Sermon June 15-16, 2019 - Holy Trinity

Title: His steadfast love endures forever!

Text: Psalm 100

A Psalm for giving thanks.

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

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.

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness!

We all love a joyful noise and a joyful noise is proclaimed to our God through singing, as was just proclaimed in the singing of the sermon hymn, The King of Love My Shepherd Is.

We sing of God’s goodness that never fails and our lacking nothing that we need, because he provides for all of body and soul in this life and in the life to come. The Father’s love is made known to us in his Son who hold’s us in the palm of his hands promising never to lose a single one – I am his and he is mine – forever!

This joy is yours and mine by the work of God’s Spirit. He points, directs and comforts so that we serve those in need joyfully and with glad hearts. A friend’s dad, Bill Wilstermann, once told me after church many years ago:

“When I’m feeling down and things seem to be going wrong I go and do something nice for someone and I feel a whole lot better!”

Come into his presence with singing!

We have a Call to Worship at 10:30. Maybe you know that and maybe you don’t. We sing it together with joyful hearts. Some unfortunately, have got in the habit of coming late - maybe getting here by greeting time or the opening hymn – You may miss a beautiful prelude before service and it’s not uncommon to have 15 people in the pews at the call to worship and 45 or more standing for the Closing hymn. Come for the call to worship, sing joyfully … you’ll be glad you did!

3 Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;

To know the Lord is to know our Triune God as he has revealed himself to us through his word. God speaks to us through his word. His word read, sung and meditated upon reveals who he is and his love for us. The Spirit shines the light on Christ, the word made flesh, for you and me. We know him by his word and through the word he continues to be made known.

Matthew 11:28 King James Version (KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

John 3:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 6:23 King James Version (KJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

At times I need to read the old King James for the majesty to conveys. As Judy Harroun has said of the late seminary Professor John Saleska who, having memorized much of the KJV bible, it is what will be spoken in heaven! The beginning and end of Reverend Saleska’s obituary speaks of his hope.

Rev. John Saleska, 87, whom God adopted as his own beloved child at his Baptism, now rests with Jesus, where he is waiting with all of us for the Resurrection that God promised him in Christ.

Revelation 21:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Dear friends, this is our Triune Gods hope for you and me as well!

No tears, no death, no sorrow, no crying, no pain … all gone.

We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. The Psalmist reminds us.

The Lord’s sheep know the shepherd and by the Holy Spirit we are his and know him. But like sheep we wonder from the truth.

Ill.

Dr. Andrew Bonar told how, in the Highlands of Scotland, a sheep would often wander off into the rocks and get into places that they couldn't get out of. The grass on these mountains is very sweet and the sheep like it, and they will jump down ten or twelve feet, and then they can't jump back again, and the shepherd hears them bleating in distress. They may be there for days, until they have eaten all the grass. The shepherd will wait until they are so faint they cannot stand, and then they will put a rope around him, and he will go over and pull that sheep up out of the jaws of death. "Why don't they go down there when the sheep first gets there?" I asked. "Ah!" He said, "they are so very foolish they would dash right over the precipice and be killed if they did!" And that is the way with men; they won't [come] back to God till they have lost everything. 

If you are a wanderer I tell you that the Good Shepherd will pursue you and bring you back when you have given up trying [go it your own way and let the Spirit turn you back to Christ.]

Moody's Anecdotes, pp. 70-71.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!

John 1:11-13 English Standard Version (ESV)

11 He [Jesus] came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood [not who we are] nor of the will of the flesh [not the things we do] nor of the will of man, [or what others tell us we can do of ourselves] - but of God.

Born from above, born again, born of God!

You and I enter God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise by God’s work revealed in his son and the promise never fails. Hold on to it for dear life and proclaim it to your children and your grandchildren! Give them an example to model. Show your friends your faith and invite them to church. My friend Rob showed me the truth of God’s love in word and example. I in turn shared it with my friend Mark. Mark told me he went to the gas station for a coffee and the lady behind the counter who was African American had a cross around her neck. Mark who is Jewish said to her with his big Mark smile, “Are you my sister in the Lord?” She gave him a big smile and a hug.

