“Broken Heart!” (Psalm 51:17).

S-1237 Ash Wednesday/3A 03/09/11, (O) #323; (S) #143 v 1-3; LS #151 v 1-2; #388 (C) #416

Text: Psalm 51; Joel 2:12-14

Theme: “Broken Heart!” (Psalm 51:17).

Question: “Have you ever experienced a broken heart?”1^st in Sermon series Broken…But NOT Broke

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! The text for our Ash Wednesday is from the Psalm of David: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Ps. 51:17).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

It is all a matter of the heart. Anyway you look at things; you must look at them through the lens of the heart. The heart is sensitive, tender, and easily broken. The heart is what makes your body clicks and what makes your heart aches. The heart is where it all begins and where it all ends. So on this Ash Wednesday, we contemplate the words of David in his penitential Psalm as we deal with a Broken Heart.

David the man who loved God, a man after His own heart – (1 Samuel 13:14) wrote this Psalm with a broken heart after the sinful act he had performed with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. In brokenness David writes this Psalm of repentance and restoration. He acknowledges his guilt (v. 2-4). He begs for the cleansing that God alone can do (v. 7). He requests restoration of his broken life, broken heart and broken relationship with His heavenly Father (v. 17). He is begging the Almighty Father to take His broken heart and mend it again and make it new.

Tonight, as we gather in the presence of Him who is Holy, Just and Righteous, we beg the same thing. Because there is not one among us here who has not, or is now experiencing a broken heart. In a sinful and broken world, life does that to us. Hearts are tender things. They are easily bruised, and easily broken. I know from being your pastor for the past 17 years that you experienced it. Everyone has. Maybe you found out what a broken heart was back in Middle school when your dream of being a part of a certain group of kids or being a star in a particular sport but it didn’t come to pass. Perhaps it was in high school that you tasted the reality of a broken heart when your feelings of caring for another were met with rejection or even ridicule. Or perhaps, your heart was crushed when your spouse left and divorce became part of your life. Maybe it came at the Dr’s office when the announcement came, “So sorry IT IS CANCER! There is nothing we can do.” (I’m speaking of personal experience here about my father’s news) Or maybe it was when your life’s partner was called home unexpectedly and your heart fell to pieces. Hearts are sensitive things, aren’t they? A relationship can make your heart soar on the wings of joy—and a relationship can break a heart mercilessly.

But the truth of the matter is that our hearts are not only vulnerable to broken relationships, but are broken by the ravages of sin. Probably nothing brings more heartache to a parent than the realization that his own bad choices brought suffering to his children. And it is certainly heartbreaking to watch an individual with great talent and potential squander her gifts and fail to use them. It’s devastating when people you love and care for make foolish decisions—it breaks your heart. It’s such devastation when you look deep within your heart and find there the ugly, unwanted stain of sin—SIN in all of its manifestations. Sin breaks our hearts; it breaks God’s heart and those we love. We are crushed by own failure—laid low by sin and know the pain and hurt that our hearts experience. Our Father, yes, Father, He has a heart that breaks because of our sin, the way we have squandered His gifts, His grace… that is why He sent His Only-Begotten Son to the Cross. Dust we are, to dust we shall return…. And… and He, breathes anew into that dust the breath of life (cf. Gen 2:7)!} PAUSE.

This is why tonight we find ourselves in the house of Lord observing Ash Wednesday. After all, this is not really a fun day because we are reminded of sin and the consequences of sin—death; your own and those around you. On Ash Wednesday, we are encouraged and indeed exhorted to look inward—at least for as long as you can endure it—and see what actually lives in your own heart. And when you are honest at what you see, you recoil in disgust and distaste. No one knows your heart like you—except God. Despite your best efforts to put a good face on things, you know the reality—don’t you? My father-in-law would often say, “You can fool yourself, you can even fool some people, but you can’t fool God.” Oh, how we try. But deep down in the dark crevasses of the heart lies and lives SIN.

Sin is functioning far too freely. Its reach extends far too deeply. You begrudge the good fortune of others. You resent the joys that are denied you but enjoyed by others. You lust for what is not yours, and neglect what is yours. You reject what God gives you to do and insist that there must be something else to life. You see the suffering of others and turn away. You try to do what’s right, but you always fall short; you never quite measure up. You see it all, there, in your own heart, and your heart breaks. It breaks in shame, regret and sorrow. It breaks for what could have been and is NOT. It breaks at the staggering cost of sin. Ash Wednesday is all about broken hearts. And the truth of the matter is this: BROKEN HEARTS AREN’T FUN!

A broken heart hurts. A broken heart aches continually and unrelentingly. A broken heart can even manifest itself in physical symptoms and suffering. A broken heart takes huge amount of energy and it is taxing. No one wants to deal with a broken heart. So, when a heart breaks either because of a relationship that has gone sour, or from the high price of sin, we try to stop the pain and end the hurt; we try to fix the broken heart. I know that is my approach. I am an avid fixer. Give me a problem, and I’ll do my best to solve it. Give me something broken and I’ll try to fix it. It’s not a bad approach when it comes to toys and appliances or appointments. But it doesn’t always work. It’s particularly difficult lesson to accept that we can’t fix everything. It is very difficult in a marriage when a spouse is not concerned with fixing things, but for her mate to hear her heartache and care for her needs. She wants a man who loves her and listens to her instead of fixing it. I’d rather fix the problem! So, I look at a broken heart the way you probably do; they are just one more thing that needs fixing. And that’s wrong BIG TIME.

David tells us in this psalm “a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise” A broken heart; that is what God wants. Listen to me saints in Christ, God is looking for hearts that are broken and bleeding, crushed and crumbled, tattered and torn. He doesn’t want hearts that have been patched up with a band-aid. He doesn’t want them fixed up. He wants them broken. In other words, He wants you to come to Him with honesty and humility. He wants you to enter His presence as you really are—broken heart and all. Just like the note in your bulletin. “God can heal a broken heart, but He has to have all the pieces.”

But that is so hard to do for us fallen creatures. It’s hard to leave a broken heart alone. We think that God surely wouldn’t be interested in getting a messed up, broken and bleeding heart from us. So we try to piece it, patch it and put it back together ourselves. We try to show Him that we are strong enough to do it without His help and care. We try to fix it and take the pain away.

This is not what the Lord wants from you. He doesn’t want your fixed up and fastened heart back. He wants it broken. Don’t go looking for new relationships to cover up your pain. Don’t try to compensate for your sin by piling up an impressive stack of really good deeds. Don’t try to salve a wounded heart by getting revenge on the one who hurt you. Offering God a heart with a patched up job is on the order of a husband giving his wife a broken vase that has been repaired with Elmer’s glue and duct tape. It’s repulsive! It’s tragic! It’s sad! How futile and pathetic it is when we try to fix our broken hearts. It can’t be done. You can’t put back what is destroyed. Don’t mend your broken heart. God will ONLY receive hearts that are broken.

