Sermon February 25-26, 2023

Title: The Son of God Jesus was made righteous for you!
Text: Romans 5:12-19

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18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

In my former life as a salesperson my boss was not fond of beards. I’d had a beard most of my adult life. When I hired in to work, I had shaved and cut my hair which was quite long.

My boss only knew me by the person he had hired who was clean shaven.

Fast forward a few years. My boss went on a vacation and would be gone three weeks and my beard began to grow. When he returned to work and I walked in forgetting the change in my facial appearance he looked at me and said:

“Russ … you got two days to get that – blank - off your face!”
I laughed at his comment and so did he but he laid the law down and the next morning I came in with a clean freshly shaven face.

I thought:

It’s his business and I should honor how he wants his business run and his employees to look and dress.

Thomas Kampis writes:

“Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is; delayed obedience is disobedience."

Thomas a Kampis.

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. (Rom. 5:12-13)

Since Adam and Eve and the fall, sin has been active in the world. God made a covering for sin:

21 And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. (Gen. 3:21)

There was a sacrifice … the skins came as a result of sin; a sacrifice was made and Adam and Eve were covered. So much for this transgression and the eating of the fruit … but so much has been changed.

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. (Gen. 3:23-24)

What looks unloving – to drive man out of the garden and away from the Tree of Life – is, in fact very loving, because here, God does not allow man to eat of the tree of life and live forever in his fallen state.

14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. (Roman 5:14)

The Son of God Jesus was made righteous for you!
.
Years later my boss retired and his son bought the business. He desired to go to Italy with his family and was going to be gone a while. He put me in charge of paying the bills and overseeing his business. He expected that I would follow his lead and do what he would want done.

We had a new employee in charge of advertising. She was to be the one to place the ads and ready the radio commercials. We had a big sale coming up and it would begin the day after my boss returned. She showed me all the ads and what she had planned. It was terrible.

I had to decide. Do I use what she had created, hope for the best and let it fail, or do I do what I knew my boss would want and hopefully be successful?

Well, I did what my boss would want.

If it failed - it was my fault - but at least I followed what I knew he wanted and desired.

He returned and was pleased with what I had done and the sale was very successful.

But our relationship with God’s requirements is very different. While doing what God has instructed is very good … you can’t do it … not perfectly, at least, as God requires. Though we have His instructions and know his will, we can’t follow them; because of sin … because death reigns.

Sin, death and the power of the devil have so corrupted this world, once created perfect, that God had to make a way out.

We can’t please him or measure up on our own.

But the second Adam, Jesus Christ, is the solution to the problem of sin and death because:

15 … the free gift is not like the trespass.

16b For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, and the world fell into sin but the free gift following many trespasses, by Christ’s sacrifice, brought justification.

Because He became our substitute, and because He was without sin,

… the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Our Lord God, Jesus Christ, the one who was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil is the one who followed all of God’s instructions perfectly.

He had a command of the word because He is the Word of God made flesh … for you.

He is the word, the bread of life on which you can trust and live forever.

His guardian angels protect you and will bear you up and he himself, Jesus Christ passed the test in the wilderness … for you, so that, you can be made perfect by Him and in Him.

As Paul reminds us:

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

Christ Jesus was obedient unto death and at the cross He brought you peace … peace again between God and man.

The price had been paid and by His death on the cross for you - you are free! Free to eat once again from that Tree of Life and live forever covered in Christ’s righteousness.
The Son of God Jesus was made righteous for you and by Him you are righteous!

At times in this life we can meet the expectations of those we work for, serve, or have responsibility over.

It is important to do all we can as responsible parents, guardians, friends and loved ones - caring and living for others as we would want them to care for us.

But, because of sin we often fall short and can never measure up to what God requires in obedience to his Law.

But, Christ was obedient to the point of death, death on a cross for you. He listened to the call of the Father to be the all-sufficient sacrifice for sin so that you and I and all who receive this Good News by faith can have communion with God again.

He was obedient so that you and I can be forgiven in Him!

