Holy Trinity
Baptism of Brice Wise
May 30, 2010
Mark 10:13-16
In the name of the most holy triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.
I suppose it is a good thing that I spend a great deal of time in the church as I take some interest in symbols. Symbols are important things in the life of the church, in the life of the church’s people, and really in the life of the whole world. We pay attention to symbols for the message they convey. A road sign is a symbol. We would have a terribly difficult time getting from point A to point B without those symbols.
Our lovely sanctuary is filled with great symbolism. We celebrated Pentecost last Sunday and the symbols of Pentecost expressed the message that God the Holy Spirit was poured out on all God’s people. And wherever the Holy Spirit is, there is Jesus. Our windows are not worshiped yet they always point to the One who is to be worshiped. The crosses we see, the baptismal font that is in front of our eyes, the banners, they broadcast a message of God’s love and grace for us. The markers on the pulpit and lectern, the vestments that clergy wear, they broadcast a message as well.
Symbolism is quite powerful and quite instructive. The Gospel lesson that we heard during the baptismal service included a symbol that deserves some attention on this Trinity Sunday that features the blest washing of Brice Bradley Wise.
He put his hands on them. That is the ‘symbolic’ phrase for something that is quite physical. We do not allow people to put their hands on other people. No one can touch me unless I let them. We get upset when we see other people touched in bad ways. Playground bullies are a scourge for many children and their parents. Tragically, many mothers and fathers discipline by means of a closed fist. And when abusive parents are exposed, there is no sympathy. Many of us have formulated in our minds what sort of justice Earl Bradley should receive, and not just for him, but for all the supervisors and overseers in this heart-breaking situation. ‘He put his hands on them’ is a phrase that evokes terrible pictures in our minds.
But the ‘he’ in our Gospel lesson is Jesus. He put his hands on the children for the purpose of blessing them. These were the hands of the miracle-worker. These were the hands of the teacher. These were the hands of the one who opened the ears of the deaf and gave sight to the blind. These were the hands of a carpenter’s son who was most-likely skilled with a saw, an adze, a lathe, a plane. These were the hands of the One who broke the bread and declared it to be his body, who took the cup of wine and said that this was his blood of the new covenant, the covenant that depends solely upon the grace of the triune God.
As we have come to know the stories of the Bible, the stories of our savior Jesus, you likely know that these same hands, stretched forth to bless, would be the hands stretched out to receive the nails. The blessed Son of God, who spent his life speaking the blessing of God, received curses when he was nailed to the cross. This Jesus stretched out his hands when he saw his disciples after he was raised from the dead and told Thomas, “Touch me. Feel the scars in these hands.”
In baptism, hands are present. Hands hold the baby and hands pour the water on the head. But it is not so much my hands that are present. In a very real way, the hands of God the Father are used. It is God who does the baptizing. It is God who does the washing. It is God who takes the baby and declares that this baby, graciously given to mom and dad, is my precious son or daughter. God declares that this child has been marked and sealed as one that Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, redeemed through his crucifixion.
Christian artwork has long used hands to depict the Father, the cross to depict the Son, and a dove to represent the Holy Spirit. And yes, our heavenly Father lovingly touches us. He washes us, cleanses us from all sin, builds us with great care to be the Church of God on earth.
God the Holy Spirit could be viewed with the image of hands as well. For in Brice’s baptism, just as in every other baptism, the Holy Spirit is given to this precious child for the purpose of blessing. We are blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit to be led by the hand to this time and this place. The Holy Spirit calls us, gathers us, enlightens us and makes us to be the holy ones of God. And very often the Holy Spirit takes us by the hand, kicking and screaming to this place. The Holy Spirit takes us by the hand and we look God in the eye and confess that we are sinners in need of forgiveness. The Holy Spirit takes us by the hand to the communion rail so that we can take in our hands and our mouth the very forgiveness of God that is present in the bread and wine of Holy Communion. The Holy Spirit takes us by the hand from this place back to our homes, to our jobs, to our schools, to our families so that we might extend our hands and be a blessing to the people around us. Served by the hand of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we are the hands of God when we change our babies’ diaper. Your family is the closest neighbor you have, so when you serve your family, you are indeed serving your neighbor. Love them, serve them, put your hands on them and be a blessing to them.
Truly, truly I say to you, whoever does not receive kingdom of God as a little child will be no means enter it. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.
Receiving God’s kingdom as a little child is to trust God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Trust that God loves you, that God is merciful, that when God lays hold of you with his powerful and gentle hands, he is giving you his blessing, life today, life forevermore. He put his hands on them. Thanks be to God! SDG
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Not good
One hurdle has been cleared in NYC for the construction of a Muslim mosque bordering Ground Zero. That is not a joke.
Muslims are highly symbolic people. (The same could be said for Christians and Jews, since symbols communicate and teach.) Note the mosques that have been erected on sites of Muslim 'conquest'. The Al-Aqsa mosque, the Hagia Sophia mosque in Constantinople, the Dome of the Rock built right on top of the Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem, the number of mosques constructed on Hindu burial places. Mosques are built on top of places of conquest.
Why are we allowing a mosque to be potentially built on as close to 'holy ground' as we have in this country? This is outrageous.
Muslims are highly symbolic people. (The same could be said for Christians and Jews, since symbols communicate and teach.) Note the mosques that have been erected on sites of Muslim 'conquest'. The Al-Aqsa mosque, the Hagia Sophia mosque in Constantinople, the Dome of the Rock built right on top of the Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem, the number of mosques constructed on Hindu burial places. Mosques are built on top of places of conquest.
Why are we allowing a mosque to be potentially built on as close to 'holy ground' as we have in this country? This is outrageous.
Worship info for Trinitatisgottesdienst
Here is the worship information for this coming Sunday (Trinitatisgottesdienst- a dollar for anyone who knows what that is.)
Hymns
590 Baptized into Your Name Most Holy
540 Christ, the Word of God Incarnate
593 See This Wonder in the Making
803 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
810 O God of God, O Light of Light
594 God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It
Scripture Lessons
Proverbs 8:1-4,22-31
Psalm 8
Acts 2:14a, 22-36
Mark 10:13-16
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and Everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live and reign, One God, now and forever. Amen.
There is a baptism this morning and we'll celebrate Holy Communion. Both sacraments in one service- sweet!
Hymns
590 Baptized into Your Name Most Holy
540 Christ, the Word of God Incarnate
593 See This Wonder in the Making
803 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
810 O God of God, O Light of Light
594 God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It
Scripture Lessons
Proverbs 8:1-4,22-31
Psalm 8
Acts 2:14a, 22-36
Mark 10:13-16
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and Everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live and reign, One God, now and forever. Amen.
There is a baptism this morning and we'll celebrate Holy Communion. Both sacraments in one service- sweet!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sermon for Pentecost
Pentecost
May 23, 2010
Acts 2:1-21
Fully, not fuzzy
In the name of Jesus, amen. Pentecost is the festival between. God’s Church stands at the close of the time of the Lord and at the beginning of the time of the Church. We bid farewell to the great times of Advent and Christmas, to the miracles of Jesus in turning water into wine, in multiplying loaves and fishes, in strengthening the weak, opening the eyes, ears, and tongue of the blind, deaf, and mute. We bid farewell to the necessary journey of Lent, to the amazing love of Passion Week, the merciful sacrifice on the cross. We bid farewell to the empty tomb, to many proofs and signs that Jesus gave before He ascended into heaven. In all of those instances, we learned an awful lot about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
But I must ask…what do we really know? Pentecost is the great day that celebrates the promised giving of the Holy Spirit. Of the three, the least is known about the Comforter, the Paraclete, the Counselor. Many Christians are a bit fuzzy on understanding who the Holy Spirit is and what the Holy Spirit does.
Every hymn in today’s service mentions the Holy Spirit. Hymns are great teaching tools and the Lutheran reformers used songs to teach the faith. Marrying words to music helps lock in the concept. I dare you to say the ABCs without singing the ABCs. It can be done, but it’s tricky.
The hymn we just sang teaches the Third Person of the Trinity. By examining the hymn, the Holy Spirit, who is fully God, becomes fully known to us. The Holy Spirit is no longer fuzzy to us. Rather he is fully- fully known, fully present, fully full of protection and provision.
The Spirit was promised by the Son to descend from the Father. Jesus told the disciples that this day would come when the Spirit would descend on them. Jesus had also told his beloved that their lives would be full of trouble and difficulty. So the Spirit was promised and delivered. For the true faith needed on their way. The disciples would go down into Egypt and Ethiopia, all the way through Persia and into India, up to Syria and Turkey, through Greece, the Baltics, maybe as far as Spain and Gaul. The way of the disciples led them throughout the known world and they needed faith. The way of the disciples would lead them in the way of the cross. Disciples were beheaded, burned, and boiled in oil. They had fingers amputated so that they would stop preaching the name of Jesus. St. Mark the Evangelist is also known as St. Mark the Stump-Fingered. Losing a digit only impeded his ability to count to ten. It did not stop him from founding the Christian Church in Egypt.
Jesus promises to his beloved disciples today the same Holy Spirit for the true faith needed on our way. Lutheranism is the most vibrant, the most energetic in the continent of Africa. Over 16 million people worship in the Lutheran tradition in places like Ghana, Kenya, the Sudan, Ethiopia, Liberia, South Africa, Madagascar, Eritrea, Zimbabwe. Why is it so vibrant? Why is it thriving in the face of Islamic persecution? Why is it so robust in places where animism is still a dominant worldview? At the point of a blade, in the face of a gun barrel, God’s people are confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. In large churches and in basement churches, God’s people are gathering around the Word of God and relying on the gift of the Holy Spirit to defend them when their life is threatened and when their life is ending.
The Holy Spirit is fully known in nursing homes and hospitals, as God’s people pray, as they wait patiently, expectantly, that God their loving Father will welcome them to their heavenly home.
So the Spirit of God is sweetest love. At all times, from the moment of our baptisms to the moment of our death, we are loved by God the Holy Spirit. This divine love strengthens us to love one another, fervently, even though we may not always agree with one another, even though we may do things that are quite unlovable. By the power of the Holy Spirit we love every stranger, sister, and brother. In a real way the people of God love that not only when times are easy and smooth, but our love is present in the rough and stormy patches.
Loved by the perfect love of God, we have a comforter that is so necessary, so vital. I’ve already mentioned the vibrancy of the African Lutheran churches yet there is a vibrancy among us as we suffer. And just because we can freely assemble according to the constitution of the United States and worship the only true God without fear of reprisal, there is suffering for the people of God. Suffering abounds when devious doubt triumphs over the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Devious doubt teaches that a bodily resurrection of Christ is not necessary. Devilish doubt teaches that the virgin birth means nothing. Destructive doubt teaches that there are many different paths to God, that being good is all that is required, that salvation rests in your efforts, that you had better do what God wants in order for God to be pleased with you, because if God is not pleased with you, then you’re toast.
The foe taunts us. The old evil foe carefully and accurately records every single sin that we have committed. The old evil foe brings those sins to light and ol’ Nick stands before the Father and recounts all the times we have acted the way we shouldn’t have. Satan points out the times when we didn’t make that phone call, when we didn’t visit the friend who was in need, when we let those in the hospital go unvisited, when we passed by the one hungry and naked and offered them no clothes or nourishment.
The people of God suffer in this life. Thus we need the transcendent comfort of God. What comfort is needed in North East right now, as people prepare for the funeral of Shania, Tucker, and Adin Johnson? The comforting knowledge that is needed is: of the cross, that through death, the death of our Savior, comes life, that through Jesus there is nothing in all the world that can separate us from the Father’s sweetest love, the Father’s transcendent love, the Father’s purifying love, the Father’s connecting love.
God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is fully known. He is not fuzzy, some force, some ‘big guy up there’. God is fully known. He is known through the Word. He is known through His precious means of grace, the Sacraments. God is fully known because He wants to be.
God is with us. We call God our Father. We call God Immanuel. We call God the Holy Spirit, the One who guides, who leads, who shelters, shields, and strengthens. We do not have to be fuzzy about the Holy Spirit. He is known to us and He is known in us, as we live out the faith that has been planted in our hearts. Shine in our hearts, O Spirit, precious light; Teach us Jesus Christ to know aright that we may abide in the Lord who bought us, till to our true home He has brought us. Lord, have mercy! SDG
May 23, 2010
Acts 2:1-21
Fully, not fuzzy
In the name of Jesus, amen. Pentecost is the festival between. God’s Church stands at the close of the time of the Lord and at the beginning of the time of the Church. We bid farewell to the great times of Advent and Christmas, to the miracles of Jesus in turning water into wine, in multiplying loaves and fishes, in strengthening the weak, opening the eyes, ears, and tongue of the blind, deaf, and mute. We bid farewell to the necessary journey of Lent, to the amazing love of Passion Week, the merciful sacrifice on the cross. We bid farewell to the empty tomb, to many proofs and signs that Jesus gave before He ascended into heaven. In all of those instances, we learned an awful lot about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
But I must ask…what do we really know? Pentecost is the great day that celebrates the promised giving of the Holy Spirit. Of the three, the least is known about the Comforter, the Paraclete, the Counselor. Many Christians are a bit fuzzy on understanding who the Holy Spirit is and what the Holy Spirit does.
Every hymn in today’s service mentions the Holy Spirit. Hymns are great teaching tools and the Lutheran reformers used songs to teach the faith. Marrying words to music helps lock in the concept. I dare you to say the ABCs without singing the ABCs. It can be done, but it’s tricky.
The hymn we just sang teaches the Third Person of the Trinity. By examining the hymn, the Holy Spirit, who is fully God, becomes fully known to us. The Holy Spirit is no longer fuzzy to us. Rather he is fully- fully known, fully present, fully full of protection and provision.
The Spirit was promised by the Son to descend from the Father. Jesus told the disciples that this day would come when the Spirit would descend on them. Jesus had also told his beloved that their lives would be full of trouble and difficulty. So the Spirit was promised and delivered. For the true faith needed on their way. The disciples would go down into Egypt and Ethiopia, all the way through Persia and into India, up to Syria and Turkey, through Greece, the Baltics, maybe as far as Spain and Gaul. The way of the disciples led them throughout the known world and they needed faith. The way of the disciples would lead them in the way of the cross. Disciples were beheaded, burned, and boiled in oil. They had fingers amputated so that they would stop preaching the name of Jesus. St. Mark the Evangelist is also known as St. Mark the Stump-Fingered. Losing a digit only impeded his ability to count to ten. It did not stop him from founding the Christian Church in Egypt.
Jesus promises to his beloved disciples today the same Holy Spirit for the true faith needed on our way. Lutheranism is the most vibrant, the most energetic in the continent of Africa. Over 16 million people worship in the Lutheran tradition in places like Ghana, Kenya, the Sudan, Ethiopia, Liberia, South Africa, Madagascar, Eritrea, Zimbabwe. Why is it so vibrant? Why is it thriving in the face of Islamic persecution? Why is it so robust in places where animism is still a dominant worldview? At the point of a blade, in the face of a gun barrel, God’s people are confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. In large churches and in basement churches, God’s people are gathering around the Word of God and relying on the gift of the Holy Spirit to defend them when their life is threatened and when their life is ending.
The Holy Spirit is fully known in nursing homes and hospitals, as God’s people pray, as they wait patiently, expectantly, that God their loving Father will welcome them to their heavenly home.
So the Spirit of God is sweetest love. At all times, from the moment of our baptisms to the moment of our death, we are loved by God the Holy Spirit. This divine love strengthens us to love one another, fervently, even though we may not always agree with one another, even though we may do things that are quite unlovable. By the power of the Holy Spirit we love every stranger, sister, and brother. In a real way the people of God love that not only when times are easy and smooth, but our love is present in the rough and stormy patches.
Loved by the perfect love of God, we have a comforter that is so necessary, so vital. I’ve already mentioned the vibrancy of the African Lutheran churches yet there is a vibrancy among us as we suffer. And just because we can freely assemble according to the constitution of the United States and worship the only true God without fear of reprisal, there is suffering for the people of God. Suffering abounds when devious doubt triumphs over the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Devious doubt teaches that a bodily resurrection of Christ is not necessary. Devilish doubt teaches that the virgin birth means nothing. Destructive doubt teaches that there are many different paths to God, that being good is all that is required, that salvation rests in your efforts, that you had better do what God wants in order for God to be pleased with you, because if God is not pleased with you, then you’re toast.
The foe taunts us. The old evil foe carefully and accurately records every single sin that we have committed. The old evil foe brings those sins to light and ol’ Nick stands before the Father and recounts all the times we have acted the way we shouldn’t have. Satan points out the times when we didn’t make that phone call, when we didn’t visit the friend who was in need, when we let those in the hospital go unvisited, when we passed by the one hungry and naked and offered them no clothes or nourishment.
The people of God suffer in this life. Thus we need the transcendent comfort of God. What comfort is needed in North East right now, as people prepare for the funeral of Shania, Tucker, and Adin Johnson? The comforting knowledge that is needed is: of the cross, that through death, the death of our Savior, comes life, that through Jesus there is nothing in all the world that can separate us from the Father’s sweetest love, the Father’s transcendent love, the Father’s purifying love, the Father’s connecting love.
God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is fully known. He is not fuzzy, some force, some ‘big guy up there’. God is fully known. He is known through the Word. He is known through His precious means of grace, the Sacraments. God is fully known because He wants to be.
