Nov. 2-3, 2024 All Saints Day

Title: We shall see him as he is!

Text: 1 John 3:1-3

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2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Sing with all the saints in glory,
Sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth's dark story,
To the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking;
Soon the storms of time shall cease;
In God's likeness we awaken,
Knowing everlasting peace.

All Saints Day brings to mind the dearly beloved saints who’ve finished their course in this life and rest in the arms of their loving savior. Jesus promised eternity with him is fulfilled in those who’ve received this grace and faith as a gift and having believed, depart this life for that promised eternity.

3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God; and so, we.

As we think about the love of God, this love is made known to us in the God man Christ Jesus our Lord, the perfect son, begotten of the Father from eternity. But it is not in the incarnation that our hope is found, though God becoming man put into history the perfection of God’s redemptive plan to restore all that had been lost and broken by the fall into sin.

Paul in writing to the church in Corinth laments:

22 For as in Adam all die,
1 Cor. 15:22a

The world and all people are brought forth in Adam. We are all brought forth in sin, and death awaits us all. The life we live for good or bad gives us only what this life in Adam gives – life - for a time.

So, time over the last year has given us grief in the loss of so many dear saints here at Peace and in our extended family.

At times in life there is joy, and at times there is sorrow, and at times our hopes and dreams in this life culminate only in a death and separation from

those we love and hold dear.

Oh, what glory, far exceeding
All that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts for ages pleading
Never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it;
There on high our welcome waits.
Ev'ry humble spirit shares it,
Christ has passed the eternal gates.

In the last year fellow members: Marilyn Rappuhn, Debra Trosin, George Voss, Deloras Moore, and Susan Vogt all joined the heavenly throng!

But Paul doesn’t leave his hearers or us in despair for he concludes this verse with these comforting words:

… so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Cor. 15:22

We are made alive in Christ, not in Adam.

In Adam the sin of the fall clings to us from birth. We live in Adam and see it throughout our lives. We die, not to receive heaven, but because –

… the wages of sin is death.
Romans 6:23a

Paul loves to proclaim the life eternal because it is what we are all guaranteed.


In Adam though that guarantee is an eternal life separated from a loving God.

This is NOT good news!

To die apart from Christ means that you will never see or hear the great multitude, crying out with a loud voice,

Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Rev. 7:10

But in Christ, Paul comforts the burdened heart saying:

But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23b

That life eternal begins, not upon our death - but upon our rebirth at our Baptism, when we are born again from above!

In Baptism we are marked as God’s child and put on Christ through the washing of water and the word. Titus 3:5

By the working of the Holy Spirit in Baptism we believe in Jesus and our life in Adam is changed forever.

We are no longer dead in sin but are made alive in Christ!

As the Apostle John writes in our epistle for today:

2Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when [Jesus] appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

We shall see him - this Jesus - not as a terrible and wrathful judge ready to condemn us for our sin, but as the only begotten son of the Father who sees us in Christ and is well pleased.

The favor of God on account of Christ is yours – not because you have lived a good life, but because Christ Jesus has lived, suffered, died, and rose again from the dead – for you, and me, and for all who hold to this blessed hope.

All Saints Day brings to mind loss as well:

Dear friends and family from the distant and recent past.

We don’t have to look very far to see an empty space when a beloved member of Peace once sat. In life we are all destined to die and in death those who have gone before us leave a void in our own lives where they had been present.

I don’t need to remind you of that.

We also think of our loving friends and family members who have departed this life for eternity, returning to their resting place as we wait together for the Lord’s return.
In Adam we all die and we will all rise at the coming of the Lord but only in Christ, are we to be with the Lord forever.

55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 15 55b-56

While we mourn the passing of our beloved friends and family members, we also joy that their promised eternity is in Christ!

We live to die

They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

and die to live.

Life eternal! Heav'n rejoices;
Jesus lives who once was dead.
Shout with joy, O deathless voices!
Child of God, lift up your head!
Life eternal! Oh, what wonders
Crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
When, amid earth's closing thunders,
Saints shall stand before the throne!

17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

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

Amen

October 26-27, 2024

Title: Jesus sets us free!
Text: John 8:31-36

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34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

I’d like to highlight 5 words that Jesus speaks at the beginning of our gospel reading for today, as we observe the Reformation of our church.

