Sermon February 11-12, 2023

Title: Do you think it’s easy? Forgive me Lord.
Text: Matt. 5:21-37 or Psalm 119:1-8

Facebook live: Do you think it’s easy? Forgive me Lord.

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 740

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

For we who are called to be salt and light in a world we need to know that God’s Law, certainly has been fulfilled in Christ but the purpose of the Law remains.

To convict us of sin so that we repent and turn to Jesus as his Little Lamb to receive his blessed forgiveness.

So 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.”

But, 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

Isn’t that really the same as the gossip that comes from our mouth? When we say something about another, intending to tell others, a friend or the pastor, something that shines a negative light in a way on a person. We all are guilty of this and we need to think before we speak.

Or, whether we intend it to be held in a negative way or to just not put the best construction on things - we need to think lest we break the 8th commandment, bearing false witness against another for their harm and not their wellbeing. We are all guilty.

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 40 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.

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

English Standard Version (ESV)

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 588

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

Amen

Sermon February 5, 2023 - Peace 60th Anniversary

Title: Christ’s mercy from generation to generation!
Text: Psalm 78:1-4
Readings: 1Kings 8:22-30, Rev. 21:1-5, Luke 19:1-10

Facebook live: Christ’s mercy from generation to generation!

78 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.

Listen up! Give ear my friends! We are here to celebrate!
Peace Lutheran church is 60 years old!
Hard to believe for some. Seems like an eternity for others!

It is a joy for me today to celebrate this good news with you.

Not that you need to be told - some of you - Judy Harroun and Arlene Benson, have been here from the beginning.

Others, have been here for a long time and a few have only been here for a year or two.

Some of you were baptized here, others confirmed here, some married here and some, like me, have attended all too many funerals for dear loved ones here.

Pastors called to serve this congregation have come and gone and some have gone to be with the Lord, having rested from their labors. And yet, the Lord is not finished with us.

2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,

The Lord, through the mouth of servants and the ears of his children, has sustained those brought to faith - by the working of the Holy Spirit. He has used the hands of those called and ordained servants, to baptize and wash away the sins of those brought to the font in the stead and by the command of Christ. And he continues to do that as is his good pleasure.

The Old Testament reading for today:

27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!

I Kings 8:27

Pastor Merrell told me a story about the old church on M-59 and this building. The old building had a rite of Disposition - was closed and sold - and now was being torn down.

Pastor Merrell said:

“Then the people learned very quickly that the church was not the building, as they watched their church go down M-59 in dump trucks!”

But they also, as they came together to dedicate this property and the building that was to be constructed here on Elizabeth Lake Road, found very quickly that those gathered together in dedication here, were the church;

the walking, talking, breathing and praying body of Christ gathered by God’s Holy Spirit to be the church here at Peace.

As Pastor Merrell said, “They saw the reality that they were the church - not the building!” It’s good for us to remember that today!

But a building is nice and it is good to have a place to come, to hear, and to worship together. And while we don’t know the future, we thank the Lord for the past and present as he guides and directs us in the future that he knows and has prepared for his people.

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Rev. 21:3-4

In the last 10 years the former things have indeed passed away!

So many faithful departed who have been active and joy filled members have gone to their rest and reward in Jesus. While I appreciate all the Lord has given me in the ministry here over the last 10 years, the sorrow of saying good bye to so many dear friends have been hard. Especially for me as we all said goodbye, in this life to Pastor Merrell who for me was not only my pastor, but mentor, and dear friend as well.

As pastor here for 32 years and another 9 years as Emeritus, he faithfully made Christ Jesus known to many Peace members.

3 things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.

As I wrote in my newsletter article in May of 2021 – While we await the joys of Spring and Summer we mourn.

It seemed hard then and remains hard to believe for us all now. Pastor Merrell was with us daily and such an important part of our lives that it still weighs heavy.

The disciples wrestled with the loss of their spiritual head - the Lord Jesus Christ who was taken from them in a most violent way. Loss brings tears, uncertainty and doubt but for the disciples of Jesus an encounter with the risen Christ just three days later gave them hope and peace.

We too who remain, rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus.

We trust his words in John 14 that …

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also “

and, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father, except through me.”

