Sermon July 27-28, 2024

Title: The rock of our refuge is Christ, be not afraid!
Text: Mark 6:45-56

 
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50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

“The waters have risen and severe storms are upon us, but we do not fear drowning, for we stand firmly upon a rock.”

These are the words of St. John Chrysostom, patriarch of Constantinople, from a sermon preached around 400 AD. He was sent into exile for his faith … which led ultimately to his death.

He continues:

“Let the sea rage, it cannot break the rock. Let the waves rise; they cannot sink the boat … of Jesus. What are we to fear … Death? Life to me means Christ, and death is gain. Exile … ‘The earth and its fullness belong to the Lord. The confiscation of goods … We brought nothing into this world, and we shall surely take nothing from it. I have only contempt for the world’s threats; I find its blessings laughable. I have no fear of poverty, no desire for wealth. I am not afraid of death or do I long to live, except for your good. I concentrate therefore on the present situation, and I urge you, my friends, to have confidence.”

https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/233/whom_shall_i_fear___john_chrysostom.html

Fear can consume us all whether it is financial, personal, or medical. The Rock upon which our faith is built is Christ.

He is the rock of refuge.
He is the place of comfort.
He is the pavilion of rest.
He is the gift of mercy.

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt 16:18

The rock of our refuge is Christ, be not afraid!

45 Immediately [Jesus] made his disciples get into the boat [Luther sees the boat as a metaphor for the church] and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.

Jesus compels the disciples to leave. Maybe there was unwillingness on their part, but Jesus made them get into the boat. He dismisses the crowds and then as is consistent with Jesus, no matter the crowds or the work or the distractions … Jesus prays.

47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, [also seen as a metaphor for the chaos of the world broken in sin, death and the devil]

and [Jesus] was alone on the land.

By this time … the boat was a far way off.

The wind and waves were against the boat and the disciples … as life at times can be.

The storms can come, and at times it is with wind, rain, and hail. Tree limbs can break, homes and cars can be damaged, and power for some … can be lost.

You have experienced storms and so have I. Storms can come without warning and fear can be greatest … when we least expect it.

Jesus spent almost the entire night, after the disciples departed, in prayer.

The fourth watch would be late, between 3 AM and 6 AM. It can be the darkest part of the night or just before the grayness of dawn gives way to morning, and the disciples were fighting against the waves of the sea and the wind which were against them.

[Jesus] came to them, walking on the sea. Mark 6:48b

If you’ve ever been up most of the night you might understand the disciple’s distress. The wind, the waves … 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified.

Christ calms the storms of life!

As a pastor, I get to visit quite a few people at the hospitals, care facilities and in their homes. Some are dealing with minor procedures while others have grave and serious concerns. Some just deal with the problems of age and the uncertainty of life. It is always a joy though to be asked to pray for those who need a comforting word at a time of great worry and fear.

Christ brings that type of peace.

I’m reminded of a time not so many years ago. It was a Monday all seemed normal for the beginning of the work week. I went in to church, started my sermon preparation. I went home to feed my dogs and have lunch. While I was putting my plate in the dishwasher, I thought I should call Trudy and see if I could make a visit. Her phone didn’t pick up it just beeped. It seemed odd to me. I thought I’d go back to church but something caused me to think … I’ll just drive to her apartment. If she is not there, I’ll call her daughter and see what’s up.

Trudy is about 4 miles from me so it didn’t take long to get there. As I walked to her home her window blinds were drawn which was not normal. I peeked in the crack in the blind and could see the TV on. I banged a bit harder on the door and then heard a voice … “Help me.”

The door was locked so I called 911. I gave them the apartment number but couldn’t remember the street and wrestled with the dispatcher who was asking many questions for clarification and it was becoming frustrating to me.

Fear was coming upon me as I only wanted to get the door open so I could check on Trudy.

I told the lady on the phone, “Look, I’m getting a bit frustrated and I’m about ready to bust this door down.” To which she calmly said, “You can do that and we even encourage it but just make sure she isn’t behind the door.”