Abide, Word, Disciples, Truth, and Free,

Jesus tells the believing Jews in our Gospel today who had been following Him that:

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”

To be a disciple is to be a follower of Christ. One who is connected to God’s very words and who abides in them. Who hears the word with the intention of following or obeying which is one, who accepts and acts in accordance with the word of God.
In our Gospel reading for today Jesus tells the Jews and you and me as well:

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Today truth can be anything you want it to be.
Truth can be defined in the world today according to our feelings.
Truth is no longer objective, but subjective and defined as “My Truth.”

Many blindly follow the edict of subjective truth or fear getting cancelled.

Whether it’s the redefinition of marriage, multiple genders of identification, or other societal norms that are being challenged against Natural Law and reason, the victim of this culture shift is truth and free speech has become hate-speech for many if My Truth is violated.

In the 1950’s a favorite TV show was “Father Knows Best”
Today, Father knows nothing, isn’t needed, and has been canceled.

In the 1960’s Time Magazine asked the question “Is God Dead?”
Today’s answer, “God isn’t dead - because God is me!”

But in the time of the Reformation, the freedom and liberty of the gospel is what Luther craved. It is what he searched for and why he became a monk – thinking that being locked inside the walls of a monastery, devoting himself to fasting, long hours in prayer, pilgrimages, and frequent confessions would keep him away from sin, the world and of the devil.

But sin is who we are.

Sin is the cause of a perfect creation being corrupted.
Sin askes the question, “Did God really say?”
And then Sin answer’s that question “No!”

God’s word says: 4 … “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female.” Matt 19:4
Sin answers: No!

God’s word says: 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” Ex 20:3
Sin answers: No!

God’s word says: 13 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139:13
Sin answers: No!

In Luther’s day the church took money for the forgiveness of sins. It was called buying an indulgence. Luther was tormented by sin. How could he a sinner stand before God how could he find peace?

His reformation came in the word of truth in Jesus Christ the son of God when he read in Romans 5:1:

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We need a new reformation today.
We need a return to objective truth.
We need to honor and value life at all stages.
We need repentance and forgiveness.
We need Jesus, who came to pay the price for sins of the world and set us free from this bondage of death.

33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

Martin Luther writes:

“Discipleship is not limited to what you can comprehend--it must transcend all comprehension.”

He continues:

Thus Abraham went forth from his father and not knowing (where he was going). He trusted himself to (God’s) knowledge, and cared not for his own, and thus he took the right road and came to his journey's end.

Behold, that end is the way of the cross.
That end is the way of truth.
That end is a new reformation.

Luther writes:

You cannot find it yourself, so you must let (God) lead you as though you were a blind man. (So), it is not you, no man, [no woman, no living creature, no “My Truth” no feelings] but (Christ) Himself, who instructs you by Word and Spirit in the way you should go.

Not the work which you choose, not the suffering you devise, but the road which is contrary to all that you choose to contrive or desire--that is the road you must take. To that, (Christ) calls you and me and in that - you must be my disciple.”

― Martin Luther

Saying in essence: Hear me! Listen to me! Abide in me! Follow me!

Friends, the Reformation is now! It’s the time to Abide in God’s Word, as Disciples of Truth, who follow and proclaim that truth and are set Free by it!

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.

The objective truth is that we are all bound to sin and its cravings.

We desire to do the will of our sinful nature which is in opposition to God’s will and as a result you and I fall short daily.

The world says, “Listen to me, deep down you are a really a good person!” when the truth is: deep down we are sinful.

The more you get to the core of who we are in our fallen human condition the more you see the sinfulness of man, corrupted to the core from the beginning by our first parents Adam and Eve.

But Jesus reminds His hearers: To Listen to him! Hear his word!

35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

The freedom for the sinner is found only in Jesus.

That was the joy that Luther found and what we celebrate in the Reformation. In Christ, true freedom from sin is possible and true liberty for we who are bound with the chains of guilt and despair is broken.

Christ has set free those who could not free themselves by his own binding.