It’s time to stop playing the blame game. It’s time to stop pretending. It’s time to be honest with God about Sin and its consequences. We have all fallen like a big oak tree at the sight of temptation. We have all given in because we thought we could get away with it, or we deserve it. But tonight, we are exhorted to come in mercy crawling to the God of all grace who asks us to come to Him just as we are.

The Prophet Joel put it this way in our reading tonight: “rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord Your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” (Joel 2:13). David understood this well. God is not interested in a quick fix but in the truth. David confessed his sins saying: “Against You, God, You only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight.” (Ps. 51:4). But then the merciful and compassionate God utters words of healing. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”(Ps. 51:17) David begged the Lord to cleanse him with Hyssop. These words point ahead to the fulfillment of the OT sacrifices: The ONE sacrifice of Christ whose heart broke for us on the cross so that our broken hearts might be healed.

This blessed reassurance and promise is to you and to me and to every struggling, broken-hearted sinner. God will not cast away anyone who comes to Him with a broken heart and broken spirit. Through His Son Jesus Christ, we all are seen like sheep without a shepherd, helpless and destitute, with nowhere to turn, but to a gracious God. But our Good Shepherd calls out to His sheep, and He says, “I Am the Good Shepherd. I have laid down My life so that I can give you a new heart. I died carrying your guilt, your brokenness. I shed My blood so that Your every sin from wrong choices in your life are now covered. And I, the risen Christ, have destroyed all the powers of brokenness, of death, of disappointment, of heart-ache. I am with you!”

Beloved in the Lord, on this Ash Wednesday know this truth: David’s sin was covered as he believed the promise of the coming Savior. Our sins and brokenness are covered by the Savior who has come that we might have life and have it with every gift and blessing that the Father in heaven gives to those who turn to Him.

Don’t let the world fool you. Don’t let Satan steal your joy. Don’t let your past sins crush you down and crumble you. Remember well, yes our hearts are broken, but we are not broke. Remember the reason Jesus came. He came to take away our sins and open the gates of heaven for us in His death and resurrection from the grave. And as such we know the blessed assurance of the truth that is beyond any shadow of doubt. God can and does take what is broken, especially broken heart. He makes and remakes that heart into a new heart, a heart filled with His grace—filled with His joy—filled with His love—the love of Christ. Your God promises to make your heart new and He has. Amen.

Now the peace of God…

“I’m in the RIGHT Place!” (Psalm 1:1-2, John 14:2)

S-1228 Epiphany/3A 01/06/10 Hymns (O) #193; (S) #201; #394; #123; #335; (C) #47

Text: Psalm 23; 121; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; John 14:1-21

Theme: “I’m in the RIGHT Place!” (Psalm 1:1-2, John 14:2)

CELEBRATION of the New Life for Herman Konard Fuerniss

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for this celebration is Herm’s confirmation text “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2) …“In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2). Please be seated.

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

You who are blessed by the Father of love, especially you Alice, Sherman, Perry, Cameron, Laurie, Garrett, Peggy, family and friends, we have gathered in the Lord’s house today to celebrate the New Life of our departed brother in the faith, and find comfort in His Word and promise—a promise that is anchored in the cross and the empty tomb.

Today, as you mourn the passing of your loved one—husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, uncle, brother and friend, from this vale of tears to life eternal, take comfort in the One who has destroyed the sting of death, the grave and the power of sin—Jesus YOUR Savior.

Jesus was and still is the hallmark of this saint. Ever since I met him (about 9 years ago) when I became the vacancy Pastor of St. Paul, I was impressed with his love for the Word, the church, and family in that order. And when he became one of our saints here, I got to know him better. What impressed me about this brother were His devotion, trust and confidence in His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He loved His Lord and His Church; that is why when St. Paul Lutheran Church in the country closed it was hard on him. He wanted that Church to be used so that others might know of the love of the Savior that took Him to the cross.

Now, anyone who knew Herm would often hear him say, “It is not about me, but about the Lord.” And that is the truth. I am not here to eulogize this man or paint him in a bigger picture than he really is. But to share the truth of his trust in His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The text of his confirmation is a fitting tribute to him because it describes him to a tee.

Listen, again, please to his text. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night” Yes, Herm was blessed because for over 84 years, 6 months and 2 days that he walked the dusty roads of Choteau Creek he walked it hand in hand with His Lord and God.

How blessed was he? Blessed with a lovely wife who stood by him for over 55 years! Six wonderful children and their spouses, grandchildren and friends galore! He is blessed not because of the earthly treasures, (though they are many) but because His parents shared with him the heavenly blessings of knowing the Savior, and in his life he along with Alice passed it on to their children and others by word and example.

Yes, he WAS blessed and IS blessed. And, I, as a Pastor, was blessed to know him and be taught by him of the preciousness of the Word. I know of other Pastors who were drawn to him as well. Why blessed? Because his delight was in the Law of the Lord upon which he meditated daily. There has never been a time when Herm or I whether at the house or hospital that we didn’t share the Word. As late as 14 hours before he saw the Sonrise in heaven (as one of his daughters told me) we shared the Word together. The Word was his hope, his anchor and his joy. PAUSE.

The last few years haven’t been the most enjoyable to this man. Cancer had made his dwelling in his stomach and thus began the many trips to Sioux Falls, surgeries, Chemo and radiation treatments and long stays at hospitals. These were hard days, but he never gave up. He fought the good fight and he ran the race that was set before him as the Epistle for today reminds us. He kept the faith never wavering or wondering if God still loves him.

About 6 weeks ago, the word came back from the doctors that there is nothing that they could do. Your time on earth is running short, and the hour glass is running empty. Those were hard words to swallow, and yet he trusted in His Lord and God to see him through and so did the family. Brother Herm was brought home and I attempted to visit and commune him often. A week ago, today, was my last time to commune him and his family in his bedroom because he was so weak to sit in the chair. After receiving the Lord’s Supper, I asked the family if “I could have a moment of privacy with my parishioner?” The family kindly left me alone with Herm.

Sitting by the bed, I took his hand in mine, rubbed it for a while and prayed with him. I said I will come back to see you again unless the Lord calls you home then I will see you in heaven and his response was, “That will be ok Pastor!” After some moments of silence, I said to him, “Herm, what is the one thing that you want me to tell your family during the Celebration of the New Life?” He said, “Tell them I AM IN THE RIGHT PLACE!” Thus the title of this celebration. Herm is in the RIGHT PLACE.

Our loving and gracious Savior always puts us in the RIGHT place. Study the Scriptures and you will see that God’s place is the RIGHT PLACE. God placed Mary to be the mother of Jesus in the Right place. God chose Joseph to be the adopted father of Jesus in the Right place. When the babe of Bethlehem was born it was in the Right place. And when His parents took Him to the Temple to circumcise Him at 8 days old there was Simeon at the Right place.

With eyes of faith, Simeon saw more than the Christ Child he was holding. He saw the Christ Child holding him. That’s why he could speak so peacefully about death. His words “Lord, lettest now Thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have see Your SALVATION…” don’t sound much like the abject fear the world connects with the monster it calls death. They sound more like the confession of a man who is ready for discharge from service on earth and who is eager for enlist­ment in heaven’s ranks. They come from someone who knows whose loving arms are wrapped around him and who trusts those powerful arms to hold him even into eternity.

