“Getting into the Fray” (Mark 1:9-11)

S-1471 BOC/3B 1/11/2015 Hymns: (O) #302; (S) #272; LS. #300; #304 (C) #39

Texts: Genesis 1:1-5; Romans 6:1-11; Mark 1:4-11

Theme: “Getting into the Fray” (Mark 1:9-11)

Question: “Have you ever fought?”

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen! Indeed! Alleluia. The text is from the Gospel lesson: “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when He came up out of the water, immediately He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son; with You I Am well pleased’” (Mark 1:9-11)

Precious children of the heavenly Father, have you ever heard the expression “Getting into the fray? Getting into the fray can mean entering a battle zone or a severe fight or becoming enmeshed or entangled in some counterproductive ways. There are many examples of “getting into the fray.” We saw it on Friday as the drama unfolded on our TV screens. In the Paris province after 7 hours of siege, French security forces got into the fray simultaneously at a printing factory and a kosher supermarket and killed 3 terrorists who committed atrocities against innocent civilians. The law enforcement officers got into the fray, not by choice but by the call of their office. They are pledged to defend and protect. When these evil doers acted, it was necessary for them to get into the fray to save lives!

It is sad to see these senseless acts of violence being carried out by devil worshipers who think they are cleansing the worlds of infidels. This violence in the name of that false and evil thing we call Islam is carried all over the world. Even around our state we read the papers and we see the carnage, bloodbath and slaughter of innocent human beings. And we ask why? Whatever name we dress it with, it comes down to one thing—SIN. Since sin has entered the world, death and destruction, chaos and confusion, pain and punishment has been part of our daily lives.

None of us are immune from experiencing the carnage and pain of living in this broken and sinful world. But thanks be to God that where sin abounds, grace abounds even more!

The Baptism of our Lord which we observe today marks Jesus’ entry into the fray. He gets into the fray to save us. He gets into the fray to redeem us from the powers to be—sin, death and the devil Jesus.

As we read these short and to the point words of Jesus’ baptism, we really don’t hear the language of conflict that you would associate with “getting into the fray.” But it is clear that these words that we read are about Jesus getting into the fray. This is one of the events that all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) describe and so was obviously an event that the Early Church saw as of great importance. John the Baptizer had been in the wilderness calling people everywhere to repent and Jesus, amongst others, responds by being baptized.
But have you ever wondered why did Jesus need to be baptized?” Does Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God need to repent? Why did He stand in the muddy Jordan water to be baptized? St. Matthew in his telling of the same story helps us a little more.

In that account we read that John the Baptizer didn’t want to baptize His cousin Jesus. However Jesus said: “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Mt. 3:15). To fulfill all righteousness means getting into the fray by being baptized and submitting to live under the requirement of the Law as all other human beings live. Unlike the French police officers, Jesus “got into the fray” because He chose to. This was the mission the Father sent Him on for the sake of others! This baptism in the muddy Jordan marked Him as the Man on a mission of delivering us. Jesus entered the Jordan to clean sinful hearts. This is the beginning of His ministry to save mankind from the destructive power of hell and God’s wrath. PAUSE.

Children of the heavenly Father, in the fifth Century AD, a story is told of a baptismal event that occurred when St. Patrick baptized King Aengus (ing ess). During the baptismal ceremony, St. Patrick leaned on his sharp-pointed staff and accidently stabbed the king’s foot. After the baptism was over, St. Patrick looked down at all the blood, realized what he had done, and begged the king’s forgiveness. “Why did you suffer this pain in silence” St Patrick asked. The king replied, “I thought it was part of the ritual!”

In the king’s mind, he thought it was a ritual. But the King of kings and Lord of lords entered our world as a baby for a specific reason, to be the world’s Savior. In being baptized by the baptizer, He identified Himself with us in every way, taking our world unto Himself. He got into the fray to win our battle against the enemy the devil and free us from the bondage that shackles us.