God is with us. We call God our Father. We call God Immanuel. We call God the Holy Spirit, the One who guides, who leads, who shelters, shields, and strengthens. We do not have to be fuzzy about the Holy Spirit. He is known to us and He is known in us, as we live out the faith that has been planted in our hearts. Shine in our hearts, O Spirit, precious light; Teach us Jesus Christ to know aright that we may abide in the Lord who bought us, till to our true home He has brought us. Lord, have mercy! SDG
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
No class Thursday
The Thursday Bible class is cancelled as I will be at a LINCC meeting. Dr. Muqtedar Khan from UD will speak with us about Islam.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
How Good...
...and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
-Psalm 133
This was the Psalm of the day for the seventh Sunday of Easter. Short, simple, good.
This Psalm was the 'floor verse' of Second Kohn the three years that I lived on Second Kohn at Concordia University, River Forest (now called Concordia University Chicago. It will always be CURF to me!) Kohn was a dormitory and I lived on the second floor with a tremendous group of young men. I'd like to believe it was a unique floor, given the number of campus 'leaders' who lived there.
The treasurer of the Student Government lived on the floor. I served as VP and President of the Student Government. One brother was a 'lieutenant' in campus security. One brother was a captain on our football team. A few played in the Wind Symphony, a number of us sang in the Kapelle. There were business students, teacher ed students, music ed students, pre-sem students, and liberal arts students. It was a typical mix of the student population yet we did consider ourselves unique.
We did dwell in unity. We have continued to do so. We stood up for each other in our weddings, attended baptisms of our children, and continue to turn to each other for counsel and advice.
It was good to chant this Psalm on Sunday. I needed to hear of God's goodness in the past and to reflect on the blessing of life today in Christ, and of God's command of life forevermore.
-Psalm 133
This was the Psalm of the day for the seventh Sunday of Easter. Short, simple, good.
This Psalm was the 'floor verse' of Second Kohn the three years that I lived on Second Kohn at Concordia University, River Forest (now called Concordia University Chicago. It will always be CURF to me!) Kohn was a dormitory and I lived on the second floor with a tremendous group of young men. I'd like to believe it was a unique floor, given the number of campus 'leaders' who lived there.
The treasurer of the Student Government lived on the floor. I served as VP and President of the Student Government. One brother was a 'lieutenant' in campus security. One brother was a captain on our football team. A few played in the Wind Symphony, a number of us sang in the Kapelle. There were business students, teacher ed students, music ed students, pre-sem students, and liberal arts students. It was a typical mix of the student population yet we did consider ourselves unique.
We did dwell in unity. We have continued to do so. We stood up for each other in our weddings, attended baptisms of our children, and continue to turn to each other for counsel and advice.
It was good to chant this Psalm on Sunday. I needed to hear of God's goodness in the past and to reflect on the blessing of life today in Christ, and of God's command of life forevermore.
Dr. Quentin Wesselschmidt
I mentioned in the Ascension Vespers service and on Sunday that we'd include the family of the Rev. Dr. Quentin Wesselschmidt. Dr. Wesselschmidt died last week and we wanted to support the family in their mourning and grief.
Dr. Wesselschmidt was one of my professors at Concordia Seminary. He was a professor in the historical theology department, and according to Dr. William Weinrich, the best patristics scholar the LCMS has ever produced. Patristics is the study of the early church 'fathers'- their writing, their work, their theology, and the time they lived in the first few centuries after the life of Christ.
Dr. Wesselschmidt was a powerhouse professor, in that he started when the clock said it was time to start and he didn't stop until the clock told him to stop. You had better be prepared to receive all the gifts Dr. Wesselschmidt had stored up for his students. Yet Dr. Wesselschmidt was a humble man, compassionate to the needs of his students and always willing to listen and discuss the questions we brought forth.
His knowledge of the ancient times was key for the students going out in these modern times. God's Church has always dealt with heresies and false teachings about God, His Christ, His Spirit, and His Word. Some people have said that Jesus was not really God, that Jesus didn't really die, that Jesus didn't really rise from the dead, that Holy Communion is not really that important. The false notions put forth in the 5th Century are still being put forth in the 21st Century. Heresies stay around, they just have more modern clothing, fancier shoes, and an iPhone.
Dr. Wesselschmidt also served for a long time as the editor of the Concordia Journal, the quarterly theological journal of the seminary, part of the 'gift' that the seminary gives her graduates in terms of continuing theological education when they leave the campus in order to serve in the parish. Editing the Journal was a hard job, getting the professors to submit their articles, receiving various book reviews and answering questions from all sorts of clergy both within Lutheranism and without. I had a job in the campus post office and was able to work alongside of Dr. Wesselschmidt and his staff in the simple task of affixing mailing labels to the Journals and then sorting them for bulk mailing, but it was in those times when the humble humor of Dr. Wesselschmidt was on display.
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Blessed indeed that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them." Revelation 14:13
Dr. Wesselschmidt was one of my professors at Concordia Seminary. He was a professor in the historical theology department, and according to Dr. William Weinrich, the best patristics scholar the LCMS has ever produced. Patristics is the study of the early church 'fathers'- their writing, their work, their theology, and the time they lived in the first few centuries after the life of Christ.
Dr. Wesselschmidt was a powerhouse professor, in that he started when the clock said it was time to start and he didn't stop until the clock told him to stop. You had better be prepared to receive all the gifts Dr. Wesselschmidt had stored up for his students. Yet Dr. Wesselschmidt was a humble man, compassionate to the needs of his students and always willing to listen and discuss the questions we brought forth.
His knowledge of the ancient times was key for the students going out in these modern times. God's Church has always dealt with heresies and false teachings about God, His Christ, His Spirit, and His Word. Some people have said that Jesus was not really God, that Jesus didn't really die, that Jesus didn't really rise from the dead, that Holy Communion is not really that important. The false notions put forth in the 5th Century are still being put forth in the 21st Century. Heresies stay around, they just have more modern clothing, fancier shoes, and an iPhone.
Dr. Wesselschmidt also served for a long time as the editor of the Concordia Journal, the quarterly theological journal of the seminary, part of the 'gift' that the seminary gives her graduates in terms of continuing theological education when they leave the campus in order to serve in the parish. Editing the Journal was a hard job, getting the professors to submit their articles, receiving various book reviews and answering questions from all sorts of clergy both within Lutheranism and without. I had a job in the campus post office and was able to work alongside of Dr. Wesselschmidt and his staff in the simple task of affixing mailing labels to the Journals and then sorting them for bulk mailing, but it was in those times when the humble humor of Dr. Wesselschmidt was on display.
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Blessed indeed that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them." Revelation 14:13
Sermon for Seventh Sunday of Easter
Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 16, 2010
Rev. 22:1-20
Come and see
In the name of Jesus, amen. Our Epistle lesson from Revelation will be our sermon text this morning, one that teaches us to anticipate and expect what we are asking for.
More often than we care to admit, we ask for things with no confidence that we’ll get what we have asked for. We’ve been let down and disappointed too many times that the hope has been drained from our life. Parents have broken promises to us. Friends have broken promises, so when it comes time to ask for something, we ask with the knowledge that it is just a matter of time before we are let down once again.
Our Revelation lesson asks the great Maranatha of the Church. Maranatha means Come Lord Jesus, the last words of today’s epistle. We are asking for the Lord to come but do we expect it, do we anticipate his coming to us, do we seek it?
The answers to those questions are: sometimes. Sometimes we seek the Lord’s coming. Sometimes we expect the great maranatha of God. Sometimes we anticipate the Lord making his appearing among us. And sometimes we don’t.
The Lord has promised so many good things to His people. He has promised love and forgiveness and mercy and grace and compassion and God fulfilled all those promises in the great festivals of Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost. God keeps his promises in the water of Holy Baptism and in the great love feast of Holy Communion.
While God keeps his promises, it is still hard to wait as hear our Savior Jesus tell us, “I am coming soon.” It’s hard waiting for the Lord.
Waiting is never an easy thing to do. Apparently silly bands are all the rage amongst kindergartners these days. They are rubber bands formed into the shape of dinosaurs, animals, various kinds of balls, and other things that appeal to five year olds. We ordered some for the boys because you can’t find them in stores, or at least we didn’t want to drive around to every WalMart, Kmart, or any other kind of mart hunting for them. We told the boys that we had ordered them, and that was our mistake. Have they come yet? Are they here? When will they get here? Have they come yet? The mailman delivered my diabetic supplies and Matthew got all excited when he saw the big box because surely the box was filled with silly bands. It was both humorous and sad to see how disappointed a two year old can get!
As we age, waiting doesn’t get any easier. If anything, it gets harder as anxiety, worry, and fear come with the interminable waiting. Waiting for the wedding day. Waiting for the delivery of your child. Waiting for your job interview. Waiting for your wife to come out of the operating room. Waiting for the grandchildren to arrive for the Thanksgiving holiday. Waiting with your husband in the last few days of his life. Waiting for the Lord to come soon so you will be reunited with all of your loved ones who have died in the Christian faith. Jesus says “I am coming” and the wait for us is so hard.
Our Lord Christ is coming to us. As He ascended into heaven we know and believe the words of the angels that Jesus will return in the same way he departed. He was taken into heaven by a cloud, so we wait for the glorious clouds to reveal the return of Jesus our Redeemer. I am coming to you.
Our Lord knows how difficult these days are. Our Lord Jesus was tempted in every way we are yet endured those temptations and remained sinless in our place. Our brother Jesus strengthens us in the face of the temptation of faithlessness, in the temptation of doubt, in the temptation to deny our God, in the temptation to take the easy road and say that all paths lead to God and as long as your nice and don’t kick puppies then surely you’ll be in heaven too. Jesus strengthens us for these days to give voice to our faith, to speak up for those who have no voice- the not yet born, those born with disabilities who are pushed to the side in the hopes that they will be forgotten, and those born who are drawing near to the end of their life, well, they need someone to speak on their behalf, that the elderly have value to the Lord and deserve care, decency, the opportunity to live out their days with all the same rights that younger people have.
In these difficult days, the Lord says to us that He is coming. And he says, “Come and see.” Along with many other people, we might respond, “Where are you so I can see you?”
The Lord is found where He has promised to be- in the Word, on the altar in the precious gift of Holy Communion, in the gift of prayer. Come to the church and see how God is present with his gifts. Perhaps you come to service and on your way out the door say to yourself, “I’m glad I had the opportunity to confess my sins and receive God’s forgiveness. Tomorrow I will talk with my coworker and ask for their forgiveness for what I did to them.” “I’m glad I got to hear the Scriptures today because that was my father’s favorite passage and he would always talk about why it was his favorite.” “I’m glad I had the chance to speak the Creed today, because I get challenged in school all the time about my faith and the Creed is a simple way to express my belief.” “I needed communion today and I’m glad to receive the strength and nourishment for my soul. It’s good to know God loves me that much.”
We are invited to come and see the goodness of God. The promise of God is solidified for us as we hold open our hands to receive all of God’s good gifts. Strengthened for our everyday lives, we go out with the message to ‘come and see’. With a compassionate ear we listen to our children, to our spouse, to our friend and offer them what we have been given. With a merciful hand we seek to give away what has been given to us, some nourishing food, some help in cleaning up after a disaster. With a forgiving heart we do not hold grudges against the people who have sought our forgiveness. We give up the grudge and grasp the new opportunity to be God’s people in His world.
Our Lord Jesus is coming to us. He has promised to come. And we implore him to maranatha among us- Amen, come Lord Jesus! Come and see your people. And we invite those around us to come and see the grace and glory of God. SDG
May 16, 2010
Rev. 22:1-20
Come and see
In the name of Jesus, amen. Our Epistle lesson from Revelation will be our sermon text this morning, one that teaches us to anticipate and expect what we are asking for.
More often than we care to admit, we ask for things with no confidence that we’ll get what we have asked for. We’ve been let down and disappointed too many times that the hope has been drained from our life. Parents have broken promises to us. Friends have broken promises, so when it comes time to ask for something, we ask with the knowledge that it is just a matter of time before we are let down once again.
Our Revelation lesson asks the great Maranatha of the Church. Maranatha means Come Lord Jesus, the last words of today’s epistle. We are asking for the Lord to come but do we expect it, do we anticipate his coming to us, do we seek it?
The answers to those questions are: sometimes. Sometimes we seek the Lord’s coming. Sometimes we expect the great maranatha of God. Sometimes we anticipate the Lord making his appearing among us. And sometimes we don’t.
The Lord has promised so many good things to His people. He has promised love and forgiveness and mercy and grace and compassion and God fulfilled all those promises in the great festivals of Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost. God keeps his promises in the water of Holy Baptism and in the great love feast of Holy Communion.
While God keeps his promises, it is still hard to wait as hear our Savior Jesus tell us, “I am coming soon.” It’s hard waiting for the Lord.
Waiting is never an easy thing to do. Apparently silly bands are all the rage amongst kindergartners these days. They are rubber bands formed into the shape of dinosaurs, animals, various kinds of balls, and other things that appeal to five year olds. We ordered some for the boys because you can’t find them in stores, or at least we didn’t want to drive around to every WalMart, Kmart, or any other kind of mart hunting for them. We told the boys that we had ordered them, and that was our mistake. Have they come yet? Are they here? When will they get here? Have they come yet? The mailman delivered my diabetic supplies and Matthew got all excited when he saw the big box because surely the box was filled with silly bands. It was both humorous and sad to see how disappointed a two year old can get!
As we age, waiting doesn’t get any easier. If anything, it gets harder as anxiety, worry, and fear come with the interminable waiting. Waiting for the wedding day. Waiting for the delivery of your child. Waiting for your job interview. Waiting for your wife to come out of the operating room. Waiting for the grandchildren to arrive for the Thanksgiving holiday. Waiting with your husband in the last few days of his life. Waiting for the Lord to come soon so you will be reunited with all of your loved ones who have died in the Christian faith. Jesus says “I am coming” and the wait for us is so hard.
Our Lord Christ is coming to us. As He ascended into heaven we know and believe the words of the angels that Jesus will return in the same way he departed. He was taken into heaven by a cloud, so we wait for the glorious clouds to reveal the return of Jesus our Redeemer. I am coming to you.
Our Lord knows how difficult these days are. Our Lord Jesus was tempted in every way we are yet endured those temptations and remained sinless in our place. Our brother Jesus strengthens us in the face of the temptation of faithlessness, in the temptation of doubt, in the temptation to deny our God, in the temptation to take the easy road and say that all paths lead to God and as long as your nice and don’t kick puppies then surely you’ll be in heaven too. Jesus strengthens us for these days to give voice to our faith, to speak up for those who have no voice- the not yet born, those born with disabilities who are pushed to the side in the hopes that they will be forgotten, and those born who are drawing near to the end of their life, well, they need someone to speak on their behalf, that the elderly have value to the Lord and deserve care, decency, the opportunity to live out their days with all the same rights that younger people have.
In these difficult days, the Lord says to us that He is coming. And he says, “Come and see.” Along with many other people, we might respond, “Where are you so I can see you?”
The Lord is found where He has promised to be- in the Word, on the altar in the precious gift of Holy Communion, in the gift of prayer. Come to the church and see how God is present with his gifts. Perhaps you come to service and on your way out the door say to yourself, “I’m glad I had the opportunity to confess my sins and receive God’s forgiveness. Tomorrow I will talk with my coworker and ask for their forgiveness for what I did to them.” “I’m glad I got to hear the Scriptures today because that was my father’s favorite passage and he would always talk about why it was his favorite.” “I’m glad I had the chance to speak the Creed today, because I get challenged in school all the time about my faith and the Creed is a simple way to express my belief.” “I needed communion today and I’m glad to receive the strength and nourishment for my soul. It’s good to know God loves me that much.”
We are invited to come and see the goodness of God. The promise of God is solidified for us as we hold open our hands to receive all of God’s good gifts. Strengthened for our everyday lives, we go out with the message to ‘come and see’. With a compassionate ear we listen to our children, to our spouse, to our friend and offer them what we have been given. With a merciful hand we seek to give away what has been given to us, some nourishing food, some help in cleaning up after a disaster. With a forgiving heart we do not hold grudges against the people who have sought our forgiveness. We give up the grudge and grasp the new opportunity to be God’s people in His world.
Our Lord Jesus is coming to us. He has promised to come. And we implore him to maranatha among us- Amen, come Lord Jesus! Come and see your people. And we invite those around us to come and see the grace and glory of God. SDG
Friday, May 14, 2010
Sermon from Ascension Vespers
Ascension Day
May 13, 2010
Luke 24:44-53
I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.
In the name of our risen and ascended Lord Jesus, amen. Why are we surprised? Why are we still surprised? The story of the ascension is what we were told would happen.
Jesus told the disciples that he would be leaving, that he would be returning to heaven. In telling them that news, Jesus told them it would be for their benefit. I depart in order to send the Holy Spirit. If I do not go, then the Holy Spirit will not be given.
And what Gospel lesson do we frequently hear at funerals? I am going to prepare a place for you. Jesus was telling the disciples that his departure to the right hand of God was for the purpose of preparing their room in the Father’s heavenly mansion. I mention it frequently that our Father wants us to be with Him. And He did something about it!
After the resurrection, forty days filled with signs and miracles and more wonderful teachings, Jesus goes back where He came from. As he was leaving, Jesus blessed them. And the disciples worshiped. While they may have been surprised at what their eyes were beholding, they worshiped, knowing that Jesus was doing what he said he would do.
