“Elegantly Bound!” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

S-1442 7SAP/3A 7/26/2014 Hymns:

Texts: Genesis 2:19-25; 1 John 4:7-11,19; Matthew 22:36-39

Theme: “Elegantly Bound!” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Wedding: BRYANT THOMAS SOULEK AND ELAINA LEA DEADRICK

Bryant and Elaina, family and friends, in the name of Him who is love Jesus Christ. Amen. They tell me that you folks are here to get married. Is that true? (Wait for response). Are you folks sure this is the person you want to spend the rest of your life with? (Wait for response). Is there any doubt about it? (Wait for response). Well then, if that is your answer, then let me speak to those who have come to celebrate your special day with you. I want you to know that this message is specifically written for Bryant and Elaina, but if you want to eavesdrop, I can’t stop you. PAUSE.

Well, here we are. No more counting down the days. No more practicing to write Soulek instead of Deadrick. No more single life, but hello married life. Today by the grace of God you will be joined as husband and wife in His sight. Therefore, it is fitting that we would call upon the Lord God Almighty, to let His life-giving Word guide and guard your hearts throughout your blessed Journey of life together.

On this joyful day, we stand in God’s house and in His Presence asking Him to be the honored guest and to bless you as you begin this chapter in your lives called marriage. The text I have chosen for this wonderful celebration is tested, tried and true. The author of this book knows what he is speaking about. He is speaking from personal experience. Listen to Solomon as he gives you a golden nugget that will help you throughout your married life: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (4:12b).

What a wonderful text along with the others you have chosen to be part of God’s loving wisdom as a lamp to your feet and a light to your path in your married life. Solomon says: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” How true that is and I pray that you will remember this for the rest of your lives. Not sure if you have ever tried this exercise, but if you took a single rope, and tried to cut it, you can do so easily. But if you bound three (3) together, it will be more difficult indeed.

That is why I title your message Elegantly Bound. The title was born out of the initials of your names E for Elaina and B for Bryant and thus Elegantly Bound. This binding is taking two of God’s children—a man and woman and joined them to Christ through the gift of Baptism. When Christ is the One binding you, the devil and all other temptations in the world would have a hard time breaking you apart. Today, by the grace of God you will be Elegantly Bound together as husband and wife. PAUSE.

Elaina, I have known you for almost 19 years. I watched you from when you were a little girl running around the church in Sunday School, VBS, midweek classes, confirmation classes, and as you grew up you began teaching Sunday School and VBS; then on to college. I have seen the wonderful transformation God has worked in you to become the lovely and beautiful godly woman you are.

I even asked your father to describe his thoughts of you his little princess. This is what he said. “When I see Elaina I see a child of God, full of love.  A young lady who knows God and knows that God knows her.   I see my daughter who at one time woke in the night crying for her father looking for comfort and now knows that if she needs to cry out I am there, but more importantly, it is God to whom the petition for help and thanksgiving ultimately needs to be given…I see a young lady who is ready to take the next step in life, giving all whom she is to Bryant, the young man she loves.” That is a wonderful commentary and I agree wholeheartedly.

I asked the same of your mother and these are her thoughts: “…Elaina is my Sweet Pea she loves Jesus and knows how much the Savior loves her. As a parent, I loved going into her bedroom and seeing how she wrote her favorite Bible verses on sticky notes that she posted all over her walls.” Now that is a lady who is bound to Christ and His Word.

Bryant, I have not known you that long nor do I know your parents. But I have had the pleasure of getting to know you through the pre-marriage counseling sessions. I want to thank you for being the godly man that you are. As we visited throughout the course of our sessions few things came through loud and clear. 1. You know the Lord Jesus Christ and He knows you as His own blood-bought child. 2. You love Elaina and want to be a good husband to her. And 3, you want to be a good provider for her and in time for the children the Lord will give you in the future. That is a great testimony to your relationship to the One who bound you to Him, Jesus the Christ.

I did however, go behind your back and asked your parents for their thoughts. Here is what your mom said: “Bryant has become an amazing man, kind, caring, responsible, yet witty and funny when he wants to be.  As he’s matured, he has become more than just our son - he’s also become our friend and companion!  And I am so very proud of the wonderful person he is, and thank God for him every day!” and your father added these words: “Bryant is responsible… who can work easily with others.  He is also hardworking and committed. He is also a good cook—his ribs are awesome!”