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

Amen

Sermon February 22, 2023 - Ash Wednesday

Title: Small Catechism’s Six Chief Parts 1. The Ten Commandments
Text: Mark 9:2-9

Sermon audio: Small Catechism’s Six Chief Parts 1. The Ten Commandments

7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

According to a 3rd century rabbi, Moses gave 365 prohibitions and 248 positive commands. David reduced them to 11 in Psalm 15. Isaiah made them 6 (Isaiah 33:14, 15). Micah 6:8 binds them into 3 commands. Habakkuk reduces them all to one great statement: The just shall live by faith.

Source Unknown.

Today for Ash Wednesday and throughout our Midweek Lenten Services we will look at the Six Chief Parts of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. We’ve recently added the Catechism to our weekend services as a bulletin insert with a devotional reading. We also began a group on Monday mornings reading the newest 2017 edition of the catechism for understanding and edification. And now we are using the six chief parts of the catechism for the theme for our Lenten midweek services.

So why the Catechism, why now, and why so much?

Well … we need it. Just as in Luther’s day the basic teachings of Christianity are important. For me as one not brought up in the Lutheran faith and without the Catechism, I see the real value of its use daily and hopefully throughout Lent we will all come to understand its real blessing. I also like the new edition and look to dig in to is as we read it together on Monday mornings.

Luther based his Small and Large Catechisms on a series of sermons that he preached in 1528. After visiting the churches Luther found that the basic truths of the Christian faith were not understood by the laity and pastors alike. I think this may be why our new district President Rev. Dave Davis has put an emphasis on the Catechism and reading the Bible throughout the year.

In announcing these sermons Luther writes:

Because these matters are highly necessary, I faithfully admonish you to assemble at the designated time with your families. Do not allow yourself to be kept away by your work or trade and do not complain that you will suffer loss if for once you interrupt your work for an hour.

And besides, how much time do you spend drinking and swilling! You don’t count that, but when you are asked to spend time on God’s word you are disgusted.

LW Vol. 51 Pg. 135

So that we all don’t continue to reap the fire of Luther’s admonition let us now begin diligently with the Ten Commandments.

You shall have no other gods.

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

1. God Addresses Man in the Ten Commandments

Luther begins the Catechism with the law. What God demands and how we measure up. He divides the commandments into the two tables with the first three pertaining to how we should see God and the last seven with how we should deal with each other. The commandments tell us what perfection is and that God expects perfection – no spot, no blemish.

2. God Tells Us What We Are

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 
1 John 1:8

In the commandments God shows us who we are. That though his requirements are just, we all fall short daily in measuring up. God requires that we both fear and trust him. We are to fear him as in a reverent fear that honors who he is and his right to demand what he demands and in trust that if we keep all these commands … we will live.
25And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27And he answered, “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.” 28And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

Luke 10:25-28

To love God and neighbor is what the Law requires and we can’t. It also gives us a way to measure what the world says about what is good, what is right, and what is beneficial. Being legal in the eyes of the law doesn’t make it right in the eyes of God.

3. God’s Demands Are Relentless

The law never rests. It doesn’t take a day off. Close is not good enough. The law is to curb who we are as sinners. It says … this far and no more. It functions as a mirror so that we might see who we truly are – dead in trespass and sin - and get our eyes off ourselves and look outward to one who has made a way where there was no way.

The Law also works when we as Christians know our failings. As we have been brought to faith, God through the Law, guides our behavior. Through the Law we understand who we are as sinners but also as Christians we understand that God desires us to daily die and rise with him in Christ remembering our Baptisms and living and conforming ourselves to his will.

As we fail … we are brought by the Spirit to repentance, confessing our sins and turning outside ourselves to our God who forgives, redeems and makes us holy – set apart and sanctified.

4. What God Demands of Us

As we daily are conformed into who God wants us to be, we gain no forgiveness for our sins by keeping the Law – for forgiveness is truly freely given us only by faith in Christ.

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

Eph. 2:8-9

While God tells us in the first table of the Law who he is, how we are to use his name, and that by keeping holy his day of rest we will remain connected to him and his word and through that word of God, preached and proclaimed, he will bless and keep us connected to him in Christ.

We also find that in the second table of the Law that as we live our lives and keep his commands … we benefit our neighbor which is good and well pleasing to God.