Yes, Simeon, Anna, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and our beloved brother Herm were and are in the RIGHT PLACE. And oh, what a place it is. The Lord Himself spoke these comforting words in the Upper Room just as He was about to give His life on the cross for the sins of the world saying…“Let not YOUR hearts be troubled, you believe in God believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will COME back again to take you to be with Me!” Indeed, that is what the Savior did for this saint who saw His Sonrise in heaven this past Sunday @ 6:10 a.m. Can you envision the look on Herm’s face when He awoke to see His Savior? Can you imagine the joy that filled his heart when he walked into heaven and saw the pierced hands of His Savior? Can you visualize him walking with all the strength as a young man not bothered by cancer, not needing any assistance and oh eating pecan pie? Can you picture him now made new by the blood of the Lamb who said, “Behold, I make all things new!!!”

Yes, my beloved and His beloved, Herm is in the right place—a place built with most the most expensive materials in the world, and by the Greatest Carpenter in the World—the Carpenter from Nazareth. This Carpenter didn’t use timber or nails, concrete or steel, or gold or silver; but His own precious flesh and blood, bones and muscles to guarantee Herm and all the world that the Right place for the believer is with Jesus.

What a joy to celebrate the New Life today of this beloved saint, who is now in the glory of heaven. What an honor to know that the Carpenter from Nazareth said to Herm last Thursday THIS IS NOW THE NEW RIGHT PLACE FOR YOU! In time and space Herm knew that church was the place to receive the abundant grace of God. From heaven, Herm witnesses to us yet on earth. His life is a legacy that this House of worship is the RIGHT place. For here in this place, the Word of the Lord is proclaimed, forgiveness is delivered, and the Sacrament is bestowed. This house is a major GRACE PLACE. Here you find comfort for life and confidence when death comes so that you can walk through the valley of the shadow knowing the risen Redeemer is intimately by your side. No wonder you found Herm sitting (point to his spot) right here hearing, singing and praising His Savior. OH WHAT A PLACE IT IS!

I would like you to remember as you depart from this place the good news of Jesus that held your husband, father, father-in-law in His pierced hands what the word “RIGHT” Stands for”

R – Rejoicing

I – In

G – God’s

H – Heavenly

T – Truth

CELEBRATE LIFE MY DEAR FAMILY OF FAITH BECAUSE HERM IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE. AMEN. CHRIST IS RISEN! (3X)

SOLI DEO GLORIA…

“ONLY God Can…” (Psalm 49:7-8, 15)

S-1201 8/01/10 10SAP/3C Hymns: (O) #349; S#201; (C) #400

Texts: Ecclesiastes1:2, 12-14; 2:18-26; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21

Theme: “ONLY God Can…” (Psalm 49:7-8, 15)

Question: What price do you put on your life?

Armour, SD SOLI DEO GLORIA

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleuia. The text for our meditation is the Introit: “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice…But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me” (Ps. 49:7-8, 15).

People of God, CHOSEN and BELOVED, many stories have been told and written about our POW’s being brutally mistreated in Japanese prison camps during WWII. In one of the camps, the Americans soldiers arrived while it was snowing. Their quarters were very rudely made huts with grass walls, and had no heat of any kind. Many prisoners died from pneumonia, the food was lousy and they were forced to do heavy labor under terrible conditions. Often these POW’s were beaten unconsciously by their Japanese guard (real name unknown), but he was nicknamed “The Beast.”

At the end of the day, the guards would count the shovels and picks that the POW’s used. On a particular day, the guard returned with a big frown on his face saying, “He had counted the shovels and one of them is missing. Unless the shovel is brought forth immediately, one prisoner would be put to death every hour.” All POW’s stood at attention in fear and no one dared blink or move. Finally, at what seemed like an eternity, a man came forth saying, “I took the shovel!” The guard known as “The Beast” beat him mercilessly to death with a shovel.

The next morning, when the guards were counting the shovels and picks again, it was discovered that they counted wrong. The shovel had not been missing but was in the shed all along. The man, who was brutally beaten to death, was killed needlessly. However, he offered his life as a ransom for the other comrades.

Today, as we listen to the text from the Psalm of the Sons of Korah, we are told plainly, clearly and bluntly that man CAN’T ransom another life. Oh, many have given their lives for the sake of others. There is no denying it. You know and I know that many of our brave men and women have died in battle for the sake of others. Some have even exchanged their lives so that one of their comrades can go home to his wife and new born son.

But even with this act of bravery and kindness all that the person is able to do is save and spare the life of the other person for a while. But no matter how many give their lives for the others eventually, death will come knocking down. The payment for the soul is not made possible by man; no amount of wealth can buy escape from death. Although many think they can. Many even say, “I am going to cheat death.” But every one of us living now is destined to die.

The reason for death is sin. God commanded our ancestors in the Garden of Eden, “Saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die’” (Gen. 2:16-17). Ever since that day, men and women have been dying. Death has a hold on us. Death will claim us. Death will call us. For some it is sooner than they like. But regardless death will come!

So how can we sinful, selfish and self-indulgent people save our lives or the lives of others? WE CAN’T! It is impossible with man. Man can’t and never will redeem ransom or restore the life of another. ONLY God can.

Not only is this golden nugget truth taught in our Psalm today, but throughout all of Holy Scriptures. As the Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ taught the people of Palestine in the Gospel lesson saying, “What benefit if a man gains the whole world but looses his soul?” The answer is obvious. NOTHING!

Again, when our Savior, was on the earth He confessed this truth: “I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes unto the Father, except through Me” (John 14:6). The Apostles Peter and John gave us this wisdom to hold unto. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Yet, many think they can and try to. Some even pray to saints or Mary as if they have power to save or ransom someone’s life. Not long ago I was visiting with someone who told me, “That their parent is with the Lord because the priest performed the Last Right!” No, Priest or Pop, , Politician or President, Peasant or Pastor can Ransom a soul, ONLY God can.

This is emphasized by the words of text today. In verse 7 we read these words: Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice” The words “give to God the price of his life” is from the Hebrew Cfar or kipper, Meaning covering or payment for sins. This is the same word that is used for the highest festival in the Jewish holiday known as “Yum Kippur”, “The Day of Atonement”. Again, ONLY God can make and put in place a covering for our sin! ONLY God can ransom the life of another. He is the One who can make alive from the dead.

Man can’t split the sea, but God can…Man can’t make the sun stand still, but God can…Man can’t bring food from heaven, but God can… Man can’t cause the rock to gush with water, but God can…Man can’t walk on water, but God can… Man can’t give His blood or body to save another, but God can and He does…Man can’t confess Jesus is Lord except through the Holy Spirit. ONLY God can cause us to acknowledge Him. PAUSE.

In the movie, “Men of Honor,” you hear the story of Carl Brashear. Carl Brashear is a black man wanted to be a Navy Diver in the 1960. As a black man he had no hope. But he was confident he could do it. When he left the farm for basic training his father gave him a radio with these inscriptions on the back of it. ASNF.

