Title: The Spirit Anointed Christ . . . to Heal the Broken Hearted!
Text: Luke 4:18-19
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
Sermon audio:The Spirit anointed Christ ... to heal the broken hearted!
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Monday, March 9, 2020
Sermon March 7-8, 2020
Title: Whoever believes in Him … has eternal life!
Text: John 3:1-17
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546 at around 3:00 AM in the morning. His last words and actions were recorded by his dear friend Justus Jonas. Luther was asked, “Reverend father, will you die steadfast in Christ and the doctrines you have preached?” To this Luther responded affirmatively … “Yes!” quoting John 3:16 and Psalm 31:5 which reads:
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
In his last prayer he said to God,
“Yet I know as a certainty that I shall live with you eternally and that no one shall be able to pluck me out of your hands.”
Because of the resurrection of Christ we are reminded that we need have no fear about death.
As the Epistle to the Romans tell us I chapter 4:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
Whoever believes in Him … has eternal life!
The Nicodemus narrative is a foundational and interesting one, in which we hear from the Lord Himself as to what the working from God is, and how He redeems His fallen creation from the sin of Adam and Eve … restoring the relationship between God and man.
Mixed reactions to God and his word have been around since the serpent questioned, “Did God really say?” In our gospel lesson for today another questioning occurs.
3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night …
In the grey and black of the night a leader - a man of the Pharisees – comes to see Jesus. It is as if in and through the blackness of sin he sees a light shining in the darkness in this person Jesus saying:
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
Nicodemus sees in the signs that Jesus had been doing, and probably his teaching as well - God’s work, and it is through this work that God had brought Nicodemus to this place, this night to be with Jesus.
Jesus’ reply that “… unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God …” comes as a bit of a surprise to him.
In a similar sense "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” also brings for some a questioning thinking,
“It’s just a fable, it can’t be real. No one really believes this is how things came into existence, do they?”
Even Nicodemus asks, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”
Just as God and his creative act brings many questions that we and others might wrestle with, God’s word points us to the source of truth and understanding … his son, our Lord Jesus.
Genesis’ beginning and the Gospel of John’s beginning have one thing in common and that is Jesus. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth or, in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God,” have Jesus connected in a real way to creation and redemption.
The word of God spoken in the beginning, and the word of God [Jesus] speaking to Nicodemus, is the same word of God heard now by you.
The word is not only connected to your hearing now but it is also, as Jesus is making known to Nicodemus, connected to the washing away of sins in Holy Baptism. He asks Jesus: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”
In reality though, even if this were possible it would do Nicodemus, you and me no good; for being born in the natural way only brings forth one who is born in sin and brought forth in iniquity.
One needs rebirth as Jesus tells him … to be born again which is a new birth that is born from above, born anew, or born of the Spirit.
Paul writes to the Corinthian church about the need to see with new eyes born from the Spirit when he writes:
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14
You and I also needed to be spiritually reborn and this was delivered to us in our Baptisms. God’s word connected to simple water and his command by the working of the Holy Spirit:
“Works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.”
As Jesus declared, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
And the Apostle Paul affirmed in 1 Corinthians 6 when he writes:
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Jesus in John 3:17 brings the fullness of His desire and mission to Nicodemus:
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
The “Him” to whom Jesus speaks of, in the discourse with Nicodemus and the person to whom we must believe and trust, is the very Son of God Himself, Jesus Christ who became man for our sake so that we might be redeemed by Him and trust in His name.
Whoever believes in Him … in Jesus … has eternal life!
Text: John 3:1-17
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546 at around 3:00 AM in the morning. His last words and actions were recorded by his dear friend Justus Jonas. Luther was asked, “Reverend father, will you die steadfast in Christ and the doctrines you have preached?” To this Luther responded affirmatively … “Yes!” quoting John 3:16 and Psalm 31:5 which reads:
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
In his last prayer he said to God,
“Yet I know as a certainty that I shall live with you eternally and that no one shall be able to pluck me out of your hands.”