Just then a young man from another apartment came out. I asked him if he could call and get a security person to open the door. He did, but there was no answer and he asked … did you try the back door? I forgot about the door wall and ran around the back of the complex. When I reached Trudy’s door I pulled. It opened! There was Trudy on the floor. She was sitting and, in some pain, but looked clear headed and stable.

She said to me “I have been sitting and praying. Thank you so much for coming. I heard you on the phone but I couldn’t get up.”

For it is Jesus who says: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

I’ve told many of you that it is such a privilege to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I get to bring the Lord’s word and gifts to those in need who can’t get to church. In this case, God brought Trudy’s prayers directly to me in a special way so that her need and her prayers could be answered immediately.

Apart from God’s word of forgiveness and the power of the Holy Spirit we all would be consumed with fear at the despair and trials of life and weight of our sins.

Take heart, The rock of our refuge is Christ, be not afraid!

The trials of life and the storms that attack us can’t diminish the Love of God for you his beloved redeemed children.

51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,

Jesus is the peace beyond all understanding.

54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard [Jesus] was.

The needs of body and soul are always at peace in Christ because he loves you and has given his life so that you might live.

56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

The rock of our refuge is Christ, be not afraid!

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

Amen.

Sermon July 20-21, 2024

Title: Feed on Christ and have life in his name!

Text: Mark 6:30-44

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37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass.

A missionary once wrote in his journal of God's trust and faithfulness saying:

Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning ... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China or around the world; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all ... Depend on it;

God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.

Our Daily Bread, May 16, 1992.

31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31

The news that His disciples brought to Jesus in the verses preceding this text was the news that John the Baptist had been beheaded by Herod. Hard news for anyone to hear especially if the news involves someone we know or are close to as John was to Jesus who had lost their life.

Jesus needed to get away and be away from the people. So, he gets into a boat with his disciples and goes across the lake to a place that is quite – to a place that is desolate.

32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

Mark 6:32

When you think of desolate you might think of a place devoid of inhabitants and deserted. A place that is joyless and sorrowful - as if separated from a loved one.

A place showing signs of abandonment, dilapidated, devoid of warmth, comfort or hope.

But what does Jesus find?

33 Now many saw them going and recognized them and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, Mark 6:33-34a

Jesus went to get away; to be by Himself; to collect His thoughts; to pray and here he finds not a desolate place at all, but one filled with a very large crowd of followers. I believe that even this crowd would have given Jesus a pass had he became agitated and told them to go away.

But what does Jesus do?

… and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34b

Feed on Christ and have life in his name!

We all fail to see and reflect God’s compassion in our daily lives.

Many times, agitation - seen through the eyes of sin - become the first reaction we have before – by the power of the Holy Spirit – we see through the compassionate eyes of faith given to us by our loving savior Jesus.

Compassion would show for a Christian the wonderful evidence of the fruit of the Spirit.

To think of someone else and their needs first and foremost – this is a Christ-like virtue.

Compassion for children draws many to help at Vacation Bible School.
Compassion for those who are sick causes some to visit, send cards, or help with their needs.
Compassion is a response to God’s compassion for us.

Jesus’ showed compassion to the crowd of people gathered at this place and His compassion extended to their physical need as well. These five thousand men, women and children hungered and were fed in a miraculous way by Jesus, but the miracle was probably not even something they were aware of.

God’s great blessing filled their hunger, showed the disciples the compassion and power with which Jesus was sending them out. Each had a basketful of leftovers [12] to testify to what Jesus has done and will continue to do through them.

God would be with them as they went forth. His miraculous work would be worked through them.

They would speak … but Jesus’ words would be heard.

All that Jesus is and does would be with them as they walked in His place with His word, bringing freedom to those in need of the saving knowledge of Christ in a fallen world. The compassion that Jesus has would be the compassion they share with sinners so that they are healed of their sin, fed by our precious Lord’s word and satisfied of all their wants and needs.

Jesus has compassion.

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rom 3:23

Jesus has compassion.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 6:23

Jesus has compassion.

8 God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8

Jesus has compassion.

9 Because, by the power of the Holy Spirit in you, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Rom. 10:9-10

Jesus has compassion.

13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Rom. 10:13

Jesus has compassion … on you!

Take and eat. This is my body given for you. Take and drink, This is my blood, shed for the forgiveness of your sins!

Jesus has compassion so that you can feed on him in this life and serve the needs of others.

Because Jesus heals your sin and covers you with His righteousness, you are by faith, free of your bondage to sin, fed by His holy word, as well as his very Body and Blood in the Lord’s Supper and because if this you are satisfied.

In Christ Jesus you are given His compassionate grace, mercy and love.

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

Amen.

Sermon July 13-14, 2024 - Pastor Terry Nelson

Title: Praise God for Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ! – Pastor Terry Nelson
Text: Eph. 1:3-14

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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

Sermon July 6-7, 2024

Title: Jesus is Rejected! Can you stand firm?
Text: Mark 6:1-13

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3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

As Jesus continues to go about his business of teaching the word, healing the sick and casting out demons … questions arise.

6 [Jesus] went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?

Last week Jesus raised the little daughter of the synagogue ruler. Now, he finished the Gospel lesson from last week with these words:

43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Those who had been kept outside the little girl’s room knew she was dead and after Jesus went in to the room with her parents and his disciples the people, who had remained outside too, saw the little girl going about.

Nothing needed to be said. The miracle of her being raised from a death they were sure of … to life … spoke for itself.

Where did this man get these things?

What is the wisdom given to him?

How are such mighty works done by his hands?

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Jesus is Rejected! Can you stand firm?

The neighbors in Jesus, hometown of Nazareth rejected him, who had grown up among them. He, who was known to them as the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon and his sisters? They knew his family and while the debate continues that Jesus was the only son of his mother Mary the term (brothers) can be connected with cousins and near relatives. These people knew Jesus and his family … And they took offense [not at them but] at him.

Offense can come from those who know us, or can be directed at those we know. Being connected to Jesus and being Christian – in our day – is, for many, offensive.

What we proclaim in Jesus, and the truth of God’s word that we hold to, are not in step with the culture.

In years past when we spoke the truth of the faith it might have brought a giggle from those who oppose Christ or have no Biblical understanding, but now the consequences for our faith are real.

Is our freedom as Christians to be pushed behind the walls of the church or kept within the confines of our own homes?

When we enter the world is our faith and beliefs to be left home or at church and are we to only parrot the views of the culture and submit to them?

These are hard questions that we each must look at and answer. The signs at many churches read as you leave the parking lot:

“You are now entering the mission field.”
Will it be changed to reflect, “You have now entered the civil realm?”
This is nothing new. Our Old Testament lesson for today reminds us.

3 And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. 4 The descendants also are impudent [not showing due respect for another person; impertinent] and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ 5 And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.
Friends, it is not just the culture that rebels against God, but we, as God’s children, as the Christian church – you and me, who have rebelled.

We trust not the word of God at times but the dictates of man.
We see church attendance as an afterthought and optional, and not the gift that God intends it to be, and we endorse the views of the world as normative instead of what God has called normal for we who are Christian.

If the word of God is used to call sinners to repentance it is largely unheeded and unheard.

Those who listen but refuse to hear at times, change churches rather than repenting and continue on as if it’s no big deal, or they ask the church to play along and get with the program … and we wonder why the culture doesn’t take us seriously.

6 And [Jesus] marveled because of their unbelief.

If the church won’t listen why would the culture?

And [Jesus] went about among the villages teaching.

7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.

Jesus sends the word out and he uses foolish things like pastors preaching and teaching. He uses water, bread and wine connected to his word and by his Spirit.

