“A Mighty Creator” (Genesis 1:1-2)

S-1437 TS/3A 6/15/2014 Hymns: (O) #244; (S) #39; (C) #744 LSB

Texts: Genesis 1:1-2:4; Acts 2:14, 22-36; Matthew 28:16-20

Theme: “A Mighty Creator” (Genesis 1:1-2)

Question: “Have you created something?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text for Trinity Sunday is the O.T. Lesson: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:1-2).

Beloved in the Lord, perhaps you have seen and touched something someone has created like a beautiful quilt, a china cabinet, a dress, or a stained glass window. When we see them and touch them we say, “Wow! What a creation! What workmanship! What beauty!”

Indeed many people are gifted and have crafted amazing creations with their own hands. We admire them and at times even envy their talents and wish we have their creation abilities.

On this festival of the Trinity, we see the Mighty Creator, our God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit at work in creating not only the world and all that is seen and unseen, but creating faith in the heart of man so that he may know God has made him in His image.

We see His mighty creation all around us. We see the touch of His fingers and the care of His hands in the marvelous work of creation. What would our world be like without the imagination of God? What if everything was black and white? You would not see the stripes on the Zebra, the spots on the leopard, and the majesty of a swan. You would not see the beauty of the rose, lily, carnation and Iris. Think of the butterflies, the bees and the birds.

All of this has been given to us because God is the Mighty Creator. But He has also created faith in our hearts in the same miraculous and mighty way. Through the Word that is connected to the water our Mighty Creator rained down forgiveness of sin upon you and spoke faith into your once lifeless, sin-scarred heart! We see this faith born also through the mighty and powerful Word proclaimed. In the Epistle lesson as Peter preached his sermon; faith was created in the hearts of the listeners. We see it as God commissioned His Church to go out into all the world and in His mighty name preach, teach and baptize the nations; so that the nations will know their Creator. These are part of the mighty creation God did and does even today.

Moses, the author of the text tells us of the Mighty Creator who created the heavens and the earth. In Deuteronomy 34:9-10, we are told that Moses got the creation account as he visited with Jesus face to face. Through that encounter we have the movement, the means and the message of God creating all things for the benefit of His children—you and me. And through these acts we get to realize how deeply God is in involved in our lives that He pours upon us His undeserved GRACE in everything that He does.

We behold this Grace from the angle of Creation in how deeply we are dependent on Him for everything to sustain our lives. We see this Grace from the angle of Redemption through the act of the cross; that is 100% a pure GIFT as Paul tells us in Ephesians: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (2:8-9). Through this gift our sins are forgiven and we receive life and salvation. We observe this Grace from the angle of Preservation through His continual providence. Paul in Colossians tells us, “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (1:17). Everything that we have and hold unto is a gift of His loving hands. Paul even states that God will keep us in this faith according to Philippians 1:6.

This is our God. He is the Mighty Creator of life and love, faith and hope. No wonder the Psalmists describe Him with such marvelous descriptions that defy human logic. “But You are the same, and Your years have no end” (Ps. 102:27); “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God” (Ps. 90:2). The writer is telling us that our God doesn’t change. He is not like man or the world constantly changing. But our God is mighty, powerful, faithful, loving and gracious. PAUSE.

Beloved, you may have heard the expression: “God is good; all the time. All the time; God is good.” Psalm 136 declares, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever” (Psalms 136:1). That doesn’t mean that everything that happens in our corrupt, confused, and chaotic world is good. Far from it! But it does mean that, in the midst of everything wrong, everything evil, and everything painful, God’s goodness appears as a light shining in the darkness. God’s goodness is present as living water in a barren desert. God’s goodness appears as love and hope in the wilderness of pain and suffering. God’s goodness is revealed in the most selfless act, causing His Son, His ONLY Son to come to earth and don upon Him human flesh and blood to save mankind and give them a future.

Through the mercy of the creating power of God, Mary conceived and bore a son—God’s Son would grow up and fulfill every promise God made to Adam and Eve in granting them forgiveness and restoration after falling into sin. His promise was fulfilled when Jesus laid down His life for the sins of humanity. Jesus’ mighty acts were evident as He crushed the grave stone and burst forth to remind us every promise made is a promise kept. But, He also creates faith in the hearts of His children. PAUSE.

A pastor told a story of a terrifying day at a New Jersey beach for a father, his son, and his daughter. The kids were 8 and 10, but they were good swimmers. In fact, they enjoyed swimming together in the Atlantic Ocean quite a lot. On this particular day, a few years ago, they went swimming like they had done so many times before.

As they swam, they got farther and farther from shore. Suddenly the father realized that the tide was carrying them out to sea. It had also separated them from each other. Trying to stay calm, he searched for both children, and realized that he had to help his son back to the beach for his safety and then return to rescue his daughter. So just before turning to the shore, he called out to her, “Mary, I am going to shore for help. If you get tired, remember what I taught you, stay calm, turn on your back, and remember you can float all day long. And I promise you, I promise you, I’ll come back for you; trust me.”

He and the boy made it to shore and then there was a frantic search for the girl. Finally, after four hours, they found her far out in the ocean, away from the shore. But, they found her calmly swimming on her back, not frightened at all.

