Sermon July 12-13, 2025

Title: Mercy and love are lived out in Christ!
Text: Luke 10:25-37

Facebook live: Mercy and love are lived out in Christ!

37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

In our text for today we read of a lawyer who stood up to put Jesus to the test. Now, this is not to be a sermon which lifts up or puts down the noble profession of attorneys. But it is the word of the Lord and we can all learn an important lesson.

The question that is asked - “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” - is a bit odd. How do you inherit anything? It might have been more direct if he had asked, “What must I do to earn eternal life?” because that is the question so many what to know.

In my business background we we’re always taught to answer a question with a question so that you could better get to the real objection. So, Jesus, being the best at fleshing out the true meaning to the question that is asked of Him replies with a question.

26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

Having the ball back in his court the lawyer recites the word giving a summary of the Moral Law correctly, according to Deut. 6: 5; Lev. 19: 18.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

And I might add that he probably said it with a bit of boastful pride too!

Well, finally getting to the real objection, Jesus turns the prideful attorney’s answer back on himself when He says:

“You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

The truth is, as Jesus quite rightly points out, no one, not even one who rightly knows the scripture can keep the Law of God perfectly.

To know the Law and to keep the Law is two very different things. And, this command to love your neighbor as yourself really pushes us well beyond what we can do.

Truth be told, for many of us we can’t even love ourselves, so how are we going to love others?

But, despite falling short God uses you and me, His children, and:

You and I also, tend to put Christ to the test.

It’s the same word of God today as it was for the Lawyer and the same requirements that God demands and at times many believe they actually love God and their neighbor enough.

According to current statistics, we have 194 baptized and 163 confirmed members here at Peace, but we average less than 55 on a weekend.

Now granted some have moved away and some attend elsewhere and have not yet asked to be transferred from the roles and many have departed to be with the Lord.

But many just don’t come, maybe thinking that they’ve loved God enough and like the lawyer ask: “And who is my neighbor?”

God works through means and for better or worse that’s you and me.

We are God’s hands in the world, bringing the love of Christ to a dying world and also to real people.

In last week’s gospel reading 72 disciples were sent out proclaiming peace and healing with the good news that the Kingdom of God was at hand.

Sometimes your neighbor needs a helping hand, when the ways of the world bring grief.

At times it is a prayer of comfort to let them know that you understand and will stand with them.
At times it might require a word of rebuke when they are going the wrong way in this life.

And as the church it might require a word of warning from us that to be away from God’s word and sacrament and the gift of worship and fellowship that He calls to participate in - may lead to no communion and fellowship with him at all.

Some of the members of Peace need a call from their neighbor.
If you care about a member that you know that doesn’t attend give them a loving call.
If they have needs look for ways to help.

Remind them that God will never leave them of forsake them even if they’ve forsaken the assembly here at Peace and have self-excluded themselves from the church and the gifts God so longs to give them.

Implore them to return as the Lord desires his children to be together where he is and to hear God speak!

Here listen to Luther:

“In times past we would have run to the ends of the world if we had known of a place where we could have heard God speak. But now that we hear this every day in sermons, indeed, now that all books are full of it, we do not see this happening. You hear at home in your house, fa­ther and mother and children sing and speak of it, the preacher speaks of it in the parish church — you ought to lift up your hands and rejoice that we have been given the honor of hearing God speaking to us through his Word.”

https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/luther-and-power-gospel

The gospel is God’s word for us to use and to bring comfort.

As Jesus said in gospel reading of the Good Samaritan:

36 Which of these three, - the Priest, the Levite or the Samaritan - do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

You go … is a directive for us all. To take Christ’s caring word to those how need its comfort. Physical care and spiritual care are needed by all.

The urban ministries of our district bring this care to those where they are.

St. Paul’s in Pontiac is one such place bringing the word, peace, and forgiveness to feed the soul of those in need but also the meals and physical needs of those in our area.

Our district is looking for new startups in mission and ministry but for those churches who can’t start new they suggest finding a ministry to support. St, Paul is that ministry that is meeting needs and we have been engaged for yours in partnering with them just for this type of outreach.

Again:

36 Which of these three, - the Priest, the Levite or the Samaritan - do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

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

Amen

Sermon July 6, 2025

Title: Rejoice with America! - Rev. Terry Nelson
Text: Isaiah 66: 10-14

Facebook live: Rejoice with America!

12 For thus says the LORD:
“Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip,
and bounced upon her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforts,
so I will comfort you;

Sermon June 28-29, 2025

Title: Come, follow Jesus!
Text: Luke 9:51-62

Facebook live: Come, follow Jesus!

62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Theodore Roosevelt was certainly a leader. In 1901 he became the youngest President of the United States following the assignation of President William McKinley. But Theodore was also a follower.

He followed the lead of his father, Theodore Senior, who inspired him in his servant leadership; he followed mountain man Bill Sewall into the wilds of Main following the death of his own father … keeping up and learning from both Bill and his son to live in the wild and endure; he followed Joe Murray, a lieutenant of New York’s Jake Hess political machine into the Assembly of Albany politics.

On his honeymoon in Europe he followed a few guides up the Matterhorn a 15,000 foot peak which had remained unconquered until 1865. He was an author, writing the Naval War of 1812 from a historian’s perspective as almost a hobby. He nearly chose science as his field of endeavor with his love for birds and the outdoors. He was Lieutenant Colonel of the Rough Riders during the Spanish American War … serving with distinction.
As both a leader and a follower TR wrote:

“A leader should aim to build a life based on service …”

Those who follow Christ follow a servant leader by faith!

In the Gospel reading for today we see Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem. This is a very important time in the life of our Lord. Jesus knew what awaited Him in Jerusalem and he was determined to set his sights there.

Dr. Arthur Just in his commentary on Luke also sees it as important as his two-volume set on Luke begins the second volume with this pivotal verse.

Jesus is resolute.
He will not be turned away.
His reason for becoming man, the incarnation, is about to be realized. Jesus is moving towards the cross.

The Samaritans turned away the messengers of Jesus as they went to prepare lodgings for him. This brings the wrath of James and John to a boil looking to call down fire from heaven to consume them – bringing to the disciples the Lord’s rebuke.

Notice as Jesus continues on his way, his call to those to follow him, brings a variety of excuses.

59 Jesus called to another, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

In a broken world the spiritually dead are left to bury the physically dead.

This sounds harsh to our ears from the Lord to his disciple. The point is that to follow Christ requires - a denial of self and self-interests and all earthly ties.

60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead.

Here again Jesus focuses on the reality of death.

If your father’s dead you can’t really help him and there are people that can take care of his remains but also there is a connection to our spiritual state of being dead in sin and to this Christ calls him to, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Or … Tell those that are dead, or dying … that there is life eternal in, Jesus.

61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”

Another excuse of an earthly nature, “I must say farewell to those at home,” when the real excuse is I really need to go home now because I’m not really excited about following you.

62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Those who follow Christ can only follow him by faith!
There is a story that a pastor tells of plowing a field when he was a young boy:
He says, plowing a straight furrow was easy, I thought.
I didn’t need my father or grandfather telling me what to do.

He writes:

The first furrow plowed was the most important. It had to be straight, especially when you had acres of land to plow. Each time back and forth you had to put the right wheels of your tractor into the furrow you had just plowed. This was your guide. If you got the first furrow straight, the whole field would end up straight and square. If you got the first furrow crooked, every pass you made was then crooked. This resulted in more time and work at the end of the job, trying to square what was crooked.

Well, Dad had this notion that you should never look back when plowing. You should pick out a spot, such as a tree or fence post, at the end of the field (sometimes hundreds of yards away) and never take your eyes off of it. Keep focused and never look back.

I thought, “How dumb! How are you going to know if you are plowing straight if you don’t look back sometimes to see how you’re doing?”

