“Listen Carefully!” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

S-1474 4SAE/3B 2/01/2015 Hymns: (O) #5; #36; (S) #296; (C) #52

Texts: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

Theme: “Listen Carefully!” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

Question: “How is your hearing?”

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen! Indeed! Alleluia. The text is from the O. T. lesson: “The Lord Your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to Him you shall listen” (Deuteronomy 18:15).

Beloved saints in Christ, we all have problem with our hearing. But this does not mean that you all need hearing aids! The problem is not mechanical. It is with who we are! We are not good listeners. We don’t know how to just sit and listen. We all try the fool’s game of multi-tasking. Perhaps you have done this: You are listening to the news, but your eyes are following the script that is being scrolled on the bottom of your screen. You are in a meeting and someone is giving a presentation and you are looking at your phone, I pad, or lap top. I am guilty of this also. We hear the sound, but we miss the meaning! We are hearing, but not listening!

It is easy to hear. It takes work to listen! In our hurried age and culture, we haven’t mastered the art of listening. We don’t do what the Psalmist says: “Be still, and know that I Am God” (Ps. 46:10a), neither have we learned what the Scripture teaches in the Great Shemah: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deut. 6:4).

Moses, the author of the text that is before us, exhorts us few chapters before to listen to God daily. Daily let His Word be the compass of your life. Daily listen to Him as He guides you in the way you should go. Daily cry out with Samuel saying, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears!” This should be our daily prayer to listen to the voice of God.

Moses empresses upon us saying: “The Lord Your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to Him you shall listen.” In other word, Moses states: open your ears and listen carefully to the Prophet that will come after me. Listen to Him because He is the Only One who is worthy to be heard. Listen to Him because He will guide you in the way of truth. Listen to Him carefully because He will spare you a lot of heartaches and a lot of headaches. PAUSE.

But who is this prophet that Moses is talking about? The text identifies Him thus: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put My Words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And whoever will not listen to My Words that He shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him” (Deut. 18:18-18). Moses is saying, “God Himself will send this One and He will speak on His behalf of God!”

Moses the great prophet who was God’s spokesperson for over 40 years and led the Israelites, points them and us to another and greater prophet. He will come from among His brothers—the Israelites. This One will be the Davar Yahweh—the Word of the Lord. He will speak on behalf of God and do things in the things only God does.

Beloved in the Lord, since we are still in the Epiphany season, we look at the New Testament to help hear and see with eyes of faith who this prophet is. In the Gospel of John we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-4). And in the Gospel of St. Matthew we hear these words: “He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I Am well pleased; listen to Him!” Matthew 17:5). Not only does Moses ask us to listen to Him, but even God the Author and creator of the ear exhorts us to listen to Jesus because He is the voice of God and the final prophet, NOT Muhammad.

However, as I said earlier we have a hearing problem. We have not mastered the art of listening. We don’t know how to sit still and just listen to God’s voice. But that is what we should do. The more we spend time with Him and in His Word, the more we are able to discern which God’s voice and from the world’s voice. When you learn to listen to the voice of God, then your ears are opened to His message. When you listen to the voice of God, then you learn to trust Him above all else. And when the voices of the world rise high, you will know that it is not the voice of God but the voice of a devilish lie! PAUSE.

The Psalmist stated: “Be still and KNOW that I am God.” In the stillness you will hear the only voice that leads to life eternal—the voice of the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd who said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). The more you listen to His voice the closer you will come to know His Word and His thoughts and His grace for you.

This reminds me of a story of an Indian who traveled to New York for the first time in his life. While he was walking through the streets with his friend, he said, “I hear a cricket!” His friend said, “How can you hear a cricket with all of the noise in the background?” the Indian said again, “I can hear a cricket!” He listened carefully and walked slowly towards some bushes and when he removed them, he pointed to his friend and said, “Here is the cricket! In time you learn how to listen.

That is the joy of being in the Lord’s house. When we come here we call upon the Holy Spirit to open our ears and hearts to hear His voice. As the opening hymn teaches us: “Lord, open Thou my heart to hear, and through Your Word to me draw near; let me Your Word e’er pure retain, let me Your child and heir remain.” (TLH 5 v1)

Moses calls us to listen carefully to His voice. He is the Only voice that we should hear and listen to. You won’t hear it anywhere outside of this House and God’s Word! When we hear it we know the sound of rejoicing that will never end as the Lord speaks the words of Law and Gospel that convict and kill, renew and resurrect us on a daily basis!