Beloved in Christ, let be known that Jesus didn’t need to be baptized. He chose through baptism to put Himself under the requirement of the Law. Getting into the fray is for us…SINNERS. Jesus was not a sinner nor did He ever commit any sin, but…by being baptized He identified Himself as one with us to make us one with Him.

Pastor Paul, captured this thought when he wrote: “For our sake He [God] made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” ( 2 Corinthians 5:21). There in the waters of the Jordan at the hand of John, Jesus does the unthinkable and we see to what point Jesus enters this filthy and muddy water. He is baptized to put ON our sin. This is the beginning of what Luther would call the Great Exchange. Jesus becomes sin for us so that we might receive His righteousness and eternal life. Jesus takes our filth, so that we take His holiness.

How that exchange will happen plays out right there at the Jordan. Jesus is present. With the Spirit’s anointing and the Father’s blessing, we see the heavens rent asunder. Like the Temple Curtain is torn as Jesus dies and God’s people get a glimpse of God’s Mercy Seat, so here at the Jordan the people get a glimpse of God’s mercy: Jesus! PAUSE.

Beloved people of God, through this unorthodox prophet in the wilderness, John revealed (Epiphany) Jesus to the world. All eyes are opened, and begin to see the coming of salvation, Jesus Christ the Lord. As the Wise Men visited the Holy Child; Jesus, now visits all, bringing the greatest gift of all, Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. This precious gift to us sinners is far more costly than gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

In the waters of baptism, we are connected to the One who connected Himself to us in His baptism. In baptism we die and rise to a new life with Him as the Epistle lesson reminds. By His grace we rise to live pure and holy life which He earned for us as He entered the fray and fought the battle in our place.

Today, thank God that He sent His only Son, Jesus to enter our world, enter the Jordan, and get into the fray. He did this to free us from the bondage of sin and death and grant us life and salvation. He did this out of pure mercy and grace and that is why the Father is pleased with Him as we heard the voice from heaven: ‘You are My beloved Son; with You I Am well pleased’”

Holy followers of Jesus, just like king Aengus endured suffering at the spear of St. Patrick, Jesus endured more…for you. He got into the fray and at the hands of the Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers endured, humiliation, beating, spitting, and piercing with nails, crown of thorns and spear and ultimately death on a cross for you. He got into the fray so that you may escape the fires of hell and the punishment that we deserve. He did it all for you, so that you may be His forever and ever. Thanks be to God that Jesus got into the fray for us. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Water: A Gift of Death and Life” (Romans 6:3-4)

S-1407 BOTL/3A 1/12/2014 Hymns: (O) #302; (S) LSB #594; L.S. #298; #300; (C) #301

Texts: Isaiah 42:1-9; Romans 6:1-11; Matthew 3:13-17

Theme: “Water: A Gift of Death and Life” (Romans 6:3-4)

Question: “Do you know how valuable is YOUR Baptism?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text for the Baptism of the Lord is from the Epistle lessons “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4)

INTRODUCTION: In Nomine Iesu.

Most precious people of God, last week we marked the Epiphany. Over and over again we said that Epiphany was about light and life. Light is a powerful force. Light gives life. Light gives safety. Light exposes. Light heals. The Epiphany light of our Lord Jesus Christ is a great gift from our Lord that kills and makes alive.

Today, we turn our attention to another great force in creation. Water. Water like light is essential for life. Did you know that you will die much sooner if your body is deprived of water than if you are deprived of food? Water is omnipresent in our great creation too. Our Lord has seen fit to make a world that is over 70% water! Life in our bodies and in our world is not possible without water. That is why in South Dakota when there is rain, there is an abundance of crops, but when there is a drought, it is a terrible thing.