The binding of His flesh to the cross in your place
The shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of your sin
A death worthy of a criminal for you and I who are guilty and the burial in a tomb meant for another …
In Jesus’ case … Joseph of Arimathea, for it was his tomb where Jesus was laid.

But, that tomb and that death WAS meant for you!

Jesus took your place,
He took your cross,
He took your death,
And He took your tomb and He made them what you couldn't …

Life, freedom, liberty, salvation and forgiveness
Hear the truth!

Salvation is all of God and not of man.
That is the message of the Reformation.

Luther restored the gospel truths about Christ and His merits that had been lost, covered by sin in the church and the focus on earthly rulers, once again by shinning the light of the gospel on Christ’s work, for you.

Because Jesus came to live, suffer, die and rise again for you … because of Christ and His merits … because the Son has set you free … you are free indeed!

We need to hear it again. We need it daily. We need Jesus!

May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be and abide with you now and forever.

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

Amen

Sermon October 19-20, 2024

Theme: With Christ the impossible is possible!

Text: Mark 10:23-31

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31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Running a race? You don’t want to be last.
Playing a sport? You don’t want to be last.
Impressing your boss? You don’t want to be last.
Saving for retirement? You don’t want to be last, to think about saving for that time that awaits us all in the future.

But Jesus says:

31 … many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Last week we spoke of treasure in heaven and how so many people see their treasure here on earth in what they have or do. The rich young man in the gospel last week went away disappointed because he had great possessions instead of following Jesus and the eternal reward that is given. Many in this life also follow material gain while at the same time giving up the nourishment needed for spiritual feeding.

A friend of mine who makes his living teaching guitar always keeps Sunday as his day of rest where he doesn’t teach or play gigs … and the Lord knows that he could use the money. But instead, he goes to church and focuses on his spiritual feeding and family time. He’s told me once,

“God always meets my needs … rarely early … but always on time!”

Jesus, in speaking to his disciples about those who trust in riches or wealth says:

“Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!”

Remember the young man went away disappointed because he had great possessions. And Jesus then adds:

25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

We all know how hard it is to just thread a needle don’t we? Have you ever sewn or tried to sew a button on? I have … it wasn’t good. Thankfully my wife is good at it.

So, then the image that Jesus is giving the disciples of entering the Kingdom of God by any means other than,

8 by grace … through faith is what we have to focus on.

Camel … eye of a needle … you get it. It is quite literally impossible!

So the things of this world and all of the accomplishments you and I achieve won’t measure up in God’s plan of salvation.

So the disciples ask:

“Then who can be saved?”

Who can meet the requirements?
Who can get through the eye of the needle?

Jesus tells them:

“With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

We can’t do it.
We can’t achieve it.
We can’t buy it.
Heck … we can’t even steal it!

But … we can have it none the less.

In fact, … we can have it all … because:

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

But we want to boast, don’t we?

We always want to share the good news of our team winning, don’t we?
It seems that way with so many of us.
Working on Saturdays and Sundays for most of my adult life sucked all the interest out of football for me, both college and pro. Though, with the Lions I am getting some back!

I don’t have a favorite team and really, I’m happy to see Michigan and Michigan State or the Lions do well. I really don’t follow football all that much, and it is more likely that you’ll see Monica turning on the game than me. I must admit though that this Lions and Minnesota football game this weekend, looks to be an exciting and defining game!

Our lives revolve around what we do, how we prepare, what advantages we find, and how we perform. Some struggle and some excel. Both teams are having a great season. Though the loss of Aidan Hutchinson has complicated things a bit.

We live and die with the teams we follow and we see it in our own lives.

Success and failure is all part of our own game of life too. We live with the ups and downs of family and friends.

We try not to let the successes or failures define us.
We try not to get too high or too low.

Work hard, do your best, provide for your family, but see the greater gift – not in the success or things of this world - but what you have received that you could never earn, the gift of grace and faith in Jesus Christ and his righteousness.

28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”

Last week Jesus told the rich young man to sell everything, give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and then Christ compelled him to come follow me.

But he went away in sorrow because he had great possessions.

Martin Luther in speaking in his lectures in Genesis says:

“Do not fear those, says Christ (Matt 10:28), who kill the body, house, and other things, what of it?

These things have to be left behind in any case.”

