Sermon May 28-29, 2022 - Seventh Sunday of Easter

Title: The Father knows you, in Christ!
Text: John 17:20-26

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24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

In this the last Sunday in the Easter season we again continue with the Gospel of John as we have for the last few weeks. Let us review what Christ has been telling his disciples.

1. Jesus told them that he would die on the cross and rise on the third day.
2. The sorrow at his death would be replaced with joy at his resurrection.
3. That Jesus would be leaving them again and returning to the Father.
4. But he would send them the Holy Spirit to be their comforter until his promised return.
Unity in love and purpose is God’s desire through the word!

How many of you love family reunions? Seeing relatives, you seldom see, going to the place of your youth, reminiscing of dear loved ones, and longing to see each other more often?

How many of you hate family reunions? Having little in common with those you are related to, annoying family habits that won’t go away, desiring to just get done with it and go home never to do this again?

We’ve probably all been caught up in both circumstances.

In Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John chapter 17 Jesus prays to the Father for his disciples and for all believers and their unity as he prepares to go to the cross.

17 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life,
that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

The unity that Jesus prays for is one not of externals but of internals. It is not the cookie cutter approach that says - this is a successful church because they have lots of people - do what they do. Instead, it is Christ’s church in unity of faith, purpose and love through the word by the working of the Spirit.

In our gospel reading today Jesus’ prayer looks beyond those followers who have been with him to those who will believe through their word.

21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us,
22 … that they may be one even as we are one,

23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one,

The oneness of faith and life is in Christ and the unity that he shares with the Father. Though one God - they are uniquely different and separate yet one in love, will and purpose.

There also is a reason for Christ’s desire for unity.

21 … so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

23 … so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them [Christ’s followers] even as you loved me.

Not that our faith may be a picture of unity but that our faith might proclaim that truth in a world that needs to hear.

This is a perfect text against those who might feel that their faith is private and not to be shared or pushed upon others. You find you are fighting against Jesus will and prayer.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

Those first disciples were being sent with a message for the world. Just as Peter proclaimed in our first reading in Acts 1:

20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and
“‘Let another take his office.’

26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The church today continues in a similar way. Pastors are called to serve congregations. If another call is received and the pastor accepts that call the church prays that by the Holy Spirit, another would take his place or office.

All of this is for the same purpose to proclaim the word and equip the saints so that the world may believe and know.

There is a third part to Jesus’ prayer.

24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am.

Christ’s desire is for the eternal welfare of his followers.

24 … to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

This glory is pictured in our second reading:

22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

This is quite a different scene from the one in Genesis 3 when man was banished and sent out from the Garden of Eden.

Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

In a sense it is why those family reunions can at times be both joyful for some and dreaded by others, because in this life the wages of sin continue to affect every part of life.

Perfect unity of will and purpose in this life still deals with this reality.

But, the banishment for sin is now overcome by the word of truth in the mouths of his disciples. Jesus has died and has been raised and by the Spirit the word of truth takes seed in the hearts of his hearers.

Our gospel reading concludes.

25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known,

And Jesus finishes with another statement of purpose …

26 … [So] that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

The truth of the word that is in you, needs to be heard. By your proclamation those who hear receive the Holy Spirit, believe and are promised the unity in Christ that we have.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

Unity in love and purpose is God’s desire through the word!

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

 

 

Sermon May 21-22, 2022 -- Sixth Sunday of Easter

Title: We have overcome, in Christ!
Text: John 16:23-33

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In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The narrative from our gospel reading from last week continues today. Jesus is speaking to his disciples of his death and resurrection, sorrow at his death that turns to joy at his resurrection. Jesus also promised the comforter, the Holy Spirit that would speak not on his own authority but in unity with the Father and the Son would speak and remind them all that Jesus had said.

14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:14-15

In the world you will have tribulation is one of the many promises of God and certainly one promise none of us wish to claim or experience. But none the less it is what we face in this life.

What do we do and where do we look when the storms of life come?

The loss of a job, death of a loved one, financial hardship or the breakup of a marriage are all part of the trials of life.

You and I know this all too well.

The disciples too, as we learned from last week’s gospel reading, would face sorrow and joy in Jesus’ death and resurrection but that joy would also face the trials of life.

A few years back our Bible Study in the book of Acts began with the sending of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ ascension to the Father.

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:5

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Jesus’ departure was seen and his return promised … but what about the disciples? What about their struggles? Soon, the Holy Spirit would come to be their comforter, pointing them to all Jesus said and did for them and leading them into all truth.

Maybe the words of Christ now also come to their remembrance?

23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

How? Where? When and why?

In what way should we ask, the disciples might have thought? Their minds might have returned to the Lord’s teaching on prayer.

9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth – right here - as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

No more need for prophets no need for Jesus to pray to the Father on our behalf. That which had been broken in the fall is now restored in Christ. “It is finished!” Christ exclaimed. We have peace with God!

In the time of my own mother’s suffering with cancer and my tribulation in this life, this prayer motivated by God’s Spirit brought me peace.

27 for the Father himself loves you, [Jesus says] because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
This plainness of speech perked up the disciples’ ears! “Ah, now you are speaking plainly!” they exclaim … but the trials of life will still come.

St. Luke continued to show these trials through the book of Acts:

Stephen is martyred, Peter imprisoned, and Paul goes to Jerusalem knowing that he will be bound there and taken to Rome to finish the race; in the world you will have tribulation.

And in Acts 20:

22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by[d] the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.

29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

... in the world you will have tribulation.

The word of the gospel continues:

30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?

You and I and everyone who follows Christ will see the tribulation promised.

32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

The disciples deserted Jesus. The trial and tribulation forced them away in hiding.

There has been a time of falling away in the church, when things seem to be well and people experienced a time of prosperity, when they think little about Jesus and his word, but more about the joys of life, a time even like now.

That is when Satan will sift you like wheat, as he did with St. Peter and the other disciples in Luke 22:31, when St. Peter denied the Lord three times … even saying that “he didn’t even know the man.”

It is a time of falling away, a time of unbelief, a time of trusting the world and the flesh, and a time of doubt now.

And like Peter today you may think “Not me Lord!” being ready to go to prison and even death for your faith in Christ. We pray that by the Holy Spirit we may stand firm.

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Christ has overcome so that you and I overcome!

That is where we find peace and comfort. Not in the things we do but in the things he has done.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Sermon May 14-15, 2022 – Fifth Sunday of Easter

Title: Christ is made known to you!
Text: John 16:12-22

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20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

The President claimed that it was his prerogative to determine whether to provide military and diplomatic information to Congress. When Congress sought military information, he ultimately provided it because he determined that doing so was in the public interest. When Congress demanded information about a treaty, he provided it to the Senate but not the House because only the Senate had treaty approval authority. [George Washington]

The President also claimed that he had the power to choose whether or not to comply with a subpoena. When the Chief Justice issued him a subpoena for testimony and documents [in the criminal trial of Aaron Burr,] he ultimately provided some information but refused to testify. [Thomas Jefferson]

And the President repeatedly asserted executive privilege in the face of demands for members of his administration to testify in connection with the [McCarthy] hearings, depriving the Senate committee of substantial information. [Dwight Eisenhower]- edited

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-vs-nadler-congress-isnt-constitutional-crisis-its-how-constitution-is-designed-to-work

No, these are not the current battles with President Trump, Congress, or the Supreme Court. These were past battles for authority by President’s George Washington – in refusing to provide some information to congress, Thomas Jefferson – in refusing to testify in the trial of Aaron Burr, and Dwight D. Eisenhower – in asserting executive privilege and refusing to testify at the McCarthy hearings.

In our constitutional republic we have three equal branches of Government with different powers all wrestling for authority?

Jesus says,

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

God’s economy of Father, Son and Holy Spirit unlike our three branches of government always work together in unity and perfect harmony. There are no checks and balances, no conflict in the Godhead and though they are distinct persons, they work together in unity of purpose for all that God desires.

15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

In the Godhead there is no conflict! Trinity in unity and unity in Trinity!

What had the disciples heard from Jesus?

16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again, a little while, and you will see me.”

Jesus is talking about his death and resurrection.

The focus of not seeing a loved one comes to mind.

When I was a little boy and I was leaving my grandparent’s home in Pennsylvania to return home to Michigan. There was sorrow. I loved them and didn’t want to leave them or have them leave me and wondered when I would see them again.

But for the disciples … they didn’t understand what Jesus was saying.

“What is this that he says to us?”
“What does he mean by ‘a little while’?
“We don’t know what he is talking about.”

We too, when it comes to the word of truth at times find ourselves in conflict. As those who have been brought to faith in Christ, we wrestle in tension … in thought, word, and deed with the word of God and at times not understanding.

Jesus knew the disciple’s problem and ours.

He says to them:

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. John 16:20a

For the disciples, Jesus was pointing to his death on the cross. The Lord of life would be killed and they, his followers, would morn.

The world though, those who were in authority, the Jewish leaders, the Roman government, the soldiers and the people – the world then and now – would rejoice.

Sorrow and Joy in tension

But by the working of the Holy Spirit this tension is made new.

You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. John 16:20b

They will be sorrowful at Jesus’ death but rejoice at his resurrection.

Jesus gives an illustration of sorrow, joy and truth to his disciples.

21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

The world today has confused and flipped the narrative. They joy in death and deny the gift of life.

When a woman is pregnant, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has aborted the pregnancy, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that an unwanted pregnancy has been terminated in the world.

Birth, delivered the baby, human being and born – all words used by Jesus have been changed to pregnant, aborted the pregnancy, unwanted pregnancy and terminated.

Joy here in the word of man is found not in life but in death.

Jesus is the author of life and we know this by his Holy Spirit. When we hear the word of the Lord it is by that same Spirit that we know truth. When we deny the truth, we deny him and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:10

The Spirit declares the unified authority He shares with the Father and the Son. He glorifies Christ and declares that truth to you and me. The word of God is truth and not falsehood.

The world hates Jesus.

It hates truth.
It rejoiced in his death.
It denied his resurrection and it still does.
Its authority is temporal and condemned.

The Spirit illumines your hidden savior! For apart from his work, you cannot know Jesus nor have faith in him!

But by the Holy Spirit you love Jesus.
By his death he showed his love for you in taking your sins to the cross.
By his bodily resurrection he shows that you too will rise.
His authority is eternal, and all will see his coming.
We who believe will be raised to eternal glory.
Those who reject Christ are condemned to eternal punishment.

22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

Life and death, sorrow and joy, by the Spirit’s work, Jesus is made known to you dear friends and that truth is yours just as you are his.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit

Amen

Sermon May 7-8, 2022 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

Title: We hear the good shepherd’s voice, in Christ!
Text: John 10:22-30

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27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Last weekend we talked about discerning the voice of the Lord. Also, hearing, listening and obeying that same voice. At times, God’s voice is clear, direct and powerful and it is easy to discern what he means and what he expects of you and of me.

You shall have no other Gods
You shall not steal
You shall not bear false witness
You shall not covet

Other times, God’s word causes us to wrestle with the truth of his word and how best to understand it as we deal in this life with sin, death and the devil.

Honor your father and Mother

Well, what if a mother or father has been or is an abuser of their children?

You shall not kill

How might this apply to warfare and accidents or unintended death? What about capital punishment?

Go, and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit … Matt. 28:19

Is Baptism God’s work or mans?

Take eat, this is my body which is given for you … Take drink, this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22: 19-20

Is Christ’s true body and blood in with and under the bread and wine or, as some denomination maintain, that it is simply a remembrance?

These and other questions must be answered by God’s word in an honest and truthful way and though divisions exist we pray that by his word our lord would guide and direct us to truth.

Our gospel for today begins:

22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. [Today this feast is known as Hanukkah or the festival of lights] It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.

The Feast of Dedication commemorated the reconsecration of the temple in Jerusalem after it had been desecrated.

So here in the temple is Jesus, the true temple, who had said in John chapter 2: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again." speaking of his own death, burial and resurrection that we celebrated during Holy Week and Easter. This was in answer to the Jews who had demanded a miraculous sign of him.

Now, the Jews again ask, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

They ask to hear the voice of the lord but their ears are closed to his voice and they have no intention of hearing or obeying.

To this Jesus tells them - I told you and you don’t believe – and that the works that he does in his Father’s name bear witness about him.

His death, burial and resurrection bear witness,

His word of promise to make disciples by baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit bear witness,

His gift of body and blood, in and with the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, bear witness.

To deny Jesus is to deny the witness and works he has done in his Father’s name.

The Jews did not believe so Jesus tells them: 26 …” you do not believe because you are not part of my flock.”
It is unbelief that damns us and separates us from Christ.

Over the last few years, we welcomed some dear Christian friends into membership here at Peace. Today we welcome Rose Skinner and Marilyn Springborn into membership. Though they can’t be with us today, It is always a great joy to celebrate with new members their fellowship here at Peace.

Some have been members of God’s flock at other places - for a good long time I dare say, but all are relatively new here to Peace.

They all have been called to faith by the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to believe and by the working of the Holy Spirit they remain steadfast in the faith, hearing the Good Shepherd’s voice - even through those weak vessels of Christ’s under shepherds. They have been received into this sheep fold that is Peace Lutheran church here because it is God’s church and he desires they be here with us – even if only through distance and visits by me their pastor - and so we rejoice with them that they hear Christ’s voice here … and come.

But Christ also comforts with this promise … [“That] I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Christ’s promise is secure!

My friend Pastor Paul Monson who preached at my ordination almost 10 years ago gave me godly wisdom when I began my service here about the work of a pastor:

“It's about feeding sheep, caring for sheep, and running after stray sheep.”

But I would add one thing … that it’s also about joyfully welcoming the sheep from other sheepfolds that God has seen fit to send here - maybe only as visitors - to be fed and cared for at this time.

C.S. Lewis once said:

You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death. - Edited

C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed.

In the midst of sickness, test results, or impending surgery the Lord comes to mind to us all, doesn’t he? We see a great number of souls added to the prayer list.

But following the healing, good test results, or successful surgery we see some forget again the Lord Jesus and his gifts.

At times it is our godly mothers and grandmothers that bring us and feed us both earthly food and God’s heavenly food – his word. They care and sustain us in this life. My mom did and many mothers continue to do so.

It is certainly not what we do that keeps us in the faith. It is both God’s work that justifies or saves us, as well as, sanctifies or sustains us in that same faith … making us holy - even when we change churches.
We need to hear, listen and obey Christ’s voice.

When I first joined the Lutheran Church through adult confirmation in 1999 [coming from the Roman Catholic church through a nondenominational church] I picked out my own confirmation verse. Then I found out from Pastor Moritz that adults who come into membership don’t get to pick a confirmation verse.

Well, being disappointed but not dissuaded I picked one anyway.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Over the last few years the Lord has worked to direct and guide us in aspects of mission and ministry here at Peace, many times bringing the things needed right to our door.


I don’t need to tell you but over the years the Lord has brought us just what we needed. And as I mentioned last week my friend Pastor Al Thoe was installed as the new pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Tennessee. The Lord knew of the shortage of pastors in 2022 and began preparing for this transition in 2010 when Al and I began our seminary programs together.


It showed me once again that we just need to follow God’s leading, directing, and trusting that he knows what is best for us … and listening to his word.

It is God who has worked in each one of us faith and has brought us here. By his Spirit we hear and follow the good Shepherd’s call and by that same Spirit he will point, direct and keep us all in the one true faith.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit

Amen

 

Sermon April 30 May 1, 2022 – Third Sunday of Easter

Title: Through God’s work we can proclaim Christ!
Text: Acts 9:1-22

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4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Last weekend we talked about fear and doubt and the persecuted church. The apostles were hidden in a locked room for fear of the Jews and were locked up in a public prison.

Fear and doubt ruled the day then as it does today.

Now, this week we hear about Saul, one of the chief architects and muscle, who brought this persecution and fear to the people – men, women and probably children too – who were bound and brought by force to Jerusalem. Doesn’t sound like the best choice of a person to bring peace to a hurting world in the midst of persecution, does it?

Through God’s work we can proclaim Christ!

3 Now as [Saul] went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

As God would have it, the one he chooses to represent him, in bringing the peace of the Gospel to the world, was not who we would have thought.

At times God uses those who we might not expect for wonderful work. I watched the call service for CTSFW on Wednesday evening. Pastors received their call and service assignment to serve congregations all over the country. Some short, some tall, some heavy, some thin, some young and some old. No one size fits all here. The Lord uses those he calls to fill his needs. Sometimes we can question the Lord’s wisdom.

Well, Ananias thought so too.

For in a vision, 11 … the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and what might Saul been praying … Lord, forgive me a poor miserable sinner …

12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

Saul was known to Ananias all right and for good reason.

“Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”

Persecution was real from the church – new as it was –and Saul was known to be about as bad as you could be in opposition to Christ and his church.

But when you think of it … what better witness to the power of God?

God used his word to reach Saul, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

And to reach Ananias as well: “Ananias, rise and go.”

One was an enemy, the other a disciple, and both were called by God’s word to hear, to listen, and to follow that same word.

But through God’s work, we can too can proclaim Christ!

You also hear God’s word.

Here on the weekends in our Divine Service, in devotions, in Bible study, maybe on the radio. You hear, and at times you listen, and at times you obey, but … at other times you block it out.

So the question might be, how do you know when to listen, and when to obey, and what voice is speaking to you?

I told this story in Bible study a few weeks ago as we are in acts chapter 9 as the Lord would have it.

When I was taking a class on the Bible at Oakland Community College about 15 years ago the professor asked a question. Now the class was a night class so it was full of young and old alike. Some who were just starting their college careers and others who were going back to school like me or taking classes for personal enrichment? One older Jewish man who was sitting next to me turns to me and says,

“When we get to the New Testament, you’re going to have to help me!”

The lesson for the day was Genesis 22 and the story was about Abraham.

God’s voice calls to Abraham:

“Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

The professor asks the class,

“If you, heard the voice of God telling you to kill your only son or daughter, would you?”

Well, one well-meaning young lady, who was a Christian, was all too quick with her answer and said almost with a smile on her face a definite “yes!”

To this the teacher asked,

“How would you know … that it’s God speaking to you and why would he want you to kill your son?”

She was a bit silent to his question. How can we discern the voice of God from the voice of the devil, who masquerades as an angle of light (2 Cor. 7:14) and as the thief, who comes only to steal and kill and destroy?

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

The Lord is not bound but has bound us to his word and to the word we look for answers.

The Lord chose Ananias, and said to him that Saul is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

The Lord also chose Saul, soon to be the Apostle Paul, as well as other men who served the Lord and by inspiration of the Holy Spirit were moved to write the words of scripture that we have and know to be God’s word. We can access that word of God daily as we read and by that same Holy Spirit discern God’s word and will.

The willing and the unwilling the Lord chooses and uses.

The fifth commandment Thou shall not kill, reveals God’s will given through Moses in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 5 and what we should do and it is a different desire than what the voice of God called out of the heavens to Abraham in Genesis 22. [In various times and in various way … Heb. 1]

Following the giving of the 10 commandments God through Moses writes – and I paraphrase a bit here:

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.

7 … teach them diligently to your children, talk [about] them when you sit in your house, and when you’re [out and about], and when you lie down [to sleep], and when you rise [in the morning].

8 … bind them as a sign on your hand – [like a string tied around your finger so that you never forget them] – [so that God’s word] shall be [always before] your eyes. Deut. 6:6-8

Then you will know his voice, and his will, and his desires.

So Ananias goes and lays his hands on Saul and we’re told something like scales fell from his eyes. God’s word through the sending of Ananias brings clarity and vision for Saul.

“Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

God’s word for you and me also shows, at times, his Law and our sinfulness but also his Son, Jesus our savior, and what he has done for us. By this we can know his will and hear his voice and obey what he calls us to do, though we fall ever short daily.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Rom. 10:17

The Apostle Paul would write those words from prison in his epistle to the Romans, maybe reflecting his own conversion. But the word of God is always effectual. Whether it is God’s word proclaimed, the audible voice of God that Saul heard, or God’s word connected to the water of Holy Baptism or in, with and under the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper.

It is God who is active and it is we who receive.

19 … Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the son of God. 21 all those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on his name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests? 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 9:19b-22

We too who have been born God’s enemies have been called to believe and by God’s Holy Spirit working faith in us we believe. It is no less a miraculous conversion for you or me than Saul. We who were dead in trespass and sin have been made alive in Christ! Praise his holy name!

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit

Amen