We can do that only because the Word of the Lord—Jesus Christ, listened carefully to His Father when He sent Him on His earthly mission to redeem the world from sin, death and the grave. He listened with joy to all that the Father asked Him to do. Even in the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed before going to the cross saying: “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Don’t think it was easy for Jesus to endure what lies ahead. He knew what was going to happen to Him. Be betrayed by one of His disciples, denied by His closest companion; receive harsh beating, humiliation, suffering, agony, pain and even death. But He listened to His Father because we don’t listen carefully all the time. When we don’t listen to God we are permitting the evil to be in us. When we don’t listen to God other voices fill our ears and hearts and we are deceived. But thank God the Holy Spirit stirs our hearts and ear to listen as we should. In the Gospel lesson for today, the evil the Spirit went to the Synagogue thinking they would be safe, but Jesus is there and says to them “Shut-up and get out!”

That is why it is such a blessing and privilege to be here, because here He speaks to us. Here in this place we learn of His unconditional love. Here we gain new insights about the One Moses spoke about, the Prophet to come—Jesus Christ. He listened to the will of the Father who sent Him as God’s gift to the world as we are informed by John saying, “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (3:16). Because of the enormous love of Christ, the Holy Spirit leads us to listen carefully to Him always.

Listen to Him dear friends and hear Him attentively especially in His final week of life. Hear Him say: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Lk. 23: 34). Listen to Him carefully as He says: “It is Finished!” (John 19:30). Hear Him say, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Listen carefully to Him today and always because He has forgiven you your sins, has claimed you as His very own and wrote your names in His book of life.

Today, by the Spirit’s power we have had our ears opened and His voice entered into our inner chamber. Because of His voice, we listen carefully and follow Him all the days of our lives. Because we listen to Him carefully we have peace forever more. Amen and Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Oh The Choices Before Us!” (Deut. 30:19-20)

S-1412 6SAE/3A 2/16/2014 Hymns: (O) #234; (S) #134; (C) #416

Texts: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; 1 Corinthians 3:1-9; Matthew 5:21-37

Theme: “Oh The Choices Before Us!” (Deut. 30:19-20)

Question: “What choice did you make today?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text for the 6^th Sunday After the Epiphany is from the O.T. lesson “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord Your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” (Deut. 30:19-20).

INTRODUCTION: In Nomine Iesu.

Saints in Christ there are so many choices in life it isn’t even funny—it is downright stressful. Have you gone to a restaurant lately and looked at the menu. You get so confused that you don’t know what you want. You look at all of the choices only to come back to that which you are so comfortable with.

Not long ago, someone had gone to a restaurant to eat breakfast. The man ordered two eggs, sausage and bread. The waitress asked “Do you like your eggs sunny side up, scrambled, or flipped over?” He said “sunny side up”. Then she asked “do you want link or patty,” he said, “link.” “Would you like beef, turkey or pork?” “Pork!” Was his answer. She went on to the bread. “Do you want whole wheat, Rye, Cinnamon raison or white?” “Wheat.” “Do you want it as is or toasted?” “Toast it.” “Do you want butter or margarine?” “Butter.” “Do you want it on the bread or on the side.” In exasperation he said, “I don’t care I just want to eat!”

Choices are not limited to restaurants. Have you been to the grocery store lately? Walk through the isles and see the varieties of soups. Just the various “cream ofs” (chicken, celery, asparagus, mushroom, onion, potatoes and Broccoli) to fixa casserole. PAUSE.

Our world has also become a “Canaan” of moral choices. Alternative and optional life­styles connected with a growing lack of morals introduce a catalog of personal choices and individualistic decisions that are advocated as acceptable. Thrivent have chosen to be neutral rather than take a stand on life issues.

Sure, it is nice to have choices; in fact, many would probably propose that having choices is a divine right. Honestly, we can propose that choices are truly God given. Except we quickly discover that God offers only two choices.

This morning’s text clearly states what God has placed before us: “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil” (v 15). The choice of life and good, is char­acterized by obedience to God’s Commandments. But as God places these Commandments before us, He also cre­ates in us the new life that enables us to be obedient to them.

Today, the Holy Spirit teaches us the truth. In reality we don’t have too many choices. No, there are only two choices: Obey and live, disobey and die. Simple yet profound! God’s Word is true without exceptions, exemptions or exclusions. His Word is the final authority. PAUSE.