The phrase … Christ dwells … really means to take up residence … to make your home, his home.

He wants to be part of your life.

He wants to hear your repentance - because he already knows your sin.

He also knows that he has paid the price for your sin and he desires for you … in repentance … to see this too.

By coming to him and confessing your sin, he can comfort you with his blessed forgiveness telling you through the words of holy absolution that you, dear child, are forgiven.

Having just celebrated the freedoms which are so important for we as Americans, let us remember and be thankful for those that came before us and paid the heavy price for these freedoms we enjoy.

I saw a wonderful sign that read:

The United States did not create Religious Freedom,
Religious Freedom created the United States.

Pause and also think about the one who brings true freedom for you and me who called you out of slavery to sin, death and the devil and gave you sonship in his name.

Jesus has brought you peace with the Father by his very body and blood given and shed for you. He has given this for you to eat and drink and to receive this blessing and he keeps you, by his Spirit, pointed to Jesus.

Jesus is Rejected! Can you stand firm?

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

Amen.

Sermon June 29-30, 2024

Title: Do not fear, only believe!
Text: Mark 5:21-43 

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41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

C.S. Lewis writes:

Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin or your selfishness.

But in that casket--safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable...The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers of love … is Hell.

C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves, Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1960, p.169.

21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea.

Jesus did not stay put he went among the people and they followed him.

22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death.[my heart is wrung and nearly broken] Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him.

One of the rulers of the synagogue comes to Jesus because his daughter is at the point of death. He knows that if he does nothing she will die and be lost to him forever. He has obviously heard about Jesus … the healings that he has done and is convinced that Jesus can heal her and can make her well, so he seeks him out and falls at his feet to implore him to come, so that she may be made well and live.

Jairus has faith in Jesus and trusts Christ Jesus to give her life and Jesus went with him.

Life, death, love and faith all at work and all connected to Jesus.
Do not fear, only believe!

Now we have the story within the story.

The woman who was ill.
Any ladies here who can relate to that?

She suffered a discharge of blood for 12 years.
She suffered under many physicians.
She was no better but in fact worse.

I’m sure there are many men who have their own illnesses that can relate to this story as well.

Illness [cancer, bladder, prostate etc.] anything and everything.

She had heard about Jesus. His teaching, the feeding of the multitudes, and casting out of demons. For you and me illness is a demon of sorts that torments and you live with for days, months, or even years.

Many, deal with illness … looking for answers.

She didn’t even feel worthy to approach the teacher publicly but thought if I can sneak through the crowd, no one will know, and I can be healed – just touching the hem of his garment and all my problems will cease!

Immediately! She felt the flow of blood dry up and she was healed!
Jairus by faith publicly sought Jesus’ help for his daughter.
The woman by faith in secret sought Jesus’ help for herself.

The disciples, the crowds, Jairus, the woman - whether a storm on the sea of Galilee from our gospel from last week, or a father who is seeking help for his daughter, or a woman with nowhere else to turn, or you and me in the trials of this life broken in sin and death. Jesus is the one to turn to for hope, healing, peace and comfort.

Jesus said, “Who touched my garments?”

33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

Tell Jesus everything.
By faith in Christ, you and I are given healing, peace and life!
Do not fear, only believe!
Here comes the bad news:

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

The world says there is no hope.

Jesus says trust in me. Only believe!

[And taking] the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

By faith, Jairus trusted his daughter to Jesus and she was raised from death to life.

By faith the woman trusted that Jesus could cure her.

And also, by faith, parents bring their children to the waters of Holy Baptism so that they too might be brought from death to life. Here they receive God’s mercy as they are buried with Christ and raised to newness of life in Baptism.

The apostle Paul articulates this in his letter to the Ephesians in chapter 2 when he writes:

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

The parents’ faith, is in Christ's command and promise.

The child is given faith to believe by the working of the Holy Spirit connected to the water in Holy Baptism.

Do not fear, only believe!

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

Amen.