Because of the resurrection of Christ we are reminded that we need have no fear about death.
As the Epistle to the Romans tell us I chapter 4:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
Whoever believes in Him … has eternal life!
The Nicodemus narrative is a foundational and interesting one, in which we hear from the Lord Himself as to what the working from God is, and how He redeems His fallen creation from the sin of Adam and Eve … restoring the relationship between God and man.
Mixed reactions to God and his word have been around since the serpent questioned, “Did God really say?” In our gospel lesson for today another questioning occurs.
3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night …
In the grey and black of the night a leader - a man of the Pharisees – comes to see Jesus. It is as if in and through the blackness of sin he sees a light shining in the darkness in this person Jesus saying:
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
Nicodemus sees in the signs that Jesus had been doing, and probably his teaching as well - God’s work, and it is through this work that God had brought Nicodemus to this place, this night to be with Jesus.
Jesus’ reply that “… unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God …” comes as a bit of a surprise to him.
In a similar sense "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” also brings for some a questioning thinking,
“It’s just a fable, it can’t be real. No one really believes this is how things came into existence, do they?”
Even Nicodemus asks, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”
Just as God and his creative act brings many questions that we and others might wrestle with, God’s word points us to the source of truth and understanding … his son, our Lord Jesus.
Genesis’ beginning and the Gospel of John’s beginning have one thing in common and that is Jesus. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth or, in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God,” have Jesus connected in a real way to creation and redemption.
The word of God spoken in the beginning, and the word of God [Jesus] speaking to Nicodemus, is the same word of God heard now by you.
The word is not only connected to your hearing now but it is also, as Jesus is making known to Nicodemus, connected to the washing away of sins in Holy Baptism. He asks Jesus: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”
In reality though, even if this were possible it would do Nicodemus, you and me no good; for being born in the natural way only brings forth one who is born in sin and brought forth in iniquity.
One needs rebirth as Jesus tells him … to be born again which is a new birth that is born from above, born anew, or born of the Spirit.
Paul writes to the Corinthian church about the need to see with new eyes born from the Spirit when he writes:
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14
You and I also needed to be spiritually reborn and this was delivered to us in our Baptisms. God’s word connected to simple water and his command by the working of the Holy Spirit:
“Works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.”
As Jesus declared, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
And the Apostle Paul affirmed in 1 Corinthians 6 when he writes:
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Jesus in John 3:17 brings the fullness of His desire and mission to Nicodemus:
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
The “Him” to whom Jesus speaks of, in the discourse with Nicodemus and the person to whom we must believe and trust, is the very Son of God Himself, Jesus Christ who became man for our sake so that we might be redeemed by Him and trust in His name.
Whoever believes in Him … in Jesus … has eternal life!
[Nicodemus means - Victory of the people!]
Martin Luther’s last words and actions when asked, “Will you die steadfast in Christ and the doctrines you have preached?” is the same question you and I will be asked and must also answer affirmatively … “Yes!”
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. Psalm 31:5
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit
Amen
Martin Luther’s last words and actions when asked, “Will you die steadfast in Christ and the doctrines you have preached?” is the same question you and I will be asked and must also answer affirmatively … “Yes!”
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. Psalm 31:5
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit
Amen
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Sermon March 4, 2020 Mid-week Lent Service
Title: The Spirit Anointed Christ … to Preach Good News to the Poor!
Text: Luke 4:18-19
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
Text: Luke 4:18-19
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
Monday, March 2, 2020
Sermon February 29 – March 1, 2020
Title: The Son of God Jesus was made righteous for you!
Text: Romans 5:12-19
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
In my former life as a salesperson my boss was not fond of beards. I’d had a beard most of my adult life. When I hired in to work I had shaved and cut my hair which was quite long. My boss only knew me by the person he had hired who was clean shaven.
Fast forward a few years. My boss went on a vacation and would be gone three weeks and my beard began to grow. When he returned to work and I walked in forgetting the change in my facial appearance he looked at me and said:
“Russ … you got two days to get that – blank - off your face!”