5. God’s Law Will Not Save Us

The Law makes itself clear in what it demands and that we can find no peace and salvation in it.

For Luther it was important for the people to know that the keeping of God’s requirements will never save us. It is not what we do or must do … but always what Christ has done for us and is doing in us.

All of the commandments but two begin with Thou shall not!

The Law primarily tells us what we shouldn’t do. When it tells us what we should do it falls to only two commandments: Keep Holy the Sabbath day - which Luther says refers to hearing God’s word and not despising the preaching of God’s word and the hearing of it because 17 … faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. and to Honor your father and mother which points to our headship and the true authority of those placed with responsibility over us that leads to and is only found in Christ.

Ill.

The law is the light that reveals how dirty the room is, not the broom that sweeps it clean.

Dr. Phil Williams, DTS, 1976.

6. The Necessity of the Law for Us

In the Seventh Commandment Luther writes:
You shall not steal.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.

For Luther the distinction of law and Gospel was vitally important. He even noted with regards to the seventh commandment about - Ill-gotten gains -Saying:

“You farmers and townsmen are, almost all of you, thieves and skinflints! The same applies to tailors, brewers, and others. Don’t think that God established the market to be a den of thieves.”

LW Vol. 51 Pg. 156

For Luther it was not just about the petty thief but every form of stealing that defrauds our neighbor. We are always to do what is best to help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.

7. The Necessity of the Gospel for Us

No matter how good we keep the law we fall short. In the law and its keeping is death because in it we see no savior. It is this distinction of Law and Gospel that Luther wanted the people and you and me to know. In teaching the Ten Commandments first Luther shows what God requires and our inability to keep it.

As we begin Lent with this Ash Wednesday service may we all see in the Law God’s perfect requirements and the good that they teach, but as Christians may we also know that by the Law we come to the knowledge of sin which brings us to repentance by the work of the Holy Spirit so that we might look outside ourselves to the one who is the fulfillment of the Law - Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

Amen

 

 

February 18-19, 2023 - Transfiguration

Title: Eyewitnesses of Christ’s majesty!
Text: 2 Peter 1:16-21 

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16b but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

When John Paul II was Pope back in 1984, he was to visit a hospital and everyone there was anxiously awaiting his visit. A doctor who had a handful of paperwork took a seat in a wheelchair and busied himself with his notes. The Pope swept in, and blessed the doctor, who immediately stood up and walked forward. Those in the Pope's entourage were astonished - crossed themselves and looked upward.

L.M. Boyd, Crown Syndicate, January, 1984.

Did the pope heal the man in the wheelchair … no. Can God continue to do miraculous things … yes.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

In his last letter to the church of God Peter writes of his witness to God’s work.

He and the other apostles were not deceived, he says to follow stories and myths but we were eye witnesses – not of mistaken miracles like a well person rising from a wheelchair – but of his majesty.

Transfiguration weekend is here and it is the last weekend in the church year before Ash Wednesday and Lenten season. The revealing of the true nature of Jesus Christ as both God and man as he was transfigured before them.

Peter here, as he is writing is an old man. Reasonable dating for this epistle is 68 AD. It has been almost 40 years since the crucifixion. Peter may be in his early 70s and he is preparing to depart this earthly tent saying just previously to our epistle:

13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.

It is Peter’s hope to leave a lasting impression for the church so that - after [his] departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

So recalling that time long ago – and for we who are a bit older – looking back 40 years is not much of a stretch.

1982 seems like yesterday to Monica and me, though much has changed but the image in our minds eyes remains vivid.

Preparing for the church service and reception with friends, relatives and neighbors, some old and some new come to mind. Many still are in our lives and many have long departed like my grandmother Wilma Lanyi, who was in attendance but left to be with the Lord one year later in 1983.

Much could be written and maybe much should be for our children and grandchildren if it be the Lord’s will.

That is Peter’s focus here as he recounts his presence with the Lord.

17 For when [Jesus] received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

This presence with Christ remained clear for Peter just as much as my own wedding does for me and I’m sure for Monica as well.

Well … for her better than me as she remembers details I’ve long forgotten.

But Peter is clear here that he heard God’s Majestic voice and saw Jesus transfigured as his glory and honor were revealed because he along with the others were with him on the holy mountain.

We’re I to tell you that the car Monica and I road to the wedding reception in was a 1976 Lincoln Continental Town Car, silver 2 door hard top with a maroon velour interior - You’d have to take my word for it as one who was there and was an eyewitness.

But, even better yet, I was the one who asked my friend John who was one of my groomsmen to ask his dad if he would let us use his car.

Monica and I had a picture taken sitting in the back seat before it departed for the reception but unless you had an eyewitness account … it would be near impossible to know the car’s make, model or year.

Now, though it is written in a sermon if anyone cares to know.

In Peter’s account the value of his eyewitness reporting is of much greater importance. He says in verse 15 one verse before the epistle for today:

15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

He writes this so that when he is gone the value of his knowledge and witness might be made known then and now through his prophetic witness as he points us to the scriptures.

We have photo albums and wedding photographs to leave a record and trustworthy witness for our children – today it’s recorded on our cell phones, Facebook, twitter and Instagram in pictures, videos, and written posts for those who come after us.

We have eyewitnesses who were there and those who heard their witness, just as this church does in pictures posted to our website and Facebook page and Voter’s meeting reports as well as stories many can tell for those who wish to know what we did in the life of the church over the last 60 years.

Can memories fade or be mistaken?
Can pictures be deceiving?
Sure.

So, why is Peter’s witness reliable?

Because it is not Peter the man but God by the Holy Spirit that confirms that his witness is true.

21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

It is in the transfiguration account that Peter, James and John went up on the mountain with Jesus. Matthew who was a Tax Collector writes of this account in the gospel lesson for today.

2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here.”

The vision is good, right and salutary for you and me as well for it is here in the written account that Matthew by that same Holy Spirit connects Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the Prophets.

All that God did and said is illuminated through him – through Jesus - and it is we who still have access to this witness … his word of promise and fulfillment … by his means of word and sacrament.

As Peter said: … you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

God’s gift to you and me points back to God being manifest and made known in the person and work of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today this same Holy Spirit points us back through the word of promise and hope in testament and prophets to all that Jesus came to do for you and me, and it looks forward to his glorious return where he will gather his bride to himself - but it also sustains us this day and every day with the sure and certain hope that past, present and future are united in him.

Where his bride the church is, there is the Jesus - the bridegroom - the way the truth and the life, and the only way to the father.

“Lord, it is good that we are here.”

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

Amen

Sermon February 11-12, 2023

Title: Do you think it’s easy? Forgive me Lord.
Text: Matt. 5:21-37 or Psalm 119:1-8

Facebook live: Do you think it’s easy? Forgive me Lord.

23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Aren’t you glad that we worship a loving and forgiving God?

I am Jesus little lamb.
Ever glad at heart I am.
For my shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my need and well provides me,
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.
LSB 740

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:20

For we who are called to be salt and light in a world we need to know that God’s Law, certainly has been fulfilled in Christ but the purpose of the Law remains.

To convict us of sin so that we repent and turn to Jesus as his Little Lamb to receive his blessed forgiveness.

So Jesus now drops some heavy Law on his disciples, and those who might claim to be Moses disciples and be in earshot as well, hitting on four elements of the human condition in regard to sin;

Anger, Lust, Divorce and Oaths!

This will pertain to you and me as well!

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment;

You shall not murder

We know the 5th commandment and maybe you like me have heard it said:

“Well, I’ve never killed anybody so that is one commandment I can stand firm that I haven’t broken.”

But, Jesus here breaks that argument pointing to, not the letter of the Law but the spirit of the Law.

We all know anger. Husbands and wives, parents and children, siblings and friends, coworkers, or neighbors or - how about the cashier who wasn’t fast enough or as competent as we would have been had we were behind the register?

Jesus points to the root of the sin of murder as being the evil in the human heart that causes anger and hatred to one whom God children who has created in his image.

As the Apostle James make clear in chapter 1 of his epistle:

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

Isn’t that really the same as the gossip that comes from our mouth? When we say something about another, intending to tell others, a friend or the pastor, something that shines a negative light in a way on a person. We all are guilty of this and we need to think before we speak.

Or, whether we intend it to be held in a negative way or to just not put the best construction on things - we need to think lest we break the 8th commandment, bearing false witness against another for their harm and not their wellbeing. We are all guilty.

When I worked in the business and sales world, we had a little sales proverb that we tried to remember when working with our customers who at time could try the patience of even the most seasoned professional.

“First engage brain before putting mouth in gear!”

Maybe you’ve heard it?
Maybe you’ve used it?
Maybe you’ve miss it?

You’ve became angry with your brother and said or done things you wish you hadn’t.

You’ve broken the commandment and fallen short and missed the mark if you will.

Jesus gives you comfort and peace and reconciliation.

First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

God has reconciled the world unto himself so that we who are reconciled to Christ by his Spirit in repentance, come to each other with repentant hearts seeking to be reconciled.

“Mighty judge, cover the outbursts of my sinful anger with the embrace of your reconciling peace!”

Lutheran Study Bible - study note pg.1587 5:21-26

You shall not commit adultery!

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matt. 5:27-28

The 6th commandment has already been broken.

As a former pastor many years ago has said:


“Guys, if you’re driving down the street and see a pretty girl out of the corner of your eye, the first look is free, the second look is sin!”

It is the willful and lustful intent of the human heart that shows you and me the sinful condition we are born in and wrestle with our entire lives.

Jesus’ answer to this condition is not a slap on the wrist but a dire warning.

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. Matt 5:29-30

Jesus knows the seriousness of the sins we commit and the brokenness that this sin leads to - that lustful intent and adultery - brings many to a place of divorce, the ultimate breaking of what God has joined together, united in marriage joined as one, husbands and wives, male and female.

Divorce is a plague in our lives because we are all affected by divorce even if we have the blessing of remaining married.

For years I’ve said that of the 40 years of my own marriage to Monica, I’ve known someone, been related to someone, or discussed with someone, wrestling with, going through, or recovering from divorce.

It is not the unpardonable sin. Keep that in mind.

This sin, the sin of unfaithfulness, adultery and divorce was also paid for at the cross by our loving Lord; but divorce, breaks families, hurts all involved and kills the love of God for so many as the devil uses this sin as a wedge between us for the rest of our lives.

If you have been divorced, cast all your cares on Jesus who has carried your burdens upon himself to the cross and buried them in the grave once and for all so that you might live in him, and for him, in this life we share.

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ Matt 5:33

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus says:

37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.


We are those who continue in this life to wrestle with sin because that is who we are. But, Jesus only came for sinners so that is really good news.

In our epistle reading today Paul calls the Corinthians, people of the flesh as infants in Christ needing the milk of the word and not solid food.

We remain though his children, as God’s loving word makes clear, and by his Spirit we turn in repentance choosing life over sin, death and the power of the devil receiving the Lord’s blessing and overcoming the curse of the Law in Christ.

As God’s children we can together sing!

Jesus loves me!
This I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong; They are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
LSB 588

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

Amen

Sermon February 5, 2023 - Peace 60th Anniversary

Title: Christ’s mercy from generation to generation!
Text: Psalm 78:1-4
Readings: 1Kings 8:22-30, Rev. 21:1-5, Luke 19:1-10

Facebook live: Christ’s mercy from generation to generation!

78 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.

Listen up! Give ear my friends! We are here to celebrate!
Peace Lutheran church is 60 years old!
Hard to believe for some. Seems like an eternity for others!

It is a joy for me today to celebrate this good news with you.

Not that you need to be told - some of you - Judy Harroun and Arlene Benson, have been here from the beginning.

Others, have been here for a long time and a few have only been here for a year or two.

Some of you were baptized here, others confirmed here, some married here and some, like me, have attended all too many funerals for dear loved ones here.

Pastors called to serve this congregation have come and gone and some have gone to be with the Lord, having rested from their labors. And yet, the Lord is not finished with us.

2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,

The Lord, through the mouth of servants and the ears of his children, has sustained those brought to faith - by the working of the Holy Spirit. He has used the hands of those called and ordained servants, to baptize and wash away the sins of those brought to the font in the stead and by the command of Christ. And he continues to do that as is his good pleasure.

The Old Testament reading for today:

27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!

I Kings 8:27

Pastor Merrell told me a story about the old church on M-59 and this building. The old building had a rite of Disposition - was closed and sold - and now was being torn down.

Pastor Merrell said:

“Then the people learned very quickly that the church was not the building, as they watched their church go down M-59 in dump trucks!”

But they also, as they came together to dedicate this property and the building that was to be constructed here on Elizabeth Lake Road, found very quickly that those gathered together in dedication here, were the church;

the walking, talking, breathing and praying body of Christ gathered by God’s Holy Spirit to be the church here at Peace.

As Pastor Merrell said, “They saw the reality that they were the church - not the building!” It’s good for us to remember that today!

But a building is nice and it is good to have a place to come, to hear, and to worship together. And while we don’t know the future, we thank the Lord for the past and present as he guides and directs us in the future that he knows and has prepared for his people.

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Rev. 21:3-4

In the last 10 years the former things have indeed passed away!

So many faithful departed who have been active and joy filled members have gone to their rest and reward in Jesus. While I appreciate all the Lord has given me in the ministry here over the last 10 years, the sorrow of saying good bye to so many dear friends have been hard. Especially for me as we all said goodbye, in this life to Pastor Merrell who for me was not only my pastor, but mentor, and dear friend as well.

As pastor here for 32 years and another 9 years as Emeritus, he faithfully made Christ Jesus known to many Peace members.

3 things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.

As I wrote in my newsletter article in May of 2021 – While we await the joys of Spring and Summer we mourn.

It seemed hard then and remains hard to believe for us all now. Pastor Merrell was with us daily and such an important part of our lives that it still weighs heavy.

The disciples wrestled with the loss of their spiritual head - the Lord Jesus Christ who was taken from them in a most violent way. Loss brings tears, uncertainty and doubt but for the disciples of Jesus an encounter with the risen Christ just three days later gave them hope and peace.

We too who remain, rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus.

We trust his words in John 14 that …

“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 “

and, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father, except through me.”

Dear, Pastor Merrell preached this joy and eternal hope in Jesus to many over his 40 plus years in ministry at Peace [as well as our 50th anniversary some 10 years ago.] It was his comfort and joy as well. Though we still grieve, it is my hope that we remember Pastor Merrell as our faithful and peaceful shepherd he was, called by God to be his under shepherd here for so many years and to use all that he taught us about Jesus to bear good fruit to a world in need.

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), The epistle to the Ephesians reminds us. Eph. 5:8-9

It remains hard to imagine Peace without him among us, but it is now incumbent upon us all as we enter into our 60th year to shine that light of Christ a little brighter in this dark world – whether here or at other churches - so that God may continue to use his word, church, and ministry by the Holy Spirit to reach those that need to hear about Jesus.

For all those who have died in the faith our Lord promises these words:

‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matt. 25:23

I saw a wonderful meme on Facebook that spoke of the signs of a healthy church and it read:

Two signs of a healthy church - men singing and baby’s crying!

Thankfully over the last few years we’ve had both!

But as we all know heath isn’t guaranteed forever. We’ve been blessed by the Lord of the church for 60 years but the future remain an open book.

How will the Lord build our future?

How can we prepare ourselves for what he has in mind?

A few weeks back we heard Jesus’ call those in the boat:

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

The work of Christ through the Holy Spirit is to know him and to make him known. It’s the growing in Christ that we’ve been doing here for 60 years!

Through pastor’s and members – disciples of Christ over the generations - have made Jesus know to a word that needs to here. Parents tell their children; friends tell friends; those who come to faith have an obligation to do so too. The working of God is active through his word and gifts and the Spirit works and builds followers of Christ making them fishers of men.

Let us continue to do the work of God together here at Peace. What is the work of God? To believe on him whom he has sent – and to tell others the good news that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and that in him we have forgiveness on sins and peace in his name!

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

Amen