There was a tremendous amount of relief when the calm girl was finally back on shore. Everyone wondered how she could be so at peace. And they were even more stunned when she gave such a simple answer. She said, “Daddy said he would come back for me and, like he said, I could float all day, so I swam and I floated because I knew he would come.”

That little girl knew that her father would do all in his power to come for her no matter the cost to himself. But, when it comes to things like forgiveness, life, and salvation; it’s going to take more than merely the love of a good mom or dad; it’s going to take the love of a Savior, God in the flesh, for you and me. The Bible says that the work of Jesus isn’t merely the best efforts of the best human being that ever lived. It’s infinitely more than that. He doesn’t merely show the way, share the truth, and shed some light on a situation. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Through Jesus we see the mighty work of the Father and the Holy Spirit as they continue to work in our lives by strengthening our faith and keeping us in the faith. That is the work of the Mighty Creator, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Today, as we observe and celebrate Trinity Sunday, we bow in humility before Him and praise Him for what He has done and continues to do. Amen.

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

“Flames of Fire” (Acts 2:1-3)

S-1436 PS/3A 6/08/2014 Hymns: (O) #234; (S) #224; L.S. #236; #226; #427; (C) #225

Texts: Numbers 11:23-30; Acts 2:1-21; John 7:37-39

Theme: “Flames of Fire” (Acts 2:1-3)

Question: “What would our community miss out on if our church closed?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text is for Pentecost Sunday is from Acts: “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them” (Acts 2:1-3)

On this Pentecost Day we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church and its mission. Jesus on this day fulfills His promise and the Spirit descends upon His disciples and sets them on fire to spread the message of His resurrection to the ends of the world.

Perhaps you have seen the images on TV of the flames of fire that are running wild in the western part of our nation. These flames have devoured homes, property, animals, land and life. These flames have caused havoc and heartache to many. These flames have brought destruction and death. These flames have drained many counties’ budgets. But thanks be to God that we have firefighters and other personnel who come to the aid of those in need.

However, in the text before us today, Dr. Luke speaks of different types of flames that were visible on the heads of the Disciples on Pentecost. These flames are not of death, but of life; not of destruction, but of deliverance. These flames of fire are a blessing and not a burden. These flames don’t cost funds and empty budgets; instead they bring joy and peace to many hearts that are cold and dark. These flames of fire built faith, brought hope to many and revealed the grace of God through the lips of uneducated fishermen from Galilee who shared the greatest message the world needs to hear then and now—the message of Christ’s death and glorious resurrection to liberate them and give them a future with Him.

When the Apostles received the promised Holy Spirit that landed on their heads as tongues of fire—the work of spreading the Gospel began in earnest like a wild fire that is scorching the earth. At first the fire was a little spark. As they spoke in multitude of languages to those gathered in Jerusalem many believed their message. The flames spread in such a way that 3000 souls in one day became followers of Jesus.

The fire jumped from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, with fervent zeal as each Apostle armed with the power of the Holy Spirit traveled to communicate the message of the grace of God and the salvation Jesus earned.

As they departed neither mountain, valleys, rivers or oceans could hold the tide. They passed the Mediterranean and traveled to Rome. Though many were persecuted the flames got higher and higher that all of Europe was on fire with the message of Jesus and His great accomplishments.

Even the forefathers of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod—the Saxon German immigrants crossed the ocean and came to New Orleans. From New Orleans they went on to St. Louis and to every part of the US and ultimately even Armour, SD. PAUSE.

The Saxon immigrants were on fire. They built schools and churches. Used the Bible as textbook and taught that salvation is only through Jesus Christ alone. They had the logo long before the US Postal adopted it, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” And they did! They took the message on foot, horseback, wagons, trains, cars and eventually planes. The flames of fires driven by the ever-blowing Spirit of God spread the Good News of Jesus sacrificial death on Calvary’s cross.

In Exodus chapter 3 we behold flames of fire as Moses sees a bush that is on fire but doesn’t burn. God gives him the command to go and tell Egypt to free His people. From that day on the flames of fire burned within Moses’ heart. We see the flames of fire on Resurrection Sunday as Jesus accompanied the Emmaus disciples. After Jesus reveals Himself to them, they respond: “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?” (LK. 24:32).

These two Emmaus disciples were indeed on fire. That same night they ran back the 7 miles to Jerusalem without fear of robbers, thieves, wild animals or any danger to communicate the good news that they had seen the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

Likewise, we too, need the Scriptures flames of fire to work on our hearts as they did to those who listened to Peter and the other disciples on that first Pentecost Sunday. We need the working of the Holy Spirit to ignite, fire us up and keep us involved in spreading the glorious story of our salvation. Do the flames of our church affect our community? Do your flames affect our community? PAUSE.

Last night, I returned from the NE District visit. While visiting the District I was a presenter in the “Prairie Fire” event. When I invited to be a speaker, I asked how this name came about. This is what I was told:

“The name ‘Prairie Fire’ was thought up by some staff members of the Nebraska District as an ‘Ablaze’ event in 2004. Our promotional materials featured the title and the following taglines: ‘Like a fire sweeping across the prairie, we pray the Spirit will use this event to ignite many of God’s people for ministry and mission’ and ‘Igniting hearts to make God known across Nebraska.’