I laughed at his comment and so did he but he laid the law down and the next morning I came in with a clean freshly shaven face.
I thought:
It’s his business and I should honor how he wants his business run and his employees to look and dress.
“Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is; delayed obedience is disobedience."
Text: Romans 5:12-19
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
In my former life as a salesperson my boss was not fond of beards. I’d had a beard most of my adult life. When I hired in to work I had shaved and cut my hair which was quite long. My boss only knew me by the person he had hired who was clean shaven.
Fast forward a few years. My boss went on a vacation and would be gone three weeks and my beard began to grow. When he returned to work and I walked in forgetting the change in my facial appearance he looked at me and said:
“Russ … you got two days to get that – blank - off your face!”
I laughed at his comment and so did he but he laid the law down and the next morning I came in with a clean freshly shaven face.
I thought:
It’s his business and I should honor how he wants his business run and his employees to look and dress.
“Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is; delayed obedience is disobedience."
Thomas a Kampis.
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. (Rom. 5:12-13)
Since Adam and Eve and the fall, sin has been active in the world. God made a covering for sin:
21 And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. (Gen. 3:21)
There was a sacrifice … the skins came as a result of sin, a sacrifice was made and Adam and Eve were covered. So much for this transgression and the eating of the fruit … but so much has been changed.
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. (Gen. 3:23-24)
What looks unloving – to drive man out of the garden and away from the Tree of Life – is, in fact very loving, because God here does not allow man to eat of the tree of life and live forever in his fallen state.
14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. (Roman 5:14)
The Son of God Jesus was made righteous for you!
.
Years later my boss retired and his son bought the business. He desired to go to Italy with his family and was going to be gone a while. He put me in charge of paying the bills and overseeing the business. He expected that I would follow his lead and do what he would want done.
We had a new employee in charge of advertising. She was to be the one to place the ads and ready the radio commercials. We had a big sale coming up and it would begin the day after my boss returned. She showed me all that ads and what she had planned. It was terrible.
I had to decide. Do I use what she had created and let hope for the best and let it fail or do I do what I knew my boss would want and hopefully be successful?
I did what my boss would want. If it failed it was my fault but at least I followed what he desired. He returned and was pleased with what I had done and the sale was very successful.
But our relationship with God’s requirements is very different. While doing what God has instructed is very good … you can’t do it … not perfectly, at least, as God requires. Though we have His instructions and know his will, we can’t follow them; because of sin … death reigns.
Sin, death and the power of the devil have so corrupted this world once created perfect that God had to make a way out. We can’t please him or measure up on our own.
But the second Adam, Jesus Christ, is the solution to the problem of sin and death because:
15 … the free gift is not like the trespass.
16b For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, and the world fell into sin but the free gift following many trespasses, by Christ’s sacrifice, brought justification.
Because He became our substitute, and because He was without sin,
… the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Our Lord God, Jesus Christ, the one who was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil is the one who followed all of God’s instructions perfectly.
He had a command of the word because He is the Word of God made flesh … for you.
He is the word, the bread of life on which you can trust and live forever.
His guardian angels protect you and will bear you up and he himself, Jesus Christ passed the test in the wilderness … for you, so that, you can be made perfect by Him and in Him.
As Paul reminds us:
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
Christ Jesus was obedient unto death and at the cross He brought you peace … peace again between God and man. The price had been paid and by His death on the cross for you - you are free! Free to eat once again from that Tree of Life and live forever covered in Christ’s righteousness.
The Son of God Jesus was made righteous for you and by Him you are righteous!
At times in this life we can meet the expectations of those we work for, serve, or have responsibility over. It is important to do all we can be responsible parents, guardians, and friends and loved ones caring and living for others as we would want them to care for us.
But, because of sin we often fall short and can never measure up to what God requires in obedience to his Law.
But, Christ was obedient to the point of death, death on a cross for you. He listened to the call of the Father to be the all sufficient sacrifice for sin so that you and I and all who receive this Good News by faith can have communion with God again.
He was obedient so that you and I can be forgiven in Him!