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the LORD is good;

We who are broken in sin are made good in Christ. 

From verse 4 of The King of Love My Shepherd Is:

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with thee, dear Lord beside me.
Thy rod and staff my comfort sill, thy cross before to guide me. Vs 4

Christ’s cross and work for you and me - guide and lead - in times of sorrow and joy. Father, Son and Holy Spirit united in our life now and for eternity.

The prophet Jeremiah heard this comfort from the Lord directly.

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

We hear it in the word proclaimed.

Our God knows you and he knows me and he has numbered our days and appointed us here for this time and for this work. We proclaim Christ because it is his desire for us to do so. His love for us will never fade and we are his forever.

his steadfast love endures forever, - his love is never ending!
and his faithfulness to all generations. – it is his promise for all!

God is faithful. He will continue dear friends to pursue you all the days of your life. Do not flee like Jonah, do not despair as Judas did taking his own life, but turn back as Peter did and give ear as the apostle Paul did so that the Lord might make himself known in your life to those who need to hear!

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

Amen

Sermon June 8-9, 2019 - Pentecost

Title: The Spirit of truth teaches, leads, and points to Christ!
Text: John 14:23-31


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.

The Day of Pentecost which we celebrate today begins the work of the church. In a dramatic way the Spirit comes.

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The work of the church begins with the Spirit; the rushing wind, the fire, speaking in foreign tongues, hearing in one’s own language, quite a dramatic scene. The Festival of Weeks – grain harvest – those Jews gathered together in Jerusalem – and the Spirit comes just as Jesus had said 50 days after Easter and 10 days after Christ ascended.

In our gospel reading for today and in answer to the question, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest [make known] yourself to us, and not to the world?”
Love, Word, Father, Peace!

23 Jesus answered him, “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.

Last week we learned that by the work of the Spirit we have unity with the Father and the Son but that Christ’s hope and purpose was that through this unity

the world may believe [may know] that you have sent me-and loved them even as you loved me. John 17:21b; 23b

Love

A long marriage – say one of 50 years - does not in and of itself proclaim Christ to a world that needs to hear. But in the case of Pastor and Nancy Merrell, it is a testament to that faith in Christ and by the working of the Holy Spirit that we celebrate with them that reality today.

The blessing of a long marriage can be joy filled but also full of the ups and downs of life lived in the Spirit through the bonds of the flesh. The loss of dear loved ones is part of a long marriage. Parents, grandparents, siblings and dear friends are remembered fondly but with sadness at this time of separation but also this sadness is tempered with new joys we share with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, filling each day with the blessings that a long marriage can provide.

We celebrate with Pastor and Nancy this joy today and the hope for the future God has for them and their family, but also for the thankful joy of their service to our Lord and his mission by the Spirit’s work here at Peace for so many years.

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Word!

The Holy Spirit worked in the lives of those first disciples as the day of Pentecost came. Tongues of fire rested on the disciples.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 1:4

6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. Acts 1:6

By this working of the Spirit through the word Christ is made known.

St. Peter’s sermon to those first ears to hear the word of promise in a new way by the working of the Holy Spirit is proclaimed:

21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Acts 1:21

By the Spirit through the word many were brought to repentance, they were baptized and the fullness of the Holy Spirit was made new in the lives of these believers.

By that same Spirit those who wrote as they were led, bring the promise of Christ to we who hear today

39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Acts 2:39

Father!

On Christ’s ascension we now build by the working of the Holy Spirit.
Proceeding from the Father and the Son the Spirit of truth brings to our remembrance all that Christ has said and done for us. By this working we know the unity of the Godhead in Christ and the Father’s love for you and me.

For we who have been blessed to be fathers also know the joys and trials of being sons.

At times punishment needed to be meted out. As my dad would often get home from work he would say to my mom, half jesting.

“Okay, line them up and tell me which one I need to hit.”

It was usually me, as the oldest, who had found some disfavor with my mom probably in relation to my siblings.

My dad would say, “Go to your room and wait for me!”

The word of truth from my father had both command and promise. It commanded me to go to my room with the promise that there would be a resolution in his favor!

After a long and tedious wait dad would come in usually with this question.

