“Look Up!” (Acts 1:9-11)

S-1496 AS/3B 5/17/2015 Hymns: (O)#213; (S) # 381; L.S. #341 vv1-3; 473; (C) #341 vv4-5

Texts: Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:16-23; Luke 24:44-53

Theme: “Look Up!” (Acts 1:9-11)

Question: “How often do you look up?” Observing Ascension Day

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for The Ascension celebration is from Acts: ^“And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11).

People of the resurrection, how quickly life can change! In a flash that which was before you is no longer. That which is standing is tumbled down. That which is beautiful is destroyed. That which is anchored is moved from its foundation. That, which was a home, is rubble of debris. That which you have worked for all of your life, is wiped away. That which was normal has become unknown.

You, I, and the community of Delmont know that first hand. On Sunday morning a little after 10 a.m. the whistle blew and within just a few moments life, history, church, homes and property have been destroyed. That which we considered valuable is piled up as junk. That is life in a fallen world.

But this evening as we celebrate and observe the Ascension of our resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ, we can take to heart His Word of promise there is nothing in this world that will be able to separate us from His pierced and loving hands.

This evening we are told of the disciples last moments with their Savior. They have gone with Him through a lot of events. They have witnessed His power over demons and death. They saw His compassion and care for the needy. They witnessed His love and life that He gave freely to all. Even when they forsook Him on the night He was put to death—a cruel death on a cross for the sins of the world, He forgave them. He even appeared to them and gave them words that helped them be steadfast— “שלום עליך.” “Peace be with you.” This is what Christ came to give us and even more…to reconcile us to God.

His Ascension demonstrates that God has accepted His sacrifice. This crowning glory gives us hope beyond our wildest imagination. By His Ascension to the Father’s right hand He promises to intercede even now in our lives and keep us safe from every harm and evil.

Though He has ascended to heaven, He has not left us alone. We are not orphaned. We are still His baptized children. And He promised to give us the Holy Spirit to help us keep looking up.

But how often do we really focus on heaven and the life after? When we are young we think of building and amassing wealth and property. We dream big. However, most of the dreams don’t come to fruition. Yet the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to always look up and keep our eyes on Him because He has promised that He will be back soon! PAUSE.

Beloved in the Lord, our lives are like a farmer who desires to plant his crops in a straight rows. To do so, he doesn’t look down or back. He looks ahead, way ahead, at a fixed point. If the point is fixed you will reach it, but if it is a moving target you will never get it. That is why it is so important to look up to see what is ahead.

I am reminded of a long time ago when I was helping my father in-law plant some wheat. As you know I’m a city boy. Never been or worked on a farm until I married a farmer’s daughter.

One spring day, dad needed some help and he asked me to plant wheat. I asked: “How do I keep the rows straight?” He said, “Pick a spot and keep your eyes on it. Never look back!” (Emphasis on never look back) When I started out heading north there was no problems picking a spot for there were many to choose from. But when I turned around that’s when the problem began. There was nothing but open space. As I drove the tractor I couldn’t tell if I was going straight or not so I turned back (I didn’t listen to my father in-law’s advise), as I did my hand turned to one side. When I realized what I did, I attempted to straighten it up, but went too far the other direction. I tried again to straighten it out and went too far to the left and then to the right. Well, you know the rest of the story.

At first, what I had done wasn’t evident, until the wheat began to grow. You should have been in the coffee shop early in the morning when people began to say: “Ed must have had lots to drink when he planted that field!” PAUSE.

You who are baptized into the name of Jesus, isn’t that like us and the disciples? Jesus had told them to keep their eyes on Him but they forgot His Word and so do we. We turn back on what was, rather than what IS…Often we look down rather than up. We always think we know better. We always try to help God in matters of salvation. We even try to figure out a way without letting the Savior lead and guide us to His home above.

Tonight beloved, I remind you of the blessings of the Ascension. I remind you this is His crowning glory. This is the day He took back all of the power that belonged to Him before He took upon Him human flesh and blood to be like us, and die for us. But more importantly to rise on the third day and ascend into heaven to guarantee us a place with Him forever.

Remember precious children of the heavenly Father, though everything in this world will be taken away from us and or left behind when we depart from this world; may we not be consumed with worry of what we should amass and accumulate? We are exhorted to look up and put our hope and trust in Him alone. For He will supply all of our needs because He is faithful!

This would all be very worrisome if we didn’t know that God was in control, working out His plan for the nations and us His baptized.  Instead, He has told us that when these things begin to take place, to “lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” May we remain alert and firm in faith, always looking up for the Blessed Hope. PAUSE.

Saints in Christ, Jesus often looked up to His heavenly Father. He looked up and prayed when He blessed the 2 fish and 5 loaves. He looked up and gave thanks when He instituted the Sacrament of the Altar. He looked up from the cross and prayed to His Father to take the cup of sorrow away from Him. And even now, He looks up to see you and me and comes to our aid—since He is interceding for us from the right hand of the Father in the glories of heaven.

Likewise, we too, are called upon to look up. The Psalmist even encourages us to do so saying: “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Ps. 121:1-2). Yes, indeed, our help comes as we look up to the Hill of Calvary—from there flows grace, kindness, compassion and everlasting life.

This evening by the Spirit’s power we are moved to look up and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Only Jesus enables us to truly look up, because He is coming back soon. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Telling the Good News” (Acts 8:34-35)

S-1495 5SOE/3B 5/3/2015 Hymns: (O)#3; (S) # 497; (C) #50

Texts: Acts 8:26-40; 1 John 4:1-11; John 15:1-8

Theme: “Telling the Good News” (Acts 8:34-35)

Question: “How do we tell the Good News?” Observing Main Street Living Sunday (MSL)

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for MSLS is from Acts: “And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus”

People of the resurrection we have good news to share with our broken world. The good news is life-changing and eternal. Remember beloved we are still in the Easter season. Many have forgotten this wonderful news. This is because of the horrible influence of pietism. This movement has robbed us of the joy of Easter and the victory Christ has won for us through His death and resurrection.

Lent is a 40 day season of reflecting and meditating on the suffering of Christ which is good and salutary. But Easter…is the glorious and blessed season of Christ’s greatest accomplishments of destroying Satan, sin and death.

However the Easter season is 50 days long. It is 10 days longer than Lent. Yet, it has been reduced to one day. In spite of its length we don’t observe the Easter season. We celebrate a big celebration on the Sunday of Easter and rob ourselves of the joy of the resurrection. We forget that every Sunday is its own Easter celebration.

As people of the resurrection we have good news that the Savior has given us to share. We have glorious news—the best news the world needs to hear, but sadly it is not known all over the world. Neither do many people even know this good news. As our church sign outside states: “Tired of hearing bad news? Come in and hear the Redeemer’s good news.”

In this house of worship as the Holy Spirit gathers us often at our Easter celebration we are blessed to hear the glorious good news of our salvation. Here we hear the Words of hope that our redemption is guaranteed. Our salvation is sure and our forgiveness is real. PAUSE.

In his book “Thirty Years A Watch Tower Slave” W. J. Schnell writes: “My father, who while dying said to me, ‘Son, have we been wrong in our religion?’” What a heart-breaking question this dying man asked his son: “Are we wrong about our religion?” Yes, the Jehovah Witnesses are wrong because they don’t know Jesus. They don’t believe in the Divinity of Jesus. They don’t believe in Jesus or His saving work on the cross of Calvary.

But thanks be to God for His mercy, who through His Word reveals to us the truth of His good news of saving us from the wrath of God and hell’s furry. Praise be to Jesus for His marvelous redemptive work for us through His suffering, death and glorious resurrection.

That is what we have in the first reading for this 5^th Sunday of Easter. Dr. Luke tells us that the evangelist Philip is called upon by the Holy Spirit to go on the road that leads out of Jerusalem heading south to Gaza. He was sent to clarify to the Ethiopian eunuch what he was reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip beginning with this Scripture told him the good news about Jesus. Philip used all of the Scripture that was available to him then—only the O.T., to share the good news that from front to finish is about Jesus the ONLY Lord and Savior for all people everywhere. The good news is the gospel of Christ earning our redemption and salvation through His ultimate sacrifice. PAUSE.

People of the resurrection, on this Sunday, we South Dakotans are so richly blessed to be part of a great ministry called Main St. Living. A program that has been in existence since 2001 for the sole purpose of allowing the Good News to be shared and spread to many people not only in this house of worship; but especially to those who are no longer able to be in church and who are un-churched.

Today, we thank the Lord for the ministry of MSL by joining our voices and opening our pockets so that others might hear the Good News about Jesus. What is the Good News you may ask? The Good News of salvation earned through Christ’s death and resurrection as Isaiah shares it in the Lamb who was led to the slaughter without opening His mouth.

As God’s people living in Armour, SD, we have a glorious opportunity to open our mouth and wallets, speak and give of our time and treasures so that not only one eunuch may hear; but all of God’s people everywhere may hear the grand and glorious news that Christ is Risen!

Sometimes we are reluctant to share the good news because we are afraid of what others think of us. We even think that we don’t know what to say or how to say it. We buy into the devil’s schemes of saying, “You are not fit to bring good news to people!” PAUSE.

But what if you had some of your words recorded for all time in history. What would you like it to be? In Acts 12, Luke mentions the name of a servant girl—Rhoda. Rhoda had gone to the door when Peter knocked. Answering the door was part of her job as a servant girl. Yet rather than opening the gate and welcoming the apostle Peter, she forgot about him and ran back to tell the others. Might Rhoda have felt a little awkward, considering that of all the things she did in her life, this was the one that the Lord saw fit to include in His Holy Scripture.

