Title: Christ loves you and you love others!
Text: Eph. 5:22-33
Facebook live: Christ loves you and you love others!
31 “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
[Some years back], the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri made public 1,300 recently discovered letters that the late President wrote to his wife, Bess, over the course of a half-century. Mr. Truman had a lifelong rule of writing to his wife every day they were apart.
He followed this rule whenever he was away on official business or whenever Bess left Washington to visit her beloved Independence. Scholars are examining the letters for any new light they may throw on political and diplomatic history. For our part, we were most impressed by the simple fact that every day he was away, the President of the United States took time out from his dealing with the world's most powerful leaders to sit down and write a letter to his wife.
Bits & Pieces, October 15, 1992, pp. 15-16.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church
31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Gen2:24; Eph 5;31; Matt.19:5
Many today believe that the couple makes marriage and thus they can decide what their wedding and marriage should be like. In reality, the Word of the Lord teaches that God makes marriage.
Psalm 127:1 testifies, “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”
And Jesus proclaimed in answer to those who sought to do with marriage whatever they wanted:
“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate." Matthew 19:4-6
By becoming husband and wife and joining together in one family we find in a Christian marriage the importance of: Promise, Sacrifice and Joy.
Promise
As we pledge our love for one another in marriage and promise to hold that love for as long as we both shall live; we find in the Lutheran Service Book marriage rite three readings from Genesis, Matthew and our epistle reading for today in Ephesians 5 where this verse is present.
“The husband will be joined to his wife and the two will become one flesh.”
As individuals the two now become one.
As husband and wife there is the promise to be and think as one.
Not that you lose yourself and simply parrot what the other says or desire what they desire, but that your joy as a couple will be to live your life for each other … to care for each other … to make decisions with each other in mind because formerly the two are now one.
The apostle Paul tells us that this is a mystery and that it is profound and that this marriage union of becoming one refers to Christ and His Church.
Christ loves you and you love others!
To understand the love of husband and wife is to understand Christ’s love.
Wives are called to love and respect their husbands who have been given the position of headship which reflects the order of creation in the family just as Christ is the head of the church but submits to the Father’s will. – Not my will by thy will be done. - And the husband is to love his wife and give himself fully to her as Christ gave himself up unto death for his bride … the church.
This is a difficult responsibility for both husbands and wives as we are not Christ and in fact, we all fall short daily as sinners. It is not about the wife keeping her part of the marriage bargain, so that the husband will keep his … or about the husband doing his part, so that the wife will submit and do hers. It is in fact, that even though both will fail and fall short daily they are one … and called to be and remain one … in love and respect for one another.
Love, as Christ loves the church!
And Christ love was a sacrificial love!
Sacrifice
To sacrifice is to give of oneself for the benefit of the other.
When I was getting married, my dad took me aside and said, “Russ, marriage is a big responsibility. You are making a commitment.” He then told me the secret to a long marriage, “Love is about total compromise.”
These next words from my dad bear keeping close attention to, and I believe are most importantly given for the benefit of we husbands,
“When it feels like you’re giving 80% and your spouse is giving 20% it is probably 50-50%”
Compromise always feels like we are giving more.
It at times is a sacrifice for the benefit of the other and we know and understand that Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice for you and me, and the sons of disobedience, so that the sins of the whole world might be forgiven by Christ’s life given on the cross.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
I heard it said once that a husband and wife were trying to decide where to go on vacation. The husband wanted to go to New York, the Big Apple, and see the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty while the wife wanted to go to Florida and just relax at a resort, so they compromised … they went to Florida. A marriage built by God is a loving marriage of compromise and sacrifice.
Paul continues:
28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body.
Christ loves you and you love others!
Joy
The blessings that are united in marriage are hard to explain; through the biblical model of love and respect, submission and sacrifice two unique individuals are joined together in the union of husband and wife. The resulting joy can sustain both in times of trial and suffering.
