Sermon March 8-9, 2025

Title: Tempted and tested; Christ endures for you!
Text: Luke 4:1-13

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13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Over the last 12 years I’ve preached on the wilderness experience of Jesus and his being tempted by the devil after having been led by the Spirit out to this desolate place following his baptism. It seems appropriate and right to do, to see temptation and the trials of life as we enter this time of reflection and repentance.

But today I’d like to look upon it in a different light.

The Old Testament reading in Deuteronomy today focuses on the work of God to bring his children out of bondage in Egypt.

8 And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Deu. 26:6

And in our Epistle reading for today, the Apostle Paul writes:

11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Rom. 10:11-13

And as Jesus makes clear in one of his responses to the devil in our Gospel reading in regards to his tempting:

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” Luke 4:8

For in all three texts from our readings today the summation is victory!
God delivers from the bondage of slavery in the wilderness to the promised land.
Calling upon his name - for both Jew and Greek alike - brings salvation.
God’s desire is that we shall worship and serve him only.

It seems for this simple-minded pastor that we can reduce Lent down to one weekend, celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death for us during Holy Week and Easter and return back to the season of Easter and Pentecost and the time of the church!

Simple and Easy, right?

Well, this time of Lent is to help us see the real problem and the real cost.

That sin, affects us all both Jew and Greek or (gentile)

That the price of payment and redemption was costly, and that God himself, in the person and work of his son, our Lord Jesus, was the only hope for we sinners bound in sin and death and without hope. That is our reality.

It seems that the six weeks of Lent is far shorter than it should be, to convey the true depth of our rescue. So we continue.

The work of the devil in the wilderness was to trip up God’s Son, so that forgiveness and redemption would be undermined.

For 40 days Satan was given to this task, knowing that in the veil of his humanity Jesus would be vulnerable to the trials that we all face. With you and me, the devil can tempt us and find victory in 4 seconds, or 40 seconds, or 4 minutes. But, 40 days? We would be overwhelmed early on.

Satan, twists the God’s word to cause Jesus to agree with it, and to follow it, and to bring temptation to the logical conclusion - sin.

With sin the game is over and the devil wins.

For you and me, he is our master, because we live in the sinful flesh of our broken humanity and as sinners, we want to give in to sin because we think that sinful pleasures bring joy. They don’t.

As we spoke last weekend, Moses died and was buried in Moab and was prevented from entering into the promised land that God had promised.

Joshua led the children, over the Jordan into the land promised.

So what entered in, with them? Sin.

Sin is the curse.
There is no hope of escaping it.
Death comes to all.

But the hope begins with God.
It begins with his word.
It is finished with the word of God made flesh, Jesus.

In the wilderness the battle comes to Jesus in the word twisted and misused.

Christ knows the word in fact it is his word and he handles the temptation, though weak in his humanity, with the true word saying:

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”
“It is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,
and him only shall you serve.’”
“It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Temptation in our lives doesn’t tempt God, but you and me who are sinful and weak.
Temptation in our lives doesn’t promise bread when we are hungry,
but joy if we abandon God and his word.
Temptation in our lives doesn’t promise us the kingdoms of this world,
but the kingdom of Satan and death.
Temptation in our lives doesn’t promise you and me prosperity and good life, but the hope of a kingdom prepared for, and an eternity for all who believe.

It is why Paul reminds us in the Epistle today:

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Salvation comes to us, not by who we are, or by what we do, but as a pure gift from the one who is, the way the truth and the life. Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

The word is our only victory and defense.
The word convicts us as those who are born in sin and with death.

It causes repentance.

The word shows us our savior and his victory at the cross being the once and for all sacrifice for sin.

It proclaims forgiveness!

The word shows us the way and the hope that God gives in the sending of his son, to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

And the word is here each week to be read, sung, and proclaimed for your good and the good of all God’s church!

13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

When will the opportune time come again for you or me?

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Cor 10:13

Christ is the one who conquered sin, death and Devil for you.

He took all the Devil could give and though tempted was without sin.

Christ gives this peace to you and me through the working of the Holy Spirit so that his righteousness is yours and your sin has been laid on him at the cross.

In the face of temptation God provides a way out in Christ and by his Spirit so that we can stand, and if we fall, we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous one, to whom we can turn, repent of our sin, and be forgiven in his name!

Tempted and tested; Christ endures for you!