“Did you think about what you did?”
[Yes] You just nodded yes. You didn’t speak in his presence.
“Are you going to do it again?”
[No] Shaking head back and forth in the negative.

That’s repentance.

“You’re lucky your mom and I love you!” Dad would say, “Okay you can go play. But don’t do it again”

That’s forgiveness.

At lease it was until the next time I had to go to my room!

The Father’s love for you will never stop forgiving and by the Spirit’s work pointing you to Christ and all he’s done for you. He will continue to pursue you each day of your life through repentance for the purpose of forgiveness.

Peace!

The Father and Son by the working of the Spirit have made their home with you. They dwell with you and in you because you are theirs. You keep the word by the working of the Spirit and when you fall short – and need to go to your room so to speak - the Spirit by the word draws you back to repentance so that God’s blessed forgiveness once again frees you from the burden of your sin and its consequences.

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

By God’s Spirit we have confidence in his work in us and his love for us so that though we wrestle and are burdened by sin, death and devil daily we have the hope of God’s victory for us now and always.

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

Amen

Sermon June 1-2, 2019

Title: Christ prayed and prays for you!
Text: John 17:20-26

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

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. 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,
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.

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

so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them 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:

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. 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.

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 …

[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!

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

Amen

Sermon May 25-26, 2019

Title: Christ has overcome so that you too overcome!
Text: John 16:23-33

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 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.

Our Bible Study in the book of Acts that we’ve spent this year studying 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 too 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.

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 own mother’s suffering with cancer and my 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.

Acts 21 from our Bible Study this week:

22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by[d] 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.

Ill.

My nephew Spencer a pilot in the Navy is in the Persian Gulf right now with the Abraham Lincoln strike force and U.S. build up in the conflict with Iran. I think to the time in January of 1991 when my brother, Tom also a Navy pilot and Spencer’s dad, was in the first wave of air strikes off the USS Ranger into Iraq. I thank the Lord for my brother’s safe return home from battle and pray for Spencer’s safety as he serves our nation but the thought of war touches us all, especially when we think of those who have not returned serving our nation and making the ultimate sacrifice as we remember them this Memorial Day.

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 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 he has done.
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Sermon May 18-19, 2019

Title: The Spirit illumines your hidden savior!
Text: John 16:12-22

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.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. 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.

The President claimed that it was his prerogative to determine whether to provide military and diplomatic information to Congress. When Congress sought military information, he ultimately provided it because he determined that doing so was in the public interest. When Congress demanded information about a treaty, he provided it to the Senate but not the House because only the Senate had treaty approval authority. [George Washington]

The President also claimed that he had the power to choose whether or not to comply with a subpoena. When the Chief Justice issued him a subpoena for testimony and documents [in the criminal trial of Aaron Burr,] he ultimately provided some information but refused to testify. [Thomas Jefferson]

And the President repeatedly asserted executive privilege in the face of demands for members of his administration to testify in connection with the [McCarthy] hearings, 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 President Trump, 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.

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. There was sorrow. I loved them and didn’t want to leave them or have them leave me and 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 though, those who were in authority, the Jewish leaders, the Roman government, the soldiers and 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.
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, baby, human being and born – all words used by Jesus have been changed to pregnant, aborted, 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.

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

Amen

Sermon May 11-12, 2019

Title: In Christ, the voice of the good shepherd is heard!
Text: John 10:22-30

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.

Last weekend at Confirmation we talked about discerning the voice of the Lord. Also, hearing, listening and obeying that same voice. At times, God’s voice is clear, direct and powerful and it is easy to discern what he means and what he expects of you and of me.

You shall have no other Gods
You shall not steal
You shall not bear false witness
You shall not covet

Other times, God’s word causes us to wrestle with the truth of his word and how best to understand it as we deal in this life with sin, death and the devil.

Honor your father and Mother

Well, what if a mother or father has been or is an abuser of their children?

You shall not kill

How might this apply to warfare and accidents or unintended death? What about capital punishment?

Go, and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit … Matt. 28:19

Is Baptism God’s work or mans?

