Title: Jesus sets us free!
Text: John 8:31-36
Facebook live: Jesus sets us free!
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
I’d like to highlight 5 words that Jesus speaks at the beginning of our gospel reading for today, as we observe the Reformation of our church.
Abide, Word, Disciples, Truth, and Free,
Jesus tells the believing Jews in our Gospel today who had been following Him that:
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”
To be a disciple is to be a follower of Christ. One who is connected to God’s very words and who abides in them. Who hears the word with the intention of following or obeying which is one, who accepts and acts in accordance with the word of God.
In our Gospel reading for today Jesus tells the Jews and you and me as well:
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Today truth can be anything you want it to be.
Truth can be defined in the world today according to our feelings.
Truth is no longer objective, but subjective and defined as “My Truth.”
Many blindly follow the edict of subjective truth or fear getting cancelled.
Whether it’s the redefinition of marriage, multiple genders of identification, or other societal norms that are being challenged against Natural Law and reason, the victim of this culture shift is truth and free speech has become hate-speech for many if My Truth is violated.
In the 1950’s a favorite TV show was “Father Knows Best”
Today, Father knows nothing, isn’t needed, and has been canceled.
In the 1960’s Time Magazine asked the question “Is God Dead?”
Today’s answer, “God isn’t dead - because God is me!”
But in the time of the Reformation, the freedom and liberty of the gospel is what Luther craved. It is what he searched for and why he became a monk – thinking that being locked inside the walls of a monastery, devoting himself to fasting, long hours in prayer, pilgrimages, and frequent confessions would keep him away from sin, the world and of the devil.
But sin is who we are.
Sin is the cause of a perfect creation being corrupted.
Sin askes the question, “Did God really say?”
And then Sin answer’s that question “No!”
God’s word says: 4 … “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female.” Matt 19:4
Sin answers: No!
God’s word says: 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” Ex 20:3
Sin answers: No!
God’s word says: 13 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.” Psalm 139:13
Sin answers: No!
In Luther’s day the church took money for the forgiveness of sins. It was called buying an indulgence. Luther was tormented by sin. How could he a sinner stand before God how could he find peace?
His reformation came in the word of truth in Jesus Christ the son of God when he read in Romans 5:1:
5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We need a new reformation today.
We need a return to objective truth.
We need to honor and value life at all stages.
We need repentance and forgiveness.
We need Jesus, who came to pay the price for sins of the world and set us free from this bondage of death.
33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Martin Luther writes:
“Discipleship is not limited to what you can comprehend--it must transcend all comprehension.”
He continues:
Thus Abraham went forth from his father and not knowing (where he was going). He trusted himself to (God’s) knowledge, and cared not for his own, and thus he took the right road and came to his journey's end.
Behold, that end is the way of the cross.
That end is the way of truth.
That end is a new reformation.
Luther writes:
You cannot find it yourself, so you must let (God) lead you as though you were a blind man. (So), it is not you, no man, [no woman, no living creature, no “My Truth” no feelings] but (Christ) Himself, who instructs you by Word and Spirit in the way you should go.
Not the work which you choose, not the suffering you devise, but the road which is contrary to all that you choose to contrive or desire--that is the road you must take. To that, (Christ) calls you and me and in that - you must be my disciple.”
― Martin Luther
Saying in essence: Hear me! Listen to me! Abide in me! Follow me!
Friends, the Reformation is now! It’s the time to Abide in God’s Word, as Disciples of Truth, who follow and proclaim that truth and are set Free by it!
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
The objective truth is that we are all bound to sin and its cravings.
We desire to do the will of our sinful nature which is in opposition to God’s will and as a result you and I fall short daily.
The world says, “Listen to me, deep down you are a really a good person!” when the truth is: deep down we are sinful.
The more you get to the core of who we are in our fallen human condition the more you see the sinfulness of man, corrupted to the core from the beginning by our first parents Adam and Eve.
But Jesus reminds His hearers: To Listen to him! Hear his word!
35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
The freedom for the sinner is found only in Jesus.
That was the joy that Luther found and what we celebrate in the Reformation. In Christ, true freedom from sin is possible and true liberty for we who are bound with the chains of guilt and despair is broken.
Christ has set free those who could not free themselves by his own binding.
The binding of His flesh to the cross in your place
The shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of your sin
A death worthy of a criminal for you and I who are guilty and the burial in a tomb meant for another …
In Jesus’ case … Joseph of Arimathea, for it was his tomb where Jesus was laid.
But, that tomb and that death WAS meant for you!
Jesus took your place,
He took your cross,
He took your death,
And He took your tomb and He made them what you couldn't …
Life, freedom, liberty, salvation and forgiveness
Hear the truth!
Salvation is all of God and not of man.
That is the message of the Reformation.
Luther restored the gospel truths about Christ and His merits that had been lost, covered by sin in the church and the focus on earthly rulers, once again by shinning the light of the gospel on Christ’s work, for you.
Because Jesus came to live, suffer, die and rise again for you … because of Christ and His merits … because the Son has set you free … you are free indeed!
We need to hear it again. We need it daily. We need Jesus!
May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be and abide with you now and forever.
In the name of the Father and of the Son+ and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen
Monday, October 28, 2024
Monday, October 21, 2024
Sermon October 19-20, 2024
Theme: With Christ the impossible is possible!
31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Running a race? You don’t want to be last.
Playing a sport? You don’t want to be last.
Impressing your boss? You don’t want to be last.
Saving for retirement? You don’t want to be last, to think about saving for that time that awaits us all in the future.
But Jesus says:
31 … many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Last week we spoke of treasure in heaven and how so many people see their treasure here on earth in what they have or do. The rich young man in the gospel last week went away disappointed because he had great possessions instead of following Jesus and the eternal reward that is given. Many in this life also follow material gain while at the same time giving up the nourishment needed for spiritual feeding.
A friend of mine who makes his living teaching guitar always keeps Sunday as his day of rest where he doesn’t teach or play gigs … and the Lord knows that he could use the money. But instead, he goes to church and focuses on his spiritual feeding and family time. He’s told me once,
“God always meets my needs … rarely early … but always on time!”
Jesus, in speaking to his disciples about those who trust in riches or wealth says:
“Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!”
Remember the young man went away disappointed because he had great possessions. And Jesus then adds:
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
We all know how hard it is to just thread a needle don’t we? Have you ever sewn or tried to sew a button on? I have … it wasn’t good. Thankfully my wife is good at it.
So, then the image that Jesus is giving the disciples of entering the Kingdom of God by any means other than,
8 by grace … through faith is what we have to focus on.
Camel … eye of a needle … you get it. It is quite literally impossible!
So the things of this world and all of the accomplishments you and I achieve won’t measure up in God’s plan of salvation.
So the disciples ask:
“Then who can be saved?”
Who can meet the requirements?
Who can get through the eye of the needle?
Jesus tells them:
“With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
We can’t do it.
We can’t achieve it.
We can’t buy it.
Heck … we can’t even steal it!
But … we can have it none the less.
In fact, … we can have it all … because:
This is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph 2:8-9
But we want to boast, don’t we?
We always want to share the good news of our team winning, don’t we?
It seems that way with so many of us.
Working on Saturdays and Sundays for most of my adult life sucked all the interest out of football for me, both college and pro. Though, with the Lions I am getting some back!
I don’t have a favorite team and really, I’m happy to see Michigan and Michigan State or the Lions do well. I really don’t follow football all that much, and it is more likely that you’ll see Monica turning on the game than me. I must admit though that this Lions and Minnesota football game this weekend, looks to be an exciting and defining game!
Our lives revolve around what we do, how we prepare, what advantages we find, and how we perform. Some struggle and some excel. Both teams are having a great season. Though the loss of Aidan Hutchinson has complicated things a bit.
We live and die with the teams we follow and we see it in our own lives.
Success and failure is all part of our own game of life too. We live with the ups and downs of family and friends.
We try not to let the successes or failures define us.
We try not to get too high or too low.
Work hard, do your best, provide for your family, but see the greater gift – not in the success or things of this world - but what you have received that you could never earn, the gift of grace and faith in Jesus Christ and his righteousness.
28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”
Last week Jesus told the rich young man to sell everything, give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and then Christ compelled him to come follow me.
But he went away in sorrow because he had great possessions.
Martin Luther in speaking in his lectures in Genesis says:
“Do not fear those, says Christ (Matt 10:28), who kill the body, house, and other things, what of it?
These things have to be left behind in any case.”
He then continues:
“For neither Peter nor Paul even though they were saintly men, had better flesh than we have.” They too, were children of Adam, [broken in sin] just as we are. Paul sometimes glories and boasts as if he were already victorious over all evils. Sometimes he complains pitiable about fears within and fighting’s without (2Cor.7:5).
Where was that completely invincible hero, that victor over all hell, then?”
LW Am. Ed. Vol.5, Pg 27
If Paul, had doubt, you and I will too.
