acceptable. Within the three major religions of the world, there are segments that can be radicalized.
I do not support what Rev. Terry Jones is planning to do. (In a Friday story in the Washington Post it was reported that Jones was going to cancel the Qur’an burning because a Florida Imam said that the cultural center at Ground Zero would not be built if Jones did not burn the Qur’an. But the people planning the cultural center said that the Florida Imam did not speak for them. Jones is now reconsidering the cancellation of the event.) From where I sit, Rev. Jones is seeking attention, and he is getting it in droves. The media salivates for a story like this.
And I wonder if Rev. Jones’ Qur’an burning-gimmick is not driven by fear. From various media reports, Jones is a Bible believer. That is great. Millions of Christians around the world can be labeled the same way. If he is indeed a Bible believer, what is he afraid of? Paraphrasing Dr. Luther, he wanted the Qur’an to be circulated freely amongst people, for when the Bible and the Qur’an are placed side-by-side, the Bible wins every time! The claims of the Bible are supported by religious and secular history, by archaeology, and by eyewitness claims that have been recorded. No other religion, Islam included, can make that statement. What is there to fear?
When people ask your opinion of what may or may not take place tomorrow, tell them that burning books- Bible, Qur’an, Torah, cookbook, Catcher in the Rye- is wrong. It does certainly not present Christianity in a light that is favorable. When you are asked your opinion, this is a good opportunity to speak of the hope that is in you, that in our holy book we know with certainty of God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy that come to us through Jesus the living Word of God.
“God’s Word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever; To spread its light from age to age shall be our chief endeavor. Through life it guides our way, in death it is our stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, we keep its teachings pure throughout all generations.” {LSB 582}
Two in a row
So we got a Y membership on Wednesday. I've been there twice at 5:30ish to workout on Thursday and Friday (today). I even went thursday evening with the family for the open swim time. Not too shabby for someone so flabby.
I need to workout and be more active. I walk a lot with the kids, but you can imagine that they don't walk as fast as is beneficial for activity. So if I can do a half hour on the treadmill and then lift a few weights, I think that will be a good thing. In a few weeks I hope to get on the elliptical machine rather than a treadmill because I think that will be a better cardio workout.
And if Amanda keeps working one day a week, I hope to go there four days a week, plus any other time that the family wants to go.
Good for me.
I need to workout and be more active. I walk a lot with the kids, but you can imagine that they don't walk as fast as is beneficial for activity. So if I can do a half hour on the treadmill and then lift a few weights, I think that will be a good thing. In a few weeks I hope to get on the elliptical machine rather than a treadmill because I think that will be a better cardio workout.
And if Amanda keeps working one day a week, I hope to go there four days a week, plus any other time that the family wants to go.
Good for me.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Worship info for Sept. 12
Here is the information for our worship on Sept. 12:
Hymns
802 Immortal, invisible God only wise
609 Jesus sinners doth receive
683 Jesus, thy boundless love to me
711 Savior, like a shepherd lead us
Scripture Lessons
Ezekiel 34:11-24
Psalm 119:169-176
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10
Collect of the Day
Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd, without whom nothing is secure. Rescue and preserve us that we may not be lost forever but follow You, rejoicing in the way that leads to eternal life; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
May God bless our preparation and meditation for worship.
Hymns
802 Immortal, invisible God only wise
609 Jesus sinners doth receive
683 Jesus, thy boundless love to me
711 Savior, like a shepherd lead us
Scripture Lessons
Ezekiel 34:11-24
Psalm 119:169-176
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10
Collect of the Day
Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd, without whom nothing is secure. Rescue and preserve us that we may not be lost forever but follow You, rejoicing in the way that leads to eternal life; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
May God bless our preparation and meditation for worship.
Sermon for Sept. 5
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sept. 5, 2010
Luke 14:25-35
Salt is good
In the name of Jesus, amen. Today’s Gospel lesson is the Gospel of the Lord? For people who do not like to read the Bible, who believe that the Bible is out-of-date, irrelevant, and of absolutely no worth, today’s worship is for them. (But they wouldn’t be here, would they?) The Bible lessons are right up there alley. God is setting before people life or death, blessing or curse. That’s it. That’s the choice. And Jesus lets the crowd know that if anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and siblings and even his own life then he cannot be my disciple.