With these Words of farewell, Moses states, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.” Please be clear in this truth, in matters of salvation, there is nothing that you can do. It is all the work of God. He has chosen us before the foundation of the world in Christ. In John 15, Jesus states, “You didn’t choose me, BUT, I have chosen you and appointed you to bear fruit” (15:16). However, in matters of sanctification, we have choices that the Holy Spirit helps us carry out, not to earn salvation but in thanksgiving to what He has done for us.

Today, we hear Moses pleading with the people of Israel before they enter the Promise Land to do the right thing—chose life and live in obedience to the will of God. They said they would. But Scripture paints another picture.

You know they disobeyed God when He told them to go and fight their enemies. They grumbled and wanted to return to Egypt and live under slavery. They complained about everything God gave them including the daily provisions. At last, God was fed up with them and sent the snakes that brought death and caused them to fall on their knees seeking forgiveness and repentance.

But before we start pointing the finger at others saying those bad Israelites, look at our lives, how often have we made the wrong choices? We haven’t been faithful in being obedient to the will of God. We have choices to come to church or not. We have choices to attend Bible Study or go downtown for coffee. We have choices to pray, to serve, to give our offering, and be a messenger of God’s grace or do none of these things. Ultimately there are only two choices. Live by serving Christ or die by serving yourself.

In verse 20 of our text Moses states: “…Loving the Lord Your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is Your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them” In the original language the words “holding fast to Him” can be translated glued to God. We, who would choose death, if left to ourselves, are given new life now in Baptism. Now we are glued to Christ through His choosing us so that our faith choices are pleasing to Him. Yet, we don’t always remain glued to Him or obey His will in our lives. Instead, we chose to do our will.

But while Jesus was on earth, He too, had choices to make. Listen to His earthly parents or not. Obey the will of God or not. Serve God or not. We know that He chose always the best—doing that which God has asked Him too.

While growing up under the watchful eyes of His foster father Joseph and mother, He was obedient to them. As He grew up in years, He was obedient to the will of the heavenly Father. While He was in the Garden of Gethsemane He had a choice to let Himself be taken to be crucified or run away. He chose to stay for our sake. His prayer was this: “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Lk. 22:42). Yes, that was His prayer and He carried it out.

Like us, Jesus had two choices, Live under God’s grace or die at the hands of murderers. And He chose death, so that you and I will live. He chose to obey the will of God, because of our disobedience. He chose to be holy and perfect in the presence of God, because we have been and remain unholy and disobedient. He chose to suffer the punishment of hell, so that you and I will experience the grace of God.

What a blessing to know that which we couldn’t do, Christ has done for us. He was obedient to the point of death—death on the cross for us. But He also chose to be with us and for us.

Therefore, today, join me in giving thanks to God that He is the One who has “glued” Himself to us by baptism! He has “glued” Himself to us through His Son, Jesus. Because of His choice, death for our life, we who often choose the expedient and the foolish have the grace of that Cross to call us to repentance.  Repentance is God’s gift for the Israelites as they enter Canaan and for you and me as we live among the many worldly choices of today.  Trust that this call to repent is the call of Him who glued Himself to you, even so, Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“It’s Not Like That” (Deut. 8:10‑11)

S-1344-Thanksgiving Day 2012 Hymns: #36; #134; (L.S. #568; #573); #574

Texts: Deuteronomy 8:10-20; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 17:11‑19

Theme: “It’s Not Like That” (Deut. 8:10‑11)

Question: “How Thankful Are You?” Armour, SD

EVERY PERSON WILL GET A PAPER SACK AS THEY COME TO CHURCH.

Blessed Thanksgiving Day to you in the name of Christ who is arisen from the grave. The text for our meditation is from the O.T. Lesson: “And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord Your God for the good land He has given you. Take care lest you forget the Lord Your God by not keeping His commandments and His rules and His statutes, which I command you today” (Deut. 8:10‑11).

INTRODUCTION.

Beloved in the Lord consider this scene: “Your wife has been in the hospital for 3 weeks battling cancer. The doctor’s, nurses and others have cared for her around the clock and now she gets to come home cancer free.” How do you feel? You are grateful and thankful and you make sure you tell them that. You go out of your way to let them know you appreciated all that they have done for your wife.

On this Thanksgiving Day, we, along with Christians all over the USA, pause from our busy schedules to give thanks to the Lord, not because it is a day that our nation has set aside to say thank you, but rather, because our hearts flow from the abundance of what our loving and gracious God has done and continues to do for us.

I. Why We Are Here today?

In the text before us today, Moses, the author of our text reminds the Israelites and us never to forget the goodness of the Lord. Never to forget what the Lord has done for them—He has brought them out with an outstretched hand and strong arm from the slavery of Egypt to the Promised Land. And He supplied them with every blessing to meet their needs of both body and soul.