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

Sermon March 5, 2025 – Ash Wednesday

Title: Following Jesus, Our Greatest Giver - Following Jesus in generosity
Text: Mark 14: 3-9

Facebook live: Following Jesus in generosity 

6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Our dear Lord Jesus rebuked those who so lovelessly criticized the woman for pouring the expensive perfume on His head. They accused her of reckless waste, even implying she was negligent in her care for the poor. But Jesus both defended and commended the woman.

“Leave her alone. Why are you causing her trouble? She has done a beautiful work for Me.”

Anointing Jesus with this expensive perfume was not at all a waste, but a generous and loving gift for the Lord. It truly was a beautiful work! For the woman's gift was very expensive; it could have been sold for more than 300 denarii, her critics said.

This perfume was worth about what a laborer would earn in a whole year!

That's a very generous gift. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the purchase of this perfume used up most or all her life savings!

Her work was beautiful also because she gave her gift freely.

No one forced or pressured her to do this. Quite to the contrary, she received a scolding for giving so freely.

But she chose to honor Jesus with this expensive gift just because that's what she wanted to do.

Jesus commended the woman's work also because He knew it was a gift of love.

Mark's account doesn't disclose the identity of this woman, but John's Gospel tells us the one who poured the perfume on Jesus was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Jn. 12:3

This is the same Mary who sat at Jesus' feet and listened to His word when He was a house guest. So, for her, a very generous gift was in order, as far as she was concerned.

Mary's work was beautiful especially because she did it for such a good purpose – to anoint Jesus' body beforehand for burial. You see, this was the burial custom of that time: to wash the person's body, anoint the body with perfume or spices, and wrap the body in cloth.

So, this was actually a pre-burial preparation. Jesus said,

She took it upon herself beforehand to anoint My body for burial.

Mary's beautiful work suggests she had understood Jesus' words when He foretold His impending death, and that she had taken His words to heart.

Maybe she thought this might just be her last chance to honor Jesus with this special gift. So, she poured out the precious perfume on her precious Savior.

Mary's gift was very generous, worth 300 denarii or more.

But Jesus' gift was vastly more generous, of truly priceless value!

For Jesus gave far more than perfume or jewels or silver or gold; He gave His precious blood – the blood of the Son of God!

The Man, who is God, gave His entire self into death for us – all His righteousness, all His obedience, all His divine goodness, His pure and holy body – He gave it all.

Jesus, too, gave freely, and voluntarily. Though wicked men arrested Him, falsely accused Him, unjustly condemned Him, and crucified Him, no one forced Jesus to suffer and die.

Rather, He humbled Himself and chose to give His life as an act of His own will.

No one takes My life from Me; I lay it down of Myself. Jn. 10:18

And who can match Jesus' gift when it comes to love?

Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. Eph. 5:2

In this we know love, that He lay down His life for us. 1 Jn. 3:16

His free and loving generosity make Jesus' gift the most beautiful work of all!

Mary's gift pointed forward to Jesus' death and burial; Jesus' gift is the real thing. He gave His body into death to atone for all our sins and gain forgiveness for all mankind.

Be certain of this: because of Jesus' generous giving, your sins are forgiven, period.

The devil may accuse you of sin.
Other people may lifelessly criticize you and find fault with you.
Your own conscience may point out your offenses against God and condemn you for them.

But God has pardoned you fully for the sake of Jesus' gift. He has laid all your transgressions aside. God now defends you as His own dear child and commends you for the beautiful works you do out of faith in Him.

And those beautiful works include your generosity as you follow the Lord Jesus in love of others.

Our Savior calls us to this, you understand – to follow Him in generosity.

I have given you an example, that just as I have done for you, you also should do. Jn 13:15

We cannot give our lives for the salvation of the world, of course. Praise God, that jobs already done! But with hearts full of thanksgiving for what Jesus has given us, we most certainly can follow Jesus' example of generous giving.

So, when we give to help others who are in need, and when we bring offerings to the Lord, we should strive to heed His command and follow the pattern He has established for us.

Jesus gave us his best!

Jesus did not give as an afterthought, but according to the plan of salvation that God established from the foundation of the world.

So, when it comes to our offerings to the Lord, we should make a thoughtful plan to give generously, in proportion to the way He has blessed us. Like the Macedonian Christians, who gave according to their ability, and even beyond their ability (2 Cor. 8:3), we can and should give a generous portion of all that God provides us to honor the Lord.

There is to be no compulsion involved in our works of love and our offerings to the Lord.

