“It’s Hard!” (Romans 12:9-13)

S-1268 11SAP/3C 8/28/11 Hymns LSB(O) #594; S#430; LS. #851; #633; #867; (C) #854 v 1,3,5

Text: Jeremiah 15:15-21; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28

Them: “It’s Hard!” (Romans 12:9-13)

Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The text for the 11^th Sunday after Pentecost is from the Epistle lesson: “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

People of God, chosen and beloved, there are certain things in life that are hard on us and hard for us: Hard for us: To confront someone who speaks evil of us, to forgive those who hurt us and to let go of past sins. Hard on us: To be away from the one we love, lose a child, deal with mom’s Alzheimer, go through divorce; fail a test, get laid off, or lose your farm.

However, these things are not as hard as what the Apostle Paul asks us to do in the text. Pastor Paul tells us to do those th ings that are almost impossible. Love others more, be kind, and don’t pay evil for evil, be patient in tribulation. But to do these things is not easy.

Do you like to forgive someone who hurt you or shamed you? Are you able to love the one who smeared your name and reputation? Can you honor those who dishonor you? Do you fervently pray for your enemies? To be sure “It’s hard” to do because we are not people who pray for those who hate us and want to kill us. We are not willing to forgive quickly the ones who do us wrong.

As you and I listen to Pastor Paul, we cry out saying: “Paul, you got to be kidding with what you are asking of me a follower of Jesus Christ!” Paul, you have lost your mind, you can’t be serious! But he is not kidding and indeed he is very serious about what he asked.

But this is not the only thing he asks. In another book he writes: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

Can we honestly say that we have done these things? Has our love been patient and kind? Have we always rejoiced in helping others or do we grumble when they ask us? How many times have we kept record of the wrongs others did to us? Do we forget easily the evil against us?

To be sure even among the most ardent lovers and couples here have had their bouts. Maybe they have not had an all out 15 rounds knockout fight. But there has been the silent treatment. There has been the slamming of the door shut that rattled the glass. There has been the departure that left burned rubber and there has been that look that kills. PAUSE.

We are all guilty of not doing what the Apostle Paul asks us to do because we are selfish and self-centered sinners. More often than not we want to get revenge instead of giving brotherly affection. More often we want to give them a knuckle sandwich than the kiss of peace.

But what Pastor Paul has written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote to help Christ’s followers and we should be doing them. What He has asked of us indeed IS HARD! He asks us to let our Gospel light shine and glorify our heavenly Father.

Paul is not the only one who asks us to do the hard thing. Jesus does too. In the Gospel lesson today, the Savior asks us to carry our cross and follow Him. But we complain. “Lord, the cross is heavy and I can’t carry it! Lord, I don’t want this cross, give me someone lighter! Lord, let someone else carry the cross!” But Jesus doesn’t release us of our responsibilities as His redeemed children. He declares: “If you want to be My followers, take up our cross and follow Me.” What Jesus is asking of us IS HARD. We cry out. “LORD, I CAN’T DO IT!” What Paul and Jesus ask of us is hard indeed. To be sure it is downright impossible! We can’t do what they ask. We don’t have it in us. PAUSE.

But don’t think for a moment that it was easy for Jesus the heaven-sent Savior to carry the cross either. But that is why He came. Certainly Jesus could have taken the easy way out. He wouldn’t have had to die for the sins of the world—yours and mine. Certainly He could have turned His back on the mission and ministry that He was sent by the Father to do. He certainly wouldn’t have to do it. He could have let us remain in sin and suffer the punishment of hell.

But that would have been the easy task. Jesus didn’t come to do the easy thing; He came to do the hard thing. He came to carry the cross. And He did carry the heaviest cross the world has ever seen. Upon this cross was the weight of all the sins of the world, beginning with the first Adam and ending with the last son of Adam and daughter of Eve. This cross He carried all the way to Calvary. Upon it He was extended and nailed. Upon it He suffered the agony of hell and God’s wrath. Upon it He did what Paul asked of us—to forgive others.

You my brothers and sisters in Christ should know that it was hard for the Savior to do this act of mercy and win our salvation. This thing was so hard that He prayed in the Garden. When Christ prayed for us in the Garden, how difficult it must have been for Him sweating droplets of blood in His anguish. “Father, take this cup away from Me...But not My will but Yours be done!” The Savior prayed for those who beat Him and nailed Him to the cross: “Father, Forgive them...” And the Savior did earn our salvation and completed His mission of rescue and deliverance. PAUSE.

To be a follower of Jesus Christ is hard. It demands a sacrificial life of us. We are called to imitate our Lord and Savior. But oh, how hard that is. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. No matter how much I love my wife, I don’t always love her as I should. No matter how much I love this congregation, I have a hard time loving all of the people and serving them faithfully. No matter how much you love me, there are those days when you struggle loving me. That is the nature of the beast.

