Sermon July 12-13, 2025

Title: Mercy and love are lived out in Christ!
Text: Luke 10:25-37

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37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

In our text for today we read of a lawyer who stood up to put Jesus to the test. Now, this is not to be a sermon which lifts up or puts down the noble profession of attorneys. But it is the word of the Lord and we can all learn an important lesson.

The question that is asked - “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” - is a bit odd. How do you inherit anything? It might have been more direct if he had asked, “What must I do to earn eternal life?” because that is the question so many what to know.

In my business background we we’re always taught to answer a question with a question so that you could better get to the real objection. So, Jesus, being the best at fleshing out the true meaning to the question that is asked of Him replies with a question.

26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

Having the ball back in his court the lawyer recites the word giving a summary of the Moral Law correctly, according to Deut. 6: 5; Lev. 19: 18.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

And I might add that he probably said it with a bit of boastful pride too!

Well, finally getting to the real objection, Jesus turns the prideful attorney’s answer back on himself when He says:

“You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

The truth is, as Jesus quite rightly points out, no one, not even one who rightly knows the scripture can keep the Law of God perfectly.

To know the Law and to keep the Law is two very different things. And, this command to love your neighbor as yourself really pushes us well beyond what we can do.

Truth be told, for many of us we can’t even love ourselves, so how are we going to love others?

But, despite falling short God uses you and me, His children, and:

You and I also, tend to put Christ to the test.

It’s the same word of God today as it was for the Lawyer and the same requirements that God demands and at times many believe they actually love God and their neighbor enough.

According to current statistics, we have 194 baptized and 163 confirmed members here at Peace, but we average less than 55 on a weekend.

Now granted some have moved away and some attend elsewhere and have not yet asked to be transferred from the roles and many have departed to be with the Lord.

But many just don’t come, maybe thinking that they’ve loved God enough and like the lawyer ask: “And who is my neighbor?”

God works through means and for better or worse that’s you and me.

We are God’s hands in the world, bringing the love of Christ to a dying world and also to real people.

In last week’s gospel reading 72 disciples were sent out proclaiming peace and healing with the good news that the Kingdom of God was at hand.

Sometimes your neighbor needs a helping hand, when the ways of the world bring grief.

At times it is a prayer of comfort to let them know that you understand and will stand with them.
At times it might require a word of rebuke when they are going the wrong way in this life.

And as the church it might require a word of warning from us that to be away from God’s word and sacrament and the gift of worship and fellowship that He calls to participate in - may lead to no communion and fellowship with him at all.

Some of the members of Peace need a call from their neighbor.
If you care about a member that you know that doesn’t attend give them a loving call.
If they have needs look for ways to help.

Remind them that God will never leave them of forsake them even if they’ve forsaken the assembly here at Peace and have self-excluded themselves from the church and the gifts God so longs to give them.

Implore them to return as the Lord desires his children to be together where he is and to hear God speak!

Here listen to Luther:

“In times past we would have run to the ends of the world if we had known of a place where we could have heard God speak. But now that we hear this every day in sermons, indeed, now that all books are full of it, we do not see this happening. You hear at home in your house, fa­ther and mother and children sing and speak of it, the preacher speaks of it in the parish church — you ought to lift up your hands and rejoice that we have been given the honor of hearing God speaking to us through his Word.”

https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/luther-and-power-gospel

The gospel is God’s word for us to use and to bring comfort.

As Jesus said in gospel reading of the Good Samaritan:

36 Which of these three, - the Priest, the Levite or the Samaritan - do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

You go … is a directive for us all. To take Christ’s caring word to those how need its comfort. Physical care and spiritual care are needed by all.

The urban ministries of our district bring this care to those where they are.

St. Paul’s in Pontiac is one such place bringing the word, peace, and forgiveness to feed the soul of those in need but also the meals and physical needs of those in our area.

Our district is looking for new startups in mission and ministry but for those churches who can’t start new they suggest finding a ministry to support. St, Paul is that ministry that is meeting needs and we have been engaged for yours in partnering with them just for this type of outreach.

