Sermon June 6-7, 2026

Title: Let us all, like Matthew, follow Jesus!
Text: Matthew 9:9-13

 
Facebook live:  Let us all, like Matthew, follow Jesus!

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

As we begin today with our gospel reading, Jesus sees Matthew as he is sitting in his Tax office and he says to him, “Follow Me.”

The response is immediate. Matthew got up and followed him.

This begins a life of service to his Lord. It was not always easy, but we can be sure that it was always special as he walked in the presence of the living Christ.

This man had been called Levi, the son of Alphaeus as St. Mark tells us in his gospel, but from now on Matthew continues with a new name and a new calling.

It is possible that Matthew may have known Jesus before this time.

He may have heard of him or even heard him, but there is no mistaking he is now the Lord’s and God’s call is always effective. Jesus was directly enrolling Matthew in the Lord’s work and he would be standing in Christ’s closest circle of followers.

The words of Jesus were simple and direct.
I don’t know if there were other conversations that preceded this call but the simple two words were 

enough for him: “Follow Me.”

Jesus called others too: fisherman, brothers, Nathaniel who he saw while he sat under a fig tree, and even one who would betray him. But today it is Matthew.

The invitation and calling still comes to us today.

Some of you heard the call as infants in the waters of Holy Baptism, while others hear God’s inspired word that calls you to believe as you talk to friends or grieve the loss of a dear loved one at a funeral or visitation. God works through the ordinary times and circumstances of life to bring himself and this reality to you.

God’s word and his call are sure.

We shouldn’t think that it was easy for Matthew to walk away from his life and the work he did. He probably had a lucrative income and a family, we’re not sure but it is never easy to give up things that are important in our lives and in our past to serve Jesus. But God makes it happen and rewarding.

The gospel continues in a most interesting way.

10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.

If you had friends over to your house, who would they be?

Well, maybe people like you.

People that work with you, socialize with you, live with you, live near you, and those whom you desire to know or get to know better.

You also might want them to know your friends and those friends that are new to you, like Jesus.

It is not surprising that Matthew had tax collectors and sinners in his home and at this feast. He may have even invited the Pharasees to expand his circle of friends or to bring them the Good News to follow Christ as well.

They were not happy with the whole affair or Jesus who reclined at table.

Saying, to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Which is another way of saying,
“Why do you eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Which is another way of saying,
“Why does your teacher eat with you?”

To this Jesus answers with his words of great perspective:

12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Also quoting the familiar words of the Prophet Hosea from our Old Testament reading today:

‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus takes his critics to task.
Jesus points out the inherent problem with their reasoning.
They think they are well!

They don’t realize the sickness that dwells with in all born in sin who are all born to die. They think those connected to Jesus have the problem, but Jesus is not the problem, he is the cure.

Christ alone is the great physician!

He alone can save!
He alone can heal!

The person who thinks he is spiritually well, who thinks he is righteous and perfect and without sin, may not feel the need for a savior - having a lifelong rebellion against God and the things of God.

You know them and I know them. If fact we were them, especially when we think:

“I’m doing pretty good and I can make it one my own. At least, I’m not as bad as, you know who!” Tax collectors and sinners!

Many live that way and are without hope.

No Jesus.
No future hope.
No eternity in his presence.
But a real eternity, separated from God in Christ forever.

Don’t fight and throw away the gift!

Jesus doesn’t want your work. He wants you.
Jesus doesn’t want your stuff. He wants you.
Jesus doesn’t need your money. It’s all his anyways.

But his does want you to be his child, and he wants you to trust all that he came to do, for you!

The Pharisees never really felt the need for the mercy of God, or the comfort he gives because they trusted themselves. Maybe that is why they were so unloving towards others?

Many today live the life of a pharisee as they trust themselves, trust their schools, trust their jobs, and trust their families and friends, to be their guide and aid in the good and bad times of life.

Don’t place your hope in things that pass away.

It was not easy for Matthew to walk the way of following Jesus. It cost him much but also gave him much more that he gave up.

Our call is to follow Jesus and to invite others to know him because he desires that they would be his children as well.

Look to the empty tomb and know that because Jesus Christ, conquered sin, death, and the devil we too by faith in his work shall rise to an eternity with him also.