As the story progressed, his commanding office Master Chief Sunday did everything possible to fail Brashear even though he passed every test. When the final test was to take place, where each student had to assemble a flange 200 feet underwater using a bag of tools, Brashear’s bag was cut open. Brashear finishes the assembly and successfully completes the task after 9 hours and 31 minutes earning the quiet and suppressed admiration of Master Chief Sunday.

Master Chief Sunday had told Brashear to quit, but he wouldn’t and couldn’t. As he looked at Brashear’s father’s photo, Master Chief Sunday asked, “What did your dad say to you that keep you driving on and on?” His response was simple by the reminder of the inscriptions on the back of the radio-ASNF. A Son Never Forgets. PAUSE.

It is indeed true that a son never forgets. This truth is evident more than anywhere else except in our Big brother Jesus—The True Son of the Father. The Father had sent His Son Jesus to complete the mission not of becoming a Master Chief Diver to assemble or rescue ships, but to rescue and ransom humanity from sin, and hell and death and the power of the devil

Jesus the true Son of God never forgot His mission though many tried to get in His way. Many attempted to suppress, subdue, silence and stop Him from reaching His destination—the cross. He continued in spite of everyone’s attempt to stop Him—from the disciples, to Herod, to the Chief Priest and Pilate, but He wouldn’t and couldn’t.

So He continued His march to Calvary and there was beaten brutally and mercilessly for the sake of humanity. Even while He was on the cross for 6 full hours, people encouraged Him to save Himself and forget about the rest of the world. But A Son Never Forgets His mission and ministry to ransom you.

People of God CHOSEN and BELOVED, the POW gave his life but couldn’t spare nor save anyone’s life. Carl Brashear gave over 44 years of his life in the service of his country at a cost of 3 divorces and a lost leg but in the end he died too. But only the True Son, our God, Jesus Can and has Saved, Ransomed and Redeemed us to live with Him forever. What a blessing to know that God alone can. Amen.

Now the peace…

“Walking With God” (Psalm 23:4)

S-1099 7/23/10 9SAP/3C Hymns: (O) #744; (S) #752; Solo “How Great…” (C) # SOD #18

Texts: Psalm 23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:1-6

Theme: “Walking With God” (Psalm 23:4)

Celebration of New Life for Letha L. Kramer

Armour, SD SOLI DEO GLORIA

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The text for the celebration of the new life promised to our departed sister in the faith Letha is from the Good Shepherd Psalm: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You ARE with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

Family and friends, especially you Janet, Karen, Bruce and Barry we gather today in the house of the Lord to take comfort and consolation in His Word and His promise given to us who trust and believe in Him. His Words are hope and help in the hour of sorrow. His Words of promise are a sweet honey to the taste that otherwise would be bitter as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

Today, as you gather in the Lord’s house to say farewell to someone you love, there is a lump in your throat, a knot in your stomach, a tear in your eye and empty spot in your heart. No matter how you view death—death always interrupts, it always intrudes and it always interferes with our lives. Even when you know that death is drawing near as was the case with your loved one; you are never prepared when it arrives.

This happened to you this past Tuesday about 10:12 a.m. when the Lord in His mercy called our beloved sister in the faith home. She is gone to be with the One who claimed her in the waters of Baptism, but you are left to walk in the valley of the shadow of death. PAUSE.

Did you know that walking for exercise was not always in? Some of you walked because you had too. You walked to school, the barn, chicken coup, the grocery store, and the courthouse for that was the mode of transportation then. But in the last 20 years you began to notice people walking all over the country. Even here, in our little town of Armour, you see people walking and some even have their iPod tied to their arms and swinging back and forth to get exercise. Some people call a friend to walk with them.

And so today, you need to realize and know for certain that even though you are walking in the shadow of death, you are not walking alone. David, the author of the text stated, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You ARE with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” Indeed, the Word of the Lord is true. You are not walking alone, for the Lord of heaven and earth is with you wherever you go. As the hymn writer states, “He walks with me and He talks with me along life’s narrow way.” Jesus the Good Shepherd and the Friend of sinners walks with you through the valley of the Shadow of death. And this walk is not burdensome but a blessing. For it is only a shadow, not death itself. A Shadow can’t hurt you, frighten you or rob you of your peace.

Sometimes we are frightened because we see a shadow, but there is no need to fear a shadow, for it is not the real thing, but simply a shadow. And so we take comfort in the walk that Jesus leads and direct us on our journey of life. PAUSE.

Anyone who knew Letha knew she walked. As a young child she walked in the house of her parents Luther and Annis. Later on she walked down the isle of Trinity Lutheran Church at St. Peter, MN to confess her faith and receive the Sacrament. Later still she walked that same isle as she was joined to her husband Earl in holy matrimony. And she continued to walk. She and her husband faithfully and joyfully walked each of their children to the Lord’s house, baptized them and watched them grow in the faith. She walked ahead and behind her children. She walked to tidy the house, pick the toys up, buy groceries, prepare food, and do the laundry. After her husband past away she moved to Carter Wieses’ apartment. Often you saw her walking to the post office, grocery store and even to church to walk up these steps and kneel down to be fed and nurtured with the heavenly manna.

But as the sand through the hour glass began to empty, her legs were not as sturdy as they were once, but she continued to walk to church to receive God’s heavenly gifts. However, the time did come when she was no longer able to walk and had to be placed in the nursing home. There she had to use a wheel chair to get around. And when that happened and she couldn’t come to church, the church came to her and offered her the life-giving body and blood to sustain and strengthen her in the faith. I have visited her often and she was found faithful in confessing her sins and longed to get the sacrament. It never failed, with tears in her eyes she would say, “Thank you Pastor for coming to visit us and not forgetting us!” What a blessing it was for me to minister to this saint in Christ.

Walking can be a joy or a chore. If you are out walking for fun enjoying God’s wonderful creation it is not bad, if you are out walking to hunt it is not terrible, but if you are walking because your car broke down, it is pretty bad and you probably are angry and mad at God because the car broke down.

But walking is nothing new. Throughout all of Scripture we see people walking. We read of the Israelites walking to freedom from Egypt to the Promised Land. Jesus walked with His disciples to many villages preaching repentance and the Good News. He even walked to Calvary carrying His own cross as the ultimate payment for sins including Letha’s. On the night of Christ’s resurrection there were two disciples who walked with Him for 7 miles to the village of Emmaus without recognizing Him, but when they discovered who He was, they walked back and told everyone, that He has risen from the dead and that He is ALIVE!

Yet, the greatest example of walking with God is found in Genesis where we read: Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him” (Gen. 5:24). Can you envision the scene of Enoch walking with God? I sure can. Here is Enoch walking and talking to God. Moses tells us that He walked with God and God took Him. This is another way to say that Enoch didn’t die but was transported directly from earth to heaven.