I hope not. Let’s not allow Rhoda’s surprised reaction to overshadow her extreme Joy. She was so excited that God has rescued Peter that she had to tell people about it. She was so happy about the new life that God had given to Peter that she had to let others know right away. She was willing to put her everyday responsibilities on hold for something so important: exclaiming the good news of the rescue and freedom that our living God gives.

This is the freedom that we have in Jesus our resurrected Lord. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we know that we are free from God’s righteous wrath against our wrongs. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we know that we are free from the clutches of a cold casket. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we know we are free from the evil one’s accusations. Set free by Jesus’ sacrifice! Set free to exclaim this good news to all people especially the people God puts in our lives daily!

The Apostle Paul in Romans 1:16 says: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Yes, we shouldn’t be ashamed to share the good news. We shouldn’t be ashamed of our Bridegroom—Jesus Christ.

We shouldn’t be ashamed to speak about the persecuted Christians and stand with them. We know that Christians are being persecuted everywhere—the baker who was fined $135,000 for not baking a cake to a gay couple, likewise the Chick-Fil-A; and Hobby Lobby.

Are we willing to stand with the Nazarene? Are we willing to support the ministry of this congregation and MSL? Are we willing to be well prepared to fight the devil who comes into our midst and destroys our confidence and take our hopes away from us?

You should know that the devil came into the midst of us in the 70’s by abortion. Now he is coming into the lives of fathers, mothers and children. Reformation is not something that took place 500 years ago. It is needed today to tell the world of the good news of Jesus.

People of the Resurrection: The good news we have been blessed to receive and hear every Sunday, is not only for the saints of this congregation. But it is for the abused mother, the widows and widowers, the unemployed, the hurting, the addicted to alcohol, pornography, gambling and every other addition.

A dying man once asked his son, “Are we wrong about our religion?” And they were. After 30 years of slavery J. W. Schnell left the false religion and worship Christ the giver of good news. You and I know the truth that has set us free to hear and receive the good news of our salvation.

As followers of Jesus, in this place we are privileged and honored to hear His Word and preach the good news of the Gospel for the sake of souls who don’t know Jesus as Savior and Lord. We preach the good news on MSLTV and in LCMS pulpits so that we can reach the ends of the earth with the message that changes lives one soul at a time—forever.

Praise be to Jesus who tells His Father of the good news that we are His baptized and blood-bought children for time and eternity. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Flames of Fire” (Acts 2:1-3)

S-1436 PS/3A 6/08/2014 Hymns: (O) #234; (S) #224; L.S. #236; #226; #427; (C) #225

Texts: Numbers 11:23-30; Acts 2:1-21; John 7:37-39

Theme: “Flames of Fire” (Acts 2:1-3)

Question: “What would our community miss out on if our church closed?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text is for Pentecost Sunday is from Acts: “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them” (Acts 2:1-3)

On this Pentecost Day we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church and its mission. Jesus on this day fulfills His promise and the Spirit descends upon His disciples and sets them on fire to spread the message of His resurrection to the ends of the world.

Perhaps you have seen the images on TV of the flames of fire that are running wild in the western part of our nation. These flames have devoured homes, property, animals, land and life. These flames have caused havoc and heartache to many. These flames have brought destruction and death. These flames have drained many counties’ budgets. But thanks be to God that we have firefighters and other personnel who come to the aid of those in need.

However, in the text before us today, Dr. Luke speaks of different types of flames that were visible on the heads of the Disciples on Pentecost. These flames are not of death, but of life; not of destruction, but of deliverance. These flames of fire are a blessing and not a burden. These flames don’t cost funds and empty budgets; instead they bring joy and peace to many hearts that are cold and dark. These flames of fire built faith, brought hope to many and revealed the grace of God through the lips of uneducated fishermen from Galilee who shared the greatest message the world needs to hear then and now—the message of Christ’s death and glorious resurrection to liberate them and give them a future with Him.

When the Apostles received the promised Holy Spirit that landed on their heads as tongues of fire—the work of spreading the Gospel began in earnest like a wild fire that is scorching the earth. At first the fire was a little spark. As they spoke in multitude of languages to those gathered in Jerusalem many believed their message. The flames spread in such a way that 3000 souls in one day became followers of Jesus.

The fire jumped from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, with fervent zeal as each Apostle armed with the power of the Holy Spirit traveled to communicate the message of the grace of God and the salvation Jesus earned.

As they departed neither mountain, valleys, rivers or oceans could hold the tide. They passed the Mediterranean and traveled to Rome. Though many were persecuted the flames got higher and higher that all of Europe was on fire with the message of Jesus and His great accomplishments.

Even the forefathers of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod—the Saxon German immigrants crossed the ocean and came to New Orleans. From New Orleans they went on to St. Louis and to every part of the US and ultimately even Armour, SD. PAUSE.

The Saxon immigrants were on fire. They built schools and churches. Used the Bible as textbook and taught that salvation is only through Jesus Christ alone. They had the logo long before the US Postal adopted it, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” And they did! They took the message on foot, horseback, wagons, trains, cars and eventually planes. The flames of fires driven by the ever-blowing Spirit of God spread the Good News of Jesus sacrificial death on Calvary’s cross.

In Exodus chapter 3 we behold flames of fire as Moses sees a bush that is on fire but doesn’t burn. God gives him the command to go and tell Egypt to free His people. From that day on the flames of fire burned within Moses’ heart. We see the flames of fire on Resurrection Sunday as Jesus accompanied the Emmaus disciples. After Jesus reveals Himself to them, they respond: “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?” (LK. 24:32).

These two Emmaus disciples were indeed on fire. That same night they ran back the 7 miles to Jerusalem without fear of robbers, thieves, wild animals or any danger to communicate the good news that they had seen the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

Likewise, we too, need the Scriptures flames of fire to work on our hearts as they did to those who listened to Peter and the other disciples on that first Pentecost Sunday. We need the working of the Holy Spirit to ignite, fire us up and keep us involved in spreading the glorious story of our salvation. Do the flames of our church affect our community? Do your flames affect our community? PAUSE.

Last night, I returned from the NE District visit. While visiting the District I was a presenter in the “Prairie Fire” event. When I invited to be a speaker, I asked how this name came about. This is what I was told:

“The name ‘Prairie Fire’ was thought up by some staff members of the Nebraska District as an ‘Ablaze’ event in 2004. Our promotional materials featured the title and the following taglines: ‘Like a fire sweeping across the prairie, we pray the Spirit will use this event to ignite many of God’s people for ministry and mission’ and ‘Igniting hearts to make God known across Nebraska.’

People were invited to come and be resourced and re-ignited for ministry and mission in their congregations and throughout their communities, a focus we have kept this year.” PAUSE.

By the grace of God, we who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit in Baptism have the same power at work in our lives. We have been ignited to spread the flames of fire of the Gospel to all people. Fire has lots of power, it kills and it brings to life. When I came to Armour, I went to visit one of our members who is a farmer. As I drove up to the farm I noticed all along the fence line was fire burning. I asked “Why?” His response, “We have to get rid of the old so the new grass comes up.”

Beloved saints, as we gather week in and week out, more fuel is put on the fire. The fuel of God’s Word and His precious Sacrament. As we hear the Word and dine at His table we are given the energy to do the work of ministry. We are re-ignited and like a wild fire that spreads across the prairie we take with us the message of hope and help, life and love, salvation and forgiveness and share it with others.

In this place the Lord makes His flames of fire burn in your hearts so that others may see those flames and be on fire too. God grant the Gospel flames to continue to burn in our hearts forever. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

“Preaching the Resurrection!” (Acts 17:18-19)

S-1433 6SOE/3A 5/25/2014 Hymns: (O) #191; (S) #204; L.S.#201; #200; #307 (C) #191

Texts: Acts 17:16-31; 1 Peter 32:13-22; John 14:15-21

Theme: “Preaching the Resurrection!” (Acts 17:18-19)

Question: “What difference what we preach makes?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text is from Acts: “Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, ‘What does this babbler wish to say?’ Others said, ‘He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities’—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?’” (Acts 17:18-19).

Beloved children of the heavenly Father, every Sunday I begin my sermon with these words: “Christ is Risen!” and you respond “He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!” I begin with these words because preaching the resurrection is of the utmost importance. Preaching the resurrection is our foundation. Preaching the resurrection is our focus. Preaching the resurrection is our future. Preaching the resurrection is our faith. Without the Resurrection there is no justification, which means there is no Church! Without the resurrection we have no hope, no help and heaven.

Preaching the resurrection is the message that in Jesus Christ who rose from the dead and in Him eternal death has become eternal life. Preaching the resurrection is the message that our future is bright. Preaching the resurrection is the message we declare to the world that Jesus has indeed destroyed the devil, done away with sin and delivered us from the punishment of hell. Preaching the resurrection is the message that God has restored mankind and creation from death to life. Preaching the resurrection is the message that we need to hear again and again. And that is precisely what Paul is declaring in the text today. For in the preaching of the resurrection we are teaching that man can’t save himself. And it is a message that makes all the difference in the world.

By the grace of God you and I are here today to be taught that the message of the Resurrection is the message of the Church and our message. It is the message our dying world needs to hear just as it was in the day of Paul as he visited Athens.

As we tune into the scene in the Areopagas we find Paul waiting for his companions—Timothy and Silas to join him to do the work God has called him. Paul is very impatient and the Spirit within him is provoked (God the Holy Spirit is doing this) by all of the idolatry in the city. The people are ignorant of the true and living God, enslaved by false gods and prisoners in a life that has no hope or future.