29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands,
[And in this life] persecutions,
and in the age to come eternal life.
We will have tribulations and persecutions but also, heaven … and eternal life.
That is fully on account of God, in Christ, through the Spirit’s work.
Text: Mark 10:23-31
Facebook live: With Christ the impossible is possible!
31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Running a race? You don’t want to be last.
Playing a sport? You don’t want to be last.
Impressing your boss? You don’t want to be last.
Saving for retirement? You don’t want to be last, to think about saving for that time that awaits us all in the future.
But Jesus says:
31 … many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Last week we spoke of treasure in heaven and how so many people see their treasure here on earth in what they have or do. The rich young man in the gospel last week went away disappointed because he had great possessions instead of following Jesus and the eternal reward that is given. Many in this life also follow material gain while at the same time giving up the nourishment needed for spiritual feeding.
A friend of mine who makes his living teaching guitar always keeps Sunday as his day of rest where he doesn’t teach or play gigs … and the Lord knows that he could use the money. But instead, he goes to church and focuses on his spiritual feeding and family time. He’s told me once,
“God always meets my needs … rarely early … but always on time!”
Jesus, in speaking to his disciples about those who trust in riches or wealth says:
“Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!”
Remember the young man went away disappointed because he had great possessions. And Jesus then adds:
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
We all know how hard it is to just thread a needle don’t we? Have you ever sewn or tried to sew a button on? I have … it wasn’t good. Thankfully my wife is good at it.
So, then the image that Jesus is giving the disciples of entering the Kingdom of God by any means other than,
8 by grace … through faith is what we have to focus on.
Camel … eye of a needle … you get it. It is quite literally impossible!
So the things of this world and all of the accomplishments you and I achieve won’t measure up in God’s plan of salvation.
So the disciples ask:
“Then who can be saved?”
Who can meet the requirements?
Who can get through the eye of the needle?
Jesus tells them:
“With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
We can’t do it.
We can’t achieve it.
We can’t buy it.
Heck … we can’t even steal it!
But … we can have it none the less.
In fact, … we can have it all … because:
This is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph 2:8-9
But we want to boast, don’t we?
We always want to share the good news of our team winning, don’t we?
It seems that way with so many of us.
Working on Saturdays and Sundays for most of my adult life sucked all the interest out of football for me, both college and pro. Though, with the Lions I am getting some back!
I don’t have a favorite team and really, I’m happy to see Michigan and Michigan State or the Lions do well. I really don’t follow football all that much, and it is more likely that you’ll see Monica turning on the game than me. I must admit though that this Lions and Minnesota football game this weekend, looks to be an exciting and defining game!
Our lives revolve around what we do, how we prepare, what advantages we find, and how we perform. Some struggle and some excel. Both teams are having a great season. Though the loss of Aidan Hutchinson has complicated things a bit.
We live and die with the teams we follow and we see it in our own lives.
Success and failure is all part of our own game of life too. We live with the ups and downs of family and friends.
We try not to let the successes or failures define us.
We try not to get too high or too low.
Work hard, do your best, provide for your family, but see the greater gift – not in the success or things of this world - but what you have received that you could never earn, the gift of grace and faith in Jesus Christ and his righteousness.
28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”
Last week Jesus told the rich young man to sell everything, give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven and then Christ compelled him to come follow me.
But he went away in sorrow because he had great possessions.
Martin Luther in speaking in his lectures in Genesis says:
“Do not fear those, says Christ (Matt 10:28), who kill the body, house, and other things, what of it?
These things have to be left behind in any case.”
He then continues:
“For neither Peter nor Paul even though they were saintly men, had better flesh than we have.” They too, were children of Adam, [broken in sin] just as we are. Paul sometimes glories and boasts as if he were already victorious over all evils. Sometimes he complains pitiable about fears within and fighting’s without (2Cor.7:5).
Where was that completely invincible hero, that victor over all hell, then?”
LW Am. Ed. Vol.5, Pg 27
If Paul, had doubt, you and I will too.
29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands,
[And in this life] persecutions,
and in the age to come eternal life.
We will have tribulations and persecutions but also, heaven … and eternal life.
That is fully on account of God, in Christ, through the Spirit’s work.
Life requires money but death requires Christ!
And, with Christ the impossible is possible!
We have Christ’s assurance of eternal life and the word of Jesus is always trustworthy and true. Those who trust in him and follow him have what he has promised … eternal life.
In the name of the Father and of the Son+ and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen
And, with Christ the impossible is possible!
We have Christ’s assurance of eternal life and the word of Jesus is always trustworthy and true. Those who trust in him and follow him have what he has promised … eternal life.
In the name of the Father and of the Son+ and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen
Monday, October 14, 2024
Sermon October 12-13, 2024
Title: In Christ we are never disheartened!
Text: Mark 10:17-22
Text: Mark 10:17-22
Facebook live: In Christ we are never disheartened!
20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
As I began my week last Monday, I looked at the reality of another funeral for a dear friend and member Sue Vogt, and another sermon for this weekend to prepare.
What to say and how to say it remain on my mind.
Each week we receive the Lord's forgiveness in worship and then stumble through the week- both dead in sin and forgiven in Christ - and we need to come back to church and receive the Lord’s forgiveness once again. We live this life of death each day and often it hits hard and we don’t know if we can stand under the pressure. The truth is we can’t.
So, we come and confess our sins together.
“Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean.”
Yes, that is who we are dead in sin.
So we come back each week to hear the Good News and it is for that reason that I prepare a sermon each week that shows us our sin and also shows us our savior so that we can be forgiven, comforted, and renewed as we go back into this broken world for the week that lies ahead.
17 And as [Jesus] was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Isn’t that the question most ask? What must I do? What can I expect? What do you expect of me?
We ask it in all aspects of life. We ask it of parents, at school, with friends, or groups of friends. We ask it as we grow older, at work, and at times we rail against those expectations. They expect too much.
How can I measure up to that we think?
The Tigers had a wonderful and unexpected season. Some might say anything less than the World Series win is a failure. But with a this team and so many young players how can that be our goal?
For some fans only achieving the ultimate prize … makes it a successful season.
“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
The rich young man asks Jesus in our gospel lesson for today. As a rich man he has achieved much success in his life.
Many, measure success financially. Some by the things of this world that we have. Some are goal driven and look to acquire wealth as a protection for the future.
That is not in and of itself bad.
So Jesus asks first: “Why do you call me good? And tells him, No one is good except God alone.”
Jesus here sets the stage for what God requires. No one is good except God alone. But trying to go a bit deeper with this young man Jesus lays it out.
19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness [or] defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”
Jesus gives him half of the commandments. He says for a start, how do you do with these? And remember Jesus hasn’t asked him about the table of the law that deals with God.
You are to have no other Gods, do not misuse the name of the Lord your God and keep holy the Sabbath day.
Jesus just asks … how do you do with these interactions with your neighbor in the world?
The rich young man answers:
“Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”
And I’m sure there are people who think that they measure up well. “I’m a pretty good person they think.”
But perfection for God is so much more than what we expect.
Perfection for the Lord requires no mistakes, not even one!
That’s perfection. That’s impossible, you might say … and it is.
Even as good as Miguel Cabrera was and has been over his career - 500 home runs and almost 3000 hits - but he makes an out almost 7 out of every ten times he comes to the plate and we revere him as a great hitter - when our God would require 10 hits out of 10 at plate appearances.
That’s perfection. That’s impossible, you might say … and it is.
Jesus loved this young man so it may seem a bit funny what he says next.
“You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
You only lack one thing. It’s your stuff.
Jesus say, “Sell it all and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven!”
22 Disheartened [by what Jesus had said to him], he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
The other part of the law, the part about this man’s relationship between his stuff … and his God … has now come to light.
He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
It is not sinful to have stuff … as long as your stuff doesn’t have you; I heard a pastor once say.
Guitars were my idol. I grew up wanting a better guitar. When I got that a nice acoustic guitar was next on the list on needs. After three my dad didn’t know how many I had. It was just a pile of cases in my room.
Joe Bonamassa is a guitarist. He is really good. I saw a meme on Facebook where he was standing on a stage with 20 or 30 guitars and it seemed as many amplifiers.
The caption read: “Teach your children to love guitars and they won’t have money for drugs.”
It’s funny but true. My mom always knew where I was … down the basement with my band practicing. It kept me out of trouble but not focused on Jesus. My friend Rob, a great guitarist once said, “I use to worship the wood in my hands but now, by grace, I worship Jesus Christ and what he accomplished on the wood of the cross, for me.”
By God’s Holy Spirit he takes our eyes off of self and points us to Jesus, his cross, and the salvation he won for us there and the glorious resurrection that followed.
Where is your treasure?
The possessions we have, the work we do, and the things we save and treasure … the guitars for instance … will not measure up in God’s eyes. It is after all already his and it has been given to you … and how you use it can certainly benefit those in need, physically and spiritually.