People were invited to come and be resourced and re-ignited for ministry and mission in their congregations and throughout their communities, a focus we have kept this year.” PAUSE.

By the grace of God, we who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit in Baptism have the same power at work in our lives. We have been ignited to spread the flames of fire of the Gospel to all people. Fire has lots of power, it kills and it brings to life. When I came to Armour, I went to visit one of our members who is a farmer. As I drove up to the farm I noticed all along the fence line was fire burning. I asked “Why?” His response, “We have to get rid of the old so the new grass comes up.”

Beloved saints, as we gather week in and week out, more fuel is put on the fire. The fuel of God’s Word and His precious Sacrament. As we hear the Word and dine at His table we are given the energy to do the work of ministry. We are re-ignited and like a wild fire that spreads across the prairie we take with us the message of hope and help, life and love, salvation and forgiveness and share it with others.

In this place the Lord makes His flames of fire burn in your hearts so that others may see those flames and be on fire too. God grant the Gospel flames to continue to burn in our hearts forever. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

“The Heart of Jesus!” (John 17:9)

S-1435 7SOE/3A 6/01/2014 Hymns: (O) #216; (S) #219; (C) #221

Texts: Acts 1:12-26; 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11

Theme: “The Heart of Jesus!” (John 17:9)

Question: “How would you describe your heart?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text is for the 7^th Sunday of Easter is from the Gospel Lesson: “I Am praying for them. I Am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours” (John 17:9).

Beloved, precious, beautiful and adored children of the heavenly Father, in 1997 a movie hit the big screen called the Titanic. The story is not only of the sinking of the ship but also the illicit love between two passengers. One of them wore a heart-shaped diamond necklace called “The Heart of the Ocean” which belonged to King Louis 16^th and which he wore on the day of his execution in 1793. Though the diamond that was worn by Rose in the movie is fictional, yet after the success of the movie two London-based jewelers Asprey & Garrard created an authentic “Heart of the Ocean necklace” using the original design. The result was a platinum-set, 171-carat (34.2 g) heart-shaped Ceylonsapphire surrounded by 103 diamonds. The necklace was valued at $20 million.

However, today, what we have in the Gospel of St. John is not the fictional story of diamond- studded heart; but the faithful and true story of the heart of God’s only Son, Jesus the Christ. The story that John tells us this morning has a greater value than $20 million because it reveals the heart of Jesus and what He was willing to endure to liberate us from the prison of sin.

The saying is true: “The eyes are the window of the soul.” Today, through the words of John we get to see the heart of Jesus. All of Scripture reveals to us God’s heart. His heart demonstrates how much He cares for His people and reveals how much He loves us. His heart is one that gives us a glimpse into the inner chambers of His thoughts towards His creation—you and me.

In these words of prayer, Jesus reveals His true heart. This isn’t just Jesus being the emotional guy who wears His heart on His sleeve. No there is so much more going on! In these words Jesus reveals that His heart is set on two things: Glorifying the Father and Caring for those who follow Him.

It was the Heart of the Father that caused Jesus to be in a position to pray the prayer that is before us today. He was broken hearted at the prospect of losing you and me for eternity because of our sin. That would not do. So from the foundations of the world the Father was willing to send His very Heart, His One and only Son, into the world to do what we could never do, that is keep His Law perfectly, bear up under its burden, die and then rise. In this action of Jesus He shows us the true heart of God. PAUSE.

It is this heart of God that shows us what true glory really is. This is the glory that Jesus makes known to us. Glory is not about gleaming crowns and cushy thrones. Glory is not about having notoriety or fame. Real glory, the glory that our Lord treasures and exemplifies, is a self-less glory. Jesus knows what this glory costs. I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed. He selflessly lived, selflessly taught and was on His way to selflessly die for you and for me. There is no greater glory in all of creation than the glory that comes at the very moment when Jesus allowed His holy heart to stop beating on that day we call Good Friday. The cross is our Lord’s ultimate glory.

But that glory is for others. First it is in response to the Father. That is why this prayer starts the way it does. But there are others on our Lord Jesus’ heart as well as He prays these words. You are on His heart. A heart that could well be so heavy with the burden He was in the process of bearing on our behalf is made light because He is going to face it all for you! Only a heart full of love can be so consumed. This is the very heart of Jesus!

The heart of Jesus continues to be filled with this kind of love for you and for me. What Jesus prays for in this wonderful prayer is being answered for us even today! I Am praying for them. I Am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. All mine are Yours. PAUSE.

Here in this place, we, His 21^st century disciples see and hear Jesus’ heart. Jesus’ conversation with the Father is especially compelling: It’s about us! Yes, you and me sitting in this place called Redeemer Lutheran Church of Armour, SD. And the heart of our Savior is that we know God. John invites us to pull up a chair and listen attentively not simply to words, but the Words from the Word made flesh.