Christ’s suffering brought joy and peace to his church. His love for the church brought his sacrificial death on the cross for you and husbands are to model that sacrificial love for his wife as he gives himself for her and the care of his family.
Wives also respect and love their husband as unto Christ who has saved and sanctified - which is to make holy - his bride the church.
Being saved is something the church knows quite a bit about.
Sacrificial love as Christ gave for the life of the world is brought to His children by faith, and is also modeled as we give ourselves to one another both in marriage and in service to others.
31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. Paul says … 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
May each of us joy always in the union and oneness of our marriage vowels, connected to Jesus Christ who is the way the truth and the life. He is the one who carries you and me through the times of hardship in your marriage and family life together that all marriages will need to endure.
For those of you who have not, and are not united in marriage at this time:
God may make a way … weather young and never married, or older and not currently married, or widowed … so that your life may be filled with Love … and respect, joy … and peace, submission … and yes sacrifice; for what God has joined together let no man separate.
I pray we always remember:
Christ loves you and you love others!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen.
Monday, August 26, 2024
Monday, August 19, 2024
Sermon Aug. 17-18, 2024
Title: Walk in the light of Christ!
Text: Eph 5:6-21
Facebook live: Walk in the light of Christ!
8b Walk as children of light
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
[Children's message]
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Empty words, we’ve all heard them … are words meant to deceive, to put off, or to fill one’s own agenda. The sons of disobedience hear and follow. Those opposed to Christ and his gospel continue to go the way of destruction, and we too who have been brought to faith by God’s gifts, at times also give way to the call of darkness and fall in sin.
7 Therefore do not become partners with them;
Don’t get sucked in, Paul tells the Ephesians.
But what were the Ephesians getting sucked into … and does it apply to you and me?
Paul says in verse three and four that preceded our text:
3 [That] sexual immorality and all impurity or [coveting] must not even be named among you, and he concludes: 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking … but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who [covets], [which is to desire that which is not yours] … has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Harsh words indeed and the Ephesians were falling short then, falling back into the sins of the flesh - and Christians today fall short too. When desires, feelings and societal norms go against God’s word and truth … the result is that darkness [the realm of Satan] reigns.
The internet and social media had been ablaze the past few weeks after the opening ceremony of the Olympics. I don’t watch the Olympics and have little interest, but at the beginning of the games in the opening ceremony, the debauchery of sin was prevalent on all things Olympic.
Some claim a depiction of the Last Supper by drag queens – intending to offend, [which later was confirmed and revealed to be their intent], others said, that it was just as one poster writes, and I paraphrase:
… just a Bacchanalia which is a pagan festival marked by drunkenness, debauchery, and ecstasy; in other words, an orgy of excess, sexual extremes, that even included the presence of children.
Paul writes:
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Paul is so contemporary!
There is nothing new under the Sun! Ecc. 1:9
Friends, you and I feel it too. Sin is a powerful force that we both, in thought, word, and deed can all fall victim to … and its desires, which are usually evil, can lead us away from the truth that God intends.
When Paul speaks of sexual immorality and all impurity, he is not just speaking of same sex attraction, but of all sexual sins outside of God’s design of marriage, or in the context of marriage that defiles that union.
The sin of adultery in the 6th commandment, or coveting in the 9th and 10th commandment where we covet our neighbor’s wife, or manservant of maid servant as Luther makes clear in the Small Catechism, are warnings not to fall victim to the sinful lusts of the flesh or works of the devil.
It affects you, me, our children and grandchildren and it has done this since the fall into sin. Whether you are a perpetrator or victim there are no winners when sexual sin rears its ugly head.
There has been so much in the news over the last number of years of powerful men who took advantage of their positions in the Hollywood entertainment machine to prey on young women, including TV celebrities; people of prominence, and we know, that the church is not immune either.
We must then as Christians be wise in what we say and do.
How do we imitate Christ in a public or private setting?
As the old saying goes:
“If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
Paul cautions the Ephesians and us all:
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
And here’s the key …
13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
The light that exposes darkness is Jesus Christ and his word of truth.