There is nothing to be earned, because it has all been given. There is nothing to do, because it has all been done. Because of Christ, the good teacher, you have received God’s favor. Not for what you have or what you have done but because of what Christ has done for you.
The treasures on earth pale in comparison to the treasure God has in heaven for you.
What we lack is found in Christ!
Jesus says: come, follow me!
In the name of the Father and of the Son+ and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen
Monday, October 7, 2024
Sermon October 5-6, 2024
Title: Christ is our hope!
Facebook live: Christ is our hope!
15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Robert Fulghum wrote in the Kansas City Times, "Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.
"These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody . . . When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together … Unless you become like little children, you won't enter the kingdom of heaven."
Hugh Duncan.
So what is childlike faith?
Well, Webster says of a child: It is an unborn or recently born person; a young person especially between infancy and youth; a childlike or childish person; a person not yet of age; a son or daughter of human parents; one strongly influenced by another or by a place, or state of affairs.
And about faith Webster says: It’s a strong belief or trust in someone or something; belief in the existence of God; strong religious feelings or beliefs; a system of religious beliefs; fidelity to one's promises; sincerity of intentions; belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust.
So, picture if you will a young child standing on the side of a pool; not yet of age to swim and having not been taught how, but being strongly influenced by dad’s call to jump and that he will catch them.
The child too has strong feelings and beliefs, that if dad misses or drops me, “I will hit the water and I’m going to sink as fast as the stones I’ve dropped in the pool at the deep end!”
But dad has promised to catch them and so they place their trust his intentions … complete trust and loyalty in dad … though there is no proof.
As the child jumps, dad catches … confirming their faith in the object of their safety - the one who will not let them fall.
It is true as well with our heavenly father. St. Paul writes in his epistle in 2 Tim 4:18:
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. 2 Timothy 4:18
It is his promise.
So, where do we place our trust?
What is the object of faith for the Christian?
Is it in our self? Is it in our parents?
Is it in the church or religion as a whole?
Is it society and political power?
Is it strong or weak like a child?
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.
Children, or infants or babies can’t come to Jesus so “they” probable refers to their parents or responsible adults who were bringing them to Jesus.
Much like you and me who continue to bring the little boys and girls, who are brought as infants to the waters of Holy Baptism … where God himself marks them as his child. God’s work that requires are action!
It’s why, I’m sure, that Martin Luther wrote this in his Small Catechism:
As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household.
God’s work and our action!
The responsibility is given to parents and more specifically to fathers to teach their children about Jesus, as they are called to be the ones that are the spiritual heads of their households.
So, how do we teach?
Certainly, the Catechism is one important way. Sunday school and Bible study is another, and ongoing Catechesis, which is the instruction in the faith through the word of God. But singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is another way as well.
One song that more clearly shows the childlike faith that Jesus is talking about was written in the mid 1700’s by Henrietta L. von Hays.
I am Jesus’ little lamb, Ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my needs and well provides me,
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.
Childlike faith clings to the savior as a child to his mother and father; Knowing that every need is provided for them by God daily, and that he lovingly calls each one of us by name.
Day by day, at home, away, Jesus is my staff and stay.
When I hunger, Jesus feeds me,
Into pleasant pastures leads me;
When I thirst, he bids me go
where the quiet waters flow.
Every day our childlike faith is placed in him. Whether hunger or thirst, we can find the pleasant pastures of rest in him as we daily remember the quiet waters of our own baptism of forgiveness, where our sins have been washed away.
Who so happy as I am, Even now the shepherd’s lamb?
And when my short life is ended,
By his angel host attended,
He shall fold me to his breast,
There within his arms to rest.
Our joy with childlike faith is in the good shepherd Jesus who will, even as our life comes to a close and we look to him through the eyes of old age, comfort us all in his loving arms where we will rest with him in eternity.
Now, that responsibility is on mom and dad. It is great for grandparents to help and care for their grandchildren but mom and dad have the mandate and responsibility. So do all you can to connect your children to the faith and if you are grandparents, you still have your children who you can help and motivate to be in worship with their children. Do all you can and do not prohibit them!
Remember: It is God’s work and our action, so do not withhold your children from the Lord!
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
To hinder a child from the Lord makes our Lord indignant.
Indignant means:
A feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base:
So, displeasing our Lord is a strong offence, especially as it refers to our children.
It is by God’s Grace, Mercy, and Spirit that we too can receive his Kingdom with that blessed childlike faith he gives. May we, by that same Spirit, pray to always remain in the one true faith as a child who is Jesus’ little lamb.