Water is a precious commodity and critical for persevering life. But water can also be most destructive. In the Scriptures we read of Noah. 40 days and 40 nights of rain deluged creation leading to a worldwide catastrophe. Since then, when we think of floods we can’t help but think of Noah. While the Lord has promised never to destroy the entire world in a flood, we are still reminded of the destructive power of water. You have seen that first hand two years ago when much of the Midwest was flooded as the Mighty Mississippi River began to swell. Thousands of acres of farmland, scores of homes and businesses and a way of life for several months were all washed away by the unchecked water. But we have seen more. A couple of years ago Hurricane Sandy hit the East Cost and the tranquil waters of the ocean into turned into an instrument of carnage and death. The very bodies of water that have been placed here by the Lord to make life possible are also able, in a world marred by sin, to wreak disaster, destruction & death! PAUSE.

So in a real way, on this Baptism of Our Lord, we consider the great gift of water. It is a gift of both death and life. What is true in our life in the world is also true in our life with the Lord. Water is both a gift of death and life. This is what we hear from the Lord through St. Paul in his letter to the Romans. In this precious Word we hear how Baptism, which is the application of water, both buries and raises—it kills and it brings forth life. The mighty miracle of Baptism, administered at the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ, kills and makes alive. We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

But this new life is not possible were it not for the new life granted to us in Christ. On this first Sunday after the Epiphany, we observe and celebrate the Baptism of our Lord Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptizer and revealed by the heavenly Father to those who were there to see the beloved Son of God.

John knew this long before our Lord Jesus instituted the Holy Washing that we know as Holy Baptism. That is why he reacted the way he did when his cousin Jesus came to be baptized in the Jordan. John would have prevented Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answered Him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

And the significance of that act of righteousness for us is that all who are now baptized into Christ, into His body, the Church, partake of that righteousness which Christ obtained for us through His perfect life, His atoning death on the cross, and His subsequent resurrection from the grave. That means we have an unlimited supply of God’s grace that kills the old man in us and raises in us a new man that loves Him and serves Him with humility and joy. PAUSE.

The Wildman in the wilderness known as John the Baptizers paints a most beautiful picture of this righteousness as He reveals to us that the Man standing before him was not and is not part of the swirling waters of death that is our sinful world. NO! Jesus was the Holy One who is from God and sent by God to bring about life and salvation. For this reason, Jesus willingly stepped into those waters. In an obedience that pleased His Father in heaven, our Lord allowed Himself to be washed away in the tsunami of our filth, sin and death. He rode the current of death through Galilee, into the plains and all the way to the Hill country of Judea. But eventually the waters swept over Him. On the hill called Calvary, our Lord willingly went under the waters of sin and death. All of the destructive force of those waters washed over Him as He allowed Himself to be drowned and die.

The Babe of Bethlehem, who a week ago, the Magi came to visit, bow before, offered Him gifts and worshiped Him permitted it to happen for our sakes. He took it into Himself to fulfill all of God’s righteousness. This pleased the Father so much that He spoke profound words: “This is My beloved Son with whom I Am well pleased” (Mt. 3:17). Indeed, He was and is pleased with His Son. In fact, it was for that very reason Jesus came in the first place!

And what happens after the flood of sin washed over Jesus that makes our baptismal waters a dual power? Jesus went under the water of sin and death. But He did not stay there. He paved a way through the waters for those who would come after Him. His death in the waters stilled them. No longer could the raging waters of sin claim us as victim. It serves only as a washing. Those still waters wash away the sin and death that would assault us and they leave us with life! Like Jesus, we die in that powerful water of Christ and miraculously we are raised out of the water to a new life. This life is a resurrection of the highest order. It is life that will never again be overcome by the water of death! NEVER!

Today, by the mighty, majestic and marvelous miracle of Baptism—the Baptism of Christ and yours, remember that you have died and been raised to a new life. Therefore, as the redeemed, baptized children of God, we can by the power of the Holy daily remember our baptism, repent of our sins and live our lives for our King, Jesus and present Him with our most precious gifts—our new lives of faith, righteousness and holiness.

This holiness has come upon us at our Baptism. In Baptism God clothed us with the garments of His salvation. By His grace, Christ’s forgiveness covered us and His holiness counted for us. Through His Word, as we hear and read it, He wraps that beautiful robe more tightly around us and fastens its buttons more securely.