I like to share with you a picture to help you understand how this walking took place. It probably went something like this: Enoch and God were walking together one day and they just kept having so much fun and Enoch didn’t realize how far they had gone. When Enoch looked back he said to God, “Lord, I should go back I am getting far away from my home and I will soon be missed.” And God said, “Oh, Enoch, don’t worry about it, we are having such a great time, let’s keep on walking.” They walk some more and again Enoch says, “Lord, I should go back I am getting far away from my home and I will soon be missed.” And God said, “Enoch, don’t worry about it, we are having such a great time, let’s keep on walking.” They walk some more and talked some more and again Enoch says, “Lord, I should go back I am getting further and further away from my home and I will really be missed.” And God with a big smile on his face said: “Enoch, your home is so far away, but Mine is close, why don’t you come and stay with Me forever.” And so God took him.

That is precisely what the gracious Lord, the Good Shepherd and Friend of sinners Jesus did this past Tuesday. He looked at Letha with a smile and said, “Letha, you have walked on the earth for 94 years and no need to walk any further. My home is closer come and stay with me. And she did.”

Beloved in the Lord, you may miss her. You may weep her passing. But know for certain she is forever walking with the Lord. What a joy to know that God walked with Letha and she is walking with Him even now. What a privilege for us to look forward to the day when we will walk with our Savior forever. Amen.

Now the peace…

"A Full and Happy Life” John 8:31-32; Psalm 91:16

S-1103 3/3/09 Hymns: #200; # (solo Amazing Grace), (S) # 360; # 341

Texts: Job 19:21-27; Romans 8:35-39; John 10:11-18

Theme: "A Full and Happy Life” John 8:31-32; Psalm 91:16

SOLI DEO GLORIA Armour, SD. Celebration of the New Life of Erwin (Erv) Knodel

Goal: That the hearers rejoice that Christ has given them eternal life through His suffering, death and resurrection.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia (3x)

Saints in Christ, Jerry, Virginia, and Shirley, family, friends and neighbors, we gather in the Lord’s house today to celebrate the new life granted to our departed brother by His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The text for this blessed and glorious celebration is Erwin’s confirmation verses: “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jh. 8:31-32). And from Psalm 91 “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (91:16).

Beloved in the Lord, in the Gospel of John Jesus says these words: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (Jh. 10:10). The reason Jesus came to earth was to suffer and die for the sins of all people including Erv, and by His death and resurrection from the grave He gave to all who believe in Him a full life. This life is a gift from the One who spoke in our Old Testament reading “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” We can certainly say that our departed brother Erv had a full and happy life. Oh, what a life Erv had—truly a full and happy life. A life lived to the fullest under the watchful eyes of His Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

I have been privileged to know Erv since the summer of 1994 and ever since that time, I have learned to appreciate Erv for all that he is and all that he did. Anyone that knew Erv knew that this man enjoyed life. It seemed like he wouldn’t settle long enough to allow any grass to grow under his feet. He was always busy doing things he loves. Whether it was being a father, husband, grandfather or a farmer he had fun doing it. Erv didn’t do things the normal way. He always had to be different. He always designed his own thing or made something that might work for his benefit.

Someone once told me Erv had nine lives. It appears he always lived dangerously, because he didn’t want to miss having fun doing it. Whether flying his plane, plowing with his Studebaker, or riding his motorcycle he did with gusto.

One day I happened to visit with Lea and Erv in their house. Lea was telling me about a recent event that Erv did. He was in Rapid City visiting his daughter Virginia and her husband. He took off on his motorcycle to head to Armour. Sometimes later, Virginia called her mom to let her know that her dad should be arriving before too long. Lea said, “Honey your dad is here already.” Virginia said, “It can’t be. He left just a little over 3 hours ago.” And Lea responded again, “Your dad is here already.” To which again Virginia said, “It can’t be.” Finally, Lea said, “Here, you talk to your dad.” In a little over 3 hours, Erv who at the time was in his mid 80’s made the trip from Rapid City to Armour. Now that must have been a fun ride to be sure. Oh, yes, Erv lived a full and happy life.

But there was another side to Erv. Even though he loved life and lived it to the full, he lived it as a true disciple of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As his confirmation verse stated, “If you are my disciples you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

That truth is what he longed to hear Sunday after Sunday as he sat (point to the location of his pew) in the house of the Lord with his lovely wife and children. He sat in this house of worship for years and years so that he might be blessed to receive the Word and Sacrament.

Part of the truth that Erv cherished in his walk of faith he wanted to share it with others. For this reason when some saints determined to build a house of worship, Erv rolled up his sleeves and began to work to erect this place. He even designed a small gadget that will allow the builders to transport cement from one location to the others. And if that wasn’t enough, he was part of the crew that anchored the bell tower so that it might ring to call Sinners and saints to hear God’s Words of Law and Gospel, of death and life. That same bell called us to these words of life even today.

It is this truth that Erv longed and hungered for and that is why he supported the ministry with his presence and finances. This truth in love he passed on to his children and grandchildren. This truth he wanted others to know because it is the most important part of his life. Having fun was great, but greater to him was living under the watchful eyes of His Savior feeding on this truth and sharing the truth with others.

But there is more. I am not sure how many of the family members or even the saints of Redeemer know about what Erv did. In October of 1994, shortly after I arrived to Armour; I was sharing with him and Lea that I have a desire to begin a ministry of allowing people to listen to a Scripture, brief comment on that Scripture and prayer 24 hours a day. The more we visited the more he was interested. Then looking at Lea and looking at me asked, “Pastor, what do you need to make this a reality?” I told him “We needed a recording machine and a telephone line to the church”. He told me “let me know how much money you need” I checked into it and let him know. He asked me to come and see him and he gave me a check for $200.00 to purchase the unit and the phone line. And Dial A Prayer was born. And this ministry has been active since October 1994. He gave the seed money and the saints of Redeemer have continued to keep it going and growing. 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year the ministry of “Dial A Prayer” has touched many lives in this community, county and country. All because someone cared to teach others the truth about Jesus Christ.

This is true discipleship. Discipleship, that brings joy not only to one’s life but to the lives of others. Erv lived as a true disciple of Jesus even to his final weeks on the earth. Once he no longer could come to the house of the Lord, the Lord came to him through the Word and the Sacrament at his home and then at the nursing home. He always had a smile to this pastor when I walked in. And when I would visit him at the home, I would ask him, “How are you doing today?” He would respond, “I am weak.” He may have been weak in body, but was strong in spirit. He hungered to be fed with the heavenly manna. He repented of his sins. And he relied on the Lord Jesus Christ to give him the strength to go on.

As true disciple of Jesus, Erv lived a full and happy life. Living it into ripe old age of 100 plus 11 days. Those years were blessed by the One who called him in the water of Baptism on March 7, 1909 and made him his very own and last Friday evening, the Lord who died for him and rose again said, “Erv, come to my home and rest. Come and live the true and happy life full of grace. Come and rest in my house without any pain or suffering or hardships. Come Erv and live the full and happy life promised to you by Me. And that Friday, God with His pierced hands reached out and took Erv and transport him from this vale of tears to the life eternal where he really is living the full and happy life. And what a life he is having now. He is not weak. He no longer has problem with his hearing. He no longer has to worry about sin or any kind of affliction. But now he is basking in the glories of heaven, living life to the fullest. Pause.