I pray that you two remember this message that it is Christ alone who Elegantly Binds you together in holy matrimony. Remember that it is Christ that first bound Himself to you through His death on Calvary’s cross, in the tomb and out of the tomb. He bound you to Him when you were baptized into His name—Father, Son and Holy Spirit and He will continue to bind you both to Him as you hear His Word and feed on His life-giving Sacrament.

Elaina and Bryant know this and remember it well as you go on in life. Three (3) things you will need to make your marriage happy and blessed. Waiting, trusting and hoping.

Waiting, trusting, and hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to form a strong chain. Trusting is the central strand, because it is the response that God desires most of His blood-bought and baptized children. Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Waiting upon the Lord’s timing will help you to put your trust in Him and not in yourself. Hoping is the joy of knowing that God will work in your lives for good in every situation. As you wait, trust and hope in Him, know He will not abandon or forsake you. Look to the cross and you will know that His words are golden and they can be trusted. He has proved His worthiness by giving His life for you to be with Him forever in heaven. Hoping is future-directed, connecting you to your inheritance in heaven.

Jesus says to you today as you will become Elegantly Bound together as husband and wife—you are Mine! Don’t just pass time in your waiting. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, you can wait expectantly, in hopeful trust. Keep your “antennae” out to pick up even the faintest glimmer of His Presence.

To help you remember His presence in your lives, I have made you something for your wedding gift. It is a stressed cross with a heart on it. I made it to help you remember that you are indeed Elegantly Bound.

First, notice the golden color heart. If you look closely, you will notice the heart is bound by 3 wires. I bound it together as I formed the heart to remind you that you are bound to Christ. The heart is pointing to Your Savior who loved you first. The heart reminds you of the loving sacrifice of Jesus for your souls. The heart is to keep you focused on the love of Christ that has been planted in your hearts and that will help you love each other. The golden color of the heart is a reminder of the joy and blessings Christ has in store for you in your married life together.

Second, notice the cross it is crooked. I call it, “The stressed cross.” That is to remind you that though you think you have married the greatest woman or the greatest man in the world. Know this, there will be days when you wonder what in the world was I thinking when I married this person. You will get angry with one another and might even get mad at each other. But as we talked during our counseling sessions, never go to bed angry. Never turn your buts to each other and attempt to go to sleep, because you can’t. Instead, work at it long and hard. Go to the Lord in prayers remembering that you are not perfect, your partner is not perfect and your marriage will not be perfect—and ask your partner and Your Lord’s forgiveness and then hug and make up. DON’T YOU EVER, I MEAN THAT, GO TO BED ANGRY!

In this broken world, you will have pain, difficulties, hardships and trials. It is not if you will, but when you will. And when this happens, you go back to the promises of Christ who in love has Elegantly Bound you together and will see you through these challenges. Go to Him who has bound you in love and mercy. Go to Him and pray for His guidance and directions. Go to Him and know that He will be with you all the time and will work through these hardships for your good and for His glory.

The cross is Elegantly Bound, as He binds Himself to us in the incarnation... in His Cross... in His empty tomb!  Yes this is the elegant binding that brings the two cords of Elaine and Bryant together into the unbreakable strand of three.

Elaina and Bryant, by the grace of God soon you will be Elegantly Bound. Therefore, accept this humble gift made specifically for you. Place it in your home someplace and remember through Christ you have been Elegantly Bound to one another until death do you part. May the Lord bless this Elegant Binding now and always. Amen.

“It’s Time” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

S-1337 16SAP/3B 9/16/12 Hymns: (O) #; (S) #451 (Stand Up…)1; (C) #

Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Hebrews 7:18-22; Matthew 21:28-32

Theme: “It’s Time” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

Question: “What changes would you like to see?” Trinity, Bemidji, MN

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for our Mission Fest is the O.T. lesson: “a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

Oh most precious in the sight of God. You can’t escape it even if you tried. With less than two months to go until the National election, both sides are trying to convince you to change your mind and vote for them. All of the ads, messages on Tweet, internet, newspaper, and magazines are intended to convince you that this candidate is better than the other. And before long, it will be time to choose the next president.

Today, Solomon speaks of the time for us to change what we are doing and take a stronger approach to our lives as Christians. He tells us that there is a time to speak and a time to keep silent. And I assure you today IS not the time to be silent, instead, today let your voices be heard. Why? Because we can’t as faithful followers of the Savior, continue to go down this path without being true to the Word of God and its teaching.