Dear, Pastor Merrell preached this joy and eternal hope in Jesus to many over his 40 plus years in ministry at Peace [as well as our 50th anniversary some 10 years ago.] It was his comfort and joy as well. Though we still grieve, it is my hope that we remember Pastor Merrell as our faithful and peaceful shepherd he was, called by God to be his under shepherd here for so many years and to use all that he taught us about Jesus to bear good fruit to a world in need.

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), The epistle to the Ephesians reminds us. Eph. 5:8-9

It remains hard to imagine Peace without him among us, but it is now incumbent upon us all as we enter into our 60th year to shine that light of Christ a little brighter in this dark world – whether here or at other churches - so that God may continue to use his word, church, and ministry by the Holy Spirit to reach those that need to hear about Jesus.

For all those who have died in the faith our Lord promises these words:

‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matt. 25:23

I saw a wonderful meme on Facebook that spoke of the signs of a healthy church and it read:

Two signs of a healthy church - men singing and baby’s crying!

Thankfully over the last few years we’ve had both!

But as we all know heath isn’t guaranteed forever. We’ve been blessed by the Lord of the church for 60 years but the future remain an open book.

How will the Lord build our future?

How can we prepare ourselves for what he has in mind?

A few weeks back we heard Jesus’ call those in the boat:

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

The work of Christ through the Holy Spirit is to know him and to make him known. It’s the growing in Christ that we’ve been doing here for 60 years!

Through pastor’s and members – disciples of Christ over the generations - have made Jesus know to a word that needs to here. Parents tell their children; friends tell friends; those who come to faith have an obligation to do so too. The working of God is active through his word and gifts and the Spirit works and builds followers of Christ making them fishers of men.

Let us continue to do the work of God together here at Peace. What is the work of God? To believe on him whom he has sent – and to tell others the good news that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and that in him we have forgiveness on sins and peace in his name!

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

Amen

Sermon January 28-29, 2023

Title: Our just, kind, and humble God is Jesus!
Text: Micah 6:1-8

Facebook live: Our just, kind, and humble God is Jesus!

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

If you’ve ever been in a court of law, you know the humbling nature of the experience.

“All rise! The honorable Danial P. O’Brian presiding!”

The words rang out, in the Oakland County Courthouse. The Judge entered, and the proceedings began. A man came forward and pleaded his case and to the best of my recollection this is what was said.

“Your honor, I have 9 children, a home, a wife and a job. I am in treatment for my addiction to drugs and I am doing better and plead for leniency and probation! You honor, I am a changed man!”

Judge O’Brian pondering the plea, took a few minutes and replied.

In considering your situation and your words, I must confess, that I would like to give you the benefit of the doubt - at least for your wife, children and your employer. But you said similar things in 1998, 2002, 2007, 2011 and 2016 and now again today. Sir you are a habitual offender. I find you guilty and sentence you to 2 – 5 years in the state penitentiary for your crimes!

The gavel hit and the man was taken away in cuffs to serve his sentence.

For justice to be served a just God must be just. He must condemn sin and the offences against the Law and judge rightly. In God’s court the people are found wanting.

2 Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the LORD,
and you enduring foundations of the earth,
for the LORD has an indictment against his people,
and he will contend with Israel.

The Lord’s people had fallen short and had missed the mark. The mark of the Lord requires perfection. No error. Not a mark. Ever.

The last time I went target shooting I was surprised. I was terrible. Almost nothing hit the Bulls-Eye; Some shots hit the target and even a few were … shall we say … nowhere to be found!

In God’s perfection, there would be, centered on the target, only one hole, directly in the middle of the Bull-Eye, nothing else no matter how many times you pulled the trigger! All the shots would enter through the same hole, exactly on the same spot, in the center of the Bulls-Eye. That is the perfection God requires! Israel had fallen short.

3 “O my people, what have I done to you?
How have I wearied you? Answer me!

In the court of the Lord’s justice, he pleads his case. “What have I done to you?” All that God had done for his children Israel, had been good but was met with rejection and rebellion.

The work of the Lord was made manifest [or known] to them and now he recounts his works as a prosecutor laying out his case.

I brought you out of Egypt
I redeemed you from Slavery
I sent Moses, Aaron and Miriam to lead you
And whenever the King of Moab wanted you cursed by God’s prophet - I had mercy – and my prophet, Balaam the son of Beor, blessed you!