Someone had written these thoughts:

Aging. It’s no fun. The way we try to avoid it, you’d think we could … This body must die so the new body can live … Aging is God’s idea. It’s one of the ways He keeps us headed homeward. We can’t change the process, but we can change our attitude. Here is a thought. What if we looked at the aging of the body as we look at the growth of a tulip?

Do you ever see anyone mourning over the passing of a tulip bulb? Do gardeners weep as the bulb begins to weaken? Of course not … We don’t mourn the passing of the bulb; we celebrate it. Tulip lovers rejoice the minute the bulb weakens. “Watch that one,” they say. “It’s about to blossom.”

Could it be that heaven does the same? The angels point to our bodies. The more frail we become, the more excited they become. “Watch that child of God in the nursing home,” they say. “He’s about to blossom.” …

Erv has now “blossomed!” The body has been left behind and the spirit has gone home to peace and glory! Erv is now living the full and happy life.

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

“Counsel of God!” (Psalm 73:24; Jeremiah 23:5-6)

S‑1085 12/10/2008 2MIA/3B Hymns: (O)#427; (S) #74; (C) # 75

Texts: Psalm 73:23-28; Jeremiah 23:1-8; Romans 11:33-36; John 14:15-21

Theme: “Counsel of God!” (Psalm 73:24; Jeremiah 23:5-6)

Armour, SD. SOLI DEO GLORIA.

Question: “What is easier to give or take counsel?”

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen! Indeed! Alleluia! The text for our meditation is from two Old Testament Lessons: “You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory” (Ps. 73:24), “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

Saints in Christ, as you know the Bible is full of stories—stories of God’s people and how the Lord dealt with them. These stories are there to help us in our walk of faith. These stories are there to guide us on our journey to eternity. These stories are not merely stories; but stories that points to the coming of the Savior, who will save us from eternal damnation. The whole counsel of God is to bring about salvation and redemption to mankind.

Tonight, we want to consider two specific stories: The first one is found in 1 Kings 3. At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “…Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern Your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this Your great people?” (3:5-9)What a blessed and beautiful request by Solomon. And the second story is about Solomon’s son Rehoboam. Almost immediately after the death of Solomon, the people of Israel came to Rehoboam to ask that the burdens placed on them by Solomon might be relaxed a bit. Rehoboam took counsel in two places, one with his father’s old advisors, and the other with his young friends. The old men counseled him toward servanthood. The young men counseled him to demonstrate his authority and power. Unlike his father, Rehoboam ignored and forsook the counsel of the elders. He was king. He had authority. He had power. And He would use it on his people.

To have the right counsel is of the utmost importance. We give counsel to our children as they grow up, go to school, begin to consider a mate, and going to college. You hope in time they would seek your and your counsel so that they may benefit from your life’s experience.

This past Monday, after the BOD’s meeting, I had the privilege along with President Sattgast and Pastor George Saggisor to sit at an interview of a young man who is considering enrolling at one of our Seminaries in preparations for the Office of the Holy Ministry. Pastor Saggisor on more than one occasion said, “Let me give you a little counsel!” Pastor Saggisor has many years of experience in the ministry and was trying to help this young man in being fully prepared for what he might face.

Not only do we as humans give counsel. But so does the Lord. Tonight, we hear the counsel of God from two different books of the Old Testament. The first is from Psalm 73: “You [God] guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory” (73:24). Here Asaph the author of this Psalm tells us the most important counsel is from the Lord who knows all things and desires the best for us. And the second is from Jeremiah: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which He will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness’” (Jer. 23:5-6).

In these portions of the Lord, we receive the proper counsel and comfort from God. Through Asaph we are given a beautiful picture of a wonderful two-part summary of our lives: our lives here on earth, and our lives in glory. Here on earth, we have been given the Holy Spirit as our Counselor and Comforter. And this is not an end to itself. Its divinely planned purpose is to set us and keep us on our journey toward eternal glory and bliss. The two are integral part that will help us and guide us throughout the life we face. We should not expect the heavenly glory if you do not want God’s counsel here on earth. If we do not want to taste some of His goodness and glory on the earth, then will we desire to dwell in the full banquet of God’s glory?

God’s very counsel to us flows out of His grace to us. We do not deserve it. We deserve to be stuck on this earth in a place above the artic circle that does not see daylight 6 months out of the year. We deserve darkness and death; condemnation and coldness; punishment and persecution all the days of lives on earth.

But God did not leave us that way. As we read in Jeremiah, God promised something wonderful. “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. And again, Isaiah gives us this beautiful picture: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

This Wonderful Counselor, who will deal wisely with His people, is none other than the Babe of Bethlehem. For this reason, God out of His love for us sent the glory of His Son upon the earth, who walked fully in God’s grace, counsel, and glory. He took the counsel of God faithfully all the way to the cross. In His life from the cradle to the cross He obeyed the counsel of God. When He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, Jesus didn’t listen to the counsel of the devil, but was guided by the Word of the Lord.

While on earth, Jesus taught us not to put our hopes in man’s counsel , but in the Counsel of God. For God’s Counsel is life-giving. God’s Counsel is best for us. God’s Counsel is the greatest because God wants what is best for us. Because Christ would not listen to the counsel of man to stop teaching the truth of God; because Christ would not cease living for the glory of God; because Christ came as the righteous branch; He was put to death on a cross outside of Jerusalem.

And when Christ rose and ascended, He promised to send us His Spirit, our Counselor and Helper, who leads us to all truth and guides us in the way we should live in obeying the Counsel of God all the days of our lives. Even as God’s beloved children we know the truth. We know His counsel, yet we at times act as Rehoboam did, and disobey the counsel of God. Because we have not kept the counsel of God all the time, we are doomed to death and destruction. But our Counselor Jesus stands before God our judge and declares us not guilty because He took our punishment instead. Our Counselor Jesus Christ assures us that because He died, we will live. Our Counselor Jesus guarantees our forgiveness of sins, in His shed blood. Our Counselor Jesus comes to us even now tonight in His Word to guide and guard our hearts. Our Counselor Jesus loves us with an everlasting love. And that is why the hymn “What A Friend We Have in Jesus” is such a comfort to all believers.”

God’s counsel leads us to see way beyond the ups and downs of a shaky world economy. In fact, it empowers us be steady through economic storms, because the Holy Spirit works in us to keep our eyes fixed on the Author and Perfector of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is God’s righteousness restored upon the earth. In this period between His First Coming and His Second Coming, it is restored through the Gospel, which in turn is spread through its proclamation. At the end of days with Christ’s coming again, He will completely restore righteousness upon the earth.

So what counsel do you listen to? I hope and pray that you will continue to be guided by the Word of the Lord. For His Word is the greatest counsel we need. As the Apostle Paul said to his spiritual son Timothy: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:14-17).