Take eat, this is my body which is given for you … Take drink, this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22: 19-20

Is Christ’s true body and blood in with and under the bread and wine or, as some denomination maintain, that it is simply a remembrance? These and other questions must be answered by God’s word in an honest and truthful way and though divisions exist we pray that by his word our lord would guide and direct.

Our gospel for today begins:

22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. [Today this feast is known as Hanukkah or the festival of lights] It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.

The Feast of Dedication commemorated the reconsecration of the temple in Jerusalem after it had been desecrated. So here in the temple is Jesus, the true temple, who had said in John chapter 2: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again." speaking of his own death, burial and resurrection that we celebrated during Holy Week and Easter. This was in answer to the Jews who had demanded a miraculous sign of him.

Now, the Jews again ask, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

They ask to hear the voice of the lord but their ears are closed to his voice and they have no intention of hearing or obeying.

To this Jesus tells them - I told you and you don’t believe – and that the works that he does in his Father’s name bear witness about him. His death, burial and resurrection bear witness, His word of promise to make disciples by baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit bear witness, His gift of body and blood, in and with the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, bear witness.

To deny Jesus is to deny the witness and works he has done in his Father’s name.

The Jews did not believe so Jesus tells them: 26 …” you do not believe because you are not part of my flock.”

It is unbelief that damns us and separates us from Christ.

Ill.

Over the last few years we welcomed some dear Christian friends into membership here at Peace. It is always a great joy to celebrate with these new members their fellowship here at Peace. Some have been members of God’s flock at other places - for a good long time I dare say, but all are relatively new here to Peace. They all have been called to faith by the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to believe and by the working of the Holy Spirit they remain steadfast in the faith, hearing the Good Shepherd’s voice, even through the weak vessels of Christ’s under shepherds. They have been received into this sheep fold that is Peace Lutheran church here because it is God’s church and he desires they be here with us and so we rejoice with them that they hear Christ’s voice here … and come.

But Christ also comforts with this promise … [“That] 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.”

Christ’s promise is secure!

My friend Pastor Paul Monson who preached at my ordination gave me godly wisdom when I began my service here about the work of a pastor:

“It's about feeding sheep, caring for sheep, and running after stray sheep.”

But I would add one thing … that it’s also about joyfully welcoming the sheep from other sheepfolds that God has seen fit to send her - maybe only as visitors - to be fed and cared for at this time.

Ill.

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.  - Edited

C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed.

In the midst of sickness, test results, or impending surgery the Lord comes to mind to us all, doesn’t he? We see a great amount of souls added to the prayer list. But following the healing, good test results, or successful surgery we see some forget again the Lord Jesus and his gifts.

[Thoughts on Virginia Blasius Memorial and the word’s of Christ.]

It is certainly not what we do that keeps us in the faith. It is both God’s work that justifies or saves us, as well as, sanctifies or sustains us in that same faith … making us holy - even when we change churches.

We need to hear, listen and obey Christ’s voice.

When I first joined the Lutheran Church through adult confirmation in 1999 [coming from the Roman Catholic church through a nondenominational church] I picked out my own confirmation verse. Then I found out from Pastor Moritz that adults who come into membership don’t get to pick a confirmation verse.

Well being disappointed but not dissuaded I picked one anyway.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

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.

Over the last few years the Lord has worked to direct and guide us in aspects of mission and ministry here at Peace, many times bringing the things needed right to our door.

When Katherine gave us notice of taking a job at another church I made a call to Tammy Miller, she came on board as did Tim Prueter, Chris Kitzman Elizabeth and Amy Tkac to get us through the transition and even a guitar hymn as well.

When things needed to change because of budget issues God put things in place and Amy and Elizabeth stepped up along with the CD to keep are services in place.

It showed me once again that we just need to follow God’s leading and directing, trusting that he knows what is best for us … and listening to his word.

It is God who has worked in each of us faith and has brought us here. By his Spirit we hear and follow the good Shepherd call and by that same Spirit he will point, direct and keep us all in that same one faith.

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.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always.

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

Amen

Sermon May 4-5, 2019 - Confirmation

Title: The net of the Kingdom has been cast!
Text: John 21:1-14

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.

Our gospel reading today begins ...