Let us as a reminder for ourselves as we close today sing together, I am Jesus little lamb hymn # 740 in the Lutheran Service book.
In the name of the Father and of the Son+ and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen
Text: Mark 10:2-16
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15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Robert Fulghum wrote in the Kansas City Times, "Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.
"These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody . . . When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together … Unless you become like little children, you won't enter the kingdom of heaven."
Hugh Duncan.
So what is childlike faith?
Well, Webster says of a child: It is an unborn or recently born person; a young person especially between infancy and youth; a childlike or childish person; a person not yet of age; a son or daughter of human parents; one strongly influenced by another or by a place, or state of affairs.
And about faith Webster says: It’s a strong belief or trust in someone or something; belief in the existence of God; strong religious feelings or beliefs; a system of religious beliefs; fidelity to one's promises; sincerity of intentions; belief and trust in and loyalty to God; belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion; firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust.
So, picture if you will a young child standing on the side of a pool; not yet of age to swim and having not been taught how, but being strongly influenced by dad’s call to jump and that he will catch them.
The child too has strong feelings and beliefs, that if dad misses or drops me, “I will hit the water and I’m going to sink as fast as the stones I’ve dropped in the pool at the deep end!”
But dad has promised to catch them and so they place their trust his intentions … complete trust and loyalty in dad … though there is no proof.
As the child jumps, dad catches … confirming their faith in the object of their safety - the one who will not let them fall.
It is true as well with our heavenly father. St. Paul writes in his epistle in 2 Tim 4:18:
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. 2 Timothy 4:18
It is his promise.
So, where do we place our trust?
What is the object of faith for the Christian?
Is it in our self? Is it in our parents?
Is it in the church or religion as a whole?
Is it society and political power?
Is it strong or weak like a child?
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.
Children, or infants or babies can’t come to Jesus so “they” probable refers to their parents or responsible adults who were bringing them to Jesus.
Much like you and me who continue to bring the little boys and girls, who are brought as infants to the waters of Holy Baptism … where God himself marks them as his child. God’s work that requires are action!
It’s why, I’m sure, that Martin Luther wrote this in his Small Catechism:
As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household.
God’s work and our action!
The responsibility is given to parents and more specifically to fathers to teach their children about Jesus, as they are called to be the ones that are the spiritual heads of their households.
So, how do we teach?
Certainly, the Catechism is one important way. Sunday school and Bible study is another, and ongoing Catechesis, which is the instruction in the faith through the word of God. But singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is another way as well.
One song that more clearly shows the childlike faith that Jesus is talking about was written in the mid 1700’s by Henrietta L. von Hays.
I am Jesus’ little lamb, Ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my needs and well provides me,
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.
Childlike faith clings to the savior as a child to his mother and father; Knowing that every need is provided for them by God daily, and that he lovingly calls each one of us by name.
Day by day, at home, away, Jesus is my staff and stay.
When I hunger, Jesus feeds me,
Into pleasant pastures leads me;
When I thirst, he bids me go
where the quiet waters flow.
Every day our childlike faith is placed in him. Whether hunger or thirst, we can find the pleasant pastures of rest in him as we daily remember the quiet waters of our own baptism of forgiveness, where our sins have been washed away.
Who so happy as I am, Even now the shepherd’s lamb?
And when my short life is ended,
By his angel host attended,
He shall fold me to his breast,
There within his arms to rest.
Our joy with childlike faith is in the good shepherd Jesus who will, even as our life comes to a close and we look to him through the eyes of old age, comfort us all in his loving arms where we will rest with him in eternity.
Now, that responsibility is on mom and dad. It is great for grandparents to help and care for their grandchildren but mom and dad have the mandate and responsibility. So do all you can to connect your children to the faith and if you are grandparents, you still have your children who you can help and motivate to be in worship with their children. Do all you can and do not prohibit them!
Remember: It is God’s work and our action, so do not withhold your children from the Lord!
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
To hinder a child from the Lord makes our Lord indignant.
Indignant means:
A feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base:
So, displeasing our Lord is a strong offence, especially as it refers to our children.
It is by God’s Grace, Mercy, and Spirit that we too can receive his Kingdom with that blessed childlike faith he gives. May we, by that same Spirit, pray to always remain in the one true faith as a child who is Jesus’ little lamb.
Let us as a reminder for ourselves as we close today sing together, I am Jesus little lamb hymn # 740 in the Lutheran Service book.
In the name of the Father and of the Son+ and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen
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