He then continues:

“For neither Peter nor Paul even though they were saintly men, had better flesh than we have.” They too, were children of Adam, [broken in sin] just as we are. Paul sometimes glories and boasts as if he were already victorious over all evils. Sometimes he complains pitiable about fears within and fighting’s without (2Cor.7:5).

Where was that completely invincible hero, that victor over all hell, then?”

LW Am. Ed. Vol.5, Pg 27

If Paul, had doubt, you and I will too.

29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands,

[And in this life] persecutions,

and in the age to come eternal life.

We will have tribulations and persecutions but also, heaven … and eternal life.

That is fully on account of God, in Christ, through the Spirit’s work. 

Life requires money but death requires Christ!
And, with Christ the impossible is possible!

We have Christ’s assurance of eternal life and the word of Jesus is always trustworthy and true. Those who trust in him and follow him have what he has promised … eternal life.

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

Amen

Sermon October 12-13, 2024

Title: In Christ we are never disheartened!
Text: Mark 10:17-22

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20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

As I began my week last Monday, I looked at the reality of another funeral for a dear friend and member Sue Vogt, and another sermon for this weekend to prepare.

What to say and how to say it remain on my mind.

Each week we receive the Lord's forgiveness in worship and then stumble through the week- both dead in sin and forgiven in Christ - and we need to come back to church and receive the Lord’s forgiveness once again. We live this life of death each day and often it hits hard and we don’t know if we can stand under the pressure. The truth is we can’t.

So, we come and confess our sins together.

“Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean.”

Yes, that is who we are dead in sin.

So we come back each week to hear the Good News and it is for that reason that I prepare a sermon each week that shows us our sin and also shows us our savior so that we can be forgiven, comforted, and renewed as we go back into this broken world for the week that lies ahead.

17 And as [Jesus] was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Isn’t that the question most ask? What must I do? What can I expect? What do you expect of me?

We ask it in all aspects of life. We ask it of parents, at school, with friends, or groups of friends. We ask it as we grow older, at work, and at times we rail against those expectations. They expect too much.

How can I measure up to that we think?

The Tigers had a wonderful and unexpected season. Some might say anything less than the World Series win is a failure. But with a this team and so many young players how can that be our goal?

For some fans only achieving the ultimate prize … makes it a successful season.

“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

The rich young man asks Jesus in our gospel lesson for today. As a rich man he has achieved much success in his life.

Many, measure success financially. Some by the things of this world that we have. Some are goal driven and look to acquire wealth as a protection for the future.

That is not in and of itself bad.

So Jesus asks first: “Why do you call me good? And tells him, No one is good except God alone.”

Jesus here sets the stage for what God requires. No one is good except God alone. But trying to go a bit deeper with this young man Jesus lays it out.

19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness [or] defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

Jesus gives him half of the commandments. He says for a start, how do you do with these? And remember Jesus hasn’t asked him about the table of the law that deals with God.

You are to have no other Gods, do not misuse the name of the Lord your God and keep holy the Sabbath day.

Jesus just asks … how do you do with these interactions with your neighbor in the world?

The rich young man answers:

“Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”

And I’m sure there are people who think that they measure up well. “I’m a pretty good person they think.”

But perfection for God is so much more than what we expect.
Perfection for the Lord requires no mistakes, not even one!
That’s perfection. That’s impossible, you might say … and it is.

Even as good as Miguel Cabrera was and has been over his career - 500 home runs and almost 3000 hits - but he makes an out almost 7 out of every ten times he comes to the plate and we revere him as a great hitter - when our God would require 10 hits out of 10 at plate appearances.

That’s perfection. That’s impossible, you might say … and it is.

Jesus loved this young man so it may seem a bit funny what he says next.

“You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

You only lack one thing. It’s your stuff.

Jesus say, “Sell it all and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven!”

22 Disheartened [by what Jesus had said to him], he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

The other part of the law, the part about this man’s relationship between his stuff … and his God … has now come to light.

He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

It is not sinful to have stuff … as long as your stuff doesn’t have you; I heard a pastor once say.

Guitars were my idol. I grew up wanting a better guitar. When I got that a nice acoustic guitar was next on the list on needs. After three my dad didn’t know how many I had. It was just a pile of cases in my room.

Joe Bonamassa is a guitarist. He is really good. I saw a meme on Facebook where he was standing on a stage with 20 or 30 guitars and it seemed as many amplifiers.

The caption read: “Teach your children to love guitars and they won’t have money for drugs.”

It’s funny but true. My mom always knew where I was … down the basement with my band practicing. It kept me out of trouble but not focused on Jesus. My friend Rob, a great guitarist once said, “I use to worship the wood in my hands but now, by grace, I worship Jesus Christ and what he accomplished on the wood of the cross, for me.”

By God’s Holy Spirit he takes our eyes off of self and points us to Jesus, his cross, and the salvation he won for us there and the glorious resurrection that followed.

Where is your treasure?

The possessions we have, the work we do, and the things we save and treasure … the guitars for instance … will not measure up in God’s eyes. It is after all already his and it has been given to you … and how you use it can certainly benefit those in need, physically and spiritually.

There is nothing to be earned, because it has all been given. There is nothing to do, because it has all been done. Because of Christ, the good teacher, you have received God’s favor. Not for what you have or what you have done but because of what Christ has done for you.

The treasures on earth pale in comparison to the treasure God has in heaven for you.

What we lack is found in Christ!

Jesus says: come, follow me!

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

Amen

Sermon October 5-6, 2024

Title: Christ is our hope!

Text: Mark 10:2-16

 
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15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Robert Fulghum wrote in the Kansas City Times, "Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.

"These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody . . . When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together … Unless you become like little children, you won't enter the kingdom of heaven."
Hugh Duncan.

So what is childlike faith?

Well, Webster says of a child: It is an unborn or recently born person; a young person especially between infancy and youth; a childlike or childish person; a person not yet of age; a son or daughter of human parents; one strongly influenced by another or by a place, or state of affairs.

And about faith Webster says: It’s a strong belief or trust in someone or something; belief in the existence of God; strong religious feelings or beliefs; a system of religious beliefs; fidelity to one's promises; sincerity of intentions; belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust.

So, picture if you will a young child standing on the side of a pool; not yet of age to swim and having not been taught how, but being strongly influenced by dad’s call to jump and that he will catch them.

The child too has strong feelings and beliefs, that if dad misses or drops me, “I will hit the water and I’m going to sink as fast as the stones I’ve dropped in the pool at the deep end!”

But dad has promised to catch them and so they place their trust his intentions … complete trust and loyalty in dad … though there is no proof.

As the child jumps, dad catches … confirming their faith in the object of their safety - the one who will not let them fall.

It is true as well with our heavenly father. St. Paul writes in his epistle in 2 Tim 4:18:

18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. 2 Timothy 4:18

It is his promise.

So, where do we place our trust?
What is the object of faith for the Christian?
Is it in our self? Is it in our parents?
Is it in the church or religion as a whole?
Is it society and political power?
Is it strong or weak like a child?

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.

Children, or infants or babies can’t come to Jesus so “they” probable refers to their parents or responsible adults who were bringing them to Jesus.

Much like you and me who continue to bring the little boys and girls, who are brought as infants to the waters of Holy Baptism … where God himself marks them as his child. God’s work that requires are action!

It’s why, I’m sure, that Martin Luther wrote this in his Small Catechism:

As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household.

God’s work and our action!

The responsibility is given to parents and more specifically to fathers to teach their children about Jesus, as they are called to be the ones that are the spiritual heads of their households.

So, how do we teach?

Certainly, the Catechism is one important way. Sunday school and Bible study is another, and ongoing Catechesis, which is the instruction in the faith through the word of God. But singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is another way as well.

One song that more clearly shows the childlike faith that Jesus is talking about was written in the mid 1700’s by Henrietta L. von Hays.

I am Jesus’ little lamb, Ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my needs and well provides me,
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.

Childlike faith clings to the savior as a child to his mother and father; Knowing that every need is provided for them by God daily, and that he lovingly calls each one of us by name.

Day by day, at home, away, Jesus is my staff and stay.
When I hunger, Jesus feeds me,
Into pleasant pastures leads me;
When I thirst, he bids me go
where the quiet waters flow.

Every day our childlike faith is placed in him. Whether hunger or thirst, we can find the pleasant pastures of rest in him as we daily remember the quiet waters of our own baptism of forgiveness, where our sins have been washed away.

Who so happy as I am, Even now the shepherd’s lamb?
And when my short life is ended,
By his angel host attended,
He shall fold me to his breast,
There within his arms to rest.

Our joy with childlike faith is in the good shepherd Jesus who will, even as our life comes to a close and we look to him through the eyes of old age, comfort us all in his loving arms where we will rest with him in eternity.

Now, that responsibility is on mom and dad. It is great for grandparents to help and care for their grandchildren but mom and dad have the mandate and responsibility. So do all you can to connect your children to the faith and if you are grandparents, you still have your children who you can help and motivate to be in worship with their children. Do all you can and do not prohibit them!

Remember: It is God’s work and our action, so do not withhold your children from the Lord!

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

To hinder a child from the Lord makes our Lord indignant.

Indignant means:

A feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base:

So, displeasing our Lord is a strong offence, especially as it refers to our children.

It is by God’s Grace, Mercy, and Spirit that we too can receive his Kingdom with that blessed childlike faith he gives. May we, by that same Spirit, pray to always remain in the one true faith as a child who is Jesus’ little lamb.

Let us as a reminder for ourselves as we close today sing together, I am Jesus little lamb hymn # 740 in the Lutheran Service book.

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

Amen

Sermon Sept. 28-29, 2024

Title: The prayers of the faithful bring peace!
Text: James 5:13-20

Facebook live: The prayers of the faithful bring peace!

19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

From our bulletin cover in the book of Revelation, we read:

7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Rev.12:7-9

The battle continues friends, and James in his epistle talks about the consequence and the cure.

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.

The work that we can do for ourselves seems simple enough. Pray. You may, and you may not find it difficult, or you may wonder what do I say and how should I say it?

When you suffer. Talk to God.

How should I begin? With what words do I start? How will I know the answer?

Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name.

Is simple enough. As the disciples ask the Lord himself in Luke 1

11 … “Lord, teach us to pray,”

The work of prayer is communication with God. Take your cares to God himself. To confide to a friend  loved one when we suffer is how our loving heavenly father hopes we all see him. As one that we confide in when life has troubles are ever before us.

Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

Alleluia! Let praises ring!
To God the Father let us bring
Our songs of adoration.
To Him through everlasting days
Be worship, honor, power, and praise,
Whose hand sustains creation.
Singing, ringing:
Holy, holy,
God is holy;
Spread the story
Of our God, the Lord of glory.

Our hymns sing that which we believe into our hearts. We proclaim God’s word and truth which in turn brings comfort and peace.

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

The elder, aka [πρεσβυτέρους] the presbuterous is speaking of the pastor but in our context as we invite and elect those who serve as Elders in the church, in support of the pastoral office, they too can bring peace and prayer to those in need.

It is a bit of a three-fold help. Pray, praise and call on those brothers and sisters in Christ to lift up the needs of the body of believers here for prayer and deliverance.

anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Anointing oil has long been connected with the work of the Holy Spirit.

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.”

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

The healing balm of anointing oil, I use as a gift brought to those I visit, and it is especially important when receiving the Lord’s Supper is difficult - with swallowing concerns, on a ventilator, unconscious, or sleeping.

James brings the result of these gifts when he says:

15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

save the one who is sick
the Lord will raise him up
he will be forgiven

Three important works that all have eternal implications!

Whether you recover from the illness you deal with or die, your eternal home is secure. The prayer of faith needs an object and that object is Jesus. It is not that we don’t desire to be well and live, but that the greater need is met.

And in Christ your greater need is assured.

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

Again, the need is that you may be healed eternally, and have the peace that passes all understanding. It is to bring the importance of faith and its object. That we see our need and Jesus as the cure.

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

The righteous person … is you!

The one claimed by Christ has access to this power in prayer. It is often forgotten or we think someone better should pray. I am not too high on the prayer ladder we think, so the Lord can’t hear me. Open you mind and mouth friends and ask and the Lord will answer!

17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

Elijah like you and me, born in sin and in need of a savior God used and he heard his fervent prayer. God also hears you and your prayers, mediated through Christ come to the father. As we heard last week in Mark 9:

“… and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Mark 9:37b

Wondering from the truth! It is part of our daily lives. Parents, siblings, children, friends and coworkers. All can fall away from the faith or refuse to head the call of the Holy Spirit. So we pray and keep telling them the good news and asking God to draw them to faith.

[Coworker story]

19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

4 Alleluia! Let praises ring!
Unto our triune God we sing;
Blest be His name forever!
With angel hosts let us adore
And sing His praises evermore
For all His grace and favor!
Singing, ringing:
Holy, holy, God is holy;
Spread the story
Of our God, the Lord of glory!

Friends, that is our call. To spread the story of the Lord of Glory!

Alleluia! Let praises ring!

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

Amen

Sermon Sept. 21-22, 2024

Title: As children we follow Jesus!
Text: Mark 9:30-37

Facebook live: As children we follow Jesus!

34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

At times we all can see the value of our work and service that we do in life at home, work and church as greater than that of others. We even can pat ourselves on the back for a job well done, even though everything that we have and do is received as a gift from God.

Jesus begins to teach his disciples about his ultimate goal, and the mission and reason for his coming … saying to them:

“The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”
This is a hard saying for the disciples to hear and our text says …

32 … they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Maybe they were thinking, “Who is the Son of Man as this is a reference to God and what about killing him and after three days rising from the dead?”

Certainly, it was a confusing statement from Jesus and not understood by the disciples to the point that they were afraid to ask as we Lutheran’s ask:

What does this mean?

As Christians the questions of life and faith are connected to our very being.

We at times see God’s word through the lens of our own desires and needs.

We value our own opinion and use it to interpret scripture rather than letting scripture interpret scripture.

We try to make scripture say what we want it to say instead of understanding it in the context and way that God has revealed it for our benefit.

The disciples want to know and have discussed among themselves on the way, even arguing who is the greatest. Jesus knows, but asks:

“What were you discussing on the way?”

It reminds me of a parent asking a child what had happened … and you get the silent treatment … they know this was wrong … but wanted to do it anyway.

Remember from last week’s reading the father’s voice from the crowd calling out and pleading to Jesus?

“Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So, I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” … they were not able …

And now they argue among themselves … about who was the greatest.

When I was ordained, I was convinced that I would stop the decline and right the ship that is the church here at Peace.

My first year I confirmed eight, this past year none. But joyfully we brought some adults into membership through confirmation and affirmation of faith through the Lord’s work … not mine.

Pride can cause one to think higher of oneself than you should.

There is a difference in taking pride in the work you do and thanking God for giving you the gifts and ability to serve … verses the pride of thinking oneself better than those who came before or didn’t have positive results.

Especially with the Lord’s work.

The disciples were seeing themselves with the latter focus rather than the former. How do we each measure up in regards to that same question? I’m sure we all fall short at times.

So it was time for a family meeting. Jesus called them all to gather together.

35 And [Jesus] sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Wow … there’s a turn of phrase for you. To be first requires being last to lead … you must serve all.

Parents know that. They lead by serving – first they serve their spouse and as a married couple they become one flesh and think and act with the others needs in mind. And certainly, if they have children, they do all for their child.

They live their life in service to the needs of their children.

Don’t believe me, just ask a parent what they are doing and you will hear:

“Well, Monday’s we have dance, or soccer, or confirmation or … you name it. Children are dependent on their parents for everything and parents serve their needs at least until they teach them the valuable lesson about taking care of themselves.

So Jesus gives the disciples and us an object lesson.

36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

A wonderful picture of this reality is seen when parents bring their children to baptism and serve the needs of those who are unable to serve themselves.

The greatest in the Kingdom are those who receive Jesus, and you and I can have great joy as well in the gift given us as we joy in serving the needs of those who we have responsibility over.

Let us not, groan and make noise daily whether what we do or what others don’t do in the work or the way we serve when it is God who has done all for our benefit.

Rather, let us like little children, cared for by loving parents and our heavenly Father, joy in all that has been done on our behalf so that we too can, as servants, serve the needs of those who have been placed in our care; and care for those that we come across with the love of Christ and the message of forgiveness found only in the gospel of peace.

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

Amen