The word “time” in the LXX (that is the Greek translation of the O.T.) is Kaipros—a redemptive moment in time. Suggests don’t miss the opportunities God gives you to tell others about Jesus, invite someone to come to church and hear about Jesus, or overlook the importance of witnessing. If you are shy, use timely literature, a note, a smile, as well as a prayer.

In 1967 there was a TV show called “It’s about Time”. It lasted only one year. It failed because it did not offer anything new and refreshing. You and I as the followers of Jesus have a message that will, through Christ enable others and us to be forever young and forever new in the new heaven and the new earth. Many things come and pass only what’s done for Christ (in time) will last!

It is important that we know it’s time to stand up for the truth and let everyone know that Jesus is the TRUTH that leads to eternal life. It is time to speak our mind and tell others only Jesus saves. Only Jesus redeems. Only Jesus heals and restores us back to God the Father. It’s all about time in light of eternity.

Solomon a little later in this book talks about how God plants eternity into our hearts so that we view light through this lens. Just think of being part of a team to lead a person to Christ for all eternity...doing something that will last...having a special friend for all eternity. Perhaps it’s time for Christians to team up and intentionally in the mouth of three witnesses invite someone to church so that the person coming to church has at least three good reasons to come. Wise witnessing: It’s time. PAUSE.

Did you know dear saints in Christ that in our church body there has been very little mission outreach? According to the latest Layman’s Magazine (The Lutheran Layman Vol. 83, No. 5 September-October 2012, p 3), only 5% of the LCMS congregations do 50% of the outreach. In 2010 there were 371 Adult confirmation recorded.

Can you imagine what might go through the minds of many if on the day before the Election, the churches would toll their bells @ noon, according to their time zone. If every single Christian church would do that you might be able to hear the ringing of the bells far and wide. Christians by the power of the Holy Spirit would be changing the thoughts and hearts of many. If Christians would get down on their knees and fervently pray along with the tolling of the church bells. Many might change their minds or some may rebel even worse. PAUSE.

Beloved in Christ, I do know that God is in total control, but He also wants His people to stand firm for what we believe in. He wants us to stand up and change the world one soul at a time, as we witness to His love in our lives. He wants us to share the Gospel with people who have never heard of Him—that He suffered, died and rose again to change their lives forever from being dead to becoming alive, from being hell-bound, to heaven-bound.

The time is now. Not tomorrow or the day after. Solomon says, there is a TIME to speak and a TIME to be silent. And certainly our times has come to speak of the love of Him who is LOVE Jesus Christ. Even our Synodical President Matthew Harrison encourages us in his “From the President” writes: “Indeed, as next year’s Synod convention theme puts it, we are ‘Baptized for This Moment.’ We have a serious vocation. We’ve been placed on this earth—in this orthodox Lutheran Church body at this very time of trial—to carry out our lives fully for the sake of a high, eternal purpose. We are here because of, for the sake of, the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the message of free forgiveness in Jesus’ blood.” (Lutheran Witness 9-12-2012).

Why, then, do we want to do so? Because, our world points others to seek the god of this world, and not the Savior of Mankind. We, on the other hand, want to share the love of Jesus with them before it is too late.

Study the history of the Early Church...it was always about time. Dr. Luke writes these words of the Apostles, “We cannot help but speak of the things we heard and seen” (Acts 4:20). Having been filled with the Holy Spirit through Baptism and the Word...it was always time to be about the Father’s business seeking the lost and strengthening the saved.

We want to do so because Jesus has promised He is returning and when He returns will He find faith in the hearts of people? You and I, by God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit will be used for His glory and honor and for the building up of His Kingdom. Seeing the days to come were not going to be all that good for those who followed Him, Jesus sadly said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8 ESV).

Know this, saints in Christ, Jesus’ question is not rhetorical. What is important is that we know His time is drawing near and we want to be prepared. Furthermore, be aware of what Jesus is NOT asking. Jesus wasn’t asking if He would find a church. Jesus will find churches in abundance when He returns. He will find churches like the one which on Ash Wednesday, applied crosses to the heads of the worshippers made from a mixture of human blood, olive oil, and burned tax forms. He will find churches like the one in California which took down its cross less it offend those who drive by. Yes, Jesus will find churches when He comes again, but Jesus wasn’t asking whether He would find churches. Jesus wants to know if He has made a difference in your life.