The Christian life is hard. The point is we can’t do these things on our own. It is impossible for us sinful humans; but with God all things are possible. Christ did take His cross and carried it all the way to Calvary; died on it, so that life while difficult at times is not impossible. In fact it is guaranteed by the cross.

Because of the Savior’s faithfulness, you and I can do what we couldn’t do on our own. Because of His love, we are able to love others and show kindness and serve them more. Because of His mercy, we show mercy and compassion. Because of His forgiveness, we forgive others the wrong they have done us.

Jesus did the hard thing so that we can live in peace. This doesn’t mean that we don’t follow His decrees or commands, but rather live for Him, obey Him and serve Him with all of the gifts He has given us. And when it is hard for us to do something we rely upon Him for strength, wisdom, fortitude and love to do the hard thing.

Today, the Holy Spirit has led to this house of worship for a reason—to strengthen you in your walk of faith. Today, because of the Word and the Sacrament, you are enrolled in the ministry of the cross bearing. Today, by His strength alone are we able to do the impossible and point many to the One who has redeemed them and bought them with His own precious blood. God grant us the ability to always do the hard thing. Amen.

Now the peace…

Soli Deo Gloria.

.

“This is NO Ordinary Man!” (Matthew 16:13)

S-1267 10SAP/3C 8/21/11 Hymns (O) #3; S#400; (C) #473

Text: Isaiah 51:1-6; Romans 11:33-12:8; Matthew 16:13-20

Them: “This is NO Ordinary Man!” (Matthew 16:13)

Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The text for the 10^th Sunday after Pentecost is from the Gospel lesson: “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’” (Matthew 16:13).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

People of God, chosen and beloved, in today’s text Jesus wants the disciples of old and us to know who He really is. Jesus and His disciples ventured into the District of Caesarea Philippi, 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee. The region had tremendous religious implications. The place was littered with the temples of the Syrian gods. Here also was the elaborate marble temple that had been erected by Herod the Great, father of the then ruling Herod Antipas. Here also was the influence of the Greek gods. Here also the worship of Caesar as “god” himself. You might say that the world religions were on display in this town. It was with this scene in the background that Jesus chose to ask the most crucial question of His ministry.

He looked at His disciples and in a moment of reflection said: “Who do men say that I Am?” This is a crucial question. If you get the Son of Man’s identity right, then you will get all of Him right. If you get His identity wrong, you cannot hope to get any of Him right. The disciples begin sharing with Jesus what they have heard from the people who have been following Him: Some say that you are Elijah; others say John the Baptizer, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. It’s always been this way; Jesus as seen by the masses is seen in so many different ways.

You can speak of Jesus as prophet, holy man, teacher, or spiritual leader, and few will object. But speak of Him as the Son of God, Divine, Messiah, Lord, Savior, Deliverer and of the same nature as the Father, and people will line up to express their disapproval.

We see it daily in the media as people make fun of Jesus. We read it often in the newspapers as people try to demean Jesus the Christ as merely an unfortunate man who was killed by the Romans before His time. We see it on TV especially on National Geographic when they try to explain away every miracle and mighty act of Jesus and reduce Him to be no more than just a good man.

It may seem pretty obvious to us, but this identity question that Jesus asks is one that we need to answer as well. Muslims teach He was a great prophet who performed many miracles; but He is not God nor was He crucified. Others say He is a good teacher and still others say He is a good example of kindness to follow. But who is Jesus? Is He a Liar? Is He is a Looser? Is He a Lunatic or Is He Lord? Know this truth and this fact: He is NO ordinary Man—He is the Man-God who comes to save us. PAUSE.

Perhaps, you have heard of the story that took place last week in Tulsa Oklahoma about the man who was perched 7 stories on a high tower. For nearly six days, Tulsa has been talking about William Sturdivant. For the next six days, they’ll be talking about Tyrone Lynn. Lynn is the retired Tulsa Police Department (TPD) Negotiator that did what it looked like no one would be able to do, safely bring William down to the ground.

Last Tuesday evening (8/17/11), when the bucket ladder touched the ground just before 6:40, Lynn breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s a good day for the city to help a young man who’s struggling through mental illness like that,” Lynn told FOX23.

For more than seven hours Tyrone was in the air staring William Sturdivant in the eyes. The retired TPD officer was trying to convince him to come down after more than 127 hours perched on the Clear Channel transmission tower.

“At times he was not coherent, at times he was,” Lynn said. Tyrone was brought in to try and do what no one else had been able to do, coax William from his perch. He did it by forging a friendship. “We talked about his childhood. We talked about my children. We talked about what was going to happen afterwards. We prayed a couple of times.”

The scariest moment for Tyrone was when William almost fell off the tower. “He was fine, and then he kind of went into a convulsion and started shaking real bad. His eyes started going up and down, and he lost his balance. That’s when I grabbed him,” Lynn said. PAUSE.