Again:

36 Which of these three, - the Priest, the Levite or the Samaritan - do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

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

Amen

Sermon July 6, 2025

Title: Rejoice with America! - Rev. Terry Nelson
Text: Isaiah 66: 10-14

Facebook live: Rejoice with America!

12 For thus says the LORD:
“Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip,
and bounced upon her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforts,
so I will comfort you;

Sermon June 28-29, 2025

Title: Come, follow Jesus!
Text: Luke 9:51-62

Facebook live: Come, follow Jesus!

62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Theodore Roosevelt was certainly a leader. In 1901 he became the youngest President of the United States following the assignation of President William McKinley. But Theodore was also a follower.

He followed the lead of his father, Theodore Senior, who inspired him in his servant leadership; he followed mountain man Bill Sewall into the wilds of Main following the death of his own father … keeping up and learning from both Bill and his son to live in the wild and endure; he followed Joe Murray, a lieutenant of New York’s Jake Hess political machine into the Assembly of Albany politics.

On his honeymoon in Europe he followed a few guides up the Matterhorn a 15,000 foot peak which had remained unconquered until 1865. He was an author, writing the Naval War of 1812 from a historian’s perspective as almost a hobby. He nearly chose science as his field of endeavor with his love for birds and the outdoors. He was Lieutenant Colonel of the Rough Riders during the Spanish American War … serving with distinction.
As both a leader and a follower TR wrote:

“A leader should aim to build a life based on service …”

Those who follow Christ follow a servant leader by faith!

In the Gospel reading for today we see Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem. This is a very important time in the life of our Lord. Jesus knew what awaited Him in Jerusalem and he was determined to set his sights there.

Dr. Arthur Just in his commentary on Luke also sees it as important as his two-volume set on Luke begins the second volume with this pivotal verse.

Jesus is resolute.
He will not be turned away.
His reason for becoming man, the incarnation, is about to be realized. Jesus is moving towards the cross.

The Samaritans turned away the messengers of Jesus as they went to prepare lodgings for him. This brings the wrath of James and John to a boil looking to call down fire from heaven to consume them – bringing to the disciples the Lord’s rebuke.

Notice as Jesus continues on his way, his call to those to follow him, brings a variety of excuses.

59 Jesus called to another, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

In a broken world the spiritually dead are left to bury the physically dead.

This sounds harsh to our ears from the Lord to his disciple. The point is that to follow Christ requires - a denial of self and self-interests and all earthly ties.

60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead.

Here again Jesus focuses on the reality of death.

If your father’s dead you can’t really help him and there are people that can take care of his remains but also there is a connection to our spiritual state of being dead in sin and to this Christ calls him to, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Or … Tell those that are dead, or dying … that there is life eternal in, Jesus.

61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”

Another excuse of an earthly nature, “I must say farewell to those at home,” when the real excuse is I really need to go home now because I’m not really excited about following you.

62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Those who follow Christ can only follow him by faith!
There is a story that a pastor tells of plowing a field when he was a young boy:
He says, plowing a straight furrow was easy, I thought.
I didn’t need my father or grandfather telling me what to do.

He writes:

The first furrow plowed was the most important. It had to be straight, especially when you had acres of land to plow. Each time back and forth you had to put the right wheels of your tractor into the furrow you had just plowed. This was your guide. If you got the first furrow straight, the whole field would end up straight and square. If you got the first furrow crooked, every pass you made was then crooked. This resulted in more time and work at the end of the job, trying to square what was crooked.

Well, Dad had this notion that you should never look back when plowing. You should pick out a spot, such as a tree or fence post, at the end of the field (sometimes hundreds of yards away) and never take your eyes off of it. Keep focused and never look back.

I thought, “How dumb! How are you going to know if you are plowing straight if you don’t look back sometimes to see how you’re doing?”

Throwing Dad’s advice out the window I decided to do it my own way, just once. Looking back, I tried to make a straight furrow. Problem is, you can’t steer very well looking back. You keep trying to jerk the wheel one way or another to overcompensate. You can’t straighten out something that’s crooked. (See Ecclesiastes 1:15a).

The words of Christ popped out at me, as I read the Bible one day:

“No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Dad’s advice was from the Lord!

Do you at times look back too? I think we all do. Ever since I joined the Lutheran church and began attending, there has always been one thing that bothered me… summer.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love summer, but as Lutheran’s we seem to see summer as a break from Church. I mean, it’s nice weather and we can only do so much outside during the year so we really need to get it all done in the three months of summer.

And the church is just as much to blame. Many churches have summer schedules from Memorial Day to Labor Day and that indicates that something is different at Church.

Some stop bible study because; some won’t come, so we facilitate there not coming by not coming ourselves.

During summer we look every which way … except to Christ.
The truth is I love summer as I assume most of you do.
We can have both a joyful summer and a strong faith life.

Christ does not need to be put aside while we commune with nature. The Gospel and its fruit reach beyond these walls. It is not confining but liberating.

The Gospel (Jesus) in our reading set His face towards Jerusalem.

Jesus is the Gospel and the Gospel is about Jesus. This spotless Lamb who is fully God and fully man came down from heaven to take your sin upon himself.

No, if and or buts about it. He was determined to go to Jerusalem … for you!

See, Jesus didn’t look back. He set his sights in that wooden post in the distance, the cross, and kept plowing straight ahead … for you.

There is no crooked path because the one Jesus plowed is straight.

Straight through the Law to its fulfillment, straight to the cross - the price paid in full, straight to the tomb descending to hell to fully proclaim victory over sin, death and the Devil and resurrected to newness of life on the third day … for you.

Jesus Christ is the path that has been laid straight for you!

The Spirit directs your course and it is straight too on account of Him. When you fall, He picks you up and plows on with you for He will never leave you nor forsake you.

By him you are free of bondage to the past and now look forward to a forever forgiven in him. Receive the joy that the Lord has prepared for you.

For you he paid the price and made the way for eternal life and then He calls you by the Spirit and gives you freely all He has!

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

Amen

Sermon June 21-22, 2025

Title: Tell others of God’s love for you!
Text: Luke 8:26-39

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39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

In trying times, it is nice to hear good news!

The food you need is in stock here, and it’s on sale!
Gas is cheaper at this station!
I have an extra free ticket would you like to go!

When we know or hear of a good deal or have other good news, we like to share it and take advantage of it.

Our gospel reading for today is one of trying times and good news!

26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons.
In Luke’s gospel Jesus, having calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, now makes land fall in the region of the Gerasenes.

Gadara was one of the cities of the Decapolis, or "Ten Cities," that were originally inhabited primarily by Greek people who settled in the region after the time of Alexander the Great's conquest.

After the Romans occupied the region from about 65 B.C., Gadara was made the capital of the Roman province of Peraea.

Gadara was located east of The Jordan River on a mountain about 6 miles / 10 kilometers south-east of The Sea of Galilee. The people of Gadara were known as Gadarenes, although the general area was also known as the "[region] of the Gerasenes" after the city of Gerasa which was about 45 miles / farther south. They were still mostly Gentiles in the time of Christ, as indicated by their keeping of pigs.

Wayne Blank http://www.keyway.ca/htm2003/20030210.htm

The region Jesus traveled was opposite from Galilee, it was not Jewish but Greek, not clean but unclean.

But still he came. Those who had lived there had even been living in tombs … another reference to being unclean.

Jesus encounters a man who is possessed by a demon.

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice,
“What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most-High God? I beg you, do not torment me.”

It is not the man who speaks but the demon that controls and enslaves him.

It is so harsh a trial for the man that he is bound in chains, under guard and even breaking free is driven into the desert by the demon.

Jesus asks the demons name and is told “Legion.”

How great a possession must this have been? In Jesus day a Roman Legion may have contained 3000 to 6000 Roman foot soldiers. You can imagine how trying a time this had been and how much torment this man must have endured.

This Legion begged to not be cast into the Abyss … a place of torment but also, they recognize the power Jesus had over them and continues to have over the power of Satan in our day and they beg him to let them enter these pigs. So, he gave them permission.

33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

The reaction of the pigs shows me the utter despondency that those afflicted by demos must have felt. How too, those dealing with mental illness must feel as times lost.

I’m reminded of dear Veretta Cheal.

40 years of mental illness and dealing with depression I wondered how I was going to deal with it as her pastor?

When I would call Veretta, she would put me off not wanting a visit. It would sound to me as though someone was speaking for her.

“No …. Today is not a good day.”

But my sales background kept me involved and I kept asking questions as to get a visit set up. On our visits we would pray, at times with her daughter Debbie and also with Kathy Zolbe who lived next door.

When Veretta would have a break from the depression the joy in her voice was so inspiring and welcoming! What had been difficult became a great joy for me!

The reaction to the casting out of the demons was quite telling:

34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

Who is this man and what has he done?
The livelihood of the herdsmen is gone.
The people are afraid.
Who is the Jesus and why is he here?

36 And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.

Is the attitude simply, as long as I’m good things in life are alright?
Is there no though of those afflicted?
No caring for the plight of the lost?
No joy in seeing peace in the one who had been burdened?

Do we at times cast Jesus away, preferring the sinful world as it is?
So, Jesus got into the boat and returned.

At Pentecost we celebrate the sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell and possess us pointing us to the Jesus the Christ of God where hope and peace is.

Last week on Trinity Sunday we celebrated the work of our triune God, Father Son and Holy Spirit who creates, redeems and sustains us through the trying times of this life unto the life everlasting that awaits all who hold to the blessed Hope that is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today, many who have been called to faith in Christ ask Jesus to leave, preferring the slop of the world and the Stys that the pigs of disobedience inhabit.

Do we tell others of the deals that the world has to offer, or do we tell them the truly Good News that in Christ there is an eternity we can possess, freely given and freely received?

Do we crave all that the world pretends to give, or do we gather together with brothers and sisters in Christ to receive the gifts that the Lord has to give to you and me?

38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.”

And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

The proclamation of the Good News continues! It is proclaimed here publicly and it is proclaimed in the lives of each one of you as you live out your Christian faith in the world.

Joy in the hope that is Jesus.
Invite those in desperation to cast all their cares on the Lord.

“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.”

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

Amen

Sermon June 14-15, 2025 - Trinity

Title: Truly God is one, in three!
Text: John 8:48-59

Facebook live: Truly God is one, in three!

58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

If you came up and asked me who the pastor of Peace Lutheran church is, I would have to say, “I am.” It is a statement of fact.

Many years ago, after being first ordained, I went to a Red Wings game with friends. My friend, Pastor Paul Monson, who priced at my ordination was there too. I make a remark at how blessed I was to play the part of the pastor at Peace and Pastor Monson looked at me and said,

“Russ, you “ARE” the pastor!”

Now I knew that, but the impact of his statement resonated with the reality that it is no longer anyone else who had previously served, but it was me. In the line of others, but for now and until God calls another it is me. I am the pastor!

So, on this Trinity Sunday (Weekend) we look to the hope that is our one true God who has revealed himself as one divine essence, but also as three unique and coequal persons … Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The great, I AM!

And to this divine essence Jesus claimed Sonship, for the work He came to do and was to accomplish, in only what God could do in Christ by taking on human flesh and laying down His life for the sins of the world, paying the price that you and I could never pay and to this work and revelation Jesus claimed:

Before Abraham was, “I AM”!

The question that the Jews ask Jesus and the question that is asked many times over about Him; are you God?

The Jews first say that Jesus is a Samaritan and accuse Him of having a Demon! To which Jesus replies:

49 … “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

Well, this really gets under their skin because they are now convinced more than ever that Jesus has a Demon because they know that:

‘Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’
Unbelief really has them messed up. So, they press the issue:

53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! (… and here comes the big question …)

Who do you make yourself out to be?”

The question that the Jews want to know is the same question that human reason can never grasp. How can this man be God? Their reason tells them that this man Jesus is not yet fifty years old so how can he say that:

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. (and that) He saw it and was glad.”

Then Jesus makes one more statement that really causes grief and anger among the Jews. He says:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

Truly, Christ Jesus got their attention with this statement; claiming to be God and using God’s divine name!

In Genesis Chapter 15 God’s word says:

“… the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

Gen 15:1b and then He says:

“I am the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” Gen 15:7b

To claim God’s name, was an offense for the Jews. For many in our day as well, the divine name of Jesus is an offense. In the gospel of John Jesus uses the divine name seven times.

1. I AM the Bread of Life (6:35, 41, 48)
2. I AM the Light of the World (8:12; cf. 9:5)
3. I AM the Gate (10:7, 9)
4. I AM the Good Shepherd (10:11, 14)
5. I AM the Resurrection and the Life (11:25)
6. I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life (14:6)
7. I AM the True Vine (15:1)

On the Feast of the Holy Trinity we understand that I AM is one God and that this one God is revealed as Father Son and Holy Spirit.

The Athanasian Creed is long, has a strange name, is repetitive and may even appear confusing.

We as LCMS Lutheran’s hold to the three Ecumenical Creeds but recite the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed regularly, but the Athanasian Creed is recited traditionally on Trinity Sunday so we can be reminded of what the catholic (small “c” universal) faith is.

To know the true God is to know who he is and to know what He has done.

Our Creeds help us know God and confess what we believe.
Martin Luther thought highly of the Athanasian Creed. He said of it:

I doubt whether, since the time of the Apostles in the New Testament Church, a more important and glorious creed has been written.

(W 6:2315) JMK

So why is it important? Well, is it important to know the truth?

Is Jesus truly God, the great I AM or is He an impostor?
Is the Holy Spirit God?
Is the Father, God?

The first commandment says: You shall have no other Gods before me.

So, if one claims to be what they aren’t … they are a fraud!

To claim to be what you are not can be a crime. To claim to be God, if you are not, is blasphemy.

The glory that God seeks as Father is to honor the Son. This honor is pointed to as we heard last weekend by the Holy Spirit who is coequal with the father and the Son.

54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’

The glory that Jesus has is given because He is God in the flesh and truly worthy. Not a glory that Jesus gives himself but a glory that is bestowed because he is truly God.

The Athanasian Creed declares the truth of God as Trinity and the uniqueness of God in diversity of persons.

God has come to stand in your place and you see the fullness of God in Christ Jesus who takes away your sin and the sins of the world.

In Christ you have the fullness of God standing in your place and taking your sin upon himself, nailing it to the cross forever.

In Christ the Father is well pleased and in Christ you are seen by the Father covered by Christ’s righteousness made possible by the working of the Holy Spirit who has created faith in you to believe and trust in Christ’s finished work.

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

Amen

Sermon June 7-8, 2025 - Penticost

Title: God’s Spirit leads, directs, and guides!
Text: John 14:23-31

Facebook live: God’s Spirit leads, directs, and guides!

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

St. Ignatius writes:

But the Holy Spirit does not speak his own things, but those of Christ, and that not from himself, but from the Lord; even as the Lord also announced to us the things that He received from the Father. For, he says:

“The word which you hear is not mine, but the father’s, who sent me.”

And says He of the Holy Spirit:

“He shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever things He hears from me.”

And He says of Himself to the Father:

“I have, glorified you upon the earth; I have finished the work which, you gave me; I have made known your name to men.”

And of the Holy Spirit:

“He shall glorify me, for He receives that which is mine.”

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians Chapter IX

In our Gospel reading for today Jesus says:

23 “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the fathers who sent me.

There is a unique use of the singular and plural. Jesus says his words are the Fathers who sent him. There is a connection between Son and Father. Last week it was … 22b that they may be one even as we are one,

Farther and Son are both unique and distinct but we are told also still one in a unity.

Some years ago, I went to the church in Berkley to get the organ they were giving us. Evola Music sent two drivers for the moving of the organ.

Some work could be done by one person, some two and on occasion the third man was needed.

I removed the speakers in the back myself and the drivers were able to get the console on the dolly and off the Chancel steps. However, when it was found that the organ didn’t fit in the elevator it needed to go down a ramp and a third man was needed, and that helper was me. I held the balance and guided the organ down the ramp – not doing the heavy lifting but guiding and pointing and helping the instrument through the opening and into the truck.

In the same way when the organ was installed here, I served as a helper. Handing up and drill to Mike the installer so he didn’t have to come down the ladder or aiding with the raising of the speakers on to the scaffolding so they could be lowered into the speaker chambers.

As a helper, it required me to aid, point, guide, lift and to help those who were doing what they were called here to do.

In answer to the Third Article of the Creed, Martin Luther writes in the Small Catechism:

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.

As we celebrate Pentecost today, we celebrate the sending of the Holy Spirit. Not that the Holy Spirit was inactive because this is the same Spirit of God who in Genesis 1:

… was hovering over the face of the waters. 2 [Though] the earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.

This is the same Spirit of God that the disciples received when Jesus breathed on them and said to them,

“Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:22-23

This is the same Spirit of God given in baptism that creates faith in the heart of the one being baptized, pointing to all that Jesus has done in his atoning work and bringing from death to life we who are dead in trespass and sin, making us alive in Christ and giving us the gift of faith to believe.

This is the same Spirit of God that is in you - throughout the life of the believer - that aids, points, guides, comforts, helps, and does battle against the world, the flesh and the devil keeping you and me united to Christ by faith as we daily die and rise in repentance and forgiveness – being sorry for our sin and knowing God’s true peace and comfort that we who are repentant are truly forgiven.

30 years ago I learned a song called “Some may trust in horses” It was taken from Psalm 20 Verses 6 through 8.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.

Today, and especially as Christians in the United States, we look for solutions to the problems we face, the breakdown of society, and granted we have a voice to speak up, to lobby our elected officials and governmental leaders, and also to vote for the freedoms we enjoy of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness - granted to us in this wonderful Constitutional Republic we enjoy called the United States of America.

But, when our hope is placed in those whom we elect, and in those whom we support, we place our trust in horses and chariots and the men and women who hold that power instead of the name of our God – Jesus Christ our Lord.

In our Old Testament reading today the people had a plan:

“Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” Gen. 11:4

The leaders and the people had a plan to build to the heavens to worship self, and to do things their way … to trust in horses and chariots if you will.

But God dispersed them by confusing their language.

But, on the Day of Pentecost – as they were in one place – the Lord sent a rushing wind and tongues of fire that rested on the Apostles, and as they spoke those gathered were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language:

7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

And who were those that heard this word and understood?

Well, they were …

9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

Those of Babel who proposed to build a tower were confused and dispersed by God in a miraculous way are now united in a common understanding by a similar miraculous way. God’s Spirit now brings understanding and clarity to what God has done for me and you in Christ.

The unity of the message won’t happen by sword, or by vote, or by the philosophical worldview of the leaders.

It won’t come about by capitalism, socialism, or communism.

It won’t come about by taking from the rich and giving to the poor – that was the philosophy of Robin Hood –not our God.

It only comes about through the word of the Gospel and by the working of the Holy Spirit.

In his letter to the Philippians Paul makes clear what we should know:

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through [Christ] who gives me strength. Phil 4:12-13 NIV

That is the work of the Holy Spirit to aid, to point, to guide, to comfort, and to help in all situations – pointing us to what Jesus has done for you and me. May that be your peace and comfort now and always.

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

Amen

Sermon May 31- June 1, 2025 - Seventh Sunday of Easter

Title: The Father’s love is founded in Christ!
Text: John 17:20-26

Facebook live: The Father’s love is founded in Christ!

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.”

Pre- music: #701 Draw Us to Thee
Opening Hymn: #493 A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
Sermon Hymn: #685 Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus
Communion Hymn: #617 O Lord, We Praise Thee
Closing Hymn: #649 Blest be the tie that binds
Post music: #492 On Christ’s Ascension I now build

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!
The Father’s love is founded in Christ!

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

Amen