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. (Rom. 5:12-13)
Since Adam and Eve and the fall, sin has been active in the world. God made a covering for sin:
21 And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. (Gen. 3:21)
There was a sacrifice … the skins came as a result of sin, a sacrifice was made and Adam and Eve were covered. So much for this transgression and the eating of the fruit … but so much has been changed.
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. (Gen. 3:23-24)
What looks unloving – to drive man out of the garden and away from the Tree of Life – is, in fact very loving, because God here does not allow man to eat of the tree of life and live forever in his fallen state.
14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. (Roman 5:14)
The Son of God Jesus was made righteous for you!
.
Years later my boss retired and his son bought the business. He desired to go to Italy with his family and was going to be gone a while. He put me in charge of paying the bills and overseeing the business. He expected that I would follow his lead and do what he would want done.
We had a new employee in charge of advertising. She was to be the one to place the ads and ready the radio commercials. We had a big sale coming up and it would begin the day after my boss returned. She showed me all that ads and what she had planned. It was terrible.
I had to decide. Do I use what she had created and let hope for the best and let it fail or do I do what I knew my boss would want and hopefully be successful?
I did what my boss would want. If it failed it was my fault but at least I followed what he desired. He returned and was pleased with what I had done and the sale was very successful.
But our relationship with God’s requirements is very different. While doing what God has instructed is very good … you can’t do it … not perfectly, at least, as God requires. Though we have His instructions and know his will, we can’t follow them; because of sin … death reigns.
Sin, death and the power of the devil have so corrupted this world once created perfect that God had to make a way out. We can’t please him or measure up on our own.
But the second Adam, Jesus Christ, is the solution to the problem of sin and death because:
15 … the free gift is not like the trespass.
16b For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, and the world fell into sin but the free gift following many trespasses, by Christ’s sacrifice, brought justification.
Because He became our substitute, and because He was without sin,
… the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Our Lord God, Jesus Christ, the one who was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil is the one who followed all of God’s instructions perfectly.
He had a command of the word because He is the Word of God made flesh … for you.
He is the word, the bread of life on which you can trust and live forever.
His guardian angels protect you and will bear you up and he himself, Jesus Christ passed the test in the wilderness … for you, so that, you can be made perfect by Him and in Him.
As Paul reminds us:
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
Christ Jesus was obedient unto death and at the cross He brought you peace … peace again between God and man. The price had been paid and by His death on the cross for you - you are free! Free to eat once again from that Tree of Life and live forever covered in Christ’s righteousness.
The Son of God Jesus was made righteous for you and by Him you are righteous!
At times in this life we can meet the expectations of those we work for, serve, or have responsibility over. It is important to do all we can be responsible parents, guardians, and friends and loved ones caring and living for others as we would want them to care for us.
But, because of sin we often fall short and can never measure up to what God requires in obedience to his Law.
But, Christ was obedient to the point of death, death on a cross for you. He listened to the call of the Father to be the all sufficient sacrifice for sin so that you and I and all who receive this Good News by faith can have communion with God again.
He was obedient so that you and I can be forgiven in Him!
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Sermon February 26, 2020 - Ash Wednesday
Title: The Spirit Anointed Christ for Mercy!
Text: Luke 4:18-19
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
Text: Luke 4:18-19
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
Monday, February 24, 2020
Sermon February 22-23, 2020 - Transfiguration
Title: Eyewitnesses of Christ’s majesty!
Text: 2 Peter 1:16-21
16b but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
On June 4, 1783 at the market square of a French village of Annonay, not far from Paris, a smoky bonfire on a raised platform fed by wet straw and old wool rages. Tethered above, straining its lines was a huge taffeta bag 33 feet in diameter. In the presence of "a respectable assembly and a great many other people," and accompanied by great cheering, the balloon was cut from its moorings and set free to rise majestically into the noon sky. Six thousand feet into the air it went -- the first public ascent of a balloon, the first step in the history of human flight. It came to earth several miles away in a field, where it was promptly attacked by pitchfork-waving peasants and torn to pieces as an instrument of evil!