He can’t wait for them to arrive so he begins speaking to the people. He has a message of the resurrection of Jesus that drives him forward. He must confess it! He must tell it! He must live it! If you remember in Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus the Savior said to one of His servants Ananias to say to Paul: “But the Lord said to him [Ananias], ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel’” (Acts 9:15). Therefore, Paul preaches the resurrection first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles so that they may know that this Jesus, this unknown God to whom they have an altar—is indeed a living God who came to earth, suffered, died, was buried and rose from the damp and dark grave to live forever. PAUSE.

Likewise, you and I have a mission as followers of Jesus—to preach His resurrection message. Certainly we say it every Sunday morning “Christ is Risen!” But that is not enough. Look at the idolatry in our world. See how many temples people have built for themselves and before which they bow, hoping that these gods—man made gods can give them satisfaction and enjoyment in life.

We, who have heard the message of the resurrection preached, know the blessings that come our way. We have seen what a difference the preaching of the resurrection makes. You have been to funerals where the minister always points to the dead person and all he/she has accomplished and accumulated in life. But these are hollow and empty words that don’t bring any comfort to the survivors. These sermons preach sentimentality and not salvation! But on the other hand you have listened to a funeral and the message of the resurrection and the difference that message brings. The first is simply remembering the person and the second, is having hope in Him who opened the grave once and for all and freed all the children of Adam and Eve from death to life.

That is why we preach the resurrection message every Sunday. For that is our focus, foundation and future. We preach the resurrection because it shows the world that God the Father has accepted the sacrifice of His only Son on Calvary’s cross. We preach the resurrection because it is our hope and help. We preach the resurrection because it teaches us that we will rise bodily from the grave to life eternal with Him—who lives forever & ever—even Jesus Christ. PAUSE.

Benjamin Franklin is known as the “First American” and one of the Founding Fathers of this great Nation. In one of his lighter moments, penned his own epitaph. He didn’t profess to be a Christian, but it seems he must have been influenced by Paul’s teaching of the resurrection of the body. Here’s what he wrote: The Body of B. Franklin, Printer Like the Cover of an old Book Its contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Guilding, Lies here, Food for Worms, But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believ’d, Appear once more In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and amended by the Author.

Beloved in the Lord, I don’t know about Benjamin Franklin or his belief. But I do agree with him in that the Author of our lives, Jesus Christ will raise us on the last day to be a more perfect edition, corrected and amended by the One who died and rose for us from the grave.

Though it is hard to believe, yet we preach the resurrection because it goes against reason and logic. Certainly the resurrection is not normal and it contradicts our experience. “For our eyes see that the world is swept away by death and dies,” (Luther What Luther Says p. 1216 #3879 Hard to Believe). We preach the resurrection because although it is hard to believe, yet Jesus spoke of how in nature “Except the corn die how will it bear fruit?” (John 12:24) Also, Paul’s arguments in 1 Corinthians 15, “But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?’ You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies’” (vv. 35-36). This message needs to shared especially with unbelievers that the resurrection is unreasonable. Though it is hard to believe and unreasonable, it is our confessional article of faith—faith based on the powerful promises made by Him who destroyed death forever.

With the eyes of faith we see the Resurrected Lord rising with power from death to life. We see in His Word that He is the living Lord. We see it in the lives of Paul and other evangelists as they took this message to every corner of the world and declared Him not as a dead God, but as the LIVING ONE! PAUSE.

Therefore, no matter what the world teaches and preaches—you and I as His followers preach the resurrection. For we, too, have died and been raised to a new life—through the waters of Baptism. In that gift Peter tells us that we have the power of the Resurrection (1 Peter 3:21). In truth the resurrection power of baptism trains us to daily die to self and to rise to live for Christ. What joy we have because of the Resurrection of Christ and ours.

People of the RESURRECTION, We may no longer have any Epicureans, Stoics, and philosophers, but we have doubters and deniers who still worship dead deities as they did in Athens. Like Paul, we ought to speak to this dead world about the living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Like Paul, we take the message of the Resurrection and proclaim it to the ends of the earth. For we preach Christ and Him crucified, risen and soon returning. Amen.

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

“Don’t Be Surprised!” (Acts 7 selected verses)

S-1432 5SOE/3A 5/18/2014 Hymns: (O) #193; (S) #354; (C) #447

Texts: Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60; 1 Peter 2:22-10; John 14:1-14

Theme: “Don’t Be Surprised!” (Acts 7 selected verses)

Question: “What surprises you?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text is from Acts: “And Stephen said: ‘Brothers and fathers, hear me… ^‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it...But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7 selected verses).

You who are Baptized, Redeemed, Forgiven, Blood-bought and Heaven-bound children of God, in the name of Christ the ONLY true God and Savior rejoice in the everlasting hope and help He has given you. Jesus said: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me…I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor Me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you,” (John 14:1; 16:1-4). And from Matthew: “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of His household” (Matthew 10:23-25).

Therefore I say to you don’t be surprised at what you hear and what you see as attacks against the followers of Jesus. Don’t be surprised as violence against Christians is increasing. Don’t be surprised that the media can speak evil of Jesus Christ and demean His name; but don’t say a word against Mohammad or Islam. Don’t be surprised when you see Islam at work in Nigeria as Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls; 90% are Christians and vowed to sell them as sex slaves. Don’t be surprised as you hear of a pregnant Christian woman (Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, 27), from Khartoum, Sudan, condemned and charged with adultery and apostasy; to be flogged (100 lashes) and hanged to death because she is married to a Christian. Don’t be surprised when you hear the President of the USA congratulate Michael Sam, the first openly gay NFL player; but a Christian athlete like Tim Tebow is ridiculed. Don’t be surprised when you hear of Harvard University wanting to have a Black Mass to worship Satan on campus; but for Christians they are hindered from having Bible study, prayer time and worship on campus. Don’t be surprised as you listen to TV evangelists who preach prosperity gospel; but not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Don’t be surprised as you listen to Joel Osteen who never talks about sin or hell; but always about being happy. Don’t be surprised at the ways of the world verses the ways of the Eternal Word-Jesus Christ.

Neither should you be surprised at what is taking place in the text before us today. Dr. Luke tells the story of a Greek man—Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit who is murdered by stoning for His confession of faith in Jesus Christ alone. Be surprised at the way the Holy Spirit equipped Stephen to handle himself and gave a glorious testimony of His trust in Jesus Christ in the face of death. Be surprised that He prayed for His enemies. Though, I shouldn’t be! I’m not sure that I could do that myself. Could you? PAUSE.

In this blessed text, we see the way the Savior works on the heart of a man who knows he can’t save himself, but trusts in Christ to save him from the eternal powers of hell and God’s wrath through His death and resurrection. We see how those who follow Jesus live to bring glory and honor to His holy name. We see the power of Christ at work in the lives of those who trust Him completely.

Jesus in the Gospel lesson today stated, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled…” He went on to say in Chapter 16, “that people will kill you thinking they are doing Me a favor.” That is how warped our world is. That which is good they call bad, that which is bad they call good. That which is holy they call impure and that which is impure they call holy. Don’t be surprised saints in Christ.

Yes, don’t be surprised when we are offended and demeaned for the sake of Christ. Don’t be surprised at how quickly people get angry with you. Don’t be surprised at someone who speaks well of you to your face, but behind your back they curse you. Don’t be surprised at the wickedness of others and even our own. Don’t be surprised at how people change their minds like shifting sand. Don’t be surprised when saints leave the Good Shepherd, His teaching and abstain from dining at His table. Don’t be surprised when many things take precedence rather than being with the Savior. Don’t be surprised fellow saints. PAUSE.

Fellow saints don’t be surprised at how you and I have behave. Don’t be surprised at how hard it is for us to forgive those who hurt us and forget what they have done. Don’t be surprised at the envy that is in our hearts. As sinners we can do no less than continue to sin, though we try not to.

But today, by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit has brought us here, and in our baptism has called us like Stephen to stand up and speak out of what Christ has done and continues to do. Tell the world of the surprising gift of God’s grace to us sinners. Tell them that Christ in love did the unthinkable, unimaginable and unfathomable—taking our place as the worst sinner, going to the cross, suffering the wrath of God and dying for us.

Tell them how surprised you are that God in love sent His ONLY Son to pour upon us unworthy sinners His grace and mercy which we don’t deserve. Tell them of the love He bore for us on the cross of Calvary. Tell them of His redeeming gift of His body and blood. Tell them that in Jesus, His shed blood on the cross, and His empty tomb we have what we can’t get—surprise of all surprises—forgiveness of sins, SALVATION and eternal life. Tell them of His undying devotion to you and me.

What a privilege you and I have to be counted as the recipients of God’s grace on account of Christ. What a blessing you and I have as Pastor and people of God to be a beacon of light and hope in this dark world. What a joy you and I have to stand on the shoulders of faithful proclaimers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ like Stephen, Paul, Luke and the others as we tell the world about the Savior who fills our hearts with love, hope and peace.

Remember beloved in the Lord, that peace rules the day when Christ rules the heart. Hope rules the heart when faith anchors its identity in the Creator—Redeemer, Jesus Christ. When we as His followers take to heart what He has exhorted us to do, don’t be surprised at the results.

Paul the man who stood by the garments of Stephen while being stoned became the greatest preacher and writer of the New Testament. Talk about surprise! Peter the Disciple who denied Jesus, became a pillar of the Church and spread the message to many parts of the world. Talk about surprise! Thomas who refused to believe the Resurrection became the voice of the Resurrection even to India, where he was flayed for His confession as the resurrected Lord. Talk about surprise! James the son of Zebedee was beheaded for being a disciple of Jesus. Talk about surprise! Is it any surprise then, that we Christians are being persecuted? No, it is not!