Bible doubters and God-deniers would hear those lessons and say, “There’s proof that God’s Word is of no value. Hate your parents? Hate your spouse, your children, and your siblings? God’s Word is ridiculous. Why give that book any credence at all? Do you foolish Christians believe that to be God’s Word?”
Christians breathe deeply, exhale, maybe even look down and say, “Yes. We do believe that is God’s Word. And we love God’s Word, cherish it and pray for God’s strength to keep it.”
“Even that?” we are asked.
“Especially that.” we respond.
What Jesus told the crowds and what we heard this morning is one of those Gospel lessons where we want to put a question mark after the Gospel acclamation- This is the Gospel of the Lord? It’s not the soft, cuddly Gospel we like to hear. It is not Jesus the Good Shepherd. It is not “Come to me all ye who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” It is not “Let the little children come to me, for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Jesus speaks of discipleship. Jesus speaks of cost. Jesus speaks of hate and love and salt.
Today’s gospel is of Luke and this section shows Jesus doing some traveling. The Twelve are with him. Other disciples are with him. Great crowds are with him. And together they are heading to Jerusalem. Jesus has been told that forces are aligning against him and that he should not go to Jerusalem, but Jesus has resolutely, steadfastly, set his face toward the holy city of David. Jesus knows where He is going. Jesus knows why he is going where he is going. And Jesus will not be stopped. He will not be deterred from his destination.
And so Jesus starts talking about hate. There is a lot of emotion and feeling involved with that word. Think of all the things and people you have hated in your life, and don’t pretend that there are none. Now think of all the things and people you don’t care about. That is harder to do. You have no feeling for something or someone you don’t care about. But if you have feelings for someone, positive feelings or bad feelings, you spend time thinking about them. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
In order to be a disciple of Jesus, a student of Jesus, a learner of Jesus, what is being asked? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
This concept of hate is not unfamiliar in the Bible. Perhaps the most memorable example is from the patriarch Jacob. He had two wives- Rachel and Leah. Rachel he loved and Leah he hated. Jacob didn’t despise or detest Leah. Jacob didn’t wish her ill, or ask God that a safe would drop out of the sky on Leah. Jacob loved Leah less. Jacob loved Rachel more and he loved Leah less.
Jesus asks the crowd, those who are listening and learning to Jesus, to love the Lord, to follow the Lord, to submit to the Lord. If you put parents, spouse, children, or siblings in front of the Lord, then you cannot be a disciple of Jesus. All of that is First Commandment stuff.
“You shall have no other gods before me, in front of me, in place of me” says the only true and triune God. God gives us that command because he loves us. He loves us. And God wants us to enjoy the relationship that He has begun in our lives in the blest baptismal waters. That relationship works like this. God is God, we are not. God is creator, we are created. God is redeemer, we are the redeemed. God is forgiver, we are the forgiven. God is love, we are the beloved. God is giver, we are the receiver, the one’s given to. Look to the altar, to the table the Lord has prepared and you see the relationship of God at work. You are invited to come forward, in need, in want, in hunger, and God gives, God supplies, God fills, and God satisfies. It was last Sunday that we sang, “You satisfy the hungry heart, with gift of finest wheat. Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.”
In living with the Lord, in learning from the Lord how to keep the Lord in the center of our life, what do we realize? We see our love for parents, for spouse, for children, siblings, coworker, neighbor, and stranger blossom, grow and flourish. Loving the Lord and making him the center gives us the strength to love in the genuine and sacrificial way that all the other people in our lives need. It takes a strong level of sacrifice to love your wife or your husband. It takes a strong level of sacrifice to love your children. It takes a strong level of sacrifice to love your brother and your sister. You know that. You live that reality.