Today, as you and I hear the bold and clear confession of Peter about Jesus saying: “You ARE the Christ, the Son of the living God!” Know this: Jesus is NOT just a prophet, but the One of whom the prophets are but representatives. Jesus is NOT just another David, but the King after whom David was patterned. Jesus is NOT even another Moses, but the One who spoke to Moses out of that burning bush those many years ago. Certainly, Jesus is NOT a Liar, Looser, Lunatic but He IS the Lord, our Savior and God. Jesus delights in Peter’s answer. He calls it a gift from above, an answer that was put in Peter’s mouth by God Himself, a divinely inspired answer.

Likewise, you and I ought to ponder the question—the most important question of our lives: “Who is this Man?” We should reflect on who this man Jesus is. And not only that but confess with the same boldness to the world as the voice of Peter declaring He is more than just a man—He is the God-Man, the heaven-sent Savior who has come to rescue all men from their terrible demise-death—eternal death.

Tyrone Lynn did what he was trained to do. By the grace of God he was able to convince the troubled man—William and coached him into the bucket for safety.

But did you know that the Man who asked the question of the disciples and us, did much more? He saw the need of humanity wobbling not on a transmission tower but in sin and it’s final demise—separation from a righteous and holy God.

For this reason for six hours One Friday Jesus was suspended not in a fireman’s bucket truck; but on a wooden cross. For six hours Jesus endured more than any human could endure—physical, mental and spiritual anguish. He was refused the grace of God because He was the greatest sinner in the world. On that Friday, Jesus didn’t have anyone to relieve Him. For six hours He didn’t have anyone to sooth His wounds. For six hours He didn’t have a sole to console Him. But the whole world and even God were against Him.

So much so, that He wouldn’t come down from the cross safely to the ground by a bucket, but would be brought down by callous Roman soldiers after He took His last breath and was dead. He was placed in a cold tomb to rot and disappear from History’s pages.

But that is not the end; and it will never be the end. As the announcer of the news commentator said: “For the past six days, Tulsa has been talking about William Sturdivant. For the next six days, they’ll be talking about Tyrone Lynn. Lynn is the retired TPD Negotiator that did what it looked like no one would be able to do, safely bring William down to the ground.”

The people of this world have been doing more. For over 2000 years Christians all over the world and the saints of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Armour, SD., have been making the great and bold confession about Jesus, that He is more than just a Man—He is the Son of the Living God who has rescued us and redeemed us. PAUSE.

Today when people ask you: “Who is Jesus?” Tell them, He is not a looser, a liar, a lunatic, but the Lord of the Universe. He is the God of heaven who has come to earth to bring peace and unity between God and people. Tell them by the power of the Holy Spirit, that He is Your Savior, Deliverer, Messiah, Lord and God. Tell them that He is no ordinary Man—but the God-Man who takes your place and give YOU His—to be with Him in heaven. Amen.

Now the peace…

Soli Deo Gloria

“Get Out Of The Boat and come to the Ark” (Matthew 14:28-29)

S-1266 7SAP/3C 8/07/11 Hymns (O) ##740; S#722; (C) #731

Text: Job 38:4-18; Romans 10:5-17; Matthew 14:22-32

Them: “Get Out Of The Boat and come to the Ark” (Matthew 14:28-29)

Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! It is a great honor indeed and a privilege to be with you today. The text for the 8^th Sunday after Pentecost is from the Gospel lesson: “And Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus” (Matthew 14:28-29).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

People of God, chosen and beloved, today’s text challenges every son of Adam and every daughter of Eve to live a life worthy of their calling as God’s redeemed and beloved children. This calling is to get out of the boat and to speak to a world that is lost in sin. Today, the Holy Spirit exhorts us to be Christ’s representatives in the pulpit, in the pew, in the parish hall and in the public square. Today, the Savior calls us to be His men and women, boys and girls and live our lives to change other lives—lives that have not come to know the Rabbi from Nazareth as the heaven-sent Savior of the world. Today, Jesus challenges you not to sit on your duff and do nothing, but to hear the message, and get out of the boat and come to the Ark.

The problem though, we don’t want to get out of the boat. We are very comfortable in our life-style. Why rock the boat? I live my life and they live their lives. Oh, yes, I am a Christian, but Pastor, don’t ask me to volunteer, don’t ask me to be a Sunday school teacher, or Midweek-teacher, don’t ask me to share what I heard and learned. That is for you Pastor. You are trained in theology. You know what to say and how to say it. You are so good at it Pastor. Besides, that is why we called you. That is why we pay you too. Oh how we love our boat. Though it is old, ugly looking, rusty, leaks a little, doesn’t move fast or much at all. None-the-less we still like our boat and love to stay in it. For in my boat I find comfort and contentment. PAUSE.

Tell me about YOUR boat dear friends. What does it look like? Is it your house, your neighborhood, your work, your tractor, your cows, or your bank account? What is the stuff on your boat? Concerns, cares, burdens, blessings, joys, Etc? Truth be told, most of us tend to be happy in our boat with our own STUFF because it is very safe and secure.