In our lives, there are constant surprises, and they are not always good. We become surprised when the deadline is moved up at work. We become surprised by the traffic accident on the highway that jams things up when we are running late. We are surprised by the broken bone, by the accident, by the croup that causes us to drop everything and run to the emergency room. There are many surprises yet we are unsurprised by these surprises because we grow to learn that life happens. More than that is the realization that God’s presence with his children helps us to cope with all that occurs during the course of our day.
God strengthens us to respond with grace, with mercy, with integrity. I’d like to think that is part of the story of the Ascension. Jesus left the disciples, not because He didn’t love them, but because He did love them. Jesus left the disciples because He was returning to the Father and the Holy Spirit was on the way to be with Jesus’ beloved friends, reminding them of all that Jesus had said and done.
Jesus left, yet since the Holy Spirit was on the way, Jesus wouldn’t be far. Jesus would be present through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. And when the clouds swallowed up Jesus, where did the disciples go? They went to the temple, praying and praising God. The followers of Jesus went where they knew he would be.
The followers of Jesus today gather where we know that Jesus will be. We come to the temple, to this sanctuary, where the Word of God is proclaimed, where the grace of God is offered in the Holy Sacraments. We go where our fellow travelers are, to be with them and pray with them and learn with them and serve with them.
Jesus is not gone from us. Through the giving of the Holy Spirit to each of us, we are reminded of how deeply connected the triune God is to us. For my sins Jesus ascended the cross. For your redemption Jesus stepped out of the tomb in triumph. The body and blood of Christ is given and shed for you. Seated at the right hand of God, Jesus is present for His Church. That is his presence- I will be with you always, to the end of the age.
Christ’s ascension is no surprise. The ascension is what we have been waiting for, as it is what Jesus promised would happen. We do not approach the Ascension with tears, sorrow, or sadness. Christ is as close as a breath, is as close as a prayer. Christ has returned to heaven from where he came. Christ has ascended to the place where we will be. This is the promise of our God, the promise that will be kept by God’s grace and mercy. SDG
May 13, 2010
Luke 24:44-53
I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.
In the name of our risen and ascended Lord Jesus, amen. Why are we surprised? Why are we still surprised? The story of the ascension is what we were told would happen.
Jesus told the disciples that he would be leaving, that he would be returning to heaven. In telling them that news, Jesus told them it would be for their benefit. I depart in order to send the Holy Spirit. If I do not go, then the Holy Spirit will not be given.
And what Gospel lesson do we frequently hear at funerals? I am going to prepare a place for you. Jesus was telling the disciples that his departure to the right hand of God was for the purpose of preparing their room in the Father’s heavenly mansion. I mention it frequently that our Father wants us to be with Him. And He did something about it!
After the resurrection, forty days filled with signs and miracles and more wonderful teachings, Jesus goes back where He came from. As he was leaving, Jesus blessed them. And the disciples worshiped. While they may have been surprised at what their eyes were beholding, they worshiped, knowing that Jesus was doing what he said he would do.
In our lives, there are constant surprises, and they are not always good. We become surprised when the deadline is moved up at work. We become surprised by the traffic accident on the highway that jams things up when we are running late. We are surprised by the broken bone, by the accident, by the croup that causes us to drop everything and run to the emergency room. There are many surprises yet we are unsurprised by these surprises because we grow to learn that life happens. More than that is the realization that God’s presence with his children helps us to cope with all that occurs during the course of our day.
God strengthens us to respond with grace, with mercy, with integrity. I’d like to think that is part of the story of the Ascension. Jesus left the disciples, not because He didn’t love them, but because He did love them. Jesus left the disciples because He was returning to the Father and the Holy Spirit was on the way to be with Jesus’ beloved friends, reminding them of all that Jesus had said and done.
Jesus left, yet since the Holy Spirit was on the way, Jesus wouldn’t be far. Jesus would be present through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. And when the clouds swallowed up Jesus, where did the disciples go? They went to the temple, praying and praising God. The followers of Jesus went where they knew he would be.
The followers of Jesus today gather where we know that Jesus will be. We come to the temple, to this sanctuary, where the Word of God is proclaimed, where the grace of God is offered in the Holy Sacraments. We go where our fellow travelers are, to be with them and pray with them and learn with them and serve with them.
Jesus is not gone from us. Through the giving of the Holy Spirit to each of us, we are reminded of how deeply connected the triune God is to us. For my sins Jesus ascended the cross. For your redemption Jesus stepped out of the tomb in triumph. The body and blood of Christ is given and shed for you. Seated at the right hand of God, Jesus is present for His Church. That is his presence- I will be with you always, to the end of the age.
Christ’s ascension is no surprise. The ascension is what we have been waiting for, as it is what Jesus promised would happen. We do not approach the Ascension with tears, sorrow, or sadness. Christ is as close as a breath, is as close as a prayer. Christ has returned to heaven from where he came. Christ has ascended to the place where we will be. This is the promise of our God, the promise that will be kept by God’s grace and mercy. SDG
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
M-O-M-M-A I know how you got that way!
The last two days I have listened to a Mother's Roundtable on Issues, Etc. (www.issuesetc.org, then click On Demand). It has been fantastic! Deaconness Pam Nielsen, Rebecca Curtis, and Sandra Ostapowich did an excellent job talking about the joys and challenges of motherhood. I highly recommend listening to these conversations. They are in two one-hour segments.
Mothers are a tremendous gift and we do well to thank God for blessing His children with mothers, mothers who recognize their failings, who welcome the opportunities to speak truthfully about sin and grace, who understand that they serve their neighbor when they serve their children and husband, since their family is the closest neighbor they are given.
Mothers serve a valuable role and they help shape and form the children they have been blessed with.
I can tell that there have been some excellent mothers as I interact with church members and friends. I know how you became the person you are. Thank your mother for me.
Mothers are a tremendous gift and we do well to thank God for blessing His children with mothers, mothers who recognize their failings, who welcome the opportunities to speak truthfully about sin and grace, who understand that they serve their neighbor when they serve their children and husband, since their family is the closest neighbor they are given.
Mothers serve a valuable role and they help shape and form the children they have been blessed with.
I can tell that there have been some excellent mothers as I interact with church members and friends. I know how you became the person you are. Thank your mother for me.
Unsure
whether I liked the iced coffee I just had from Dunkin Donuts. It was my first experience with iced coffee and it was strange. Perhaps if it was from Krispy Kreme I might feel differently. I think right now I'll just stick to regular old hot coffee. Although I do like the frappe's from McDonald's!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sermon for Easter 6
Easter 6
May 9, 2010
John 16:23-33
In me you may have peace
In the name of Jesus, amen. In our gospel lesson this morning we find again the great joy of God’s living Word- that the Bible is just as relevant today as it has ever been. When people are seeking to create their own story and tell those stories, the Christian has the pure joy of living the story of the Bible. The story of the Bible is a full story of lost and found, of darkness and light, of sin and forgiveness, of the Christian who lives because of the Christ. Today Jesus tells his disciples, “In me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
The disciples were filled with turmoil, because at this moment in their lives, Jesus was letting them know that their world was going to be turned upside down. Jesus is building them up so they may endure the time when Jesus would be lifted up on the cross. Jesus has gathered his disciples together because the time is coming when they would be scattered.
And the disciples could not imagine living in a world without Jesus. But the unimaginable would become very real as Jesus would be betrayed and arrested. They will watch, some close up, some from a distance, but they would see the trial, the mockery, the beating, the blood. They would see the nails and the thorns, the crucifixion and the death. They could ask themselves, “What is the world coming to? How could this happen? What is going to happen next? If Christ could be crucified like that, what is in store for us?”
Those are all very important questions, questions that reveal the real fear and terror that existed for the followers of Jesus. And those were questions that Jesus had addressed with great reassurance.
But take heart; I have overcome the world. Though the Passion had not yet started, the outcome was certain. Jesus had resolutely set his face toward Jerusalem, knowing what the will of His Father was: that Jesus should carry the sins of the whole world, die for the forgiveness of those sins, and then be raised again.
Jesus had overcome the world- all of its temptations, all of its powerful allure, all of its wide and easy paths. Jesus was on the path to Calvary and would not be deterred. On this path he drew his beloved followers to him and he taught them and he loved them to the end. In me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But I have overcome the world. Take heart. Buck up. Be steadfast and immovable in me.
Take heart. Buck up. Be steadfast and immovable. Those are the statements of our loving Lord to us.
Our hearts grow faint. Fear overshadows our courage. We are blown by all the winds that swirl around us and we do not stand steadfast. But Jesus has given us the certain confidence of our futures. We ask what the world is coming to and we are so uncertain about our future. We are bombarded with news of car bombs in time square, with the news that the spot on our lungs in that MRI is malignant, that our Parkinsons is advancing, that our services are no longer going to be required at work once this project is complete. What is my world coming to as my relationship with my children continues to spiral out of control, as my relationship with my spouse is so different from what it used to be? What is my future going to be if my parents die, if my spouse dies? What will the future be for my family if I were to die?
Too often we attempt to answer those questions apart from Christ. People make predictions. We make predictions. You’ve heard the old phrase that we make plans and God laughs. I think it was the Chicago Tribune that declared Dewey the winner over Harry S Truman back in 1948. All sorts of predictions and guesses are made that now can be found in the dust heap of history. In our Tuesday evening Bible study we are about ready to hear a man named Gamaliel declare to the other Pharisees that if what Peter and John and the other apostles are doing is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, there is nothing on earth that will be able to stop it.
Apart from Christ, separated from that holy relationship with God, all we do is make guesses and predictions. Surely we’d have to be uncertain about our future without remembering the words of Christ and the actions of our Redeemer.
In me you may have peace. Those words of Christ really fly in the face of what is taking place. We agonize over our future, over our family’s future, where we will live and what job we will hold. That agonizing takes place while we worry about the condition of our state and country and her economy and security. But we need to block those dark thoughts from our mind so the Holy Spirit can remind us of what Jesus said- In me you may have peace.
Peace is not found in a paycheck. Peace does not reside in property values. Peace does not depend on a wireless broadband tower. Peace does not simply mean the absence of fighting or strife and you cannot find peace in a hammock or on your couch. Peace is found in Jesus.
The world has been overcome by the cross. The sins that plague and terrorize us have been swallowed up by the open grave. Jesus has been able to say to each and every one of us, “I have overcome the world.” So we sit in the doctor’s office, chewing our finger nails to the quick knowing that Jesus is with us. We show up at work and do what is given us to do, praying the Spirit of God would use me to serve my boss and the client. We clearly know God’s purpose for our life as we stand at the changing table, looking down at our child, knowing that God’s purpose for my life is right in front of my eyes and sometimes in my nostrils. We patiently sit at the dining room table helping our children and grandchildren with their homework. We go to bed at night with the voice of prayer on our lips, praying for our families, for our friends, for our enemies, for our great joys and for all that troubles us, knowing that God desires our prayer, that He hears them and that He responds.
In Christ, you may have peace. We are in Christ. We were baptized into him, baptized into his death, so that just as Jesus was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so too will we be raised to newness of life.
This is an uncertain world, with lots of turmoil and trouble. Yet the Christian knows what to do! Pray!
Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give it to you. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. Jesus has given us direct access to the Father. We are in Christ and the Father’s ear is turned toward us. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
Our Redeemer says that in me you may have peace. True peace, not that comes from the world, but from the creator of the world, from the savior of the world, and from the Spirit who guides us through this blessed world. In me you may have peace. May God grant it! SDG
May 9, 2010
John 16:23-33
In me you may have peace
In the name of Jesus, amen. In our gospel lesson this morning we find again the great joy of God’s living Word- that the Bible is just as relevant today as it has ever been. When people are seeking to create their own story and tell those stories, the Christian has the pure joy of living the story of the Bible. The story of the Bible is a full story of lost and found, of darkness and light, of sin and forgiveness, of the Christian who lives because of the Christ. Today Jesus tells his disciples, “In me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
The disciples were filled with turmoil, because at this moment in their lives, Jesus was letting them know that their world was going to be turned upside down. Jesus is building them up so they may endure the time when Jesus would be lifted up on the cross. Jesus has gathered his disciples together because the time is coming when they would be scattered.
And the disciples could not imagine living in a world without Jesus. But the unimaginable would become very real as Jesus would be betrayed and arrested. They will watch, some close up, some from a distance, but they would see the trial, the mockery, the beating, the blood. They would see the nails and the thorns, the crucifixion and the death. They could ask themselves, “What is the world coming to? How could this happen? What is going to happen next? If Christ could be crucified like that, what is in store for us?”
Those are all very important questions, questions that reveal the real fear and terror that existed for the followers of Jesus. And those were questions that Jesus had addressed with great reassurance.
But take heart; I have overcome the world. Though the Passion had not yet started, the outcome was certain. Jesus had resolutely set his face toward Jerusalem, knowing what the will of His Father was: that Jesus should carry the sins of the whole world, die for the forgiveness of those sins, and then be raised again.
Jesus had overcome the world- all of its temptations, all of its powerful allure, all of its wide and easy paths. Jesus was on the path to Calvary and would not be deterred. On this path he drew his beloved followers to him and he taught them and he loved them to the end. In me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But I have overcome the world. Take heart. Buck up. Be steadfast and immovable in me.
Take heart. Buck up. Be steadfast and immovable. Those are the statements of our loving Lord to us.
Our hearts grow faint. Fear overshadows our courage. We are blown by all the winds that swirl around us and we do not stand steadfast. But Jesus has given us the certain confidence of our futures. We ask what the world is coming to and we are so uncertain about our future. We are bombarded with news of car bombs in time square, with the news that the spot on our lungs in that MRI is malignant, that our Parkinsons is advancing, that our services are no longer going to be required at work once this project is complete. What is my world coming to as my relationship with my children continues to spiral out of control, as my relationship with my spouse is so different from what it used to be? What is my future going to be if my parents die, if my spouse dies? What will the future be for my family if I were to die?
Too often we attempt to answer those questions apart from Christ. People make predictions. We make predictions. You’ve heard the old phrase that we make plans and God laughs. I think it was the Chicago Tribune that declared Dewey the winner over Harry S Truman back in 1948. All sorts of predictions and guesses are made that now can be found in the dust heap of history. In our Tuesday evening Bible study we are about ready to hear a man named Gamaliel declare to the other Pharisees that if what Peter and John and the other apostles are doing is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, there is nothing on earth that will be able to stop it.
Apart from Christ, separated from that holy relationship with God, all we do is make guesses and predictions. Surely we’d have to be uncertain about our future without remembering the words of Christ and the actions of our Redeemer.
In me you may have peace. Those words of Christ really fly in the face of what is taking place. We agonize over our future, over our family’s future, where we will live and what job we will hold. That agonizing takes place while we worry about the condition of our state and country and her economy and security. But we need to block those dark thoughts from our mind so the Holy Spirit can remind us of what Jesus said- In me you may have peace.
Peace is not found in a paycheck. Peace does not reside in property values. Peace does not depend on a wireless broadband tower. Peace does not simply mean the absence of fighting or strife and you cannot find peace in a hammock or on your couch. Peace is found in Jesus.
The world has been overcome by the cross. The sins that plague and terrorize us have been swallowed up by the open grave. Jesus has been able to say to each and every one of us, “I have overcome the world.” So we sit in the doctor’s office, chewing our finger nails to the quick knowing that Jesus is with us. We show up at work and do what is given us to do, praying the Spirit of God would use me to serve my boss and the client. We clearly know God’s purpose for our life as we stand at the changing table, looking down at our child, knowing that God’s purpose for my life is right in front of my eyes and sometimes in my nostrils. We patiently sit at the dining room table helping our children and grandchildren with their homework. We go to bed at night with the voice of prayer on our lips, praying for our families, for our friends, for our enemies, for our great joys and for all that troubles us, knowing that God desires our prayer, that He hears them and that He responds.
In Christ, you may have peace. We are in Christ. We were baptized into him, baptized into his death, so that just as Jesus was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so too will we be raised to newness of life.
This is an uncertain world, with lots of turmoil and trouble. Yet the Christian knows what to do! Pray!
Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give it to you. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. Jesus has given us direct access to the Father. We are in Christ and the Father’s ear is turned toward us. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
Our Redeemer says that in me you may have peace. True peace, not that comes from the world, but from the creator of the world, from the savior of the world, and from the Spirit who guides us through this blessed world. In me you may have peace. May God grant it! SDG
Bible History in 35 verses
Here is a hymn on Biblical saints. It was originally written in German and has been translated by Matthew Carver. I have no idea who this gentleman is, but he has done a fine job in telling the Biblical stories in an understandable way. Get comfortable and enjoy this gift.
MIGHTY GOD, Father, Lord of Hosts on high,
Strong Defender! To Thee we cry
King of our nation,
And of all creation
Lord of great and small,
Of heav’n, and earth, and all:
Oh, grant us all that we may find salvation.
2. All who want wisdom, and would fain discern
What is truth, repent ye, and turn
To God your Maker,
Scripture not forsaking,
O’er your sins now grieve,
With humble faith receive
The Word of God, all trust upon it staking.
3. When for sin, ADAM Eden’s Garden left,
Of true faith he was not bereft,
His trust not broken
in God’s promise spoken:
From the woman’s seed
A Man shall come indeed,
And many an age will long to see this token.
4. Adam’s son, ABEL, this same truth confessed,
In true faith he gave God his best,
And praised no other,
Therefore, Cain, his brother,
Was enraged with spite,
And envied Abel quite:
Foul murder wrought, and Abel’s life did smother.
5. NOAH had warning of God’s wrath and flood,
And he made a great ark of wood;
Faithful, devoted,
For a year he floated,
Through the wind and rain,
Thus eight did life retain,
With all the beasts which God to him allotted.