But thanks be to God that you and I can speak of the great surprise that God would love a sinner like us to the end. Thanks be to God that Jesus is the Mediator between God and man and who pleads for us even now. And this is of course no surprise that Jesus, the Author, Agent and Administrator of our world loved us from before the foundation of the world and will do so even until He comes to take us home with Him forever.

Are you surprised at His love? You shouldn’t! He told us He would love us. He loved us to the end—even to death-death on a cross. Amen.

Now the peace...

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Stand Up and Speak Out” (Acts 2:14a, 36) Main Street Living Sunday

S-1430 3SOE/3A 5/04/2014 Hymns: (O) #194; (S) #451; (C) #400

Texts: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 1:17-25; Luke 24:13-35

Theme: “Stand Up and Speak Out” (Acts 2:14a, 36) Main Street Living Sunday

Question: “How comfortable are you to speak out?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text for the 3^rd Sunday of Easter is from the Acts: “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them…Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:14a, 36).

INTRODUCTION: In Nomine Iesu.

We are still in the Easter season. Therefore, I say to you again, “Christ is Risen!” (waiting for their response. “He is Risen. Indeed. Alleluia!” You know beloved I never get tired of hearing and saying these words. For these words are life and salvation. These words are hope and joy. These words are commemoration and better yet celebration of the victory of what Christ has accomplished for us.

Today the Holy Spirit engages us to listen to the Pentecost Sermon preached by Peter, as he stood alongside the 11 Apostles and explained to all of those who heard his voice about the mighty victory of the Resurrection that Jesus procured. In essence, Peter was saying to the world then and us today, we are witnesses of the Resurrection. With this sermon, he launched the Church forward and by the grace of God 3000 souls were converted to be followers of the Nazarene. Talk about Church growth worked by the mighty power of the Word preached and proclaimed.

Let us remember that this sermon was delivered by a divinely-energized Peter, who now boldly warns those who several weeks earlier had taken part in the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. He warns them that the day of the divine judgment is near, and yet he gives hope because there is still an opportunity for repentance, salvation and divine blessings. Let us listen well to these words, bearing in mind that thousands came to faith through this sermon. “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them…Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified”

As Peter stood up and spoke out, the world was changed. The Spirit convicted the sinners, caused them to have penitent hearts, receive His forgiveness and turned away from the life they lived—serving themselves. Peter in this sermon was teaching them that the Rabbai has robbed the grave of its power. As the Savior stood in their midst, He gave them peace and filled their hearts with joy so that all of the 11 disciples consecrated their lives in standing up and speaking out about Jesus, who was put to death but rose again on the third day. PAUSE.

Here, in this place behind these closed doors, the Savior comes and gives us His peace. He also tells us that we are His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Witnessing is not only limited to speaking clever words on our part. Rather witnessing is telling what Jesus has done for us. Peter and the Disciples tell about it to anyone and everyone. Peter the fisherman who has become a fisher of men was dragged to the Gentile house of Cornelius. There, he as a Jew and Cornelius as Gentile were converted to be God’s spokespersons.

The disciples spoke boldly and traveled the world over. And today, we hear Peter again standing up and speaking out about the mighty power of the Resurrection to those who were standing before Him. Cost was not an issue but souls were. In the ministry of the Gospel the cost is not in dollars and cents; but in sinners, blind, dead and enemies of God; hearing the good and glorious news. Likewise, we speak with our lips and confess with our hearts, of what Christ has done for us—suffered in our place, died in our place, destroyed satan for us and rose to give us life eternal with Him in heaven.

Today, by the grace of God Main Street Living (MSL) is one of those voices that speak of the power of the Resurrection Christ has earned for sinners the world over. MSL is a voice of grace and goodness that tell those who are unable to be in the Lord’s house and those who don’t have any church affiliation that Christ is their hope and help; that Christ is their joy and blessing; that Christ is their only source of salvation and restoration.

Since 2001 MSL has been the medium by which the resurrection message been proclaimed to many homes in the tri-state area. For over 13 years the message of the crucified and risen Christ has been entering many homes, nursing-homes, hospitals, assisted living unites and hearts and speaking to them of the blessed news of Jesus’ victory over sin, death and the grave. Sunday after Sunday one of my colleagues stands up in the pulpit and speaks out the words of Law and Gospel and share with people, the message of grace and forgiveness.

In the blessings that Christ has given us we can be of help in participating in sharing the good news. Beginning right here in this church you can live your lives as the redeemed people of God. In this place you can give your offerings to spread the Gospel. You can pray for the ministry of the Lord and for MSL; and am so thankful that you have been doing so. PAUSE.

As you know, I just returned from St. Louis and Fort Wayne. While at both of the seminaries I witnessed and participated in the vicarage and Call Services. Over 100 vicars and 90 candidates were sent out to the mission field so that they can be God’s spokespersons in being resurrection proclaimers.

As I sat in the Lord’s house, I reflected upon the privilege and blessing the Lord has given me to be YOUR pastor and His proclaimer. I must admit that tears rolled down my cheeks at the honor the Savior has bestowed upon me. I wished I had always been a resurrection man telling all. But I haven’t always done so. I ask God and you to forgive me and help me be more faithful in my proclamation of His resurrection. After all, this is what the Savior has called us to be—men and women who would stand up and speak out of every blessing He has given and continues to give. PAUSE.

He was only 36 years old and was purchased on the auction block in 1852 in Charleston, South Carolina for $700.00. Grandison Harris was purchased by the Dean of the Medical College of Augusta, Georgia. His main job was to rob the Augusta’s black Cedar Grove Cemetery and bring the bodies back to school.

Night after night, Harris took his wagon, tools and robbed the graves. He became known as the “Resurrection Man.” For over 50 years he robbed graves so that the Medical students could learn new things about the body. For his work-he got $8.00 a month salary. At age 92 he died and was buried in the same cemetery.

Grandison Harris may have been nick named the “Resurrection Man.” But he wasn’t! He was only a robber hired to accomplish a job for a medical college. Jesus, on the other hand, wasn’t paid to rob a cemetery. He willingly paid with His dear life to free everyone from the clutches of the grave. Jesus indeed is “The Resurrection Man.” He is the ONLY One who ever robbed the grave of its power and became known as the One who rose from the grave and defeated death once and for all.

Like Peter, you and I have a golden opportunity to stand up and speak out about this “Resurrection Man” Jesus Christ. We have a blessed privilege to be his mouthpiece and servants. For there are still many people in this world who don’t know Him personally as Lord and God. Therefore, by the Spirit of Christ we stand up and speak out. We give of ourselves in time, talents, testimony and treasures for the spread of the Good News. Faithfully we support the ministries of Redeemer Lutheran Church and MSL with prayers and financial support—so the Gospel might speak to others as it has spoke to us.

My prayers for us as Easter people are that we stand up and speak out freely and joyfully about the “Resurrection Man”, Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit fill us with wisdom and vigor to speak always of His love that took Him to the cross and rose again from the grave. Therefore, I say it again, “Christ is Risen!” (wait for their response) Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“The Gospel Changes Hearts and Lives!” (Acts 16:14-15)

S-1360-Sixth Sunday of Easter/C 5/05/2013 Hymns: (O) #360; (S) #297; (C) #644

Texts: Acts 16:9-15; Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27; John 16:23-33

Theme: “The Gospel Changes Hearts and Lives!” (Acts 16:14-15)

Question: “How well do you like change?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for the Sixth Sunday of Easter is from our first reading: “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay’” (Acts 16:14-15).

INTRODUCTION: In Nomine Iesu.

People of the Resurrection, it is such a joy to be back in the pulpit. After an unusual sabbatical and change of life, it is indeed an honor, privilege and blessing to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with you again. If it has ever seemed over the years that I have taken this privilege for granted, please forgive me. I treasure the undeserved call to be your pastor. I am humbled beyond measure that God would grant me once more to resume the ministry among you and to proclaim the Gospel that changes hearts and lives.

Yes, it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that changes hearts and lives. It is the Gospel—God’s good news that changed 12 ordinary men to become the heroes of the faith. It is the Gospel—God’s good news that took these 12 uneducated, common fishermen and changed the world through the preaching of this Gospel, so that those who heard the message became followers of Jesus and People of the Resurrection. And it is that same Gospel—God’s good news preached from this pulpit week in and week out that has changed us from sinners to saints. PAUSE.

But change is not an easy thing. Having gone through some personal changes in my life, I know full well it isn’t painless. We are creatures of habit and DON’T like changes. We don’t like change because we like to be our own little gods and do things our way, not God’s way. God doesn’t change us just for the sake of change, like the world changes clothing fashion styles every year just so you have to buy new clothes  (or think you do!) whether your old ones are worn out or not. God changes us for our good, like a doctor cutting out cancer, when He points out our sin, and calls us to repentance and new life. Having had open heart surgery and another unexpected was not without its difficulties and hardships. As a result of these surgeries I had to go through many changes.

People of the Resurrection, did you know that my life has more value to it now? I am bionic and worth over ¼ of million dollarsJ. Here are some of the changes I have gone through: I needed help with so many things, it was almost embarrassing to ask—pride got in the way. But I had to admit, I couldn’t do it on my own. I am thankful for those who helped me. I have a new mechanical valve instead of the one God gave me at birth. I have changed from being healthy to becoming sick, from being strong to becoming weak, from not taking any medications to having to take my 8, 5, 8, and bed time meds. Being laid up for months going from this doctor to the next, along with rehabilitation and doctors appointments was a change, but was necessary and good. Many changes that took place were physical, emotional and spiritual. PAUSE.

Consider this, every single day we have certain routines. We rise @ a specific time. We sit in the same chair, drink coffee from the same cup and perhaps have the same breakfast. When we go to work we drive the same route, however if there is a detour, we are forced to change and we do not like it. Change is not easy for most, change can be very painful and we do not like pain.