Indeed, beloved, know this truth and celebrate it every day. Jesus’ death in the flood of sin and His rising out of the water and the grave makes our Baptism an eternal GIFT of life! Amen.

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“I AM God’s Son!” (Galatians 3:25-27)

S-1370-5SAP/C 6/23/2013 Hymns: (O) #299; (S) #594 LSB; L.S. #377; #354(C) #648

Texts: Isaiah 65:1-9; Galatians 3:23-4:7; Luke 8:26-39

Theme: “I AM God’s Son!” (Galatians 3:25-27)

Question: “Do you know anyone who is adopted?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text is from the Epistle lesson: “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:25-27).

INTRODUCTION: In Nomine Iesu.

He grew up in a very loving home with an older brother and sister. But situations forced the hands of his parents to give him up. They tried to keep him but couldn’t. Finally at 3 months old they gave him up for adoption. He was adopted by a very wealthy woman and became her son. He had the finest money could buy, servants to wait on him hand and foot and he grew up to be someone special. When he talked people listened. When he walked by people turned their heads. He became prominent and had a good future ahead of him and would have been the next leader of his country. But something stirred within his heart and he gave it all up. You know him well, he is the son of Hebrew parents and his name is Moses.

Even though Moses was adopted by Pharos’ daughter and had the world’s power and prestige at his disposal; yet, he chose to let go of all that he had to be an adopted son of a greater person—God Himself.

Paul speaks of another group of people who have been adopted like Moses had been. He was talking about the Christians in Galatia. They were once slaves under a master. But this Master was not the Pharoah. This Master was the Law. It held them captive as a Pedagogue until faith came. Once Jesus who is faith in the Flesh came, these Galatians were set free! They became heirs of God in the adoptive act of Holy Baptism.

Paul teaches us about the culture of his day. At a certain age the status of the child changed from that of a minor to an adult. From being nobody to becoming somebody; all because in the Roman world the father had discretion in setting the date of his son’s coming of age. This usually took place between the ages of fifteen and eighteen.

As Paul states in the text, “a child is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father” (4:2). At this event (among the Romans it occurred during the spring festival of Liberalia) the child was officially adopted by the father and was formally recognized as the son and received full inheritance rights to the family’s estate.

In like measure, this status has changed for the Christian as well. The loving heavenly Father has set a date for the coming of age of His people, and “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God” Indeed in the fullness of time, this took place through the incarnation, (active obedience), redeeming death, and resurrection of His preeminent Son, Jesus Christ (4:4–5).

The result of this wonderful act of love and mercy is that we receive adoption as God’s sons and become heirs of His kingdom (4:5–7). We should also remember that when we say sons, it refers to legal status and not gender. Similarly, when Scripture speaks of “Sons of Israel” this includes the whole nation of Israel. We have all become sons through the waters of Baptism.

On that day, you were no longer under the guardian or manager (The Law/Torah) but under grace. When faith came, that is when Jesus came our lot in life has been transformed to being sons of God and heirs of His grace. PAUSE.

Beloved in the Lord, today, happens to be my Baptismal birthday. 57 years ago Khairiah and Subhi Nour brought me to the Font at the Latin Parish in Haifa, Israel; and the priest spoke these words over me, “Nabil (‘Gabriel’ my baptismal name) I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” On that day I was given the robe of Christ’s righteousness that covered all of my sins. On that day, I was claimed by the heavenly Father as His very own child for time and for eternity.

You may not have been baptized today, but that doesn’t take away the joy that fills your heart as being God’s son. The text states: “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” You, too, have become sons of God with all of its blessings and joys.

Now, a word to the ladies of this congregation: Don’t be slighted about being called sons of God. To the contrary—cherish this wording big time. In our Western culture, we want to be identified as an individual. Some women want liberation. We don’t want to be like men. But to be called a “son of God” means God doesn’t make any difference between you and the men. You will be blessed just as every man is. You will receive the blessings of God on account of Christ. Oh, and by the way, you ladies are “sons of God” and we men are “the Bride of Christ.” Our gracious God honors who we are, and at the same time, goes beyond the male/female distinction as He says in Galatians 3:28, “neither male nor female, but one in Christ Jesus!”

As God’s Sons, you and I are privileged to receive a glorious inheritance that will not fade away or spoil but reserved in heaven for us because of the most excellent of Sons, the True Son of the Father, Jesus’ death and resurrection. We are heirs of our Father and His gracious fullness!

It is absolutely true, because of Christ (4:4–5), and “in Christ” (3:26–28), those who trust Christ’s saving work and are baptized, experience new freedom and the status of being heirs of God’s kingdom. “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God” (4:7). This is what it truly means to be “Abraham’s offspring” (3:29).

What marvelous news we receive today. By God’s grace we have all become sons of God. We are all recipients of His grace and mercy. We are all blessed beyond our expectations. Sin no longer clings to us, the Law no longer damns us, and death no longer holds us. PAUSE.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, Moses understood what it means to be a child of God and left his adopted family with all of its wealth and power. But today, you and I who were strangers, slaves of sin and held captives under the prison of the Law until Christ came, have received the freedom to call our heavenly Father “Abba!” that is Hebrew for “Daddy”, and because He is your Father, you all have become His sons. And one day, you will leave this poor tent you live in and live with Him in the Palace of heaven which He has prepared for you.

All of this is yours on account of Christ who called you in the waters of baptism to be His very own. Amen and Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Death With A Purpose!” (Romans 8:31-39)

S-1290 Baptism of Christ/3B 1/08/12 Hymns: (O) #590; (S) #594; LS #628; #627; (C) #601 LSB

Text: Genesis 1:1-5; Romans 6:1-11; Mark 1:4-11

Theme: “Death With A Purpose!” (Romans 8:31-39)

Question: “What is the Purpose for death?” Armour, SD.

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for the Baptism of Christ is from the Epistle Lesson: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4).

Beloved family of faith, ever since the fall of man into sin, there has been one thing that no created being could escape—death. Death disrupts our future, destroys our plans and disturbs our hearts. Death seems so absolute and final. When you look at the cold and lifeless body of your loved one laying in the casket, your heart aches and your eyes water. Indeed death disrupts our future, destroys our plans and disturbs our hearts.

It all seems so hopeless, pointless, fruitless and purposeless. We work so hard to live for a purpose. As we grow up, we want to get married, build a home and have a family. We go to school to better ourselves and have a good future. We continue to strive to get a good job to provide for the family we have been blessed. We plan our lives according to our vision and purpose. But then, death comes knocking and the purpose for our existence stops in its tracks. That which we have purposefully worked long and hard for, appears to be for naught. And our hearts are void and empty.

Death appears to be the winner. It robs us of the joys of life and the hope of the future. Death seems to take our breath away and send us into the gloom of night. Death emerges as the victor but that is not the case beloved in the Lord.

Today, the Epistle lesson gives us hope, heaven and happiness. Here the Apostle Paul tells us the purpose of death—our death is that we have a guaranteed future. Death may appear the winner or the victor, but that is not the case, it is only a mirage but that is not so. In another letter Paul writes: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:55-56).

Today, in the waters of the Jordan we see something totally different and absolutely wonderful. Christ becomes one with us. He takes on Him—our sins, our shame, our death and our hell. In that simple act of stepping into the waters, Jesus takes your place and presents you totally holy and sinless in the sight of God. You need to know that Jesus’ act of descending into the water was unnecessary for Him—He did NOT need to be baptized—He did it for our sake and gave us His undeserving grace.

Listen kindly to our preacher as he writes by the power of the Holy Spirit these marvelous words. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” Our death has a purpose—a purpose to live with Christ here on earth and forever in paradise. PAUSE.

My beloved saints, you know it was just yesterday I returned home from (Israel) being with my family attending the funeral of my father. When we attended the funeral, I was saddened to hear the priest speak words empty of comfort, nothing about the victory over death; and no hope of the resurrection. He outlined the good things my father did. And he encouraged everyone to pray to the saints and to Mary so that God would accept my dad into heaven.

I sat there astonished at the empty words without purpose. They had no purpose of bringing hope to the hopeless. They had no purpose of bringing help to the hurting and they had no purpose of giving comfort to the sorrowful.

After the worship service was over, I asked if I could say few words and I begun thus: “Christ is Risen! And they responded He is risen indeed! Alleluia! (3 times I shared these words). I spoke of this day in these words. “This is a day of sorrow and joy, a day of tears and a day of happiness. I explained why it was such blessed day for my father; quoting the book of Revelation chapter 21 saying: ‘The suffering has ended!’ No more mourning, no more sorrow, no more pain, no more cancer, no pills, no chemo therapy, no blood being drawn, no vomiting. Now my dad is in the arms of His blessed Savior, Jesus Christ; who has won the victory, destroyed sin, death and the devil; and cleansed my father from every stain of sin.”

I went on to say, “But it is a sad for us who are left behind as we mourn his passing. No longer would I be able to call my father to tell him I love you or wish him Merry Christmas; no longer will I be able to dine and spend time with him whenever I go back home; no longer would I have the privilege of sharing with him my life, my ministry, and family which the Lord has blessed me with.”

And then I spoke these words in conclusion. “We have hope! Hope in the blood of Christ that washed us and made us pure and holy. Hope in being baptized into Christ that made us His family of faith. Hope in the wounds of Christ that brings healing. Hope in the crown of Christ that assures us one day, we will get a crown too. Hope in cross of Christ that earned the victory; and hope in the empty tomb.” And finally I said: “Encourage one another because the victory is ours.” I then sat down.

After my family and I stood line for people to convey their condolences to us, in preparations to leave to the cemetery, many of the saints said: “We have never heard such comforting and calming words.” Even one of my cousins came up to me and said: “Nabil, you had me in tears; you even made me hunger for death!” Thanks be to God for the powerful word the Holy Spirit moved me to share. It is the Word that points us to crucified Christ, who has come as the heaven-sent Savior; who was baptized into our lives of sin, and death and shame; but rose again and by His resurrection has given us the purpose to live.

Therefore, today as we celebrate the Baptism of Christ, we also celebrate our BAPTISM. Because we have died in these waters and rose again to live for Him; and know the purpose of our lives. PAUSE.

What is the purpose of your life? It is more than just getting married, building a home, having a family; it living the life Christ wants for you—to be His messengers of hope. A messenger with a purpose! To tell the world that Satan is not the victor but Christ is! To point them to the Sacrament of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; where we receive comfort and strength and the certainty that our lives have a purpose.

We have all died with Christ in baptism. But we have also been raised with Him to a new life. That’s the blessing of being a Christian. That’s the blessing of being a Lutheran Pastor; and Lutheran people who know the power of the resurrection. As well as the wounds of Christ, the blood of Christ and the empty tomb; that empty tomb points to our resurrection too.

Since Christ gave hope to those who were mourning; He, too, gives us hope even and in spite of walking through suffering and sorrow and sadness. PAUSE.

I was amazed! I was just overwhelmed at the cards of sympathy and calls that came to my house when people knew my father had died; e-mails from friends and brother pastors and acquaintances that I have met over the years. Do you know, what was the one common denominator in all of these messages? In a simple word it is this: Thank God for the victory of the resurrection.

These words are the hallmark for the Christian. They give us hope, they give us help and they point us to heaven. Oh, what a joy to know the blessings of God are ours. Indeed, we can say, “Death has a purpose; to destroy the old life—the life of sin, and to give us the new life—the life of sainthood with Christ. For that we say: “Thanks be to God for the victory of His resurrection which guarantees our resurrection. Amen and Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.