Throwing Dad’s advice out the window I decided to do it my own way, just once. Looking back, I tried to make a straight furrow. Problem is, you can’t steer very well looking back. You keep trying to jerk the wheel one way or another to overcompensate. You can’t straighten out something that’s crooked. (See Ecclesiastes 1:15a).

The words of Christ popped out at me, as I read the Bible one day:

“No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Dad’s advice was from the Lord!

Do you at times look back too? I think we all do. Ever since I joined the Lutheran church and began attending, there has always been one thing that bothered me… summer.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love summer, but as Lutheran’s we seem to see summer as a break from Church. I mean, it’s nice weather and we can only do so much outside during the year so we really need to get it all done in the three months of summer.

And the church is just as much to blame. Many churches have summer schedules from Memorial Day to Labor Day and that indicates that something is different at Church.

Some stop bible study because; some won’t come, so we facilitate there not coming by not coming ourselves.

During summer we look every which way … except to Christ.
The truth is I love summer as I assume most of you do.
We can have both a joyful summer and a strong faith life.

Christ does not need to be put aside while we commune with nature. The Gospel and its fruit reach beyond these walls. It is not confining but liberating.

The Gospel (Jesus) in our reading set His face towards Jerusalem.

Jesus is the Gospel and the Gospel is about Jesus. This spotless Lamb who is fully God and fully man came down from heaven to take your sin upon himself.

No, if and or buts about it. He was determined to go to Jerusalem … for you!

See, Jesus didn’t look back. He set his sights in that wooden post in the distance, the cross, and kept plowing straight ahead … for you.

There is no crooked path because the one Jesus plowed is straight.

Straight through the Law to its fulfillment, straight to the cross - the price paid in full, straight to the tomb descending to hell to fully proclaim victory over sin, death and the Devil and resurrected to newness of life on the third day … for you.

Jesus Christ is the path that has been laid straight for you!

The Spirit directs your course and it is straight too on account of Him. When you fall, He picks you up and plows on with you for He will never leave you nor forsake you.

By him you are free of bondage to the past and now look forward to a forever forgiven in him. Receive the joy that the Lord has prepared for you.

For you he paid the price and made the way for eternal life and then He calls you by the Spirit and gives you freely all He has!

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

Amen

Sermon June 21-22, 2025

Title: Tell others of God’s love for you!
Text: Luke 8:26-39

Facebook live: Tell others of God’s love for you!

39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

In trying times, it is nice to hear good news!

The food you need is in stock here, and it’s on sale!
Gas is cheaper at this station!
I have an extra free ticket would you like to go!

When we know or hear of a good deal or have other good news, we like to share it and take advantage of it.

Our gospel reading for today is one of trying times and good news!

26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons.
In Luke’s gospel Jesus, having calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee, now makes land fall in the region of the Gerasenes.

Gadara was one of the cities of the Decapolis, or "Ten Cities," that were originally inhabited primarily by Greek people who settled in the region after the time of Alexander the Great's conquest.

After the Romans occupied the region from about 65 B.C., Gadara was made the capital of the Roman province of Peraea.

Gadara was located east of The Jordan River on a mountain about 6 miles / 10 kilometers south-east of The Sea of Galilee. The people of Gadara were known as Gadarenes, although the general area was also known as the "[region] of the Gerasenes" after the city of Gerasa which was about 45 miles / farther south. They were still mostly Gentiles in the time of Christ, as indicated by their keeping of pigs.

Wayne Blank http://www.keyway.ca/htm2003/20030210.htm

The region Jesus traveled was opposite from Galilee, it was not Jewish but Greek, not clean but unclean.

But still he came. Those who had lived there had even been living in tombs … another reference to being unclean.

Jesus encounters a man who is possessed by a demon.

28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice,
“What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most-High God? I beg you, do not torment me.”

It is not the man who speaks but the demon that controls and enslaves him.

It is so harsh a trial for the man that he is bound in chains, under guard and even breaking free is driven into the desert by the demon.

Jesus asks the demons name and is told “Legion.”

How great a possession must this have been? In Jesus day a Roman Legion may have contained 3000 to 6000 Roman foot soldiers. You can imagine how trying a time this had been and how much torment this man must have endured.

This Legion begged to not be cast into the Abyss … a place of torment but also, they recognize the power Jesus had over them and continues to have over the power of Satan in our day and they beg him to let them enter these pigs. So, he gave them permission.

33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

The reaction of the pigs shows me the utter despondency that those afflicted by demos must have felt. How too, those dealing with mental illness must feel as times lost.

I’m reminded of dear Veretta Cheal.

40 years of mental illness and dealing with depression I wondered how I was going to deal with it as her pastor?

When I would call Veretta, she would put me off not wanting a visit. It would sound to me as though someone was speaking for her.

“No …. Today is not a good day.”

But my sales background kept me involved and I kept asking questions as to get a visit set up. On our visits we would pray, at times with her daughter Debbie and also with Kathy Zolbe who lived next door.

When Veretta would have a break from the depression the joy in her voice was so inspiring and welcoming! What had been difficult became a great joy for me!

The reaction to the casting out of the demons was quite telling:

34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

Who is this man and what has he done?
The livelihood of the herdsmen is gone.
The people are afraid.
Who is the Jesus and why is he here?

36 And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.

Is the attitude simply, as long as I’m good things in life are alright?
Is there no though of those afflicted?
No caring for the plight of the lost?
No joy in seeing peace in the one who had been burdened?

Do we at times cast Jesus away, preferring the sinful world as it is?
So, Jesus got into the boat and returned.

At Pentecost we celebrate the sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell and possess us pointing us to the Jesus the Christ of God where hope and peace is.

Last week on Trinity Sunday we celebrated the work of our triune God, Father Son and Holy Spirit who creates, redeems and sustains us through the trying times of this life unto the life everlasting that awaits all who hold to the blessed Hope that is found only in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Today, many who have been called to faith in Christ ask Jesus to leave, preferring the slop of the world and the Stys that the pigs of disobedience inhabit.

Do we tell others of the deals that the world has to offer, or do we tell them the truly Good News that in Christ there is an eternity we can possess, freely given and freely received?

Do we crave all that the world pretends to give, or do we gather together with brothers and sisters in Christ to receive the gifts that the Lord has to give to you and me?

38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.”

And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

The proclamation of the Good News continues! It is proclaimed here publicly and it is proclaimed in the lives of each one of you as you live out your Christian faith in the world.

Joy in the hope that is Jesus.
Invite those in desperation to cast all their cares on the Lord.

“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.”

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

Amen

Sermon June 14-15, 2025 - Trinity

Title: Truly God is one, in three!
Text: John 8:48-59

Facebook live: Truly God is one, in three!

58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

If you came up and asked me who the pastor of Peace Lutheran church is, I would have to say, “I am.” It is a statement of fact.

Many years ago, after being first ordained, I went to a Red Wings game with friends. My friend, Pastor Paul Monson, who priced at my ordination was there too. I make a remark at how blessed I was to play the part of the pastor at Peace and Pastor Monson looked at me and said,

“Russ, you “ARE” the pastor!”

Now I knew that, but the impact of his statement resonated with the reality that it is no longer anyone else who had previously served, but it was me. In the line of others, but for now and until God calls another it is me. I am the pastor!

So, on this Trinity Sunday (Weekend) we look to the hope that is our one true God who has revealed himself as one divine essence, but also as three unique and coequal persons … Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The great, I AM!

And to this divine essence Jesus claimed Sonship, for the work He came to do and was to accomplish, in only what God could do in Christ by taking on human flesh and laying down His life for the sins of the world, paying the price that you and I could never pay and to this work and revelation Jesus claimed:

Before Abraham was, “I AM”!

The question that the Jews ask Jesus and the question that is asked many times over about Him; are you God?

The Jews first say that Jesus is a Samaritan and accuse Him of having a Demon! To which Jesus replies:

49 … “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

Well, this really gets under their skin because they are now convinced more than ever that Jesus has a Demon because they know that:

‘Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’
Unbelief really has them messed up. So, they press the issue:

53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! (… and here comes the big question …)

Who do you make yourself out to be?”