When we love the Lord more than all the others that are in our life, we discover how the Lord enables us to love the people around us. You love the Lord and thus you love your child enough to spend time doing their math flash cards. You love the Lord and thus you love your spouse and put their needs ahead of your own. Loving the Lord more fills us up to lavishly love the people around us and show that we are disciples, students, and learners of Christ.
We love the Lord. We love our families. We take up our cross. These are things the disciples of Jesus do. These things are not always pleasant. Love can be painful and it can be filled with times of tears and trial and tragedy. The cross you pick up might be filled with splinters that lead to sadness which brings struggle and then ends in sorrow.
This is the Gospel of the Lord? Take your bulletin home with you today and re-read the Collect of the Day, re-pray that prayer, let that prayer bless and enlighten you. Look at what we ask the merciful Lord to give: Grant us courage to take up our cross. Courage is required to be a disciple. Courage is needed, but that is not the only thing.
Merciful Lord, grant us strength to take up our cross. Courage and strength go together. And God grants it! God gives, because that is what He is- giver.
And this makes us salty. Salt seasons and it preserves. Loved by the Lord, forgiven of all our sins, cleansed and redeemed in baptism, strengthened and sustained in Holy Communion, we season and preserve the things around us. We season our workplace by what we say and don’t say, but what we do and don’t do. We preserve our families by how we operate with them. We season the stranger we interact with and the classmate we learn with. This, this saltiness, this love, this mercy of the Lord, is the Gospel of the Lord. SDG
Sept. 5, 2010
Luke 14:25-35
Salt is good
In the name of Jesus, amen. Today’s Gospel lesson is the Gospel of the Lord? For people who do not like to read the Bible, who believe that the Bible is out-of-date, irrelevant, and of absolutely no worth, today’s worship is for them. (But they wouldn’t be here, would they?) The Bible lessons are right up there alley. God is setting before people life or death, blessing or curse. That’s it. That’s the choice. And Jesus lets the crowd know that if anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and siblings and even his own life then he cannot be my disciple.
Bible doubters and God-deniers would hear those lessons and say, “There’s proof that God’s Word is of no value. Hate your parents? Hate your spouse, your children, and your siblings? God’s Word is ridiculous. Why give that book any credence at all? Do you foolish Christians believe that to be God’s Word?”
Christians breathe deeply, exhale, maybe even look down and say, “Yes. We do believe that is God’s Word. And we love God’s Word, cherish it and pray for God’s strength to keep it.”
“Even that?” we are asked.
“Especially that.” we respond.
What Jesus told the crowds and what we heard this morning is one of those Gospel lessons where we want to put a question mark after the Gospel acclamation- This is the Gospel of the Lord? It’s not the soft, cuddly Gospel we like to hear. It is not Jesus the Good Shepherd. It is not “Come to me all ye who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” It is not “Let the little children come to me, for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Jesus speaks of discipleship. Jesus speaks of cost. Jesus speaks of hate and love and salt.
Today’s gospel is of Luke and this section shows Jesus doing some traveling. The Twelve are with him. Other disciples are with him. Great crowds are with him. And together they are heading to Jerusalem. Jesus has been told that forces are aligning against him and that he should not go to Jerusalem, but Jesus has resolutely, steadfastly, set his face toward the holy city of David. Jesus knows where He is going. Jesus knows why he is going where he is going. And Jesus will not be stopped. He will not be deterred from his destination.
And so Jesus starts talking about hate. There is a lot of emotion and feeling involved with that word. Think of all the things and people you have hated in your life, and don’t pretend that there are none. Now think of all the things and people you don’t care about. That is harder to do. You have no feeling for something or someone you don’t care about. But if you have feelings for someone, positive feelings or bad feelings, you spend time thinking about them. “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
In order to be a disciple of Jesus, a student of Jesus, a learner of Jesus, what is being asked? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.
This concept of hate is not unfamiliar in the Bible. Perhaps the most memorable example is from the patriarch Jacob. He had two wives- Rachel and Leah. Rachel he loved and Leah he hated. Jacob didn’t despise or detest Leah. Jacob didn’t wish her ill, or ask God that a safe would drop out of the sky on Leah. Jacob loved Leah less. Jacob loved Rachel more and he loved Leah less.