Saints in Christ, the Counsel of God is best for us (hold the Bible up in hand). Here it is. We live by it, because it points us to our Counselor, the Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Now the peace…

What Shall I Render Unto the Lord?

S‑1080 11/23/2008 LSIC/3A Hymns: (O) #15; (S) #441; L.S. #39; #457; #315; (C) #442

Texts: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28; Matthew 25:31-46

Theme: “What Shall I Render Unto the Lord” (Psalm 116:2-14).

Armour, SD. SOLI DEO GLORIA.

Question: “What happens to you when you hear the word “Stewardship”?

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen! Indeed! Alleluia! The text for our Stewardship Sunday is from Psalm 116 “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people” (Ps. 116:12-14).

Saints in Christ, what I am about to say I sometimes don’t like to hear. But it needs to be said, because it is God’s Word. And it is ONLY the Word of God that will guide us on our journey to eternity.

Today, we are dealing with a subject that many people begin to squirm about as soon as the word is mentioned. Mention “Stewardship” and people begin to think, here he goes again! He is talking about money. Yes! Stewardship is about money. But it is much more than just money. It is the whole life of the redeemed child of God as a way of thanking God.

The Psalmist in this prayer of thanksgiving challenges us with these thoughts: “How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me?” (v. 12). It is a rhetorical question that demands an answer. It reminds me of Christina Rosetti’s “What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I’d give Him a lamb. If I were a wise man, I’d do my part. What can I give Him? Give Him my heart!”

It also reminds me of the little girl who was in the doctor’s office for a check-up. Shining light in the girl’s eyes, the doctor asked “Am I going to see Big Bird in there?” No response. Putting the scope in her ears, he said “Am I going to hear Elmo in here?” No response. Placing the depressor on her tongue “Am I going to see Cookie Monster?” Still, no response. Putting the stethoscope on her heart, he asked “Am I going to hear Barney?” Finally responding, the little girl said “No! Barney’s on my underpants. Jesus is in my heart!” The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. “Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.”

The word for “goodness” can actually be translated “graces.” I like that! It’s all grace—everything we have. When we stop to count ALL of God’s goodness|benefits|graces to us—even if only the blessing of Christ our LORD—we don’t have enough time to count the things we consider less than blessed; and even in those things God works together for good

“How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me?” Its payback time—in the most positive sense! We give God everything from our hearts. We do so as the Psalmist answered this rhetorical question. I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

Four cups of wine are consumed at the Passover Seder meal. All of them indicate salvation of sorts--in Abraham's time and beyond, salvation from idolatry; at the Exodus, salvation from the Egyptians and slavery; later, salvation from Babylonia and The Exile; and, lastly, salvation to come at the end of the age.

We believe in God for salvation. We believe that His salvation cup is not half empty. We believe that His salvation cup is not half full. Instead, it’s overflowing!—like Niagara Falls.  As Psalm 23 reminds, our cups overflow. Lift them up! A toast to God! Cheers for all the years! Cheers for no more fears! Cheers for no more tears!

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.   This morning you will fulfill this verse when you open your wallets, purses, hands and hearts and give to the Lord that which you told Him you would. It is not a mandatory thing, but a joyful thing. Stewardship is not just the giving of money, but all of you into the service of the King, Jesus Christ.

Some people will say, I can’t give much! Fine, give what you can. Serve where you can. Share what you can. Honor God with what you have. Think of the woman who gave two mites—she gave it to her Lord from her heart. She gave all as a way of thanking Her God for all of His goodness to her.

How did you do this past year financial offering wise? Did you fulfill your pledge? Did you give as much as you were able to or should have? If not, the good news is that now that’s past history. Today we begin anew. Today, I pray that the Lord will open your eyes and hearts to see His desires for YOUR life—a whole life of stewardship.

It was Thursday afternoon Mrs. Silbaugh and her first graders were coming out of the Church just as I was coming in. I asked what they were doing. “Warming up” was the response. I asked Mrs. Silbaugh if I could give them something? “Yes.” I went to my office, and brought the candy dish. Gave each a candy including Mrs. Silbaugh. Then she reminded them of two special words to say—Thank You.

The Psalmist reminds us of our Thank you to God is living for Him and doing what we said we would do. The problem is not that my neighbor doesn’t give enough, serve enough, share enough or love enough. But the problem is the guy I look at in the mirror every day.

The Christian life of stewardship is not a spectator’s sport; but rather an active life of giving, sharing, serving and witnessing. That is how we live out our faith. But who do we live it for? Does God need our good works? NO! Does God need our faithful stewardship of time? NO! Does God need our faithful sharing of the Gospel? NO! Is God dependent on you being faithful with your tithes and offerings to the Lord’s House? NO! God needs none of these. But your neighbor does. The child that hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a result of Redeemer’s ministry needs your good works that flow from your faith in Christ. That neighbor that is open to you telling your faith story because you made sure they had food to eat or clothes to wear needs your good works flowing from your faith in Christ. The person on the other side of the world who hears the Gospel from a Lutheran missionary supported by Redeemer’s offerings to district and synod needs the good works of your faithful financial stewardship. PAUSE.

Christians don’t look for praise when they serve the Lord. They serve the Lord as a response to all of the goodness His has given them. We do it because we know Christ’s love and share in the hope of eternal life. But God does indeed notice the good things we do. And one way God has of encouraging His discouraged people is to prompt our fellow believers to take notice of the fruits of our faith.

We don’t keep records of the offering to see who gives more, or to praise the person. No, we do it to praise the Lord. Our world loves to bring attention to what sinful humans do. We, His beloved children do it all for the glory of God alone. After all, God produces those good works. The Bible says, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10).

God is glorified when His people speak about the financial gifts others have brought to the Lord, whether those gifts are regular first-fruit offerings or large, onetime gifts. God is glorified when a congregation or a synod publicly calls attention to people who are serving Jesus in some way. God is glorified when a congregation celebrates a pastor’s 25 years in the ministry or a teacher’s 40 years teaching or an organist’s 50 years of leading services. Nor do we keep track only of big works of service or important milestones. In how we talk, we praise God for every act of service, whether big or small. We do it ALL for the Glory of God Alone.

Why do we live a life of stewardship? Because it is a response of giving back to God for all the good He has given me—a sinner. Why give? First, Christ died for us, gave His life for us, suffered hell for us and rose for us defeating death for us. His love from Calvary constrains us.

Why give? Second, because on top of this, He gives to us His body and blood for the forgiveness of sins in the Lord’s Supper, incorporates us into His body in Baptism, and sends His Holy Spirit to us even now to dwell within us, pray for us, and comfort us with precious promises.

Why give? Third, the great unfathomable gifts yet to come: forever young bodies, reconciliation with loved ones in heaven, new heaven and new earth, seeing Jesus face to face, and so much more. Other reasons one can gather...we are planting seeds in time for a rich harvest in eternity.

So what is our response to the goodness of the Lord? I shall fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people. Not selfish living, but selfless living. Not selfish giving, but selfless giving. God grant us the joy, privilege and blessings to live as faithful stewards, sharing, serving, caring, loving and giving ALL for the glory of God. Amen.