The question that the Jews want to know is the same question that human reason can never grasp. How can this man be God? Their reason tells them that this man Jesus is not yet fifty years old so how can he say that:

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. (and that) He saw it and was glad.”

Then Jesus makes one more statement that really causes grief and anger among the Jews. He says:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

Truly, Christ Jesus got their attention with this statement; claiming to be God and using God’s divine name!

In Genesis Chapter 15 God’s word says:

“… the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

Gen 15:1b and then He says:

“I am the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” Gen 15:7b

To claim God’s name, was an offense for the Jews. For many in our day as well, the divine name of Jesus is an offense. In the gospel of John Jesus uses the divine name seven times.

1. I AM the Bread of Life (6:35, 41, 48)
2. I AM the Light of the World (8:12; cf. 9:5)
3. I AM the Gate (10:7, 9)
4. I AM the Good Shepherd (10:11, 14)
5. I AM the Resurrection and the Life (11:25)
6. I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life (14:6)
7. I AM the True Vine (15:1)

On the Feast of the Holy Trinity we understand that I AM is one God and that this one God is revealed as Father Son and Holy Spirit.

The Athanasian Creed is long, has a strange name, is repetitive and may even appear confusing.

We as LCMS Lutheran’s hold to the three Ecumenical Creeds but recite the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed regularly, but the Athanasian Creed is recited traditionally on Trinity Sunday so we can be reminded of what the catholic (small “c” universal) faith is.

To know the true God is to know who he is and to know what He has done.

Our Creeds help us know God and confess what we believe.
Martin Luther thought highly of the Athanasian Creed. He said of it:

I doubt whether, since the time of the Apostles in the New Testament Church, a more important and glorious creed has been written.

(W 6:2315) JMK

So why is it important? Well, is it important to know the truth?

Is Jesus truly God, the great I AM or is He an impostor?
Is the Holy Spirit God?
Is the Father, God?

The first commandment says: You shall have no other Gods before me.

So, if one claims to be what they aren’t … they are a fraud!

To claim to be what you are not can be a crime. To claim to be God, if you are not, is blasphemy.

The glory that God seeks as Father is to honor the Son. This honor is pointed to as we heard last weekend by the Holy Spirit who is coequal with the father and the Son.

54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’

The glory that Jesus has is given because He is God in the flesh and truly worthy. Not a glory that Jesus gives himself but a glory that is bestowed because he is truly God.

The Athanasian Creed declares the truth of God as Trinity and the uniqueness of God in diversity of persons.

God has come to stand in your place and you see the fullness of God in Christ Jesus who takes away your sin and the sins of the world.

In Christ you have the fullness of God standing in your place and taking your sin upon himself, nailing it to the cross forever.

In Christ the Father is well pleased and in Christ you are seen by the Father covered by Christ’s righteousness made possible by the working of the Holy Spirit who has created faith in you to believe and trust in Christ’s finished work.

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

Amen

Sermon June 7-8, 2025 - Penticost

Title: God’s Spirit leads, directs, and guides!
Text: John 14:23-31

Facebook live: God’s Spirit leads, directs, and guides!

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

St. Ignatius writes:

But the Holy Spirit does not speak his own things, but those of Christ, and that not from himself, but from the Lord; even as the Lord also announced to us the things that He received from the Father. For, he says:

“The word which you hear is not mine, but the father’s, who sent me.”

And says He of the Holy Spirit:

“He shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever things He hears from me.”

And He says of Himself to the Father:

“I have, glorified you upon the earth; I have finished the work which, you gave me; I have made known your name to men.”

And of the Holy Spirit:

“He shall glorify me, for He receives that which is mine.”

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians Chapter IX

In our Gospel reading for today Jesus says:

23 “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the fathers who sent me.

There is a unique use of the singular and plural. Jesus says his words are the Fathers who sent him. There is a connection between Son and Father. Last week it was … 22b that they may be one even as we are one,

Farther and Son are both unique and distinct but we are told also still one in a unity.

Some years ago, I went to the church in Berkley to get the organ they were giving us. Evola Music sent two drivers for the moving of the organ.

Some work could be done by one person, some two and on occasion the third man was needed.

I removed the speakers in the back myself and the drivers were able to get the console on the dolly and off the Chancel steps. However, when it was found that the organ didn’t fit in the elevator it needed to go down a ramp and a third man was needed, and that helper was me. I held the balance and guided the organ down the ramp – not doing the heavy lifting but guiding and pointing and helping the instrument through the opening and into the truck.

In the same way when the organ was installed here, I served as a helper. Handing up and drill to Mike the installer so he didn’t have to come down the ladder or aiding with the raising of the speakers on to the scaffolding so they could be lowered into the speaker chambers.

As a helper, it required me to aid, point, guide, lift and to help those who were doing what they were called here to do.

In answer to the Third Article of the Creed, Martin Luther writes in the Small Catechism:

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.

As we celebrate Pentecost today, we celebrate the sending of the Holy Spirit. Not that the Holy Spirit was inactive because this is the same Spirit of God who in Genesis 1:

… was hovering over the face of the waters. 2 [Though] the earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.

This is the same Spirit of God that the disciples received when Jesus breathed on them and said to them,

“Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:22-23

This is the same Spirit of God given in baptism that creates faith in the heart of the one being baptized, pointing to all that Jesus has done in his atoning work and bringing from death to life we who are dead in trespass and sin, making us alive in Christ and giving us the gift of faith to believe.

This is the same Spirit of God that is in you - throughout the life of the believer - that aids, points, guides, comforts, helps, and does battle against the world, the flesh and the devil keeping you and me united to Christ by faith as we daily die and rise in repentance and forgiveness – being sorry for our sin and knowing God’s true peace and comfort that we who are repentant are truly forgiven.

30 years ago I learned a song called “Some may trust in horses” It was taken from Psalm 20 Verses 6 through 8.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.

Today, and especially as Christians in the United States, we look for solutions to the problems we face, the breakdown of society, and granted we have a voice to speak up, to lobby our elected officials and governmental leaders, and also to vote for the freedoms we enjoy of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness - granted to us in this wonderful Constitutional Republic we enjoy called the United States of America.

But, when our hope is placed in those whom we elect, and in those whom we support, we place our trust in horses and chariots and the men and women who hold that power instead of the name of our God – Jesus Christ our Lord.

In our Old Testament reading today the people had a plan:

“Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” Gen. 11:4

The leaders and the people had a plan to build to the heavens to worship self, and to do things their way … to trust in horses and chariots if you will.

But God dispersed them by confusing their language.

But, on the Day of Pentecost – as they were in one place – the Lord sent a rushing wind and tongues of fire that rested on the Apostles, and as they spoke those gathered were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language:

7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

And who were those that heard this word and understood?

Well, they were …

9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

Those of Babel who proposed to build a tower were confused and dispersed by God in a miraculous way are now united in a common understanding by a similar miraculous way. God’s Spirit now brings understanding and clarity to what God has done for me and you in Christ.

The unity of the message won’t happen by sword, or by vote, or by the philosophical worldview of the leaders.

It won’t come about by capitalism, socialism, or communism.

It won’t come about by taking from the rich and giving to the poor – that was the philosophy of Robin Hood –not our God.

It only comes about through the word of the Gospel and by the working of the Holy Spirit.

In his letter to the Philippians Paul makes clear what we should know:

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through [Christ] who gives me strength. Phil 4:12-13 NIV

That is the work of the Holy Spirit to aid, to point, to guide, to comfort, and to help in all situations – pointing us to what Jesus has done for you and me. May that be your peace and comfort now and always.

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

Amen

Sermon May 31- June 1, 2025 - Seventh Sunday of Easter

Title: The Father’s love is founded in Christ!
Text: John 17:20-26

Facebook live: The Father’s love is founded in Christ!