As we eaves drop on the conversation of Jesus, we hear Him asking the Father to glorify the Son for the purpose of glorifying the Father. Jesus seeks no other glory than the glory of the Father! Everything that Jesus did was to bring glory and honor to the One who sent Him into the world to redeem the world. Every word spoken by Jesus was to draw the disciples the world over to see the love of God for His precious children—even you.

We desperately need to be here exposed to this heart of Jesus! Our human heart, so greatly corrupted with sin is so easily turned in on itself. Of ourselves, we could not ever pray that prayer that Jesus prayed for us. We don’t know how to be selfless. From our earliest days in this world it is clear that the human heart is about itself. Our heart desires what pleases us. We want what we want, when we want it. It is this sinful self-centeredness that severed our relationship with God in the Garden. That same self-centeredness still ruins relationships to this day. Centered on self, our heart cannot be at peace with God, our neighbors or creation. Even among us Christians this self-centeredness comes through loud and clear. We want to worship Jesus in a style that suits us.

We truly have a golden gem in these words of John because they show us the heart of Jesus. From His heart flow His desires for all of God’s creation. First, He wants the world to know the truth that He is the Only WAY to the Father. Second, He wants them to know that He will protect them from every enemy—especially the devil. And finally He has set them apart to tell the world of His great and unconditional Sacrifice on the cursed tree of the cross. PAUSE.

Saints in Christ, when the Titanic embarked on her maiden voyage in 1912, the world was filled with hope and awe. In just a few short days those emotions turned to horror and grief. However, when the Savior embarked on His journey almost 2000 years ago, He came to bring hope and joy to all of those who lived under the burden of grief and horror. And He gave them that hope as He permitted some to hang Him on the cross and cause His heart to stop beating. But that is not the end of the story. Three days later He rose from the grave and forty days later He ascended to heaven and promised to return to take us to be with Him.

Some of you know that this past week we held our VBS. The theme was based on Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Here lies the heart of God. He reveals it in His Son. Each child received a t-shirt with this message (show the shirt. It is blue with life line of white and center of a cross) “Jesus saves our souls” and He has and always will!

The VBS students along with their teachers put together this banner that talks about the heart of Jesus that teaches us the truth of our HOPE: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19 NIV).

By the grace of God alone, we have seen the heart of Jesus, His love for us and His unconditional sacrifice in saving us from the punishment of hell. Thanks be to the One who reveals His heart to us now and always. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

Theme: “He is NOT in Retirement!” (Ephesians 1:18-20)

S-1434 AD/3A 5/29/2014 Hymns: (O) #341 vs. 1-3; (S) #381; L.S.#213; (C) #341 vs. 4-6

Texts: Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:16-23; Luke 24:44-53

Theme: “He is NOT in Retirement!” (Ephesians 1:18-20)

Question: “Are you counting the day to retire?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text is for our Ascension observance and celebration is from the Epistle Lesson: “…Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:18-20).

Beloved children of the heavenly Father, as we grow older many of us (myself included) look forward to the day we retire. We look forward to and sometimes even long for the day when we no longer have to wake up to the sound of the alarm clock. We don’t have to dress for work, and we don’t have to face the drudgery of the day. When we retire we will have the pleasure to sleep as long as we want, do what we want—Travel, go fishing, golfing and just have a leisure life. The time of work is done and the time of relaxation has begun. Retirement is a wonderful period in someone’s life to enjoy. And they should.

However, let us be clear that the Savior of mankind didn’t go into retirement as He ascended into heaven. He is not sleeping or snoozing. On the contrary, He is working even now just as He did when He walked the dusty roads of earth. The Apostle Paul teaches us in the text for this evening, though God raised Him [Jesus] from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” He is still involved in our lives.

Paul, in the book of Roman speaks of Christ’s State of Exaltation saying: “…Christ Jesus is the One who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (8:34). Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ in His Ascension continues to care for His little lambs. As He seated at the right of God, pleads with His heavenly Father to always look at us with mercy and fill us with His grace continually. He continually asks the Father in heaven to forgive us our sins for His sake. He is at work even now. PAUSE.

In the teaching of Catechism we speak of Jesus as being anointed for three different Offices: Prophet, Priest and King. These Offices were not only carried out and fulfilled while He was on earth, but even now He is still fully Man and God and uses all of His powers to continue fulfilling these offices for us.

As a Prophet He preached the Word and continues even today to preach the Word through His ministers. He is the Prophet who promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide and guard us on our way. As a Prophet He warns us of the danger ahead and grants us the wisdom to follow Him.

As a Priest, He fulfilled the demand of the Law by offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. And now as the exalted Priest He continues to bring our petitions and requests before God.

As a King, He, the Exalted Christ rules over the whole Universe by His mighty power. He governs and orders the whole world to live under Him. He protects us from every calamity and keeps us in His loving and gracious arms.

Certainly Christ is not in retirement; He is still at work for us and on our behalf. He is working in our behalf to do what we promised to do but don’t. We have said and confessed we are His witnesses, but don’t always give a good witness. We have promised to support the ministry of the Gospel with our gifts of time, talents and treasures; but more often than not we hoard everything. We have said we will pray to Him on behalf of others, but how quickly, we, out of fear that we won’t be given enough by God to make it through the day let alone through retirement become lazy, self-consumed and just plain forget; so often that we don’t fulfill these promises.

While this may be true of you and me, it is most certainly NOT true of Jesus! While He was on earth He fulfilled the requirements of the Law even to the point of death-death on a cross. Then on the third day He rose from the grave. 40 days later He left the disciples and commissioned them to go to the ends of the earth sharing His story of salvation so that others might be His followers.

Now as the Exalted Christ, He is crowned with glory and honor. Angels worship Him and jump at His every command. Now He always uses His Divine Power to meet our needs of body and soul. Though He is no longer living on earth in a way that is visible to the human eye, He is and always will be with us to grant us the joy of living for Him forever and ever.

Before He ascended into heaven, He promised to come back to take us to be with Him. The room He has promised His Disciples both then and now in the Upper Room are all ready for that grand day when He will come back in all His glory, majesty and honor to take us to be where He is! That will not be for a short time. It will be forever!

Therefore, know the truth and hold it dear. Ascension Day is the coronation celebration of the Lord as He is proclaimed to be King of the universe. Jesus’ ascension to the Father is His entrance to the greater existence beyond the confines of time and space, being no longer bound by the limitations of His state of humiliation. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God, which Luther correctly taught is everywhere, having again taken up the power and authority that was His since before time. Yet our Lord is present with us who remain bound by time and space. He is with us as true God and true man, exercising His Lordship in the Church through the Means of Grace that He established, His Word and His Sacraments. We mortals in these Means of Grace can taste and see the King of the universe and receive a foretaste of the feast to come.

This evening as we observe the Ascension, we give thanks to the One who suffered, died, rose on the third day and intercedes in heaven for us; and will soon return to take us home. What joy awaits all of those who bow the knee before Him who rules the Universe and cares for her as a Prophet, Priest and King forever in the order of Melchizedek. Amen.

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

MEMORIAL DAY SPEECH

On Monday, May 26, I was privileged and honored to give the Memorial Day speech.

Below is the opening and closing prayer along with the speech.

OPENING PRAYER:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today, we gather beneath the Stars and Stripes-the emblem of freedom and glory to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice; but we also stand beneath the cross of Christ that gives us a freedom that is beyond the bounds of this world. Therefore, we pray, Almighty Lord that You will bless this nation and all of those who have gathered here today. Guide and guard her from foreign and domestic enemies. Protect our brave men and women who are serving us all across the globe so that we can enjoy and cherish the freedom we have.

In the name of Christ our Lord, we pray. Amen.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE AFRAID.

All of us in this place have so many blessings that we don’t often think about how rich free of fear and even spoiled we are!

Daily we wake up without any fear. We get dressed and go to work without fear. We go to school and don’t even consider fear. When the weekend approaches, we go camping, boating, golfing or picnicking without fear. And on Sunday mornings all of us have the great privilege of being involved in attending our own denominational churches without having to be afraid of being harassed, burned, shot, maimed or killed.

You don’t have to be afraid because in the history of this great nation, there have always been sentries on duty to make sure you and I can enjoy the liberty and freedom we have. You don’t have to be afraid to go sleep because you know no one is going to come and take your home or freedom away, thanks to those who stand guard and protect this land. For over 238 years Old Glory has soared over the nation to tell the world this is the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave on account of the men and women who fought and died for this land.

However, our freedom and liberty is and has been under attack lately. We have witnessed recently Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who had been invited to give the commencement address at Rutgers University in New Jersey has been disinvited because of her involvement in the Iraq war during the Bush administration.

We saw it as the government attacked and sued Hobby Lobby because they didn’t agree with the Obamacare mandate to pay for abortions. We heard it in the court rooms of New Mexico when Christian photographer Elane, was ordered to photograph a wedding (gay couples) which violated her religious convictions. We have observed how the IRS has been used as an agent of attack to harm and harass political opponents. And just in the last couple of weeks we have seen and heard of the great scandal against our Veterans—who have been mistreated, lied to, dishonored and some even died as they waited for treatment.

Yes, we are under attack. There are many people who live here under the banner of freedom and liberty and enjoy these freedoms and privileges; yet desire to change the outlook of the USA. When people raise up the white flag of surrender instead of the Red, White and Blue our freedom and liberty is sold to the bullies and molesters of the freedom that has been purchased by the spilled blood and ultimate sacrifice of military personnel—the brave men and women.

But you and I, as free citizens need not be afraid. We can stand together. We can tell the Administration of the great words of Abraham Lincoln who in his Gettysburg address said: “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth”

We don’t have to be afraid to stand up for freedom sake. We don’t have to be afraid from any bully domestic or foreign who attack us. We don’t have to be afraid from anyone, because as free people we tell the world about those who sleep in trenches, who eat cold meals, who are in the heat of the sun, the cold of night, in the mountain, in the sea or in the desert; are there to defend our freedom. We have freedom purchased by the blood of martyrs and the dedication of the Military personnel. Our freedom is not free—it has been paid by the life and shed blood of the American Soldier.

Toby Keith, a country music singer, wrote one of the most moving songs in tribute to these brave volunteers—the men and women of our Armed Forces called, “American Soldier” Here are the lyrics of this song:

I'm just trying to be a father
Raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother
Everything to everyone
Up and at 'em, bright and early
I'm all business in my suit
Yeah, I'm dressed up for success
From my head down to my boots

I don't do it for the money
There's bills that I can't pay
I don't do it for the glory
I just do it anyway
Providing for our future's my responsibility
Yeah I'm real good under pressure
Being all that I can be

And I can't call in sick on Mondays
When the weekends been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays
And sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door
Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey, I'm true down to the core

And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh, and I don't want to die for you
But if dyin's asked of me
I'll bear that cross with honor
'Cause freedom don't come free

I'm an American soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand
When Liberty's in jeopardy, I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front line
Sleep in peace tonight
American soldier, I'm an American soldier. PAUSE.

FREE PEOPLE OF THESE UNITED STATES, we don’t have to be afraid from any administration because we are a government of the people, by the people, for the people. And these people have power when they join hands together and work for the betterment of the community and society. We can give of our service, silver and sacrifice for the greater cause—it is not about us; but about living in this great Land of ours.

Today, as we gather beneath the Red, White and Blue, I implore you to lift your eyes high above the sky, (encourage them to look up) see the symbol of freedom flying and KNOW we don’t have to be afraid.

Yes, we don’t have to be afraid. As we stand today together in this cemetery to remember and honor the memories of those who gave their lives, we thank them and their families for their sacrifice.

But above all, let us thank the Lord, Jesus Christ the King of the Universe, who chose to leave the beauty and glory of heaven and come down to our polluted earth and live in the ditches for us. Behold this King of kings and Lord of lords coming to serve us as our Slave. A slave, who was tried, tortured, tormented and hung on a Tree to win our freedom. This King, who has won our freedom, also sustains our great military leaders, men and women. He sustains them through His Word and blessed Sacraments. He protects them with His mighty, caring, powerful and pierced hands. He upholds them in the hour of need and fills their hearts with peace even in the battle field.

Today, with great joy and the liberty and freedom we have on account of the shed blood of Christ, we live, eat, play, work and sleep beneath the bloodied cross of Christ without fear. Today, we lift our voices heavenward and thank Him for what He has accomplished—winning our Eternal FREEDOM and has given us life forever with Him.

Thanks be to God, that we the people of these USA DON’T HAVE TO BE AFRAID.

God bless the USA and its men and women who serve her.

THE BENEDICTION:

In the name of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who won our freedom through His death and resurrection; in the name of the Father who sent His ONLY Son, Jesus to fight our arch enemies-satan, sin and death and gave us this freedom; in the name of the Holy Spirit who teaches us in His Word that in Christ we have eternal freedom and live joyfully forever with Him; may your day, week, year and life be forever blessed. Amen.

“Preaching the Resurrection!” (Acts 17:18-19)

S-1433 6SOE/3A 5/25/2014 Hymns: (O) #191; (S) #204; L.S.#201; #200; #307 (C) #191

Texts: Acts 17:16-31; 1 Peter 32:13-22; John 14:15-21

Theme: “Preaching the Resurrection!” (Acts 17:18-19)

Question: “What difference what we preach makes?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text is from Acts: “Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, ‘What does this babbler wish to say?’ Others said, ‘He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities’—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?’” (Acts 17:18-19).

Beloved children of the heavenly Father, every Sunday I begin my sermon with these words: “Christ is Risen!” and you respond “He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!” I begin with these words because preaching the resurrection is of the utmost importance. Preaching the resurrection is our foundation. Preaching the resurrection is our focus. Preaching the resurrection is our future. Preaching the resurrection is our faith. Without the Resurrection there is no justification, which means there is no Church! Without the resurrection we have no hope, no help and heaven.

Preaching the resurrection is the message that in Jesus Christ who rose from the dead and in Him eternal death has become eternal life. Preaching the resurrection is the message that our future is bright. Preaching the resurrection is the message we declare to the world that Jesus has indeed destroyed the devil, done away with sin and delivered us from the punishment of hell. Preaching the resurrection is the message that God has restored mankind and creation from death to life. Preaching the resurrection is the message that we need to hear again and again. And that is precisely what Paul is declaring in the text today. For in the preaching of the resurrection we are teaching that man can’t save himself. And it is a message that makes all the difference in the world.

By the grace of God you and I are here today to be taught that the message of the Resurrection is the message of the Church and our message. It is the message our dying world needs to hear just as it was in the day of Paul as he visited Athens.

As we tune into the scene in the Areopagas we find Paul waiting for his companions—Timothy and Silas to join him to do the work God has called him. Paul is very impatient and the Spirit within him is provoked (God the Holy Spirit is doing this) by all of the idolatry in the city. The people are ignorant of the true and living God, enslaved by false gods and prisoners in a life that has no hope or future.

He can’t wait for them to arrive so he begins speaking to the people. He has a message of the resurrection of Jesus that drives him forward. He must confess it! He must tell it! He must live it! If you remember in Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus the Savior said to one of His servants Ananias to say to Paul: “But the Lord said to him [Ananias], ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel’” (Acts 9:15). Therefore, Paul preaches the resurrection first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles so that they may know that this Jesus, this unknown God to whom they have an altar—is indeed a living God who came to earth, suffered, died, was buried and rose from the damp and dark grave to live forever. PAUSE.

Likewise, you and I have a mission as followers of Jesus—to preach His resurrection message. Certainly we say it every Sunday morning “Christ is Risen!” But that is not enough. Look at the idolatry in our world. See how many temples people have built for themselves and before which they bow, hoping that these gods—man made gods can give them satisfaction and enjoyment in life.

We, who have heard the message of the resurrection preached, know the blessings that come our way. We have seen what a difference the preaching of the resurrection makes. You have been to funerals where the minister always points to the dead person and all he/she has accomplished and accumulated in life. But these are hollow and empty words that don’t bring any comfort to the survivors. These sermons preach sentimentality and not salvation! But on the other hand you have listened to a funeral and the message of the resurrection and the difference that message brings. The first is simply remembering the person and the second, is having hope in Him who opened the grave once and for all and freed all the children of Adam and Eve from death to life.

That is why we preach the resurrection message every Sunday. For that is our focus, foundation and future. We preach the resurrection because it shows the world that God the Father has accepted the sacrifice of His only Son on Calvary’s cross. We preach the resurrection because it is our hope and help. We preach the resurrection because it teaches us that we will rise bodily from the grave to life eternal with Him—who lives forever & ever—even Jesus Christ. PAUSE.

Benjamin Franklin is known as the “First American” and one of the Founding Fathers of this great Nation. In one of his lighter moments, penned his own epitaph. He didn’t profess to be a Christian, but it seems he must have been influenced by Paul’s teaching of the resurrection of the body. Here’s what he wrote: The Body of B. Franklin, Printer Like the Cover of an old Book Its contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Guilding, Lies here, Food for Worms, But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believ’d, Appear once more In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and amended by the Author.

Beloved in the Lord, I don’t know about Benjamin Franklin or his belief. But I do agree with him in that the Author of our lives, Jesus Christ will raise us on the last day to be a more perfect edition, corrected and amended by the One who died and rose for us from the grave.

Though it is hard to believe, yet we preach the resurrection because it goes against reason and logic. Certainly the resurrection is not normal and it contradicts our experience. “For our eyes see that the world is swept away by death and dies,” (Luther What Luther Says p. 1216 #3879 Hard to Believe). We preach the resurrection because although it is hard to believe, yet Jesus spoke of how in nature “Except the corn die how will it bear fruit?” (John 12:24) Also, Paul’s arguments in 1 Corinthians 15, “But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?’ You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies’” (vv. 35-36). This message needs to shared especially with unbelievers that the resurrection is unreasonable. Though it is hard to believe and unreasonable, it is our confessional article of faith—faith based on the powerful promises made by Him who destroyed death forever.

With the eyes of faith we see the Resurrected Lord rising with power from death to life. We see in His Word that He is the living Lord. We see it in the lives of Paul and other evangelists as they took this message to every corner of the world and declared Him not as a dead God, but as the LIVING ONE! PAUSE.

Therefore, no matter what the world teaches and preaches—you and I as His followers preach the resurrection. For we, too, have died and been raised to a new life—through the waters of Baptism. In that gift Peter tells us that we have the power of the Resurrection (1 Peter 3:21). In truth the resurrection power of baptism trains us to daily die to self and to rise to live for Christ. What joy we have because of the Resurrection of Christ and ours.

People of the RESURRECTION, We may no longer have any Epicureans, Stoics, and philosophers, but we have doubters and deniers who still worship dead deities as they did in Athens. Like Paul, we ought to speak to this dead world about the living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Like Paul, we take the message of the Resurrection and proclaim it to the ends of the earth. For we preach Christ and Him crucified, risen and soon returning. Amen.

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

“Don’t Be Surprised!” (Acts 7 selected verses)

S-1432 5SOE/3A 5/18/2014 Hymns: (O) #193; (S) #354; (C) #447

Texts: Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60; 1 Peter 2:22-10; John 14:1-14

Theme: “Don’t Be Surprised!” (Acts 7 selected verses)

Question: “What surprises you?” Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! The text is from Acts: “And Stephen said: ‘Brothers and fathers, hear me… ^‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it...But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (Acts 7 selected verses).

You who are Baptized, Redeemed, Forgiven, Blood-bought and Heaven-bound children of God, in the name of Christ the ONLY true God and Savior rejoice in the everlasting hope and help He has given you. Jesus said: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me…I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor Me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you,” (John 14:1; 16:1-4). And from Matthew: “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of His household” (Matthew 10:23-25).

Therefore I say to you don’t be surprised at what you hear and what you see as attacks against the followers of Jesus. Don’t be surprised as violence against Christians is increasing. Don’t be surprised that the media can speak evil of Jesus Christ and demean His name; but don’t say a word against Mohammad or Islam. Don’t be surprised when you see Islam at work in Nigeria as Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls; 90% are Christians and vowed to sell them as sex slaves. Don’t be surprised as you hear of a pregnant Christian woman (Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, 27), from Khartoum, Sudan, condemned and charged with adultery and apostasy; to be flogged (100 lashes) and hanged to death because she is married to a Christian. Don’t be surprised when you hear the President of the USA congratulate Michael Sam, the first openly gay NFL player; but a Christian athlete like Tim Tebow is ridiculed. Don’t be surprised when you hear of Harvard University wanting to have a Black Mass to worship Satan on campus; but for Christians they are hindered from having Bible study, prayer time and worship on campus. Don’t be surprised as you listen to TV evangelists who preach prosperity gospel; but not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Don’t be surprised as you listen to Joel Osteen who never talks about sin or hell; but always about being happy. Don’t be surprised at the ways of the world verses the ways of the Eternal Word-Jesus Christ.

Neither should you be surprised at what is taking place in the text before us today. Dr. Luke tells the story of a Greek man—Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit who is murdered by stoning for His confession of faith in Jesus Christ alone. Be surprised at the way the Holy Spirit equipped Stephen to handle himself and gave a glorious testimony of His trust in Jesus Christ in the face of death. Be surprised that He prayed for His enemies. Though, I shouldn’t be! I’m not sure that I could do that myself. Could you? PAUSE.

In this blessed text, we see the way the Savior works on the heart of a man who knows he can’t save himself, but trusts in Christ to save him from the eternal powers of hell and God’s wrath through His death and resurrection. We see how those who follow Jesus live to bring glory and honor to His holy name. We see the power of Christ at work in the lives of those who trust Him completely.

Jesus in the Gospel lesson today stated, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled…” He went on to say in Chapter 16, “that people will kill you thinking they are doing Me a favor.” That is how warped our world is. That which is good they call bad, that which is bad they call good. That which is holy they call impure and that which is impure they call holy. Don’t be surprised saints in Christ.

Yes, don’t be surprised when we are offended and demeaned for the sake of Christ. Don’t be surprised at how quickly people get angry with you. Don’t be surprised at someone who speaks well of you to your face, but behind your back they curse you. Don’t be surprised at the wickedness of others and even our own. Don’t be surprised at how people change their minds like shifting sand. Don’t be surprised when saints leave the Good Shepherd, His teaching and abstain from dining at His table. Don’t be surprised when many things take precedence rather than being with the Savior. Don’t be surprised fellow saints. PAUSE.

Fellow saints don’t be surprised at how you and I have behave. Don’t be surprised at how hard it is for us to forgive those who hurt us and forget what they have done. Don’t be surprised at the envy that is in our hearts. As sinners we can do no less than continue to sin, though we try not to.

But today, by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit has brought us here, and in our baptism has called us like Stephen to stand up and speak out of what Christ has done and continues to do. Tell the world of the surprising gift of God’s grace to us sinners. Tell them that Christ in love did the unthinkable, unimaginable and unfathomable—taking our place as the worst sinner, going to the cross, suffering the wrath of God and dying for us.

Tell them how surprised you are that God in love sent His ONLY Son to pour upon us unworthy sinners His grace and mercy which we don’t deserve. Tell them of the love He bore for us on the cross of Calvary. Tell them of His redeeming gift of His body and blood. Tell them that in Jesus, His shed blood on the cross, and His empty tomb we have what we can’t get—surprise of all surprises—forgiveness of sins, SALVATION and eternal life. Tell them of His undying devotion to you and me.

What a privilege you and I have to be counted as the recipients of God’s grace on account of Christ. What a blessing you and I have as Pastor and people of God to be a beacon of light and hope in this dark world. What a joy you and I have to stand on the shoulders of faithful proclaimers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ like Stephen, Paul, Luke and the others as we tell the world about the Savior who fills our hearts with love, hope and peace.

Remember beloved in the Lord, that peace rules the day when Christ rules the heart. Hope rules the heart when faith anchors its identity in the Creator—Redeemer, Jesus Christ. When we as His followers take to heart what He has exhorted us to do, don’t be surprised at the results.

Paul the man who stood by the garments of Stephen while being stoned became the greatest preacher and writer of the New Testament. Talk about surprise! Peter the Disciple who denied Jesus, became a pillar of the Church and spread the message to many parts of the world. Talk about surprise! Thomas who refused to believe the Resurrection became the voice of the Resurrection even to India, where he was flayed for His confession as the resurrected Lord. Talk about surprise! James the son of Zebedee was beheaded for being a disciple of Jesus. Talk about surprise! Is it any surprise then, that we Christians are being persecuted? No, it is not!

But thanks be to God that you and I can speak of the great surprise that God would love a sinner like us to the end. Thanks be to God that Jesus is the Mediator between God and man and who pleads for us even now. And this is of course no surprise that Jesus, the Author, Agent and Administrator of our world loved us from before the foundation of the world and will do so even until He comes to take us home with Him forever.

Are you surprised at His love? You shouldn’t! He told us He would love us. He loved us to the end—even to death-death on a cross. Amen.

Now the peace...

SOLI DEO GLORIA