Even as we attend church, change is not easy for us. We almost always sit in the same pew almost always do the same things week after week. If we deviate from this pattern we tend to become disappointed or uncomfortable. Even as we have tried to change various things to benefit and encourage growth in our own congregation, it involves change. If we don't like it we are uncomfortable and rub us the wrong way, even if it is good for us.

But, People of the Resurrection, you should know with certainty that change can be good; as it was in the life of the Apostle Paul. By the power of the Gospel, this man went from persecuting the Church to becoming the greatest preacher of all time. He went from unbeliever to a believer in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Today, you, as People of the Resurrection are invited to listen to the Holy Spirit who works in the life of Paul and sends him to Macedonia to help someone in need. Through the preaching of the Gospel—God’s good news, the life of Lydia was changed forever. This change in her routine was the surprise of joy.  She already knew the Word of God and worshiped, but felt like an outsider, maybe like, someone in a sick bed, remote, outside, disconnected - somewhat how I felt during these past 113 days - yet she was truly connected, and surprised by that joy of knowing that as Paul came under her roof, she knew she was fully in the Family of Grace. 

While I was convalescing, I also knew that I was not remote, outside, nor disconnected.  Your prayers, your love, your carrying Christ to me, under my roof was a glorious gift and joyous surprise.  Today we continue to celebrate the change that happened because of the RESURRECTION. Paul was sanctified as he came under Lydia’s roof. I know you have sanctified my life by coming under my roof, and certainly, though we come to His house, as we have it here today, when He, our Savior comes under our roof, He sanctifies, glorifies, and redeems crippled sinners like you and me. What a glorious change He works in our lives.

People of the Resurrection, God has called you in your vocation to spread the Gospel to the ends of the world; beginning right where you live. Because only through the Gospel will hearts and lives be changed. It is of the utmost importance for us to remember that and work together to share the Gospel. By the power of the Holy Spirit may we be bold and brave, caring and compassionate, devoted and dedicated, faithful and fervent in sharing the Gospel with others. We cannot sit around and assume it is someone else’s work. God didn’t call the next person but you as the baptized and redeemed people of God to go in His name and share the blessed Gospel message—so that hearts and lives might be changed.

As People of the Resurrection, we are called by the Gospel to share what Jesus Christ has done to change our lives. He suffered, died and rose again to guarantee our future and count us worthy to be with Him in heaven. Because of His death and glorious resurrection our lives have changed from sinners to saints, from hell-bound to heaven-bound, from being enemies of God to becoming the friends of God. All of this because of the Gospel that changes hearts and lives forever. PAUSE.

3 years ago, I was invited to join my oldest son, Tony’s book club to discuss the book by Joel Rosenberg, Inside the Revolution. One of the young men who was there was an agnostic. While visiting with Justin about the love of God. He said, “You can’t tell me you believe that archaic book and all that Jesus has done. How can you prove this really happened?” I responded, “I don’t know how to prove it for you, because it is all by faith. When you are in contact with the Word, something happens to you.

I then, asked, “Justin, have you ever read the Bible?” “No! Neither do I want to.” I told him: “Justin, I am going to challenge you to read it. And I assure you if you read it you will never be the same man. Something will happen to you!” He snorted and laughed at me.

A week ago Saturday (4/27/13), we were in Sioux Falls at a surprise birthday party. While there, Justin came to me and asked, “Do you remember me?” I said, “Certainly!” He then smiled and reminded me of the challenge I put before him three years earlier. He said he took my challenge to heart and started reading the Bible. Seven months ago by the power of the Holy Spirit he became a follower of Jesus Christ. What joy filled my heart at the words shared with me! The Gospel has done its work and changed the heart and life of this young man.

I then, said, “Justin, do you know what Isaiah 55:10-11 say?” He said, “No!” I then quoted from memory the texts: “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it”. PAUSE.

People of the Resurrection, today, by the power of the Holy Spirit you have heard the Gospel—God’s good news once more. Today, you have been challenged to live as People of the Resurrection and share the glorious message with all. For there is someone out there crying like the man in Macedonia saying, “Come over and help us!” May God empress upon us the joy that comes when we share the Gospel—God’s good news that changes hearts and lives. Amen.

Now the peace…

“Pentecost Fervor” (Acts 2:1-4)

S-1319 Pentecost S/3B 5/27/12 Hymns: (O) #234; (S) #224; LS. #227, 226, 231; (C) # 49

Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27, 16:4-15

Theme: “Pentecost Fervor” (Acts 2:1-4)

Question: “Are You Passionate about Something?” Armour, SD.

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for Pentecost Sunday is from the book of Acts: “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4).

You who are loved by the Father of all grace and His Son, Jesus Christ and the comforting Holy Spirit, there are many people in this world who are fervently passionate about what they do. In the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky there are Christians who practice handling poisonous snakes because in the book of Mark 16:17-18 it mentions that they can do so. They believe this is a must and fervently carry it out even to the point of losing their lives. In Venezuela they practice the religion of Santeria. This Afro-Caribbean religion causes the people to go into a trance and do all sorts of harm to their bodies to drive out evil spirits. Though they claim to be Christians, this is practiced fervently to get rid of sin and the evil spirits. And in China’s Province some people mutilate their bodies with all sorts of painful instruments to show supreme devotion and to appease their gods. All these people are fervently attempting to do something to prove their worth in the sight of their gods. Devotion is measured by physical suffering and self inflicted pain—walking on 3000 degrees of hot coal, climbing a ladder 200 steps of sharp blades and piercing themselves with swords, knives and even nails; just to prove their worth in the sight of their god’s.

However, today, we are not here to pick up poisonous snakes, walk on hot coals, mutilate our bodies or drive out demons to prove our worth to our God. Our worth is found in the cross of Christ and the empty tomb. We are here though, to observe the Pentecost Fervor that fell upon the disciples as they proclaimed to the world the might deeds of God.

Today, we witness the mighty working of God the Holy Spirit in the lives of the disciples as promised by the Savior. Jesus had told them, “That He would send the Counselor, the Helper, the Paraclete who will teach them all things He has done and will guide them in sharing His salvation with all people.” We observe how the Holy Spirit descended upon them with tongues of fire and gave them the fervent desire to speak in multi-languages so that others might come to worship the only True Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Peter, the great spokesperson of the Disciples stood up and with fervent zeal explained to the assembly what they had witnessed. That the disciples are not drunk but filled with the Spirit of Truth and through that Spirit were able to communicate in the languages of the people the joy of the resurrection and ascension of the Savior, Jesus.

Likewise, we too, with Pentecost Fervor do what the Savior has asked us to do—go in His name and by His power to our neighbors, friends and yes, even family and share with them the hope of the resurrection that He won for us, by restoring us from the grave, just like the O.T. lesson told us of the dead bones that came alive.

Though we know this truth, yet we don’t always carry it out. It is sometimes burdensome to have the Pentecost fervor. We become afraid to share thinking very little of ourselves; and what others might they think of us. We feel we are carrying a burden too heavy for us and can’t do it on our own.

But dear, dear beloved ones, as a Child of God, He knows what we can bear and what we cannot bear, and when we can bear it. In John 16:12-13 Jesus says: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come”. We are reminded of the promise that being His friends we know all that He has just said earlier in 15:15, in this same revelatory moment, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

Certainly, they were not able to bear the things of God before the Cross. Ah, but afterward, and after they waited in Jerusalem for the Promised Holy Spirit, they received the power to transform the world one soul at a time. God incarnate, God in their flesh. Yes, God in your flesh.

Today’s sermon and the grand sermon of Peter in Acts 2, speaks to the dwelling of the Holy Spirit of God in, with, and under His Children. The simple message that you live, in your forgiveness, is that Your God is greater than your sin. Your God is stronger in His love than all the emptiness and pain of the sinner’s isolation. Indeed, He takes dry bones - useless bones - and in this Word of encouragement, this Word that now they can bear - He speaks life into His exceedingly great army.

Yes, as the Holy Spirit spoke to Ezekiel, so He speaks today to and through you: “Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O My people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I Am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O My people” (Ezek. 37:12-13).

The veil is removed and we are given life, made to be His people—His very own blood-bought people. We who stand accused even as the Jewish rulers. We are no longer accused but welcomed into the family. We have a Father who is “Our Father.” We have His Holy Son as our Payment for all sin. We have His Spirit as our Advocate. The Advocate, the One who pleads the case for us as a lawyer would in a court of Law, but oh so much more, for we are no client, we are “O My People!”

Today, and every day as we gather in the Lord’s house we come to see the Pentecost Fervor working out in our lives. Here in this place we pray that He would give us tongues of fire so that with fervent faith may proclaim the mighty deeds of God. As we gather around His Word, to be fed at His table, receive His absolution we know the certainty of being His own dearly loved children and called “O My People!” And as the people of God we work with fervent urgency to get the message out to all people so that they too may be His people for now and forever.

Pentecost is all about those who are “O My People.” What we didn’t and couldn’t understand now has hold of us, hold of us with comfort, like a loving embrace. In this place we, too, become filled and fed and forgiven. Now we who are “O My People” have seen and heard the Risen Savior. We have seen Him ascend on high, above us, to comfort and keep us. You see, we are no longer, unable to bear the news any long. It is not just a headline like those scrolling lines at the bottom of the TV newscast, something to be read or ignored. This is more than mere information, it is that LIFE has come and now He has filled your heart with PEACE. He has empowered you with LOVE and covered you with JOY. Yes, His PATIENCE, GOODNESS, KINDNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF-CONTROL all work in you “O My People” For you bear it now - the fruit of the Spirit. In that you rejoice not only for today as we observe and celebrate Pentecost; but through an endless eternity.