Now the peace…

“There Is No Place Like Home” (Ps. 137:4)

S-1028 2/06/08 1SMIL/3A. Hymns: (O)#359; (S)#135 ; (C) #126

Texts: Psalm 51:1-12; Psalm 137:1-6; Matthew 26:14-30

Theme: “There Is No Place Like Home” (Ps. 137:4)

Armour, SD. SOLI DEO GLORIA (1st sermon in series on “Singing the Songs of Zion”

Psalm 137:4 – “How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land?”

HOME! The very word evokes feelings of love and laughter. Home brings to mind your childhood—mom and dad. Home allows you to dream about the days of sumptuous food mom had prepared; it is the place where you can take your shoes off and relax and sleep for a long time. Home is where the heart is. In the movie The Wizard of Oz, says it best, “there’s no place like home! Ask any military person what do they want most? And they will tell you “TO GO HOME!”

Home doesn’t mean much to you, unless you have moved away from home. I have moved from home a long time ago. But Last October I was privileged to go home again. I saw my sister before she went home for good to be with her Savior and Lord. I saw friends and loved ones; and it was a wonderful time.

But now Israel is a fading memory. I’m in SD in the heart of the winter. And it will not be long before the heat, humidity and wind return to the prairie. All that was familiar to me, Mount Carmel, Nazareth, and Jerusalem have been replaced by the wide open spaces, the Corn Palace and Mount Rushmore; permanently exiled in a foreign land. “There’s no place like home!”

For Israel in our text, Zion is a distant, fading memory. They’re stuck in Babylon, with its heathen gods and lustful living. Judah, Jerusalem and the Jordan have been replaced by being salves in Babylon. Israel now has no king, no temple, no royal city, no land, no liturgy, no sacrifice, no hope, no future and no HOME.

By the rivers of Babylon they sit and weep, reminiscing about the good ol’ days when they worshipped in the splendor of Solomon’s temple – when they worked and shopped in the city of David and saw the Mount of Olives from a distance; permanently exiled in a foreign land. O God – “there’s no place like … HOME!” But where is home? Home is not were we are, it is far, far away from here.

“There’s no place like Zion, there’s no place like home.” On the willows there we hung up our lyres. For there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? (Ps. 137:2-4).


It’s a sad song, and their captor’s rubbed their noses in it. “Sing us one of your songs of Zion, now.” Like the western bad-guy firing bullets at your feet saying, “Dance, dance.” “Welcome to the Hotel Babylonia, - you can check out any time you like but you can never leave.” That is a terrible feeling. That is the same feeling the People of Bethlehem are feeling today. They can drive all over the territory, but can’t leave the compound of the wall that separates the occupied territory from Israel’s proper.


Israel’s problem isn’t just one of location; it’s also one of the heart. They weren’t just far away from they Land; they were far away from God, the Father. God warned them what would happen if they began to worship other god’s at home. But Baal worship was too enticing. The pagan fertility gods were too sexy to resist. They wasted all that God had given them in the Promised Land. God sent someone to shut it all down. Jerusalem was destroyed in 586BC. As far as the Israelites were concerned it was the day the music died.

Some of us are far from home, but all of us are far from the Father. We have no one to blame but ourselves. Right now, right here, we are exiled in our own Babylon. It’s a Babylon we’ve made for ourselves. The god of culture is too enticing. What’s going on around us is just too sexy to resist. The god of this world is just so seductive and so
very deadly. When we live as we are told to live by the world our lives are left in tatters, our relationships are broken and bloody, our lives are empty. Satan whispers in our ear “Sing me one of the songs of Zion! Welcome to Hotel Satania – you can check out any time you like but you will never leave.” What’s worse we believe his lie. We think we have to live the way everyone else lives. We think we have to agree with their values. And we sacrifice our children, our friends, our neighbors and even ourselves on the altar. There is no song to sing.

How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? (Ps. 137:4). There’s something very unique about Psalm 137. It’s not in your hymnal but 136 is. Open your hymnal on page 154. 137 follows 136 for a reason. Twenty-Six times Psalm 136 says the same thing. His mercy endureth forever. Over and over again it is sung. And although it is a good translation the word love doesn’t carry the weight of the language the Psalm was written in. The Hebrew word is hessed. It’s more than love. It’s a promise made by someone who doesn’t need to make it. It’s a promise to never break the promise. That’s why Psalm 136 repeats it over and over again, like driving a nail into a very hard wood. God’s mercy endures forever, He never breaks His promises, His hessed, His mercy and promise will last forever and ever and ever.

At first that might seem like an unrelated side track, but remember I said that 137 our psalm follows 136. The folks who cataloged these psalms and placed them in order wanted you to read 137 after you read 136. The songs of the Lord go on and on, in spite of how we feel about it.

God promised that the exiled of His people in Babylon wouldn’t last for ever, His mercy endures for ever. He would send someone to deliver them, His mercy endures forever. They would return to Zion, His mercy endures forever. A few short weeks ago, we celebrated God’s promised hessed. God Himself took on flesh and blood. Jesus described Himself in exile from His home, And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Mt. 8:20).

But Jesus was exiled not only from His Father’s home, but finally from the Father.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” (Mt. 27:46) His mouth is dry, His lips are cracked, His voice is hoarse, He can barley speak, let alone sing. His captors torment Him, “sing us one of those songs of Zion, now! He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He’s the true king of Israel. Let Him come down from the cross and we’ll believe!” He wouldn’t do that. That was the day the music died.

But, the song goes on. Jesus was raised, physically, bodily, really, from the grave on the third day. Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I Am you may be also” (Jh. 14:1-3) And
For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Cor. 5:1).

In the 1994 movie titled Forrest Gump, the simple but good-hearted Forrest falls in love with his childhood sweetheart. But she breaks his heart again and again by using him, taking him for granted, abandoning him, and repaying his loyalty with unfaithfulness. At the end of the movie, they meet up again after years of separation. She tells Forrest that she is sick and that the doctors can do nothing to help her. Forrest doesn’t hesitate, but immediately says, “You could come home with me, to my house, Jenny.”

That is what our loving Savior does for us, as He bids us to come and stay with Him in His HOME that He built by His own hands which were stretched on the cross of Calvary. And this home is NOT just any hotel. Our Zion is not the Ritz, it’s much better. The reservation is made and the price is paid in full. We have an eternal home in the Hotel
Heaven.

How can we sing the songs of Zion while in a foreign land – while still in this body of death – while still in the midst of a life that is marked by the words, “Ashes to ashes and dust to dust”?

John Newton, who composed the hymn “Amazing Grace,” also wrote a song of Zion that ends with these words. “Savior since of Zion’s city I through grace a member am. Let the world deride or pity, I will glory in your name. Fading are the world’s vain pleasures, all their boasted pomp and show. Solid joys and lasting treasures none but Zion’s children know” (TLH # 469.4).

We sing with John Newton and all of the baptized a grand symphony of celebration because we’re going HOME! HOME TO BE WITH OUR FATHER AND GOD FOREVER AND EVER AMEN.

Now the peace…