24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Pre- music: #701 Draw Us to Thee
Opening Hymn: #493 A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
Sermon Hymn: #685 Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus
Communion Hymn: #617 O Lord, We Praise Thee
Closing Hymn: #649 Blest be the tie that binds
Post music: #492 On Christ’s Ascension I now build

In this the last Sunday in the Easter season we again continue with the Gospel of John as we have for the last few weeks. Let us review what Christ has been telling his disciples.

1. Jesus told them that he would die on the cross and rise on the third day.
2. The sorrow at his death would be replaced with joy at his resurrection.
3. That Jesus would be leaving them again and returning to the Father.
4. But he would send them the Holy Spirit to be their comforter until his promised return.
Unity in love and purpose is God’s desire through the word!

How many of you love family reunions? Seeing relatives, you seldom see, going to the place of your youth, reminiscing of dear loved ones, and longing to see each other more often?

How many of you hate family reunions? Having little in common with those you are related to, annoying family habits that won’t go away, desiring to just get done with it and go home never to do this again?

We’ve probably all been caught up in both circumstances.

In Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John chapter 17 Jesus prays to the Father for his disciples and for all believers and their unity as he prepares to go to the cross.

17 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

The unity that Jesus prays for is one not of externals but of internals. It is not the cookie cutter approach that says - this is a successful church because they have lots of people - do what they do. Instead, it is Christ’s church in unity of faith, purpose and love through the word by the working of the Spirit.

In our gospel reading today Jesus’ prayer looks beyond those followers who have been with him to those who will believe through their word.

21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us,
22 … that they may be one even as we are one,

23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one,

The oneness of faith and life is in Christ and the unity that he shares with the Father. Though one God - they are uniquely different and separate yet one in love, will and purpose.

There also is a reason for Christ’s desire for unity.

21 … so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

23 … so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them [Christ’s followers] even as you loved me.

Not that our faith may be a picture of unity but that our faith might proclaim that truth in a world that needs to hear.

This is a perfect text against those who might feel that their faith is private and not to be shared or pushed upon others. You find you are fighting against Jesus will and prayer.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
Those first disciples were being sent with a message for the world. Just as
Peter proclaimed in our first reading in Acts 1:

20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and
“‘Let another take his office.’

26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The church today continues in a similar way. Pastors are called to serve congregations. If another call is received and the pastor accepts that call the church prays that by the Holy Spirit, another would take his place or office.

All of this is for the same purpose to proclaim the word and equip the saints so that the world may believe and know.

There is a third part to Jesus’ prayer.

24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am.

Christ’s desire is for the eternal welfare of his followers.

24 … to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

This glory is pictured in our second reading:

22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

This is quite a different scene from the one in Genesis 3 when man was banished and sent out from the Garden of Eden.

Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

In a sense it is why those family reunions can at times be both joyful for some and dreaded by others, because in this life the wages of sin continue to affect every part of life.

Perfect unity of will and purpose in this life still deals with this reality.

But, the banishment for sin is now overcome by the word of truth in the mouths of his disciples. Jesus has died and has been raised and by the Spirit the word of truth takes seed in the hearts of his hearers.
Our gospel reading concludes.

25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known,

And Jesus finishes with another statement of purpose …

26 … [So] that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

The truth of the word that is in you, needs to be heard. By your proclamation those who hear receive the Holy Spirit, believe and are promised the unity in Christ that we have.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

Unity in love and purpose is God’s desire through the word!
The Father’s love is founded in Christ!

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

Amen

Sermon May 24-25, 2025 - Sixth Sunday of Easter

Title: Delivered, in Christ!
Text: John 16:23-33

Facebook live:  Delivered, in Christ!

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The narrative from our gospel reading from last week continues today. Jesus is speaking to his disciples of his death and resurrection, sorrow at his death that turns to joy at his resurrection. Jesus also promised the comforter, the Holy Spirit that would speak not on his own authority but in unity with the Father and the Son would speak and remind them all that Jesus had said.

14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:14-15

In the world you will have tribulation is one of the many promises of God and certainly one promise none of us wish to claim or experience. But none the less it is what we face in this life.

What do we do and where do we look when the storms of life come?

The loss of a job, death of a loved one, financial hardship, or the breakup of a marriage are all part of the trials of life.

You and I know this all too well.

The disciples too, as we learned from last week’s gospel reading, would face sorrow and joy in Jesus’ death and resurrection but that joy would also face the trials of life.

A few years back our Bible Study in the book of Acts began with the sending of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ ascension to the Father.

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:5

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

Jesus’ departure was seen and his return promised … but what about the disciples? What about their struggles? Soon, the Holy Spirit would come to be their comforter, pointing them to all Jesus said and did for them and leading them into all truth.

Maybe the words of Christ now also come to their remembrance?

23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.

How?
Where?
When and why?

In what way should we ask, the disciples might have thought?
Their minds might have returned to the Lord’s teaching on prayer.

9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth – right here - as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Matt 6:9-13

No more need for prophets, no need for Jesus to pray to the Father on our behalf. That which had been broken in the fall is now restored in Christ.

“It is finished!” Christ exclaimed. We have peace with God!

In the time of my mother’s suffering with cancer and Monica’s suffering with cancer, and my own tribulation in this life, this prayer, motivated by God’s Spirit, brought me peace.

27 for the Father himself loves you, [Jesus says] because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

This plainness of speech perked up the disciples’ ears! “Ah, now you are speaking plainly!” they exclaim … but the trials of life will still come.

St. Luke continued to show these trials through the book of Acts:

Stephen is martyred, Peter imprisoned, and Paul goes to Jerusalem knowing that he will be bound there and taken to Rome to finish the race; in the world you will have tribulation.

And in Acts 20:

22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.

29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

... in the world you will have tribulation.

The word of the gospel continues:

30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?

You and I and everyone who follows Christ will see the tribulation promised.

32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.

The disciples deserted Jesus.
The trial and tribulation forced them away in hiding.

There has been a time of falling away in the church, when things seem to be well and people experienced a time of prosperity, when they think little about Jesus and his word, but more about the joys of life, a time even like now.

That is when Satan will sift you like wheat, as he did with St. Peter and the other disciples in Luke 22:31, when St. Peter denied the Lord three times … even saying that “he didn’t even know the man.”

It is a time of falling away, a time of unbelief, a time of trusting the world and the flesh, and a time of doubt now.

And like Peter today you may think “Not me Lord!” being ready to go to prison and even death for your faith in Christ.

We pray that by the Holy Spirit we may stand firm.

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Christ has overcome so that you and I overcome!
That is where we find peace and comfort. Not in the things we do, but in the things Jesus has done.

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

Amen

Sermon May 17-18, 2025 – Fifth Sunday of Easter

Title: Christ is revealed!
Text: John 16:12-22

Facebook live: Christ is revealed!

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

The President claimed that it was his prerogative to determine whether to provide military and diplomatic information to Congress. [George Washington]

The President also claimed that he had the power to choose whether or not to comply when the Chief Justice issued him a subpoena for testimony and documents. [Thomas Jefferson]

And the President repeatedly asserted executive privilege in the face of demands for members of his administration to testify, depriving the Senate committee of substantial information. [Dwight Eisenhower] - edited

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-vs-nadler-congress-isnt-constitutional-crisis-its-how-constitution-is-designed-to-work

No, these are not the current battles with the President, Congress, or the Supreme Court. These were past battles for authority, by President’s -

George Washington – in refusing to provide some information to congress, Thomas Jefferson – in refusing to testify in the trial of Aaron Burr, and Dwight D. Eisenhower – in asserting executive privilege and refusing to testify at the McCarthy hearings.

In our constitutional republic we have three equal branches of Government with different powers all wrestling for authority?

Jesus says,

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

God’s economy of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, unlike our three branches of government, always work together in unity and perfect harmony. There are no checks and balances, no conflict in the Godhead, and though they are distinct persons, they work together in unity of purpose for all that God desires.