Jesus asks the crowd, those who are listening and learning to Jesus, to love the Lord, to follow the Lord, to submit to the Lord. If you put parents, spouse, children, or siblings in front of the Lord, then you cannot be a disciple of Jesus. All of that is First Commandment stuff.
“You shall have no other gods before me, in front of me, in place of me” says the only true and triune God. God gives us that command because he loves us. He loves us. And God wants us to enjoy the relationship that He has begun in our lives in the blest baptismal waters. That relationship works like this. God is God, we are not. God is creator, we are created. God is redeemer, we are the redeemed. God is forgiver, we are the forgiven. God is love, we are the beloved. God is giver, we are the receiver, the one’s given to. Look to the altar, to the table the Lord has prepared and you see the relationship of God at work. You are invited to come forward, in need, in want, in hunger, and God gives, God supplies, God fills, and God satisfies. It was last Sunday that we sang, “You satisfy the hungry heart, with gift of finest wheat. Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.”
In living with the Lord, in learning from the Lord how to keep the Lord in the center of our life, what do we realize? We see our love for parents, for spouse, for children, siblings, coworker, neighbor, and stranger blossom, grow and flourish. Loving the Lord and making him the center gives us the strength to love in the genuine and sacrificial way that all the other people in our lives need. It takes a strong level of sacrifice to love your wife or your husband. It takes a strong level of sacrifice to love your children. It takes a strong level of sacrifice to love your brother and your sister. You know that. You live that reality.
When we love the Lord more than all the others that are in our life, we discover how the Lord enables us to love the people around us. You love the Lord and thus you love your child enough to spend time doing their math flash cards. You love the Lord and thus you love your spouse and put their needs ahead of your own. Loving the Lord more fills us up to lavishly love the people around us and show that we are disciples, students, and learners of Christ.
We love the Lord. We love our families. We take up our cross. These are things the disciples of Jesus do. These things are not always pleasant. Love can be painful and it can be filled with times of tears and trial and tragedy. The cross you pick up might be filled with splinters that lead to sadness which brings struggle and then ends in sorrow.
This is the Gospel of the Lord? Take your bulletin home with you today and re-read the Collect of the Day, re-pray that prayer, let that prayer bless and enlighten you. Look at what we ask the merciful Lord to give: Grant us courage to take up our cross. Courage is required to be a disciple. Courage is needed, but that is not the only thing.
Merciful Lord, grant us strength to take up our cross. Courage and strength go together. And God grants it! God gives, because that is what He is- giver.
And this makes us salty. Salt seasons and it preserves. Loved by the Lord, forgiven of all our sins, cleansed and redeemed in baptism, strengthened and sustained in Holy Communion, we season and preserve the things around us. We season our workplace by what we say and don’t say, but what we do and don’t do. We preserve our families by how we operate with them. We season the stranger we interact with and the classmate we learn with. This, this saltiness, this love, this mercy of the Lord, is the Gospel of the Lord. SDG
Labor Week doings
I had a wonderful Labor Day holiday. Hosted my brother and his family and my parents and we spent some time at Millburn Orchards and at Longwood Gardens. On Sunday we closed down our pool (Persimmon Creek) and said goodbye to the family- happy when they came and happy when they went back to VA.
On Tuesday the family and I went to Dover. I had our circuit conference meeting and Amanda and the other pastors wives got together for a conversation. Following lunch we went to the Air Mobility Command museum. The kids enjoyed seeing the planes and learning about the Candy Bomber (Gail Halvorsen) who dropped Hershey Bars on the citizens of West Berlin.
On Wednesday I taught Jacob about the #10 and we went to the Y to get our family membership. Today I went to the gym at 5:30 and worked out for the first time in a long time before coming to church. It felt good. We'll see how I feel Friday morning!
Being away for so long has made Labor Day seem like Labor Week. But it has compacted the days meaning I have things to do, yet here I am blogging. Go figure.