The Lord’s mercy had been evident they had seen it and heard of it. He had led the children of Israel out of Egypt and protected and sustained them in the wilderness. And when Balaam, the prophet of God would not curse the children of Israel as directed by the king, King Balak of Moab went to plan B – leading the people to sin against their God - by temptation, sexual sin, and Idolatry [following after false gods].

What do we, who gather here weekly in worship hear from our God?

We hear:

God’s word proclaimed in all its truth and fullness.
We hear of God’s Just requirements
We hear of God’s loving kindness toward you and me in Christ
And we hear of God’s humble call for his children to – follow me!

But, do we listen and obey? Or, do we plan our own redemption like the children of Israel - to escape the wrath to come?

The case is laid out and the defendant replies:

6 “With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

Essentially saying: “What do you want from me? What can I give?”

We too try to appease God by what we do and what we give.

“Didn’t I give you this? Haven’t I done that? I’ve done much more than others have done. What more do you want?”

The prophetic word still rings true through the folly of preaching.

As St. Paul says:

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

In the football world this past week the talk was about Mr. Irrelevant. Brock Purdy, the 23-year-old quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers who was last person chosen in the NFL draft in the 7th round and the 262nd pick.

This 3rd string quarterback wasn’t expected to play, but the unexpected happened, with injuries to both the starting and backup quarterback, he unexpectedly became a starter and has done nothing but win.

Irrelevant has become, shall we say, very relevant!

How do we hear what God has to say?

Is it relevant in our lives or do we hear it as irrelevant, old, and worn, or maybe just for a different time and people? Can we allow ourselves to be opened by God to hear his word in a new way that, through the folly of preaching God might make himself known to you and me.

22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

God’s word is power and made perfect in weakness.
God’s power in the weakness of the manger child.
God’s power in the weakness of the cross unto salvation.
God’s power in the weakness of sins washed away in the waters of Holy Baptism.
God’s power in the weakness of simple bread and wine united in, with and under the body and blood of Christ shed for you.
God’s power in the weakness of humble, loving, kind and merciful people of faith sharing the love of God to a world that desperately needs to hear.

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what … the LORD require of you
… to do justice, … to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

God has given Jesus for the sins of the world and that includes you and me. In humble submission we walk, trust, speak and do that the lord gives us and when we fall short … we come again to the Lord, we repent, and we receive his gracious forgiveness on account of Christ and then we go out again in to the world to tell others the Good News.

Fools for Christ. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

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

Amen

Sermon January 21-22, 2023

Title: Christ will make you fishers of men too!
Text: Matt 4:12-25

Facebook live: Christ will make you fishers of men too!

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. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

I had a friend who many times would try to manipulate a lie to be a slight truth. Somewhat like this story of a pastor who had spent long and fruitless day fishing and picked out three fat fish in the market saying:

"Before you wrap them up, toss them to me, one by one. That way I'll be able to tell my wife I caught them and I'll be speaking the truth."

Bits & Pieces, July 21, 1994, p. 15.

Being a fisherman or as Jesus calls in the Gospel reading today “fishers of men” requires, complete truth, a very special lure … the word of God.

And through this word and by the working of the Holy Spirit you too are caught … and Christ will make you fishers of men too!

In the gospel account today Jesus calls Simon and Andrew into apostleship and special service.

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.

This had not been the account of their first meeting for John records this in his gospel in chapter 1 as we heard last weekend:

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

Both Andrew and Peter were disciples of Jesus but in the account today Jesus calls them into service in a special and profound way. They would be called to serve, leaving their nets and their old profession of catching fish and now would be fishers of men.
Life can bring about change too. Sometime it is intended change and sometime it is unintended change which may lead to service to the Lord in a new and special way.

The call of God on my own life and through this congregation also brought changes for me and my family - now into my 11th year - as pastor or even further back to 2009 when God, through Pastor Merrell, asked me if I might consider a new program of seminary education.

But God, is still the active agent, just as He was for these two fishermen as Jesus them to follow Him.