Nor do we give grudgingly, but freely and cheerfully because we want to, out of thanksgiving - “each as he purposes in his heart,” as the Lord says. (2 Cor .9:7)

There is no New Testament ceremonial law involved here. Rather, in the same way, our Lord teaches us to give generously out of love – love for Him and for our neighbor. Genuine love is always love indeed – love such as Mary showed Jesus – love such as Jesus showed us all.

It is love that sees others in need and gives generously to help them.

 
It is love that hears the word of the Lord and does what He says.

If we truly love, we give generously. If we give without love, our giving is not truly following Jesus.

Finally, we follow Jesus in generosity when we give for a good purpose, to thank the Lord and support His gospel ministry and other works of mercy.

The people of Israel gave generously for the service of God's gospel purposes, to construct and support the operation of the tabernacle.

For that was the place where the Lord received the Old Testament sacrifices, through which He bestowed the forgiveness of sins on His people. So, they gave abundantly, so abundantly they had to be told to stop giving! Ex. 36:5-6

In the same way, we bring generous offerings to support the Lord's work of bestowing His gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation right here in this place through the preaching and teaching of His word, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper; also supporting the Lord's work of caring for those who are poor and needy as you have done with St. Paul’s food pantry!

These are very fine, God-pleasing purposes for generous giving.

Friends, our Lord Jesus was right. Wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what Mary did for Him has been told in memory of her.

And as we remember her beautiful generosity in anointing Jesus beforehand for burial, we remember all the more our Lord's supreme generosity in giving His life for our forgiveness and everlasting salvation.

With thankful hearts, then, may we all rededicate ourselves to following Him in generosity.

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

Amen

Sermon March 1-2, 2025 - Transfiguration

Title: Transfigured and revealed to eyewitnesses!
Text: Luke 9:28-36

Facebook live: Transfigured and revealed to eyewitnesses!

34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”

In life we can become prideful with that which is added to it. The car we drive, the house where we live, and the clothes we wear, can all bring a prideful smile to the face.

But this is a foolish thought, isn’t it? If there is to be any glory in this, it belongs to the car, the house, and the clothes.

St. Francis de Sales.

The Death of Moses came about in this way:

34 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho.

4 And the Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” 5 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord, 6 and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor …

Moses died and was buried. Death claims us all.

In the Gospel reading:

Jesus took Peter, John and James and went up on a mountain to pray. Not an unusual thing for our Lord to do. However, on this trip up the mountain the crowds that would have usually been following Him would be nowhere to be found.

You know the crowds; the ones who had followed Jesus; the ones who had been filled. The five thousand, had been fed with the five loaves and a two fish previously in Luke 9:16-17

16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
Luke 9:16-17

These crowds were nowhere to be found. It was just Jesus and three of His closest disciples, Peter, John and James who went up on the mountain … but as it had been many times before it was Jesus who was praying.
29And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:28-30

The Jews had been released from bondage in Egypt; being led by Moses for forty years, in the desert, before entering the Promised Land. But Moses had been prohibited from entering in.

The Lord says:

51 because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel.

This same Moses, buried in Moab and prevented from entering in, is now speaking with a glorified Jesus who will soon head towards Jerusalem, the Cross, and death - a death that will ultimately lead to freedom from sin, death and the power of the Devil for all who are brought to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit’s work, and believe.

This reconciliation between God and man is made possible only by the once and for all atoning sacrifice of the God/man himself Jesus Christ, for the sins of the world.

Moses, the Law giver who carried the tablets of stone, etched by the finger of God, measuring the requirements that God has set, and our inability to measure up to the God’s standards, is now in the presence of the disciples, Peter, John and James, standing with Elijah the prophet, who pointed forward to the coming Messiah - Jesus Christ - now transfigured on the mountain:

32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here.”

Men can become prideful of themselves because of the things that they have, where they live or how they dress.

But this is not of themselves, and is added to them - to give an appearance of glory.

Jesus Christ, on the other hand has to remove the cover of His humanity to reveal the true glory that is his - which had been veiled for a time from the eyes of the world.

Peter continues …

… Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.

Peter may have not known what he said or was bewildered at what he was seeing. To be there in the presence of a glorified Jesus; a preview of the resurrected Christ, drawing both the Old and New Testament focus together upon Himself had to be overwhelming.

We all fail to recognize the true glory of Jesus at times, seeing only a good man that can be an example for us to follow.