Jesus says, “I have something for you to do!” Trust me in all circumstances. However, we say to Him, “But I like my boat. It is safe, comfortable, broken, ugly, and leaks a little, but it is MINE. I can control it. I can push it this way or that. I can determine which way I should go, and when I should go. But it is still MINE!

We are like this because we are afraid. We are afraid to let God lead us out of the boat and into the Ark. I am reminded of the movie Aladdin. Aladdin is being chased by the palace guards. He is on the flying carpet and Jasmine is standing by. He says to her: “Jasmine, do you trust me? Then take my hand!” Fear is the number one reason why people refuse to get out of the boat. Fear whispers to us that God is not really big enough, strong enough or mighty enough to take care of us. It tells us we are not really safe in His hands. It causes us to distort the way we think about Him. You will never know God is trustworthy if you don’t risk obeying Him. When you come to the end of your life—all those “what if’s” become “might have beens.” What might have been if I had trusted God?

You see the devil doesn’t want you to upgrade—to get out of the boat and into the Ark; because it is safe. But Jesus tells us: “You can trust me! Put your hand in mine and I will lead you.” Just as our sermon hymn stated “Lord, when the temptest rages, I need not fear, For You, the Rock of Ages, Are always near. Close by Your side abiding, I fear no foe, For when Your hand is guiding, in peace I go.” (722 v. 2)

Oh, but to take that step. Dare to be different. To do the unusual is not me. To get out of the boat is so hard. It is so challenging. It is so demanding. It is downright difficult. “Get out of the boat to serve others,” Jesus tells us. “Don’t play it safe. Go I Am with you wherever you go!” But to take Jesus at His Word is so well…not me. Oh, I trust in Jesus, BUT…send someone else Lord. Tell the next person in the pew, they know how to speak.

You are not alone with fear and doubts. You won’t be the first and you won’t be the last to come up with excuses why you shouldn’t and couldn’t get out of the boat. Remember Moses? God called Him out of the burning bush to go and free the Israelites out of Egypt. But how many excuses did Moses come up with. “I am a runway murderer, I stammer, I shephered the flocks of Jethro; choose someone else. But the Lord gently and lovingly says: “You are my man Moses I will be with you!”

Today, this same Lord and God, the Creator of the Universe comes into our midst and says: “You are my man and woman. I will use you because my power is in you.” But honestly, how can a teenager speak to other teenagers about living the wrong way? How can you tell your neighbor about the love of Jesus without sounding preachy? How can you tell your co-worker stop stealing? We are so afraid to be a light that burst in the darkness of sin. Satan loves to keep us in the boat and away from the Ark. PAUSE

Today in our gospel reading we hear of how one of Jesus’ disciples actually walked on water. In the midst of a storm, neither distracted by howling winds nor heightened waves, for a few magical moments, Peter is focused upon Jesus. Centered upon Jesus he does the impossible. He walks on water. By faith Peter gets out of the boat and walks toward the One who gave Noah the design for the Ark. After hearing words so similar to what Moses had heard from the Burning Bush, Peter is aflame with a burning faith. Focused upon Jesus he is centered upon the Creator of the universe, the Savior of the world, the One who split the Red Sea, and died on the cross for you and me.

When Peter catches the identity of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus, he not only becomes centered, but he moves from his little wobbly boat, deep in the Ark of God, through faith in the Son of God.

In their bathtub boat the disciples were making their way across the Sea of Galilee. After eight hours of life-and-death struggle, caught in one of those quick-rising out of nowhere storms so famous for that Sea, they had to be wondering, Is this how it is going to end? We are going to drown to death at Sea. Where is God when we need Him?

Matthew records the disciples were not focused on the God of all grace but were scared out of their wits. They were terrified. The prospects of a watery grave and no one to save them left them with a feeling of hopelessness. Little did they realize that when Jesus sent them to the other side of the Sea of Galilee by boat, He was saving them from a terrible spiritual temptation. So worked up in a frenzy were the people after Jesus miraculously fed the five thousand, that they wanted forcibly to make Jesus their political bread king. But the Kingdom of God would have to come through His death on the cross, His actual suffering of hell, and His rising from the dead. Jesus throne would first have to be a cross on Mt. Moriah where two corrupt sons of Abraham would be on His right and left hand. He would first have to die the most wretched death in history as payment price for the sins of the world. Unless Jesus stayed this course the real problems of mankind would not be addressed: sin, death, lovelessness, and alienation. PAUSE.

We like our boats. But Jesus wants to upgrades us and calls us to get out of the boat. He wants us out of our boat because He has so much better planned for us. Jesus always wants to upgrade us in the faith. That is why He said to Peter, who had the wisdom to call upon Jesus to save him, “Take My hand!” He saved Him to upgrade him and grant him all the blessings from His hands.