Nor is Jesus asking if He will find pastors when He returns. Sadly, there are many pastors out there who don’t preach salvation through the cross ALONE. How sad and tragic when Pastors neglect their God given calling. To be sure, Jesus will find pastors when He returns, but He wants to know if He changed your life.

Jesus us is not asking whether He will find church bodies when He returns on Judgment Day. Certainly, Jesus will find church bodies when He returns, but will He find faithful followers who love Him, serve Him and worship Him with heart, soul, mind and body.

Today, on this Mission Fest, in the name of Christ Jesus who died for you, see Him anew with the eyes of faith and see how He has changed you for the better. He has changed you instead of going to jail, not going passed go, but straight to hell—to be in the loving arms of His heavenly Father. Jesus has changed you from being an outcast to be included as His very own blood-bought child. Jesus has changed you from being an enemy of God to becoming His precious friend. Jesus has changed you from being blind, so that you may see clearly that He is holy, merciful and gracious. Jesus has changed you to be the man, woman, boy and girl that He wants you to be.

Therefore, having been freed by His Word and Sacraments, and live in our Baptismal Grace of sweet forgiveness – we pray a prayer of thanks that today is THE TIME He has planted us in. This is THE PLACE where we are planted. We thank Him that He has put before us that part of His beautiful world, so that THIS PEOPLE who are in our lives might see His love in us and hear His grace in forgiveness and love on our lips. He has freed us, He has set us free to be His voice, His hands, His feet – yes, to be, as we Lutherans like to say, “incarnate” with His grace. The Lost and the Erring are His beloved, too! He has placed you before them and them before you for the noble purpose that you might “Declare the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness and into His marvellous light.” (2 Peter. 2:9). Yes, the Time is Now! Now is the time for change – the change from death to life, from darkness to light, from fear to faith. Yes, beloved, now is the time He has prepared for you. It’s time for a change. Even so, Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

“Satisfaction Guaranteed” (Ecclesiastes 5:10, 19).

S-1143 10/18/09 20SAP/3B Hymns: (O) #10; (S) #376; (C) #437

Texts: Ecclesiastes 5:10-20; Hebrews 4:1-13; Mark 10:23-31

Theme: “Satisfaction Guaranteed” (Ecclesiastes 5:10, 19).

Question: “What Satisfies You?” SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen! Indeed! Alleluia! The text for our meditation this morning is the Old Testament lesson: “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity… Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10, 19).

Introduction:

Saints in Christ, Solomon a rich-wise man who had everything at his disposal teaches us today that the love of money does not satisfy. Anytime we think that money or materials, toys or trinkets, power or possessions are going to make us happy we are mistaken. As sinful human beings we tend to think that if we have just a little bit more of this or that, our lives will be much better. How foolish we are. None of these items satisfy the soul.

The author of our text clearly states: “That the one who loves money will never be satisfied”. As a matter of fact, wealth can even harm its owner if we pursue it as the number one priority in life. The prophet Job declared when he lost everything, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). We know that we cannot take money to the grave. Only a fool blindly pursues it. Happiness dear saints results when one enjoys such gifts of God without placing them at the center of life.

Many times as you listen to the commercials on TV or read ads in the paper we hear these words, “Satisfaction Guaranteed”. But we know from personal experience, that is not always the case. I am sure you have purchased something that stated satisfaction guaranteed. However, when you got it, it wasn’t what it clamed to be. And when you tried to return it, you got the run around because they forgot to tell you about the hidden “small print.”  But not when it comes to God’s Holy and Inspired Word. When God gives us a guarantee He has no hidden print, no hidden agenda and no tricks up His sleeves. Instead, God gives us the certainty that satisfies. The satisfaction guaranteed is “the gift of God” v.19. Study, the living Word and you will see that precious and lovely gift. The Gift of God comes to us through His Word. His Word points us to His Son, who gave us the gift of salvation on the cross by which we get the forgiveness He offers. PAUSE.

As your Pastor, I must admit to you that I can never satisfy all of your needs and all of your wants. In my 16 years of serving as God’s under-shepherd in this part of His Vineyard, I have heard all of these statements: “The sermon is too long, it is too short. You are too loud, you are too soft. You are boring, you are exciting. You are compassionate, you don’t care. You are self-centered and selfish, you are considerate.” Etc.

Beloved in the Lord, when I was installed as your pastor, I took a vow to do the best that I can in serving you. Teaching the young and old and being faithful in my ministry. But I need you to know that you are looking at a sinner—a man with clay feet. Even though I attempt to do the best that I can, it is not good enough. Often times the devil reminds us—you and me of our failings and foibles. I know that I have not satisfied you always, and will not satisfy you in the future.

Faithful followers of Christ, anytime, any human hands are laid on an item or project that claims satisfactions guaranteed, know for certain, that that item or project begins to crumble and be destroyed. Man can’t satisfy our hungry and thirsty soul. There is only one who can, that One is none other than the Lord Almighty.

Our precious heaven-sent Savior comes to us and says, “My Satisfaction is guaranteed!” My Words and actions are timely, tested and true. With Me you can be sure that satisfaction is guaranteed. I offer you peace through My death on the cross of Calvary. And by My rising from the dark and dead grave, I guarantee your resurrection from the grave. I offer you My gifts of faith, forgiveness and forever living with Me in paradise. I Am Your perfect Savior. You may have failed miserably, but My message is satisfaction guaranteed. I don’t hold anything against you. PAUSE.

You and I should know for certain that we fail to “satisfy” or be “filled as a good meal will satisfy” with anything but the true meal that our perfect Savior has prepared for us. The true satisfaction – is found in the gift of Him who was Crucified, Risen, Ascended and Returning Lord. His gift at the table satisfies us completely and joyfully.

Solomon, the wise-rich man uses a Hebrew word Yishbah. That word means being filled, content, and satisfied as with a good meal. Week after week, we as God’s sons and daughter are so privileged to gather around the Lord’s Table and His finished work in the broken bread and shed cup. Yes, we cannot satisfy one another – our sin is that deep – ah, but He and He alone satisfies. And He does so even today.

Don’t forget that you are the beloved children of God. You are baptized, forgiven, redeemed, blood-bought and heaven-bound. Remember therefore, that Christ’s mission of coming to earth was to redeem you from the unholy trinity—sin, death and the grave. Therefore, He accepted the challenge of this lot, He accepted His lot and rejoiced in His toil (Hebrews 12:1-2) as the gift from the Father – and in that – enabled the joyous response in us to also accept our lot and rejoice in our toil = that is, to stand beneath the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1) to stand beneath the shadow of the Cross (Matthew 16:24-26).

Today, in your hearing Solomon speaks. He speaks from personal experience. He states in another chapter of this same book, that all our toil is vanity (chp. 2) – but our toil as the gift of God, our wealth provided by Christ, is the toil that indeed satisfies. And what is that toil? It may be different for each one of us in its particular expression, but it is summarized in Matthew 22:37, 39, “loving the Lord Your God with all your heart, soul, and mind… loving neighbor as self”. To do this is fulfilled in Christ. Only His perfect gift on the Cross “satisfies” the Father – so only as we are found in that Grace, does our “keeping of the law” find its fulfillment, its “satisfaction.” We can indeed love God with heart, mind, strength, for this is how He has first loved us – we reflect it as we stand beneath the cross. We can love neighbor as self – under the shadow of the Almighty, in His strength alone – this is the fulfillment of Ecclesiastes 5:19. PAUSE.

So are you satisfied with what you have? What will satisfy you dear children of God? What else do you need to make your life complete? Maybe these are not the right questions maybe they are. But in order for us to know if we are truly satisfied we need to remember few things. First, remember the words of Solomon: “That the one who loves money will never be satisfied”. Second, remember the warning that Paul gives to son Timothy saying. “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

And Third, we ought to take inventory of all of God’s gifts to us in Christ the heaven-sent Savior. How should I go about taking this inventory? Where should I start but at the cross of Jesus? How could He love me so much to die for my sins? How can He keep on forgiving me so often? Let my neighbor worry about his sins. I have plenty of my own. But for each of them I have God’s forgiveness through Jesus’ blood. My forgiving God is also my providing God. He gives me what I need for body and life. I may not always recognize the form in which His blessings come, but that doesn’t stop them from being His good GIFTS to me.

Oh, my children, today, Jesus again assures YOU that He is the ONLY One who can satisfy you. You have Jesus, you lack nothing. But if you have everything and don’t have Jesus, you really have nothing. Give thanks therefore to the God of all Grace under whose watchful eyes of mercy, He gives us more than we need to satisfy our life not only here on earth but forever in heaven. Amen.

Now the peace of God…