After all, our whole life is a life of Pentecost fervor. Amen

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Devoting Ourselves” (Acts 1:14)

S-1318 7SAE/3B 5/20/12 Hymns: (O) #333; (S) #332; (C) #338

Text: Acts 1:12-26; 1 John 5:9-15; John 17:11-19

Theme: “Devoting Ourselves” (Acts 1:14)

Question: “What are you devoted about?” Armour, SD.

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text is from Acts: “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers” (Acts 1:14).

Saints in Christ, the evangelist Luke by the power of the Holy Spirit, tells us in this portion of the Word of God, one of the strangest stories in the Bible. In a collection of gospels and letters where little girls and grown men are raised from the dead, where lepers are made suddenly clean, where blind people are able to see, where a stormy sea is made still with the utterance of a few words, where demons are driven out of people and into herds of wild pigs… we are told the story of Jesus riding on the cloud. On the fortieth day after the resurrection, Luke tells us, Jesus and His disciples are standing on the side of a mountain together, and He makes them this promise: “… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Having witnessed first the Resurrection of Christ from the grave and now His ascension to the right hand of the Father, they return back to Jerusalem and with one accord they devote themselves to prayers and the ministry which Christ has entrusted to them in making disciples of all nations.

The word “devote” in the Greek has this meaning: “I attach myself to, devote myself to, continue in, am ready.” What this means is there is an intentional activity going on. You are setting yourself to be focused, fastened and fixed on the goal that is before you.

“Devotion” is a good word. When you hear the word devoted, we usually think of something good—a devoted mother who is willing to sacrifice for her children, who puts the needs of the children and her family ahead of her own needs; someone who knows how to endure, and in love do practical things that helps her family. We think of a devoted father and we think not only of someone who is reliable and tries to provide for his family, but we also think of someone who is willing to take a day off a little early to try to make it to a soccer game or attend a piano recital. Devotion is a good word. And it is not just a good word for parents. If I am sick and need a doctor, I want a devoted doctor, particularly if it is surgery, I want it to be a devoted surgeon, not somebody devoted to their boat or their investments, but someone who is devoted to their craft, someone who tries to keep up with the latest developments, who really wants to do the best possible for their patients. Devotion is a good thing.

This is precisely what the disciples did. In this passage in the Book of Acts, we see the early church, and it talks about them being devoted to certain things. They devoted themselves to prayers and in one accord they have before them the goal to get the message of Christ to the ends of the world. In the next chapter we see them again devoting themselves to worship and breaking bread together. They were dedicated, determined and devoted for that which is God-pleasing.

On this day of Confirmation, it is a good thing for us as a body of believers to be devoted in our walk of faith. It is of the utmost importance for us as God’s beloved children, to be focused on God in our lives. Because God is not just an add-on to life, but God is the central focus of who we are and whose we are. This is our privilege and honor to be devoted to the cause of why we exist as a church and the way we are blessed share the good news with all people.

Being devoted is a good thing because it keeps us focused on what is our role in the family of God. Being devoted causes us to do the godly thing in sharing with one and all that we need the grace of God in our lives to be His faithful and obedient servants.

Ryan today is a very special day for you and your family. For the last two years you have studied, took quizzes and tests, and attended confirmation classes so that you might be thoroughly equipped in defending the faith, and confessing the faith. You have devoted yourself to the study of the Word even though at times you didn’t like doing the work, yet you did.

I encourage you therefore; to continue to be devoted to what the Holy Spirit has given you through His Word. Continue to be devoted to come to the Lord’s house. Continue to be devoted to be in the Word. Continue to dine at His table. Continue to live your life as a child of the heavenly Father. PAUSE.

I share with you a modern story of someone who was devoted of living his life as a Christian. In his book, “In My Seat” Steve Scheibener tells the distinct privilege to live for Christ. Steve Scheibener an American Airline pilot was scheduled to fly flight 11 from Boston to LA on 9-11 but at the last moment he was bumped by a another pilot Tom McGuinnes. 20 years earlier, Steve had written his life’s objective which is: “To seek, trust and glorify God through humble service and continual prayer. To raise up qualified disciples as quickly as possible, so that one day I might hear God say: “Well done thou Good and faithful servant.”

Steve goes on to say that two people have died in my place. Literally he took my seat. Tom took my seat in flight 11 and Jesus took my place on the cross; Tom and Jesus. Tom can’t take away my sins, but Someday I want to stand in the presence of God and hear Him say, “Well done thou Good and faithful servant.” That is what is on my plate. That is what is driving me these days. Why does God take one and leave another. It is not because I am a better person, or God wanted to do more with me, than He wants to do with Tom. I think in God’s providence that is obviously His choice.

What has stuck with me all these year is the fact He did leave me behind. I need to act that I am living on borrowed time; because I am. I can look and see my smoking hole on national TV. I saw where I should have died but I didn’t. Now there is an obligation that comes with that. I need to live my days with the sense of urgency. Trying to make sure I can get the most out of them. Not the most for me. We live in a world where everybody is trying to get the most for them. It is not about me. This is about the distinct privilege I have been given to know that somebody died in my place. What I know is that somebody died in my place not once, but twice. That is where God comes in for me. Tom sat in my place and by all rights; I should have sat in that seat that day. But I didn’t. But Tom literally sat in my seat. Tom didn’t die for my sins.

God sent His own Son to die for my sins. Jesus Christ is the other one who died in my place. He hung, and He bled, and He suffered on the cross to pay a price for me, that I wasn’t qualified to pay. I couldn’t have hung on the cross. I didn’t have the same qualifications. So one guy sat on the seat that I should have sat in, and the other hung and bled on the cross. One is far more significant than the other. This is not to trivialize what happened to Tom, but to elevate and glorify what God did for me and mankind on the cross. PAUSE.

What an honor that the Lord of the Church bestows upon us to be His servants, being devoted in sharing the greatest story ever told. This is the privilege you and I as forgiven children of the heavenly Father get to do—proclaim to the world that Christ is our SOLE Savior from sin death and the devil. This is an awesome blessing the Lord of the Church calls us to be His devoted servants. Consider the honor, the privilege and glorious opportunity the Holy Spirit grants us to share a story like none other to make more disciples to be His followers.

On this Confirmation Day remember, I want to share with you the wisdom from a retired Pastor. He said: Confirmation Sunday was the saddest day of the year for him as a pastor. He explained that the sadness came from the fact that within a couple of years so many of the faces that sat before him in their robes and flowers would so soon forget the practice of the faith. It grieved the shepherd that so many of his young sheep would chase off for the greener pastures of High School and college. Some would return when they married and had kids, but many would never return.

I will tell you from personal experience. I have witnessed this first hand. In the last 18 years many young people stood here and made the same public confession, but sadly they soon forgot their devotion to God and His Word.

Therefore, Ryan on this Confirmation Day, I challenge to remain devoted. Be faithful in attending the Lord’s house often and kneel at His table to receive His grace in Word and Sacrament for the building up of your faith and growth.

I remind you that the thing that keeps us devoted to the cause is none-other-than Jesus Christ Himself. He was devoted to saving us. He was devoted to come to earth to fulfill the will of the Father in our place. He was devoted to teaching the truth. He was devoted to call sinners to repentance. He was devoted to suffer in our place. He was devoted to take His cross and dying for us. He was devoted to rise from the grave and assured our own resurrection. He was devoted to bless us so that we may be with Him in heaven.

Oh, the blessings of knowing the disciples devoted themselves to prayer. Oh, the blessings we have in being devoted to God and His message. But oh, the joy of knowing our loving and faithful Savior, was, is and will be devoted to us always. Amen.

Now the peace… SOLI DEO GLORIA

“No Partiality” (Acts 10:34-35)

S-1317 6SAE/3B 5/13/12 Hymns: (O) #202; (S) #387 vv 1-5; LS. #387 vv 6-10; #349; 313; (C) # 53

Text: Acts 10:34-48; 1 John 5:1-8; John 15:9-17

Theme: “No Partiality” (Acts 10:34-35)

Question: “Do you show favoritism?” Armour, SD.

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text is from Acts: “So Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,’ but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him” (Acts 10:34-35).

Most beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who rose from the grave, know this truth and hold it dear to your hearts. God’s Word is solid, strong and sincere. God’s Word is clear, concise and constructive. God’s Word is positive, precise and powerful. God’s Word is tried, tested and true. God’s Word teaches us that He shows no partiality when it comes to saving sinners the world over.

In today’s text, the Holy Spirit uses the Apostle Peter to teach us again this blessed truth that God indeed shows no partiality. This is in response to the loving and gracious working of the Savior, Jesus, who revealed to Peter, with the story of the Gentile Cornelius that His Gospel is intended for both Jews and Gentiles (“every nation” v.35). Peter needed to know this truth and so do we!

Peter confesses that “of a truth,” literally, “on the basis of reality,” he is comprehending, grasping more and more that God is not a re­specter of persons, partial to the Jew merely because he is a Jew, unfair to the Gentile just because he is a Gentile. The Greek word used here refers to a judge who looks at a man’s face and renders a verdict, not with the facts of the case, but according as he likes or dislikes the person.

In reality though, God does the contrary (ἀλλἀ): BUT “in every nation” He accepts only those who fear Him and work righteousness. Jew and Gentile who fail to do so He rejects. God is a just Judge. This is the fear of which both Testaments speak constantly, the mark of godly men, the fear of reverence, faith, and obedience. This is the true God who reveals Himself in the Scrip­tures and not a God as some imagine Him according to their imagination.

It is imperative that we, too, glean this fact, that the Gospel is not only for us who think highly of ourselves. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for all people everywhere from every tribe, language, people and nation. In another place, the Savior told the disciples just before He ascended into heaven saying: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 28:19-20a), Here again, the Savior declares that He shows no partiality to saving everyone from the punishment of hell and the power of death and Satan.

Truly, our God is a God who shows no partiality. Unlike us, we do, and often. Some of us are jealous of our neighbors. Others do not trust black people and still others don’t respect the Native Americans. Some of us discriminate against obese people, unemployed people, homeless, drunks, drug addicts; or people who are different than us. We become the judge and jury and show partiality and favoritism. PAUSE.

I share with you an incident that happened to one of my colleagues in Rapid City. The pastor writes: “I was walking down by Rapid Creek with my boys (Rapid City is full of bike/walking trails). I heard a moan under a tree and under that tree was a drunken, stinky, wretched looking homeless man. I grabbed my kids, hurried them along, and I can distinctively remember looking behind me as I was walking away, thinking to myself, ‘Why doesn’t somebody do something about folks like this?’

I did not see in that person my own weakness, my own sin, my own wretchedness. I was not witnessing to the God who shows no partiality because I didn’t see in that man’s brokenness my own brokenness. Thanks be to God that in Christ God shows no partiality, because if He did, there’s a good chance that He could have excluded me just like I had excluded that homeless man in my own heart.”

Isn’t that typical of us also? Many times we act and behave just like my colleague did in Rapid City. Whenever we disagree with somebody we do it with an air of superiority and not in sincerity, love, and truth. We show partiality to our own pride, experience, identity, and background. We actually think that these things make us better than the other person. Such a response is a terrible witness to the God of love who shows no partiality.

The proper witness is one that sees in the other and their position and weakness, your own weakness and then glorifies God all the more that you’re both forgiven and redeemed. This is a most humble and joyful privilege that we the redeemed and forgiven children of the heavenly Father, give a clear and concise witness to the God of love who shows no partiality.

Remember what my colleague asked? ‘Why doesn’t somebody do something about folks like this?’ Well someone did—Christ our Savior. Because Christ showed no partiality to me by going to the cross in my place, suffering my hell and dying in my place, and redeemed me the drunken, stinky, wretched looking homeless man/woman that I am. Thus we ask the Holy Spirit to help us show the world the God of love who shows no partiality—the God who doesn’t hold His forgiveness from us or His love towards us but extends His grace and mercy to us in spite of us. When we do, we share with all people about the true, honest and sincere JUDGE who doesn’t look at us as worthless, but valuable, treasured, precious and most beloved in His sight. PAUSE.

Beloved in the Lord, many times we show favoritism, we discriminate and we look down on people. We often act better and superior to others because we think, we are better Christians. Consider this please. Manasseh was the son of good king Hezekiah. But what a contrast he was to his father! He was involved in idolatry, blasphemy, murder, witchcraft, even burning his own children alive as offerings to false gods. Surely if ever a man were a hopeless case, it was Manasseh. And yet, we are told that in the end, he repented and God forgave and restored him. We might say, “That man’s sin is too horrible. Do not forgive him, Lord!” Who wants Manasseh as a neighbor in heaven? How foolish we are, when we sit in the judgment seat. How confused we are, just like Peter thought that salvation was only for the Jews.

Yet, when we see our own evil as God must see it, it is easy to think God should not forgive us either. But God chooses differently. God offers forgiveness freely even to the worst of sinners—yes, even to us. No matter how horrible the sin, God isn’t impartial to remove the sin from us. Jesus takes it away, nailing it to His cross, where He paid the whole price for our redemption.

What we need to know and which Pastor Pete revealed to us today is this: Though, we’re partial to others, yet our loving Savior, Jesus Christ took all those things to the grave so that we could be raised in impartiality and the freedom of that impartiality. It’s only in God’s forgiveness, spoken and received, in Word and Sacraments that we can truly witness to the God who shows impartiality.

Outside of the cross of Jesus Christ and its killing and making alive, we turn God’s impartiality into our partiality. We do this so that we can avoid admitting the uncomfortable truth that there’s no difference between us and our worst enemy in the eyes of God—we all need forgiveness. We all need His mercy. We all need His grace. And we all need His constant and ever flowing love to be faithful in living our lives for Him and the benefit of our neighbor.

Oh, the joy of knowing that we are forgiven in Christ. Oh, the blessing in knowing that God loves us enough to die in our place. Indeed, God be praised that He’s given us forgiveness in Christ and given us the charge to share it with those around us.

Today, by the Spirit’s power, we have been instructed on the God who shows no partiality. Therefore, we leave here comforted and assured that He will use us to share this good news with all people—people from every tribe, language, people and nation to the glory of His holy name. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Rise and Go!” (Acts 8:26-31)

S-1316 4SAE/3B 5/06/12 Hymns: (O) #193; (S) #498; 496; (C) #658

Text: Acts 8:26-40; 1 John 4:1-11; John 15:1-8

Theme: “Rise and Go!” (Acts 8:26-31)

Question: “Have you taken a missionary journey for the Lord?

Immanuel Jamison and Grace Lutheran is in Burton (Preaching in Burton

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for this Mission Sunday is from Acts: “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and join this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” (Acts 8:26-31).

Saints in Christ and fellow servants of the Most High God, Dr. Luke in this account describe a most moving picture of the evangelist Philip and what the Lord has asked him to do. It is so very important that we grasp how the Lord of the church operates. He employs the service of angels for brining the first Gentiles into His kingdom. Here the Ethiopian eunuch, and in chapter 10 of the same book Cornelius the centurion of the Italian regiment.

We don’t know much about the angel. But what we do have is the command He gives to Philip “Rise and Go!” It is also noteworthy to see it in the Greek language to help us grasp the urgency of the commission given to Philip. “Rise” is in the aorist verb form meaning definite past action with the word “Go” in the durative form meaning continue to go because the road is long. Rather than head north the angel asks him to head south towards Gaza about 50-60 miles for an extended period. This is similar to the great command the Lord gave His disciples before He went to heaven asking them to seek the lost and to make disciples of all nations.

And Phillip…does. He heads down the road towards Gaza. Just ahead of him a eunuch is in his chariot reading the scroll of Isaiah. He is reading it out loud which (was the custom of the day), and the Spirit again asks Philip. “Go over and join this chariot,” another way to say it, “Keep company with Him!” and he does. We see how the Holy Spirit used this evangelist to explain the story of salvation from Isaiah since that is all they had. He showed them Jesus in the O.T.

The eunuch must have had great wealth to own his own scroll. But He was richer spiritually because he would make a point of going to Jerusalem to worship the Lord God. It is a journey of a little bit of walking and a little bit of talking like the Emmaus disciples’ trip described by our author in his other book (Lk. 24). While on the Emmaus road Jesus taught the disciples about His suffering, death and glorious resurrection and the story of salvation all from the O.T. (since the NT had not been written yet.)

It is not uncommon for the Holy Spirit to call us to go on trips that is unknown to us or the destinations we are to take. This trip is similar in nature as the trip Patriarch Abraham was called to take to the Promised Land. By faith He believed and obeyed and his offspring became the Children of Israel who would one day worship the True God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit also asks us to go not only for 50 miles, but our entire life ought to be one of seeking the lost and erring. Our life’s mission should be looking for opportunities to tell the greatest story ever told—the story of the Man who hung on the cross for 6 hours one Friday and changed history and our lives. This is to say, that our whole life should be one of going and going and going and going; like the Eveready Battery. A little bit of walking and a little bit of taking. PAUSE.

In his book, “In My Seat” Steve Scheibener tells the distinct privilege to live for Christ. Steve Scheibener an American Airline pilot was scheduled to fly flight 11 from Boston to LA on 9-11 but at the last moment he was bumped by a another pilot Tom McGuinnes. Steve had written 20 years earlier his life’s objective which is: “To seek, trust and glorify God through humble service and continual prayer. To raise up qualified disciples as quickly as possible, so that one day I might hear God say: “Well done thou Good and faithful servant.”

Steve goes on to say that two people have died in my place. Literally he took my seat. Tom took my seat in flight 11 and Jesus took my place on the cross; Tom and Jesus. Tom can’t take away my sins, but Someday I want to stand in the presence of God and hear Him say, “Well done thou Good and faithful servant.” That is what is on my plate. That is what is driving me these days. Why does God take one and leave another. It is not because I am a better person, or God wanted to do more with me, than He wants to do with Tom. I think in God’s providence that is obviously His choice.

What has stuck with me all these year is the fact He did leave me behind. I need to act that I am living on borrowed time; because I am. I can look and see my smoking hole on national TV. I saw where I should have died but I didn’t. Now there is an obligation that comes with that. I need to live my days with the sense of urgency. Trying to make sure I can get the most out of them. Not the most for me. We live in a world where everybody trying to get the most for them. It is not about me. This is about the distinct privilege I have been given to knowing that somebody died in my place. What I know is that somebody died in my place not once, but twice. That is where God comes in for me. Tom sat in my place and by all rights; I should have sat in that seat that day. But I didn’t. But Tom literally sat in my seat. Tom didn’t die for my sins.

God sent His own Son to die for my sins. Jesus Christ is the other one who died in my place. He hung, and He bled, and He suffered on the cross to pay a price for me, that I wasn’t qualified to pay. I couldn’t have hung on the cross. I didn’t have the same qualifications. So one guy sat on the seat that I should have sat in, and the other hung and bled on the cross. One is far more significant than the other. This is not to trivialize what happened to Tom, but to elevate and glorify what God did for me and mankind on the cross. PAUSE.