Today, many have forgotten the reason the Pilgrims stopped so long ago to give thanks to the Lord for protecting them and providing for them through the harsh winter. Today, many think of Thanksgiving Day as a day off, or a day to eat Turkey and watch TV and some go so far to do the most stupid thing—pitch their tents for a week outside a Wal-Mart, or Best Buy until Black Friday rolls around; so they can buy another gadget that soon will be obsolete or breaks down. PAUSE.

It is not like that for us beloved in the Lord. Yes, we are here today because of another Black Friday. Not one where you have stood in line for hours or even days to purchase that coveted item. No, our Black Friday is a blessing from God Himself who sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ to Calvary to stand against all the evil forces of the world and deliver man from the slavery of the devil and the punishment of hell.

We are here today, in His house on Thanksgiving Day to be reminded again and again of the mercy and love of God and to thank Him for all He has done. We are here today, to receive from the abundance of His store houses all He has prepared for us. We are here today, to lift our hearts and voices to our God and say: “THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME AND CARING FOR MY NEEDS! THANK YOU FOR STANDING IN MY PLACE TO TAKE MY PUNISHMENT UPON YOU. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME FROM THE ETERNAL DAMNATION!” Thanks, is a heavenly gift, it is the perspective to see beyond the circumstances of the moment and see that the Lord, He is here. “For us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary and was made man...” PAUSE.

II. Here He fills Your Sack With His Goods.

Faithful followers of the Savior, when you came into this house of worship you received a paper sack. I would like you to open it up and look inside (give them time) what do you see in it? NOTHING! That is right nothing. You came into God’s presence with an empty sack because you have nothing to offer Him. We have nothing in our sacks to cause our God to love us or honor us. On the contrary, all we have in our sack is our filth and sin.

But wait, look again please. Having confessed your sins, Your gracious Father forgives you and removes the sin from you. He fills your sack with forgiveness. Then you get to hear His Word read to encourage you and bless you in your walk of faith. Another item goes into your sack. Then He blesses you as you hear His Word preached, and yet another is dropped into your sack. Your sack is getting a little heavier, even without you buying anything. But He is not done. He reminds you of what His Son has done for you on Golgotha as He died and rose for you—and the whole world.

This same loving Savior invites you to come to His table. There He serves you the most delicious meal; tastier than any turkey, dressing, gravy and pumpkin pie that you could eat. And the sack is getting heavier. He hears and answers your prayers as He only can and another gift is dropped into your sack. Then as He sends you out into the world He blesses you with His grace and gives you His peace and reminds you that He will be with you wherever you go.

Look again, brothers and sisters in Christ into that sack and you will see, grace upon grace. You will see love, forgiveness, compassion, kindness, mercy, salvation and life eternal and these all are yours FREE.

Then as you leave the church, you put your sack on your back and walk out. Along the journey of life you meet people, you open your sack and begin to divvy out these gifts to others to bless them on their journey of life. And when your sack is empty you come back again and Your gracious Father, fills them up once more to the brim and sends you out in His name and by His command to be a blessing to others.

III. We Come on Thanksgiving Day to truly Thank Him.

On this Thanksgiving Day, we join the throng because it is fitting for us to thank our Lord and God. And just like the man in my opening story was thankful for the many who helped his wife get better and stronger; likewise, we, take the time to thank God and never forget His blessings—the blessings of making us His children. The blessings of filling our empty sacks with His goods. The blessings of realizing we have more than any department store, internet, TV program, or an event in history can fulfill the desires of our hearts—He gives Himself and for that we are indeed THANKFUL.

CONCLUSION:

Saints in Christ, today as you leave with your sacks laden with every heavenly gift, may I remind you of the joy of being called a child of the heavenly King and truly acknowledge that every good and perfect gift is from Him. May you know His constant love for you and devotion to redeem you through the gift of His Son on Calvary’s cross.

As you gather with family and friends kindly remind them that it is not like that for you. You know where your blessings come from—not in the gadgets you are buying on Black Friday, but from the Black Friday of long ago—from Him who loved you and died for you and rose again to give you life and salvation. Amen.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY TO YOU EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“It’s A God Thing” (Deuteronomy 7:6-9)

S-1264 6SAP/3A 07/24/11, (O) #521 vv. 1-3; (S) #521 vv. 4-6; L.S. # 370; (#57, 9) SOD; (C) #428

Text: Deuteronomy 7:6-9; Romans 8:28-39; Matthew 13:44-52

Theme: “It’s A God Thing” (Deuteronomy 7:6-9)

Question: “Have you heard the expression “This is A God Thing!!!?”