Hear the call of the Lord. Follow me!
Let us all, like Matthew, follow Jesus!

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

Amen

May 30 -31, 2026 Trinity in unity and unity in Trinity!

Title: Trinity in unity and unity in Trinity!
Text: Matthew 28:16-20

Facebook live: Trinity in unity and unity in Trinity!

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

A Psalm for giving thanks.

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

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.

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness!

We all love a joyful noise and a joyful noise is proclaimed to our God through singing, as was just proclaimed in the singing of the sermon hymn, Praise to the Lord, the almighty!

We sing of God’s goodness that never fails and our lacking nothing that we need, because he provides for all of body and soul in this life and in the life to come. The Father’s love is made known to us in his Son who holds us in the palm of his hands promising never to lose a single one – I am his and he is mine – forever!

This joy is yours and mine by the work of God’s Spirit. He points, directs and comforts so that we serve those in need joyfully and with glad hearts.

A friend’s dad, Bill Wilstermann, once told me after church many years ago:

“When I’m feeling down and things seem to be going wrong, I go and do something nice for someone and I feel a whole lot better!”

Come into his presence with singing!

We begin our service at 10:30. At times some come late and miss the opening hymn – or you may miss a beautiful prelude Rob plays before service and it’s not uncommon to have a greater number of people in the pews for the Closing hymn than the service begins with.

Come early, sing joyfully … you’ll be glad you did!

3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;

To know the Lord is to know our Triune God as he has revealed himself to us through his word. God speaks to us through his word. His word read, sung and meditated upon reveals who he is and his love for us.

The Spirit shines the light on Christ, the word made flesh, for you and me. We know him by his word and through the word he continues to be made known.

Matthew 11:28 King James Version (KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

John 3:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 6:23 King James Version (KJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

At times I need to read the old King James for the majesty to conveys. Judy Harroun has said of the late seminary Professor John Saleska who, having memorized much of the KJV bible, it is what will be spoken in heaven! The beginning and end of Reverend Saleska’s obituary speaks of his hope.

Rev. John Saleska, 87, whom God adopted as his own beloved child at his Baptism, now rests with Jesus, where he is waiting with all of us for the Resurrection that God promised him in Christ.

Revelation 21:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Dear friends, this is our Triune Gods hope for you and me as well!

No tears, no death, no sorrow, no crying, no pain … all gone.

We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. The Psalmist reminds us.

The Lord’s sheep know the shepherd and by the Holy Spirit we are his and know him. But like sheep we wonder from the truth.

Dr. Andrew Bonar told how, in the Highlands of Scotland, a sheep would often wander off into the rocks and get into places that they couldn't get out of. The grass on these mountains is very sweet and the sheep like it, and they will jump down ten or twelve feet, and then they can't jump back again, and the shepherd hears them bleating in distress. They may be there for days, until they have eaten all the grass. The shepherd will wait until they are so faint they cannot stand, and then they will put a rope around him, and he will go over and pull that sheep up out of the jaws of death.

"Why don't they go down there when the sheep first gets there?" The question was asked.

"Ah!" He said, "they are so very foolish they would dash right over the precipice and be killed if they did!"

And that is the way with men; they won't [come] back to God till they have lost everything.

If you are a wanderer or know one, I tell you that the Good Shepherd will pursue you and bring you back when you have given up trying to go it your own way and let the Spirit turn you back to Christ.

Moody's Anecdotes, pp. 70-71.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!

John 1:11-13 English Standard Version (ESV)

11 [Jesus] came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood [not who we are] nor of the will of the flesh [not the things we do] nor of the will of man, [or what others tell us we can do of ourselves] - but of God.

Born from above, born again, born of God!

You and I enter God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise by God’s work revealed in his son and the promise never fails.

Hold on to it for dear life and proclaim it to your children and your grandchildren!

Give them an example to model. Show your friends your faith and invite them to church.

My friend Rob showed me the truth of God’s love in word and example.

I in turn shared it with my friend Mark at work. Mark told me he went to the gas station for a coffee and the lady behind the counter had a cross around her neck. Mark said to her with his big Mark smile, “Are you my sister in the Lord?” She gave him a big smile and a hug.

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the LORD is good;

We who are broken in sin and are made new in Christ.

From verse 5 of Praise to the Lord, the almighty:

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him.
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the Amen
Sound from his people again;
Gladly forever adore him! 

Christ’s cross and work for you and me - guide and lead - in times of sorrow and joy.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit united in our life now and for eternity.

In Christ our God knows you and he knows me and he has numbered our days and appointed us here for this time and for this work. We proclaim Christ because it is his desire for us to do so. His love for us will never fade and we are his forever.

his steadfast love endures forever, - his love is never ending!
and his faithfulness to all generations. – it is his promise for all!

God is faithful. He will continue dear friends to pursue you all the days of your life!

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

Amen

Sermon May 16-17, 2026 - 7th Sunday of Easter

Title: Christ’s prayer for you!
Text: John 17:1-11

Facebook live: Christ’s prayer for you!

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

This past Friday I remembered my father on what would have been his 100th birthday.

It seems like yesterday that I officiated at his funeral which was now some 13 years ago!

Sometimes, I think of conversations we had, and the wisdom he gave me. Sometimes, I think of funny things my dad did, or things I’d wish he hadn’t done.

We are sinners in a broken world but the gift of my father has blessed me for the entirety of my 68 years.

In his High Priestly Prayer Jesus prays to his father:

17… “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.

The gift of eternal life is given, not earned, and while heroes in this life deserve to be remembered … you don’t have to be a hero to receive the gift.

We receive all sorts of things in this life that we don’t deserve.

My parents and many of your parents sacrificed much to make sure that we had the very best they could give. We were fed and clothed, taught what was right and wrong and how to treat others.

My parents made sure that I received an education, even though I might have wanted to skip school and play, they knew this was important for me and would help me in the future.

At 48 when I went back to school to prepare for seminary I said to my dad when he asked me how my schooling was going,

“It’s going well but all the other kids tell me their parents are paying for their schooling.”

My dad said,

“Well, that’s nice Russ … if you were still a kid I’d be paying too.”

As Christians my parents knew something else that was good for me too and Jesus makes it clear in his prayer.

3 that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
It was important for my parents that I knew Christ and that he knew me.

Why?

Well Jesus says … this is eternal life … that we know the Father and Jesus who the Father has sent.

So, they brought me to the means that God gave and I was baptized and given new birth in baptism one month after being born.

My parents knew this was good for me and knew that just as I needed their physical care around the clock, I also need the spiritual care that God could give me in his word and by his Spirit.

Most of us as children don’t know what we need. I didn’t know what I needed. But seeing little babies, I know that when,

they’re hungry - they cry,
and when they needs changed – they cry,
and when they need anything – they cry.

Maybe it is a sign of the death we are born into?

If children were born and left to make their own way … without their parent’s care … they would die.

So, God in his mercy has given parents and grandparents to care for the physical needs of those too young to care for themselves, and by his means of grace to his church, we as loving parents, bring God’s mercy and forgiveness to those in need … from the youngest to the oldest.

3 And this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

As Jesus said last week in our Gospel, he would not leave us as orphans to care for ourselves but that the Holy Spirit, the comforter who he was sending from the Father would bring true comfort.

This gift is given to you and me and all through the gifts of word and sacrament and it brings us all real peace.

Peace though, in our world is fleeting.

The war in Iran, Ukraine and unrest at and in our cities - shows that our world is not at peace!
Death too comes to those young and old in this life and we know not the day or hour.

Having many dear Peace members on my mind that our resting in Jesus, the reality of death in our lives is real. It invades our comfort and security and is why it’s so important for us all to know him,

… who is the way the truth and the life – Jesus Christ – our Lord - the only way to the Father.

It’s comforting to know that in our text today, Jesus is praying for you and for me and for all far away, born in and struggling with sin, death, and the devil.

Jesus says:

9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

This past Thursday was the day of the Ascension.

6 So when [the disciples] had come together, they asked [Jesus], “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

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

So, we are here today as appointed witnesses of all that Jesus came to do and has done. We tell others by the working of his Spirit in us and Christ prays and interceded to the father on our behalf.

10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

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

Amen

Sermon May 9-10, 2026 - 6th Sunday of Easter

Title: The comforter points to Jesus!
Text: John 14:15-21

Facebook live: The comforter points to Jesus!

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

When I was a little boy growing up, I attended kindergarten in Glassport Pennsylvania.

We, had fire drills to prepare ourselves in case of an emergency. When the fire bell rang, we were directed to exit the room orderly and row by row and as we entered the hall walking towards the door one of the older children from the upper grades would hold the hand of a kindergartener and walk with them out the door to the designated place of safety.

They became our guide and helper and would not leave us until the drill was over.
In the life of the Christian, the good news is that you will not be left alone either.

The Holy Spirit is your helper and guide and will remain with you and will comfort you no matter the circumstance. You do not have to hope that He will come and lead you to safety … for He dwells with you and is in you!

Jesus, in John 14 speaks of sending the comforter, the Holy Spirit, to be our comfort and our hope.

He had told the disciples about that hope and not to be troubled, to believe in God and also to believe in Him and that He would be going to prepare a place for them, that where He is they too may be also.

To Thomas’ question of how they could know the way Jesus replied that He is the way the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him … and to Philip’s question to show us the Father, Jesus said, whoever has seen me, has seen the Father!

There is a very close connection between Jesus and the Father.

To see Christ is to see God and to know Christ is to know the Father; one God in essence, uniqueness of persons.

The Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Father but the mystery of the Godhead in there for the first disciples and for us as well.

Today’s reading begins:

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Well that’s comforting.

We poor sinners confess unto you that we are by nature sinful and unclean!

God’s Law we can’t keep and his law shows us our sin and that we fall short daily needing the comfort and forgiveness only given us by God himself through His comforting absolution pronounced by His called and ordained servants, in the stead and by the command of Christ.

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17even the Spirit of truth.

The Disciples are being comforted that when Jesus leaves them and ascends back to the Father, the helper, the Spirit of truth, will be with them [and us] forever.

The Holy Spirit's role is to shine the light on our Lord Jesus Christ.

Some years ago we upgraded the building of our church here at Peace with new lights on the building. When lighting is done well, the lights make visible the building when otherwise it would not be seen for the darkness. This illustrates also the Spirit's role and work.

He is, the hidden light shining on the Savior.

It is as if the Spirit stands behind us, throwing light over our shoulder on to Jesus who stands facing us.

The Spirit's message to us is not,

"Look at me; listen to me; come to me; get to know me",

but always,

Look at him,
see his glory;
listen to him and hear his word;
go to him and have life in him;
get to know him and taste his gift of joy and peace."

The Spirit’s, role is to bring you and Christ together and ensure that you and Christ Jesus stay together.

James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.

But you don’t … and I don’t. We fall short, we miss the mark. It’s like having directions to our destination and always getting lost … always making the wrong turn!

Some years ago I had a good example of this as Bob Poe and I drove to the Doxology conference in DeWitt, MI. I’m driving, knowing that I need exit 87. Bob says, “Pastor, isn’t this our exit?” Oh yes, it is Bob, thanks for letting me know as I quickly move right to exit the freeway!

On the way home I’m heading north on I-69 towards I-75 when I hear, “Pastor, isn’t this our exit?” Oh, thanks again Bob for pointing that out to me, as I once again move right quickly so as not to miss the, I-75 exit and our way home.

In a similar way:
The Spirit shows you when you miss the mark,
When you are going the wrong way
He, points you back to Jesus

So that you once again see the error of your sin and where you fall short, but also see the way the truth and the Life … Jesus, who kept the commandments – the Law - perfectly for you and who the Spirit will continue to point you to, Christ Jesus our Lord!

He is the light of the world and the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world and His gracious forgiveness and love is for you and for all who love God and are called according to His purpose!

Jesus said:

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

It is Jesus who gives us every good and perfect gift from above.
It is Jesus who will not leave you as orphans.
It is Jesus who took your sin upon himself at the cross burying it in the tomb and


It is Jesus, who asks the Father to send the Helper, the Spirit of truth, to you, so that you can continue to see Christ, the author and finisher of your faith Jesus.

Christ says:

Because I live, you also will live.

20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

By the Spirit, Christ will make Himself known to you!

Because death could not end Christ it will not be your end!

Because of the work of the Spirit in the life of God’s children … you will know Him and His ways, and you will be found acceptable because you will be clothed in the robes of the God/man Himself Jesus Christ the Righteous one.

Remember:

In the life of the Christian, the good news is that we will not be left alone.

The Holy Spirit is in you and with you and will comfort you in all trials … because you do not have to wonder if He will come to you … for He dwells with you and will be in you!

By God’s Spirit we look to Christ

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

Amen

Sermon May 2-3, 2026 - 5th Sunday of Easter

Title: Your place is prepared in Christ!
Text: John 14:1-14

Facebook live: Your place is prepared in Christ!

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

In our gospel today Jesus said to his disciples:

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.

This text is often used at funerals. It is for comfort and hope. Death is real but so is Christ’s rescue.

What also is interesting is the context of the hope that Jesus gives here in the beginning of chapter 14, with the last line of verse that he says in Chapter 13, where he turns to St. Peter and says,

“I tell you the truth, [truly, truly] before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”

Not only then but now as well. We too disown the savior daily and not just three times.

It is daily. It is willful, and it is often, day in and day out until we die.

It is in that context that Christ’s - Let not your hearts be troubled - is truly good news and why it is so important that it be shared at times of great grief and suffering.

Peter was standing tall … thinking he knew all:

When Jesus washed the disciple’s feet Peter asked:

“Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

Then Peter said:

“You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have [no part of] me.”

Jesus tells them:

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

He tells them to love one another, to serve one another, to care for one another … because where he is going, they cannot come.

Not in their own strength at least.
And Peter in his own strength says:
“Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
But in reality, that’s you and that’s me.

We think we can stand.

In the midst of trial, in the midst of temptation, in the midst of sin - we fall, denying the Lord and the rooster crows that reality in our own lives.

If we think about our own confirmation, confirming what God did in our Baptism and living our lives connected to Christ and this truth - right in the middle of the Rite of confirmation - the question is asked:

“Do you intend to hear the Word of God and receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully?

Do you intend to live according to the word of God, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to death?

And finally, it asks:

Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?

To all of this we answer, “I do.”
In a sense saying like St. Peter:
I’ll lay down my life for you!
But, the confirmation rite adds one more “I do.” To these words we confess:

“By the grace of God.”

That is what Peter missed. His strength and our strength, as it is connected to faith, life, and eternal life … is in God’s hands and by his grace.

It is why we can let not our hearts be troubled!

I wrestle with so many who are confirmed members here and no longer come to church regularly.

I pray for all who have left the fold that the Lord would draw them back to regular attendance and fellowship as we talked about last week with the Apostles teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer as we gather together here.

It is God who brings to faith!
As pastor’s we all need to be reminded this truth that:

Jesus is God and I am not!

As we prepare for the Ascension of Christ in a little more than a week we are left with this reality. God has given the church under shepherds and by the Holy Spirit, the work of God continues.

In chapter 13 Peter is confused and asks Jesus,

“Lord where are you going?”
Thomas in chapter 14 asks:
5 … “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
To this Jesus answers:
6 … “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

It is really good news to hear that God has washed you and me and marked us as his.

He gives us pastors, as under shepherds to lead, teach, and point us to Jesus so we too can confess who Jesus is and follow him.

We all have been made partakers of eternal life.

We will see this again on the Day of Pentecost as we welcome new members and confirm two of our youth who have completed their work.

It is God though, who through the means he has provided of Word and Sacrament, will keep us all in the one true faith.

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.

That is Good News for pastors;
Good News for you dear members;
And that is Good News for all the Lord will continue to call to himself through his word and gifts!

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

Amen

Sermon April 25-26, 2023 – 4th Sunday of Easter

Title: God gives life through his means!
Text: Acts 2:42-47

Facebook live: God gives life through his means!

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Teaching, Fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.
It sounds a bit like our Easter weekend and breakfast!
It sounds like a formula for success.

Easter breakfast gave us time to fellowship and gather as the body of Christ.

We heard the word of God and the proclamation of his resurrection and the work of Jesus by the Spirit in the life of the church.

It was also a Unity Sunday and it was a joy to have a 150 gathered in worship on this day, something we haven’t had in many years.

We gathered also together at the table of the Lord, receiving his true body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins and strengthening of our faith.

And, we prayed for our needs and for the need of those we know and care for.

That is the joy and that is the goal with which we are brought to faith by our loving God, that through His gifts and by communion and fellowship with Him we have a life, in Christ, by Christ, and through Christ.

God gives life through his means!

St. Luke in his book of the Acts of the Apostles gives an account of the early church.

Last week we heard of Peter’s sermon in Acts chapter 2 that cut to the heart of those who heard the Law of God’s condemnation bringing them to the point of asking, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37b

To which Peter replies:

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Now coming to faith through the Gospel brought some 3000 souls into the church through Peter’s sermon, but now we hear what the church did with and for those who repented and were baptized.
They heard the word of God proclaimed which is the Apostles teaching.

They had fellowship one with another both in community and in communion with that same doctrine of the word.

The breaking of bread in fellowship meals as well as with the Lord’s Supper that, as we heard last week, opened the eyes of their understanding so that they could see who Christ Jesus truly is and what he had done.

And finally, prayer, which is conversation and communion with that one and same word of God – Jesus Christ.

Our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod for many years had a mission focus called Witness, Mercy and Life together that fits this focus of the early church and our life together here at Peace as well.

The Apostle’s teaching, which is the word of God and what that word means, is the witness of who God is and what we have become in Christ.

As His children, we are called by Christ to be in worship, to hear His word, to know that as sinners, we all fall short of God’s requirements, but we also know that God has made a way in the person and work of Jesus Christ to bring us back into fellowship with him.

This fellowship we now have with each other as His children, celebrating our life together in communion around the table of the Lord, as we together confess that the body and blood of Christ that was given and shed for you and me, is now truly received with the bread and wine, bringing forgiveness of sins to those who receive this merciful gift by faith.

Apart from faith it is impossible to please God or to come to him because we all are judged as sinful and unclean and separated from the love of God found only in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God gives life through communion and the Apostle’s teaching and that is our Witness, Mercy and Life Together!

I’ve mentioned my friend’s daughter Michelle before:

Michelle Ruehl has served in the U.S. Air Force since 2003. She earned a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2003, a graduate degree from the University of Colorado in 2012, and a Ph.D. from George Mason University in 2024. Ruehl's career experience includes working as a military officer, pilot, life coach, executive coach, English teacher, equine riding instructor, theater director, and professional speaker. As of 2025, she was affiliated with the United States Air Force, the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the International Coaching Federation (ICF).[1]

Michelle Ruehl is an at-large member of the Colorado Springs School District 11 school board. She assumed office on December 10, 2025. Her current term ends in 2029.

https://ballotpedia.org/Michelle_Ruehl

It caused me to reflect on her life and an Easter not far removed from this past one.

At times we find ourselves in tough situations and I remember an Easter past when Michelle was serving in Afghanistan as a pilot in the Air Force.

Her Easter was a bit different than yours and mine. For her - worship started on the roof of the hospital at her base … at sunrise … overlooking the mountains and the dawning of the Easter morn as the F-16s began taking off on their missions in the distance.

The second service was at 8:00 am and for this service she played guitar and sang hymns of praise.

Just before the Lord’s Supper in the service, the sirens went off as mortar and rocket fire came upon the base. Everyone hit the floor. One soldier chuckled in the midst of the attack as he saw Michelle put her guitar over her head. “What kind of rocket you plan of stopping with that.” He asked?

Michelle kind of chuckled too knowing that it wouldn’t do much good but was a natural reaction.

Soon the all clear was given and the service continued, the words of institution were said, the Lord’s body and blood was given and received, and appropriately they sang, “How Great Thou Art!”

That’s a bit different from our Easter service here and our regular Sunday services! But the elements of Word, Fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer continue here and wherever the Lord’s people are gathered.

Prayers, we pray them every week in our services and daily for many of us in the church - is conversation with God. We bring our prayers and petitions to the one who holds our life in His hands through the mediation of his son and this is truly a blessed communion for us all.

Prayer can be a powerful blessing and we all need to avail ourselves of it daily. As we celebrate today all the Lord’s blessings, we can’t forget prayer, especially the faithful prayers of those, who keep and have kept us united in him.

Life is a matter of building. Each of us has the opportunity to build something -- a secure family, a good reputation, a career, a relationship to God. But some of those things can disappear almost overnight due to financial losses, natural disasters and other unforeseen difficulties.

What are we to do?

Daniel Webster offered excellent advice, saying, “If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men’s immortal minds, if we impress on them high principles, the just fear of God, and love for their fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something which no time can efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.”

DANIEL WEBSTER, secretary of state, speech to the City Council, Boston, Massachusetts, May 22, 1852.—The Writings and Speeches of Daniel Webster, vol. 13, pp. 518–19 (1903). Morning Glory, July 3, 1993.

God gives us life together through communion and the Apostle’s teaching!

Jesus said:

10 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

We know the Good Shepherd’s voice through his word, and by that word, communion, fellowship and prayer, which is communication with God continues.

By that, you know him who is the way the truth and the life!

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

Amen

Sermon April 18-19, 2026 – 3rd Sunday of Easter

Title: He is Lord and Christ of our lives!
Text: Acts 2:14a, 36-41

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38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

The work of God continues to be evident as we celebrate the living Christ in the Easter season.

The Lord’s death and resurrection is now in the making of disciples through word and gift. The word proclaimed and the sacraments administered.

Peter now proclaims God’s miraculous working in the waters of baptism to those gathered in Jerusalem on Pentecost!

We too, are all partakers of this gift; and for you and me at times, we forget the blessing or the importance of what God has done for us.

As has been said before we cannot know Jesus or this gifts apart from God working to bring us to faith. This is especially true with Baptism!

It seems foolish to the natural man and apart from the Spirit, we cannot understand it.
How can water do such great things?

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.

This is the beginning of Peter’s sermon on Pentecost, which for us is still a few weeks away in this church year. But an important sermon none the less. The word of God at all times has a place in the ears of believers and non-believers alike.

It brings to faith.
Turns us in repentance.
And comforts us with the word of forgiveness.

Peter, establishes first the truth of who Jesus is:

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus] delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

Peter says:

You know who he is.
You’ve seen his mighty works.
It was God’s plan.
Lawless men gave him up and crucified him.
God raised him from the dead.
But Death and the grave could not hold him.

The response is clear:

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

The knowledge of sin should bring this response by the working of the Holy Spirit.

Cut to the quick they are sorry for their sin and look for hope. Peter brings that in his response to their ears.

38 … “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The response to repentance is forgiveness.

The being sorry for sin
The turning away from sin and a desire to stay away from sin
The comfort of forgiveness proclaimed and received

To be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is in fact to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

As Jesus said in Matthew 28:

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

As Paul writes in Colossians that 9 … in [Christ] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

But the next part has as it is the teaching about Jesus which Peter refers to in his sermon

39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

The faith needs to be passed down and that is our responsibility.
Not just mine, but yours as well.

I’ve had the conversation with people about a family member who isn’t baptized or connected to the faith and they say, “That’s your job, Pastor”

Oh really?

Certainly, I have a call to function as an under shepherd of Christ here and that can also entail the baptizing of baby’s and adults alike. But, the call to parents, spouses, siblings and friends to share Christ with those who need to hear and get them to the fount is equally compelling FOR ALL.

For the promise here is for YOU!
And for YOUR children!
And for ALL who a far off!
For EVERYONE whom the Lord our God call to himself!

Take for example our Gospel reading for today with Jesus on the Emmaus Road with his two companions.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. [Jesus] acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So, he went in to stay with them.

They were unaware of who Jesus was but they were compelled by his teaching:

“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

And Jesus,

30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

In the breaking of bread Jesus too make himself known to us and all that he came to do.

To take on flesh, yet without sin
To suffer and die for the sins of the world.
To rise from the dead for our justification.

33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

And then we too rise and receive the same gifts of Christ’s body and blood receiving the joy of forgiveness in our mouths and having our faith strengthened we go forth telling all that the Lord has done for us!

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

Amen