6. ABRAHAM trusted in God’s holy Word;
More than his dear home, he preferred
Strange habitations,
Where, by intimations,
God swore in that place,
The Savior would by grace
Descend from him to bless the sinful nations.
7. Abraham’s wife SARAH barren was for long
Yet her faith was constant and strong,
In God’s apprising:
“Lo, by God’s devising
You shall soon conceive,
This cov’nant to believe,
And shall bring forth a son, and call him Isaac.”
8. So was their ISAAC in the Spirit firm,
He believed, and never did squirm,
Of death unfearing,
Abraham revering,
Who gave up his son.
But as the knife was drawn,
God said, “Wait, thou hast shown Me thine adhering.”
9. JACOB, born second, still the blessing sought
And the birthright from Isaac got,
Blest by his father;
He escaped his brother,
From his home he went
In faith where’er God sent,
Who brought him safe to kinsmen of his mother.
10. JOSEPH was faithful, and endured his cross,
As his brothers him did oppose.
And sore misused him
In a pit they threw him,
Grieved his father good,
They stained his coat with blood,
For thirty silver coins a slave they sold him.
11. Righteous LOT trusted in the Lord his God,
Warning to the five kings he brought:
“Love God and fear Him.”
But when none would hear him,
God his life did save,
Escape from fire he gave.
Lot ran to safety with two daughters near him.
12. MOSES was beckoned into Egypt land
by the Lord and brought by His hand,
His flock to sunder;
And with many a wonder,
Brought the children out,
Through waters, dry of foot.
While Pharaoh’s forces all were swallowed under.
13. AARON was chosen and ordained high priest,
God arrayed him to keep the feast,
With every splendor ,
The true faith’s defender.
God He glorified,
His calling was his pride:
Before the Lord, His people’s mediator.
14. JOSHUA, faithful, CALEB at his side,
As God bade them, Canaan they spied,
Patiently waited,
With faith unabated;
Others feared to go
But these two feared no foe,
And captured Canaan by God’s dominating.
15. GIDEON, mighty, battle’s glories knew,
Many a king and heathen he slew,
All foes he conquered,
In their countries entered,
City walls he broke,
And all their goods he took,
All things according to God’s will he ventured.
16. To old ELIJAH all the world did wrong,
Persecuted and plagued him long,
Sorely complaining,
So a drought sustaining,
For three years and more,
He caused no rain to pour;
He prayed again and heav’n resumed its raining.
17. Woe did ISAIAH suffer in his day,
For the truth he met with dismay,
By men rejected.
He the just protected,
Whom men counted last.
False idols he unmasked,
And so they slew him as their hearts directed.
18. When JEREMIAH saw the great disgrace
Which the Jews did in every place,
It so appalled him
That he boldly told them
“God ye sore offend!
His warning now attend,
Or He in hands of wrath will soon enfold you.”
19. AMOS the prophet would his flock defend,
Saying, “Listen! God soon will send
Drought and great famine,
So your lives examine,
For your sin and vice
This drought shall be the price;
God’s Word shall be withheld from all in common.
20. Unto the shepherds cried EZEKIEL,
“Feed the sheep and pasture them well;
Leave no one wanting,
You will give accounting
For your life and way
When comes the Final Day,
And there shall be distress and woe surmounting.”
21. God’s true servant JOEL hope in Jesus laid,
Kindly warned the people and said
God’s wrath lay o’er them,
So with pray’r implore Him,
And in Godly fear
Await His advent near,
When good and wicked both must stand before Him.
22. JOB, the long-suff’ring did God prove and test,
And to send him grief and unrest
Satan did borrow.
Quickly came Job’s sorrow,
Friends and wealth he lost,
His body bore the cost.
In faith he said, “God can right all tomorrow.”
23. Youthful TOBIAS by the angel stood,
Trusted in his words, as was good,
Went from his father,
Rightful gold to gather,
Sara loved he fain,
Whose seven grooms were slain
He chased the slayer off, and they were wedded.
24. JONAH the prophet Nineveh forsook,
Fled to sea, to God would not look,
When storm inflated
Drew the lot ill-fated
Leapt into the sea,
And swallowed up was he
And brought alive to land full three days later.
25. By faith SUSANNA found deliverance
From the plot of two wicked men,
Who would abuse her.
But ere they so used her,
God did them prevent,
His messenger he sent
Disproved and put to death the false accusers.
26. DANIEL knew sorrow, but to God held fast;
Down into a pit he was cast
With lions seven,
That had not been given
Meat for many a day,
But God had heard him pray,
And shut the lion’s mouths, and him delivered.
27. JUDITH the widow, led the battle bold,
Acted sweetly, prayed unto God,
Of foes unfearful;
Holofernes, evil,
Promised her to wed,
And as he lay in bed,
She cut his head clean off, and freed her people.
28. DAVID, God’s servant, as a prophet reigned,
He had faith and steadfast remained,
Giving God’s pleasure
Writing all in measure
Which he saw by grace
Full many things took place,
And at last he gave all confirmation.
29. SOLOMON, glorious, waxed in wealth and fame,
Kings and rulers all knew his name,
And his wise writing,
All his words reciting.
These words still remain
In hearts that love God’s name:
By faith in God, the truth was his delighting.
30. God gave assurance to ELIZABETH
That she would behold by true faith
Fruit of her body:
John his parents called him:
Precious man of God,
And witness of His Word,
Whose like there hath not been nor ever shall be.
31. Saint JOHN the Baptist to the Jordan came
To the world God’s Word to proclaim,
Baptism giving
For repentance living;
Witnessed to God’s Son,
And said, “This holy One
Baptized by me, shall for all sins make payment.”
32. MARY, pure virgin, was by grace alone
Chosen to give birth to God’s Son
In womb so lowly,
Jesus Christ most holy,
Who alone could save—
To Him her flesh she gave,
Remaining ever virgin, God’s true Mother.
33. SIMEÒN righteous, in old age found grace,
In his arms his God to embrace,
And see salvation,
In the incarnation
Christ, his infant Lord,
Whom God o’er all adored,
And said, “God here restores His lost creation.”
34. Our LORD, CHRIST JESUS, very Man and God.
As all saints bore witness and showed;—
Glad news they gave us:
He won God’s good favor
For His sons most dear
And brought His children cheer,
Defeating death upon the cross to save us.
35. Sing we together to the Lord of heav’n,
Praise to God our Father be giv’n,
With Christ, the Savior,
And the Spirit ever,
One true God for ay!
In choirs of endless day,
To Him be glory, laud, and praise forever.
Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.
MIGHTY GOD, Father, Lord of Hosts on high,
Strong Defender! To Thee we cry
King of our nation,
And of all creation
Lord of great and small,
Of heav’n, and earth, and all:
Oh, grant us all that we may find salvation.
2. All who want wisdom, and would fain discern
What is truth, repent ye, and turn
To God your Maker,
Scripture not forsaking,
O’er your sins now grieve,
With humble faith receive
The Word of God, all trust upon it staking.
3. When for sin, ADAM Eden’s Garden left,
Of true faith he was not bereft,
His trust not broken
in God’s promise spoken:
From the woman’s seed
A Man shall come indeed,
And many an age will long to see this token.
4. Adam’s son, ABEL, this same truth confessed,
In true faith he gave God his best,
And praised no other,
Therefore, Cain, his brother,
Was enraged with spite,
And envied Abel quite:
Foul murder wrought, and Abel’s life did smother.
5. NOAH had warning of God’s wrath and flood,
And he made a great ark of wood;
Faithful, devoted,
For a year he floated,
Through the wind and rain,
Thus eight did life retain,
With all the beasts which God to him allotted.
6. ABRAHAM trusted in God’s holy Word;
More than his dear home, he preferred
Strange habitations,
Where, by intimations,
God swore in that place,
The Savior would by grace
Descend from him to bless the sinful nations.
7. Abraham’s wife SARAH barren was for long
Yet her faith was constant and strong,
In God’s apprising:
“Lo, by God’s devising
You shall soon conceive,
This cov’nant to believe,
And shall bring forth a son, and call him Isaac.”
8. So was their ISAAC in the Spirit firm,
He believed, and never did squirm,
Of death unfearing,
Abraham revering,
Who gave up his son.
But as the knife was drawn,
God said, “Wait, thou hast shown Me thine adhering.”
9. JACOB, born second, still the blessing sought
And the birthright from Isaac got,
Blest by his father;
He escaped his brother,
From his home he went
In faith where’er God sent,
Who brought him safe to kinsmen of his mother.
10. JOSEPH was faithful, and endured his cross,
As his brothers him did oppose.
And sore misused him
In a pit they threw him,
Grieved his father good,
They stained his coat with blood,
For thirty silver coins a slave they sold him.
11. Righteous LOT trusted in the Lord his God,
Warning to the five kings he brought:
“Love God and fear Him.”
But when none would hear him,
God his life did save,
Escape from fire he gave.
Lot ran to safety with two daughters near him.
12. MOSES was beckoned into Egypt land
by the Lord and brought by His hand,
His flock to sunder;
And with many a wonder,
Brought the children out,
Through waters, dry of foot.
While Pharaoh’s forces all were swallowed under.
13. AARON was chosen and ordained high priest,
God arrayed him to keep the feast,
With every splendor ,
The true faith’s defender.
God He glorified,
His calling was his pride:
Before the Lord, His people’s mediator.
14. JOSHUA, faithful, CALEB at his side,
As God bade them, Canaan they spied,
Patiently waited,
With faith unabated;
Others feared to go
But these two feared no foe,
And captured Canaan by God’s dominating.
15. GIDEON, mighty, battle’s glories knew,
Many a king and heathen he slew,
All foes he conquered,
In their countries entered,
City walls he broke,
And all their goods he took,
All things according to God’s will he ventured.
16. To old ELIJAH all the world did wrong,
Persecuted and plagued him long,
Sorely complaining,
So a drought sustaining,
For three years and more,
He caused no rain to pour;
He prayed again and heav’n resumed its raining.
17. Woe did ISAIAH suffer in his day,
For the truth he met with dismay,
By men rejected.
He the just protected,
Whom men counted last.
False idols he unmasked,
And so they slew him as their hearts directed.
18. When JEREMIAH saw the great disgrace
Which the Jews did in every place,
It so appalled him
That he boldly told them
“God ye sore offend!
His warning now attend,
Or He in hands of wrath will soon enfold you.”
19. AMOS the prophet would his flock defend,
Saying, “Listen! God soon will send
Drought and great famine,
So your lives examine,
For your sin and vice
This drought shall be the price;
God’s Word shall be withheld from all in common.
20. Unto the shepherds cried EZEKIEL,
“Feed the sheep and pasture them well;
Leave no one wanting,
You will give accounting
For your life and way
When comes the Final Day,
And there shall be distress and woe surmounting.”
21. God’s true servant JOEL hope in Jesus laid,
Kindly warned the people and said
God’s wrath lay o’er them,
So with pray’r implore Him,
And in Godly fear
Await His advent near,
When good and wicked both must stand before Him.
22. JOB, the long-suff’ring did God prove and test,
And to send him grief and unrest
Satan did borrow.
Quickly came Job’s sorrow,
Friends and wealth he lost,
His body bore the cost.
In faith he said, “God can right all tomorrow.”
23. Youthful TOBIAS by the angel stood,
Trusted in his words, as was good,
Went from his father,
Rightful gold to gather,
Sara loved he fain,
Whose seven grooms were slain
He chased the slayer off, and they were wedded.
24. JONAH the prophet Nineveh forsook,
Fled to sea, to God would not look,
When storm inflated
Drew the lot ill-fated
Leapt into the sea,
And swallowed up was he
And brought alive to land full three days later.
25. By faith SUSANNA found deliverance
From the plot of two wicked men,
Who would abuse her.
But ere they so used her,
God did them prevent,
His messenger he sent
Disproved and put to death the false accusers.
26. DANIEL knew sorrow, but to God held fast;
Down into a pit he was cast
With lions seven,
That had not been given
Meat for many a day,
But God had heard him pray,
And shut the lion’s mouths, and him delivered.
27. JUDITH the widow, led the battle bold,
Acted sweetly, prayed unto God,
Of foes unfearful;
Holofernes, evil,
Promised her to wed,
And as he lay in bed,
She cut his head clean off, and freed her people.
28. DAVID, God’s servant, as a prophet reigned,
He had faith and steadfast remained,
Giving God’s pleasure
Writing all in measure
Which he saw by grace
Full many things took place,
And at last he gave all confirmation.
29. SOLOMON, glorious, waxed in wealth and fame,
Kings and rulers all knew his name,
And his wise writing,
All his words reciting.
These words still remain
In hearts that love God’s name:
By faith in God, the truth was his delighting.
30. God gave assurance to ELIZABETH
That she would behold by true faith
Fruit of her body:
John his parents called him:
Precious man of God,
And witness of His Word,
Whose like there hath not been nor ever shall be.
31. Saint JOHN the Baptist to the Jordan came
To the world God’s Word to proclaim,
Baptism giving
For repentance living;
Witnessed to God’s Son,
And said, “This holy One
Baptized by me, shall for all sins make payment.”
32. MARY, pure virgin, was by grace alone
Chosen to give birth to God’s Son
In womb so lowly,
Jesus Christ most holy,
Who alone could save—
To Him her flesh she gave,
Remaining ever virgin, God’s true Mother.
33. SIMEÒN righteous, in old age found grace,
In his arms his God to embrace,
And see salvation,
In the incarnation
Christ, his infant Lord,
Whom God o’er all adored,
And said, “God here restores His lost creation.”
34. Our LORD, CHRIST JESUS, very Man and God.
As all saints bore witness and showed;—
Glad news they gave us:
He won God’s good favor
For His sons most dear
And brought His children cheer,
Defeating death upon the cross to save us.
35. Sing we together to the Lord of heav’n,
Praise to God our Father be giv’n,
With Christ, the Savior,
And the Spirit ever,
One true God for ay!
In choirs of endless day,
To Him be glory, laud, and praise forever.
Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Just returned
from a few days at Massanutten Resort near Harrisonburg VA. It was tremendous to be down there with the family and to spend time doing what we wanted to do, not what we had to do.
Massanutten is beautiful and the weather was sunny and warm. We took the kids to the pool a few times and all three loved being in the water with their various inflatable helps. Went miniature golfing although it was about 10 holes too long for Matthew. Took a hike so that Jacob could do his homework and count bugs for his class. Grilled hamburgers and bratwurst, spent some time in the jacuzzi tub and probably the nicest thing was to sit outside on the deck with Corinna and read a book while the clouds blew over the mountain.
We even got to see what the emergency room at Rockingham Memorial Hospital was like as Matthew woke up Wednesday night with an awful, barking cough. It cleared up a little as we got him and Corinna in the car (Jacob was asleep and stayed home with his Pops). The doctor diagnosed Matthew with croup and the nurse gave him a steroid to clear things up. It worked and he was able to get some decent sleep. Matthew is averaging one emergency room visit each year.
It was a great trip and we are grateful to be the guests of Amanda's dad and wife. We look forward to going back again.
Massanutten is beautiful and the weather was sunny and warm. We took the kids to the pool a few times and all three loved being in the water with their various inflatable helps. Went miniature golfing although it was about 10 holes too long for Matthew. Took a hike so that Jacob could do his homework and count bugs for his class. Grilled hamburgers and bratwurst, spent some time in the jacuzzi tub and probably the nicest thing was to sit outside on the deck with Corinna and read a book while the clouds blew over the mountain.
We even got to see what the emergency room at Rockingham Memorial Hospital was like as Matthew woke up Wednesday night with an awful, barking cough. It cleared up a little as we got him and Corinna in the car (Jacob was asleep and stayed home with his Pops). The doctor diagnosed Matthew with croup and the nurse gave him a steroid to clear things up. It worked and he was able to get some decent sleep. Matthew is averaging one emergency room visit each year.
It was a great trip and we are grateful to be the guests of Amanda's dad and wife. We look forward to going back again.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Worship infor for May 9
Hymns
831 "How Shall They Hear," Who Have Not Heard
829 Christ the Eternal Lord
556 Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice (We'll sing all ten verses in two different sections)
918 Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer
Scripture Lessons
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27
John 16:23-33
Collect of the Day
O God, the Giver of all that is Good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
831 "How Shall They Hear," Who Have Not Heard
829 Christ the Eternal Lord
556 Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice (We'll sing all ten verses in two different sections)
918 Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer
Scripture Lessons
Acts 16:9-15
Psalm 67
Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27
John 16:23-33
Collect of the Day
O God, the Giver of all that is Good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Easter 5 Sermon
Easter 5
May 2, 2010
Rev. 21:1-7; John 16:12-22
Receiving what is new
In the name of Jesus, amen. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Do you hear those words and say “Uh oh. That can’t be good.” We have learned and experienced that what is new isn’t always better. New Coke? Windows 7? Give me old Coke and Windows 98 please and I’ll be just fine. Newer isn’t always better. It asks a lot of us, with the changes and the chances of something that is unknown.
Yet the one seated on the throne- Jesus, the Lamb who was slain but lives forevermore says that he is making all things new. Whether we want what is new is not the issue. It is how we receive the new that is important.
While Jesus was living he was always doing new and different things. Raising the dead back to life was new. Being in the superior position yet humbling himself by washing the feet of his students could also be called new and different. In that foot-washing episode Jesus even gave them a new commandment, a new teaching: Love one another just as I have loved you. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.
Breaking bread and calling it his body. Taking a cup of wine and telling his beloved disciples that this was his blood of the new covenant was all very new. It was all very different. And while it is new, it is also good.
We receive what is new by the grace of God. Our loving God helps us to receive what we have been given. We may be uncomfortable with what is new. Serving others might not make us uncomfortable, but how do you feel when you are served? Sometimes I bristle when people try to help because in my mind I can do it myself. I didn’t ask for any help and I don’t need any help. And then God pokes me in the ribs and helps me to see clearly that sometimes people have a need to help. It doesn’t matter if I didn’t ask for help. The help is there as a gift and I should be able to receive a loving gift from someone else. When someone ‘washes my feet’ God tells me I should stop my protestations and simply say “Thank you.”
We receive what is new from God because we have come to learn from God that He has our best interests at heart. Our focus last week was the Good Shepherd, who leads us to feed and drink and rest and shelter. God has our best interests at heart. This does not mean that everything in life will be peaches and cream. Our best interests may mean a failure that teaches us that we cannot coast through our schooling without ever opening our textbooks. Our best interests may mean learning the value of a dollar and the value of hard work, the value of simple pleasures. We learn how to work and we learn how to be retired. We learn how to live independently and we learn how to be married. We learn how to rebuild after the real tragedy of divorce. We learn how to be single after our spouse is taken from us in death. And God is with us through all of those times, helping us to receive what is new. Our best interests may mean a health crisis that causes to re-evaluate our lifestyle. It may mean spending time rehabilitating ourselves after realizing that our actions have consequences.
God has our best interests at heart. So God has left us his living and active Word. God loves us, chastens us, disciplines us, encourages, guides, and supports. We receive the new thing, or things, that God is doing.
And it might not be such a challenge, because this new thing really isn’t that new. The love of God isn’t new. He has loved humanity ever since there was a humanity. God has been merciful through thick and thin. But the ways of God are often covered over or obscured. We get so busy focusing on all the many things that need to be done and we assign such tremendous value to those things that we lose sight of God. We lose sight of Christ’s cross and empty tomb. We lose sight of the glorifying Holy Spirit. And so we lose our way. More accurately, we lose God’s way for our life.
We set out to chart our own course, make our own path, because we know what’s best and no one can tell us otherwise. The devil’s lies have so completely captivated us that while we shake hands with our right hand, our left hand is busy stabbing our neighbor in the back. We deceive our coworkers and help them to stand yet never disclose that we were the ones who took credit for their idea and thus caused them to fall. We treat our children with selfishness, considering them to be a hindrance to my enjoyment of life or as a burden. We grow cold in our love for our spouse because we take them for granted and never consider their gifts. We set out on our own way, our own path, because we have lost God’s way for our life.
The Lamb on the throne told John to write down that he was the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega. That is completion. That is totality.
God is total. There is nothing that is lacking, nothing that is deficient, with Him. And what did I just say about God? He has our best interests at heart. He gives us those difficult teachings, those new concepts to put into practice because that is what is best for us. Love your neighbor? It is good for you to love your neighbor. Obey your parents? That is good for you as well. Teach and discipline and love and your children? That is in your best interests.
We receive God’s love, which is nothing new, rather it is quite ancient. God declares His love for us in the blest baptismal flood, sweeping us into his family, marking us with the ancient and eternal sign of the cross. God’s love, God’s challenge, God’s warning and God’s encouragement is heard in the Word. God’s love and God’s relevant reality is confessed in the Creed. God’s love is tasted in the body and blood of Christ in the communion meal.
Receiving what is new is rarely easy. It is rarely comfortable. Yet we receive what is new from our gracious God. He dwells with us and among us. He forgives our sin. He covers our sin with the blood of the Lamb. He is our God. We are his people. And by his grace, with our best interests at heart, God gives us what is new and God strengthens us to receive it for our good. SDG
May 2, 2010
Rev. 21:1-7; John 16:12-22
Receiving what is new
In the name of Jesus, amen. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Do you hear those words and say “Uh oh. That can’t be good.” We have learned and experienced that what is new isn’t always better. New Coke? Windows 7? Give me old Coke and Windows 98 please and I’ll be just fine. Newer isn’t always better. It asks a lot of us, with the changes and the chances of something that is unknown.
Yet the one seated on the throne- Jesus, the Lamb who was slain but lives forevermore says that he is making all things new. Whether we want what is new is not the issue. It is how we receive the new that is important.
While Jesus was living he was always doing new and different things. Raising the dead back to life was new. Being in the superior position yet humbling himself by washing the feet of his students could also be called new and different. In that foot-washing episode Jesus even gave them a new commandment, a new teaching: Love one another just as I have loved you. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.
Breaking bread and calling it his body. Taking a cup of wine and telling his beloved disciples that this was his blood of the new covenant was all very new. It was all very different. And while it is new, it is also good.
We receive what is new by the grace of God. Our loving God helps us to receive what we have been given. We may be uncomfortable with what is new. Serving others might not make us uncomfortable, but how do you feel when you are served? Sometimes I bristle when people try to help because in my mind I can do it myself. I didn’t ask for any help and I don’t need any help. And then God pokes me in the ribs and helps me to see clearly that sometimes people have a need to help. It doesn’t matter if I didn’t ask for help. The help is there as a gift and I should be able to receive a loving gift from someone else. When someone ‘washes my feet’ God tells me I should stop my protestations and simply say “Thank you.”
We receive what is new from God because we have come to learn from God that He has our best interests at heart. Our focus last week was the Good Shepherd, who leads us to feed and drink and rest and shelter. God has our best interests at heart. This does not mean that everything in life will be peaches and cream. Our best interests may mean a failure that teaches us that we cannot coast through our schooling without ever opening our textbooks. Our best interests may mean learning the value of a dollar and the value of hard work, the value of simple pleasures. We learn how to work and we learn how to be retired. We learn how to live independently and we learn how to be married. We learn how to rebuild after the real tragedy of divorce. We learn how to be single after our spouse is taken from us in death. And God is with us through all of those times, helping us to receive what is new. Our best interests may mean a health crisis that causes to re-evaluate our lifestyle. It may mean spending time rehabilitating ourselves after realizing that our actions have consequences.
God has our best interests at heart. So God has left us his living and active Word. God loves us, chastens us, disciplines us, encourages, guides, and supports. We receive the new thing, or things, that God is doing.
And it might not be such a challenge, because this new thing really isn’t that new. The love of God isn’t new. He has loved humanity ever since there was a humanity. God has been merciful through thick and thin. But the ways of God are often covered over or obscured. We get so busy focusing on all the many things that need to be done and we assign such tremendous value to those things that we lose sight of God. We lose sight of Christ’s cross and empty tomb. We lose sight of the glorifying Holy Spirit. And so we lose our way. More accurately, we lose God’s way for our life.
We set out to chart our own course, make our own path, because we know what’s best and no one can tell us otherwise. The devil’s lies have so completely captivated us that while we shake hands with our right hand, our left hand is busy stabbing our neighbor in the back. We deceive our coworkers and help them to stand yet never disclose that we were the ones who took credit for their idea and thus caused them to fall. We treat our children with selfishness, considering them to be a hindrance to my enjoyment of life or as a burden. We grow cold in our love for our spouse because we take them for granted and never consider their gifts. We set out on our own way, our own path, because we have lost God’s way for our life.
The Lamb on the throne told John to write down that he was the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega. That is completion. That is totality.
God is total. There is nothing that is lacking, nothing that is deficient, with Him. And what did I just say about God? He has our best interests at heart. He gives us those difficult teachings, those new concepts to put into practice because that is what is best for us. Love your neighbor? It is good for you to love your neighbor. Obey your parents? That is good for you as well. Teach and discipline and love and your children? That is in your best interests.
We receive God’s love, which is nothing new, rather it is quite ancient. God declares His love for us in the blest baptismal flood, sweeping us into his family, marking us with the ancient and eternal sign of the cross. God’s love, God’s challenge, God’s warning and God’s encouragement is heard in the Word. God’s love and God’s relevant reality is confessed in the Creed. God’s love is tasted in the body and blood of Christ in the communion meal.
Receiving what is new is rarely easy. It is rarely comfortable. Yet we receive what is new from our gracious God. He dwells with us and among us. He forgives our sin. He covers our sin with the blood of the Lamb. He is our God. We are his people. And by his grace, with our best interests at heart, God gives us what is new and God strengthens us to receive it for our good. SDG
What is it...
about the St. Louis Cardinals coming to Philadelphia that makes Philadelphians act like Philadelphians?
Last year, with the Cardinals in town, one Philadelphian kicked, beat, and stomped another Philadelphian to death at a bar attached to Citizen's Bank Park. To death. As in not breathing any more with no heart beat or brain function.
Last night, a 17 year old boy ran on to the field, was chased by security personnel, and eventually was tasered. Fans have no right to be on the field. Once they step out of the stands and on to the playing field, they are fair game. Life would be pretty simple if everyone abided by this rule: Don't go where you're not supposed to go and don't do what you're not supposed to do.
And let's be honest and say, "Good for the security personnel." Tasering can solve a lot of stupid in a pretty short time span.
Last year, with the Cardinals in town, one Philadelphian kicked, beat, and stomped another Philadelphian to death at a bar attached to Citizen's Bank Park. To death. As in not breathing any more with no heart beat or brain function.
Last night, a 17 year old boy ran on to the field, was chased by security personnel, and eventually was tasered. Fans have no right to be on the field. Once they step out of the stands and on to the playing field, they are fair game. Life would be pretty simple if everyone abided by this rule: Don't go where you're not supposed to go and don't do what you're not supposed to do.
And let's be honest and say, "Good for the security personnel." Tasering can solve a lot of stupid in a pretty short time span.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
May 2 worship info
Here is the information for our worship on May 2
Hymns
807 When Morning Gilds the Skies
533 Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure Eternal
633 At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing vv1,2,5-8
563 Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness
680 Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise
980 Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love (words and music printed in bulletin)
474 Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen
Scripture Lessons
Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 148 (chanted together)
Rev. 21:1-7
John 6:12-22
Prayer of the Day
O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Prayer of the Day for the Commemoration of St. Philip and St. James (May 1)
Almighty God, Your Son revealed Himself to Philip and James and gave them the knowledge of everlasting life. Grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the way, the truth, and the life, and steadfastly to walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
May the Lord bless our preparation and meditation for worship.
Hymns
807 When Morning Gilds the Skies
533 Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure Eternal
633 At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing vv1,2,5-8
563 Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness
680 Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise
980 Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love (words and music printed in bulletin)
474 Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen
Scripture Lessons
Acts 11:1-18
Psalm 148 (chanted together)
Rev. 21:1-7
John 6:12-22
Prayer of the Day
O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Prayer of the Day for the Commemoration of St. Philip and St. James (May 1)
Almighty God, Your Son revealed Himself to Philip and James and gave them the knowledge of everlasting life. Grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the way, the truth, and the life, and steadfastly to walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
May the Lord bless our preparation and meditation for worship.
Memories
Yesterday and today are the call services at our seminaries. Without question this is the high point of the seminary students' existence. From the moment you set foot on campus all activities are done with this moment in mind. (Perhaps not all, but at least every moment in the classroom has this goal in mind.)
The chapels on our two seminary campuses are filled with family members. The District Presidents in our church body are there. And there is a level of 'holy anxiety' that is palpable as candidates and their families await their call into the pastoral office.
My placement in 2000 was quite nerve-wracking as I did not have a clue where I would be placed and that my then-girlfriend now wife Amanda was waiting for a phone call that would have had a huge impact on our future.
One thing that is reality is that not all of our candidates will be placed. Some are not quite ready academically and will be placed after taking one more class in summer school. And some may defer their placement to do some institutional work. But some are not placed because there is no place for them to go. This is very upsetting and puzzling after the news has been given for many years that there is a clergy shortfall, even a clergy crisis. If there are vacant congregations, here are pastors for those positions.
But things are seldom what they appear. Perhaps we ought to consider that we do not have a clergy shortage in our church body but a congregation-shortage. Some churches are quite satisfied with being served by a retired pastor on a part-time basis. (And the retired pastor is quite satisfied with the extra income he receives.)
It is reality that having a pastor is an expensive proposition- salary, the health and retirement package, housing allowance- it really adds up and there is no reason we should think that the health benefits will ever decrease in cost. And more and more pastors are carrying tremendous amounts of tuition debt. Now some congregations are not willing to challenge themselves to make the financial commitment needed to have a full-time pastor. And some pastors are not willing to even consider the worker-priest option.
But the reality might actually be that there are not enough viable congregations to place all the candidates who desire to serve.
May the Lord bless all our candidates- placed and yet-to-be-placed!
The chapels on our two seminary campuses are filled with family members. The District Presidents in our church body are there. And there is a level of 'holy anxiety' that is palpable as candidates and their families await their call into the pastoral office.
My placement in 2000 was quite nerve-wracking as I did not have a clue where I would be placed and that my then-girlfriend now wife Amanda was waiting for a phone call that would have had a huge impact on our future.
One thing that is reality is that not all of our candidates will be placed. Some are not quite ready academically and will be placed after taking one more class in summer school. And some may defer their placement to do some institutional work. But some are not placed because there is no place for them to go. This is very upsetting and puzzling after the news has been given for many years that there is a clergy shortfall, even a clergy crisis. If there are vacant congregations, here are pastors for those positions.
But things are seldom what they appear. Perhaps we ought to consider that we do not have a clergy shortage in our church body but a congregation-shortage. Some churches are quite satisfied with being served by a retired pastor on a part-time basis. (And the retired pastor is quite satisfied with the extra income he receives.)
It is reality that having a pastor is an expensive proposition- salary, the health and retirement package, housing allowance- it really adds up and there is no reason we should think that the health benefits will ever decrease in cost. And more and more pastors are carrying tremendous amounts of tuition debt. Now some congregations are not willing to challenge themselves to make the financial commitment needed to have a full-time pastor. And some pastors are not willing to even consider the worker-priest option.
But the reality might actually be that there are not enough viable congregations to place all the candidates who desire to serve.
May the Lord bless all our candidates- placed and yet-to-be-placed!
Sermon for Good Shepherd Sunday
Easter 4 (Good Shepherd Sunday)
April 25, 2010
John 10:22-30
Unsnatchable
In the name of the Great Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus, amen. What a beautiful name for Jesus is given to us this morning. Names are so important. Parents give children a name, and when you have a name, there is the identification that you belong to someone, you are part of a family. When children are made fun of by their peers, even rejected by them, those children know they are accepted and loved by their family. They know they are safe and will find protection from their parents’ loving hands.
The disciples of Jesus were living in a hostile world. So Jesus reminds them that he knows them by name and will keep them safe from all harm. As surely as the disciples were living in a hostile world and needed the sweet consolation of Jesus, so we need to be comforted that our Good Shepherd calls us by name and keeps us safe in the hands of the heavenly Father. That is a protected place and we cannot be snatched from that blessed place.
Jesus’ sheep will always be under attack. The world is hostile to the message of love, forgiveness, mercy, and service. The world does not want to hear the Gospel imperative to serve your neighbor, the world wants to hear when they will be served. Don’t tell me to love others, tell others to love me! The disciples of Jesus will move into the world proclaiming the name of Jesus and in return the disciples will be mocked and martyred.
Strangers, thieves, robbers, and wolves represent the world in John 10 because they seek to draw the disciples away from Jesus and his words. Strangers offer children candy and toys to lure them into danger. Strangers offer Christians unbiblical messages of wealth and glory and power to lure them away from the Gospel message of the Bible. Wolves scare the sheep with their sharp teeth and horrifying howls and the sheep run away in panic. Wolves howl at Christians and in panic, Christians run from the cross rather than to it. Christians are lured away from their Shepherd. They are chased away by false shepherds. They are not tended by the compassionate Shepherd who binds their wounds and anoints them with healing oil.
Living in that world without a shepherd was a terrifying thought. There would be no direction, no safety net. Strangers would deceive them. Thieves would snatch them away. Without a shepherd, the sheep would only wander the way of death. The thief comes to kill and steal and destroy.
This is our world, not merely the world of Jesus’ first disciples.
Every day the Word and will of Christ is demonized- hatemongers, narrow-minded, closed-minded even, backwards, unthinking, homophobic, and many other such characterizations. In our newsletter this morning is a page that highlights the ongoing ministry of A Rose and a Prayer, a Christian pro-life organization. Show that page to some of your acquaintances, family, neighbors, or coworkers and chart the various reactions. Good for you! Shame on you! That’s great! That’s awful!
Every minute we are tempted by the world to follow false Christs- gods of our bellies, prophets of prosperity, theologies devised and crafted by men! How many Christians are deceived by the notion that if they only give enough to the ministry then God will ‘solve’ their woes? Without a shepherd, we’d quickly fall prey to any of these worldly views.
Jesus loved his disciples. He still does. And He promised that He would always keep the disciples under the care of the great Shepherd, himself. Through His Word, the Good Shepherd calls his disciples by name. He knows us, for good or for ill. We know His voice and we follow him. Through His Word, the Good Shepherd saves and gives life abundantly to those whom He calls.
The Good Shepherd calls to us and we follow. The Good Shepherd keeps us safe in this world. This space is cool pasture. We are able to eat and drink, laugh and learn, rest and be energized. In our homes the Good Shepherd provides us with the same things as we pray with our families, as we find moments of rest and energy, as we learn that God’s protection hovers over us.
The Good Shepherd cares for us, so much so that he lays down his life for them in order that he would save his sheep. We are saved from the false prophets. We are saved from eternal death. We are saved in order to proclaim the wonderful deeds of our Good Shepherd.