Today in the Word, July 15, 1993.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
There is much to be considered here but also much that is said. The idea for many in our day and at the time of the apostles is that somehow these stories and accounts of Jesus were made up, didn’t happen, or were greatly exaggerated. Peter says a mouthful when he says,
,but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 16b
Today we celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord or as our bulletin says :
“The dazzling array of light at the Lord’s transfiguration makes known that Jesus supersedes even Moses and Elijah … and all the prophets [who] were sent to point us to Jesus.”
17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
Not a story you might hear or read about or speculate about without substance or evidence. But Jesus … Transfigured … and Peter saw it with the others, and heard the very voice of God from heaven.
Old Testament lesson Exodus 24:16-17 ESV
16 The glory of the LORD dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
17 Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
18 Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Here the convergence of the Old and New Testaments come together. Moses and the book of the Law and Elijah along with Jesus who is the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets … come together … and Peter is an eyewitness … an eyewitness of his majesty transfigured.
To say that we have our work ahead of us is quite another thing. Doubt in the word, in the world is significant.
Just in Bible Study over the last few weeks it was brought up how many of our own brothers and sisters who have been made members of God’s family by His calling, don’t attend church regularly if ever and fall away, some even to unbelief.
The reason: “I don’t need to be in church and worship to have a relationship to God!” That seems to be a common theme for many. I just do the things I like to do and keep my faith … if there is really any faith at all - to myself - and all is well with me and God.”
Or, God becomes nothing more than an idol where we place our trust – be it family, work, bank account, sports, friends … or whatever.
The question of where IS God also is part of our thinking.
He is surly in the world. We know of the omnipresence and omnipotence of God … that He is everywhere and that He is all powerful but God is everywhere only as it pertains to His Law.
It is written on the hearts of his creatures and evident in His creation but by the Law we come to know sin and how far we fall short.
It is by God’s Holy Spirit and through His means of word and sacrament that we know God and His saving love for you and for me.
It is in church where His gifts are given and we receive the blessed forgiveness and know the Good News that you and I have the favor of God on account of Christ by faith in Him.
C.S. Lewis makes a wonderful point when he wrote:
Believing things 'on authority' only means believing them because you have been told them by someone you think trustworthy …
… Every historical statement is believed on authority. None of us has seen the Norman Conquest or the defeat of the Spanish Armada. But we believe them simply because people who did see them have left writings that tell us about them; in fact, on authority. A person who balked at authority in other things, as some people do in religion, would have to be content to know nothing all his life.
C.S. Lewis.
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
Peter brings to his hearers and us what God’s means is … his holy and prophetic word. Do you believe it? Do you trust it? Peter says this word was not something made up but was given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
20 knowing this first of all that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.
21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
God’s word says Jesus was transfigured before them in the Gospel reading for today.
God’s voice says:
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Friends,
God wants you to see no one but Jesus.
If you harbor doubt … let God lead you into His light by His word. Trust the prophetic words of the eyewitnesses. Do not live in unbelief anymore … but believe.
The word became flesh and dwelt among us. Do not attack it like pitchfork-waving peasants did to that first balloon tearing to pieces as an instrument of evil! Joy in the truth that your sins are forgiven by the one who was and is and is to come.
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Text: 2 Peter 1:16-21
16b but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
On June 4, 1783 at the market square of a French village of Annonay, not far from Paris, a smoky bonfire on a raised platform fed by wet straw and old wool rages. Tethered above, straining its lines was a huge taffeta bag 33 feet in diameter. In the presence of "a respectable assembly and a great many other people," and accompanied by great cheering, the balloon was cut from its moorings and set free to rise majestically into the noon sky. Six thousand feet into the air it went -- the first public ascent of a balloon, the first step in the history of human flight. It came to earth several miles away in a field, where it was promptly attacked by pitchfork-waving peasants and torn to pieces as an instrument of evil!
Today in the Word, July 15, 1993.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
There is much to be considered here but also much that is said. The idea for many in our day and at the time of the apostles is that somehow these stories and accounts of Jesus were made up, didn’t happen, or were greatly exaggerated. Peter says a mouthful when he says,
,but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 16b
Today we celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord or as our bulletin says :
“The dazzling array of light at the Lord’s transfiguration makes known that Jesus supersedes even Moses and Elijah … and all the prophets [who] were sent to point us to Jesus.”
17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
Not a story you might hear or read about or speculate about without substance or evidence. But Jesus … Transfigured … and Peter saw it with the others, and heard the very voice of God from heaven.
Old Testament lesson Exodus 24:16-17 ESV
16 The glory of the LORD dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
17 Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
18 Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Here the convergence of the Old and New Testaments come together. Moses and the book of the Law and Elijah along with Jesus who is the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets … come together … and Peter is an eyewitness … an eyewitness of his majesty transfigured.
To say that we have our work ahead of us is quite another thing. Doubt in the word, in the world is significant.
Just in Bible Study over the last few weeks it was brought up how many of our own brothers and sisters who have been made members of God’s family by His calling, don’t attend church regularly if ever and fall away, some even to unbelief.
The reason: “I don’t need to be in church and worship to have a relationship to God!” That seems to be a common theme for many. I just do the things I like to do and keep my faith … if there is really any faith at all - to myself - and all is well with me and God.”
Or, God becomes nothing more than an idol where we place our trust – be it family, work, bank account, sports, friends … or whatever.
The question of where IS God also is part of our thinking.
He is surly in the world. We know of the omnipresence and omnipotence of God … that He is everywhere and that He is all powerful but God is everywhere only as it pertains to His Law.
It is written on the hearts of his creatures and evident in His creation but by the Law we come to know sin and how far we fall short.
It is by God’s Holy Spirit and through His means of word and sacrament that we know God and His saving love for you and for me.
It is in church where His gifts are given and we receive the blessed forgiveness and know the Good News that you and I have the favor of God on account of Christ by faith in Him.
C.S. Lewis makes a wonderful point when he wrote:
Believing things 'on authority' only means believing them because you have been told them by someone you think trustworthy …
… Every historical statement is believed on authority. None of us has seen the Norman Conquest or the defeat of the Spanish Armada. But we believe them simply because people who did see them have left writings that tell us about them; in fact, on authority. A person who balked at authority in other things, as some people do in religion, would have to be content to know nothing all his life.
C.S. Lewis.
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
Peter brings to his hearers and us what God’s means is … his holy and prophetic word. Do you believe it? Do you trust it? Peter says this word was not something made up but was given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
20 knowing this first of all that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.
21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
God’s word says Jesus was transfigured before them in the Gospel reading for today.
God’s voice says:
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Friends,
God wants you to see no one but Jesus.
If you harbor doubt … let God lead you into His light by His word. Trust the prophetic words of the eyewitnesses. Do not live in unbelief anymore … but believe.
The word became flesh and dwelt among us. Do not attack it like pitchfork-waving peasants did to that first balloon tearing to pieces as an instrument of evil! Joy in the truth that your sins are forgiven by the one who was and is and is to come.
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Monday, February 17, 2020
Sermon February 15-16, 2020
Title: Do you think it’s easy? Forgive me Lord.
Text: Matt. 5:21-37
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Aren’t you glad that we worship a loving and forgiving God?
I am Jesus little lamb.
Ever glad at heart I am.
For my shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my need and well provides me,
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.
LSB
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:20
That is where our gospel reading left off last weekend for we who are called to be salt and light in a world that needs to hear. God’s Law as we learned, certainly has been fulfilled in Christ but the purpose of the Law remains.
Jesus now drops some heavy Law on his disciples and those who might claim to be Moses disciples and be in earshot as well, hitting on four elements of the human condition in regard to sin;
Anger, Lust, Divorce and Oaths
This will pertain to you and me as well!
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment;
You shall not murder
We know the 5th commandment and maybe you like me have heard it said:
“Well, I’ve never killed anybody so that is one commandment I can stand firm that I haven’t broken.”