15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

In the Godhead there is no conflict!
Trinity in unity and unity in Trinity!

What had the disciples heard from Jesus?

16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again, a little while, and you will see me.”

Jesus is talking about his death and resurrection.

For us, the focus of not seeing a loved one comes to mind.

When I was a little boy and I was leaving my grandparent’s home in Pennsylvania to return home to Michigan after vacation, there was sorrow. I loved my grandparents and didn’t want to leave them or have them leave me, and I wondered when I would see them again.

But for the disciples … they didn’t understand what Jesus was saying.

“What is this that he says to us?”
“What does he mean by ‘a little while’?
“We don’t know what he is talking about.”

We too, when it comes to the word of truth at times find ourselves in conflict. As those who have been brought to faith in Christ, we wrestle in tension … in thought, word, and deed with the word of God and at times not understanding.

Jesus knew the disciple’s problem and ours.

He says to them:

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. John 16:20a

For the disciples, Jesus was pointing to his death on the cross.
The Lord of life would be killed and they, his followers, would morn.

The world - through those who were in authority - the Jewish leaders, the Roman government, the soldiers and even the people – the world then and now – would rejoice.

Sorrow and Joy in tension

But, by the working of the Holy Spirit this tension is made new.
You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. John 16:20b
They will be sorrowful at Jesus’ death but rejoice at his resurrection.
Jesus gives an illustration of sorrow, joy and truth to his disciples.

21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the

anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

The world today has confused and flipped the narrative.
They joy in death and deny the gift of life saying:

When a woman is pregnant, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has aborted the pregnancy, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that an unwanted pregnancy has been terminated in the world.

Birth, delivered the baby, human being and born – all words used by Jesus - have in the world - been changed to pregnant, aborted the pregnancy, unwanted pregnancy and terminated.

Joy here in the word of man is found not in life but in death.
Jesus is the author of life and we know this by his Holy Spirit.
When we hear the word of the Lord, it is by that same Spirit that we know truth.

When we deny the truth, we deny him and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:10

The Spirit declares the unified authority He shares with the Father and the Son. He glorifies Christ and declares that truth to you and me.

The word of God is truth and not falsehood.
The world hates Jesus.

It hates truth.
It rejoiced in his death.
It denied his resurrection and it still does.
Its authority is temporal and condemned.

The Spirit illumines your hidden savior! For apart from his work, you cannot know Jesus nor have faith in him!

But by the Holy Spirit you love Jesus.
By his death he showed his love for you in taking your sins to the cross.
By his bodily resurrection he shows that you too will rise.
His authority is eternal, and all will see his coming.
We who believe will be raised to eternal glory.
Those who reject Christ are condemned to eternal punishment.

22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

Life and death, sorrow and joy, by the Spirit’s work, Jesus is made known to you dear friends and that truth is yours just as you are his.

6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. Rev 21:6-7

And in knowing Jesus you, friends have peace!

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

Amen

Sermon May 10-11, 2025 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

Title: The voice of the shepherd calls his own!
Text: John 10:22-30

Facebook live: The voice of the shepherd calls his own!

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Many times, in Bible study, the discussion centers around Jesus.
As the class goes on, we hear:

“Wouldn’t it have been great to have walked with Jesus and listened to him, and to have been in his presence?”

I must admit, I would have loved to have heard Jesus too. To have seen his kindness, care, and understanding. To have walked with him.

Today we hear of a special time of the year, in Jerusalem, and a conversation between Jesus and the religious leaders. Let us go there and walk with Jesus together!

22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.

Known as Solomon's colonnade we’re told it was a cool wintry day – probably a lot like the weather we’ve had this Spring! It’s been pretty cold at times, and here Jesus is confronted with an equally cold reception from the Jewish leaders in the community.

24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

The question was not a sincere one from those in authority.

The religious leaders were really trying to catch Jesus in a way that they could point him out as the fraud they believed him to be and to make it known to the public so that he might be rejected there too.

A bit earlier in the gospel reading, Jesus had healed a man who was born blind. Even the leaders themselves were confused and divided in their opinions as to how they should understand and address this healing, concerning him.

16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. John 9:16

The evidence pointed to something greater.

Jesus had tried to explain the importance of his mission to them. But they would not listen.

So:

25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,

The real truth was put before them when Jesus said:

26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.

Adding this wonderful truth:

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

The Lord’s sheep recognized his voice, and they follow him. That is, his disciples and that is you and as well, friends.

Many times, this text and this truth is proclaimed at funerals so that, those who are gathered to mourn might hear the hope and calling of Christ for them as it was in there dead deceased friend or relative.

You are not here by accident.

The voice of the Lord has called you believe and to follow him and it is the Lord’s desire that all would come to the knowledge of the truth and follow him.

But many, still refuse to hear.

We can hear the truth or we can hear the lies and falsehood. But to know truth we have to hear the Good Shepherd’s voice, and we hear him in the voice of the word of God and by the working of God’s Holy Spirit!

If you are not in the word, you can’t know the joy that heaven promises.

As a child growing up, I had a priest in my Catholic church who was a bit heavy set and when he preached his head got really red because yelled a lot. He somewhat scared me as he talked about the reality of Hell.

Hell, scared me and I didn’t want to go there.

My dad liked the priest because he was fast and church got over quickly.

A Psychiatrist once commented on why the word hell is so commonly used and said that there is something deep in our subconscious that makes us afraid that we might actually go there - and that we use it all the time to remove or dull the fear.

There is plenty of evidence I believe to support that point of view.
What becomes common is less scary.

The Lord’s desire is that all would come to the knowledge of the truth, but the brokenness of sin in our fallen state blinds us to the reality of a world without hope, saying that Heaven and Hell don’t exist.

We know that life and death are real. We joy in the birth of a child and we cling to the blessings of this life daily and grieve deeply at the loss and separation from a loved one, especially a close relative.

God created life and he recreated life as well.

As the wages of sin brought death God the Father sent this only begotten son to recreate what had been lost in the fall.

Having just celebrated Easter and the joy of the resurrection, we know that what had been lost in the fall was restored in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

The devil has been defeated but he still masquerades as an Angel of light, a false god with a false truth and a false hope, and many still fallow him and are led astray.

Jesus doesn't want people to listen to the devil whom he calls the father of lies. He doesn't want people to suffer that second and eternal death which separates us from him for all eternity.

Jesus came that he might give us eternal life with him forever.

To bless us from the brokenness of this life with the unbroken reality of and eternity with him that never ends.

So, the question is, are you listening to Jesus?
Do you hear his voice?
Are you one of his own?
Are you his sheep, and his little lamb?

Jesus says:

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

The question again remains:
Who are you following?
Who are you trusting in?
Are you hanging on the words on Jesus Christ?
Or are you being deceived with lies?
Truth of falsehood. Which will it be?

C.S. Lewis once said:

You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death.

It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong, as long as you are merely using it to [tie] a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a [cliff]. Wouldn't you then first discover how much you really trusted it?

C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed.

Friends, our eternal lives depend on it!

It brings me to the truth of God’s word in Proverbs 3:5-6 this is what I chose as an adult for my confirmation verse.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

At a time in my life that I needed it, God’s word brought me truth, clarity and comfort.

The spirit will turn us and point us to Jesus. And all that he has done.
It is the good news that we cling to, that in Christ we have everything given us by faith in him.

By faith, we commit our lives to Jesus.
By faith, we believe and follow him as a blessed sheep.
By faith, we receive all that is good and necessary from God.

Give yourselves totally to that relationship by faith, and in serving Jesus Christ our Lord, you follow, listen, serve and obey him in love of God and care of neighbor.

That friends, is the good news of being his sheep and hearing his voice, so that we following the Good Shepherd in sincerity and truth.