On Tuesday the family and I went to Dover. I had our circuit conference meeting and Amanda and the other pastors wives got together for a conversation. Following lunch we went to the Air Mobility Command museum. The kids enjoyed seeing the planes and learning about the Candy Bomber (Gail Halvorsen) who dropped Hershey Bars on the citizens of West Berlin.
On Wednesday I taught Jacob about the #10 and we went to the Y to get our family membership. Today I went to the gym at 5:30 and worked out for the first time in a long time before coming to church. It felt good. We'll see how I feel Friday morning!
Being away for so long has made Labor Day seem like Labor Week. But it has compacted the days meaning I have things to do, yet here I am blogging. Go figure.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
More on Lutheran Service Book's one millionth book sold
Here is a youtube video from CPH regarding the sale of the one millionth copy of LSB. In the video you'll hear Rev. Paul McCain make the comment that a hymnal is like your one stop shop for devotional needs- Scripture, Prayers and Prayer Offices and Hymnody. At the moment I'm drinking some WaWa coffee because it is free at the brand new store that has opened on Elkton Road. So my LSB is the WaWa of my devotional life- God's Word, hymns, and caffeine! Hope the link works.
1,000,000th Lutheran Service Book Sold
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w0-3W_Dvtk
1,000,000th Lutheran Service Book Sold
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w0-3W_Dvtk
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
One million sold!
You might think be the title that some restaurant is gaining steam and is catching up to McDonalds. No, that is not the case. But today CPH has announced that the one millionth copy of Lutheran Service Book has been sold. And the book was only copyrighted in 2006! (Imagine confetti flying through the air, bells and whistles, perhaps even a firework or two. Or at least a sparkler.)
This is a big deal.
My love affair with Lutheran Service Book (LSB) is growing. The more I use LSB, the more wonderful I find it. It is extremely useful and helpful. I mean this in the best possible way, but Lutheran Worship (the predecessor to LSB) was not helpful or useful. It was 'time bound' to the chronological era in which is was created in haste. The same could be said for Lutheran Book of Worship, the general ELCA counterpart to LW. The altering of texts was not, and is not, a good thing. The alteration of texts does not respect the intelligence of the worshipers, who can read and understand what the text writers created.
The worship settings are good and cultivate a healthy diversity and help foster the unity of our church body. According to the CPH email, 80% of LCMS churches utilize LSB! This hymnal has been astoundingly adopted by sister congregations, and that is heartening. When traveling, you can find yourself at home, at a place that is familiar. And continuity does bring a sense of comfort.
The prayers included in the hymnal are quite beautiful and help us see our faith and our life as a single unit. Of course having the Small Catechism in the hymnal is good. The hymnody is great and I am so thrilled to sing the works of Paul Gerhardt and Stephen Starke in the same services.
I really think that, next to the Bible, the hymnal might be the greatest devotional resource a Christian can have in their home. It contains Scripture, prayers, and hymns. What else do we need?
Congratulations to CPH and the folks who put LSB together. If you do not have a copy- cph.org or 800.325.3040
This is a big deal.
My love affair with Lutheran Service Book (LSB) is growing. The more I use LSB, the more wonderful I find it. It is extremely useful and helpful. I mean this in the best possible way, but Lutheran Worship (the predecessor to LSB) was not helpful or useful. It was 'time bound' to the chronological era in which is was created in haste. The same could be said for Lutheran Book of Worship, the general ELCA counterpart to LW. The altering of texts was not, and is not, a good thing. The alteration of texts does not respect the intelligence of the worshipers, who can read and understand what the text writers created.
The worship settings are good and cultivate a healthy diversity and help foster the unity of our church body. According to the CPH email, 80% of LCMS churches utilize LSB! This hymnal has been astoundingly adopted by sister congregations, and that is heartening. When traveling, you can find yourself at home, at a place that is familiar. And continuity does bring a sense of comfort.