The Good Shepherd saves us to deliver us into the unsnatchable place. We know the Son, and to know the Son is to know the Father. Jesus is the voice the Father has given us to hear, and we hear Jesus’ voice every time the pastor speaks God’s Word to us. Beloved, those are hard words to say for I know my faults, imperfections, and sins. But the Word of God has such power that in spite of how grievously I fail you, God’s Word is the voice of Jesus for all of us.
In the same way, when we see Jesus loving, healing, caring, speaking kindly, touching gently, we understand what the Father is like. We know the pure love of God the Father, Son, and Spirit for his people, his people that often wander and go astray.
As our Good Shepherd, the Son speaks to us, not in words we cannot understand, not impersonally. Our Shepherd speaks to us, by name. He knows our fears. He knows what scares us and what confuses and He addresses all of those things.
Our sin terrorizes us because of the separation it creates. Sin cuts us off from the people we love because we know how selfishly, greedily, and unlovingly we have acted. Our Shepherd binds up our wounds and applies the salve of his forgiving blood. He cleans us up, strengthening us to follow in the way of the cross, strengthening us to seek forgiveness from the ones we have hurt.
Our Shepherd calls us by name and tells us, often gently, sometimes forcefully, to follow. Jesus leads us in the way of our baptism. In baptism our parents declared what our name was. In baptism, God declares the other name we have- the name of Christian. God knows both our names. He knows our given name. He knows each of us that personally. And even more, he knows our baptismal name. He knows that we are baptized into Christ. God knows that our baptism does not make us perfect. It does not mean that we will do the right thing at the right time all the time. Being baptized and wearing the name of Christian means that we know our sin and that we know our savior.
We have a shepherd, which is great because we have someone who cares us, who seeks us out and protects us in the midst of a dangerous world. We rest secure in the hands of our God, safe in the knowledge that no one can snatch us from that blessed place. SDG
April 25, 2010
John 10:22-30
Unsnatchable
In the name of the Great Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus, amen. What a beautiful name for Jesus is given to us this morning. Names are so important. Parents give children a name, and when you have a name, there is the identification that you belong to someone, you are part of a family. When children are made fun of by their peers, even rejected by them, those children know they are accepted and loved by their family. They know they are safe and will find protection from their parents’ loving hands.
The disciples of Jesus were living in a hostile world. So Jesus reminds them that he knows them by name and will keep them safe from all harm. As surely as the disciples were living in a hostile world and needed the sweet consolation of Jesus, so we need to be comforted that our Good Shepherd calls us by name and keeps us safe in the hands of the heavenly Father. That is a protected place and we cannot be snatched from that blessed place.
Jesus’ sheep will always be under attack. The world is hostile to the message of love, forgiveness, mercy, and service. The world does not want to hear the Gospel imperative to serve your neighbor, the world wants to hear when they will be served. Don’t tell me to love others, tell others to love me! The disciples of Jesus will move into the world proclaiming the name of Jesus and in return the disciples will be mocked and martyred.
Strangers, thieves, robbers, and wolves represent the world in John 10 because they seek to draw the disciples away from Jesus and his words. Strangers offer children candy and toys to lure them into danger. Strangers offer Christians unbiblical messages of wealth and glory and power to lure them away from the Gospel message of the Bible. Wolves scare the sheep with their sharp teeth and horrifying howls and the sheep run away in panic. Wolves howl at Christians and in panic, Christians run from the cross rather than to it. Christians are lured away from their Shepherd. They are chased away by false shepherds. They are not tended by the compassionate Shepherd who binds their wounds and anoints them with healing oil.
Living in that world without a shepherd was a terrifying thought. There would be no direction, no safety net. Strangers would deceive them. Thieves would snatch them away. Without a shepherd, the sheep would only wander the way of death. The thief comes to kill and steal and destroy.
This is our world, not merely the world of Jesus’ first disciples.
Every day the Word and will of Christ is demonized- hatemongers, narrow-minded, closed-minded even, backwards, unthinking, homophobic, and many other such characterizations. In our newsletter this morning is a page that highlights the ongoing ministry of A Rose and a Prayer, a Christian pro-life organization. Show that page to some of your acquaintances, family, neighbors, or coworkers and chart the various reactions. Good for you! Shame on you! That’s great! That’s awful!
Every minute we are tempted by the world to follow false Christs- gods of our bellies, prophets of prosperity, theologies devised and crafted by men! How many Christians are deceived by the notion that if they only give enough to the ministry then God will ‘solve’ their woes? Without a shepherd, we’d quickly fall prey to any of these worldly views.
Jesus loved his disciples. He still does. And He promised that He would always keep the disciples under the care of the great Shepherd, himself. Through His Word, the Good Shepherd calls his disciples by name. He knows us, for good or for ill. We know His voice and we follow him. Through His Word, the Good Shepherd saves and gives life abundantly to those whom He calls.
The Good Shepherd calls to us and we follow. The Good Shepherd keeps us safe in this world. This space is cool pasture. We are able to eat and drink, laugh and learn, rest and be energized. In our homes the Good Shepherd provides us with the same things as we pray with our families, as we find moments of rest and energy, as we learn that God’s protection hovers over us.
The Good Shepherd cares for us, so much so that he lays down his life for them in order that he would save his sheep. We are saved from the false prophets. We are saved from eternal death. We are saved in order to proclaim the wonderful deeds of our Good Shepherd.
The Good Shepherd saves us to deliver us into the unsnatchable place. We know the Son, and to know the Son is to know the Father. Jesus is the voice the Father has given us to hear, and we hear Jesus’ voice every time the pastor speaks God’s Word to us. Beloved, those are hard words to say for I know my faults, imperfections, and sins. But the Word of God has such power that in spite of how grievously I fail you, God’s Word is the voice of Jesus for all of us.
In the same way, when we see Jesus loving, healing, caring, speaking kindly, touching gently, we understand what the Father is like. We know the pure love of God the Father, Son, and Spirit for his people, his people that often wander and go astray.
As our Good Shepherd, the Son speaks to us, not in words we cannot understand, not impersonally. Our Shepherd speaks to us, by name. He knows our fears. He knows what scares us and what confuses and He addresses all of those things.
Our sin terrorizes us because of the separation it creates. Sin cuts us off from the people we love because we know how selfishly, greedily, and unlovingly we have acted. Our Shepherd binds up our wounds and applies the salve of his forgiving blood. He cleans us up, strengthening us to follow in the way of the cross, strengthening us to seek forgiveness from the ones we have hurt.
Our Shepherd calls us by name and tells us, often gently, sometimes forcefully, to follow. Jesus leads us in the way of our baptism. In baptism our parents declared what our name was. In baptism, God declares the other name we have- the name of Christian. God knows both our names. He knows our given name. He knows each of us that personally. And even more, he knows our baptismal name. He knows that we are baptized into Christ. God knows that our baptism does not make us perfect. It does not mean that we will do the right thing at the right time all the time. Being baptized and wearing the name of Christian means that we know our sin and that we know our savior.
We have a shepherd, which is great because we have someone who cares us, who seeks us out and protects us in the midst of a dangerous world. We rest secure in the hands of our God, safe in the knowledge that no one can snatch us from that blessed place. SDG
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Surprise! Surprise!
Wow. It's only April 22nd and the Chicago Cubs appear to be panicking already! They have moved Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen because their bullpen is overmatched. It's not the Cardinals have a lock-down pen, but they would not resort to such a panic-move, as in moving Carpenter or Wainwright to the set up man role.
And I must say that I greatly appreciate what the Chicago Cubs are doing. It makes me smile to see them 'suffer' so greatly and make such curious moves. This will make the Chicago Tribune even more interesting to read. Thanks Cubs!
And I must say that I greatly appreciate what the Chicago Cubs are doing. It makes me smile to see them 'suffer' so greatly and make such curious moves. This will make the Chicago Tribune even more interesting to read. Thanks Cubs!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Worship info for April 25
This coming Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday, the fourth Sunday after Easter. Here are the particulars for our upcoming worship.
Hymns
822 Alleluia! Let praises ring
666 O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe
710 The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want
711 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Scripture Lessons
Acts 20:17-35
Psalm 23
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30
Collect of the Day
Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same 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. Mark, Evangelist (April 25)
Almighty God, You have enriched Your Church with the proclamation of the Gospel through the evangelist Mark. Grant that we may firmly believe these glad tidings and daily walk according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymns
822 Alleluia! Let praises ring
666 O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe
710 The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want
711 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Scripture Lessons
Acts 20:17-35
Psalm 23
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30
Collect of the Day
Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same 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. Mark, Evangelist (April 25)
Almighty God, You have enriched Your Church with the proclamation of the Gospel through the evangelist Mark. Grant that we may firmly believe these glad tidings and daily walk according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sermon for Easter 3
Easter 3
April 18, 2010
John 21:1-18
Followship
In the name of the risen Lord Jesus, amen. I love the story of Thomas. I love the race that Peter and John engage in to see who will get to the tomb. I’m a morning person and delight in the dew of the grass, the way deep dawn succumbs to the first light of the sun. I love the women who go to the tomb in deep dawn to show their love for their Lord. But I might love this Gospel story more.
It is often brought to our attention that we blow it. We mess up. We fail. We make poor decisions and have lapses in judgment. In short, we make mistakes. That reality makes the second chances all the sweeter, all the more joyful. In this beautiful lesson from the end of John’s gospel we uncover the truth that Jesus loves those whom he calls so much that even when they blow it, when they fail him, when they deny him, he doesn’t deny them, he doesn’t fail them, he doesn’t blow them away. Rather Jesus bids them to come again to his merciful arms. Jesus is the Lord of second chances.
The disciples, seven of them, went fishing in a familiar spot. It was the Sea of Galilee, aka the Sea of Tiberias, aka the Sea of Genessaret. The same body of water with three different names. Peter, the bold denier of Jesus was there. So too was the skeptical Thomas. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who competed to see who would have the greatest seat in heaven, were also in the boat. Nathanael, the true child of Abraham, who acknowledged Jesus as King of Israel, was there as well. And two others, unknown by name, but known as students of Jesus the rabbi, known as followers of Jesus the way.
These fishermen were having no luck. Perhaps they had forgotten how to fish while they were accompanying Jesus in his ministry. In this story we could call them bad fisherman, just as we could call them weak and lousy as disciples. In the passion narratives of the Gospels, the disciples do not come off as very good.
Yet…YET…the risen Lord is good. He appeared to the disciples and gave them what the disciples couldn’t produce on their own. Jesus gave them peace. Jesus breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave them the power to forgive or retain sins.
The disciples were human beings, people who wrestled with health and wholeness and sickness and brokenness. Peter was broken, and he still needed help. Even when doing something he was supposedly good at, Peter needed help.
Peter was living his life without Jesus. So were the others in the boat. They returned to their old way of life. And that way of life was void of the One who was the way, the truth and the life.
We are familiar of a life lived without Jesus. We’ve seen friends and family members going through life without a clue as to what is really important. We’ve looked in the mirror and have seen our directionless life. We make a lot of money and pretend that we are happy. We pretend life is satisfying because that life is filled with all sorts of gadgets and trinkets. We know how this life will wind up. What we think is satisfying and pleasurable leaves us less than satisfied and our lives are plunged into pain and there is no pleasure.
We choose jobs, dates, and spouses without considering God’s will for our life. We chase after toys, good times, promotions and raises with real eagerness and dedication. Yet when it comes to hearing God’s Word and responding to God’s call, we are indifferent. We worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship.
But the Lord appears to Peter and his brothers with great mercy. There is some unfinished business for Jesus and he comes to his disciples once again. Jesus eats with them. And that is why this is my favorite Easter story. Jesus eats with his beloved disciples.
When you eat with someone, you accept them. At one point someone asked you out to dinner and you had to choose whether or not you accepted the offer. When you eat with someone, you accept them. Who did our Lord eat with? Zaccheus. Tax collectors. Prostitutes. Sinners. Pharisees. The disciples. Us.
Jesus accepted his disciples. He knew their fear. He knew their failures. He knew their uncertainty, their dejection, and Jesus came to them. He gave them direction on where to cast their net and there was a miraculous catch of fish. And on the seashore and he ate with them. He loved his disciples. He loved them, not because they were disciples, but because they were his. He loved them and put them to use.
We heard this morning in the Acts lesson that God could use even someone like Saul of Tarsus, whom God used to carry the name of the Lord before Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. God could use someone like Peter, who had the chance to speak up on behalf of Jesus yet couldn’t rise to that opportunity.
Jesus had already told the disciples what they could do. He breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit and sent them out to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins. On the seashore, Jesus speaks to Peter in front of the others on how to do this.
Three times Peter had denied Jesus. Today, three times Peter expresses his love for Jesus. And three times Jesus tells Peter, feed my lambs, tend my sheep.
Jesus brought the disciples back. He restored them to their place as he ate with them, as he broke the bread in their midst, as he accepted them and transformed them. He reminded them they were no longer fishers of fish but fishers of men.
Fellowship was restored and it was transformed by what Jesus said next- Follow me. Fellowship becomes followship. For we respond to the call of God by following. We are not leading, pointing to ourselves, reinventing the Christian wheel, but we are following. We are serving. We are pointing to the cross, to the tomb, to the great blessing of God in our lives.
We are given a fresh start, a second chance. Again and again and again and again we fall. We fail. We blow up and we blow it. Jesus restores us. He eats with us as he is the host at the great communion party.
Every Sunday we are blessed with the opportunity to admit just how big a failure we are and every Sunday we receive the word and cling to the truth that for the sake of Jesus Christ we are forgiven and set free from all that enslaves us.
Jesus welcomes us again and again and again to follow him and tend his sheep. We have fellowship with the Lord and we are enlisted to follow him. There is followship.
Even though we at times have been embarrassed, slow, afraid to admit before others that we are followers of Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ is never embarrassed of those he calls his disciples. We are restored through fellowship with him. The risen Lord Jesus calls broken disciples to come and be filled with his Word, to be made whole in order to go into this world and bring that healing Word to others. SDG
April 18, 2010
John 21:1-18
Followship
In the name of the risen Lord Jesus, amen. I love the story of Thomas. I love the race that Peter and John engage in to see who will get to the tomb. I’m a morning person and delight in the dew of the grass, the way deep dawn succumbs to the first light of the sun. I love the women who go to the tomb in deep dawn to show their love for their Lord. But I might love this Gospel story more.
It is often brought to our attention that we blow it. We mess up. We fail. We make poor decisions and have lapses in judgment. In short, we make mistakes. That reality makes the second chances all the sweeter, all the more joyful. In this beautiful lesson from the end of John’s gospel we uncover the truth that Jesus loves those whom he calls so much that even when they blow it, when they fail him, when they deny him, he doesn’t deny them, he doesn’t fail them, he doesn’t blow them away. Rather Jesus bids them to come again to his merciful arms. Jesus is the Lord of second chances.
The disciples, seven of them, went fishing in a familiar spot. It was the Sea of Galilee, aka the Sea of Tiberias, aka the Sea of Genessaret. The same body of water with three different names. Peter, the bold denier of Jesus was there. So too was the skeptical Thomas. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who competed to see who would have the greatest seat in heaven, were also in the boat. Nathanael, the true child of Abraham, who acknowledged Jesus as King of Israel, was there as well. And two others, unknown by name, but known as students of Jesus the rabbi, known as followers of Jesus the way.
These fishermen were having no luck. Perhaps they had forgotten how to fish while they were accompanying Jesus in his ministry. In this story we could call them bad fisherman, just as we could call them weak and lousy as disciples. In the passion narratives of the Gospels, the disciples do not come off as very good.
Yet…YET…the risen Lord is good. He appeared to the disciples and gave them what the disciples couldn’t produce on their own. Jesus gave them peace. Jesus breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave them the power to forgive or retain sins.
The disciples were human beings, people who wrestled with health and wholeness and sickness and brokenness. Peter was broken, and he still needed help. Even when doing something he was supposedly good at, Peter needed help.
Peter was living his life without Jesus. So were the others in the boat. They returned to their old way of life. And that way of life was void of the One who was the way, the truth and the life.
We are familiar of a life lived without Jesus. We’ve seen friends and family members going through life without a clue as to what is really important. We’ve looked in the mirror and have seen our directionless life. We make a lot of money and pretend that we are happy. We pretend life is satisfying because that life is filled with all sorts of gadgets and trinkets. We know how this life will wind up. What we think is satisfying and pleasurable leaves us less than satisfied and our lives are plunged into pain and there is no pleasure.
We choose jobs, dates, and spouses without considering God’s will for our life. We chase after toys, good times, promotions and raises with real eagerness and dedication. Yet when it comes to hearing God’s Word and responding to God’s call, we are indifferent. We worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship.
But the Lord appears to Peter and his brothers with great mercy. There is some unfinished business for Jesus and he comes to his disciples once again. Jesus eats with them. And that is why this is my favorite Easter story. Jesus eats with his beloved disciples.
When you eat with someone, you accept them. At one point someone asked you out to dinner and you had to choose whether or not you accepted the offer. When you eat with someone, you accept them. Who did our Lord eat with? Zaccheus. Tax collectors. Prostitutes. Sinners. Pharisees. The disciples. Us.
Jesus accepted his disciples. He knew their fear. He knew their failures. He knew their uncertainty, their dejection, and Jesus came to them. He gave them direction on where to cast their net and there was a miraculous catch of fish. And on the seashore and he ate with them. He loved his disciples. He loved them, not because they were disciples, but because they were his. He loved them and put them to use.