So, Jesus here breaks that argument pointing to, not the letter of the Law but the spirit of the Law.
We all know anger. Husbands and wives, parents and children, siblings and friends, coworkers, or neighbors or how about the cashier who wasn’t fast enough or as competent as we would have been had we were behind the register?
Jesus points to the root of the sin of murder as being the evil in the human heart that causes anger and hatred to one whom God children who has created in his image.
As the Apostle James make clear in chapter 1 of his epistle:
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20
When I worked in the business and sales world we had a little sales proverb that we tried to remember when working with our customers who at time could try the patience of even the most seasoned professional.
“First engage brain before putting mouth in gear!”
Maybe you’ve heard it?
Maybe you’ve used it?
Maybe you’ve miss it?
You’ve became angry with your brother and said or done things you wish you hadn’t. You’ve broken the commandment and fallen short and missed the mark if you will. Jesus gives you comfort and peace and reconciliation.
First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
God has reconciled the world unto himself so that we who are reconciled to Christ by his Spirit in repentance come to each other with repentant hearts seeking to be reconciled.
“Mighty judge, cover the outbursts of my sinful anger with the embrace of your reconciling peace!”
Lutheran Study Bible - study note pg.1587 5:21-26
You shall not commit adultery!
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matt. 5:27-28
The 6th commandment has already been broken.
As a former pastor many years ago has said:
“Guys, if you’re driving down the street and see a pretty girl out of the corner of your eye, the first look is free, the second look is sin!”
It is the willful and lustful intent of the human heart that shows you and me the sinful condition we are born in and wrestle with our entire lives.
Jesus’ answer to this condition is not a slap on the wrist but a dire warning.
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. Matt 5:29-30
Jesus knows the seriousness of the sins we commit and the brokenness that this sin leads to - that lustful intent and adultery - brings many to a place of divorce, the ultimate breaking of what God has joined together, united in marriage joined as one, husbands and wives, male and female.
Divorce is a plague in our lives because we are all affected by divorce even if we have the blessing of remaining married.
For years I’ve said that of the 37 years of my own marriage to Monica, I’ve known someone, been related to someone, or discussed with someone, wrestling with, going through, or recovering from divorce.
It is not the unpardonable sin. Keep that in mind.
This sin, the sin of unfaithfulness, adultery and divorce was also paid for at the cross by our loving Lord; but divorce, breaks families, hurts all involved and kills the love of God for so many as the devil uses this sin as a wedge between us for the rest of our lives.
If you have been divorced, cast all your cares on Jesus who has carried your burdens upon himself to the cross and buried them in the grave once and for all so that you might live in him, and for him, in this life we share.
Do not bear false witness.
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ Matt 5:33
Making oaths and breaking oaths God had made know to his people by his prophets of old writing in the Old Testament.
Exodus 20:7 English Standard Version (ESV)
7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Leviticus 19:12 English Standard Version (ESV)
12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
Numbers 30:2 English Standard Version (ESV)
2 If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
Jesus says:
37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
We are those who continue in this life to wrestle with sin because that is who we are. But, Jesus only came for sinners so that is really good news.
In our epistle reading today Paul calls the Corinthians, people of the flesh as infants in Christ needing the milk of the word and not solid food.
We remain though his children, as God’s loving word makes clear, and by his Spirit we turn in repentance choosing life over sin, death and the power of the devil receiving the Lord’s blessing and overcoming the curse of the Law in Christ.
As God’s children we can together sing!
Jesus loves me!
This I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong; They are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
LSB
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Text: Matt. 5:21-37
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Aren’t you glad that we worship a loving and forgiving God?
I am Jesus little lamb.
Ever glad at heart I am.
For my shepherd gently guides me,
Knows my need and well provides me,
Loves me every day the same,
Even calls me by my name.
LSB
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:20
That is where our gospel reading left off last weekend for we who are called to be salt and light in a world that needs to hear. God’s Law as we learned, certainly has been fulfilled in Christ but the purpose of the Law remains.