And it is not to use God as a means – claiming “I believe” - while denying him and living in sin using Christ as a cover.
But through repentance, it is God’s desire that you and all who sin be restored freely by faith in Christ, through his saving Gospel and the working of the Holy Spirit.
And also, by the light of the gospel that your light shines in the midst of those in darkness so that they too might see, hear, and come to faith and believe.
There was even an uproar in France by Christians after the opening ceremony, drawn together in public unity, to denounce the spectacle of sin and to focus, once again, on the sinless one who has stood in our place, paid for our sin, and should reign in our lives!
Darkness and light … or lies and truth.
Friends, you can’t ride the fence.
As Luther himself writes of this problem in a sermon in his own time:
13. Then be careful to avail yourself of the present opportunity. Embrace it while he is near, and faithfully consider what he requires of you. To ascertain this, go to the Creed and the Ten Commandments. They will tell you. Regulate your life by them. Be helped by the Lord’s prayer. Begin with yourself; then pray for the church. Let it be your desire that God’s name be everywhere sanctified and that your life conform to his will. If you are faithful in these things, assuredly you will walk wisely; you will avoid sin and do good. For the study and practice of these precepts will leave you no opportunity to do evil. God’s word will soon teach you to sanctify his name, to extend his kingdom, to do your neighbor no injury in mind body or estate.
Luther sermons Baker
Everything you do untimely says something about who you are. So:
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Paul says, don’t let the world, your sinful flesh or the devil be your guide. And all too often we can fall silent in the face of evil.
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Joel Fritsche a career missionary suggests that this might be a stanza from an early Christian hymn.
It certainly could be with this image of dying and rising and awaking from death that you and I who have been brought to faith understand.
Death is the great equalizer for us all. Whether you are famous in life or just one of us who seems faceless to the world, we all need to have Christ and be brought to faith to have an eternity with him.
That should change who we are and how we live.
19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
… and as Paul says:
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Here in the Divine Service, God calls us to come. To be fed on his word and sacrament. To receive God’s favor on account of Christ, and to go fourth, in a world of darkness, with the light of the gospel of peace – the very word of God – and it is this word that brings those who are dead in sin and darkness to God’s marvelous light of forgiveness.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen.
Text: Eph 5:6-21
Facebook live: Walk in the light of Christ!
8b Walk as children of light
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
[Children's message]
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Empty words, we’ve all heard them … are words meant to deceive, to put off, or to fill one’s own agenda. The sons of disobedience hear and follow. Those opposed to Christ and his gospel continue to go the way of destruction, and we too who have been brought to faith by God’s gifts, at times also give way to the call of darkness and fall in sin.
7 Therefore do not become partners with them;
Don’t get sucked in, Paul tells the Ephesians.
But what were the Ephesians getting sucked into … and does it apply to you and me?
Paul says in verse three and four that preceded our text:
3 [That] sexual immorality and all impurity or [coveting] must not even be named among you, and he concludes: 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking … but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who [covets], [which is to desire that which is not yours] … has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Harsh words indeed and the Ephesians were falling short then, falling back into the sins of the flesh - and Christians today fall short too. When desires, feelings and societal norms go against God’s word and truth … the result is that darkness [the realm of Satan] reigns.
The internet and social media had been ablaze the past few weeks after the opening ceremony of the Olympics. I don’t watch the Olympics and have little interest, but at the beginning of the games in the opening ceremony, the debauchery of sin was prevalent on all things Olympic.
Some claim a depiction of the Last Supper by drag queens – intending to offend, [which later was confirmed and revealed to be their intent], others said, that it was just as one poster writes, and I paraphrase:
… just a Bacchanalia which is a pagan festival marked by drunkenness, debauchery, and ecstasy; in other words, an orgy of excess, sexual extremes, that even included the presence of children.
Paul writes:
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Paul is so contemporary!
There is nothing new under the Sun! Ecc. 1:9
Friends, you and I feel it too. Sin is a powerful force that we both, in thought, word, and deed can all fall victim to … and its desires, which are usually evil, can lead us away from the truth that God intends.
When Paul speaks of sexual immorality and all impurity, he is not just speaking of same sex attraction, but of all sexual sins outside of God’s design of marriage, or in the context of marriage that defiles that union.
The sin of adultery in the 6th commandment, or coveting in the 9th and 10th commandment where we covet our neighbor’s wife, or manservant of maid servant as Luther makes clear in the Small Catechism, are warnings not to fall victim to the sinful lusts of the flesh or works of the devil.
It affects you, me, our children and grandchildren and it has done this since the fall into sin. Whether you are a perpetrator or victim there are no winners when sexual sin rears its ugly head.
There has been so much in the news over the last number of years of powerful men who took advantage of their positions in the Hollywood entertainment machine to prey on young women, including TV celebrities; people of prominence, and we know, that the church is not immune either.
We must then as Christians be wise in what we say and do.
How do we imitate Christ in a public or private setting?
As the old saying goes:
“If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
Paul cautions the Ephesians and us all:
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
And here’s the key …
13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
The light that exposes darkness is Jesus Christ and his word of truth.
And it is not to use God as a means – claiming “I believe” - while denying him and living in sin using Christ as a cover.
But through repentance, it is God’s desire that you and all who sin be restored freely by faith in Christ, through his saving Gospel and the working of the Holy Spirit.
And also, by the light of the gospel that your light shines in the midst of those in darkness so that they too might see, hear, and come to faith and believe.
There was even an uproar in France by Christians after the opening ceremony, drawn together in public unity, to denounce the spectacle of sin and to focus, once again, on the sinless one who has stood in our place, paid for our sin, and should reign in our lives!
Darkness and light … or lies and truth.
Friends, you can’t ride the fence.
As Luther himself writes of this problem in a sermon in his own time:
13. Then be careful to avail yourself of the present opportunity. Embrace it while he is near, and faithfully consider what he requires of you. To ascertain this, go to the Creed and the Ten Commandments. They will tell you. Regulate your life by them. Be helped by the Lord’s prayer. Begin with yourself; then pray for the church. Let it be your desire that God’s name be everywhere sanctified and that your life conform to his will. If you are faithful in these things, assuredly you will walk wisely; you will avoid sin and do good. For the study and practice of these precepts will leave you no opportunity to do evil. God’s word will soon teach you to sanctify his name, to extend his kingdom, to do your neighbor no injury in mind body or estate.
Luther sermons Baker
Everything you do untimely says something about who you are. So:
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Paul says, don’t let the world, your sinful flesh or the devil be your guide. And all too often we can fall silent in the face of evil.
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Joel Fritsche a career missionary suggests that this might be a stanza from an early Christian hymn.
It certainly could be with this image of dying and rising and awaking from death that you and I who have been brought to faith understand.
Death is the great equalizer for us all. Whether you are famous in life or just one of us who seems faceless to the world, we all need to have Christ and be brought to faith to have an eternity with him.
That should change who we are and how we live.
19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
… and as Paul says:
21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Here in the Divine Service, God calls us to come. To be fed on his word and sacrament. To receive God’s favor on account of Christ, and to go fourth, in a world of darkness, with the light of the gospel of peace – the very word of God – and it is this word that brings those who are dead in sin and darkness to God’s marvelous light of forgiveness.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen.
Monday, August 12, 2024
Sermon Aug. 10-11, 2024 – Pastor Terry Nelson
Title: Teaching Children to Get Along! – Pastor Terry Nelson
Text: Eph. 4:17-5:2
Facebook live: Teaching Children to Get Along!
23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Text: Eph. 4:17-5:2
Facebook live: Teaching Children to Get Along!
23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Sermon Aug. 3-4, 2024
Title: Live in humility, love and peace!
Text: Eph. 4:1-16
Text: Eph. 4:1-16
Facebook live: Live in humility, love and peace!
4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Humility, gentleness, and patience or - bearing with one another in love - sure doesn’t sound like the world I live in. At least if you watch the news, spend time on your computer, or check the timeline feeds on your phone or social media account.
You members, who are not online, or active with Facebook and other accounts are not immune either. You’ve either hear about it on the radio, read about it in the paper, or have firsthand experience with it while you drive, shop, or go about you daily lives.
Rude, aggressive and unkind people, who also happen to be impatient are all around us. The world is full of them. It’s been full of them for years!
… As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.
… I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
No, that’s not me asking these questions. These are the lyrics to a song written by Nick Lowe, but made popular by Elvis Costello back in 1978.
Sounds like today, doesn’t it?
Wicked world, darkness, insanity, hope lost, pain, hatred and misery.
It sounds like the lives of all too many in our world today, though the song was written in 1974. A time I remember and maybe many of you remember as wonderful and joy filled and with a bright future ahead.
As the song builds to its chorus stamp and signature the writer asks a question.
… And each time I feel like this inside,
There's one thing I wanna know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?
Guess what … I ask that same question and so, I believe, do many of you.
As the body of believers, we live in the world too. At times the world breaks into our lives with rude, violent, and unkind people and attitudes that can shake the foundation of who we are, causing in us a response that is no more humble, gentle, or patient than what we’ve experienced.
It is easy to take our eyes off Jesus;
and Paul here is calling the church in Ephesus to refocus. Not only to see Jesus and all he has done for them but to reflect him in words, actions, and attitudes living as his followers wherever God has placed them in home, work, or church.
3 Make every effort [Be diligent] to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. NIV 1984
From Lutheran Catechesis we learn how the Law works as curb, mirror, and guide.
It stops bad behavior, [curb]
reflects our sinfulness to us, [mirror]
and directs us in a better way to go. [guide]
Feeble attempts to keep the Law miss the mark as we actually at times think we measure up.
It can cause a condescending spirit in us to see ourselves as better than others – especially as brothers and sisters in Christ - as pride grows and replaces humility.
In my life I’ve run into or met some people who have had great success in life.
Steve Yzerman as a rookie and just beginning his career visited the store I worked at, as he did as the assistant General manager, post career, bringing his daughter to a piano recital.
Quiet, calm assurance, and polite.
Grant Hill Piston basketball star at the time was – polite, friendly, and kind.
Tom Wilson, at the time CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment, and current President and Chief Executive Officer of Olympia Entertainment treated me like I was a good friend and not just a salesman selling him a piano.
Chris Chelios, Alan Trammel, Jack Morris and even Bob Seger and Aretha Franklin came into the store.
Many, I didn’t wait on as another salesman got the opportunity.
Most were polite and nice. Some bought, and some didn’t.
Some Confident … yes, and some cocky.
Paul in his letter wants the church then and now to know that there is one church, one body of believers, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all … and you, like the church in Ephesus, have been bought with a price.
The death of Jesus is the gift and the price.
Because he has risen from the dead and has ascended on high, we too who trust in him will rise and ascend. But only because he died in our place and descended, proclaiming victory over sin, death and the power of the devil can we ever understand the height that he has ascended too.
Humility is hard … success builds pride.
Pride can see not the gift or the giver but only the reflection in the mirror. The mirror of the Law - shows us our sin – SOS. But it requires an act of God through his Holy Spirit to SOS – see our savior.
Hall of Fame honors, World Series wins, Stanley Cups, NBA Championships, money, success and fame can cause a cloud of selfish pride to obscure the mirror for some - that reflects who we truly are apart from Christ – lost and condemned creatures that we are.
I found a smile on my face recently as I listened to Jim Leyland, give his Hall of Fame speech at Cooperstown.
Quite an honor, but Jim remained ever humble. He said at one point:
“I was having coffee with (wife) Katie, a couple of weeks after I was elected to the Hall of Fame. And I casually said, ‘Katie, can you believe in your wildest dreams that I’ve been elected to the Hall of Fame?’ And Katie replied, ‘Jim, you’re not in my wildest dreams.’”
But thanks be to God, in spite of our successes or failures in this life, he has made a way for the mirror to clearly reflect our true condition as sinners and to provide the means of comfort for a burdened soul - by the word of God and through the work of the Holy Spirit – we are forgiven in Christ and now have peace with God.
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, NIV 1984
God’s gift comes to us through humble means.
Apostles – called by God in Christ to proclaim the way, the truth, and the life in Jesus and to write by inspiration of the Holy Spirit all that God has given them to do.
Prophets - Those who in many and various ways God spoke through in the past pointing forward to the coming hope that is Jesus.
Evangelists – Those sent to take the good news to the far reaches of the world to bring the lost into the fold.
Pastor’s and teachers – Shepherds that care for God’s flock [people], called to proclaim the full council of God, feeding God’s sheep, giving his gifts and teaching his children the truth of the word and their standing as his redeemed children. I am blessed to be here and called to serve you.
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
God’s word is truth.
Paul’s desire is that the church knows the word of God …
knows the gift of faith …
knows the reliance on one Lord, one Faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all.
Only then is it possible to reflect humility, gentleness, and patient as we live as Christ’s body of believers in this broken world.
14 … No longer, children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Through a wicked world - darkness, insanity, hope lost, pain, hatred and misery continues.
Not being deceived by the ways of the world and the cunning of the devil or being drawn away through men who twist the word of God, deceive the flock, and build their kingdom on the backs of the faithful.
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Bringing Peace, Love and Understanding to our world!
Reactions to the truth can cause differing responses.
It can cause rebellion, anger, pride and arrogance by those in opposition to the word and the truth it proclaims, or by the working of the Holy Spirit it can cause humility, gentleness, and patience in your life and mine as we live out our vocations as Christians.
You too have been changed.
28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John6:28-29
May the joy of that change be a reflection in all you say and do.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen.
4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Humility, gentleness, and patience or - bearing with one another in love - sure doesn’t sound like the world I live in. At least if you watch the news, spend time on your computer, or check the timeline feeds on your phone or social media account.
You members, who are not online, or active with Facebook and other accounts are not immune either. You’ve either hear about it on the radio, read about it in the paper, or have firsthand experience with it while you drive, shop, or go about you daily lives.
Rude, aggressive and unkind people, who also happen to be impatient are all around us. The world is full of them. It’s been full of them for years!
… As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.
… I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
No, that’s not me asking these questions. These are the lyrics to a song written by Nick Lowe, but made popular by Elvis Costello back in 1978.
Sounds like today, doesn’t it?
Wicked world, darkness, insanity, hope lost, pain, hatred and misery.
It sounds like the lives of all too many in our world today, though the song was written in 1974. A time I remember and maybe many of you remember as wonderful and joy filled and with a bright future ahead.
As the song builds to its chorus stamp and signature the writer asks a question.
… And each time I feel like this inside,
There's one thing I wanna know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?
Guess what … I ask that same question and so, I believe, do many of you.
As the body of believers, we live in the world too. At times the world breaks into our lives with rude, violent, and unkind people and attitudes that can shake the foundation of who we are, causing in us a response that is no more humble, gentle, or patient than what we’ve experienced.
It is easy to take our eyes off Jesus;
and Paul here is calling the church in Ephesus to refocus. Not only to see Jesus and all he has done for them but to reflect him in words, actions, and attitudes living as his followers wherever God has placed them in home, work, or church.
3 Make every effort [Be diligent] to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. NIV 1984
From Lutheran Catechesis we learn how the Law works as curb, mirror, and guide.
It stops bad behavior, [curb]
reflects our sinfulness to us, [mirror]
and directs us in a better way to go. [guide]
Feeble attempts to keep the Law miss the mark as we actually at times think we measure up.
It can cause a condescending spirit in us to see ourselves as better than others – especially as brothers and sisters in Christ - as pride grows and replaces humility.
In my life I’ve run into or met some people who have had great success in life.
Steve Yzerman as a rookie and just beginning his career visited the store I worked at, as he did as the assistant General manager, post career, bringing his daughter to a piano recital.
Quiet, calm assurance, and polite.
Grant Hill Piston basketball star at the time was – polite, friendly, and kind.
Tom Wilson, at the time CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment, and current President and Chief Executive Officer of Olympia Entertainment treated me like I was a good friend and not just a salesman selling him a piano.
Chris Chelios, Alan Trammel, Jack Morris and even Bob Seger and Aretha Franklin came into the store.
Many, I didn’t wait on as another salesman got the opportunity.
Most were polite and nice. Some bought, and some didn’t.
Some Confident … yes, and some cocky.
Paul in his letter wants the church then and now to know that there is one church, one body of believers, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all … and you, like the church in Ephesus, have been bought with a price.
The death of Jesus is the gift and the price.
Because he has risen from the dead and has ascended on high, we too who trust in him will rise and ascend. But only because he died in our place and descended, proclaiming victory over sin, death and the power of the devil can we ever understand the height that he has ascended too.
Humility is hard … success builds pride.
Pride can see not the gift or the giver but only the reflection in the mirror. The mirror of the Law - shows us our sin – SOS. But it requires an act of God through his Holy Spirit to SOS – see our savior.
Hall of Fame honors, World Series wins, Stanley Cups, NBA Championships, money, success and fame can cause a cloud of selfish pride to obscure the mirror for some - that reflects who we truly are apart from Christ – lost and condemned creatures that we are.
I found a smile on my face recently as I listened to Jim Leyland, give his Hall of Fame speech at Cooperstown.
Quite an honor, but Jim remained ever humble. He said at one point:
“I was having coffee with (wife) Katie, a couple of weeks after I was elected to the Hall of Fame. And I casually said, ‘Katie, can you believe in your wildest dreams that I’ve been elected to the Hall of Fame?’ And Katie replied, ‘Jim, you’re not in my wildest dreams.’”
But thanks be to God, in spite of our successes or failures in this life, he has made a way for the mirror to clearly reflect our true condition as sinners and to provide the means of comfort for a burdened soul - by the word of God and through the work of the Holy Spirit – we are forgiven in Christ and now have peace with God.
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, NIV 1984
God’s gift comes to us through humble means.
Apostles – called by God in Christ to proclaim the way, the truth, and the life in Jesus and to write by inspiration of the Holy Spirit all that God has given them to do.
Prophets - Those who in many and various ways God spoke through in the past pointing forward to the coming hope that is Jesus.
Evangelists – Those sent to take the good news to the far reaches of the world to bring the lost into the fold.
Pastor’s and teachers – Shepherds that care for God’s flock [people], called to proclaim the full council of God, feeding God’s sheep, giving his gifts and teaching his children the truth of the word and their standing as his redeemed children. I am blessed to be here and called to serve you.
12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
God’s word is truth.
Paul’s desire is that the church knows the word of God …
knows the gift of faith …
knows the reliance on one Lord, one Faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all.
Only then is it possible to reflect humility, gentleness, and patient as we live as Christ’s body of believers in this broken world.
14 … No longer, children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Through a wicked world - darkness, insanity, hope lost, pain, hatred and misery continues.
Not being deceived by the ways of the world and the cunning of the devil or being drawn away through men who twist the word of God, deceive the flock, and build their kingdom on the backs of the faithful.
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Bringing Peace, Love and Understanding to our world!
Reactions to the truth can cause differing responses.
It can cause rebellion, anger, pride and arrogance by those in opposition to the word and the truth it proclaims, or by the working of the Holy Spirit it can cause humility, gentleness, and patience in your life and mine as we live out our vocations as Christians.
You too have been changed.
28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John6:28-29
May the joy of that change be a reflection in all you say and do.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen.
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