We heard this morning in the Acts lesson that God could use even someone like Saul of Tarsus, whom God used to carry the name of the Lord before Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. God could use someone like Peter, who had the chance to speak up on behalf of Jesus yet couldn’t rise to that opportunity.
Jesus had already told the disciples what they could do. He breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit and sent them out to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins. On the seashore, Jesus speaks to Peter in front of the others on how to do this.
Three times Peter had denied Jesus. Today, three times Peter expresses his love for Jesus. And three times Jesus tells Peter, feed my lambs, tend my sheep.
Jesus brought the disciples back. He restored them to their place as he ate with them, as he broke the bread in their midst, as he accepted them and transformed them. He reminded them they were no longer fishers of fish but fishers of men.
Fellowship was restored and it was transformed by what Jesus said next- Follow me. Fellowship becomes followship. For we respond to the call of God by following. We are not leading, pointing to ourselves, reinventing the Christian wheel, but we are following. We are serving. We are pointing to the cross, to the tomb, to the great blessing of God in our lives.
We are given a fresh start, a second chance. Again and again and again and again we fall. We fail. We blow up and we blow it. Jesus restores us. He eats with us as he is the host at the great communion party.
Every Sunday we are blessed with the opportunity to admit just how big a failure we are and every Sunday we receive the word and cling to the truth that for the sake of Jesus Christ we are forgiven and set free from all that enslaves us.
Jesus welcomes us again and again and again to follow him and tend his sheep. We have fellowship with the Lord and we are enlisted to follow him. There is followship.
Even though we at times have been embarrassed, slow, afraid to admit before others that we are followers of Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ is never embarrassed of those he calls his disciples. We are restored through fellowship with him. The risen Lord Jesus calls broken disciples to come and be filled with his Word, to be made whole in order to go into this world and bring that healing Word to others. SDG
Luther on the Widow of Nain
This was today's writing from Treasury of Daily Prayer. It is from Dr. Luther on the widow of Nain story from the Gospel of Luke (11:11-17). Before I share Luther's words, this story always catches me because this story was read on Sunday before I received word from my friend Matt that his mother had passed away. Matt and I were sophomores in college at that time. Every three years when this lesson is read, I mark time and think back to that occasion. Matt is wonderful man, full of common sense and intelligence, a devoted husband and father. His mother would be so thrilled at how Matt and his two brothers have turned out.
From the Gospel of today and from the son of the widow we should learn to perceive the great power which God, through Christ, will apply to us at the last day, when, by a word, He will recall to life all men and give everlasting salvation to believers. This will be done in the twinkling of an eye, in order that we may not doubt in the least either the power of our Lord Jesus to do this or His will gladly to do it. For here we have the example. The son of the widow is dead; he has lost the gift of hearing and all other senses. But when Christ speaks to him, he hears. This is certainly a strange and wonderful incident. He that does not hear, hears; and he that does not live, lives. Nothing is done but that Christ opens his mouth and bids him arise. The single word is so powerful that death has to vanish and life return.
Before the Lord death is not death at all. For us it is called and is death when we die. But before God it is a light sleep which could not be any lighter.
These very facts our Lord Jesus wishes to impress upon our minds, so that we may not fear when pestilence and death itself draw near, but that we may learn to say: O death, what can you do even in your worst form? You have terrible teeth, which you show to frighten me, for I do not like to die. But I will not merely behold your work when you, like an executioner, draw the sword; but I will remember what our Lord can and will do when you have slain me; namely, that He is not afraid of you and does not care for you raging and destroying, but says, "O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction." If you can kill my Christians, I can destroy you and recall them to life again.
I'll simply add: Alleluia! He is risen indeed!
From the Gospel of today and from the son of the widow we should learn to perceive the great power which God, through Christ, will apply to us at the last day, when, by a word, He will recall to life all men and give everlasting salvation to believers. This will be done in the twinkling of an eye, in order that we may not doubt in the least either the power of our Lord Jesus to do this or His will gladly to do it. For here we have the example. The son of the widow is dead; he has lost the gift of hearing and all other senses. But when Christ speaks to him, he hears. This is certainly a strange and wonderful incident. He that does not hear, hears; and he that does not live, lives. Nothing is done but that Christ opens his mouth and bids him arise. The single word is so powerful that death has to vanish and life return.
Before the Lord death is not death at all. For us it is called and is death when we die. But before God it is a light sleep which could not be any lighter.
These very facts our Lord Jesus wishes to impress upon our minds, so that we may not fear when pestilence and death itself draw near, but that we may learn to say: O death, what can you do even in your worst form? You have terrible teeth, which you show to frighten me, for I do not like to die. But I will not merely behold your work when you, like an executioner, draw the sword; but I will remember what our Lord can and will do when you have slain me; namely, that He is not afraid of you and does not care for you raging and destroying, but says, "O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction." If you can kill my Christians, I can destroy you and recall them to life again.
I'll simply add: Alleluia! He is risen indeed!
Pleasures...
-watching the boys ride their bikes while we take a walk behind them.
-pulling a weed from my flower garden out by the roots and knowing that weed will not come back!
-knowing that the two littlest ones are sleeping and that the biggest one can entertain himself so I can nap on the couch for an hour!
-knowing that the sun is shining, hot dogs and brats are in the fridge, and that the weather will be nice enough to grill 'em up for dinner tonight.
-having a full house in church for the hearing of the Word and the celebration of the Sacrament.
Want to share your pleasures? Please feel free.
-pulling a weed from my flower garden out by the roots and knowing that weed will not come back!
-knowing that the two littlest ones are sleeping and that the biggest one can entertain himself so I can nap on the couch for an hour!
-knowing that the sun is shining, hot dogs and brats are in the fridge, and that the weather will be nice enough to grill 'em up for dinner tonight.
-having a full house in church for the hearing of the Word and the celebration of the Sacrament.
Want to share your pleasures? Please feel free.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Ponderables
"Sometimes when God closes a door, He locks you in the room."
"When life gives you lemons, sometimes they are just lemons."
Overheard on Issues Etc in a conversation on the goodness of God. Great comments, great discussion. No pollyanna-ish theology of glory, just plain Gospel hope and Gospel reality!
"When life gives you lemons, sometimes they are just lemons."
Overheard on Issues Etc in a conversation on the goodness of God. Great comments, great discussion. No pollyanna-ish theology of glory, just plain Gospel hope and Gospel reality!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Returning...
from an absence, I will once again attempt to put the service info for the coming week on the blog. It was one thing that didn't get done during the great days of Lent and Holy Week. So, here is the information for our service on April 18:
hymns
478 The Day of Resurrection
485 Long Before the World is Waking
488 He is Arisen! Glorious Word
688 "Come, Follow Me," the Savior Spake
629 What Is This Bread
949 Heavenly Hosts in Ceaseless Worship
Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day (uses the tune to 344) Text will be printed in the bulletin
Lessons
Acts 9:1-22
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:8-14
John 21:1-14
Prayer of the Day
O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
hymns
478 The Day of Resurrection
485 Long Before the World is Waking
488 He is Arisen! Glorious Word
688 "Come, Follow Me," the Savior Spake
629 What Is This Bread
949 Heavenly Hosts in Ceaseless Worship
Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day (uses the tune to 344) Text will be printed in the bulletin
Lessons
Acts 9:1-22
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:8-14
John 21:1-14
Prayer of the Day
O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Easter 2
April 11, 2010
Acts 5:32; Rev. 1:17-18; John 20:31
A Living Gospel
In the name of our risen Savior Jesus, amen. It is all over the wonderful lessons for this Sunday. Could you hear with your ears the focus on the eyes? Could you feel how important the sense of sight was, and is? Throughout the Easter season, there will not be an Old Testament lesson, but rather a First Lesson, from the Acts of the Apostles, as we see God’s church in action following the resurrection and ascension of Christ. In the lesson from Revelation, John mentions what he is blessed to see with his two eyes. And that beautiful gospel lesson from John informs us that many other signs were done by Jesus in the presence of the disciples that are not written down, yet were performed. But these things are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
The resurrection of Christ was no secret thing. For that matter, the crucifixion was done out in the open. Archaeologists believe that Calvary, Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, was located along a well-traveled road. Simon of Cyrene would have been traveling, and would have been pressed into service to carry Jesus’ cross. Citizens of Jerusalem would have seen what was done to criminals, and they would have known that the government doesn’t mess around. So nothing was done clandestinely, in secret, under a shroud. The death and resurrection of Jesus was done in plain sight.
The Good News of humanity’s salvation was lived out in plain sight through the activities of the followers of Jesus. Sent from the Father for the salvation of the world, Jesus then sent out His followers to preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The apostles taught. The apostles healed. The apostles were arrested, hauled before the authorities, were jailed, were told to stop, and when they were released from prison, they went on proclaiming the name of Jesus, teaching, praying, healing. “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
The followers of Jesus were living out the Good News life of the forgiveness of sins. The followers were meek. They all ran away. Some women watched the crucifixion from a distance because they didn’t want to get too close. Only John the Beloved was at the cross. Doubting Thomas wouldn’t believe until he saw the sacred scars. But yet the followers of Jesus were sent and strengthened to be agents of the Good News for the world. They were doing the very things that Christ Himself had done while He was still present on this earth. With tremendous power the apostles were healing all that were brought to them. People laid the mats that the sick and diseased were laying on down in front of the disciples in the hopes that the shadows of Peter, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, or Bartholomew would fall on them.
By the grace of God the apostles were a living Gospel. By the grace of God, Mary Magdalene was a living Gospel as she obeyed the command of Jesus to go to his brothers and tell them that she had seen the Lord. By the grace of God we are a living Gospel. Freed from our sin by the blood shed on the cross we have been made into a kingdom, priests to our God and Father. The kingdom of heaven is visible on earth as God’s people, redeemed sinners, gather to hear the Word, to receive all that Christ is when we receive the body and blood of Christ in the communion meal. The kingdom of heaven is then dispersed with the blessing of the Triune God to go out into this world to be a living Gospel for people who are hungering and thirsting for some solid food, for some refreshing drink.
God strengthens us and fortifies us to be a living Gospel, agents of grace, bestowers of peace to a world that is dying in a false hope, to a world that treats grace as weakness, that believes that peace can be manufactured by human means.
Even though the doors were locked, and the disciples were huddled together pondering the future, perhaps pondering their own demise, Jesus came and stood among them, bringing His peace. He stretched out his hands, showing his scars. He spoke directly to Thomas, “Put your hands here. Put your hands into my side.”
Did you examine the bulletin cover this morning? The wide eyes, the open mouth, the hand stretching forth.
There is Jesus, calmly looking at Thomas, offering the peace that only God can provide. Jesus was living, risen from the dead just as he told the disciples he would. The cross was real. The blood was red. Jesus was dead. Now in front of his beloved disciples, Jesus was standing, living, breathing on them the Holy Spirit and sending them out to be gospelers, good newsers, forgivers, lovers, teachers, mercyers. The weak apostles of God were sent by God to stretch out their hands and point: to the cross, to the empty tomb, to the Word, to the altar.
Jesus is still living and Jesus is still sending. God calls and gathers us and God dismisses us and sends us with his blessing, with the authority of Christ. In our family, we exercise the authority of Christ to forgive the sins of those who sin against us. We teach our children, we demonstrate in our relationships with neighbors, coworkers, and strangers.
God has made us living Gospels for the sake of the world around us because, and only because Christ is living. The Good News of God is that our sins are forgiven and we are set free because of the cross, because of the empty tomb. We are set free to be a living Gospel that can be seen, heard, felt. Christ is living and we have life in His name. SDG
April 11, 2010
Acts 5:32; Rev. 1:17-18; John 20:31
A Living Gospel
In the name of our risen Savior Jesus, amen. It is all over the wonderful lessons for this Sunday. Could you hear with your ears the focus on the eyes? Could you feel how important the sense of sight was, and is? Throughout the Easter season, there will not be an Old Testament lesson, but rather a First Lesson, from the Acts of the Apostles, as we see God’s church in action following the resurrection and ascension of Christ. In the lesson from Revelation, John mentions what he is blessed to see with his two eyes. And that beautiful gospel lesson from John informs us that many other signs were done by Jesus in the presence of the disciples that are not written down, yet were performed. But these things are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
The resurrection of Christ was no secret thing. For that matter, the crucifixion was done out in the open. Archaeologists believe that Calvary, Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, was located along a well-traveled road. Simon of Cyrene would have been traveling, and would have been pressed into service to carry Jesus’ cross. Citizens of Jerusalem would have seen what was done to criminals, and they would have known that the government doesn’t mess around. So nothing was done clandestinely, in secret, under a shroud. The death and resurrection of Jesus was done in plain sight.
The Good News of humanity’s salvation was lived out in plain sight through the activities of the followers of Jesus. Sent from the Father for the salvation of the world, Jesus then sent out His followers to preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The apostles taught. The apostles healed. The apostles were arrested, hauled before the authorities, were jailed, were told to stop, and when they were released from prison, they went on proclaiming the name of Jesus, teaching, praying, healing. “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
The followers of Jesus were living out the Good News life of the forgiveness of sins. The followers were meek. They all ran away. Some women watched the crucifixion from a distance because they didn’t want to get too close. Only John the Beloved was at the cross. Doubting Thomas wouldn’t believe until he saw the sacred scars. But yet the followers of Jesus were sent and strengthened to be agents of the Good News for the world. They were doing the very things that Christ Himself had done while He was still present on this earth. With tremendous power the apostles were healing all that were brought to them. People laid the mats that the sick and diseased were laying on down in front of the disciples in the hopes that the shadows of Peter, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, or Bartholomew would fall on them.
By the grace of God the apostles were a living Gospel. By the grace of God, Mary Magdalene was a living Gospel as she obeyed the command of Jesus to go to his brothers and tell them that she had seen the Lord. By the grace of God we are a living Gospel. Freed from our sin by the blood shed on the cross we have been made into a kingdom, priests to our God and Father. The kingdom of heaven is visible on earth as God’s people, redeemed sinners, gather to hear the Word, to receive all that Christ is when we receive the body and blood of Christ in the communion meal. The kingdom of heaven is then dispersed with the blessing of the Triune God to go out into this world to be a living Gospel for people who are hungering and thirsting for some solid food, for some refreshing drink.
God strengthens us and fortifies us to be a living Gospel, agents of grace, bestowers of peace to a world that is dying in a false hope, to a world that treats grace as weakness, that believes that peace can be manufactured by human means.
Even though the doors were locked, and the disciples were huddled together pondering the future, perhaps pondering their own demise, Jesus came and stood among them, bringing His peace. He stretched out his hands, showing his scars. He spoke directly to Thomas, “Put your hands here. Put your hands into my side.”
Did you examine the bulletin cover this morning? The wide eyes, the open mouth, the hand stretching forth.
There is Jesus, calmly looking at Thomas, offering the peace that only God can provide. Jesus was living, risen from the dead just as he told the disciples he would. The cross was real. The blood was red. Jesus was dead. Now in front of his beloved disciples, Jesus was standing, living, breathing on them the Holy Spirit and sending them out to be gospelers, good newsers, forgivers, lovers, teachers, mercyers. The weak apostles of God were sent by God to stretch out their hands and point: to the cross, to the empty tomb, to the Word, to the altar.
Jesus is still living and Jesus is still sending. God calls and gathers us and God dismisses us and sends us with his blessing, with the authority of Christ. In our family, we exercise the authority of Christ to forgive the sins of those who sin against us. We teach our children, we demonstrate in our relationships with neighbors, coworkers, and strangers.
God has made us living Gospels for the sake of the world around us because, and only because Christ is living. The Good News of God is that our sins are forgiven and we are set free because of the cross, because of the empty tomb. We are set free to be a living Gospel that can be seen, heard, felt. Christ is living and we have life in His name. SDG
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Late Easter Sermon
Easter (Late Service)
April 4, 2010
So What? Now What?
In the name of our risen Lord Jesus, amen. In a similar fashion to Christmas, the Easter holiday is becoming increasingly generic. Easter decorations are all about bunnies and eggs, not crosses or empty tombs. There is no reflection on the resurrection. We come to Easter and many people ask ‘So what’?
There are very few people who deny the historical fact of the crucifixion of Jesus. Yet there are many, many people who deny the resurrection of Jesus. It is not just the Bible that records Jesus’ death, but it is also Jewish history that records the death of a man named the Christ who had lots of fervent followers.
So he died. Big deal? So what? Lots of people die, thousands die everyday. Tens die by suicide bomber. Hundreds die in explosions. Thousands die in natural disasters. So what if Jesus died? He didn’t rise again because resurrection can’t happen.
The followers of Christ stole the body. They overpowered the guards, rolled the stone away and took the dead body of Jesus and then spread the lie that Jesus lives.
The women went to the wrong tomb. It was getting dark when they buried Jesus. It was early in the morning when they went to finish Jesus’ burial. They went to the wrong tomb, to one that was waiting for a dead body, so of course the tomb was empty.
Or perhaps Jesus wasn’t really dead. It was the soldier’s fault. They broke the legs of the thieves to speed up death but they didn’t do that to Jesus. They did stab him with a spear and water and blood came out, but that doesn’t prove that Jesus was dead. He passed out, fainted. They wrapped up his body and laid him in the tomb. The cold air revived him, he regained his strength, and he slipped out of the sepulcher.
Resurrection-deniers have put forth various theories about why the resurrection never happened. The most logical theory is that resurrection is impossible. How many dead people have you talked with recently?