The prayers included in the hymnal are quite beautiful and help us see our faith and our life as a single unit. Of course having the Small Catechism in the hymnal is good. The hymnody is great and I am so thrilled to sing the works of Paul Gerhardt and Stephen Starke in the same services.
I really think that, next to the Bible, the hymnal might be the greatest devotional resource a Christian can have in their home. It contains Scripture, prayers, and hymns. What else do we need?
Congratulations to CPH and the folks who put LSB together. If you do not have a copy- cph.org or 800.325.3040
Sept. 5 worship info
Here is the information for worship on Sept. 5. Note that we'll be using Divine Service 1 for our worship form.
Hymns
696 O God my faithful God
847 Christ, our human likeness sharing
783 Take my life and let it be
838 The saints in Christ are one in every place
738 Lord of all hopefulness
791 All people that on earth do dwell
Scripture Lessons
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Philemon 1-21 (I trust you realize that Philemon is only one chapter long.)
Luke 14:25-35
Collect of the Day
O merciful Lord, You did not spare Your only Son but delivered Him up for us all. Grant us courage and strength to take up the cross and follow Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymns
696 O God my faithful God
847 Christ, our human likeness sharing
783 Take my life and let it be
838 The saints in Christ are one in every place
738 Lord of all hopefulness
791 All people that on earth do dwell
Scripture Lessons
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Philemon 1-21 (I trust you realize that Philemon is only one chapter long.)
Luke 14:25-35
Collect of the Day
O merciful Lord, You did not spare Your only Son but delivered Him up for us all. Grant us courage and strength to take up the cross and follow Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Misty
I've noticed that several fb friends have been posting that they are taking their children to college. One is even taking their child to my alma mater, Concordia University Chicago, nee River Forest. That got me all misty-eyed. (If you know me in real life, that's not saying a whole lot.)
For me, it was fifteen years ago, August of 1995. It was a special time and it was a good time for me and my dad. Having a minivan full of stuff and needing to take two days to drive from northern VA to Chicago meant that mom had to stay home. Besides, she had to work in order to put me through school!
The first thing that was memorable about the trip was on day two of our drive, as Dad and I were heading north on the interstate from Indy to Chicago. It was my turn to drive and Dad was drinking his coffee and we were listening to NPR or something like that. Out of the blue, Dad says to me, "Y'know...now's not the time to be making babies."
My initial response was, "....uh...okay". I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter and put my eyes back in their sockets. Apparently Dad was unaware that I was seventeen, pimply, not in 'game shape', and never had any luck with the ladies in high school. I wasn't expecting to be the big man on campus.
We pulled in to the parking lot outside of David-Jonathan Hall, where I was assigned to live in The Cave (the leaky, hot all year long basement of DJ, "sub-standard living at its finest"). At that moment we were swamped by various members of O, T, and C staff. RF had various staffs to help with orientation, transfer students, and then Freshmen Camp. It was amazing. We told them what room, and before I knew it, my books, iron, suitcase, and golf clubs were whisked away. Granted, they were dumped in the room, but it sure was handy.
We went and registered for my classes, had lunch in the cafeteria, bought a few books, and had a tour. After lunch the new students were taken away by themselves for some games and the parents went to a financial aid seminar along with some other faculty and administrative folk. Following that everyone went to the Chapel for an opening service. After that, it was time for the students to stay and their parents to go. Dad had moved our van to a different lot and we walked to the lot together. It was then that Dad started crying.
I had never really seen my dad cry before. I asked him why he was crying and he said that as he gets older, he gets more emotional, and that I would understand some day. (I do.) We hugged and he gave me a $20 and he told me how much he loved me and how proud he was of me and that he and mom would be praying for me. (I'm getting misty now.)
He got in the car and then left. (Interesting that he drove as far as Marysville OH, and to save money, parked the car in a neighborhood and slept in the back of the van. Later, my wife would spend about four years in Marysville and we were married in that great town.)
The rest of the week was something of a blur. There were all sorts of activities, led by crazy upperclassmen. I tried out for the Kapelle and was introduced to Doctor Tom Gieschen. He told me I should take private lessons and that led me to change my schedule before the semester had even started. (That's how influential Doc was.)