Jesus now drops some heavy Law on his disciples and those who might claim to be Moses disciples and be in earshot as well, hitting on four elements of the human condition in regard to sin;
Anger, Lust, Divorce and Oaths
This will pertain to you and me as well!
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment;
You shall not murder
We know the 5th commandment and maybe you like me have heard it said:
“Well, I’ve never killed anybody so that is one commandment I can stand firm that I haven’t broken.”
So, Jesus here breaks that argument pointing to, not the letter of the Law but the spirit of the Law.
We all know anger. Husbands and wives, parents and children, siblings and friends, coworkers, or neighbors or how about the cashier who wasn’t fast enough or as competent as we would have been had we were behind the register?
Jesus points to the root of the sin of murder as being the evil in the human heart that causes anger and hatred to one whom God children who has created in his image.
As the Apostle James make clear in chapter 1 of his epistle:
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20
When I worked in the business and sales world we had a little sales proverb that we tried to remember when working with our customers who at time could try the patience of even the most seasoned professional.
“First engage brain before putting mouth in gear!”
Maybe you’ve heard it?
Maybe you’ve used it?
Maybe you’ve miss it?
You’ve became angry with your brother and said or done things you wish you hadn’t. You’ve broken the commandment and fallen short and missed the mark if you will. Jesus gives you comfort and peace and reconciliation.
First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
God has reconciled the world unto himself so that we who are reconciled to Christ by his Spirit in repentance come to each other with repentant hearts seeking to be reconciled.
“Mighty judge, cover the outbursts of my sinful anger with the embrace of your reconciling peace!”
Lutheran Study Bible - study note pg.1587 5:21-26
You shall not commit adultery!
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matt. 5:27-28
The 6th commandment has already been broken.
As a former pastor many years ago has said:
“Guys, if you’re driving down the street and see a pretty girl out of the corner of your eye, the first look is free, the second look is sin!”
It is the willful and lustful intent of the human heart that shows you and me the sinful condition we are born in and wrestle with our entire lives.
Jesus’ answer to this condition is not a slap on the wrist but a dire warning.
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. Matt 5:29-30
Jesus knows the seriousness of the sins we commit and the brokenness that this sin leads to - that lustful intent and adultery - brings many to a place of divorce, the ultimate breaking of what God has joined together, united in marriage joined as one, husbands and wives, male and female.
Divorce is a plague in our lives because we are all affected by divorce even if we have the blessing of remaining married.
For years I’ve said that of the 37 years of my own marriage to Monica, I’ve known someone, been related to someone, or discussed with someone, wrestling with, going through, or recovering from divorce.
It is not the unpardonable sin. Keep that in mind.
This sin, the sin of unfaithfulness, adultery and divorce was also paid for at the cross by our loving Lord; but divorce, breaks families, hurts all involved and kills the love of God for so many as the devil uses this sin as a wedge between us for the rest of our lives.
If you have been divorced, cast all your cares on Jesus who has carried your burdens upon himself to the cross and buried them in the grave once and for all so that you might live in him, and for him, in this life we share.
Do not bear false witness.
33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ Matt 5:33
Making oaths and breaking oaths God had made know to his people by his prophets of old writing in the Old Testament.
Exodus 20:7 English Standard Version (ESV)
7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Leviticus 19:12 English Standard Version (ESV)
12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
Numbers 30:2 English Standard Version (ESV)
2 If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
Jesus says:
37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
We are those who continue in this life to wrestle with sin because that is who we are. But, Jesus only came for sinners so that is really good news.
In our epistle reading today Paul calls the Corinthians, people of the flesh as infants in Christ needing the milk of the word and not solid food.
We remain though his children, as God’s loving word makes clear, and by his Spirit we turn in repentance choosing life over sin, death and the power of the devil receiving the Lord’s blessing and overcoming the curse of the Law in Christ.
As God’s children we can together sing!
Jesus loves me!
This I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong; They are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
LSB
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
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