To be entirely honest, I don’t know how Jesus rose from the dead. To continue being honest, I don’t worry about how Jesus rose from the dead. The beautiful mystery of the resurrection is not to be understood as it is to be believed, to be received for the certain hope and the enduring peace that it brings.
There are many things we do not understand and yet we still manage to go about our day. The resurrection of Jesus is given to us to receive and believe. When the angels came and announced to Peter, to John, to Mary Magdalene that Jesus was no longer in the tomb but was living, the angel didn’t explain how it happened. He simply told them. And the disciples of Jesus believed. They took the news and believed. All had happened just as Jesus had said it would.
Jesus had said many times that he would be betrayed, arrested, tried, suffer, and die. And it all happened. Jesus also said that on the third day he would rise. And according to the angel, it happened.
For you, me, believers throughout the world, believers throughout the centuries, it is not whether a resurrection took place or not, it is what we are able to do with this Good News.
Mary Magdalene was one of the disciples who went to the tomb early in the morning. She went with some other women for the purpose of finishing the burial task. They did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. The other women went back to Jerusalem but Mary stayed behind, sad, bewildered. She met a gardener and she asked if he knew what had happened. All Mary wanted to know was where her Lord had been taken. She wanted to care for her Lord in his death since no one had really cared for him those last few days.
The ‘gardener’ revealed himself to Mary. And Mary’s grief was turned completely around. And Jesus gave Mary the answer to ‘Now what’? Go and tell my brothers that I am alive. And Mary returned the other disciples with the news, “I have seen the Lord!” It was a clear message. She didn’t say that someone told her Jesus was living or that a friend’s second cousin’s brother said that Jesus was alive. Mary’s message was that with her own eyes, with her hands even, she had seen and touched the living Jesus.
Now what? We have been given the message to tell, that Jesus is living and loving. We have been set free from the fear of our sin, from the despair of aimless living, from the meaningless chase of things that don’t satisfy. With a living Christ, we are given a tremendous anchor to hold onto in a stormy society. There is indeed a tremendous amount of fear. People wonder how long they will have their job. People wonder if they can retire when they planned to. People wonder about that lump on the back of their neck and whether or not it will just ‘go away’. Our neighbors worry about putting food on the table and while we worry about having enough money to pay for school supplies for our children.
A living Christ gives us a solid anchor. The stability is found in the tremendous knowledge that the love and forgiveness of God belong to us whether we are rich or poor, healthy or sick. When the bad happens, we have the clarity to see that things are not entirely bad, that there are people who stand with us when we stumble, people who extend a hand to help us stand. When the good occurs, we praise God and give Him the glory. We point to God who has blessed us to be a blessing. Our living Christ holds us fast in this life.
Now what? We live the resurrection triumph of Christ. And that does not ask more of us than what we possess. Living the resurrection triumph of Christ means that we give what we have been given. God has forgiven our sins and so we forgive those who sin against us. God the Father has embraced us and we embrace the hurting, the hopeless, and the helpless.
God the Father through Jesus His Son by the guidance of the Holy Spirit makes us and keeps us Easter people. The death of Jesus Christ and His resurrection are real events. Now what? Now sin is powerless. Now we are free. Now we are strengthened to be the hope and the light of Jesus in this beautiful creation. SDG
April 4, 2010
So What? Now What?
In the name of our risen Lord Jesus, amen. In a similar fashion to Christmas, the Easter holiday is becoming increasingly generic. Easter decorations are all about bunnies and eggs, not crosses or empty tombs. There is no reflection on the resurrection. We come to Easter and many people ask ‘So what’?
There are very few people who deny the historical fact of the crucifixion of Jesus. Yet there are many, many people who deny the resurrection of Jesus. It is not just the Bible that records Jesus’ death, but it is also Jewish history that records the death of a man named the Christ who had lots of fervent followers.
So he died. Big deal? So what? Lots of people die, thousands die everyday. Tens die by suicide bomber. Hundreds die in explosions. Thousands die in natural disasters. So what if Jesus died? He didn’t rise again because resurrection can’t happen.
The followers of Christ stole the body. They overpowered the guards, rolled the stone away and took the dead body of Jesus and then spread the lie that Jesus lives.
The women went to the wrong tomb. It was getting dark when they buried Jesus. It was early in the morning when they went to finish Jesus’ burial. They went to the wrong tomb, to one that was waiting for a dead body, so of course the tomb was empty.
Or perhaps Jesus wasn’t really dead. It was the soldier’s fault. They broke the legs of the thieves to speed up death but they didn’t do that to Jesus. They did stab him with a spear and water and blood came out, but that doesn’t prove that Jesus was dead. He passed out, fainted. They wrapped up his body and laid him in the tomb. The cold air revived him, he regained his strength, and he slipped out of the sepulcher.
Resurrection-deniers have put forth various theories about why the resurrection never happened. The most logical theory is that resurrection is impossible. How many dead people have you talked with recently?
To be entirely honest, I don’t know how Jesus rose from the dead. To continue being honest, I don’t worry about how Jesus rose from the dead. The beautiful mystery of the resurrection is not to be understood as it is to be believed, to be received for the certain hope and the enduring peace that it brings.
There are many things we do not understand and yet we still manage to go about our day. The resurrection of Jesus is given to us to receive and believe. When the angels came and announced to Peter, to John, to Mary Magdalene that Jesus was no longer in the tomb but was living, the angel didn’t explain how it happened. He simply told them. And the disciples of Jesus believed. They took the news and believed. All had happened just as Jesus had said it would.
Jesus had said many times that he would be betrayed, arrested, tried, suffer, and die. And it all happened. Jesus also said that on the third day he would rise. And according to the angel, it happened.
For you, me, believers throughout the world, believers throughout the centuries, it is not whether a resurrection took place or not, it is what we are able to do with this Good News.
Mary Magdalene was one of the disciples who went to the tomb early in the morning. She went with some other women for the purpose of finishing the burial task. They did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. The other women went back to Jerusalem but Mary stayed behind, sad, bewildered. She met a gardener and she asked if he knew what had happened. All Mary wanted to know was where her Lord had been taken. She wanted to care for her Lord in his death since no one had really cared for him those last few days.
The ‘gardener’ revealed himself to Mary. And Mary’s grief was turned completely around. And Jesus gave Mary the answer to ‘Now what’? Go and tell my brothers that I am alive. And Mary returned the other disciples with the news, “I have seen the Lord!” It was a clear message. She didn’t say that someone told her Jesus was living or that a friend’s second cousin’s brother said that Jesus was alive. Mary’s message was that with her own eyes, with her hands even, she had seen and touched the living Jesus.
Now what? We have been given the message to tell, that Jesus is living and loving. We have been set free from the fear of our sin, from the despair of aimless living, from the meaningless chase of things that don’t satisfy. With a living Christ, we are given a tremendous anchor to hold onto in a stormy society. There is indeed a tremendous amount of fear. People wonder how long they will have their job. People wonder if they can retire when they planned to. People wonder about that lump on the back of their neck and whether or not it will just ‘go away’. Our neighbors worry about putting food on the table and while we worry about having enough money to pay for school supplies for our children.
A living Christ gives us a solid anchor. The stability is found in the tremendous knowledge that the love and forgiveness of God belong to us whether we are rich or poor, healthy or sick. When the bad happens, we have the clarity to see that things are not entirely bad, that there are people who stand with us when we stumble, people who extend a hand to help us stand. When the good occurs, we praise God and give Him the glory. We point to God who has blessed us to be a blessing. Our living Christ holds us fast in this life.
Now what? We live the resurrection triumph of Christ. And that does not ask more of us than what we possess. Living the resurrection triumph of Christ means that we give what we have been given. God has forgiven our sins and so we forgive those who sin against us. God the Father has embraced us and we embrace the hurting, the hopeless, and the helpless.
God the Father through Jesus His Son by the guidance of the Holy Spirit makes us and keeps us Easter people. The death of Jesus Christ and His resurrection are real events. Now what? Now sin is powerless. Now we are free. Now we are strengthened to be the hope and the light of Jesus in this beautiful creation. SDG
Early Easter Sermon
Easter (Early Service)
April 4, 2010
John 20:1-18
I Have Seen the Lord
In the name of our Risen Lord Jesus, amen. Everybody has a story. According to amazon.com, in the month of February, there were 200 autobiographies published. Not all of these autobiographies are of the celebrity variety. Average Joes and Janes are writing their stories down and putting them on the market. And February is the shortest month! With new and different ways of publishing, everybody can get their story told. Grandparents are writing their stories for their grandchildren, for the following generations. Everybody has a story.
And this is great news for God’s people. Though we are living in the midst of an increasingly unchristian world, it is not becoming harder to tell the Christian story, but easier! Society is shifting, and I think you are aware of the shift. The shift is from the provable sciences to authentic, truthful personal expression. Authentic, truthful, personal, expression. And that is the great news for us. We have a story because we know the story. Christ is risen!
But storytelling is not as easy as it seems. We have a hard time telling others about the faith and the hope that makes us who we are. Does the political correctness of the world have you tongue-tied over the word “Jesus”? Do you think that there is no room for the Redeemer’s name? Then simply tell your story, share yourself. Tell the story of your hope, your faith, your joy!
People are listening. They value an authentic and sincere story from the heart. And there is absolutely no reason for us to be afraid. Mary Magdalene at first didn’t know what to say and the angel gave her the message, gave her the words. So Mary was able to say, “I have seen the Lord!”
You too will be provided with the words. No, you’re not going to be given a script, but you will be given the words. Were you baptized as an infant, an older child, or an adult? There is a story there. When chaos breaks loose in your life, who do you cling to, what is your response? There is a story there. When your day ends, do you simply fall asleep or do you say a prayer for your family, your loved ones, and the situation at hand? The stories of your life are a witness to what God has done for you. God doesn’t ask us to become street preachers. We are not asked to put a sandwich board on and walk down Main Street proclaiming the end of the world. Share your story in the same way that Mary did. I have seen the Lord! Christ is risen!
Apparently the eyes are the windows the soul. You can determine a lot about someone through their corneas, pupils, and lenses. With the Easter message, we tell the story of the Resurrection with our I’s. God has gathered us together this morning to celebrate the story of the triumph of Christ. My story and your story shares something in common, and it is the story of Jesus, the story of forgiveness, love, hope. It is this story of Jesus, crucified, buried, and risen that keeps us going in this life.
And we get to tell this story. It is not a have-to but a get-to. It is a story of life for today that is a life lived together that will be lived eternally.
Telling the Easter story with our I’s does not make the story about you or me. Telling the story with our I’s is not saying that the Christian faith is true because of all the great faith experiences I have had. Our faith is founded upon the Word of God, the living and eternal Word, the living and eternal Lord Jesus. Christ Jesus has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Telling our story with our I’s is a genuine way to witness what God has done. After all, it was the apostle Paul who says to us, how can the world believe in Jesus if they haven’t been told about him?
Tell your story, for you have seen the Lord. You see the Lord in the Word. You see the Lord in the waters of Holy Baptism. You see the Lord in the communion meal. You see the Lord as you study the Word together, as you serve the community together, in your prayers, in the kind deeds that flow from a heart of love. We tell our story of hope and joy that carries us through the difficult days and rough patches. We share the story of our faith that solidifies a shaking world. We believe, for we have been told with certainty that our God is not dead, but is living and is loving.
Mary Magdalene had a story to tell. The other women had a story. Peter and John and the rest of the disciples had a story. And we do too. We tell the story with our I’s because our story is the story of Christ living in you.
Everyday we tell the Easter story. We announce to the world that we have a joyous story of eternal life that energizes our life today. We have been forgiven. We have been saved. We have been given a story to tell, that Christ is no longer dead. Christ is risen! Amen
April 4, 2010
John 20:1-18
I Have Seen the Lord
In the name of our Risen Lord Jesus, amen. Everybody has a story. According to amazon.com, in the month of February, there were 200 autobiographies published. Not all of these autobiographies are of the celebrity variety. Average Joes and Janes are writing their stories down and putting them on the market. And February is the shortest month! With new and different ways of publishing, everybody can get their story told. Grandparents are writing their stories for their grandchildren, for the following generations. Everybody has a story.
And this is great news for God’s people. Though we are living in the midst of an increasingly unchristian world, it is not becoming harder to tell the Christian story, but easier! Society is shifting, and I think you are aware of the shift. The shift is from the provable sciences to authentic, truthful personal expression. Authentic, truthful, personal, expression. And that is the great news for us. We have a story because we know the story. Christ is risen!
But storytelling is not as easy as it seems. We have a hard time telling others about the faith and the hope that makes us who we are. Does the political correctness of the world have you tongue-tied over the word “Jesus”? Do you think that there is no room for the Redeemer’s name? Then simply tell your story, share yourself. Tell the story of your hope, your faith, your joy!
People are listening. They value an authentic and sincere story from the heart. And there is absolutely no reason for us to be afraid. Mary Magdalene at first didn’t know what to say and the angel gave her the message, gave her the words. So Mary was able to say, “I have seen the Lord!”
You too will be provided with the words. No, you’re not going to be given a script, but you will be given the words. Were you baptized as an infant, an older child, or an adult? There is a story there. When chaos breaks loose in your life, who do you cling to, what is your response? There is a story there. When your day ends, do you simply fall asleep or do you say a prayer for your family, your loved ones, and the situation at hand? The stories of your life are a witness to what God has done for you. God doesn’t ask us to become street preachers. We are not asked to put a sandwich board on and walk down Main Street proclaiming the end of the world. Share your story in the same way that Mary did. I have seen the Lord! Christ is risen!
Apparently the eyes are the windows the soul. You can determine a lot about someone through their corneas, pupils, and lenses. With the Easter message, we tell the story of the Resurrection with our I’s. God has gathered us together this morning to celebrate the story of the triumph of Christ. My story and your story shares something in common, and it is the story of Jesus, the story of forgiveness, love, hope. It is this story of Jesus, crucified, buried, and risen that keeps us going in this life.
And we get to tell this story. It is not a have-to but a get-to. It is a story of life for today that is a life lived together that will be lived eternally.
Telling the Easter story with our I’s does not make the story about you or me. Telling the story with our I’s is not saying that the Christian faith is true because of all the great faith experiences I have had. Our faith is founded upon the Word of God, the living and eternal Word, the living and eternal Lord Jesus. Christ Jesus has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Telling our story with our I’s is a genuine way to witness what God has done. After all, it was the apostle Paul who says to us, how can the world believe in Jesus if they haven’t been told about him?
Tell your story, for you have seen the Lord. You see the Lord in the Word. You see the Lord in the waters of Holy Baptism. You see the Lord in the communion meal. You see the Lord as you study the Word together, as you serve the community together, in your prayers, in the kind deeds that flow from a heart of love. We tell our story of hope and joy that carries us through the difficult days and rough patches. We share the story of our faith that solidifies a shaking world. We believe, for we have been told with certainty that our God is not dead, but is living and is loving.
Mary Magdalene had a story to tell. The other women had a story. Peter and John and the rest of the disciples had a story. And we do too. We tell the story with our I’s because our story is the story of Christ living in you.
Everyday we tell the Easter story. We announce to the world that we have a joyous story of eternal life that energizes our life today. We have been forgiven. We have been saved. We have been given a story to tell, that Christ is no longer dead. Christ is risen! Amen
Joy to the Heart!
Hello. Back from a few days away from the office. The services at Holy Week were simply wonderful. Maundy Thursday, the Chief Service on Good Friday, two services on Easter...simply wonderful and a joy to plan and lead.
My parents and my brother's family came to spend the days with us. On Saturday we went to Longwood to take advantage of our membership. The boys got to climb the new treehouses and Mom enjoyed the orchid displays. For some reason, orchids have never done it for me. They're nice but they don't hold any special place. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths...those are more my thing.
I'll get back to posting various things from Matt Harrison's new book "A Little Book on Joy: Living a Good News Life in a Bad News World" and I'll post my Easter sermons for you.
My parents and my brother's family came to spend the days with us. On Saturday we went to Longwood to take advantage of our membership. The boys got to climb the new treehouses and Mom enjoyed the orchid displays. For some reason, orchids have never done it for me. They're nice but they don't hold any special place. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths...those are more my thing.
I'll get back to posting various things from Matt Harrison's new book "A Little Book on Joy: Living a Good News Life in a Bad News World" and I'll post my Easter sermons for you.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Fearless predictions
Here is something for the baseball-philes out there. Most every year I forecast the season and will attempt to do so now.
American League
East- Yankees
Central- Twins
West- Angels
Wild Card- Rays
National League
East- Phillies
Central- Cardinals
West- No clue. Dodgers maybe but I'm not confident of that.
Wild Card- Braves
I like the Yankees and the Cardinals to reach the World Series. I think the Yankees are built for the regular and the post season. The Cardinals and the Phillies both have some questions but I think the Phillies have more. Bullpen is a big question for both teams and the Cardinals have the edge in starting pitching. For the Phillies, after Halladay, who is the big guy? Hamels could be it but he's been up and down.
American League
East- Yankees
Central- Twins
West- Angels
Wild Card- Rays
National League
East- Phillies
Central- Cardinals
West- No clue. Dodgers maybe but I'm not confident of that.
Wild Card- Braves
I like the Yankees and the Cardinals to reach the World Series. I think the Yankees are built for the regular and the post season. The Cardinals and the Phillies both have some questions but I think the Phillies have more. Bullpen is a big question for both teams and the Cardinals have the edge in starting pitching. For the Phillies, after Halladay, who is the big guy? Hamels could be it but he's been up and down.
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