But what did Peter say, just a short while earlier in our gospel when Jesus asked the disciples:

“Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Peter’s confession that Jesus is “the Christ of God” had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, but that didn’t help him to fully understand what our Lord had to do in turning his face toward Jerusalem; knowing full well that what awaited Him was the Chief Priests and Scribes, rejection by the people, a trial, guilty verdict and death on a Cross – all this he endured for you.

As Jesus is transfigured, Peter is thinking about building tents - building tents?

It could be that Peter was just very overcome by what was happening, or in some way wanted to preserve and contain the glory of God as the children of Israel desired to do in the wilderness. In the most holy place.

Tents or no tents, Peter concludes,

“It is good that we are here.”

Martin Luther put it this way:

Although out of pure grace God does not impute our sins to us, He nonetheless did not want to do this until complete and ample satisfaction of His law and His righteousness had been made. Since this was impossible for us, God ordained for us, in our place, one who took upon Himself all the punishment we deserve.

He fulfilled the law for us.
He averted the judgment of God from us and appeased God's wrath.
Grace, therefore, costs us nothing, but is cost another much to get it for us.
Grace was purchased with an incalculable, infinite treasure, the Son of God Himself."

Martin Luther, Daily Walk, May 5, 1992.

34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”

As they were standing in the presence of our Holy Lord, covered in their own unrighteousness, they were afraid - as it should be for anyone who relies upon themselves.

What about you? Sitting here today in the pew, or me?

Do you ever miss the mark?
Do you ever fall short?
Do you see your sin constantly before you?
Do you carry the guilt that comes with your sin?
Do you ever feel burdened and weighed down?

Have you fallen short of the mark!

36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

… until the proper time …

Many times we are silent.

Many times, we live dead in the Moab of our own sinful flesh, refusing to enter into God’s rest in Christ.

We miss the mark and opportunity to share the Good News with friend, neighbor, or relative, that are in need of the same forgiveness that we have received from our Lord and Savior by his death and resurrection.

Thank and praise him daily that Christ Jesus didn’t miss the mark!

Thank and praise Him that you can listen to him in his word proclaimed and his word preserved in the writings of Holy Scripture.

Thank God you can partake of his body and Blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

Thank and praise God that the Cross was his mark and his destination.

Thank him that he fulfilled his goal as he resolutely headed towards Jerusalem, the Cross and death, where He received the full wrath of God poured out upon Him as He suffered and died on this Cross and on this Mount of Calvary, for you!

His crucifixion and death satisfied God’s justice for the sins of the world for you.

His death brought freedom for you and I as we receive the blessed exchange of His righteousness for our sins nailed once and for all to the Cross with him.

His death released you from the guilt you may at times still carry when you fail to cast all your burdens upon Him.

His death accomplishes all of this because on the third day …

He rose … in the glory of His resurrected body, transfigured, incorruptible for you. And you will too - and so will all who name the name of Jesus Christ having been brought to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. Knowing that in your Baptism you were washed clean in the blood of the Lamb given and shed for you!

“It is good that we are here.”
May our Lord and savior Jesus Christ who has redeemed you, through the power of the Holy Spirit who has called you, comfort you with this blessed Good News now and forever!

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

Sermon Feb. 22-23, 2025

Title: Be kind and merciful!

Text: Luke 6:27-38

Facebook live: Be kind and merciful!

37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure, you use it will be measured back to you.”

Valentine’s day was last week on the 14th. Many shared this love with their spouse, boyfriends and girlfriends, children, relatives and loved ones.

Love is nice and it’s easy to share with those we love.

Detroit loves Steve Yzerman of the Red Wings but not so much Claude Lemieux.

And whether you are right leaning or left leaning … the other side is always Claude Lemieux, while you and I only see a smiling Steve Yzerman in the mirror of our own reflection. We love whom we love.

But the text today tells us:

… love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

In a sense:

Love those who vote different than you.
Do good to those who can’t stand you.
Bless those who would spit in your face.
Pray for those … you get the idea!

Close your eyes, and think of those who hate you, who have hated you, who have wronged you, and then think of those you hate, have hated, and have at one time or another completely disagreed with.

You have and I have.

It is the reality of our sinful nature.

Now again: … love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you,
and … pray for those who abuse you.

These words of Jesus, for his first hearers, must have been hard to hear as they are for us even now.

Many were persecuted. Many lived under the lordship of others. Many had no hope for a better temporal existence.

In the United States there were masters and slaves. To a degree, there still are.

Last week we heard the blessings of being poor, hungry, and weeping in this life contrasted with the woes of those who are rich, full and laughing and Jesus continues this eternal perspective for his hearers then and you and me today, with an equally hard teaching.

29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

You’ve heard the phrase in our day, “He or she has disrespected me!”

Now, respect as my parents taught me, is earned not demanded. But, if we feel disrespected that might be considered a slap in the face in our day.

We may even think of taking action, or retaliating but for we who are in Christ, the eternal reality is this:

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, while we were still God enemies, Christ died for us.

Born in sin, born God’s enemies in the fall, we have collectively slapped God in the face – we have disrespected God!

We have made him our enemy.

But God, turns the other cheek and loves you anyway.

In the death of his son, he shows us mercy, and the greatest respect he gives to we who deserve his distain and wrath –his son - to die for our sin and the sins of the whole world.

He forgives our sin in Christ, and gives us the cloak of his righteousness taking our filthy sin-stained cloak and places it upon himself in exchange.

Christ has shown true love for we who were - his enemies, and in Christ, we are made children of our heavenly Father and called to reflect his love to others.

To love those who hate us, as God loves we who hated him.

This past week I stopped by the Diner for lunch. I said hi to Mary the waitress whom I’ve known for 40 + years and as I sat looking at the menu a man approached my table. I said hello to him and he said,

I’ve had at times people come to me and pay for my lunch. At times they tell me directly and other times they do it in secret. I’ve had the pleasure of doing it also for someone I don’t know. Many times, for me it’s police officers or firemen. Sometimes I let them know and other times just pay their bill. I don’t know them but can’t say that they are my enemies.

Jesus says,

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

But we give expecting nothing in return.

But the gospel concludes:

38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.

Blessing come and it is good to do for others as well.

This kind of kindness should be paid forward. It’s unexpected and a joy to receive and even more joyful to give. And God says it with a promise.

For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Now turn it around again as we did last week in the message:

Could you do the same if the person was not just unknown to you, but someone who actively was an enemy or one who hated and wronged you? It would certainly make it harder to reach out.

Bully story: Apology and forgiveness.

https://www.goalcast.com/dad-apologizes-man-he-bullied-20-years-later/

32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

It is my hope that the Spirit motivates us all to show kindness to those
we come in contact with and especially, to reach out to those who might not be our friends, to those we’ve wronged, and to those who have wronged us especially with the forgiveness that the Lord has shown us.

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

Amen

Sermon Feb. 15-16, 2025

Title: Keep your eyes upon Jesus!
Text: Luke 6:17-26

Facebook live: Keep your eyes upon Jesus!

17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

When I was in eighth grade, I tried out for the track team at South Jr. High school in Allen Park. At one of our practices, I was standing at the end of the long jump pit watching as some of the team practiced their jumps. Tom, a ninth grader and one of the better athletes at the school made his jump and upon landing was evidently not happy with how he landed. As he got up and walked by me, he gave me a kick to my leg at his displeasure in himself and the spikes of his cleats made two long cuts into the back of my calf. Bleeding and in pain the coach sent me to get it cleaned up and he talked to Tom though I don’t remember any apology. It took weeks for my wound to scab over and heal and I don’t remember much else of my track career so I probably just stopped attending practices and focused on other things. 54 years later I still remember that wound though.

Wounds and scaring are part of this life. You, I’m sure have your own stories and wounds to deal with. Some of the wounds like mine are old and etched in your memory, and other may be fresh and still healing.

We all, like the crowds in our gospel lesson today, would seek to touch Jesus and have him heal our troubles - immediately as well.

Many who came to hear him –

… a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon,

Jesus was drawing disciples but what he says next must have caused them to pause and wonder.

The Beatitudes

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
22 “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!
23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

Hearing that might have caused them to pause and it might us as well.

The blessings of poverty, hunger and weeping and hate Christ says bring his Kingdom, satisfaction, laughing and rejoicing.

Good news for sure but not what a 13-year-old me would have wanted to hear as I stood bleeding and hurting by the long jump pit.

Christ here is speaking to earthly people, who have an earthly perspective, about a heavenly reality.

Let’s turn it around.

Blessed are you who have the Kingdom, for your poverty has been removed.
Blessed are you who are satisfied, for your hunger has been fed.
Blessed are you who laugh, for your tears have been wiped away.
Blessed are you when you rejoice and leap for joy at your reward in Heaven, for the hate, exclusion, and reviling of this world, has been overcome in Christ Jesus!

The eternal perspective of the word proclaims the reality of what is ours now in Christ.
Verse one from our opening hymn today Come unto Me, Ye Weary, speaks of that reality:

1 "Come unto Me, ye weary,
And I will give you rest."
O blessed voice of Jesus,
Which comes to hearts oppressed!
It tells of benediction,
Of pardon, grace, and peace,
Of joy that hath no ending,
Of love that cannot cease.

LSB 684 vs. 1

Jesus Pronounces Woes in this life as well.

24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
25 “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
26 “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

The earthly perspective as opposed to the eternal perspective are also quite telling as we look to what awaits those who lived well, apart from God’s love in this life.

Woe to you who seek consolation, your riches can’t buy you forgiveness!
Woe to you who seek the banquet feast, your seat at the table is for another!
Woe to you who weep, your laughter gives way now to tears!
Woe to you who misused God’s word, those who spoke well of you are now gnashing their teeth!

The gnashing of teeth is what awaits all in this life apart from Christ’s loving forgiveness and redemption.

At times we have our plate full and just as soon find ourselves in want in this sinful world.

We weep at the loss of someone so dear to us that we feel inconsolable only to find joy and comfort in the laughter of a child’s giggles like little children at the children’s message.

The riches of this life don’t condemn us, unless we place our trust and hope in them – shunning our Lord’s care.

When we are marked for hate and evil in this life, God continues to remind us that we are his and that not a one of us who trust in him will be lost.

So,

23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

I wish I had known that as I sat bleeding in pain from the cleats to my leg but that knowledge for me was still a few years off. Thankfully the Lord opened the eyes of my understanding and called me to joy and to prayer.

Verse 4 of our Come unto Me, Ye Weary:

4 "And whosoever cometh,
I will not cast him out."
O patient love of Jesus,
Which drives away our doubt,
Which, though we be unworthy
Of love so great and free,
Invites us very sinners
To come, dear Lord, to Thee!

LSB 684 vs. 4

Cut and bleeding, poor, hungry and weeping - this life can be hard.
Car accidents or cancer;
falls down stairs or Leukemia;
broken bones or estrangement from family members;
hateful and hurtful words or locked in isolation;

We all know these trials and feelings but in Christ the peace and comfort of heaven is your joy, comfort and reward in this life and in the life to come!

Because Christ became poor and humiliated himself to death, even death on a cross, the Kingdom God is yours
Because Christ was hungry after fasting 40 days and 40 nights, you are satisfied in him.
Because Christ wept at the death of Lazarus, you laugh that death is overcome in victory.
Because Christ was hated, and reviled for you, you have the reward of heaven that he won given to you by faith.

Rejoice dear friends, In Christ your reward is great!

Keep your eyes upon Jesus!

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

Sermon Feb. 8-9, 2025

Title: God’s work, our reward!
Text: Luke 5:1-11

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5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.

If you follow Jesus after he begins his ministry in the first chapters of Luke, what seems impressive to me is Jesus’ sense of purpose—always having someplace to go and something to do. He’s intent and focused on what he came to do with the ultimate focus on those for whom he came.

In the chapter before our text:

Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness of Judea and Jesus is rejected by his hometown friends in Nazareth.

Then he goes to Capernaum and drives a demon out of a man; he heals Peter’s mother-in-law and numerous other people; and Luke tells us the people from Capernaum are so impressed that they want him to stay.

But Jesus declines and makes a statement right before our text today that indicates there’s a reason for all the activity. Jesus says,

“I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God in other places too, for that is why I was sent” Luke 4:43

The necessity of those words brings Jesus to the Sea of Galilee, looking for disciples. They are also the words that bring him to this place, Sunday after Sunday - here at Peace - calling you and me to gather here and forgiving our sins.

On this occasion we find one resident of Capernaum who is not so sure whether Jesus should stay.

The apostle Peter says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

Those seem strange words for a man who’s just been given a boatful of fish after catching none the whole night, but they can’t keep Jesus from staying with Peter - because by his very nature - Jesus must call others to faith as well.

It is difficult to comprehend that God would desire to call people who may not be interested in him and are in fact his enemies.

But that’s exactly what we have in today’s reading.

Jesus is concerned about the large crowd of people pressing around him. In other places in Scripture, he says they remind him of sheep without a shepherd.

Here and elsewhere, Jesus’ response to their need is to teach them.
We might be tempted to wonder if Jesus could not have improved their immediate needs of money, health or life problems that they or we face.

Important as those things are, Jesus first takes care of the most important need—their need for him and an eternity that he provides.

That’s because Jesus knows that all people are caught in the net of their sins without him.

His concern is translated into action, and so he gets into Peter’s boat and puts out just a bit from the shore so he can teach the people.

Peter, of course, is included among those who are caught without Jesus.

Even though Jesus has already healed many people, including Peter’s mother-in-law, Peter and the other disciples were still trapped in the net of sin, as are all people.

Evidently Jesus’ identity may be starting to sink in for Peter, because he calls Jesus “Master,” and he is willing to obey his Lord and Master.

Now comes the fun part. The carpenter from Nazareth is about to give some professional fishing advice to fishermen.

Ignoring conventional wisdom this carpenter Jesus, tells the fisherman where to fish.

Put yourself in Peter’s place. You’re a fisherman, skilled in your trade.
You know that if the fish are going to run at all, it’s going to be at night.
You know that you don’t catch fish in deep water, but in shallower areas.
You respect Jesus—he’s a great healer, he speaks in a compelling manner.

But what does Jesus know about fishing?

Instead of saying,

“You stick to what you’re good at Jesus, and let me be the fishing expert” or “It’s absurd, a waste of time and a waste of energy,” or

“It doesn’t work that way!” Peter says,

5 … “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”

Peter thinks he is the one who is going fishing. He doesn’t realize that the net of Jesus’ love has just surrounded another soul for his Father’s kingdom.

You know the rest of the story. Peter responds in faith, and he and his partners bring in more fish than they can handle.

The fishermen pull up their boats, leave everything, and follow Jesus.

If only we could pull up our nets of sin by faith and do the same!

That’s why Jesus was sent, not simply to do some miracles and impress people, but to catch people for the kingdom.
People like Peter and the disciples and the crowds and you and me can hear the Good News of having our sins forgiven and then follow him.

This is why Jesus was sent.
This is why Jesus was conceived.
This is why Jesus was born.
This is why Jesus suffered.
This is why Jesus was crucified, died, and rose again—to bring you the Good News of forgiveness.

Peter discovered that God’s plans for seeking others always include the efforts of his followers.
Sometimes God’s people just don’t seem interested in catching others.
Remember another fish incident in Scripture?

A man by the name of Jonah was running away from the Lord, not because he was preoccupied with his possessions but because he just didn’t want to get involved when God wanted him to preach to the Ninevites.

In a sense saying, “I don’t even like them Lord!”

After he repented, God used his witness to bring faith to an entire city. To all of us who have ever been “Jonah’s,” the word is clear:

Jesus calls us to, “Repent!” - to stop being afraid – to live as God’s redeemed because God, in Christ has forgiven you!

Now, he calls us to go forth into this world with the Gospel!

And as we return to Peter in our text, - he’s afraid to go fishing with Jesus for another reason:

He and Isaiah in our Old Testament Reading are overcome with fear because they realize they’ve just been in contact with the God of the universe, and they realize how far short they fall from his expectations.

8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

You and I must realize too - we’re in the same boat along with Peter, and we must respond along, with him:

“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

The good news for today is that Jesus is also in the boat with us.

When it feels like your sins are about, to catch up with you and you wonder if God could love a person like you, he says, “Don’t be afraid. I want you to come fishing with me!”

This is love and acceptance, that the greatest fisherman in the world isn’t put off by your sins but continually calls you to repentance so that you can be with him, and do the same things he does.

When we realize that we have been accepted and surrounded by the net of Christ’s love, then our response of faith puts us in the same position as Peter ready to do whatever Jesus says and ready to go wherever he takes us.
Through these words, Jesus says to Peter and to you and me,

“Stop being afraid. I’ve forgiven your failures and your fears and all of your excuses. Now, join me in boat of life fishing for others.”

What a great way to be reminded that our loving and seeking God wants to use us to bring others into his net of love and care. What a joy to be sought by him, and what a privilege to go fishing with him.

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

Amen

Concordia pulpit - Rev. David N. Emmrich, campus pastor, Lutheran Student Fellowship, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota, Concordia Pulpit Feb. 1, 2001 edited

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

Sermon Feb 1-2 2025

Title: My eyes have seen your salvation!
Text: Luke 2:22-32

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29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

What is Peace?

Is it the absence of war?
Only when we feel safe?
While thins go well for some others struggle.
At times, Peace can seem unobtainable.

Peace though, can take on the many different looks, both for young and old, from the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, to the man Christ Jesus hanging on a cross crying out,

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

But there is both joy and true peace for all, in Christ’s sinless life and in his purifying death that allows all who depart this life, trusting in Christ Jesus as both savior and Lord, to receive eternal peace!

St. Luke writes in his gospel about Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the temple of the Lord to make a sacrifice as the Law required.

And while there a man named Simeon, who as we are told was righteous and devout and waiting for the consolation of Israel, or the comfort and peace of God, and we’re told that the Holy Spirit was upon him.

27 … and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;


30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”

The joy of seeing this child, this Jesus brought to fulfillment for Simeon what the Lord by the Holy Spirit had promised,

… that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

I’ve had a joyful time visiting with many members in their home, and in the hospital or care facilities, and bringing the Lord’s Supper to them as it was difficult for them getting to church on a regular basis.

Many would always tell me how much they enjoyed being in worship and wished they could be there with us again, but they are thankful well when they can attend and so enjoy receiving the Lord’s Supper in their home or hospital, when they can’t.

We can all see the effects of time in our lives as we look into the mirror each morning.

As much as we might all hope to have the blessings of a long life, as so many are blessed to do, the reality of death is real and sooner or later we will all answer the door when death knocks.

But also, we have comfort and peace because:

Death’s sting has been swallowed up in victory by our Lord Jesus Christ and His blessed work that frees us from the shackles of our fallen nature, that in and through Jesus Christ and his work, God and man have been reconciled.

As we together grieve the loss of our dear loved ones – as I visited last Saturday with my brother’s extended family at the loss of his brother-n-law who had passed away on vacation, and think about this frail existence we all inhabit here in this world, we can still have hope and peace.

At the time of death, struggles ensue.

Why now?
Why here?
Why me?

When Christ is not involved, peace is hard to come by.

I received this note in the mail about God’s blessings some years back. It was from Cindy Welch, Ed and Virginis Blasius’ daughter. It read:

You may not recognize my name as I've never had the pleasure of coming to a Peace Lutheran Church service. I did happen to be in town several times at Christmas and had the pleasure of hearing Christmas carols in the house from members of the congregation.

Ed and Virginia Blasius looked forward to special visits like those and your monthly visit to their home for an in-home service.

Mom and Dad are both in heaven and I miss them dearly. Today mom would have been 92 and in her honor, I would like to give a check. Thanks to all that made their lives a little brighter. I know how very much it was appreciated by mom and dad.

Our family was blessed to have you and your beautiful congregation in our lives.

Thank you
Cindy Welch

Saying in a sense.

Lord, now you are letting my parents depart in peace,

according to your word; for their eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples …

At the time of death, the Lord can bring comfort and peace, even for the well-known and adored in life like the famous basketball player, Kobe Bryant who died so tragically.

Fr. David Barnes wrote this in the aftermath of his death:

"As sad as Kobe’s death is, a friend texted me today to tell me that a friend of hers attends the same Catholic Church as Kobe and saw him this morning at Mass. There can be nothing more consoling to those who mourn than to know that a loved one worshipped God right before his death because worshipping God is what heaven is.”

- Fr. David Barnes

29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,

according to your word;

Comfort and peace, is what Ed and Virginia Blasius knew. It is also what so many of our dear members knew and continue to know, and it is what Kobe Bryant knew.

That Christ had come to rescue him and you and I can know that as well and have peace.

Comfort and peace know the joy of Christ Jesus in each of our lives by God’s grace and mercy, through his Word and Spirit.

Comfort and peace, is being called to follow Christ by God’s Holy Spirit who indwells all believers, and is called the comforter even by Jesus himself.

For Jesus says:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Dear friends, you too have access to real peace.

The father through Christ Jesus our Lord, has came to live, suffer, die and rise again for you and me and all who he gives true peace –

found only in His saving arms that were outstretched upon the cross as He gave up His life for you.

Because of Christ’s purifying death he allows you too, to depart in peace!

So when the trials of life burden you, and the storms of life rage, and when even death is near, rest in the peace of Christ no matter the storms of life.

Because, true peace rests in the loving arms of Jesus, the savior of the world, who reminds us in John’s gospel the wonderful comfort that we can all know:

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)

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