Sermon May 16-17, 2026 - 7th Sunday of Easter

Title: Christ’s prayer for you!
Text: John 17:1-11

Facebook live: Christ’s prayer for you!

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

This past Friday I remembered my father on what would have been his 100th birthday.

It seems like yesterday that I officiated at his funeral which was now some 13 years ago!

Sometimes, I think of conversations we had, and the wisdom he gave me. Sometimes, I think of funny things my dad did, or things I’d wish he hadn’t done.

We are sinners in a broken world but the gift of my father has blessed me for the entirety of my 68 years.

In his High Priestly Prayer Jesus prays to his father:

17… “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.

The gift of eternal life is given, not earned, and while heroes in this life deserve to be remembered … you don’t have to be a hero to receive the gift.

We receive all sorts of things in this life that we don’t deserve.

My parents and many of your parents sacrificed much to make sure that we had the very best they could give. We were fed and clothed, taught what was right and wrong and how to treat others.

My parents made sure that I received an education, even though I might have wanted to skip school and play, they knew this was important for me and would help me in the future.

At 48 when I went back to school to prepare for seminary I said to my dad when he asked me how my schooling was going,

“It’s going well but all the other kids tell me their parents are paying for their schooling.”

My dad said,

“Well, that’s nice Russ … if you were still a kid I’d be paying too.”

As Christians my parents knew something else that was good for me too and Jesus makes it clear in his prayer.

3 that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
It was important for my parents that I knew Christ and that he knew me.

Why?

Well Jesus says … this is eternal life … that we know the Father and Jesus who the Father has sent.

So, they brought me to the means that God gave and I was baptized and given new birth in baptism one month after being born.

My parents knew this was good for me and knew that just as I needed their physical care around the clock, I also need the spiritual care that God could give me in his word and by his Spirit.

Most of us as children don’t know what we need. I didn’t know what I needed. But seeing little babies, I know that when,

they’re hungry - they cry,
and when they needs changed – they cry,
and when they need anything – they cry.

Maybe it is a sign of the death we are born into?

If children were born and left to make their own way … without their parent’s care … they would die.

So, God in his mercy has given parents and grandparents to care for the physical needs of those too young to care for themselves, and by his means of grace to his church, we as loving parents, bring God’s mercy and forgiveness to those in need … from the youngest to the oldest.

3 And this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

As Jesus said last week in our Gospel, he would not leave us as orphans to care for ourselves but that the Holy Spirit, the comforter who he was sending from the Father would bring true comfort.

This gift is given to you and me and all through the gifts of word and sacrament and it brings us all real peace.

Peace though, in our world is fleeting.

The war in Iran, Ukraine and unrest at and in our cities - shows that our world is not at peace!
Death too comes to those young and old in this life and we know not the day or hour.

Having many dear Peace members on my mind that our resting in Jesus, the reality of death in our lives is real. It invades our comfort and security and is why it’s so important for us all to know him,

… who is the way the truth and the life – Jesus Christ – our Lord - the only way to the Father.

It’s comforting to know that in our text today, Jesus is praying for you and for me and for all far away, born in and struggling with sin, death, and the devil.

Jesus says:

9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

This past Thursday was the day of the Ascension.

6 So when [the disciples] had come together, they asked [Jesus], “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

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.”

So, we are here today as appointed witnesses of all that Jesus came to do and has done. We tell others by the working of his Spirit in us and Christ prays and interceded to the father on our behalf.

10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

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

Amen

Sermon May 9-10, 2026 - 6th Sunday of Easter

Title: The comforter points to Jesus!
Text: John 14:15-21

Facebook live: The comforter points to Jesus!

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

When I was a little boy growing up, I attended kindergarten in Glassport Pennsylvania.

We, had fire drills to prepare ourselves in case of an emergency. When the fire bell rang, we were directed to exit the room orderly and row by row and as we entered the hall walking towards the door one of the older children from the upper grades would hold the hand of a kindergartener and walk with them out the door to the designated place of safety.

They became our guide and helper and would not leave us until the drill was over.
In the life of the Christian, the good news is that you will not be left alone either.

The Holy Spirit is your helper and guide and will remain with you and will comfort you no matter the circumstance. You do not have to hope that He will come and lead you to safety … for He dwells with you and is in you!

Jesus, in John 14 speaks of sending the comforter, the Holy Spirit, to be our comfort and our hope.

He had told the disciples about that hope and not to be troubled, to believe in God and also to believe in Him and that He would be going to prepare a place for them, that where He is they too may be also.

To Thomas’ question of how they could know the way Jesus replied that He is the way the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him … and to Philip’s question to show us the Father, Jesus said, whoever has seen me, has seen the Father!

There is a very close connection between Jesus and the Father.

To see Christ is to see God and to know Christ is to know the Father; one God in essence, uniqueness of persons.

The Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Father but the mystery of the Godhead in there for the first disciples and for us as well.

Today’s reading begins:

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Well that’s comforting.

We poor sinners confess unto you that we are by nature sinful and unclean!

God’s Law we can’t keep and his law shows us our sin and that we fall short daily needing the comfort and forgiveness only given us by God himself through His comforting absolution pronounced by His called and ordained servants, in the stead and by the command of Christ.

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17even the Spirit of truth.

The Disciples are being comforted that when Jesus leaves them and ascends back to the Father, the helper, the Spirit of truth, will be with them [and us] forever.

The Holy Spirit's role is to shine the light on our Lord Jesus Christ.

Some years ago we upgraded the building of our church here at Peace with new lights on the building. When lighting is done well, the lights make visible the building when otherwise it would not be seen for the darkness. This illustrates also the Spirit's role and work.

He is, the hidden light shining on the Savior.

It is as if the Spirit stands behind us, throwing light over our shoulder on to Jesus who stands facing us.

The Spirit's message to us is not,

"Look at me; listen to me; come to me; get to know me",

but always,

Look at him,
see his glory;
listen to him and hear his word;
go to him and have life in him;
get to know him and taste his gift of joy and peace."

The Spirit’s, role is to bring you and Christ together and ensure that you and Christ Jesus stay together.

James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.

But you don’t … and I don’t. We fall short, we miss the mark. It’s like having directions to our destination and always getting lost … always making the wrong turn!

Some years ago I had a good example of this as Bob Poe and I drove to the Doxology conference in DeWitt, MI. I’m driving, knowing that I need exit 87. Bob says, “Pastor, isn’t this our exit?” Oh yes, it is Bob, thanks for letting me know as I quickly move right to exit the freeway!

On the way home I’m heading north on I-69 towards I-75 when I hear, “Pastor, isn’t this our exit?” Oh, thanks again Bob for pointing that out to me, as I once again move right quickly so as not to miss the, I-75 exit and our way home.

In a similar way:
The Spirit shows you when you miss the mark,
When you are going the wrong way
He, points you back to Jesus

So that you once again see the error of your sin and where you fall short, but also see the way the truth and the Life … Jesus, who kept the commandments – the Law - perfectly for you and who the Spirit will continue to point you to, Christ Jesus our Lord!

He is the light of the world and the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world and His gracious forgiveness and love is for you and for all who love God and are called according to His purpose!

Jesus said:

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

It is Jesus who gives us every good and perfect gift from above.
It is Jesus who will not leave you as orphans.
It is Jesus who took your sin upon himself at the cross burying it in the tomb and


It is Jesus, who asks the Father to send the Helper, the Spirit of truth, to you, so that you can continue to see Christ, the author and finisher of your faith Jesus.

Christ says:

Because I live, you also will live.

20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

By the Spirit, Christ will make Himself known to you!

Because death could not end Christ it will not be your end!

Because of the work of the Spirit in the life of God’s children … you will know Him and His ways, and you will be found acceptable because you will be clothed in the robes of the God/man Himself Jesus Christ the Righteous one.

Remember:

In the life of the Christian, the good news is that we will not be left alone.

The Holy Spirit is in you and with you and will comfort you in all trials … because you do not have to wonder if He will come to you … for He dwells with you and will be in you!

By God’s Spirit we look to Christ

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

Amen

Sermon May 2-3, 2026 - 5th Sunday of Easter

Title: Your place is prepared in Christ!
Text: John 14:1-14

Facebook live: Your place is prepared in Christ!

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

In our gospel today Jesus said to his disciples:

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

This text is often used at funerals. It is for comfort and hope. Death is real but so is Christ’s rescue.

What also is interesting is the context of the hope that Jesus gives here in the beginning of chapter 14, with the last line of verse that he says in Chapter 13, where he turns to St. Peter and says,

“I tell you the truth, [truly, truly] before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”

Not only then but now as well. We too disown the savior daily and not just three times.

It is daily. It is willful, and it is often, day in and day out until we die.

It is in that context that Christ’s - Let not your hearts be troubled - is truly good news and why it is so important that it be shared at times of great grief and suffering.

Peter was standing tall … thinking he knew all:

When Jesus washed the disciple’s feet Peter asked:

“Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

Then Peter said:

“You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have [no part of] me.”

Jesus tells them:

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

He tells them to love one another, to serve one another, to care for one another … because where he is going, they cannot come.

Not in their own strength at least.
And Peter in his own strength says:
“Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
But in reality, that’s you and that’s me.

We think we can stand.

In the midst of trial, in the midst of temptation, in the midst of sin - we fall, denying the Lord and the rooster crows that reality in our own lives.

If we think about our own confirmation, confirming what God did in our Baptism and living our lives connected to Christ and this truth - right in the middle of the Rite of confirmation - the question is asked:

“Do you intend to hear the Word of God and receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully?

Do you intend to live according to the word of God, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to death?

And finally, it asks:

Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?

To all of this we answer, “I do.”
In a sense saying like St. Peter:
I’ll lay down my life for you!
But, the confirmation rite adds one more “I do.” To these words we confess:

“By the grace of God.”

That is what Peter missed. His strength and our strength, as it is connected to faith, life, and eternal life … is in God’s hands and by his grace.

It is why we can let not our hearts be troubled!

I wrestle with so many who are confirmed members here and no longer come to church regularly.

I pray for all who have left the fold that the Lord would draw them back to regular attendance and fellowship as we talked about last week with the Apostles teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer as we gather together here.

It is God who brings to faith!
As pastor’s we all need to be reminded this truth that:

Jesus is God and I am not!

As we prepare for the Ascension of Christ in a little more than a week we are left with this reality. God has given the church under shepherds and by the Holy Spirit, the work of God continues.

In chapter 13 Peter is confused and asks Jesus,

“Lord where are you going?”
Thomas in chapter 14 asks:
5 … “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
To this Jesus answers:
6 … “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

It is really good news to hear that God has washed you and me and marked us as his.

He gives us pastors, as under shepherds to lead, teach, and point us to Jesus so we too can confess who Jesus is and follow him.

We all have been made partakers of eternal life.

We will see this again on the Day of Pentecost as we welcome new members and confirm two of our youth who have completed their work.

It is God though, who through the means he has provided of Word and Sacrament, will keep us all in the one true faith.

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

That is Good News for pastors;
Good News for you dear members;
And that is Good News for all the Lord will continue to call to himself through his word and gifts!

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

Amen