It is not only clergy and those who serve in ministry who are called by God to serve. All Christians have a call to serve their neighbor. When Christ has made you His and has, by His Spirit, called you to believe, you too are called to serve others in love as you would also have them serve you.

The call of God to faith changes everything.

You are no longer your own because you have been bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20) and that price was the very son of God laying down His life for you.

21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Whether, Andrew and Peter or James and John, the call from Jesus was received with immediate action. No hesitation. I don’t know about you but for me, pondering is a more and definite reaction that I have at least that’s what my wife would say. And well, it should be for faith and action.

We don’t have Jesus here in the flesh to give the call a valid focus.

Who or by whom are we called and for what purpose are we called?

The means that is given for discernment is prayer and should be used in great abundance.

A wonderful prayer that is listed of unknown origin reads:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

 
where there is hatred, let me show love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

And I would add one thing …

where there is opportunity, let me show them Jesus!

We all need to be heralds of the truth and the Lord is the one who makes a way where there is no way.

Through faith in Him we believe and are given life eternal and can now tell others that same good news.

Faith in anything else only brings false hope and death.

Take for example the story of Ivan McGuire a veteran sky diver who fell 10,500 feet to his death. He apparently forgot to wear a parachute in his excitement to film other sky divers, police said Monday after seeing footage taken by the man during his final free fall.

''You could only see the instructor and the student falling on the video. But the release for his parachute is on his right hip, and when that right hand goes down, the left hand goes forward and it comes into . . . view.

''It's kind of boggled in there, and it sounded like he may have said, 'Oh no,' right after his left hand came into view.''

Nothing could save him, for his faith was in a parachute never buckled on.

Faith in anything but an all-sufficient God can also be just as tragic spiritually. Only with faith in Jesus Christ dare we step into the dangerous excitement of life.

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Jesus is the great healer. He is the great physician and though in this life when we find the sickness that comes from a corrupted world, we too know that there is a greater illness that we all face. But praise be to God who has taken that illness of sin that only leads to death and He has nailed it to the cross for you so that you can be caught by his and made His child.

You then with faith in Christ, can tell others that same good news, invite them to church and all the the Lord uses you and your efforts for the glory of His greater Kingdom.

St. Paul reminds us in the epistle that:

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1Cor. 1:17-18)

God’s power is the saving word of God, the Christ who came to live, suffer, die and rise again for you and for all who will be caught by the word and brought to faith by God’s Holy Spirit.

You are caught and Christ will make you fishers of men too!

And though at times the work can be a daunting task; the good news is that it is God working through you to accomplish His great work and will bring it to completion in his time and in His way.

Christ will make you fishers of men too!

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

Amen

 

Sermon January 14-15, 2023 – Life Weekend

Title: Behold the Lamb!
Text: John 1:29-42a

Facebook live: Behold the Lamb!

32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son[ of God.”

This weekend we celebrate the gift of Life from conception to God’s calling us to our eternal rest. Whether in the womb, childhood, adult life or old age, life is precious and gift of God. We, who are born in sin unto death, receive rebirth by God’s work in Christ, bringing us in relationship to him and back to the original righteousness he intended.

We are his workmanship and reminded … in the beginning of:

God’s creating work.
God’s all-powerful word.
God’s illuminating Spirit hovering over the waters.
God’s breath of life, that was breathed into the formed dust of the ground giving life to that which God had created,

Male and female he created them. Gen 1:27c

We think of Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden, the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden, the fall into sin … and death came.

I’ve told the story before of my friend Paul’s daughter Michelle who was born on June 9th 1980 three months premature and her struggle for life. Her sister Diana had been born one year earlier but after 48 hours of life in the NICU had died in her father’s arms. Michelle wasn’t expected to survive either, and if she did the doctors warned, she might be brain damaged and blind. But survive and thrive she did.

Fast forward 18 years, Michelle graduated 3rd in her high school class. It had been her dream to be a pilot and serve our country as her grandfather Bob Ruehl, a WWII veteran and B-52 pilot did. She had the grades, was physically able, and after receiving an appointment from Congressman John Dingell, she went to the Air force academy. Interestingly her boyfriend at the time went to the Naval academy.

As graduation neared, he had a leave of duty and decided to go home before Christmas. The weather was mild for December – not much different than the weather we’ve had this year.

It was a dry and warm day visiting with his parents and friends so he took his motorcycle out for a short ride. The car didn’t expect or see a motorcycle in December as he entered the intersection. He was killed and Michelle, her dad, his parents and friends were devastated.

The wages of sin is death. Rom. 6:23a

But God proclaims in our gospel reading today:

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

What God had created perfect and what had been broken by the fall of man into sin, God will restore through this lamb, this savior, this man Jesus.

Proclaimed and pointed to by John as God’s lamb, who takes away the sin of the world.

Life is precious gift and when death comes we are all devastated.

I wrote Michelle a note of comfort not knowing what to say. I don’t even remember the exact year this happened. I can’t remember what I wrote or said except to say that in some way I prayed that God would bring Michelle comfort and peace and get her through this difficult time.

32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son[ of God.”

Michelle had a distinguished career having flown in Afghanistan and Iraq.

As she was preparing for one of her deployments, Paul’s wife Rebecca said to him, “I’ve been praying that Michelle meet a nice young man!” Paul thought to himself, “Well, that’s nice but she’s going to Afghanistan! There’s little chance of that happening anytime soon.” Well, we kept her in prayer during the long months, and as her deployment was coming to an end Paul got a call from Michelle in Germany on her way home. “Dad, she said, I’ve met a boy!” Rebecca just smiled.

Jesus is the Lamb of God.

4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7

Jesus is the Sacrificial Lamb

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
1 Peter 1:18-19

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:24

Jesus is the Mighty and Victorious Lamb spoken of in Revelation.

Revelation 5:6-12

… I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain … 9 And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”

Michelle and Justin returned home from Afghanistan. The families got to meet and get to know each other as Justin was from Ann Arbor. Life was good but, Michelle had one final deployment before her service to our country was concluded. Her final tour came, but rather than let her go alone, Justin volunteered to go as well, though he had completed his tours and could have stayed home.

True love, dear friends, looks to the needs of another.

John’s testimony points to Christ

No longer is Jesus a babe in a manger
He is the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form. Col. 2:9
He is God for us.

He is God’s Son, marked for death so that you may be his child marked for life!

He, Jesus, is God in the flesh, God’s redemption, God’s Messiah, the King of Israel, the kingdom of God among you, God’s peace and your redemption.

Michelle and Justin received the rank of Major and finished their final tour oversees and moved back to Colorado. They were engaged and married in October of 2015 having retired from active military duty. They currently live in Virginia where Justin is a pilot for Southwest and Michelle works at the Pentagon for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They have been blessed with two beautiful children. I was blessed to baptize both their daughter Kalais and son Theo. God’s comfort and peace has come.

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.”

It is God who desires all to see Christ.
At times it is during the trials of life that the Spirit makes him known.

It is at times in the lives of others that we can see by that same Spirit God’s work more clearly.

And it is at times like these that we need to share and shine forth all that God has made known and done for you and me through the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world!

Andrew … found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus.

This Good News is something to shout about!
This Good News is something to share with others!

God has overcome the wages of sin, death so that by his Spirit we too have life in his name!

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

Amen

 

Sermon January 7-8, 2023

Title: Baptized into Christ is life from above!
Text: Matt. 3:13-17

Facebook live:  Baptized into Christ is life from above! 

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

This weekend begins the season of Epiphany. Christmas is no more. Christ Jesus is, Emmanuel, God with us, and from the visit of the wise men bearing gifts celebrated January 6th the Epiphany season begins.

Today we celebrate the baptism of the Lord. At Christmas a babe is born in a manger, he is named and circumcised, the wise men visit and make Christ known to the world, and now the man Jesus comes to the river to be baptized by John.

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.

Jesus came down to John … and we might ask why?
Why would Jesus come to John?

He certainly didn't need to repent, because He was not born in the natural way and conceived in sin.

He also didn't come down to John like the Pharisees and the Sadducees, who came in unbelief, and in an arrogant and mocking manner … rejecting God’s council against them.

But he came as those who were sinners and who needed repentance, though He had no sin.

John was certainly surprised to see Jesus coming:

14 … saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

John recognizes Jesus for who He is … “the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29)

So the question is why does Jesus come and seek Baptism - as there is no sin and uncleanness in Him which Baptism would remove?