What an honor that the Lord of the Church bestows upon us to be His servants, rising and going, walking a little and talking a little and doing it all in His name. This is the privilege you and I as forgiven children of the heavenly get to do—proclaim to the world that Christ is our SOLE Savior from sin death and the devil. This is an awesome blessing the Lord of the Church calls us to be His ambassadors. Consider the honor, the privilege and glorious opportunity the Holy Spirit grants us to share a story like none other to make more disciples to be His followers.

We are told in the text, that after a little bit of riding in the chariot as Philip was talking to him the eunuch said: “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And we are told that the Ethiopian Eunuch left rejoicing after He received the grace of God in Baptism. This man was happy because he had been touched by the hands of Jesus in the miracle of baptism and was the happiest many alive. He understood what it means to be blessed, loved and cared for. He understood how much His Savior, Jesus suffered, died and rose for Him to grant him eternal life.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, do you know that today, in Ethiopia there are more Lutherans than there are in the USA? Could it be this Gentile told them about His experience? Could it be that they are the offspring of the work of this man? It well could be!

As joyful we are about the eunuch being baptized and leaving rejoicing, think of what it means for us too, that we have been touched by the Savior’s hands in Baptism. Envision in your mind what heaven is going to be like—a little bit of walking and a little bit of talking, not with Philip, not with the angel, and not even with the happy eunuch, but with Christ our Savior. Oh, the joy of doing a little bit of walking and a little bit of talking with Jesus, hand in hand. No wonder we are rejoicing now and will forever. PAUSE.

Oh, you have been touched by the One who died and rose for you know this, today, the Holy Spirit, asks us to “Rise and Go” in His name to other places. He asks to teach others the grace of God. He asks us to be His companions on the long road of life. I pray that we would be faithful in our efforts to be evangelists sharing the Good News with all people—Gentiles and believers alike. To God be the glory as we Rise and Go by His might and power to make disciples of all nations. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Are You Serious?” (Acts 4:8-12)

S-1314 4SAE/3B 4/29/12 Hymns: (O) #388; (S) #360; LS. #377; #345; #379 (C) #447

Text: Acts 4:1-12; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18

Theme: “Are You Serious?” (Acts 4:8-12)

Question: “Have you said, ‘It Can’t Be’?” Armour, SD.

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text is from Acts: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved’” (Acts 4:8-12).

Oh, you who are most cherished, loved and sought after by Him who has defied gravity and physics and burst forth from the grave, Jesus Christ our faithful Good Shepherd. Amen. In relationships, there are times when apology is necessary. In marriages, in neighborhoods and in Christian congregations, there are times when things are done and said where the only godly way to deal with them is sincere apology. This apology is needed because one sinner has said and done things that have hurt another, and in the process sinned against God. In those occasions, repentant confession is KEY. What was wrong is confessed to each other and the Lord and healing ensues!

But there are other times when apology is the WORST possible option. This happens when you and I are placed in a position to speak the clear and direct Word of God. When we preach about forgiveness, the world loves us. But when we preach about sin: like homosexuality, adultery, false religions like Islam and Mormonism, the world doesn’t like us much. They see these as lifestyles that are equal and opposite of Christianity and they should be tolerated and accepted.

However, the problem is that when we do, we begin to apologize for God’s Word. This weakens our testimony, and worse, forsakes our Lord, the very same Lord who laid down His life for us on the cross of Calvary. This is especially true when we are confronted with the temptation to apologize for St. Peter when he tells the Jewish leaders that there is only ONE way into eternal life with our Lord. That way is ONLY through the Name of Jesus!

Often people ask, “Pastor, are you serious that there is only one way to heaven, your way?” Not my way, but His—the Good Shepherd’s who laid down His life for the world. Yes, I am very, very serious that this truth be taught and learned by all people. Though, it may not appear to be a politically correct statement. It is! Even Jesus our Good Shepherd taught the multitudes that followed Him saying: “I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John. 14:6). PAUSE

Peter, that man, who on the night when Jesus was dragged to the High Priest courtyard denied Him 3 times; today stands in the light before all those in authority and tells them by what power he had done the miracle of healing. Without batting an eye, he confessed that it was: “by the name of Jesus Christ” and he further declared: “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved’” (Acts 4:10, 12).

Indeed, that is the case. Yet, I am amazed at how many people claim that there are many ways to get to heaven or even be saved. I am dumbfounded that even Christians teach that other religions such as Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses etc., can get to heaven without believing in Jesus Christ. I am truly astonished, that we still allow the devil to deceive us in thinking that we can save ourselves and get to heaven by our own works.

Sadly, in our time, people frequently entertain the idea that there are many true churches and religions, each of which has a different form of the truth. Many maintain that the Christian religion is not the only saving faith. In fact, they claim that nothing depends on faith: If a person acts according to his conscience, if he loves his fellow man and treats everyone fairly, he may then believe whatever he wants and ultimately, he will be saved. How tragic that thought is. PAUSE.

Let me say it again, there will be no apologies today or ever from this pulpit. And yes, I am very serious when I say, that not all religions lead to the same place. People want to feel good that all religions lead to heaven. But that is not TRUE. I don’t care who you are or what you are—poor or rich, man or woman, prince or pauper, know this fact—salvation is found only in Jesus Christ ALONE. NO APOLOGIES.

Am I serious? Yes, I am! Let me demonstrate: I have a very good car. My car is dependable, comfortable and takes me all over the USA. But if I think that my car can take me to Israel, I am going to be mistaken when I get to the edge of the body of water.

So it is with all the religions of the world. There will come a day when they have to stand at the edge of that large body of water—called DEATH. Then they will know the truth that their religion is wrong.

By Jesus’ own admission, He taught that salvation and entrance into heaven is only through Him. In John 10 we read these words: “I Am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (9-10). Paul also states: “For there is One God, and there is One MEDIATOR between God and men, the MAN Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5).

Oh, precious children of God don’t be mistaken, this is the truth that all of Scripture teaches. Peter and the other disciples were willing to die to let the world know that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ alone.

To be sure, there are different religions that teach their way leads to heaven. Follow this path and you will get there. Sadly, many Christian congregations are no longer calling sin for what it is—breaking God’s laws. Sin has been diluted to a minor mistake. Living together outside of the bonds of marriage, practicing lesbians and homosexuality, cheating on your taxes, lying and dishonoring your parents is not sinful. How tragic that is because this is false teaching.

Sin is serious. It has deadly results. The Apostle Paul taught saying, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Notice again, Paul, like Peter, states eternal life is in Christ our Lord. I don’t care what other churches teach and confess; but we confess Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And anyone who believes in Christ will be SAVED. PAUSE.

That cross is the Ark that will carry us across that large body of water—death and takes us to the other shore—heaven. The beating heart of the congregation is the life of Jesus Christ—His life given for us on the cross of Calvary. In, through and by the power of Jesus we stand included as part of the redeemed and forgiven.

For over 70 plus year, this pulpit has been used not to apologies, but to confess the truth that salvation is found only in Jesus alone. For over 70 years we have been teaching the truth and for as long as God gives us breath we are His witnesses to confess this golden fact, that Jesus and ONLY Jesus SAVES.

Like Peter, we are called upon to be faithful witnesses. As a baptized Christians, we are encouraged to love the adulterer, tax cheats, fallen away Christians, and those who think they are doing just good enough for God to love them and let them into eternity. We should ask the Holy Spirit to help us reach out to them and teach them the truth, life without Christ leads to death. This is more than just a different life-style—it is living in sin.

You and I CAN’T accept their teachings or hold to it, but we are called as the redeemed of God to be faithful confessor of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, by Scripture alone on account of Christ alone. We are called to be a light to the world and to teach them the truth about Jesus and that He alone SAVES.

Am I serious? Yes and a 1000 times yes. You, yes, YOU, are to be witness in your community. You are the ones to look for the lost. Invite them to come and drink from the water of life freely. You are the ones who are called upon to invite them to be refreshed and renewed as they eat at the table. Therefore, stand in the public square and declare without apologies that there is ONLY one way to heaven—Jesus and ONLY Jesus. PAUSE.

You who are baptized and blood-bought Christians, while I was at the seminary, I was invited to preach in Nebraska. Walking through the small town, I noticed on a bar this sign which read: “Abandon hope all ye who enter here!” And just recently I was listening to our Synodical radio station, KFUO and the same sentence was spoken to describe those who are not part of the family of faith.

Let me ask you a question. Are you absolutely certain that one day those who have died in Christ will be resurrected to eternal life in heaven? If you are, then you can be just as sure that unbelievers will be resurrected to eternal torment in hell.

While many jokes have been the subject of hell, it is not a laughing matter. Hell is the absence of God. Hell is the place of “darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12); a “fiery furnace” (Matt. 13:42); a “lake of burning sulfur” (Rev. 20:10). Its torment is continuous (2 Thess. 1:9), unquenchable (Matt. 3:12), and eternal (Jude 7).

Therefore, without apologies, the preacher of God’s Word does not lessen the sharpness of the law or subtract from the comforting message of sins forgiven in Christ. And we the redeemed don’t want to have our family and friends spending eternity in hell. We want to introduce them to the faithful Good Shepherd Jesus, the ONE who tends the helpless, the dumb, the blind (us), but who is utterly good.

Know this truth and know it well. Our Faithful and gracious God—the God of love, sent His Son to die for all people and He desires us to be with Him in the paradise of heaven. Certainly God is all inclusive. But He is also exclusive: This is the ONLY way to be with Him. May we NEVER apologize for what we believe, teach and confess that salvation is found ONLY in Jesus alone! And YES, I AM SERIOUS. AMEN.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.