Today, the Savior wants to do the same for you. Jesus doesn’t want us to settle for our leaky old boat. He has an ark that is designed to get us where we need to be. Jesus takes our hands, upgrades us and leads us through the storms of life to the safe port of eternity.

Why on earth would we want to stay in our leaky old boat tossed by the storms of life? It would be silly for us to stay! And because of Christ’s invitation, we don’t have to. His Ark and His destination is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

He, who holds your hands by the grip of His grace, wants you to get out of the boat and come to the Ark. He wants to upgrade you in faith, hope, love and service. He wants to upgrade you and grant you His eternal blessings. He wants to upgrade you to be His spokesperson to the world. Today, He says to you, “TAKE MY HAND, MY CHILD! I WILL PULL YOU TO SAFETY AND UPRADE YOU TO THE ARK OF HEAVEN WITH ME, THE FATHER AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.”

By faith we hear. By faith we respond saying: “Lord, save us and upgrade us!” Amen.!

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GOLRIA.

“What God Wants for You!” Isaiah 55:1-2

S-1265 7SAP/3A 07/31/11, (O) #5; (S) #277; L.S. #462; #312; #597; (C) #45

Text: Isaiah 55:1-5; Romans 9:1-539; Matthew 14:13-21

Theme: “What God Wants for You!” Isaiah 55:1-2

Question: “What do you want out of life?”

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for the 7^th Sunday after Pentecost is the O. T. lesson: “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food” (Isaiah 55:1-2).

In Nomini Iesu,

Beloved in Christ, there is a not a father or mother sitting here today, who doesn’t wish to give their children the best of everything. Parents sacrifice; work long and hard to provide for their sons and daughters their heart’s desire. Their labor of love is evident by the way they care for them and provide them, with home, food, clothing and spiritual feeding at the feet of Jesus.

Some parents even work overtime to provide more than is humanly possible. Others deny themselves things so that they can send their kids to college; help them buy a home or car, take a special trip, play sports and the like.

My home in the old country wasn’t any different from other homes. Yet, there were those times when my parents didn’t eat their food so that, we, eight children, would have enough to fill our growling stomachs. This is done out of love for the children God gave them. Indeed, parents love their children and don’t wish them harm but good and every blessing.

Today, as we sit in the Father’s house we are taught of His love and great hands of mercy that extend out to us—His blood-bought children. In this text God wants His children—you and me to have the very best without paying for it. He wants to quench our thirst, calm our hunger and receive all of the goods out of His gracious hands.

Even the prophet Jeremiah speaks of what God wants for His beloved Children: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans of good and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (29:11). God wants what is best for you.

Thus Isaiah in this text describes the plight of a rebellious Israel with wilder­ness imagery. Because of her sin she wandered in a trackless wasteland with no water to drink. Her captivity in Babylon far from Jerusalem was a spiritual wilderness. Now God through mercy and compassion issues the beautiful invitation of our text to a hopeless, despairing people. God’s overflowing love is freely poured out for sin­ners, refreshing water to drink, food and drink for suste­nance; and spiritual refreshment that lasts forever. ALL WITHOUT COST! PAUSE.

Instead of just complaining to God about how bad the people have become, Isaiah does something positive. He calls the people back to God, and reminds them of the futility of worshiping idols. He reminds them of God’ love towards David and the covenant He made with him, that they would see the errors of their way and return.

This text is not only for the people of old, but for us also. God wants us to hear the invitation and not waste our time and efforts chasing the wind and ways of the world that never satisfies. But rather be gathered in the Father’s house and receive what He offers us from His abundant blessings and provisions. PAUSE.

Perhaps, this happened to you. You are going through the groceries sale ads. Your eye comes upon this message. “This week you can get a free jar of Peanut Butter”. However, as you look closer you realize there is a fine print at the bottom of the ad with these words: “with a $20 purchase.” What appeared to be free really wasn’t!

When the Lord invites you dear ones saying: “Come, buy wine and milk with­out money and without cost,” know the immutable and immortal truth—there’s no fine print in His offer. God the Father really means it. And He’s not talking about groceries for your body. He’s referring to the milk of His grace and the wine of His love. He’s offering the forgiveness for sin that your hungry soul needs. We have no money with which to purchase pardon from a holy God. We don’t have even one cent in our pocket with which to walk into His heavenly supermarket. Even if we had the money of Warren Buffet, Bill Gates and the Rockefellers COMBINED, we wouldn’t even have enough. Left to ourselves our souls would limp through life horribly hun­gry and end up withered in hell.

Does this mean no money—no forgiveness for us? That’s not what the Lord said. When He says “without cost,” He means for YOU, not for Him. Your forgiveness cost God plenty. He paid not with a check with six or seven digits on it but with the pre­cious blood of Jesus for the food our souls need. Now this gracious and compassionate Father offers pardon and peace free to sinners like you and me. Never do the shelves in His heavenly grocery run out of stock. But we need to know the address of His store.

