Sermon Jan. 25-26, 2025

Title: The scripture is fulfilled in your hearing!
Text: Luke 4:16-30

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18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

Last Sunday I watched the service for Pastor Jonathan Moyer as he was installed in the office of the Holy Ministry at Faith Viera, Lutheran Church in Rockledge Florida.

Eleven pastors gathered together with the congregation to celebrate the installation of this pastor, who is called to bring God’s word and gifts to his people gathered in this place. It is always a moving service with local pastors, the District President, choir, and congregation gathered to celebrate what God has done for his people in this time and in this place.

The scriptures point us to the Incarnate Word of God Jesus, and all that he has come to do for us. We learn how God has redeemed us and our need to be reconciled and forgiven. The words of scripture testify to the word of God made flesh in the person and work of Jesus, and his work to restore the original righteousness that we were created in that had been lost in the fall.

Pastors have the privilege and responsibility to be under shepherds of God’s flock and to bringing this word of comfort to all who hear.

In our reading today, the word that spoke creation into existence is the same word that John the Baptist pointed to, as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world; and the one who in the prologue of John’s gospel reminds us that:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Today we hear the words of scripture written for our benefit as well.

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

20 And [Jesus] rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them,

“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said,

“Is not this Joseph's son?”
You can almost see the surprised look on the faces in the synagogue.
Was that the carpenter’s son, Jesus?
The one who made the table for the house?
Is that Jesus?
The man who fixed the door and helped with the roof?

Gracious words they thought, but from the carpenter’s son?

What’s up with that?
We’ve been there and done that too.

Familiarity at time breeds commonness and even contempt.

But here, Jesus, the word of God in human form, is proclaiming the word of God fulfilled in him.

Though they know him … the word of God is no less real.

So too we who speak or hear God’s word; it is no less real because it is said by a friend or relative - or through God’s call and ordained servants. Even Pastor Moyer, now called to serve the people at Faith Viera in Florida has that call to proclaim God’s word to those gathered under his care.

My dad may have felt some of that uneasiness too.

He came to my ordination twelve years ago and sat through the service. He saw me, his son, take on this new role as servant of Christ called and ordained to serve the people of Peace, here.

My brother told me after my dad’s passing that my father was surprised and pleased … and maybe a bit taken back after seeing me ordained,

My dad said:

“You know, I don’t think I give Russell enough credit!” He’s married over 30 years, worked in the piano business for over 30 years, taken care of his family and now he’s a pastor of this church and starting something new.”

What I think my dad was saying is much like those in our reading today who hear the word of God and say, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son, isn’t this Jesus?”

Or, in my dad’s case isn’t this my son Russ, the one who couldn’t play baseball well enough, or the one I had to show how to fix a car, and the one I had to … on occasion … send to his room to teach him a lesson.”

It’s all true … and even more!

Pastor Moyer’s dad, a retired pastor himself was there in Florida to participate in his son’s installed and at the time of the service when pastor’s lay hands on the one being installed to offer a prayer, he said:

“Jonathan, my son in the flesh and in the faith. God has led you from, Faith, to Faith, to Faith. May you encourage others, not with a perfect life, but as you point and look to a perfect savior.”

I think at my ordination, my dad was taken back a bit. You see … God’s word is true whether Jesus proclaims it, whether Pastor Moyer proclaims it, or whether I proclaim it. And it’s true for you too!

It’s true - no matter if a pastor says it, or if you, in talking to your friend … say it. God’s word is always true.

24 And [Jesus] said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.

It’s not just the hometown but there is a tendency to not see those who are given to rightly divide the word of truth and administer the sacraments at times the respect they deserve. I’m as guilty as the next guy.

When I was at St. John our senior pastor, whom I had great respect for, received and accepted a call to a church in Illinois. I, as a new Lutheran, was devastated. Our associate pastor was called to be the administrative pastor, after a long call process that was unfruitful.

As I lamented his call I was reminded by a friend.

“Russ! He is your pastor and you need to show him respect as the one whom God has placed over you.”

He was right, and respecting the office of under shepherd was one I had forgotten.

What still amazes me is that during a time of brokenness and dysfunction, God remained faithful. I believe that we too will see God move in the circuit to bring his will and order to those hurting now.

At times we only see the brokenness and sorrow of losing a pastor or members who move or transfer out of the church and new ones who come in. There was much anger in God’s church when change occurs and as our reading says today. They wanted what had been done in Capernaum.

What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.’” 24 And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.

25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.

We want God to be who we want him to be and to do for us what we want him to do. At times we can reject those sent and God’s word for us from them.

Jesus continues:

27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath.

God’s son and God’s words get rejected. Jesus gets the ultimate rejection when the people cry … “crucify him!” God’s servants are sent just as the 12 disciples were sent and just as the 70 were sent and they too and our pastors today are sent and will face rejection and suffering too.

What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well!

The people want what they want and we do too.

We want God’s miracles not persecution.

We want healing not sickness. Wanting answers from God why would one be healed and another suffer and die.

More importantly we want answers that we want to hear.

Bear in mind that God’s pastors are sinful too and also fall victim to temptation in this life and say and do things that cause problems. But thankfully:

Everything is fulfilled in Jesus for you!
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

Good News … but the people didn’t want to hear.

29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff.

Though rejected by the people, Jesus still went to the cross … for them and … for you. He also gave them a miracle but not the one they were asking for or expecting:

30 But passing through their midst, he went away …

… only to finish his work and make peace with God … for you.

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

Sermon Jan. 18-19, 2025

Title: Water to wine and death to life!
Text: John 2:1-11

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3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

A wedding can be a wonderful and joyful time. Man and woman, joined in holy matrimony with family and friends together celebrating this blessed event.

If you’ve been involved in planning a wedding, the details at times can seem overwhelming.

If everything goes well, it can be remembered with fondness. If not, the incident involved can have short term or even long-term effects.

In our Gospel lesson for today we hear of an - incident at a wedding; One that our Lord’s mother Mary attended. We also learn that Jesus was invited and with His disciples as well.

This could have been quite a large affair for Cana of Galilee and Jesus and His disciples themselves might have been a sizeable group.

Now at some point Mary makes the statement:

“They have no wine.”

Now this might have been a result of poor planning on the part of the host, or just possibly inviting too many guests but none the less … no wine.

Mary, the mother of our Lord calls out a need to Jesus.

Maybe she had some hand in the preparations, or was close friends with the family. But at some point, and in some way, she knows of the problem that they face.

Mary presents the problem to Jesus. It’s a prayer of lament.

“They have no wine.”

It’s been quite some time since that 12-year-old boy of hers had stayed behind in Jerusalem as the family traveled home following the feast of the Passover, and Mary - treasured up in her heart even what the angel’s visitation had said concerning her son.

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:32-33

“… and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

It is a call, it is a lament, in prayer, from the mother of our Lord, knowing that whatever the problem, if Jesus is involved, he can do all that is needed and what is asked for according to his will.

Jesus came for those in need. He came to fill the need of those left in bondage to sin.

So, what comes next may sound and short, unloving, and harsh, coming from the mouth of our Lord to his mother Mary:

“Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

Mary was maybe going beyond her responsibility as both a guest and friend at this wedding and … we might assume that it wasn’t her responsibility to fill the needs of the wedding’s host.

But there was a problem and it may have just been a lament in what seemed hopeless to the one where hope abides and abounds

Jesus asks the question …

“Woman, what does this have to do with me,

His words, though rebuking, really are asking Mary:

“What do you and I have to do with this?”

But we can know:

If Christ is involved, it’s always good!

You and I also come to our Lord in prayer, lamenting the problems of our life, not having a solution, and praying that the Lord will intervene for our benefit.

Other times we don’t come to the Lord at all because we think, “This isn't important, or God doesn't need to be bothered with my petty concerns.”

Too often those who need God the most, and are in needful situations, and fail to think of Him or - ask for Him at all.

At times, we Pastors who are in the business of bringing God’s care and comfort to those in need are often the last to know of a member, in the hospital or those having brokenness in the home or other concerns in this life.

Sometimes we are not even asked to help, not called upon, … and not involved.

5 [Jesus’] mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

What if we regarded the word of God with such faith?

The working of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the everyday lives of his people brings salvation and peace. Mary knew to trust in what He would say and do.
The jars used for purification rites and ceremonial washings in Jewish life were large and it’s not very important the number or the size. They were all filled to the brim.

What God fills anew leaves no room for what was before.

The miracle was certainly evident to all involved.

The servants, who gathered the water to the brim as it were, knew what they had put in those jars and those who had tasted the water turned into wine knew as the master of the feast exclaimed:

“Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

Just as Jesus does with the means of grace where He dispenses his gifts to us through the common things of water and word, bread and wine; and in our lesson today:

He uses common servants - to fill common jars - with simple common water - to this common wedding where man is joined to woman, and where God, through this blessed union of husband and wife, fills His creation with His children whom He came to redeem.

God, in Christ, has brought the peace that passes all human understanding to you too through the simple common element of water connected to His word of promise.

He has washed you clean, not with a washing that cleanses, for a time, but through the transforming bath in baptism - takes away the sins of the world for eternity!

You are clean! You are washed! You are forgiven!

You will be His forever, because you are that new wine in Him that is poured forth daily - by faith - as you remember all that He has done for you.

If Christ can turn the common water into the miraculous wine of our wedding story in Cana, He can also turn filthy ragged sinners into washed saints through His word of promise in and through Baptism.

Jesus also will refresh us with His body and blood given for you in the sacrament of the Altar feeding us, sustaining us, and renewing our faith in his blessed work.

Whether the miraculous transformation of the water filled jugs into the finest wine served at the wedding in Cana, or the blessed body and blood of our Lord in, with, and under the bread and wine offered here –

If Jesus Christ, is involved it’s always good!

He is the one who will never leave you but will sustain you through the trials of this world promising you, life eternal in his name where the comfort and peace of a home in His house is secured by the gift of faith in his blood shed for you!

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

 

Sermon Jan 11-12, 2025

Title: Marked in Christ, you are his!
Text: Luke 3:15-22

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21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

As we begin today, I must take a moment to look back, back to January 6th 2013.

On that day I was ordained into the office of the Holy Ministry and was installed here at Peace as your 6th pastor. It was a joy filled day thinking of what the Lord was calling me to do, and seeing how in the midst of our lives lived in this broken world, God plans and executes his will to accomplish all that he desires.

I’m sure many of you would agree that your lives too seem to go by in an instant … so with that in mind, and as I begin my 13th year of ministry here at Peace, I wish to focus today on a marvelous truth that:

Marked in Christ, you are his!

You can almost hear the hope in the people in our Gospel reading for today as they wonder and reason about John the Baptist:

15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,

John, being the unique character that he is … was causing quite a stir as the people questioned about who this man could be.

Is he the Christ, they wanted to know?

And while the excitement for this man, out of the wilderness, may have made quite an impression on the people, when it came to his attention, as to who the people thought he was … he quickly put all speculation to rest:

16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

[A common method of threshing in ancient Israel employed an implement called a threshing sledge which is a heavy wooden slab with teeth made of stone, metal, or potsherds fastened to the underside and Oxen or mules dragged the sledge back and forth over the sheaves to allow the teeth to break down the stalks into husks, straw, and grain kernels.

A wooden pitch fork was used to lift away the straw. The kernels were then separated from the husks by winnowing, tossing the pile of threshed grain into the air with a winnowing fork and wind, whether caused by a natural breeze or artificially generated by winnowing fans, blew away the lighter chaff while the heavier heads of grain fell down to the threshing floor.

The kernels were then sifted and collected for storage. The chaff was burned as fuel and the straw became animal fodder. ]

Copyright © 2009 Mark A. Myers

Jesus came to John to be marked for you and me and all born in the natural way, born in sin through this baptism of repentance.

He was marked with a Baptism of fire, marked to carry the sins of the world, your sins and mine, upon Himself to Jerusalem and finally to the cross.

When Christ returns, He will separate the wheat from the chaff; the believers from the unbelievers. Those who have been baptized and are covered by Christ’s righteousness will be gathered to Heaven and to an eternal life of joy and peace contrasted against those who stand covered in the filthy rags of their own righteousness who will be cast into the fires of hell made for the Devil and his minions, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. Matt. 6:19

Your life and mine is one of continually falling short. We daily miss the mark in what we say and do. But as one who has been Baptized, we are called to daily die to sin and rise and live in the newness of life given us in Baptism.

We remember daily what Jesus did as the once for all sacrifice for sin, and by faith grow in our Christian walk as we are, by the power of the Holy Spirit, made holy, sanctified and set apart for the good works that God has prepared for us to do.

As Lutherans we tend to get a little up in arms when we think about Good Works!

This is not to undermine the work of Christ who came to take the sins of the whole world upon himself so that you would be declared righteous on account of His sacrifice.

But by the grace of God and through the gift of faith you are made holy by the working of the Holy Spirit in you.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph. 2:8-9

The boasting is God’s, but:

Marked in Christ, you are his!

The Old Testament reading today points to the one who is active in the life of the world in God’s work of redemption when we read:

1b “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
And while God is speaking to the children of Israel in these verses, He too is speaking of His redeeming love for all of his children – domestic and imported:

13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:13

And our Lord will accomplish all that He has set out to do because He declares:

5 Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you.
6 I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7 everyone who is called by my name,

God has called you by name in your baptisms.

He has washed you and gathered you to the foot of the cross of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

He continues through the working of the Holy Spirit in your daily lives and in the lives of all His children to make you holy and to keep you by the power of His Spirit connected to Him so that we grow in Him through this same Spirit.

God in Christ has given you and me not what we deserved but what we needed.

He continues to give to us the blessings of His Son through the good times and bad.

He blesses us through word and sacrament and daily sustains his you with His loving kindness and does not remember your sin but sees you through the veil of Christ which you are covered with.

In Christ you receive His full attention when you pray so you can ask anything in Jesus’ name according to his will and He will hear, and is not hurried or bothered when you cry out to Him and will listen patently, intently and slowly because He loves you and cares for you, as a father cares for a dear child.

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

Sermon Jan 4-5, 2025

Title: In my father’s house is peace!
Text: Luke 2:40-52

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48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”

In November of 2013 my father passed away and over the next 6 months I spent quite a bit of time with my brother in my father’s house. Much of my time was spent clearing out and cleaning the house with my brother Ron. Many memories were rekindled by things in the house or areas of the house which brought back thoughts of days long past that my brother and I shared together.

On one such day I got to the house a bit earlier than my brother and had a chance to just walk through, sit by myself and think of my relationship with my father, what he had taught me and how much I missed him and how comforting it was for me to … be in my father’s house.

So too the reading for our gospel lesson today. Jesus desires to be in his Father’s house. But also:

Christ desires to be in the Father’s house with you!

40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
As was the custom of the family, Mary, Joseph and Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the Passover. And on the occasion of this visit when Jesus was twelve years of age 43 [that] when the feast [had] ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.

For any of you who have been on a trip and misplaced a child … well … it can be very difficult and tenuous time to say the least.

Mary and Joseph did not know Jesus was missing,

44 but supposing him to be in the group, so they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.

So you can understand as a parent Mary’s frustration at Jesus staying behind in Jerusalem. Here he is in the Temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Jesus was no ordinary 12-year-old.

48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

And Jesus reminds Mary and Joseph,

“Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my father’s house?”

The time had gone by so quickly. Jesus, this child born of a virgin is now in our lesson twelve. It is amazing how much some children learn and can do at such a young age.

Back in the early 90’s I use to go to the Chet Atkins guitar festival in Nashville with my friend Rob. We would take our guitars and meet old and new friends who had great appreciation for Chet’s music and ability.

It never ceased to amaze me how many young boys and girls who were in their early teens who could play circles around me! They had learned many of Chet’s songs and committed them to memory. They were a good imitation of the guitar style Chet had pioneered. But on close inspection many of these child prodigies lacked a wisdom and maturity in their playing.

Over time some would grow to become mature adult musicians while others would slip into obscurity of fall victim to their early success never able to attain that level of accomplishment again.

Some of these polished 12-year-old kids even signed up and took lessons from my friend Rob where his years of wisdom could bring out the best in them.

This Jesus was different! As has been said, Jesus was no ordinary 12-year-old.

… in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Those who heard him were amazed.

It is something we all need to be reminded of. This child born of Mary on Christmas day is God in the flesh.

This Monday, January 6th, we celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord. It is the day that Jesus is recognized as the savior of all people. It is why the wise men came to worship him and to bring him gifts.

This young boy who was recognized as the savior and who was brought gifts as a young child is now listening and teaching at the feet of the teachers, not as one who simply copied what he had heard and was parroting it back to his teachers, but as one who was and is the source of that wisdom from God on high.

The house of God, the Temple where Jesus sat and taught, is also here at Peace where the true word of God is proclaimed by word and sacrament, and also it is you who are His Temple where God indwells all believers by His Spirit pointing you and me to the finished work of Christ.

By his Spirit you see Jesus for who he is … the savior of the world … and that by faith you can trust his word of promise, so elegantly proclaimed in John Chapter 14 to:

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Christ desires to be in the Father’s house with you!
Jesus is the one who make the way for you and for me.
He is the one that the Magi came to bring gifts to.
He is the one revealed as the savior, of the nation’s come.
He is the one who at twelve years of age was, as the writer of the book of Hebrews says:

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. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

And the next time we encounter Jesus he will be pointed out as the Lamb of God who take away the sins of the world, who will take your place being baptized by John the Baptist with the baptism of repentance, being marked as the chief of sinners for you and then will go to Jerusalem taking your sins to the cross and nailing them there … It is finished he will proclaim.

It is true. This is no ordinary boy sitting among the teachers, teaching with wisdom and power and gently reminding his mother that he needed to be in His Father’s house.

50 And [his parents] did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.
But, in submission, this God who made the world and all things, obeyed his parents …
51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother [the Blessed Virgin Mary] treasured up all these things in her heart.

She, knowing who he is and what he was appointed to do, to be the consolation of Israel and the savior of the world - the Messiah – Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, which means God with us.

52 And Jesus [ as he continued to grow] increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Just as I desired to be in my earthly Father’s house, to be among the things of his and to be reminded of all he did with me and for me so too Jesus desired to be in His Father’s house and he too desires you to be in his house as his child and so that he has prepared a place for you and for all who will believe – to whom the Lord God will call to himself – to be in his father’s house forever.

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

Sermon Dec. 28-29, 2024

Title: He is the light of the world!
Text: Colossians 3:12-17

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16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Christmas is here!

But the world says … “It’s time to move on.”

The 24-hour radio stations that started playing Christmas music have had enough. It is back to your regularly scheduled programming.

It is a bit of how it is for we in the church as well.

Christmas Eve service and Christmas Day and then today may still hold the Christmas spirit for some, but tomorrow is Monday and for many we go back to work.

Granted some have time off and the kids are out of school. But, after this weekend services New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and all the activities … we all might feel like it is time for a bit of a break too.

Life is real. It doesn’t let you collect your thoughts and relax at times. It can press in on you day in and day out.

You and I know how that is.

As Paul writes in our Epistle to the Colossians:

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved - compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

Paul here reminds the Colossians who they are - as God’s chosen ones, that they were the reason that God became man in Christ. The incarnation had to happen so that the once for all sacrifice could be made at the cross and because of that reality they are – in Christ – holy and beloved.

The world can bring out the best and the worst in people.

Now also, we see at Christmas - acts of kindness, generosity and love but it can fade quickly with Christians and Non-Christians alike.

Compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, are not the normal reaction of sinful man.

We tend to react in selfish, heartless, prideful, bold and impatient ways.

A sampling of the News Headlines, tell the tale.

*Disruptive Fight Breaks Out … as Guests Crowd to Watch Holiday Parade.
*Violence continues as fight breaks out at grocery store.
*Two, shot and killed after fight breaks out at liquor store.
*Disgraceful scenes as fight breaks out at shopping center on Christmas Eve.
*All-out brawl breaks out between female diners at Texas restaurant.

[This one even had a baby booster seat being thrown at diners!]

Earlier in Paul’s letter he had reminded the Colossians to put on the new self.

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

At home and in private let your life and actions demonstrate your new life in Christ.

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

As Christians, Christmas needs to be in our hearts and minds each and every day of the year.

Bearing with one another … forgiving each other; 14 And above all … putting on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

The Lord’s forgiveness should cause our own forgiveness to spring forth from us because we have been forgiven much.

But we remain sinful - though forgiven - and it is a struggle each day. The Colossians needed reminding and we too need reminding.

Selfish, heartless, prideful, bold, and impatient people need to be reminded that in Christ we have been changed. You and me!

Just as God’s son was forever changed when he became man at the incarnation, we also, in Christ have put on the new man. No longer are we God’s enemies but God’s friends. We are his beloved children, having been clothed in Christ, and that change should also be evident in our daily lives as well.

In our gospel reading Simeon – a man we’re told who was righteous and devout was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.

We too have been given this peace in the Christ who from infancy grew to manhood as the man – Christ Jesus – who took the sins of the world upon himself delivering God’s peace and consolation to we who are spiritual Israel by faith in his blessed work!

Paul reminds the Colossians and us as well:

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

God’s word whether heard, read, meditated upon, or sung from a thankful heart is where God’s peace through the working of his Holy Spirit lives and can be found.

Here - at Peace, there is Peace proclaimed, peace sung, peace delivered and peace received each and every week.

God has promised to be where his people gather and where his gifts of word and sacrament are rightly administered and delivered.

Here after another week in the world, where it is often not loving, helpful, or kind and where the walls of division stand tall within our country and around our homes, we can make a difference reflecting Christ.

Come and receive all that the Lord has to give and then reflect that gift of love, peace and forgiveness to others as you shine the light of Christ brightly in this New Year.

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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

 

 

Sermon Dec. 25, 2024 - Christmas Day

Title: The light of life is Jesus!
Text: John 1:4-5

 
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In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Today through the eyes of faith, and at His incarnation we see in the manger, a baby, the Christ child and say: “Here is my God!”

The light of life is Jesus!

John 1:1-18 has been one of my favorite sections of scripture. It expresses the deity of Jesus Christ, His glory that he has with the father and the abundance of His name which is full of grace and truth.

In the beginning, God, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit parallels in John 1:1 what is said by him in Genesis 1:1.

As God, in the beginning created the heavens and the earth, so too we learn from John’s gospel that “in the beginning was the Word,” that the “Word was with God.” And that “the Word was God.”

What is evident in Genesis 1 is that God is a plurality as creator and that His Spirit hovered over the face of the waters and that God spoke and said, “Let there be light.” Genesis 1:3

This is in John’s gospel elaborated, expanded and explained … as the Word, that from the beginning … was with God and that He was God and that through Him, through the “Word,” all things were made.

In Genesis the light that God set forth by His “Word” is the light of men and though the darkness cannot overcome it, this light of the “Word” continues to shines forth.

God’s light that shines forth in his Word and whom God is made known by, is revealed by the One who has seen God and is God and to whom his children believe and know his name. This name of the “Word” is the eternal name which John came to testify to, so that the world might recognize him … the eternal God.

YHWH, is the name by which the Word, from eternity, has been made known to the world and by revelation and by faith we know Him to be Jesus.

The light of life is Jesus!

Not all see the “Glory” that is only revealed by faith in the Christ. Not all see salvation in him; because it is made know by that same faith and working of the Holy Spirit. But though not recognized, salvation is there – in the child - none the less.

The Hebrews text from our epistle for today says that this Christ child:

3 … is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

He came in the flesh so that those who are unable to see … that was you and me and in fact the entire world born in sin could be made righteous, could be made new, could be born again … from above … born of God … and given new life in Him.

The world doesn’t want to hear this, and the world doesn’t want to see this, and that is what makes this child and this birth ever more amazing!

Because he came anyway, despite the hatred … despite the sin, he came for you!

Since last Christmas many dear members took their rest in Jesus.

Some I got to pray with, and most I officiated at their funerals. From Marilyn Rappuhn, just after Easter to Deb Trosin, George Voss, Sue Vogt and finally Kathy Thompson in early December it has been a time of loss and sadness.

The Lord has graciously received them all.

Psalm 103 is a psalm of joy, hope and blessing. I’d like to share a few verses.

Psalm 103
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

And that’s how it is with God! From its very opening pages, all the way to the end of the book, the Bible is a story about how God has pursued us with joyful love … an unchanging and unquenchable and UNDESERVED love, because he wants us to come home … to his house!

And we do that in this life through the gift of grace by faith! It’s an amazing privilege.

The light of life is Jesus!

The joy we feel today is reflected in Christ, the child in the manger that we celebrate today. Though given as a gift there was a real price to be paid.

This very son of God came to redeem the world by His life, death on the cross for you and his glorious resurrection assures that you will rise too!

Today you too need to see Jesus for who He is; the author and finisher of your faith. He is the one who has taken away the sins of the world and in Him you have life eternal – because his gift is perfect!

The good news is that through the working of the Holy Spirit you have been brought to faith and through the means of grace, of word and sacrament, you are continually built up in Christ being made holy in Him, this beautiful child of Bethlehem that was prophesized long ago.

The truth that we are given in this Christ is not fiction!

It is the true and blessed working of our Lord to redeem the lost, you and me. You have been forgiven and are found in him. Rejoice in this blessed gift of God!

Jesus became flesh for you and is your salvation!

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Do not fear what this world gives but see what God gave, in his child … in his manger.

Friends, the light of life is Jesus!

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

Amen

Sermon Dec. 24, 2024 - Christmas Eve

Title: The blessed one is Jesus!
Text: Isaiah 9:2-7

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2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Tonight we celebrate the eve of our Lord’s nativity. The coming of Jesus the Christ of God, born of Mary and born to set us free from the inherited nature we are all born into, born in sin, and born to die.

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.

The light of Christ has been brought to a world dead in darkness.

Because death came to all humanity and in Adam’s fall all die. The fall into sin condemns us as God’s enemies. No friend of God, we are all condemned to a life apart from God’s love and destined to live in time, daily, without faith, peace, or hope in the world.

You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

For those in faith and those apart from faith the Lord’s abundance flows. Sun and moon, day and night, rains, fields, flocks and harvest all provided from the hand of the Lord, give life and sustenance to all those created in the image of God. We all live by God’s mercy with each and every breath we take. In fact, life is a gift from God. We know that whether a Christian or not all die and so death is given to all born in the natural way form the child in the womb to the aged needing around the clock care. With Life, death is the promised fulfillment in the world. Long life or short, rich or poor we all will be brought to the doors of death and death will win.

The joy tonight is not in our station in this life or what we have achieved. Our joy is in the savior who came in humility and reigns in glory. As Jesus himself said as his disciples cried out at his triumphal entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

38 … “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

The rocks themselves would cry out repeating the sounding joy of our Rock Jesus

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”

For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.

The yoke of those burdened by sin has been broken and the rod of the oppressor has been overcome. Just as in the days of the Judges when Gideon and 300 men overcame the much larger Midianite Army by the power and word of the Lord. So too the word made flesh in the incarnate son of God will vanquish sin, death, and the devil for you and me.

For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.

The wages of sin is overcome in the blood of the lamb. Where we daily battle sin and death, God has placed the work of Jesus, apprehended in faith and made sure by the Spirit, we who believe have overcome the fires of hell and an eternity separated from God receiving the promise of eternal life in Jesus.

The consequence of sin has been changed for you and me. To believe in Jesus, this Christ child gives us life. Life not to walk in sin – though we remain in the sinful tent of our flesh, but to walk in the Spirit, the promise of faith and belief in the one whom God has sent to redeem those born in sin and born to die.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace is Jesus!

His peace comes in this manger and in this child but it is made known to you and me in Baptism.

In Baptism we are marked as his.
In Baptism we are given faith.
In Baptism we receive Jesus by the work of his Spirit.
In Baptism death is swallowed up in victory and …
In Baptism we are raised to newness of life!

In Him, in Jesus, God restores the broken.

Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

By the Word of God and through his Holy Spirit our Lord calls and gathers his children. He sits on the throne of David forever and rules with justice and righteousness. His reign will never end and his love for the lost continues until his coming in power and glory to raise the dead in Christ and gather those who are longing for his reappearing

It is God’s desire and wonders of his love to rule your hearts and minds by his son the incarnate word of God. God who was made flesh in the person and work of Jesus for you and in him God gives hope and peace and true Joy to the world!

Luke’s gospel gives that same hope, promise, and joy with these words in Chapter 2: 11-14

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

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