21 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, - You may know this by its more common name the Sea of Galilee.

It is not a real sea - it is called a sea because of tradition.

The lake is also known on modern maps as Lake Galilee or Lake Tiberias, in the region of Galilee. In modern Hebrew, it is known as Yam Kinneret.

The Sea of Galilee is Israel's largest freshwater lake, about 33 miles) around, about 13 miles long, and 8 miles wide; At 209 meters below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth,

https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_of_Galilee

The gospel from last week recounts the two previous appearances of Jesus following the resurrection. The disciples had gathered in the upper room with the doors locked for fear of the Jews and Jesus came and stood among them on the evening of the first day.

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

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Today we celebrate the confirmation of five of our congregation’s children who have been instructed and examined and are ready to confirm what God did for them in their baptisms – having not seen yet have believed.

The account in our gospel in John today is the third appearance of Jesus to his disciples.

3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing”. They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Here Jesus comes and says:

5b“Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”

I found it interesting that Jesus calls them children. He used the Greek word παιδιον (padion) – which means a little child or an infant or a half grown boy or girl or by extension - an immature Christian. Some call them Lads.

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.

Today we look at our children who will make their confirmation. No they are not little children or infants though we might call them “student” Christians to some degree. They have been taught and they understand the teachings of the Christian faith and they will confirm that faith today and we pray stay connected to Christ and grow in that faith.

What is Confirmation? There are many who will answer various ways and some of their answers will be wrong.

Confirmation:
… is not a sacrament;
… it does not complete your baptism;
… you don’t have to be 13 or in eighth grade to be confirmed;
In Luther’s day there was no rite of confirmation as we know it.
There was much though in Luther’s day about teaching the faith.
So what is it and what has it become?

Students confirm what God has done for them in their baptism having been marked as one redeemed by Christ. They confess with their mouth, believe in their heart, and speak what they couldn’t say when they were baptized. They have been instructed in the faith and they will now confirm it publicly – nothing more and nothing less.

A few years ago the board of Elders and I addressed this as we noted the lack of confirmands continuing in worship concluding something was wrong.

The problem began in Germany with the State church with the Rite of Confirmation that coincided with end on the school year and the beginning of the spring planting season. Confirmation took on a look of a graduation ceremony and many confirmands and families took it as such. This carried over with those who immigrated to the United States. In our day some families would stay active in church just long enough to have their children confirmed or would come back to church just in time to enroll their child in confirmation class but after they completing their confirmation stop attending or return to non attendance again.

The problem continues to be widespread in the church and a reason for the decline in our congregation and many congregations in our own Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

For those who like tradition and remember the past fondly … change is at times hard to accept.

Even Luther when he wrote his Small Catechism began with these words:

“As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household.”

Luther’s desire was that fathers most probably, but mothers as well, depending on the family situation, should teach their children the truths of the Christian faith. They would teach them about Jesus and all he did for them. They would bring them to church and hopefully connect them to the family of faith at their local church gathered together to receive God’s gifts of word and sacrament. To do so not only grounds the children but also the parents as well.

Two years ago I asked the Elders to consider earlier communion and confirmation. We discussed what the Lord’s Supper is and if we truly believe that it forgives sins and strengthens faith … why in the world would we not want children who can be taught and understand to receive this blessed gift?

The only answer we could come up with is … “Well, we’ve never done it that way.” So we began with Breanna Squanda and Olivia Fisher teaching them in 6th grade the blessing of this gift and they made their first Holy Communion.

Last year they were confirmed and these 5 confirmation students here today received their first Holy Communion. Today, they will be confirmed. The hope is to let God do what he has promised in this gift – to forgive sins and to strengthen faith. My hope is if they receive these gifts earlier just maybe that will stay connected longer.

The catch of fish in the gospel caught the disciple’s attention.

7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”

Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

Maybe they remembered his first call as told in Matthew chapter 4:

Matthew 4:18-20 English Standard Version (ESV)

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

God has called these children to faith in Holy Baptism. They are marked as his. Today they confirm it publicly and continue their walk with Jesus as his disciples and redeemed children marked and sealed for an eternity with him here in this life and the life to come.

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

Amen