It’s called God’s Holy House. Here the loving Father feeds us with His gracious Word. Here the eternal Father provides a place—His super­market where hungry sinners can find His free food. Here, He gives you what you can’t buy on your own—forgiveness, peace and life eternal. PAUSE.

Remember what I said earlier, at times parents sacrifice and deny themselves a lot of things so that they can give their children the best? I know you have done that. I have witnessed you working hard and long to provide the best for them.

Even our loving, caring and compassionate Father does the same. He has denied Himself of His only Son—Jesus. For 33 years the Father looked to earth to watch His Son Jesus live among us. For 33 years, Jesus lived the perfect life of obedience to the Father’s will away from His Father’s presence. For 33 years He kept every commandment and decree of God. But in the end the time came that even the Son was denied of the mercy and compassion of His Father.

And it is this compassion that our Gospel lesson speaks about that drives Jesus to deny Himself everything, even the embrace of His loving Father, the comfort of His earthly mother, the company of His closest companions (disciples) and goes all the way to the cross. He goes there because He has compassion on sinners like you and me. While it is true that Jesus’ obedience is the only way that our salvation can be accomplished, it is His willingness to deny Himself from everything that is human and travels the Via Dolorosa (the way of suffering) all the way to Calvary. What He feels in His gut for sinners like you makes Him go. It drives Him. He wants you that much! He desires to give you the best and offers you the most through the miracle of the Cross, where the sinless Son of God offers Himself to be the “more than enough” once and for all sacrifice. Here is where we see the true heart of God! He desires mercy, not sacrifice!

Today, as you sit in the Father’s house, know that He loves you and wants to bless you. He calls you by name. “Come my child, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Yes, come little ones to God’s house often. Feed at His table, dine with Him on the broken body, drink the cup of His salvation and receive the blessings from His hands. PAUSE.

Do you know what God wants for you? He wants to love you, care for you, forgive you and bless you. And He has. He has done it again today, and He will continue to do it until you spend eternity in His heavenly Supermarket feeding forever on His grace, mercy and goodness. Thanks be to God for what He gives us in His Son. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

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

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

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

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

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

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

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

In Nomini Iesu,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“This IS our God” (Isaiah 44:6)

S-1263 5SAP/3A 07/17/11, (O) #473 vv. 1-3; (S) #473 vv. 4-5; (C) #49

Text: Isaiah 44:6-8; Romans 8:18-27; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Theme: “This IS our God” (Isaiah 44:6)

Question: “Which God do you worship?”

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Black Hawk, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for the 5^th Sunday after Pentecost is the O. T. lesson: “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and His Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I Am the first and I Am the last; besides Me there is no god’” (Isaiah 44:6).

In Nomini Iesu,

In the name of Jesus, amen! It seems today, there are many gods that fill the void of many hearts and heads. gods of our choosing and making. gods of sex and pleasure, power and fame, diet and figure; age and success. gods that satisfy our longing for a moment or two. gods for every occasion and need.

This past week I was watching TV and Dr. Deepack Chopra was talking about his book “The Secret to Reverse Aging”, stated that: “People can empower themselves to slow down aging and even reverse it. That power comes from within to reshape and revise your life.”

This is nothing but another god of our own making. Do you know how many faith groups there are in the world today? Over 4300 faith groups that we know of since 2007. Yet each one believes that their god is the only god. With that statement in mind, how do we know that we worship the one true God?

Isaiah gives us the answer in the text today of what God said about Himself: “I Am the first and I Am the last; besides Me there is no god’” This text is a court room scene. Here the Author of the Universe and Creator of all that exists, challenges the Israelites to compare Him to other gods. He states emphatically there is none-like-Me.

God declares: “I Am not a god who has been made or created in the mind of man or by the hand of man. I am not a figment of someone’s imagination. I Am the God who fills heaven and earth with My majesty and glory.”

In the chapter before our text God speaks these words: “I, even I, Am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed I, and not some foreign god among you. You are My witnesses, declares the Lord, that I Am God” (Is.43:11-12) and in the chapter after our text He states these marvelous truth: “I Am the LORD, and there is no other,
besides Me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know Me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides Me; I Am the LORD, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I Am the LORD, who does all these things.” (Is. 45:5-7). And the Apostle Paul teaches us saying: “There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to one hope when you were called– one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Indeed, there may be thousands of gods out in the world being worshiped, but these are not gods. There is only One God that is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is our God whom Isaiah reveals to us today. And what kind of God is He?

Again the text spells this out: “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and His Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I Am the first and I Am the last; besides Me there is no god’”

Our God is:

1. The King of Israel and the world: In the weakness of the cross the Church likewise declares that Jesus is “The King of the Jews” (Mt. 27:37). There He is enthroned, bleeding and dying for all humanity. His kinship is truly not of this world. This King loves His subjects, provides for them, cares for them and does everything for them.
2. The Redeemer: The Hebrew word “Goel” גאל means to Redeem, or to ransom denotes a next of kin relative who may “avenge the blood” of someone in his family who has been murdered. He will use everything in His power to bring freedom and deliverance from slavery. Our Redeemer has done just that. He redeemed us from the wrath of God, as the Apostle Peter teaches us, not with silver or gold, but with His holy precious blood. The Redeemer of the world has paid the ultimate price for your souls—His life.

1. The Lord of Hosts: this statement declares that Jesus is the ultimate Warrior, who defeats every enemy of His church—the enemies satan, sin, and the world. This Warrior fights our battles for us does everything in His power to get us out of the clutches so that He may bless us with every spiritual blessing.

Our God is The King, The Redeemer and The Lord of Hosts who continues to bless us with His presence and His power—the power of His Word. This Word has the power to make dead souls alive, soften hearts that are as hard as stone, change unbelievers into devoted followers and tansform the children of sin and wrath into the holy children of God.

Therefore, by the power of the Holy Spirit, like the warning of Jesus in the parable of the Sower, let nothing make us doubt the Word of God so it is snatched away from us. If we surrender God’s Word, we lose heaven, salvation, and our very soul. Rejection of the Word is also a rejection of God, for it is by the Word alone that He comes to us and we to Him. It is by that same Word that He keeps coming to us. In fact, that is why you are here today; that you might be fed with the Word yet again of a God who comes near to you! This Word brings life, forgiveness and peace! What an Awesome God we have. PAUSE.

This is our God the One who comes to be with us and in us. Certainly, we can’t slow down the aging process or reverse it. Certainly we can’t look inside of us to make ourselves more powerful and stronger. There is no magic bullet to be young and strong again.

It is indeed tragic, that even we Christians fall prey to the devil’s and the world’s teaching in trusting in the gods that we make. We at time put our trust and confidence in the things that we see instead of the God who is not seen by human eyes, but with the eyes of faith. It is tragic when we bow down our knees and our hearts before the gods of the world and pay homage to them.

However, the only true object of religious worship that we Christians adhere to is the true God of the Bible. In Psalm 96:4-6 exhorts us to sing and shout for this God. Listen please: “For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and glory are in His sanctuary”.

Yes, this is our God who fills the heavens with splendor, majesty and glory. This is our God who reveals Himself in the simple things in life—water, wafer, wine, word, cross and empty tomb.

Indeed there are many gods in the world that people run to, cling to, and bow to. But what God would be willing to give up His all for His subject? What God would be willing to fight on behalf of His servants? What God would be willing to pay the ransom for scum bags, sinners who live in the dust of the earth? What God would be willing to love the unlovable? What God would be willing to seek the lost, the least and the little ones? What God would be willing to reach out to others and help them? Only ONE—The True God—Jesus the Christ.

This IS our God: He is not aloof, or distant or disengaged. But He comes down and becomes one of us. This IS our God: The One who keeps all of His promises—by providing for both our bodies and souls—the highest good. This IS our God: whose love fills the whole world and your hearts.

Today, as we gather on this hot day in the Lord’s house, we are reminded again of who this God is. He is our King, He is our Redeemer and He is the Lord of Hosts. What a blessing for us to know that we have a God who loves us, cares for us and provides for us all that we need—the greatest of which the forgiveness of sins so that we might be His redeemed children forever.

Today, we join all Christendom in giving thanks to our God. After all, THIS IS OUR GOD—JESUS THE CHRIST. AMEN.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

“A Change” (Isaiah 55:12-13)

S-1262 4SAP/3A 07/10/11, (O) LSB #578 vv. 1-3; (S) #578 vv.4-6; (C) #921

Text: Isaiah 55:10-13; Romans 8:12-17; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Theme: “A Change” (Isaiah 55:12-13)

Question: “How do you deal with change?”

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Black Hawk, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for the 4^th Sunday after Pentecost is the O. T. lesson: “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off” (Isaiah 55:12-13).

In Nomini Iesu,

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, as sinful people we don’t do well with change. Most people would rather be comfortable in their situations, doing the same thing over and over. And when a change is about to takes place, people grumble and groan.

Perhaps you served on a church committee. You wanted to introduce a different hymnal or a different hour for worship or worship format. People are up in arms when that takes place. It is sad but true that we want to stay in our comfort zone. But when change takes place we kick and scream because we don’t feel comfortable about it.

When, then, Senator Obama from Illinois was seeking the nomination for the presidency he made these statements: On Feb. 10, 2007 he said, “I’m in this race not just to hold an office, but to gather with you to transform a nation.” (Presidential announcement); on Feb 5, 2008 he said, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” - Speech following Super Tuesday results. And on Aug. 28, 2008 he said, “Change doesn’t come from Washington. Change comes to Washington.” - Speech in Denver.

Indeed, changes are all around. Some changes are for the better and others are for the worse. Whether Democrat or Republican you have certainly noticed the changes that have taken place—gas prices are high, the economy stinks, home sales are low, unemployment is high, and your money markets went south.