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

Amen

Modified: Concordia pulpit Rev, David P. Schmidt C 1976

Sermon May 4-5, 2025 – Third Sunday of Easter

Title: The Kingdom’s net has been cast!
Text: John 21:1-14

Facebook live: The Kingdom’s net has been cast!

5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.

Life easily slips into a routine. It seems endless – waking, working, eating, and drinking. Listening, and talking. We do what we do, day after day. Each day, feeling much like the previous one, and for the disciples too, the routine continued.

Left to the routine of life that continued for them after Jesus’ death and resurrection, it must have seemed like ordinary business to get into their boat and go back to fishing.

Out into the deep they launch the boat to begin the familiar task.
Fisherman go fishing but they didn't catch anything.

Not a single fish.

Wow, not a pleasant outcome for fishermen.

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”

They were probably thinking:
We toiled all night and took nothing.

Then into the ordinary circumstances of their life, Jesus came, just as day was breaking. He's the same Lord today, doing extraordinary things in our ordinary lives - and causing the kingdom that has been cast to come into our lives too.

Jesus shows how extraordinary he is by taking interest in all that we do.

The disciples didn't have to be in the temple, or in the holy city of Jerusalem, or doing religious things for Jesus to take interest in them.

They were doing what they normally do.

The disciples were far from the pillars of the religious life. In the times of their normal lives Jesus had called them to follow him, and for 3 years of Jesus’ earthly ministry they had walked, talked, followed and lived with Jesus as he taught them the blessings of the Kingdom.

But now, after all that had happened, they were back to life as usual.
It is sometimes hard for us to realize that Jesus is interested in our lives wherever we are.
We're usually conscious of God’s presence when we're in church.

We're nearly as conscious of his presence when we take trips, and pray for safe travel or need to have tests done at the hospital. But Jesus often seems far removed from our activities and the things that we do, whether at work or play.

Whether we're hunting in the woods or playing golf, sitting and reading, or doing work around our homes or watching the game.

We thing little of him.

Jesus says he's always with us, and it didn’t matter to Jesus that the disciples were not engaged in formal worship and probably not even in religious discussions.

They had work to do. They needed it to survive. The scriptures remind us that if you don’t work you don’t eat.

Jesus was interested in everything about his children and wanted to know how they were doing.
5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”
Jesus is interested in your activities, and he wants to know how you are doing too.

What's happening in your life? Is there any successes or failures that he can be part off or help you overcome the trials?

There have been times when we've had to say Lord. I haven't been doing very well.

We've come to a point of feeling completely abandoned at times by God. We may not like the circumstances were in, but at times that's where we find ourselves - and sometimes Christ needs to be there too.

He needs to shoulder our problems to help us. Through those difficult times he takes interest because he's a wonderful and extraordinary Lord who wants to know how our ordinary lives are going.

He wants to be part of your life and mine.

The disciple's greatest need was to be sustained in their relationship with God – good or bad.

They needed the assurance that their slowness to believe everything Jesus had told them as well as the cowardly behavior they showed at the time of his death would not cut them away from God mercy, grace and love.

They needed forgiveness. They needed Jesus's death and resurrection to comfort and guarantee them that and his resurrection and peace were real.

And that that he did was for them.
Christ’s peace was real.

The disciple’s relationship with God would be sustained by the means of his forgiveness.
No doubt about it. Jesus was their savior, and their God.
We need that same hope, forgiveness, and relationship with God as well.

We need a sustained relationship with Jesus., knowing that our sins are forgiven and that Jesus is with us always. But also, we need to live in that relationship with Jesus daily - good, bad or simple and boring as it may be.

Our forgiveness of sins was sealed for us in baptism, and it is continually part of who we are.

Though sinners in this life, God reminds us by his Spirit, that Christ has redeemed us by his death and resurrection and that in Christ we have peace with God.

God's blessing is continuously given to us in the gospel. By the forgiveness of sins, we have the favor of God on account of Christ and that great comfort is ours because we have a great relationship with our loving God.

A second basic need is to keep us sustained in this life physically.

6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So, they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.

Jesus provides abundantly for the disciples though tired and hungry after a long night's work. Our blessed Lord Jesus even prepared a meal for them.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.

The fire was going with fish and bread nearby.
It wasn't a fancy meal but it met their need.
What a blessed Lord he is.

He provides not only spiritual but physical food. And he sustains our faith and our bodies because we are his beloved children.

Some of you who are older can remember those difficult times in life.

My former boss, Ben, used to always tell me about growing up in the depression and how, even as a successful businessman, he would still drive by a gas station to save a few cents a gallon.

It's just part of who we are.
Do not take what we're blessed with for granted.

God also tells us through the apostle Paul, in Philippines 4:19.

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

So how do we respond to God’s provision?

While we serve honor and obey him, we keep him close to our hearts.

As we continue to live our daily lives. We gather together to hear his word and to receive his gifts, especially in the blessing of the supper, where he sustains our faith and continues to bless us.

We give him all the credit that is, due to him, the one who has come to live, suffer, die and rise again just for us.

As the disciples say, “It is the. Lord.”

We notice all his activity in our lives.
We pray that he will continue sustaining blessings.
He's blessed me and I know he's blessed you far beyond our deserving.
He's crowned all our efforts with his grace.

Life does not consist in success and at times things don't go right, we fail and fall short. And it's my prayer, as it is I know yours, that we would turn to him and ask his blessing of his comfort guidance and peace.

Jesus is intimately involved in our ordinary lives.

Where he continues to sustain you and me as his beloved children, so that we always look to him for our sustenance in time of need.

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

Amen

Modified Concordia Pulpit Rev. Henry Eggold c 1976

April 26-27, 2025 - 2nd Sunday after Easter

Title: Have no doubt … Jesus lives, and so will you!
Text: Acts 5:12-20

Facebook live: Have no doubt … Jesus lives, and so will you!

14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

Over the last few months, we’ve welcomed the Christ child, born in a manger and celebrated the Epiphany of our Lord as he is revealed and made know to the world through the visit of the wise men. We watched Jesus grow in wisdom and stature and begin his ministry. He taught, cast our demons, healed the sick and raised the dead. He was celebrated as a great teacher but ultimately was rejected by the religious elite and the people. He was tried, convicted, crucified, dead and buried. It is finished.

Then … Easter came and Jesus rose from the dead. Death has been changed forever – swallowed up in victory as we proclaim. It is now the blessed hope of all who die in Christ that we too will rise and live with him free of sin, death and the power of the devil forever.

Have no doubt … Jesus lives, and so will you!

The reality of this life, broken by sin though continues and it continued for the Apostles as well.

Signs and wonders were regularly done among the people at the hands of the Apostles, and they were held in esteem by the people.

They even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.

From the surrounding towns and villages they brought their sick and those with unclean spirits, and they were all healed!

Much had changed but much remained the same.

Those afflicted … remained so.

Those called by Jesus to follow him … followed in his footsteps in the care of souls.

Those opposed to Christ – the high priest and the party of the Sadducee's –rose up being filled with jealousy and rage … and:

18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.

Much had changed but much remained the same.

When I think about growing up, I remember times of struggle. We all had times and circumstances that defined us that helped us become who we are. It is never easy going through had times but you can become better for it.

When my children were growing up, I wanted to help them through the hard times they encountered but, it wasn’t my battle. I had to let them work through it too, and in a sense I’m glad I did because I believe that it helped them in life and they are better for it.

Struggle is certainly part of this life.
Struggle is certainly part of the Christian Walk as well.
Many of you struggle with the trials of life. I do too.

Sickness and death, job loss, guidance and care issues for our spouses, children, and parents. Friends and loved ones with cancer, you name it - and it seems to go on and on.

Today those opposed to Christ seem greater than ever. Foreign and domestic opposition to Jesus is rampant.

College campuses indoctrinate free thinking and alternate lifestyles and they have for years, as long as your free thinking is not in support of traditional family values and accepted religious and public norms.

Politically correct views shout down that which was traditional accepted.

“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Even if they don’t say it the world means it.

And even if they do see the nail marks and can place their hand into the side of Jesus they still don’t believe.

Because, to believe takes faith - and faith is a gift!

The vision of St. John in the book of Revelation comforts we who morn for those martyred for their faith in chapter 6.

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Rev. 6:9-11

Persecution remains part of our Christian Walk; though we hope to be hidden behind the door of God’s protection.

Not to cower but to be wise in God’s mercy.

It is easy to see that the corruption of this world continues. And though the wages of sin have been overcome by Christ in his death and resurrection, we all wait in anticipation for the glorious appearing of our great God and savior Jesus Christ and an eternity with him that he has promised. Titus 2:13

Even the Apostles, after Christ rose from the dead … and now doing his blessed work in his name - were arrested and thrown in prison for their witness.

Persecution, doubt, loss and fear continue to hound the church and those sent to serve. It will continue until Christ returns.

The joy of Easter though, is celebrated as it was last weekend, but the reality of persecution continues for Christ’s church and Christians all around the world.

In our day some who once followed Jesus, rebel in sinful disobedience to the word of God.
Others have an apathetic disdain for God’s word and all that Christ has done on their behalf.
Truthfully, we all fall short in our love of God and service to neighbor.
We confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that rings true again for us week after week.

The truth is that Jesus died for you and for me in a very public way, so we cannot live for him by ourselves in private.

And though it’s not a work, it is a fruit of who we are in Christ.
Fear grips us all and it gripped the disciples too.

They, for fear of the Jews, were locked in a room and Jesus came and stood before them saying, “Peace be with you.”

This peace from Christ is real.

God has made what we could never make possible a reality. Now he brings this reality to you and me through his means.

Jesus showed them his hands and his side, the reality of his death was there, the holes in his hands and feet, the mark in his side from the spear, all those remaining marks of his finished work for you and me were there, and he says and again … bringing the words of comfort …

“Peace be with you.”

But now gives the means of this gift for the world’s peace and salvation.

“As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Christ Jesus here sends these disciples, these 10 men locked in this room - Judas having fled and taken his life in despair while Thomas was not yet there among them.

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

It is a true absolution and peace, true forgiveness, not because the men who stand in the place and by the command of Christ, stand of their own accord, but because we stand as servants of the word.

We do what Christ does and commands because, it is his words of peace, it is his words of forgiveness and it is his words of comfort spoken by those called to stand as under shepherds of the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ himself.

Peace is truly a gift, but it also truly had a cost. Jesus is both the gift and the price that was paid to procure your peace and your salvation.

In Baptism, we too, who are brought to the font, receive that same gift of peace by Jesus.

At times the word of God’s Law points us all to our sinful nature, so that we might be brought to repentance. But God’s forgiveness is certain for those who repent, so that we might live redeemed, in the midst of a world broken by the fall.

In the lives of the Apostles the prison they were placed in was real.

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” Acts 5:19-20

It is God who forgives and it is God who speaks forgiveness to a broken world. The gospel always brings peace and erases doubt. Be comforted and strengthened as you stand in a world increasingly opposed to Christ for this world is dying but the gospel makes alive.

Just as Christ lives “in him we live and move and have our being … For we are indeed his offspring, (Acts 17:28)

And as his children, adopted into Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, God will change hearts and brings peace.

14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

Have no doubt friends … Jesus lives, and so will you!

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

Amen

April 19-20, 2025 – Easter

Title: Following our living and risen Lord!
Text: 1 Cor. 15:20-23

Facebook live: Following our living and risen Lord!

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.


You have come here to celebrate.
I am here to celebrate with you.
We celebrate the day of resurrection, Christ’s and ours.

This is the Lord's Day.

The only reason we come together and worship on Sunday throughout the year is that this is the Lord's Day. It all began on here, the first day of the week.

It all began quietly in the darkness of the dawn of the Lord's Day, when some women came inside of the tomb to take care of some duties for which there had not been time the previous Friday evening.

It was a considerate and loving thing to do.
Women have a way of doing things like that?
Where were the men?

They cowering behind locked doors for fear of what someone might do to them?

So, it was the women who first heard the good news.
Almost too good to be believed, too awesome to be grasped.
We can understand their feelings when they saw from a distance that the stone had been rolled away.
We can feel with them when they looked into the tomb and saw that his body of Jesus was not there.

5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

Jesus is alive!
He is risen.
Fear and terror were upon them.

The angel had to tell the shepherds not to be afraid, and two men in shining clothing had to tell the woman not to be afraid, and you and I have come and need to hear it again.

Good news from God in a world of bad news.
It comes straight from God’s word.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

That is the work of our heavenly father, by his great glory, God raised Jesus from the dead and declared him to be the Son of God with power.

He is Lord, he is alive.
Death makes afraid, but God makes alive!
In fact, Christ has been raised from the dead.
If you miss that then you miss everything about Easter.
It doesn't make any difference what kind of problems you bring with you to church today?
It doesn't make any difference what kind of sins rise up to trouble you?

Jesus Christ is alive, take heart. In him sins are forgiven!

The sermon hymn brings this joy to our mouth and ears right from the start.

Jesus lives! The vict'ry's won!
Death no longer can appall me;
Jesus lives! Death's reign is done!
From the grave Christ will recall me.
Brighter scenes will then commence;
This shall be my confidence.

The history of our sinful world, is described by saint Paul in our epistle today in such wonderful terms.

22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

The resurrection story is as carefully documented by eyewitnesses as any event that ever happened in history.

People saw Jesus, talked to him and ate with him.

Those people who were afraid and despondent after his death, suddenly found a courage and enthusiasm that took them to the ends of the Earth.

In the face of all kinds of difficulties and dangers which might have invited them to forget all about him - they proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as the hope of Mankind.

They were convinced beyond all doubt that he had risen.

Listen to the Apostle Paul, who as a a persecutor of the church had an encounter with Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road:

With unaccustomed humility he asks.

4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

He is alive.
In fact, Paul writes:
Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a work of God.
It happened to Jesus Christ and it will also happen to you.
By faith in Christ, you have this promise.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

The good news from God is that Jesus Christ was a man.
He was human as Adam was human and as we are human.
He was fully man, and fully God.
He was like us, having to take all the pressures of life and subject to the same temptations, yet in all his humanity, without sin.

He suffered everything we have to suffer even death itself.
We feel with him as he said that day on his cross.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

That is a human response. Christ is fully human but also fully God.

Jesus lives! To Him the throne
High above all things is given.
I shall go where He is gone,
Live and reign with Him in heaven.
God is faithful; doubtings, hence!
This shall be my confidence.

With confidence we celebrated today but others are fearful.
Death is a hard subject.

The reality of death causes some to think about it all the time and they just can't get death off their minds.

Even their happy moments are ruined because they know that these moments can't last forever.

Death will come. Maybe a lot sooner than you might expect. How can you be happy when you know that? How can anyone expect to be happy when he knows that?

Funerals bring that to mind.
You feel the reality of death yourself.
Funerals are hard to accept so we celebrate life.

It was by a man that death came. Paul wrights, and all men die. We are all born in Adam and born is sin and the wages of sin is death.

We are human as Adam was human.

On the other side we celebrate the man who rose from the dead. On the 3rd day after his crucifixion, Jesus Christ woke up from death as death could not hold him.

Saint Paul tells us that Christ rose from the dead never to die again.
Other resurrections were only a postponement of death.
Christ victory over death is complete and permanent.
When he left the tomb and the first Easter, Jesus said Goodbye to death forever.

Jesus lives! I know full well
Nothing me from Him shall sever,
Neither death nor pow'rs of hell
Part me now from Christ forever.
God will be my sure defense;
This shall be my confidence.

With confidence we say goodbye to death forever too!
Jesus is unique. The victim became the Victor.
Not only did he overcome death, he overcame the cause of death, sin.

St. Paul writes: the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law, but thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Christ accepted the punishment of sin himself.
He experienced the whole force of sin, himself.
He came out on top carrying with him the sins of the whole world.
He overcame the cause of death for you too!

All those who belong to Jesus Christ with confident faith that he is their savior of the world; God will raise from death to life.

Believe it!

Jesus lives! And now is death
But the gate of life immortal;
This shall calm my trembling breath
When I pass its gloomy portal.
Faith shall cry, as fails each sense;
Jesus is my confidence!

There are two types of death.
One is for the purpose of judgment. The others for the purpose of resurrection.
One is headed for destruction. The other is headed for life.

You plant a seed, and with great hope and expectation you wait, knowing that the time will come when it sprouts.

God brings that seed the life. Only God’s power can.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ puts power into the lives of his people.
It is what happens to people who belong to Christ Jesus.

His disciples were people like you and me, in need of forgiveness for the past and for fearfulness of the future.

Though fearful on the morning of his resurrection, these disciples went out with Great-Power and gave witness to the resurrection with great courage.

What they had was a new life empowered by the power of God who raised Jesus from the dead.

What they had was hope, not in the celebration of a life that would end, but in a hope of a life eternal that Christ promised will never end.

This hope is yours.

Jesus Christ gives life to the dead and in Christ you will rise!

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

Amen

Modified: Concordia Pulpit Rev. Oswald C. J. Hoffmann C 1976

April 18, 2025 - Good Friday

Title: Following Jesus to the cross and finish!
Text: John19:17-30

Facebook live: Following Jesus to the cross and finish!

29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Many things have been done in the name of religion.
Some have been good and some have been bad.
Some people have been helped others have been hurt.

Religion has given rise to great institutions of healing, and it is also produced some of the most vicious wars in history.

What we are talking about today is not fictitious?

It is real. The place of the skull not imaginary, it is real. In Hebrew. It has a real name, Golgotha.

Two men were crucified there that day and their crimes were real.
Whether the judgment passed upon them was just or not, the penalty was real.
One of them thought the penalty was just. He was probably right.

The third man is real too.

We know the judgment that brought him there was not just, it was just about as unjust as any judgment in the history of the world.

Nevertheless, there they nailed him to the cross. They also nailed the two other men to crosses, one on each side with Jesus between them.

This is life as it is lived in our world. Crucifixion is a very real part of life even today. It goes on all the time. People crucify other people and so doing they also crucified themselves. The world crucifies itself. It is a brutal thing to see, but our world appears to be intent on doing it.

A feature of crucifixion that is most often ignored, but was obvious to anyone who ever watched?
It was the disgrace of the crucified who became a target for popular scorn.
His very humanity was even caricatured:

It might be of interest to note that the earliest known pictorial depiction of Jesus on the cross was a cartoon. Often referred to as “The Alexamenos Graffito,” it’s a crude drawing of a human figure raising a reverent hand toward a crucified individual with the head of a mule. Discovered on the plaster wall of an ancient Roman school, this second-century parody of a certain Jewish Messianic movement includes, scrawled beneath the caricature, a taunt, perhaps best translated as “Alexamenos worships his god.”

You can see it – the crucifixion in the world - even in the 2nd century.

Beyond these childish taunts, there was torture not to mention suffering and dehydration. Fever, stretched muscles, dislocated joins, and unrelieved pain.

There was numbness and exhaustion. There was agony and finally there was death.

Bodies were not always taken down from the cross. They were allowed to decompose up there and then crumble away. They were a reminder.

Sometimes they were left for the wild animals.

A couple of men had the nerve to come forward in spite of what it might do to their reputations and positions in society, and take the body of Jesus Christ down from the cross and put it in the tomb over the weekend.

But not everybody got that kind of consideration.

The world doesn't mind seeing people torn up. If they can't be torn up in one way, there is always another way. This is the devil at work. Of course, but that's the way of the world. It invites the devil in, it encourages his worst.

The world judges but the true judgment comes from God.

The actions of our world constitute a mass challenge against God. The creator of the natural order of things is God, and the world is trying to rearrange that order.

It's action sometimes remind you of one who is deranged.

The Earth is not ours to do with it as we please. It is the Lords and he is the one who made it. We have defiled what belongs to him. It is his judgment upon us.

The cross of Jesus Christ tells us how God feels about human sin.
It is a brutal, bloody thing, that cross of Jesus Christ.
The wrath of God is for real.

The payment was real too.

But no one forget that when he looks at the cross of Christ, God is not a kindly old grandfather who winks at the mistakes of his children and their children. He is a just God and he makes it quite clear whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.

Playing God is sin.

When Martin Luther was asked to describe sin, he said it is man turned in upon himself.

It is not an irony of modern civilization that people have been deliberately educated, trained, and reared to regard this almost as a virtue in our day, the truth is finally beginning to dawn upon us.

What a man sows, that also shall he reap.
We are part of the world and we have made our own contribution to the world as it is.

There is no escape from the cross.

There is no way out of the harvest of confusion we have prepared for ourselves unless God comes to our rescue.

What we are talking about is sin. The thing people don't like to talk about if they do talk about at all.

It is usually something other people do.
There is sin in this congregation because everyone here is a sinner.

(President Harrison’s election in 2010)

The reality of what happened at the place of the skull, brings home to me again, with devastating force that there, they nailed Jesus to the cross for my sin, and also nailed two other men to crosses, one on each side and Jesus between them.

If sin is for real, so is he everything about that cross.

A notice had to be put on the cross and Pilate put it there, Jesus of Nazareth the king of the Jews is what he wrote.

Reaction to the sign, as human reactions often are, was immediate and violent.

Many Jews read this because the place where Jesus was nailed to the cross was not far from the city. The notice was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek.

The first was the language of religious people in that city and the other two languages of commerce in the Roman Empire.

The Jewish chief priest said to Pilate,

“Do not write the king of the Jews, but the man said I am the king of the Jews!”

By this time the governor, had had his fill of their self-righteousness Scribes and Pharasees, saying,

“I have written what we have written.”

The truth must be told even if pilot has to tell it.
The soldiers beneath the cross were real.

Their - kickback - as it is called in our world for their work happened to be the personal effects of the crucified, who would have no further use for them.

The soldiers took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier.

They also took the robe which is made of one piece of woven cloth without any seams in it and threw dice to see who would get it.

Saint John reminds us that too was in fulfillment of God's plan.
This happened to make the scripture come true.
They divided my clothes among themselves.

Most poignantly real, is the little amount of people standing close:

25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

One man was there. The disciple whom Jesus loved, as John described himself.
And when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there. He said to his mother:

“Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”

Here is His dying wish for the woman who gave him birth, and this was carried out by John, and from  hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Jesus knew by now that everything had been completed in order to make the scriptures come true.

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”

He suffered as men suffer and he was thirsty.
A real man died there that day.
He really died, without a thought for self.

29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

God shows himself to be real.

This is his way of doing things.
Only God would have thought of doing it that way?
I could think of other ways and so, could you?
But this is his way.
This is how we know love. Not that we love God but that he loved us.

He gave his only son-in propitiation of his wrath as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins.
God was reconciling the world to himself not counting their sins against them.

It's hard to believe why would God do something like that?

By his own power and glory, a real man died there that day and a real man arose from the dead.
He was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification.

Don't sit there in your sin, accept his forgiveness!

The salvation of God is real.

It is new life that can truly be called eternal life.
It is a new peace, as you see our loving God in Jesus Christ, as your savior.
It is a new hope, and that friends is exactly what all of us need.

The judgment of God upon our world and upon us has been shouldered by Jesus Christ, he took the disgrace, he took the rebellion, the hatred, the pride, which constantly pressed in upon us.

There is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.

He took it all friends for you!

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

Amen



Modified: Concordia Pulpit Rev. Oswald C. J. Hoffmann C 1976