On Friday the Camp Staff took us to camp, a fine example of truth in advertising. We went to a Salvation Army camp on the IL/WI border. It was awesome in its badness. Too many spiders, bad showers, not enough silverware, but I got to meet some really awesome people.
My exampe is not unique. I'm sure the other Concordias have similar events and that other schools have orientations too. I can't speak about them. I can only speak of what I know and what happened fifteen years ago is still something that is pretty special.
For me, it was fifteen years ago, August of 1995. It was a special time and it was a good time for me and my dad. Having a minivan full of stuff and needing to take two days to drive from northern VA to Chicago meant that mom had to stay home. Besides, she had to work in order to put me through school!
The first thing that was memorable about the trip was on day two of our drive, as Dad and I were heading north on the interstate from Indy to Chicago. It was my turn to drive and Dad was drinking his coffee and we were listening to NPR or something like that. Out of the blue, Dad says to me, "Y'know...now's not the time to be making babies."
My initial response was, "....uh...okay". I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter and put my eyes back in their sockets. Apparently Dad was unaware that I was seventeen, pimply, not in 'game shape', and never had any luck with the ladies in high school. I wasn't expecting to be the big man on campus.
We pulled in to the parking lot outside of David-Jonathan Hall, where I was assigned to live in The Cave (the leaky, hot all year long basement of DJ, "sub-standard living at its finest"). At that moment we were swamped by various members of O, T, and C staff. RF had various staffs to help with orientation, transfer students, and then Freshmen Camp. It was amazing. We told them what room, and before I knew it, my books, iron, suitcase, and golf clubs were whisked away. Granted, they were dumped in the room, but it sure was handy.
We went and registered for my classes, had lunch in the cafeteria, bought a few books, and had a tour. After lunch the new students were taken away by themselves for some games and the parents went to a financial aid seminar along with some other faculty and administrative folk. Following that everyone went to the Chapel for an opening service. After that, it was time for the students to stay and their parents to go. Dad had moved our van to a different lot and we walked to the lot together. It was then that Dad started crying.
I had never really seen my dad cry before. I asked him why he was crying and he said that as he gets older, he gets more emotional, and that I would understand some day. (I do.) We hugged and he gave me a $20 and he told me how much he loved me and how proud he was of me and that he and mom would be praying for me. (I'm getting misty now.)
He got in the car and then left. (Interesting that he drove as far as Marysville OH, and to save money, parked the car in a neighborhood and slept in the back of the van. Later, my wife would spend about four years in Marysville and we were married in that great town.)
The rest of the week was something of a blur. There were all sorts of activities, led by crazy upperclassmen. I tried out for the Kapelle and was introduced to Doctor Tom Gieschen. He told me I should take private lessons and that led me to change my schedule before the semester had even started. (That's how influential Doc was.)
On Friday the Camp Staff took us to camp, a fine example of truth in advertising. We went to a Salvation Army camp on the IL/WI border. It was awesome in its badness. Too many spiders, bad showers, not enough silverware, but I got to meet some really awesome people.
My exampe is not unique. I'm sure the other Concordias have similar events and that other schools have orientations too. I can't speak about them. I can only speak of what I know and what happened fifteen years ago is still something that is pretty special.
Dreams
Today is the day that our new president of the LCMS begins his term. (His installation is Sept. 11 in St. Louis.) He, like all the faithful men before him, is in need of our prayers. And like all the other times before this one, this day is a day to dream. I found this from my friend Will and it is very good.
What the Church is is not what it should be, or could be. The Church is always aspiring to something better, is always looking expectantly to be what God created her to be.
And while I am very hopeful for the term of Pres. Harrison to begin, do not be deceived that my hope is in him. My hope is in the triune God and my prayers are for God's blessings to be on our new president and for God's grace to be poured out on our society through the faithful ministrations of pastors, church workers, and laity.
Here are some dreams to ponder, again from my friend Will:
Here are some of my dreams, though, for my beloved Synod:
A more merciful Church - greater involvement in alleviating human suffering and bringing the love of Christ to bear in tangible ways in our local communities and throughout the world.
A more evangelical Church - no, not in THAT sense; in the true sense. A Church where the Gospel rings out with its unquenchable joy and shapes all we say and do, and where the Gospel (not the Law!) moves our mission work.
A more liturgical Church - learning to live responsibly within our liturgical heritage in the way Krauth: "possessing liturgical life without liturgical bondage." A Church where the full and rich heritage of Lutheran hymnody rings out full-throated from our congregations.
A more prayerful Church - where the Daily Office, the Litany and such come into their own and shape our parishes as places of prayer. If "my Father's house shall be called a house of prayer for all people" let us return our parishes from being fund-raising organizations to being prayer-raising communities.
A more giving Church - where we recover a lively sense of sacrifice, of sharing earthly goods from the charity that the Gospel has planted in our hearts.
A more gentle Church - where the 8th commandment is truly honored in our practice, above all in learning to explain our neighbor's actions in the kindest way and where we remember the wise words of the Apology that harmony in the Church cannot last unless pastors and churches mutually overlook many things.
A more peaceful Church - where the hope of the future that will surely be ours at our Lord's Appearing removes all hastiness and fear and gives us a calm and measured ability to evaluate the challenges before us.
A more educated Church - where a deep and abiding love for the Word of God leads to full Bible classes and devout reading of the Word in our homes.
It is said that over time, a parish takes on the characteristics of her pastor. The above I find to be characteristics of our new President. I hope that in time, the Synod will become like him in that way.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those dreams for prayer, mercy, worship, love, peace, the Gospel,sacrifice...those are ways God's Church is known, seen, and experienced. May God grant it by His grace!
What the Church is is not what it should be, or could be. The Church is always aspiring to something better, is always looking expectantly to be what God created her to be.
And while I am very hopeful for the term of Pres. Harrison to begin, do not be deceived that my hope is in him. My hope is in the triune God and my prayers are for God's blessings to be on our new president and for God's grace to be poured out on our society through the faithful ministrations of pastors, church workers, and laity.
Here are some dreams to ponder, again from my friend Will:
Here are some of my dreams, though, for my beloved Synod:
A more merciful Church - greater involvement in alleviating human suffering and bringing the love of Christ to bear in tangible ways in our local communities and throughout the world.
A more evangelical Church - no, not in THAT sense; in the true sense. A Church where the Gospel rings out with its unquenchable joy and shapes all we say and do, and where the Gospel (not the Law!) moves our mission work.
A more liturgical Church - learning to live responsibly within our liturgical heritage in the way Krauth: "possessing liturgical life without liturgical bondage." A Church where the full and rich heritage of Lutheran hymnody rings out full-throated from our congregations.
A more prayerful Church - where the Daily Office, the Litany and such come into their own and shape our parishes as places of prayer. If "my Father's house shall be called a house of prayer for all people" let us return our parishes from being fund-raising organizations to being prayer-raising communities.
A more giving Church - where we recover a lively sense of sacrifice, of sharing earthly goods from the charity that the Gospel has planted in our hearts.
A more gentle Church - where the 8th commandment is truly honored in our practice, above all in learning to explain our neighbor's actions in the kindest way and where we remember the wise words of the Apology that harmony in the Church cannot last unless pastors and churches mutually overlook many things.
A more peaceful Church - where the hope of the future that will surely be ours at our Lord's Appearing removes all hastiness and fear and gives us a calm and measured ability to evaluate the challenges before us.
A more educated Church - where a deep and abiding love for the Word of God leads to full Bible classes and devout reading of the Word in our homes.
It is said that over time, a parish takes on the characteristics of her pastor. The above I find to be characteristics of our new President. I hope that in time, the Synod will become like him in that way.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those dreams for prayer, mercy, worship, love, peace, the Gospel,sacrifice...those are ways God's Church is known, seen, and experienced. May God grant it by His grace!
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