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for the 6^th Sunday after Pentecost is the O. T. lesson: “For you are a people holy to the LORD Your God. The LORD Your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set His love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples” (Deuteronomy 7:6-7).

In Nomini Iesu,

Beloved in Christ, 17 years ago today @ 4:00 p.m. with a temperature of 94%, with many pastors and saints gathered in this house of worship, I was installed as the Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Armour, SD. It is downright amazing that the Lord of the Church can take a Palestinian pastor and use him to serve among Germans and Norwegians and be blessed in more ways than he could ever imagine. It is nothing short of “A God thing.”

Some of you know that I have a hobby of welding and making crosses. The other day, I was working on this cross (show it) and as I was Bluing it (heating the metal) had on the arms two spots as if they were nail prints. It is nothing short of “A God thing.”

14 years ago, I and David Olson attempted the Bike-For-Life (BFL) ride. A 100 miles trip from Armour to Sioux Falls, to save babies from the abortion mill; and we made it. And in a few more weeks (September 10) we will have our 14^th BFL event and there will be many riders. Last year we ended up with 29 riders and over $14,600.00 It is nothing short of “A God thing.”

In 2009 Ra’ida Fouzi a young Palestinian woman from the Gaza Strip gave birth to a son Mohammed Mustafa. Mohammed was born with immune deficiency. Mohammed’s deficiency needed to be treated. He needed a bone marrow transplant. Without the proper care this child will die. Listen to the story please.

Shlomi Eldar an Israeli journalist receives a phone call from Dr. Raz Somach, a doctor at Tel Hashomer, to come and see a child in isolation, a little boy named Mohammed, 4 1/2 months old, who is suffering from a terrible genetic disorder. If he doesn’t get a bone marrow transplant soon, he will certainly die by the age of one year.

Since they are desperately looking for funds for the transplant, the doctor asks Shlomi to help raise the funds by publicizing the story via the media. So Shlomi prepares a TV broadcast and surprisingly, one donor calls and agrees to donate the entire sum. He wants to remain anonymous, but we learn that he is a Jewish father who lost a son, willing to donate $55,000 in order to try to make things different.

Ra’ida and Fawzi, the mother and father of Mohammed are cousins. They have already lost two of their children to this disease and Ra’ida lost two of her sisters the same way. The disheartening news is that none of Mohammed’s three older siblings are a match for the transplant. This is nothing short of “A God thing.”

Today, as we gather in the Lord’s house for the first time with air condition which is in fact nothing short of “A God thing.” we hear the Words from the text that spells in so many ways this is how our Amazing and Awesome God works in the lives of His people. Listen again to the text please: “For you are a people holy to the LORD Your God. The LORD Your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set His love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples.”

These words were spoken by God to His people as they were traveling in the wilderness. God of their fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob used Moses to comfort the Israelites that they are His treasured possession. God set His love on them because He is the God of love. He shows them love not because they had anything going for them, no on the contrary, He chose them because He is a unique God who loves His people in spite of what they do.

This is a proven fact. Study the prophetic writings and you will see again and again God pouring out His love on those who don’t deserve it. He continually showered them with blessings from heaven even when they grumbled. He gave them water to drink from the rock when they cried to Him. He sent them the judges, prophets, kings and messengers to get them back on the right track and to know Him intimately. And they still disobeyed and disregarded His Word and Laws. But because of His love for them, He promised to send them a Redeemer. This is a God Thing

By the grace of God we too, have been called as God’s Segoula (Hebrew) His treasured possession that He loved us unconditionally and eternally. He chose us not because we are something special, but because He is LOVE. PAUSE.

This loving God fulfilled His promise by sending the Redeemer to REDEEM the world-His Son. The Son was loyal, loving, and obedient to the will and Word of God and His Laws. He kept every single one of God’s decrees even to the point of giving up His life for all of humanity.

Know this truth you who are His precious and treasured possession. Jesus died for all sins. He died for all transgressions of all people no matter how disobedient, disloyal and disgruntle they and we have been. Again read the Book and you will see clearly what God does for us even today. He showers upon us His unmerited grace and favor. He gives love to the unlovable and ungrateful. He forgives the sins of all people for the sake of Christ’s death on the cross of Calvary.

As the Gospel lesson so intrinsically reminds us today, that God gives us the Kingdom because of His Son—Jesus the Christ. Through this Gospel we know we are loved and cared for. The gospel of free forgiveness brings about salvation, reconciliation, and regeneration. Christ’s pardoning love through His means of grace sets people free from all sins and burdens and affliction. PAUSE.

When I saw the documentary on the baby Mohammed Mustafa, I was captivated to see such love for an enemy, that an anonymous donor would pay the full amount of $55.000 for the bone marrow transplant with one request. His name would not be known.

The young mother was happy that her son had the transplant. But what was shocking to the Dr. is that she was going to raise this son to be a terrorist. The Dr. told her, “We have worked very hard to save your baby, and now you are going to raise him up to be a ‘shaheed’ a martyr for the cause of Hamas. I don’t understand your logic.” How tragic that this woman wouldn’t value life but valued death more. On the other hand, the Dr. valued life more than anything and did everything in his power to save the baby. After some lengthy discussion the young mother agreed that she will try to teach her son to love life instead of death. And oh, one final thought on this story. The anonymous donor, who gladly gave the $55.000 to save this baby, had lost his son—a soldier in the Israeli army, who was killed by Palestinians bullet in the Gaza Strip.

Are we not like that woman Ra’ida? So many times we cherish and love the things that bring us death instead of life. God has saved us from the burden of satan, hell, and sin, yet just like Ra’ida we keep going back to those things that destroys our lives.

But God intervenes. He does more than just give $55.000 to save one child. He gives His Son to save all of Adam’s sons and Eve’s daughters to give them life eternal. God was not an anonymous donor, but revealed His plan and wrote it down so that all people would know Him as the God of love who loves us still.

Here in this place, He calls you His chosen people, His Segoula—Treasured Possession and indeed, this is nothing short of “A God thing.” Amen.

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“A Good Reason to…” (Deuteronomy 8:2)

S-1148 11/26/09 Thanksgiving Day (O) #574 LSB; (S) #36; L.S.#572; Choir; (C) #894 LSB

Texts: Deuteronomy 8:1-10; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Luke 17:11-19

Theme: “A Good Reason to…” (Deuteronomy 8:2)

Question: “How many reasons can you think of to give Thanks to God?”

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The text for our Thanksgiving Day celebration is from the O.T. Lesson: “And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD Your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” (Deuteronomy 8:2).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

Saints in Christ Lincoln’ original 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation came - spiritually speaking - at a pivotal point in his life. During the first week of July of that year, the Battle of Gettysburg occurred, resulting in the loss of some 60,000 American lives. Four months later in November, Lincoln delivered his famous “Gettysburg Address.” It was while Lincoln was walking among the thousands of graves there at Gettysburg that he committed his life to Christ. As he explained to a friend:

When I left Springfield [to assume the Presidency] I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ.

Listen to this Christian President as he gives the many reasons for this nation to give thanks and establishing Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday.

By the President of the United States of America

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the field of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than theretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.

In testimony wherof I have herunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Singed Abraham Lincoln

It has been 146 years since those words were spoken by this great leader of the free nation. President Abraham Lincoln encouraged all the Americans to give thanks to the Almighty Father for His gifts of grace.

146 years later, we still have many reasons to give thanks to the Lord. Here are but few of these reasons:

* America controls nearly 20 percent of the world’s wealth. There are around 6 billion people in the world, and there are roughly 300 million people in the U.S. That makes America less than 5 percent of the world’s population. And this 5 percent owns fifth of the world’s wealth.

* Every seven seconds, somewhere in the world a child under age five dies of hunger, while Americans throw away 14 percent of the food we purchase.

* Nearly a billion people in the world live on less than an American dollar a day. Another 2.5 billion people in the world live on less than two American dollars a day.

* More than half of the world lives on less than two dollars a day, while the average American teenager spends nearly $150 dollars a week.

* Americans spend more annually on trash bags than nearly half of the world does on all goods.

As you look at these statistics you come to see and understand what blessed people we are. Not because we have great material wealth, but because we are God’s sons and daughters. We who live in these great U.S. have freedom that many countries know nothing about. Freedom to worship. Freedom to bear arms. Freedom to travel without any restrictions.

To be sure we don’t need a president to tell us to give thanks. We do so because there are many good reasons. How many reasons can you count today for which you are thankful? We can speak of family, friends, loved ones, jobs. But how about having a house of worship; Bibles to read; the opportunity to witness; and to share and to grow? All of these are but the fruits of God’s love for us. Because of what He has done for us, we have a good reason to thank Him for all of His blessings and bounty. PAUSE.

During the slave trade business, some slaves were brought to the Auction market to be sold. Among the slaves was one young beautiful lady. She was brought up to the front and the rich men of Virginia gawked at her. Some touched her ribs and said, “She will be a good wench.” Others opened her mouth to check her teeth like a horse. The auctioneer began the bidding. And the amount was steadily climbing higher and higher. At last one young man paid a pretty price for this young. As the money was exchanged, the man took his possession and began to walk away. When they were all alone, the man who purchased her, turned around and gave her the bill of sales and said, “I bought you so that I can set you free. You may go where you want and no one will bother you again!” At hearing these words, the slave girl fell to the ground and thanked the man and said, “Sir, I am free because of your kindness and generosity, let me spend the rest of my life thanking you by serving.”

This lady was appreciative to the kindness of this man. She thanked him by becoming a willing slave in his house. Read the text of O.T. again and you will see how God’s hands of mercy and grace were caring and providing for the people of Israel throughout their wilderness. God set them free to be His chosen people and as such it was their privilege to thank Him.

How about us? We too, have been set free from the auction block and the wicked master—the Devil. As the price for our souls was going higher and higher, someone stood on the side and raised His hands high to pay the ransom price—a price not paid with gold or silver, not even in green dollars; but with blood and flesh on the wooden beam of the cross. Jesus set us free to be slaves to no man, but to love and obey Him as our Lord and Master. And just as that young lady ran in front of the man who freed her and said, “I will serve you for the rest of my life,” we too, as the blood-bought souls, with joy on this Thanksgiving Day say, “Lord, I will serve you with my whole life. I thank You for my freedom. I thank You for Your forgiveness. I thank You for the gift of faith. I thank You for the fellowship I will have around your table today and every day you make it possible.

Beloved in the Lord, fathers are a gift from the Lord to their wives and children. You know what I mean. There is nothing quite like hearing your father’s voice. You know I just returned from the old country (Israel), where I heard my father’s voice often. As I think about my dad’s voice, I also think of my heavenly Father’s voice, whose words at times may be as difficult to listen to as that of our own earthly fathers’ as it was evident in the text before us today. Yet, how thankful I am for the voice of my father—as most certainly, God’s voice—His voice brings comfort for trouble hearts and peace for guilty conscious. How thankful I am to have such a loving Father, who is so much greater than our President. The President issued a proclamation for Thanksgiving Day, but the King of kings gives us the true reason to be thankful for.

Today, in this house, we hear the voice of King of kings spoken again to give us joy in our hearts. We hear the loving Father saying: “On account of my Son, you all have become My children!” How reassuring is that? “Because of My Son, I will not hold your sins against you?” How wonderful is that message! “Because of My Son, I forgive you; feed you and fellowship with you!” How blessed we are to have such a loving Father!

Indeed, saints in Christ, we have a good reason to give thanks—we are loved by God—THE ALMIGHTY FATHER. Amen.

Now the peace of God…

“A New Leader” (Deut. 18:18)

S-1097 1/25/09 4SAE/3C Hymns: LSB #; (S) #583; #; #

Texts Deuteronomy 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

Theme: “A New Leader” (Deut. 18:18)

Question: “Whom are you trusting?” SOLI DEO GLORIA

Trinity Lutheran, Orlando, FL

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for our meditation is from the Old Testament lesson: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him” (Deut. 18:18).

Saints in Christ, on January the 20^th in Washington, DC., Barak Hussein Obama, became the 44^th President of the United States of America, after taking the Oath of Office. President George W. Bush left with very low rating, and President Obama is coming into this new Office with high rating. As you listen to the media and their reporting it is evident that they think President Obama is the New Leader who will usher America into the land of plenty and prosperity, the land of peace and power. Many people on the street think that President Obama is the one who is going to turn this country around with the changes that he is proposing. They believe that this New Leader will solve all their problems, get the economy back on track, provide jobs for millions of people and restore our disgraced image with other countries. I am amazed at how many people believe President Obama is going to be their Savior—the One who will fix up every bad and evil thing Bush did.

Every good citizen should be thankful that President Obama articulated in his opening days that he hopes his presidency will be marked by rule of law and transparency.  Our prayer is that rule of law will be rule of moral law, the rule of genuine love—for the born as well as the unborn—for all people of every color and nationality; that he will support the rule of laws which are ageless and timeless in terms of core content. The Bible implores us to pray for our leaders (1 Tim 2:1-5) and that is no small matter. So we will pray for him and all our leaders that they will exhibit a good measure of true justice, true righteousness, true love, sound moral law, and not laws that are expedient or contrary to the wisdom of the ages revealed through Sacred Scripture.

In today’s text Moses the Prophet of God speaks with the Israelites concerning the One who will lead in the future. We see Israel standing on the plains of Moab, needing someone to lead them into the Promised Land. This spokesperson who has lead them for the last 40 years in the wilderness since they left Egypt, will not be able to do so because of his disobedience to the Lord’s command (Num. 20:12). So the Lord of Hosts promises another prophet who will lead His people by means of the divine Word.

It is interesting to note that people of every age have been looking for a leader, a Savior of a sort. People looked to Jim Jones, but he ended up killing over 800 people. In Germany people looked up to Hitler to lead them, but he dragged them to war and were destroyed. Karl Marx spoke of socialist society that will bring prosperity in Russia, but it brought poverty and death to many.

People today, are still seeking and searching for the one leader who will bring them happiness, peace and prosperity. People continue to look for the one who will make a difference in their lives. Even Christians are caught up with this mentality. Some are seeking a savior in material possessions, others seeking a Messiah in power or prestige and still others just any one who could relieve them from the burdens of daily routines. PAUSE.

Beloved in the Lord, it is not wrong to look for a leader who will make our lives better and more comfortable. It is not wrong to look for a leader who will honor God with his services. It is not wrong to long for a leader who will help us and give us hope for the future. But it is wrong to put our trust in humans who will disappoint us rather than in the God of help and hope and heaven.

I am very concerned that there is in many quarters a euphoria hysteria, an almost worldly kingdom of God on earth set of expectations for our new President to bring about. This is very dangerous whether anyone, Democrat or Republican, holds this high office. There is only one Messiah, one Savior, one King of kings, and Lord of Lords, Jesus the Christ.

Even if things improve economically, that’s not where the improvement needs to be made. This is not the kind of leader Moses was speaking about. This is not what we need in this society and in this country. For if we needed financial assistance God would have sent us an economist; if we needed help with wars, God would have sent us a general; if we needed help with running the country, God would have sent us a politician; if we needed help with the afflictions of the body, God would have sent us a physician. But we needed help with our sins lest we spend eternity in hell; and thus God sent us a Savior—His Son to lead us to the Promised Land.

The prophet from among your brothers that Moses was speaking about is none other than the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is the fulfillment of all of the prophets. Jesus is Israel’s final prophet who teaches “as one who had authority, and not as the scribes (Mk. 1:22). By means of this authoritative Word, Jesus leads His people out of the realm of death and into life eternal. Jesus the True Prophet is the One who will usher His people into the Promised Land of Heaven.

This is the One of whom Moses spoke about. Jesus, Israel’s true Leader is the One who will give peace that surpasses all understanding. Jesus, Israel’s true Prophet is the One who will cover our sins with His blood. Jesus, Israel’s true Messiah is the One who will destroy our enemies—sin, death and the grave. Jesus, Israel’s true Savior is the One who will save us from the punishment of hell.

Jesus, Israel’s true leader is unlike any leader of any country. The leaders of today walk around with security forces to protect their lives. The leaders of today are not easily accessible. The leaders of today live behind secured walls and palaces. But not our True Prophet. Jesus doesn’t walk around with security guards to protect His life. He doesn’t wear a bullet proof vest. Instead, Jesus walks among us and with us through His Word. Jesus wears a crown of thorns. Jesus hangs on a cross for the sins of all people. Jesus dies our death, and takes our punishment and instead gives us life and salvation.

This Leader—Jesus will not disappoint us ever. This Leader—Jesus, will always be available for us. This Leader—Jesus comforts us with His words of grace and forgiveness. And this Leader—Jesus gives us His body and blood to strengthen us on the journey to the Promised Land.

Few days ago, a New Leader took the helm in Washington, DC. President Barak Hussein Obama promises to do all things well. My prayers for Him as my president that he might be blessed in his presidency and all that the Lord will give him to do. But it is the True Leader—the Prophet Jesus who will give us more than we can ask for—life and salvation because of His great love for us.

Jesus the Messiah is the One who gives to us unworthy sinners’ guidance and directions through His Word and sacrament as we journey in this barren wilderness and leads us to the green pastures of His holy Word in heaven. May we continue to look up to this New Leader and trust Him with our whole heart, mind, body and soul in all that He does for us. Amen.

Now the peace…