For He here takes your place and my place and stands - in place of all - who are sinners, and since all, especially even the arrogant people who do not acknowledge that they are sinners, Jesus must become a sinner for all – even for those who reject him. He has come and has taken on our sinful flesh and will take to the cross … in His passion, the full weight of the sins of the world which He bears.

P.E. Kretzmann

Baptism is either the work of God or the work of man. It is either something God does and gives to us or it is something we do for God.

So Jesus answers John:

15 … “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Jesus here confirms John’s previous statement in a sense saying “You are right John. It is not I who needs baptism … but I have come for this purpose.” It is God’s purpose in Christ to be marked in your place so that you and all born sinful might be saved.

Here is not Jesus as example. Here we do not see Christ baptized and say,

“Oh, I should be baptized like Jesus too.”

His is a bloody baptism.

His is a baptism of death so that you might have a baptism of life.

In Christ’s baptism Jesus is marked as God’s beloved son in whom the Father is well pleased. God is pleased because Jesus is the once for all acceptable sacrifice, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

In baptism we too are acceptable to the Father, not because we model Christ in our actions but because we receive the gift he has won on our behalf. This changes us from dead in sin to alive in Christ being buried with him in Baptism and raised to newness of life.

The Reverend Phillips Brooks who lived in the 1800s in Massachusetts said:

“No man in this world attains to freedom from any slavery except by entrance into some higher servitude. There is no such thing as an entirely free man.”

Phillips Brooks (1835- 1893)

That is true in one sense.

We are always in this life bound to our sin.

All that we say and do is filtered through our sinful flesh.

We are a slave to sin or as Martin Luther has taught in his book the

“Bondage of the Will” … “we are all in Bondage to our sin.”

But Paul brings joy to light in our epistle for today when he says:

6 … 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Baptized into Christ is life from above!

One of the church Fathers – Tertullian, wrote of baptism in this way:

The primary principle of Baptism is that the Spirit of God, who hovered over (the waters) from the beginning, would continue to linger over the waters of the baptized.”

Tertullian – De Baptismo IV (ANF 3:670)

This is made possible for you and me because:

16 … when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
In Christ is where the favor and pleasure of God rests!

For just as, after the waters of the flood, by which the old sinful world was killed and taken away — a Baptism, of the world so to speak—a dove was sent forth from the Ark and was the herald which announced to the earth the removal of God’s wrath. After returning with the olive branch, this too became a sign which to this day is a sign of peace.

So too by God’s heavenly gift —we emerge from the waters of Holy Baptism our sins removed and washed away by the dove of the Holy Spirit, and in Christ Jesus God is well pleased with you and me having God’s peace sent out from the heavens, through Christ’s Church, which is a type of ark.

Tertullian – De Baptismo VIII (ANF 3:672)

Epiphany is Christ being made known to the world. We understand the visit of the Wise men and the gifts that they bring to worship our Lord.

But the real gift is not brought to Christ but is given by Christ.

His gift is his very body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. By His taking on humanity he was marked with His creation and with you and me.

When He was baptized by John, he received the weight of sin poured out on him as the chief of sinners, though he remained sinless.

He went to the cross with your sin and the sins of the whole world on him and received the wrath of God’s punishment that we deserve.

And because of his atoning work - you and I receive what we don’t deserve - God’s favor on account of Christ.

Those baptized at the font received that same forgiveness!

Marked as one redeemed by Christ the crucified, we are washed clean in the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit and are given New Life and New Birth of water and the Spirit!

We are made God’s Child and have been adopted into His family – children of Abraham - and given the inheritance of heaven and life eternal in Him.

Baptized into Christ is life from above!

Christ has made a way for all to be found in Him through the holy flood that is baptism. The means he gives is faith in His finished work, given to you and me as a gift by God’s Holy Spirit, working in and through Baptism. Daily rejoice in God’s simple way of bringing you to him through water and the word.

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

Amen

Sermon January 1, 2023 First Sunday after Christmas!

Title: Jesus; the blessed name of our blessed Lord!

Text: Luke 2:21

Facebook live: No live service

21And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

The naming of a child is an important time and wonderful joy in the life of a family. The name can have a great significance and family heritage. It can be connected to the past and to the future, as with those names that have a Jr. or III (the third) connected to them.

My youngest brother Tom when he was very little asked my mom, “Why didn’t you name me after Grandpa?” My mom said, “Oh, did you want to be called Stephen?” “No,” he said, “I wanted to be called Grandpa.”

The naming of a child carries with it much significance.

My grandson is named Jackson Albert Tkac.

Jackson is a surname-turned-baby name. It literally means “son of John” (since Jack is a variation of John)—and since John means “God has been gracious,” it shares that meaning as well.

Albert was my dad’s name and Jackson is named after my son’s grandfather.

All of this has some significance and is special to the naming of a child.

After the birth of John the Baptist in the previous chapter in the Gospel of Luke we read:

Luke 1:59-66 (ESV)

59And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John." 61And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name." 62And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.

The naming of the child had then, as it does in many cases now, a connection to family. John was not a name that had significance in the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth until the visit of the angel Gabriel. Mary too was also given the name of Jesus by divine intervention.

This name which means the Lord who saves is in fact His mission. He who was “in the beginning with God” is now and for all time God with us.

From our Christmas Eve reading:

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us).

The given name of Jesus the promise of God with us – Immanuel or as Isaiah proclaimed the many names and titles of the God / man to come in the person and work of Jesus:

And, as Isaiah has proclaimed the name of God’s savior:

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

[A sampling of names and titles]

1. Savior
2. Redeemer
3. Bread of Life / Bread from Heaven
4. Lord
5. Creator
6. Son of the Living God
7. Only Begotten Son
8. Beloved Son
9. Holy One of Israel
10–14. Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace
15. King of Kings
16. Head of the Church
17. The Almighty
18. Alpha and Omega
19. Master
20. King of the Jews
21. High Priest
22. Prophet
23. Teacher
24. Immanuel
25. Advocate
26. Mediator
27. Judge
28. Chief Cornerstone
29. Author and Finisher of Our Faith
30. Lamb of God
31. Good Shepherd
32. The Shepherd and Bishop of Souls
33. The Word
34. Fountain of Living Waters
35. Rock
36. Messiah
37. True Vine
38. Branch
39. Bridegroom
40. Dayspring
41. Shiloh
42. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
43. The Bright and Morning Star
44. The Image of the Invisible God
45. I Am
46. Son of Man
47. Carpenter
48. The Way, the Truth and the Life
49. King of Israel
50. Christ

The children of Israel in the time of the Exodus had God and the promise of freedom from the slavery in Egypt. But still they grumbled.

In the book of Numbers we read:

4Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? 5And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink." Num. 20:4-5

11And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.

They drank from the Rock in the desert.

St. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:

1For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3and all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 1 Cor.1:1-4

5Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

We too fail to see the blessing in the name of God. You and I misuse the name of the Lord so how are we better than those who doubted God’s word through Moses? We aren’t.

God, whose love for you is so profound that He would join Himself to human flesh is in today’s Gospel receiving the mark of circumcision, the mark of the covenant between God and man; the mark placed upon the very God/man Jesus Christ who is also receiving His name today.

Every moment after the incarnation, Jesus draws one step closer to completing our redemption.

Every act, in the life of Jesus, is God’s action in the fulfillment of His promise for you. His circumcision and naming today are the beginning of the end for the power of sin, the corruption of the flesh and the tempting of the Devil.

Jesus, by His perfect obedience to the Law will by this obedience complete the requirements of the Law for you. By the name of Jesus, He will save His people from their sin.

God has a name and that name is Jesus!

God too, by the power of His spirit, gives you faith to believe this blessed good news.

The Epistle lesson today is worth repeating:

23Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.29And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

As Luther once said:

“All we who believe on Christ are kings and priests in Christ.”

― Martin Luther, Concerning Christian Liberty - Martin Luther

Today, as you look forward to all that is new, as we begin another New Year, remember that Jesus came to earth for you.

Jesus became man for you.

Jesus was marked at his circumcision for you.

Jesus fulfilled the Law for you and has suffered and died on the cross for you and was raised for your justification so that you will rise too … and He lives to intercede by the power of the Holy Spirit for you.

Jesus; the blessed name of our blessed Lord - for you!

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

Amen