When Senator Obama was campaigning he used this phrase often “It is time for a change!” And change has come to many. A change they didn’t choose—loss of job, finances, and homes and laws.

But that is not the only change that has taken place. On April 20, 1999, in the small, suburban town of Littleton, Colorado, two high-school seniors, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, enacted an all-out assault on Columbine High School during the middle of the school day with a deadly result—12 students, 1 teacher dead and 21 injured. Ever since that day, many schools have to lock their doors lest anything like that happens again.

These are the changes that you hear about on TV, radio and read in your newspaper. But there are changes in our own schools. Now many schools are serving breakfast, something unheard of before. More people are living together before marriage and none are ashamed of it. More gays and lesbians are coming out of the closet and it is accepted by many in our society and WORSE, by the church. PAUSE.

But we dare not change for the worse. This occurs when we change God’s Word to suit ourselves or serve ourselves. These changes take place when we dilute the Word and make it generic and teach that was then, but this is now. Just recently in New York they passed a law to have gay marriages. How tragic that the Word is no longer accepted as the Eternal truth. In your lives and mine, we don’t always accept the Word. We at time deny the validity of the Word. We make light of the grace offered in the waters of Baptism, in the bread and wine at the altar, and the forgiveness given by the pastor. Let this truth ring in your ears and hearts. God’s Word doesn’t change and neither does He. The Word is powerful in and of itself. For Jesus Himself taught saying: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away” (Mt. 24:35).

Yes, there are changes all around, some are great and others are gory. However, in our O. T. lesson the prophet Isaiah speaks of a change that is going to take place in the lives of God’s people. They will come out from the Babylonian exile and go home in peace and joy. This change takes place because of the powerful Word of God.

God the Author of life is the One who will bring this change about. He is the One who will guide His people from the darkness of despair to the light of hope and peace. Please listen again to Isaiah: For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. What an awesome change will take place in the lives of God’s people because of His mercy and grace.

Isaiah with vivid images describes mountains, hills, trees lined up along the highway to celebrate Israel’s homecoming. This tree-lined path home will testify to God’s goodness as twelve stones memorialized Israel’s crossing the Jordan (Joshua 14:7-8) and along the highway there is the sound of clapping hands and spoken words declaring SHALOM – PEACE upon God’s people. PAUSE.

You, too, as God’s beloved people, have gone through changes being rescued from exile of the Babylon of Satan and welcomed to the Promise Land of eternal life on account of the mighty powerful Word—Christ Jesus our Lord. The Word made flesh has done for the people of today what God has done to the people of old. The Word made flesh has changed us from sinners to saints, from being dead to life, from being blind to seeing. This change took place as people lined the road to Calvary and watched the Word made flesh dying on the cross.

These are the changes that come to us as a gift from the Lord Himself. On Cavalry’s Hill, trees and mountains clap their hands for what the Suffering Servant accomplished for us and still does. On Cavalry’s Hill, trees and mountains sing for joy declaring to us SHALOM—PEACE.

Oh, the joy and peace of knowing these changes have taken place. In the majestic waters of Baptism, you have been changed for the better. These changes bring you to Your Lord and Savior as one redeemed and restored.

What a blessing to know that we are a changed people. Changed to live for Him and tell about Him and the power of His Word in our lives. Study the lives of the Apostles’ and you will see the changes in their lives and testimony. Read the book of Acts and you will see a complete turnaround of the disciples from being cowards to being courageous and powerful proclaimers of sharing the Word even when they were threatened not to do so. Luke put it this way: “And when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:40-42).

This change took place because they were in the presence of the Mighty Living Word—Jesus Christ who gives power from on high to change lives for the better.

Today, that same powerful Word still brings about changes. You see it in our daily lives as we share the Word with others. As some of you know (will be doing so in a few hours) I often lecture about Muslims and how to witness to them. In one of my presentations was a Muslim for Iraq. After the presentation he came to me and told me, “Pastor, I didn’t know all that my religion taught. You have opened my eyes to a lot of things!” On New Year’s Eve of the same year while I was leading the Divine Worship Service the phone rang, it was the Muslim man calling me with great excitement because the Holy Spirit had changed his heart and bowed His knee so that he could become a follower of Jesus and would be baptized the week after. SDG.

You, too, have seen these changes because of the powerful Word of God at work in your lives. There is a major change taking place right here as you are planting the Black Hills Lutheran Middle School. You are starting a Lutheran school??? GREAT!!!. Thanks be to God for these blessed changes.

Today, as we gather in the Lord’s house, we join Isaiah, the captives of Babylon and Christendom and sing the song of deliverance that Christ the Word made flesh has brought to us. Today, we rejoice with the mountains, hills and trees as we sing of the Shalom the Savior has brought to us. Today, we leave changed people because we have been touched by the pierced hands of Him who changes not—Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA