“The Promise Keeper?” Jeremiah 33:14-16

S-1521 1SIA/3C 11/29/15 Hymns: #331; (S) #332; L.S.# 341; # 342;(C) #348

Texts: Jeremiah 33:1-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

Theme: “The Promise Keeper?” Jeremiah 33:14-16

Question: “How many promises have you Kept?” (11^th sermon at Trinity).

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Blessed The text for our homily today is from the O.T. Reading: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” (Jeremiah 33:14-16).

In Nomine Iesu

Precious Bride of Christ, YOU, God’s Advent people in this place. This sermon is written for me personally and perhaps it might touch your heart which is my prayers also. Promises, Promises. The world seems to be filled with promises. As the retail and cyber frenzy of Christmas shopping has started, there comes with it the promise that the perfect gift will be under that glittering tree in less than a month. That is also accompanied by the promise that there will be a hefty credit card bill due soon.

Promises, Promises. We heard many of them by Pastors and Politicians, athletes and agents, contractors, candidates and sales people. Promises that we hope they keep, but since we have been disappointed many times before, we become pessimists at any promise made.

Yet Scriptures oozes with promises that are important for us to know. Certainly, the Church of Jesus Christ is built on the promises made by our heavenly Father. Today, on this First Sunday in Advent, by the grace of God, we stand at the beginning of a new year with our ears, eyes and hearts full of promise.

And this promise is so much more than just the promise that we will soon have pews full of people gathered on Christmas Eve. This promise is so much more than just O Little Town of Bethlehem and Silent Night. No, on this First Sunday in Advent, we stand here knowing that the

Promise is on both sides of us. The Promise of Advent is that God HAS KEPT His promise to send the long expected Messiah—the heaven sent Visitor. PAUSE.

Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem, IS that promise. But we also know that on this day we are looking forward to the fulfillment of a final promise. That promise is the glorious return in judgment and victory of our Lord Jesus. These are the precious promises in which the Church lives and moves and has its being. We really are nothing more than the people of the promise.

Beloved in Christ over the centuries God’s people have lived under these promises: There are past promises, present promises and future promises. The odds of any of God’s promises to be fulfilled are astronomical. Peter Stoner, the chairman of mathematics and astronomy departments at Pasadena City College up to 1953 said, the odds are 31x 10²¹ (that is 31, 21 0s behind it.) Yet more promises have been fulfilled in Scripture than in ANY other book or religion.

We have Past Promises:

God stated that He will send a deliver in the Garden of Eden and He did. He promised Abraham that his offspring’s will be as the stars in the heaven, he will be the Father of many nations, and the Savior would be one of the descendants of this childless old man. Today, these offspring’s are over 2billion and counting. He told Moses He will guide the Israelites and He did. Promises of the Past have been fulfilled. That is why the Apostle Paul states: “For all of the promises of God find their Yes in Him [Jesus]. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory” (2 Cor. 1:20).

But history tells the sad story of many of Abraham’s seed—those who heard the promises from kings, rulers, princes and people alike, forgot these promises and lived in the pleasure of pleasing themselves. And that failure was very costly and God judged them severely.

In fact, it is in the face of God’s judgment on Judah’s unfaithfulness that Jeremiah speaks as God’s very mouthpiece. And yet, Jeremiah here speaks a word of promise to God’s people. “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, rand Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’”

The disobedience of God brought God’s wrath upon Israel and Judah so that they were taken into captivity for a long period of time. And the judgment would be complete. Even Jerusalem would be destroyed. The Temple would be taken down. The best and the brightest would be carried off into a land of exile. But even before that happened; Jeremiah carried God’s Word of promise to Judah. This promise of destruction and exile would not be God’s last word, like it was for the northern tribes. No, even as God promised judgment, He also promised restoration. With the Law comes the Gospel. Promises of the Past fulfilled.

Then there are the present promises. God promised to be with us as we go in His name and make disciples of all nations. This is being carried out today by baptizing and teaching. Through this marvelous work the church grows and the promise of our Immanuel will be with us always. We see it even today, when the Savior comes to us in the humble means of wafer, wine, body and blood and declares I Am among you here today. I will not abandon or forsake you. I will forgive you, your many sins. This is our comfort of hearing and believing this promise from the lips of Jesus Himself.

We know that the Lord has kept His promise in the sending of Jesus. We know that at the cross the head of the ancient serpent has been crushed. But we also know that we live in the now/not yet reality of Advent. Jesus has indeed come. Jesus has indeed won the victory. Jesus has indeed accomplished everything that the Father said He would.

Future promises to be yet fulfilled:

But it isn’t done. We know it isn’t done because the Word of an even greater prophet than Jeremiah. Jesus Himself promised: “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven” (Mark 13:26). The same Jesus who did the work of redemption will also lead the charge in restoration. As the people of Advent we live between the promises fulfilled and their ultimate fulfillment. PAUSE.

But as we look into the mirror of God’s law, we know our own current ability to be unfaithful to God’s promises. How often have we mouthed promises to our Lord that we could not or would not keep? How many confirmands promised to die rather than fall away from the faith, only to chase after the things of this world? How many spouses promised “till death do us part” only to have that divine union rent asunder by sin and selfishness? How many parents promise at the font to place in their children’s hands the Holy Scriptures and bring them to the services of the Lord’s house only to not be seen again until confirmation starts? And this is just the tip of the capabilities of our unfaithfulness.

Yet in the face of all of this, He who is the Promise Keeper—our Loving and gracious Savior, calls us to repentance. His Word of promise still stands. As He restored Judah and Jerusalem, He promises to restore you. And this is the Advent promise that we live in for the Lord Jesus has come to give you and me a new name. We see a glimpse of that in our text.

Jeremiah promises a new name for Jerusalem. That name? The Lord is our Righteousness. Notice that name isn’t about Jesus. It is Jerusalem that is called The Lord is our Righteousness. This is God’s gracious promise. You and I are also a part of this Promised Restoration. For this restored Jerusalem is more than just a city in the Middle East. No, it is MUCH more than that. The Jerusalem which will be called the Lord is our Righteousness is none other than the Church.

In this Church relishing in promises made, promises kept and promises to come, we are given the name The Lord is our Righteousness. That is what happens at the baptismal font. Another rebellious sinner has the restorative name put on them. In this restored name is a promise. This promise is nurtured in the preaching of the Word and the reception of the righteousness of God that is the feast of the Holy Supper. These are the ongoing promises to which we cling.

Beautiful people of the promise, on this First Sunday in Advent, by the Spirit’s power keep your eyes on the Promise Keeper—Jesus Christ and that His promises are true tested and tried. This promise won’t come wrapped in shiny paper followed by a credit card bill. This promise carries with it the sure and certain hope of no more promises broken by sin and stolen by death. In that day there will only be the fulfilled promise to you and to me that we will be called The Lord Our Righteousness. This promise is given you by the Promise Keeper Himself—Your God and Savior—for this Advent, this Church Year and for eternity!

By the Spirit’s power we say, blessed be the name of the Promise Keeper—the heaven-sent Savior—Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Why Should I Be Thankful?” Ex. 3:7-8

S-1520 Thanksgiving Day 11/26/15 Hymns: 785; 805; (S) 895; L.S.#569; #637;(C) #892

Texts: Exodus 3:1-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Matthew 6:24-34

Theme: “Why Should I Be Thankful?” Ex. 3:7-8

Question: “Is Thanksgiving observed only today, or every day?” (10^th sermon at Trinity).

Blessed Thanksgiving Day to each and every one of you saints in Christ. The text for our homily today is from the O.T. lesson: “The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—’” (EX. 3:7-8).

In Nomine Iesu

Once again we find ourselves gathering together in God’s house to observe and celebrate Thanksgiving Day as a nation, as a family and as a family of believers. But why should I be thankful? Do I have any reasons to give thanks to the Lord this year?

We are told by the many cards, calendars, different companies and our country to celebrate it. And amazingly whether we are believers or unbelievers, in church or un-churched, most people do take time to celebrate Thanksgiving as a day of Turkey, football and family get together.

But would I be thankful to God if there was a fire, famine, and failures in my life? Would I be thankful to God if there was death, drought and disaster in my home? Would I be thankful to God if there were complications, conflicts or cancer in my family?

Before you answer, review your life and answer the question honestly. Isn’t true that most often than not, we thank God when He answers the prayers as we think He should, and when He doesn’t, we are not as thankful. Most of the time, we are forgetful of all of the blessings of physical and spiritual that the good and gracious Lord gives us.

Abraham Lincoln, president during the bloody Civil War, called for a National Day of Thanksgiving during a dark and dreary hour. He called upon the Citizens of the Nation to be thankful for the blessings of God, even during time of conflict.

And indeed we should. Even in the discourse that is before us today between God and Moses, we learn the reasons we should be thankful to the Lord. Listen once more to the voice of God as recorded by Moses: “The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—’”

These words of Moses remind us on this National Thanksgiving Day that our loving and caring God is still concerned about us as He was with the Israelite. This text has so much to offer us today: it describes the Judge of the world who was moved with compassion at what He saw and what He heard, that He rises from His Throne—not to issue a command to the armies of angels that surround Him to fly to the relief of His suffering children—but to come down from heaven, in His own person, in order to deliver them out of the hands of the Egyptians. Glory to God for this precious record of His power and goodness: “let all the nations of the earth praise Him” (Ps. 67:3, 5).

Isn’t amazing that God would hear the prayers of His sinful people? Isn’t amazing that He comes down to deliver them? Certainly not! For He is a caring and compassionate God and who loves His people very much.

Indeed, we have every reason to be thankful to the Lord even today. Today, years later we continue togather as a Nation to count the blessings of God upon our lives and thus it is a joy to thank Him for all He has done and continues to do.

Of all the blessings that we enjoy Scripture reminds us to be thankful for the Day of Resurrection.

As we remember just how far we have fallen from God’s grace and just how much that our Lord would do to cover that sin, we truly have the ultimate reason to be thankful. And again, it is not about what we have done. It is all about what God had done for you in Jesus Christ. Just as Israel was delivered from Egyptian slavery by the mighty hand and outstretched arm of the God who remembered them and acted, so are we just as miraculously delivered. Jesus Christ’s mighty hand was evident at the cross. There our Lord manifested His outstretched arm on the cross of Calvary. There He delivered you. Pierced Flesh. Blood Shed. A Life Sacrificed. All of these actions of our good and gracious Lord sets us free from the bondage to sin. This freedom is the greatest gift that we can remember on this National Day of Thanksgiving.

Why should I be thankful? Here are but few reasons. You may write them down in your bulletin:

1. Pardon for the past. On account of Christ’s suffering and death, all of our sins have been forgiven. For the sake of the Sin-bearer God has removed our sins from us as far as the East is from the West (Ps. 103:12).
2. Power for the present. The Lord God through His precious Word and Sacrament empowers us to meet the challenges of today. Scripture assures us that we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. God’s power makes solid rocks of those who are by nature wobbly and flimsy.
3. Promise for the future. Through the One who has come down the Sin-Bearer, the heaven-sent Savior; God promises to be with us always, “to the very end of the age” (Mt. 28:20b). God’s promise of forgiveness and His outstretched hand of goodness and grace keep us mindful we are not going to dwell here for ever, but have the Promised Land awaiting us.
4. Peace forever. Because Christ Jesus stretched His mighty hands on the cross of Calvary, He restored the broken relationship between man and God and brought it back to the day it was before the fall in the Garden of Eden. For Christ’s sake we have peace with God and man.
5. Personal relationship with Jesus. And now we the recipients of God’s grace have a personal relationship with our blessed Savior.

Jesus is the reason we can give thanks as individuals, as a nation and as a church. Why should you give thanks? That is the wrong question. A better question is, “WHY SHOULDN’T YOU GIVE THANKS?”

By the power of the Holy Spirit, we join the throng and say, “Give thanks to the LORD, for H is good; His love endures forever” (Ps. 107:1) Amen.

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

Theme: “Let us…” (Hebrews 10:21-25)

S-1519 25SAP/3B 11/15/2015 Hymns: (O) #744; (S) #575; (C) #510

Texts: Psalm 16; Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-13
Theme: “Let us…” (Hebrews 10:21-25)

Question: “Do you enjoy eating lettuce?” (9^th sermon at Trinity).

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text is the Epistle Reading. Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the freshly slaughtered and living way which Jesus opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to worship together as is the unfortunate habit of some, but encouraging one another big time, And all the more, as we see the Day drawing fast near” (Hebrews 10:19-25)

In Nomine Iesu

Perfect people of God, made perfect by God’s Perfect Son—the Great and Eternal I Am, through the gift of righteousness—infinitely loved, fully forgiven, and heirs of eternal life.

While I was at the Seminary, one of our Professors who taught us homiletics (the art of preaching), often told us to avoid a “lettuce sermon.” Now our eyes got wide, like a deer in headlight. We didn’t know what he was saying. A “Lettuce sermon” is when the pastor would end his homily this way. “Let us resolve to spend less time enslaved to the digital world...Let us strive to be patient, following the patient example of Jesus...Let us daily fill our minds with that which is pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, and of good report. Let us. Let us. Let us. They dubbed such sermons as “Salad Sermons;” because it focuses more on what we are doing than the work of God in saving us.

WELL....Guess what? One of the greatest sermons ever preached was a Salad Sermon. In fact it is preached not by a Pastor but by the Holy Spirit that inspired the author of the book to pen these words to encourage us on our journey of faith and give us the added measure of running the good race, fighting the good fight with eyes on Jesus, ears on God’s powerful Word—so powerful is this word that changes lives forever.

This letter to the Hebrews, this first century sermon, is filled with a let-us patch. Let us draw near. Let us hold fast. Let us consider how to grow in love. But the let-us section of the Divine menu presented in the letter to the Hebrews follows after the writer has given them a generous meat portion for spiritual amino acids, for healthy spiritual protein, for healthy holy hormones, and eternal-life giving gospel vitamins. The “Lettuce” portion follows the serving up of the meaty Gospel. The meaty gospel contains these good news faith building truths: Christ died once for all sins! Jesus made purification for all our sins! Jesus is our great High Priest who totally understands intimately our predicament in life, is able to help, and is praying for us 24/7. Jesus loved us so much so that He was willing to become lower than angels to lift us up to heaven...to be a man to save mankind. PAUSE.

And here is one more meaty portion of the gospel. It comes from verse 19-20 of our text. It is so strong, so powerful, so dynamic, so striking, that most translators try to tame it way too much. vv 19-20 reads. “Therefore brothers and sisters of the risen Christ, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary—the body of Christ by the freshly slaughtered and living way which He opened for us through the curtain, through His flesh...”

Most English translations render “freshly slaughtered” as “new.” This one of a kind word in the New Testament, when traced back to its origins means “freshly slaughtered.”

Jesus as the Lamb of God, on Good Friday, was freshly slaughtered once for all. This translation fits so well with the whole context. Now, apply it to your life. Jesus was slaughtered on the cross for you. He just didn’t die for you. He was slaughtered for you. He did not die an easy death like the lambs and rams did—one quick kosher cut and they were humanely taken out of this veil of tears. NO Jesus was slaughtered in a more ruthless way than any other human—in love, for you, once for all.

We had just witnessed some of this slaughtering on our TV screens as the children of the dark—the followers of the devil, destroyed, maimed and put to death people who had done nothing wrong. We have seen the carnage, chaos and confusion that were brought about. These people were slaughtered. But Jesus was slaughtered so that no one would be slaughtered. And we His followers must do everything in our power to stop the slaughtering of humans and introduce them to the Eternal Lamb the Great I Am.

Faithful followers of Jesus, ironically, strangely, paradoxically, the writer of the Bible that gives us added insight into the deep, deep, deep love of Christ is a prophet who saw 600 years in advance what was going to take place on Calvary. This prophet six hundred years before the fact was planted at the foot of the cross. The same prophet, who cleanly, clearly predicted the Virgin Birth of God, Immanuel, predicted all kinds of details about Jesus’ death on the cross, because he saw ahead of time. This is the image we know of what took place on Good Friday on the cross:

For you, Jesus, God is flesh, the very photocopy of God, very God of very God, was freshly slaughtered. He died in love the most terrible death in history by far and the way to bring us to God. Now that is part of the meaty Gospel that precedes the “let us” portion of our sermon. PAUSE.

So the Messianic menu moves like this...in light of the Great High Priest, the Lamb of God, being slaughtered for you upon the cross in total unconditional love, Let us draw near—we who have drunk the waters of baptism. Let us hold fast in light of all the powerful prophecies perfectly fulfilled. Let us consider how to stir up love and good works, not by becoming isolated which the devil loves to see happen but by cultivating the holy habit of gathering together—especially since the Day of Christ’s reappearing is fast drawing near.

It is a series of “Let US,” echoing the “Let us make man in our image.” Love is an US, not a ME. We are parts of a body. We are not a lone ranger, but a family united by the blood of the Lamb. We miss a major point of love when we think we can be a lone ranger Christian and thrive.

The “Let Us” portion of our spiritual diet enjoins us to let us gather together to hear the story of Jesus, let us gather together to break bread together, and let us examine the powerful promises of God fulfilled so that we are filled with high octane heavenly hope.

Now that is a Super Salad sermon. And then for good measure the writer to the Hebrews gives to his readers and listeners wonderful dessert. He describes how Abraham, Moses, Joseph, and all the Old Testament believers kept their eyes on Jesus and heaven, the better City. Eyes on Jesus’ love and the better City helped them to endure during the bitter moments of life. It helped them to suffer mocking, imprisonment, Isaiah himself being sawn in two, death by sword, beatings by chains, destitution, and more.

Precious and perfect people of God, “let us” remember in our prayers the families that have been affected by the work of darkness and “let us” be children of the light, reflecting this light to all who are still walking in the ways of the devil, and introduce them to the Lamb who was slaughtered for them.

So my beloved, enjoy the “Let US” Salad sermon of staying close to Jesus anchored by worship, prophecy, and the Lord’s Supper. Be fortified by the meat of the gospel as you consider how Christ was freshly slaughtered for you. Relish the reality of the Better City of heaven coming your way, closer every day, to free us from all decay.

Let us run the good race enjoying the meat of the gospel. Let us enjoy this salad sermon of the letter to the Hebrews. And Let us keep our eyes on the Kingdom with perfect foundations—Heaven. In the name of the Him who was freshly slaughtered for US—YOU AND ME; “let us” say, Amen.

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Don’t Do It For Show! A Pretense Of Piety” (Mark 12:38:40)

S-1518 24SAP/3B 11/08/2015 Hymns: (O) #588; (S) #783; LS. #644; #633; #632; (C) #923

Texts: Psalm 146:9a; 2 Kings 17:8-16; Hebrews 8:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
Theme: “Don’t Do It For Show! A Pretense Of Piety” (Mark 12:38:40)

Question: “What motivates you to do things in/for the Church?” (8^th sermon at Trinity).

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text is the Gospel Reading. “And in His [Jesus] teaching He said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation’” (Mark 12:38:40).

In Nomine Iesu

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, you, who are His precious and blood-bought souls on Calvary’s death Tree; as you know I just returned from my Holy Land Nour Tour. While visiting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where Christ was born, we arrived early before many of the tourists and took our place. We waited for over an1 1/2 while the Greek Orthodox were having Mass. It was a big fanfare and pomp and show. While we were waiting many would visit softly with one another and then out of nowhere a priest would raise his voice and say: (loud) “SILENCE!” To me, this priest was more disturbing than those waiting in line. My wife was even chastised because she crossed her legs while sitting and waiting in the church.

If that is not bad enough, when it was our turn to visit the cave where The Savior was born; the security officers came and said: “You have only 30 seconds to empty the church because there are some VIP diplomats who are going to visit the site!”

I was upset. We waited for a little over 1 1/2 and now we have to leave. It was a big circus of showing pomp and fanfare. And it was the same way when we got to the Wailing Wall. There the Orthodox Jews pray with loud voices so they can be heard by all. At times, they would pause from their prayers and look at other people in disgust.

That is exactly what the Lord of the Church, please notice that term: “The Lord of the Church”, Jesus Christ has told us through the writing of St. Mark not to seek the places of honor in the marketplace or workplace as these Jewish leaders were doing. We are not to be self-serving, or seeking the life of ease and luxury by a pretense of piety.

For many in Jesus’ day and sadly in ours also live for themselves. Always doing things to be noticed and seen; always involved in a manner that brings attention to the person instead of the Savior. That shouldn’t be. Jesus warns us of such things. PAUSE.

Instead, as the followers of Jesus living in the 21st Century, we should be noticed. But in getting noticed, we shouldn’t just speak to impress others. We should be honest and sincere. Willing to always be on the firing line of any issue and deal with it lovingly, caringly and joyfully. This should happen not only when people are listening and watching but especially when no one is around.

In the waters of Holy Baptism we were made saints of God. In this we are called out of the world to be faithful and true. To be men and women that live the Christian faith not to earn points, but as a reminder we are the souls that have been purchased with Jesus’ precious blood. While we are here living in the Ark of Salvation, we should always follow His teaching and example.

We should deal with all issues at hand head on, so that the devil doesn’t come between us but; rather to build each other up and spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. This house of worship called Trinity in Hartford should be known as a house of prayer and not as a house of division; a house of joy and not of sadness; a house of peace and not of heartaches.

Our aim as the baptized children of the Heavenly Father is to be sincere, truthful, caring, honest and loving in doing everything to the glory of God and not for personal gain. As we live and move and have our being our sole purpose for having this house of God, is to manifest who Jesus Christ IS and what He has accomplished for us through His suffering, brutal death on the cursed Tree and glorious resurrection. PAUSE.

Beautiful people of God, I know we mean well. But sometime our well meaning intentions get in the way of being caring and loving. Some even say: “That the road to heaven is paved with good intentions” but good intentions don’t change outcome. At times with pious satisfaction on our faces we act as holier than thou. At times we look down on others.

The questions that need to be asked of us all—pastor and people are: “What is our hearts motivation?” Why do people go to church? What do men ask of their religion? Is it life-changing? Or is their churchlife no different than if they belong to a large social club? Are they looking out for the good of their neighbor, or rather seeking to bolster their own prestige, and power and position? And what right do they have to expect of their pastor, elders and other church leaders—who lead them in worship and their spiritual growth? Why are we here doing what we do? Is it for show, or is it to receive the great blessings and goodness God offers us in His Word and Sacraments? Do we speak out of our hearts the truth for truth’s sake? And are we criticizing for criticism sake and tear people down to lift ourselves up?

Whatever reason the Holy Spirit has brought you here, I pray you have come with a genuine and true heart to confess your sins and sorrow over that sin and live in the grace of God and the mighty, marvelous Means of Grace He dishes out for you week in and week out.

Here in this place you learn to depend not on the things you do, but on the One who has done all things for you—Jesus the Christ. Here you will see that He went to the cross not to show that He deserves to suffer for His sin, but rather He went to the cross to show you how much He loves you, pay for your sins and want you to be His forgiven and redeemed child. PAUSE.

Precious children of the heavenly Father, I ask yet another important question of you. Is there anything in all this beautiful world of greater importance—of more value to the world—than a human life, with all its marvelous power to think and feel and love and hate and so leave its mark on all life, for all time?

There is nothing in all the world that God has created is so wonderfully of worth as every human soul He has made. Every soul you meet on the street, workplace, school is a soul purchased at Calvary’s cross. I pray that these souls haven’t depreciated in value since Calvary.

May people who know us here and out there (point to the outside of church) see us as men and women on a mission not to tear others down, but build them up: not to divide, but to forgive and love and show mercy. May all that we do both here in this holy house and in all other activities be done for one purpose alone—to show them the face of Jesus, the love of Jesus, the compassion of Jesus and the grace of Jesus.

Here, in the Ark of Salvation, by the power of the Holy Spirit you will learn that what Jesus did was not to show Himself as better or having more power, though He IS/DOES. No He did ALL of this for you. He loved you to the cross, empty tomb and back to life again. And in this place, you and I will be used as an instrument in the Master’s hand to build and enlarge His kingdom, so that many more will come in, sit at His feet, dine with Him and leave refreshed in knowing Jesus loves them eternally and has forgiven them their many sins, even the ones they have done for show.

God grant this for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“The Journey of Life!” (Mark 10:17-18)

S-1517 20SAP/3B 10/11/2015 Hymns: (O) #593; (S) #707; LS. #696; #617; #623; (C) #918

Texts: Psalm 112:3-6; 5:6­7, 10­15; Hebrews 3:12­19; Mark 10:17-22

Theme: “The Journey of Life!” (Mark 10:17-18)

Question: “What journey stands out in your mind?” (7^th sermon at Trinity)

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text is the Gospel reading. “And as He [Jesus] was setting out on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:17-18).

In Nomine Iesu

Precious Bride of Christ, life is a journey—sometimes the journey is sweet and other times it is bitter. All of us in this holy place have been invited to journey with our Savior Jesus to the cross and the empty tomb. But often times we don’t know what that means or where the journey leads.

A story is told of an Iranian Muslim woman named Padina. Listen as she tells her story that took her on unexpected journey. As a devout Muslim, Padina was taught all of the Islamic rules and to hate Christians because Jesus can’t do anything for you. Padina followed the Islamic Law by praying faithfully. In preparation for the prayer she would wash her hands and face according to their teaching. Many times she wasn’t sure that she washed well enough. This caused her much anguish that during the prayer she would interrupt the prayers and wash herself 10 times.

She began to hate herself because she wasn’t a good Muslim and felt Allah was very distant from her. She wanted to die because Allah wasn’t helping her or her mom who was dying from MS. She told her mom, “She wants to kill herself, because she can’t live like this!” Her mom told her, “If you are going to kill yourself, you will have to kill me also!” She agreed to her mom’s request.

That evening as Padina was about to carry out her plans, her mom turned on the TV. A pastor was speaking about Jesus and said: “If you are depressed, angry, hate life and want to commit suicide please don’t! Call me, and my Savior can help you!”

The Holy Spirit moved the mother that she picked up the phone and talked to the pastor for a long time. Padina began to get angry at her mom for talking to the pastor and said, “Mom, why would you want to go to hell in your final hours of life by talking about Jesus?” The mother urged Padina to speak with the pastor, but she refused. Eventually her mother convinced her to do so. When she did, she told him that she was going to kill herself. He challenged her saying: “Ask Jesus to help you. Why not wait for another week. You are going to kill yourself anyway. Another week is not going to make any difference. If you want to kill yourself then, you can do it on the air.” She accepted the challenge and even said, “Allah, I am going to kill myself on live TV for you, so people know who you are, compared to Jesus!”

The next morning she heard an unusual sound. To her amazement she saw her mom walking normally and without any pain. She took her mom to the hospital for a checkup. After the tests, the doctor said: “There is no MS, and she is completely healed. This is a miracle!” The Dr. asked “Which Imam did this?” Padina answered, “It wasn’t an Imam, but Jesus!” That day began her Christian journey of life with joy and peace; even in the underground Church in Iran. PAUSE. (You may see her story on youtube).

Precious bride of Christ, taking a walk in the early morning or in the evening, to clear the mind, or to get the old blood flowing is a grand thing. Taking a walk with a friend or with your beloved, that is all the better. Ah, but to take a journey...now a journey implies some intentionality ­ like a vacation ­ like a plan for your future, that is something all the more important. A journey means you are going somewhere. It means you have been somewhere.

Today our Savior has come from Judea. He is nearing Jerusalem after having been up north in Caesarea Philippi with His disciples. This is important, for this re­entry into the region of Judea draws our Jesus, our Savior ever closer to the Cross. Mark begins our story with Jesus “Setting out on His journey.”

Every day and with every step of His journey...that is the intentional walk, has as its goal ­ Golgotha! He was walking relentlessly and single-mindedly toward what should have been my cross and your cross, my condemnation and your condemnation. He was not out on a nice little stroll. Our Savior was completing the journey begun from before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame in Him (Ephesians 1:4).

There appears to be a stop along the way as a man, an unnamed man, came in an attitude of servitude, of humility, he knelt before Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” This dear man wants to inherit eternal life, and do so by doing something.

Beloved, he is our brother. Ever since the fall into sin, we have sought to self­justify, and in that to self­pay for our sins. In so doing we cut Jesus out. We want Him as a dear friend, even as a “Good Teacher.” Ah, but a Savior? No! That would imply that I need something other than the right self­help book, something other than the right recipe, the right formula. That would imply that I am really THAT Bad! Oh, yes I am! PAUSE.

We really are that bad. We all are imprisoned with sin. By our very nature without Christ’s righteousness we are on a one way journey to hell.

This summer my dear brother in Christ, Pastor Jeff Nehrt, was a speaker at the International LWML Convention in Des Moines, IA. He spoke to over 5000 precious daughters of the Lamb, who faithfully, lovingly, and joyfully had been moved by the Spirit to give their hearts and their mites to prison ministry. During his talk he showed a power point of some of the men incarcerated who by the nature of their crime were BAD very Bad. But through their journey of incarceration they were given the good news of Jesus Christ. Just like all of us…one sin separates us from God and just like all of us one drop of our Savior’s blood gives us complete forgiveness. This is why Christ made His journey for you and me and the world. Our journey is to make this Christ known to those we know and love to the world. And we don’t make this journey alone. We have great partners. The partners include the women of the LWML. Through their nickels, dimes, quarters and the occasional folding money, the journey of the LWML is to share the GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST.

The journey of life for us is not in doing something or paying for it, but journeying with the Savior. There is nothing for us to do to earn salvation or eternal life. It is a gift from God’s grace given in the blood of the Lamb shed on the Altar of the cross. We only journey with Him because He bids us come. He is the One who offers medicine for those who are depressed, angry, sick of life and dealing with pain. But He is more than an example. He is the Savior who has journeyed to Golgotha and the empty tomb and came out victorious.

Today, the Savior calls us to come follow Him because He knows the way that leads to eternal life. The Lord of life bids us hear His voice and leave everything behind and follow Him. I pray that we hear and heed His voice as Padina did and not unlike the young unnamed man in the Gospel reading.

By the grace of God, the Holy Spirit helps us follow Jesus throughout His earthly ministry all the way to Calvary. Along the way, we see something unique play out. From the very moment that Jesus journeyed from heaven to earth in human form, there were forces who were trying to destroy and kill Him. But He wouldn’t allow anyone to stop Him from reaching His final destination—the cross upon which He would be extended for the unnamed man and us who don’t always follow Him.

From the cross we hear unbelievable, unthinkable and unimaginable words of love and compassion. We hear of forgiveness. We hear of love and learn what love means. Love means traveling a journey of death to offer life. Grace means giving to someone what they don’t deserve and mercy unearned.

Precious bride of Christ, by the grace of God, we witnessed today the beginning of another journey of a child of God. Erin Marie Beach has been joined to the family of faith on an eternal journey through the water and the Word. Like Erin, you too, have been invited to journey with Jesus, not only to college, job, marriage, home or retirement, but to the glories of heaven. Today, He invites you to follow Him on the path that leads to eternity. Oh, what a journey awaits us—a journey of a lifetime, established and paid for by the blood of the Savior to give us an eternal home with Him forever and ever.

As His precious and blood-bought bride we rejoice on this journey begun in Baptism and will culminate in paradise with the groom who made it all possible. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Bring the Children…” (Mark 10:13-16)

S-1516 19SAP/3B 10/04/2015 Hymns: (O) #592; (S) #605; (C) #862

Texts: Genesis 2:18-25; Hebrews 2:1-18; Mark 10:2-16

Theme: “Bring the Children…” (Mark 10:13-16)

Question: “How are you raising your children?” (6^th sermon at Trinity)

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text is the Gospel reading. “And they were bringing children to Him that He might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’” And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them” (Mark 10:13-16).

Precious bride of Christ, purchased with His crimson blood, nurtured on His lap and fed from His Table the precious life-giving and life sustaining body and blood, what a beautiful thing it is to know that we are truly the children of God and He wants us to come to Him always.

I remember well the day of our wedding. It was a glorious day. But I also remember few other special days. I remember the day my wife looked at me and said, “Honey, I am pregnant!” “Wow! To be a father is something special indeed!” I remember well the day my first born (Tony) was born and the joy that filled our hearts. I remember the day we brought him home. The day he was baptized, confirmed, graduated from high school, college and another college degree, and the day he got married. All of these days are imprinted on my heart.

These are days of memories given us by our gracious and loving Savior, Jesus Christ. But on one of these memorable days, December 26, 1979, when we brought our youngest child to the Lord’s house to be baptized as Evelyn Grace was earlier in the service, we promised God and those gathered that we will bring our child to the Lord’s house to be fed and nurtured. Thankfully, by the grace of God we were able to do that most of the time. And now two of my sons are doing the same with their children: taking them to the Lord’s house and showering them with God’s Word! PAUSE.

Far too often, parents stand before God and promise to do the same thing and they don’t. Many parents go through the motion in making the promises but once they leave His house they forget their role of instructing their children and bring them to the Lord’s house as they have promised.

It is truly sad and tragic that many children are being raised without the knowledge of the LOVE of Jesus or His Word. Many claim to be Christians but have nothing to do with Church and the life of the Savior. This is the saddest thing that I witness as a shepherd of God’s flock.

But that is precisely what the Lord of the Church and Life is asking us to do in this text today. Listen once more to the words the Holy Spirit gave to St. Mark to write: “And they were bringing children to Him that He might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’” And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them.”

When the disciples of the Lord hindered the people from bringing their children to Jesus, He wasn’t very happy. He wanted to be near His children so that they receive His gracious blessings. He rebuked the disciples and said, “Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

Yes, “Bring the children!” Jesus cries out. Why you may ask? Because they too, need to have their sins washed and saved like the rest of humanity. They may be cute, loveable, adorable and precious, but they are still born in sin. And without the removal of sin, there is no salvation. When we bring the children here, they learn of the great love of Jesus and the great sacrifice He fulfilled on their behalf through His death on the cursed tree and through His glorious resurrection from the grave on the third day.

The disciples thought like first century Jewish people. A child is not responsible for sin until the age of accountability. But that is not true. Jesus’ teaching is clear here. Bring the children so that they may know Him, believe in Him, follow Him and serve Him. Oh, the damage of those who don’t bring the children to Him. We saw it playing out on TV with the shooting in Colorado this week. Jesus begs us to bring the children to Him because unless we believe like a little child that is by faith we will not receive the grace of God. PAUSE.

But what do many people do? They bring their children to be baptized and leave. Never stepping back into the Lord’s house, until they are ready to be confirmed. When that happens many are being negligent. They forget their promises. But they explain: “I want to let my child decide on their own what they want to do when they grow up.” That is the way of the world to let them be their own without any teaching, any guidance or any protection.

I am reminded of a story I read long ago. Someone was visiting a friend that she hadn’t seen for a long time. The lady of the house was showing her friend the house and went out to show her the rose garden. As the guest was looking at the garden, she said: “I don’t see many roses! All I see is thorns chocking the roses!” The owner of the house defended her actions by saying, “I left them alone to fend for themselves!”

Tragically, foolishly and carelessly many parents and grandparents do the same. We let the children grow up without encouraging them to come to the Lord’s house. How dare we as parents ignore the voice of God who said, “Bring the children to Me?” How dare we neglect our responsibility of being true and loving parents? How dare we ignore the Lord’s teaching, who instructs us in His Word, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Pro. 22:6).

God’s Word is clear, concise and crisp in giving us these instructions. “Bring the children to Me!” Jesus wants us to bring the children. I am thankful the gracious Lord moved Tyler and Sarah to bring Evelyn Grace to the Font, but don’t stop here. Keep on bringing her and the rest of the children so that all may learn of Jesus great love for them.

Bring the children we are told. Did you know that includes you? Don’t forget you are a child of

God. If you are too old to have new children by birth, don’t forget that you are still a child in the eyes of God! Don’t forget that whether you are a child, teenager, parent or grandparent you play a major role in coming to the Lord’s house to hear the Word and dine as a guest at His Table. He wants you here! He wants you near Him. Anything or anyone that keeps YOU away from Him will make Him indignant! PAUSE.

Precious Bride of Christ—you’re His beloved children, purchased with His crimson blood, nurtured on His lap and fed from His Table. If you have been hearing the admonishing of Christ, I thank Him for the work He has done in you. But if you haven’t heeded His command, then call upon the Holy Spirit to help you be a faithful bringer of God’s children whether they are a day old or a century old. Bring them here to receive healing, help and hope and point them to heaven.

Here in this place the Child of Mary, born in Bethlehem’s manger, grew up in Nazareth, taught the nations of God’s love by dying on Calvary’s cross; declares to you that He loves you and wants you to be His child. He went to the cross for your negligence, ignorance and defiance of His holy Word. He paid for your sins—all of them because He as God’s heaven-sent Savior listened to the voice of His Father and was faithful in being in the Lord’s House always.

Dear precious Bride of Christ and loved dearly. Do you want proof of this love? Behold His hands and side, see, it is Him Your groom who has finished the work on your behalf; who has paid the price of your redemption, and has restored you to be His for time and eternity.

Today, as His child, lift your eyes up and see Him anew. See Him as the One who paid for your soul with His life’s blood. His death destroys your death. His resurrection guarantees your resurrection. And in mercy He makes you His child forever and ever.

Join me then as the Bride of Christ in saying thank You Jesus for not leaving us alone to fend for ourselves, but dying in our place that we may live with you forever as your children. Amen and Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Stumbling Around” (Mark 9:38-41)

S-1515 18SAP/3B 9/27/2015 Hymns: (O) #601; (S) #718; LS. #623; #629; #632; (C) #579

Texts: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; James 5:1-20; Mark 9:38-50

Theme: “Stumbling Around” (Mark 9:38-41)

Question: “Have you ever stumbled?” (5^th sermon at Trinity)

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text is the Gospel reading. “John said to Him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in My name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For the one who is not against us is for us. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.” (Mark 9:38-41).

Beautiful people of God, travel with me today to a far country. Kindly close your eyes for a few moments and join me as we walk the streets of Jerusalem on Good Friday. I want you to hear the voices of Christ’s condemnation at the prœtorium “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” Come closer and see the soldier’s whip making their marks on His body. Watch closely as they pull His beard, spit on Him, and beat Him. Look closer and see a soldier forming a crown of thorns and driving it into His head. Behold the blood dripping from His body…then, He is forced to carry His cross to the place of crucifixion. As He walks near where you are standing you see Him stumbling around at the massive weight placed upon Him. It is not the weight of the cross, the pain of the whip, the thorns, the beating and bruising; but the weight of the sin of the whole world including you and me. He is walking, stumbling and falling to the ground on His way to be put to death for your sins and mine. (Please don’t open your eyes yet). See Him humbling Himself for you. See Him carrying the cross for you. See Him stumbling for you, ONLY you. He is not dying for the brother next to you. He is not dying for the sister next to you. He is not dying for the worst criminal, thief, rapist, adulterer, or murderer. HE IS DYING FOR YOU—the sinner. Small pause. (you may open your eyes).

In the text before us today we see the disciples stumbling around in their walk of faith. They have been distracted by the devil. And we, His 21st Century followers, are not much different from the proud twelve in the reading before us. These Galilean’s who have been called by Christ to be His disciples to carry on the Gospel mission to the ends of the earth; think they’ve unearthed a scandal and shame. Someone outside their elite circle has been caught in the act. Doing what you say? Sinning? No! He was acting in Jesus’ name (in this case, casting out demons in the name of the Living God). Terrible! We’re the Twelve! That’s our job. That’s our privilege (verse 38).

The Gospel lives and breathes through His Christian. Yes, the wind and the Spirit blows where IT wills (John 3:8). We stumble due to our sin… oh and how He forgives, heals, moves us, moves you to be His blessing. Maybe your calling is to simply receive the gifts given to you by a Medad or and Eldad. Maybe they are to be Medad or Eldad, Moses was clear: I wish that all would so prophesy!

Isn’t that Ironic how in the previous verses of this chapter these Galilean fishermen-turned followers of Jesus, couldn’t remove an unclean spirit from a boy. Now, Mark, the author of the text, tells us they wanted to forbid someone who is doing the same thing, but successfully. Oh how we need to hear the Word of the Cross and receive the risen Savior for sinners like you and me! PAUSE.

Sin is at work in us, oh how we need to close our eyes and hear the lashings inflicted against our Savior! Without those lashings, and without us remembering and knowing the love that was behind them we will certainly act like the apostles in our Gospel, or the 68 who were in the tent of meeting. How often do we act like the disciples? How often do we act as if we are better than someone else? How often do we say, “It is too bad this brother or this sister wasn’t here to hear this sermon?” We think we have the world figured out and we know where we are heading. The devil takes our eyes from Christ and points them upon us, our works and efforts. And thus we stumble around figuring out what we should or shouldn’t do.

So why does our Savior say these harsh things about foot, hand, and eye surgery? Why does He sound so harsh in His tone with the 12? It is because Beloved… they are His Beloved, even as you and I are. He was going to the cross because we really are that selfish. We really are that blind. He knew that only the broken body and shed blood of the Cross would heal. He was removing all self-righteousness. He was leading them up the way to the Cross. His blood for their blood and your blood. His lashes so that we would not know the lashings nor the lasher who is the devil!

Indeed, every time we enter this holy place, we are acknowledging to one another, that we are sinners in need of God’s grace. Every time we come to the Table, we declare that we need the gift of His body and blood to help us remain strong and steady in the faith. Every time we gather

around the Word, we declare to the world and to us that without Christ, we will continue to stumble around.

Yet in this text the man, whom the Twelve had encountered did something beautiful. He was carrying out the message of God’s goodness and kindness to someone in need. He is indeed a follower of Jesus. By the power of the Holy Spirit he is doing the works of the kingdom. What on earth are you doing opposing him, Jesus declares? And so Jesus amplifies this positively and negatively. Positively He says that if you act compassionately (giving a cup of water to a disciple

IN MY NAME, verse 41) that will please God. Negatively, He talks about the perilous danger of causing ‘one of these little ones who believe in [Him]’ to stumble (verse 42).

Note that the ‘little ones’ are those who believe in Jesus. Here the Savior is saying this: you’re in danger of causing a believer to stumble, by trying to prevent him from exercising his God-given gifts of ministry. You won’t let him, as it were, ‘give a cup of water’. Now where does this challenge us? What are the ways in which we might risk causing other disciples to stumble? In what ways do we prevent our brothers and sisters in Christ from exercising their calling? PAUSE.

Every one of us here who is part of the body of Christ, has been given a gift[s] by our gracious Father to serve Him and His people. These gifts are not to be stored, or kept, but to be used to further the Kingdom and spread the glorious good news of Christ’s death and resurrection.

The challenge is this: When someone does something we don’t like, do we cut them down? Rather than accepting that God has given them these gifts do we find fault with them? We think we can do it better or sooner; or not do it at all. Many things cause us to stumble and others too: Jealousy, envy, resentment, mistrust and host of other things.

In this text Jesus opens our eyes to remind us that He has stumbled on our behalf. In carrying the cross to Calvary on our behalf He declares, “I have loved you where you are, and through this Cross I will indeed ‘draw all men unto Myself” (John 12:23) so that through My grace you may be where I Am!” This is the meaning of Lexi and Luke’s Baptism and your Baptism and my Baptism. Jesus Christ loves sinners, of which I am chief (1 Timothy 1:15-16). You see, God in our Flesh, Jesus, He doesn’t want you to remain this way, that is, stumbling in your sins and without the sure hope of His gift. It is though He was saying: “I have stumbled so that you don’t have to. I have suffered so you don’t have to. I have endured God’s wrath so you don’t have to. I was crucified, put to death and raised again so that your lives might be redeemed and restored.” Thank God that the Savior of mankind did all of the stumbling for us.

Today, we call upon the Holy Spirit to help us be His gifts of mercy, love and compassion. Today, as we witnessed the miracle of baptism of Luke and Lexi we give thanks that we too, have been baptized. And in that baptism our stumbling has been spoken to by the Name and Promise of our Trinue God, oh yes, and our joy of serving, caring and sharing increases day by day so that all people might receive the GOSPEL of Jesus and live under Him forever and ever. This is the gift of the Cross, of His stumbling up to Golgotha. This is the gift of the Empty Tomb, made vacant today for Luke and Lexi, made vacant for you and me, and all because He stumbled up to that awful Tree. Let us thank Him for His ongoing Mercy. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA