Christmas Eve candlelight Service 2008 11:00 p.m.

“The Christmas Decree”

Luke 2:10-11

24 December 2008

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Reverend Keith GeRue, Pastor

Dear Baptized,

In the unstable darkness of a still night in this fallen world a small band is assembled to protect those whom they are charged to oversee ... it is their vocation to tend, protect and care for those entrusted to them by challenging and warding off any and all intruders who might be lurking in the shadows seeking to devour, as well as making certain that not one under their stewardship wanders from the congregation. So the shepherds stand on the higher ground “in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8).

By all accounts this evening would be an ordinary night with the same dangers in this valley of the shadow of death and the same thoughts occupying the hearts and minds of the old Adam. These shepherds were no different that any one of inheritors of the Fall from God's grace and presence. Each one of the children of wrath sits in the darkness of sin and anticipates that greater darkness called Everlasting Death. What earthy shepherds and you have in common is the need for a Savior from sin and Satan, a Deliver from destruction and death, and we absolutely need this Redeemer before the latter day darkness covers over our eyes. This is the decree of death.

We - both the shepherds in those days when a decree went out from Caesar Augustus and today when the decrees of death are listed in the obituaries across the land - we need the Gift of the Savior and the salvation He brings to be decreed. What is the decree that is heard from God? The decree that directs us to depart from Him into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels? (Matthew 25:41). Or will the decree be that there is a Savior?

Well, as for those shepherds outside that little town of Bethlehem - for those men who were “keeping watch over their flock by night,” well “an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear” (Luke 2:9). A decree was coming. Had this angel been sent from the LORD God Almighty to gather “all causes of sin and all evildoers, and throw them into the furnace of fire; where “men will weep and gnash their teeth” (Matthew 13:41-42) - that the godless may be “thrown into the fire and burned” (John 15:6) ?

To know the answer to that all important question, we turn the pages of history to the Gospel of St. Luke, the 2nd chapter, the 10th and 11th verses where an angel of the Lord speaks and the shepherds hear ... ... The Christmas Decree

“Fear not; for behold, I bring you Good News of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.” Thus far the Word of the Lord our God.

“Fear not” you shepherd. Though I am an angel of the LORD, and though you are a man of the dust, do not be afraid. Though I am come from the very Presence of Perfection and Life Himself, and though you are sinful man who may not see God and live, fear not.

Though I abide and bask in the pure Light that is from above and before the foundation of the world, and though you dwell in and grope about the lightless gloom, do not be afraid. Truly at this point, any honest shepherd might reply, “Fear not!” Why? From these statements that I acknowledge and confess to be absolutely true, why should I not fear? The angel of the LORD continues with the Christmas Decree and why the shepherds should not fear. “Fear not; for behold, I bring you Good News of a great joy.”

The angel has not come to the shepherds in order to assist Jehovah with in that awe-full hour when those end-time events will take place on Judgment Day. Not this holy night! Instead the angel - this messenger of and from God - has come bearing the Good News of a great joy ... the Gospel declaration ... the Incarnate Word promised by the Inscribed Word of the prophets ... this Good News of a great joy is the Christmas Decree spoken to the shepherds. You ask what is this? Listen.

“To you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.” Listen to the Good News, you shepherds, “to you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.” There is a Savior from your sin, from your death, from your self; there is a Savior from the devil's hell and the lake of fire, from the demons' nether gloom and the second death, from eternal suffering and everlasting darkness, from cries of pain and tears of sorrow.

Oh shepherds, you have a Savior! He is born this day. He is born and that means He is truly human with body and blood, a Savior Who will know what it means to feel pain, whose blood will flow, who will know temptation and yet, if He is a Savior, will not fall to it as the first Adam did, who will behold the cup of sin that awaits and yet, if He is a Savior, will not sin as all other children of Adam have. He is “true Man of the substance of His mother, born in the world” (Athanasian Creed).

But there is more to the Christmas Decree, oh shepherds, for you have a Savior “Who is Christ the Lord.” This Savior, this newborn Baby is the Christ of God, the Divine Seed of Eve, Abraham's Great Shield, the God Who wrestled with Jacob, the Cloud by day, the Fire by night, the wilderness Rock, the Prophet like unto Moses, Job's Redeemer, the Lion of Judah, the Messiah of the prophets, the Virgin's Son, Simeon's Promise, Anna's Ransom, the King of Creation, the Word made flesh, the Incarnate Son of God, “God of the Substance of the Father begotten before the worlds” (Athanasian Creed) - “the only begotten Son of God ... God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary and was made man” (Nicene Creed).

Dearly beloved shepherds, behold this is the newborn Savior “Who is Christ the LORD” Who “is born this day in the City of David.” The little town of Bethlehem is the place where the Infant Ancient of Days will draw His first breath. This Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread,” is the host for the Manna from above. Indeed, “the Bread of God is the One Who comes down from heaven, and gives Life to the world” (John 6:35) and that One is the Show Bread in the Temple Who is born in Bethlehem.

So, dear friend, you sit here in this church on this night and you hear these words and perhaps you say to yourself, “But I am not one of the shepherds. Everything seems to be for those who were in the fields watching over their flock that night. Not only was I not near Bethlehem that night when the Savior was born, it would be nearly 2000 years later before my birth took place. So I was not there and I did not hear the angel of the Lord. Does any of this Gospel apply to me? What is there for me?”

Then it came to pass on this night that a messenger of the Lord spoke to a few people who congregated in this darkened place. And the messenger announced the Christmas Decree: “Fear not; for behold, I bring you Good News of a great joy ‘which will come to all the people.’” Do you not hear these words? The Good News of a great joy is intended for all the people.

The Good News is intended for all, for ...

shepherd and inn-keeper

scribe and Pharisee

Mary and Joseph

Herod and heretic

mine-worker and secretary

Pilate and pilot

farmer and executive

male and female

slave and free

Jew and Gentile

mother and daughter

wealthy and poor

dictator and counselor

judge and jurist

husband and wife

prophet and evangelist

maid and matron

boy and girl

father and son

magi and majesty

Zechariah and Elizabeth

widow and widower

old and infant

grandfather and grandmother

employer and employee

parishioner and pastor

IN SHORT FOR YOU AND FOR ME.

Dearly beloved, this is your Savior, the God-man, conceived by the Holy Ghost in the town of Nazareth of Galilee, born of the Virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem of Judea. Some thirty years later, the King of kings would suffer under Pontius Pilate. Jesus the Christ would be crucified for the sins of the world, would die for the life of the world, would be buried in the tomb of the world. He would descend into hell to proclaim victory over death and Hades. The third day He would rise from the dead and ascend into heaven and be enthroned at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Therefore, “Fear not; for behold, I bring you Good News of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.” Amen.

This, dear friends, is the Christmas Decree. What is next? Well, there is for you and for me part two of the Christmas Story. The messenger of the Lord invites and encourages you to be here tomorrow morning at 9:00 am to hear ... ... “The Christmas Invitation.”

“All About the Baby”

Luke 1:39-56

December 21, 2008

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Rev. Keith E. GeRue, Pastor

I. The Family Gathering

From Elizabeth's point of view, this really is quite the family gathering. In her home, up in the hill country of Judah, there are two women, two unborn baby boys, two priests and two prophets. It's quite a gathering-especially since there are only five people present.

There are the two women, the “miracle moms.” Elizabeth shouldn't be pregnant, since she's been barren all her life and now is past the age of child-bearing. Mary shouldn't be either, according to the laws of nature. When she enters the house and greets her older cousin, Mary tells Elizabeth all that Gabriel has told her, and the two rejoice in the miracles that God has sent. Elizabeth's story is wonder enough, though it's not unprecedented: Throughout the history of Old Testament Israel, there were barren women who gave birth to a firstborn son later on in life: Sarah, Rachel, Manoah's wife, Hannah. These women were remembered, and their sons each played a notable part in God's plan for salvation. But Mary, on the other hand, is unique-a virgin conceives and bears a Son, whose name is Immanuel. The Son in her womb is the reason for her visit to Elizabeth; it's all about the Baby.

The two unborn baby boys are the two prophets in the house, and neither of them is wasting any time in going about his prophetic office. John the Baptist leaps for joy in Elizabeth's womb when the Son of God enters the house. Remember from last week, the greatness of John the Baptist is to point to Jesus. Jesus is there; and even though he can't utter a word, he's going to make sure that mother Elizabeth knows. But John the Baptist is not the first prophet to speak that day: Jesus, the Word made flesh, speaks first as Mary utters the Word of the Lord spoken to her by the angel Gabriel. It may be Mary's lips that move, but she speaks the God’s Word. According to His human nature, the Son of God doesn't have a functioning tongue or voice box yet. According to His divine nature, He has been speaking from all eternity.

In any event, the two prophets prophesy that day, with John leaping to point to the presence of Jesus. There are two prophets, but it's really only about one of them. It's all about the Baby.

There are two priests in the house, too. Elizabeth knows one of them well; he's been silent for six months now, and still has three months and eight days to go before his voice returns. This is Zacharias, of course. He's a priest who no doubt has offered his share of sacrifices over the years. He's spoken his fair share, but not recently: He doubted the Word that Gabriel spoke in the temple, and doubting priests shouldn't speak. Therefore, his voice is gone until his boy is named.

The other priest has arrived with Mary-the Baby in her womb. Rather than doubting the Word of God, He is the Word made flesh; and He will accomplish His Father's will for us and for our salvation. How? He will be the Priest who offers the final sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world.

But this Baby is more than the priest: He is the Sacrifice. According to His human nature, His brainstem is maybe just registering signals. According to His divine nature, He's purposefully making His way to Jerusalem. He is on the way to the cross. There are two priests in the house that day, both a part of God's plan. But in the end, it's all about the Baby.

It's a quiet family gathering, because only two of the five have the ability to speak. We refer to Elizabeth and Mary, of course, so let's listen in to what they have to say.

First, Elizabeth: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Lk. 1:42-45).

Elizabeth has great words to say about her younger cousin, Mary. Among women, she is especially blessed. It's quite a compliment right there, but let's not stop too soon. Why is Mary especially blessed? She is blessed because of the fruit of her womb; she is blessed because she is the mother of God. In other words, she is blessed because the Lord is present with her, full of grace and truth. Furthermore, Mary is blessed because she believed-the Word gave her faith so that she might give birth to the Word; and she is blessed because God is faithful and will fulfill His promise. Add it all up, and you see a common theme: Mary is blessed because of the Child within her, conceived by the Holy Ghost. Why is Mary blessed? It's all about the Baby.

And what does Mary have to say for herself?

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And holy is His name.

And His mercy is on those who fear Him.

From generation to generation.

He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

And exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty.

He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy,

As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his seed forever” (Lk. 1:46-54).

It's quite a speech. Listen to what she says: “The Lord does not bless the proud, the mighty or the rich-but me!” Again, it hardly strikes one as a humble statement. And finally, quite over the top, is the statement that “all generations will call me blessed.” If she's going to speak Old Testament-style, we'll just take a look at the Old Testament. Not many blessed things last for all generations. The Lord's name does (Ex. 3:15). So does His will (Ps. 33:11). So does His praise (Ps. 79:13), His faithfulness (Ps. 89:1), and His fame (Ps. 146:10). So does His truth (Ps. 100:5), His absolution (Ps. 106:31), and His presence (I Kings 8:12-13). And Mary says that all generations will call her blessed?

It would be a haughty, prideful song indeed, except that Mary is singing about the Child inside her belly. He is the Son of God-He is God's truth, faithfulness, absolution and presence with His people. He brings salvation for Mary and the world-not by their works of pride, might or wealth, but by His life, suffering, death and resurrection. That's why all generations will look back and call Mary blessed: Because the Lord is present with her, full of grace and truth. Blessed are all among whom the Lord dwells with His forgiveness and life.

Properly understood, the song of Mary is not about herself at all; she is simply the instrument that God uses to bring His Son into the world. The song isn't about her; it's all about the Baby. It's all about the Baby; and to be all about the Baby, it must be all about all the Baby. In other words, one does not really speak of Jesus if he only speaks of an infant in a manger. One truly speaks of Jesus when he acknowledges that the Baby in Mary's womb is the Incarnate Son of God; that He is the Prophet who speaks the Word because He is the Word made flesh; and that He is the priest who offers the ultimate Sacrifice for sin-Himself. You can't speak all about the Baby until you have spoken of the cross; it is why Mary first speaks of God as her Savior.

II. Still About the Baby

It's still all about the Baby. This is why, of course, we condemn such crass sins as universalism and syncretism, teachings that all religions are equally pleasing to the one true God or that there are many true gods of many religions. Humanly speaking, such teachings are illogical: The man who embraces all religions embraces no religion. Far more important, however, such teachings and religions are condemned by Scripture. Why? Because they're not about the Baby. If one believes in other saviors and other salvations, he no longer places his trust in the one-and-only Savior, conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary. Instead, he credits other gods, making the crucified Son of God just one savior among many; and that means it isn't all about the Baby anymore. Those who believe that all religions are the same do not share the faith of Mary's song; their spirit does not rejoice in God, the Savior, and His mercy does not rest on them. So they are lost.

It's all about the Baby! That's why we proclaim Christ and Him crucified. It is also why we declare the wonder of the means of grace, our Lord's Word and Sacraments-for that is how the Lord is present with us, just as really present as He was in the womb of Mary. Elizabeth speaks of blessed Mary because the Lord is present in her. We speak of the blessed, holy Sacraments because the Lord is likewise present in these means for us. To point to the Baptism and say “It's just water” and to point to Communion and say “It's just bread and wine” is the same as pointing to Mary's womb and saying, “It's just a baby like any other, no One special.” We therefore declare and administer the Sacraments, because they are all about the Baby.

All about all the Baby. He doesn't stay in Mary's womb or in the manger. He grows up and goes to the cross. This is His destiny: The Baby is going nowhere else but Calvary. So, to speak all about the Baby, you must speak all those things unique to this Son of Mary. He is the Word made flesh, God incarnate; sons are born all the time, but only one is the only-begotten Son of God. He is the Priest who offers the final Sacrifice for sin; tons of priests have offered tons of sacrifices, but only one has sacrificed Himself to atone for the sins of the world. He is present here to save; lots of false gods promise help and presence, but non-gods can't help or be present. Only He can, and only He is.

That's why you gather here, and it's all about the Baby. No syncretism or universalism here; only the Baby born of Mary, God your Savior, who goes to the cross for the sins of the world. So; we confess our love for pride and prosperity as the sin that it is, then confess that our salvation is in the Savior born in Bethlehem.

This is the Baby in Mary's womb, who journeys from there to manger to cross to the right hand of God; and who journeys from there to visit you by His means of grace-to prepare you for His return in glory and life everlasting. It's all about the Baby; by His work, begun and continued, you are forgiven for all of your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen

Pastor's Open House
Sunday, December 21, 1:00 - 5:00 pm
(at Trinity Lutheran Parsonage )
32940 Route 4
Girard, Illinois 62640
217-965-3736

Please come on over for a time with
Pastor, Valerie, and family
to thank you all for your love and care this year.

We'll have lots to drink,
and plenty of healthy and not-so-healthy foods.

Advent 3 – December 13–14, 2008

“Blessed Is He Who Is Not Offended Because of Me”
Matthew 11:2-11
Advent 3 – December 13–14, 2008
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “Are you the Coming One? Or do we look for another?” That is the question John asks of Jesus. You can understand why John might ask that question. After all, John is now in prison. John had come as a mighty preacher, preparing the way of the Lord, calling people to repentance, baptizing them for the forgiveness of sins. Everyone was coming out to John at the Jordan River to hear him. John spoke of a Messiah who was mightier than he was, who would clean out the threshing floor and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. All of this carried with it images of power and glory.

But now John is in King Herod’s dungeons. He had been put there for condemning the sin of Herod, who had taken his brother’s wife for himself and was therefore committing adultery. Herod’s wife wanted John killed immediately. But oddly enough, the king had some respect for John. And so he had John thrown into prison instead. In the end, though, the scheming of Herod’s wife would win the day. John would eventually be beheaded.

As John sat in his dark cell, the thought may well have crossed his mind: Did I get it wrong in saying that Jesus is the Messiah? If He is the Christ, then why is this happening to me? If the Messiah comes to bring God’s righteousness, why is this unrighteous king being permitted to rule unchecked and unpunished? Why am I the one who is suffering? “Are you the Coming One? Or do we look for another?”

I would guess that there have also been moments like that in your own life. In your own times of suffering or difficulty, when you’ve been victimized or treated unjustly, you may have wondered: Is Jesus really the One? Is Christianity the right way? Or should I be looking for someone or something else that maybe works a little better? How easily doubts can creep into our fallen minds when things don’t go the way we planned or expected, when God doesn’t come through for us the way we hoped. Is Jesus the One?

Even though John must have had his doubts and his questions, I believe he knew all along that Jesus was the Messiah. For when does John send two of his disciples to Jesus to ask this question? It is when he hears in prison about the works of Christ, the works that are the evidence that Jesus really is the Coming One. Consider also what Jesus Himself says about John: “Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.” What tremendous honor Jesus bestows on John with those words! Just think about what He is saying there. John is greater even than Abraham, than Moses, than Elijah, than all the prophets. Above all others, John is a picture of great faithfulness and zeal and love for God.

Jesus says, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?” No, not at all. John the Baptist wasn’t a preacher who told people what their itching ears wanted to hear, compromising with the culture around him. “Oh, you think we should be more tolerant of alternative lifestyles and beliefs? OK, I can go along with that. You want more sermons on how to achieve worldly happiness and fulfillment and success in life? Sure, whatever keeps my paycheck coming.”

Instead, John preached the truth which God had given him to preach. He said things like, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” That’s how he prepared the way of the Lord Jesus. He said to the multitudes that came out to him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. . . Every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” That may not have been the best church growth technique, to call the people coming out to him a bunch of snakes. But John knew that until the people had confronted the reality of their fallen condition, they would not be ready for the One who came to deliver and save them from their bondage to sin and death.

The same thing is true for you still today. You too must hear that message of John, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus is near. Turn away from your sin. Stop justifying it and making excuses for it and becoming comfortable with it. Seek to bear the fruit of faithfulness and love. Acknowledge that you are grass, a flower that inevitably withers and wilts and returns to the earth from which it came. Take refuge in Christ alone.

For He Himself is “the word of our God (that) stands forever.” Though the grass withers and the flower fades, the everlasting Word of God declares that there is full, free forgiveness and real, enduring life for you in Him. For the Son of God took your wilting and withering condition upon Himself in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary. Though He was without sin, He took the curse of your sin into His own body and He broke the curse, putting it to death on the cross. All the power of the devil to drag you down to hell, all the power of sin to condemn you was completely destroyed and abolished there at Calvary. Now, through faith in Jesus, you are released, you are free, you are holy. St. Peter writes, “You have been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” You have been baptized into Jesus, the Word made flesh, and so you will live and abide forever in Him. Just as a lily dies in the winter but comes forth to life again from the bulb in the spring, so also you will rise again to an everlasting spring when the risen Jesus returns.

John’s real aim, then, ultimately is not to condemn you but to comfort you, as the Old Testament reading said, “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” The Messiah whom John proclaims doesn’t give you just barely enough forgiveness. Rather, the Lord gives you twice as much forgiveness as you need, overflowing mercy, so that you may be absolutely certain that all of your sins, the big and the small, have truly been covered and answered for and taken away.

Jesus goes on to say about John: “What did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.” John was one who wore a rough camel pelt for clothing. He lived in the harsh wilderness and ate locusts and wild honey. He knew well that the life God had called him to was not one of ease and comfort but of self-denial. As the last of the prophets, he must have suspected that his own life might end as the prophets before him, in persecution and death. He would never enter the king’s house in soft clothing but in chains.

So the question remains: why would John still send two of his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Coming One?” I believe John sent these two disciples of his so that they might become disciples of Jesus. The time for John to have followers of his own was past; his mission was completed. The way had been prepared for Jesus, and now they were to follow Him. John himself said of Jesus, “He must increase, I must decrease.” It was time for him now to fade from the scene and for Jesus to become the focus. And so upon hearing of Jesus’ works, John sends his disciples to Him so that they may see Jesus’ works for themselves and know that He is the One to follow, the Messiah, the Savior.

“He must increase, I must decrease.” That’s true not only for John but for all of us as well, pastors and laypeople. A preacher’s job is not to draw attention to himself but to do like John did and point to Jesus, “He is the One.” “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” And through repentance you also are to decrease, to die to yourself and your own desires, so that Jesus might be magnified in you with His abounding love. Your old Adam is to fade from the scene so that the new man, Christ may dwell in you to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. “He must increase, I must decrease.”

Jesus said to John’s disciples, “Report to John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” These are the kind of people that Jesus came for–not those who are proud in their own righteousness and self-sufficiency, but the weak and the helpless and the unrighteous. Are you beginning to lose your sight or your hearing? Are your legs and your arms not working like they used to? Are you contending with some ailment or disease? Are you living from paycheck to paycheck? Do you feel unclean? Do you sense the death in you that sin brings? Then Jesus is for you. He took on your flesh and blood that He might redeem your humanity and cleanse you and restore you in both body and soul to the fullness of His resurrection life.

And finally, Jesus says to John and to us all, “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Blessed are you who are not scandalized by My suffering and cross, who are not offended by your need to repent and to trust in Me alone to save you. Blessed are you who, like John in prison, are not caused to fall from faith by the difficulties and the crosses you must yet suffer but who continue to cling to Me and hope in Me. For yours in the kingdom of heaven.

Brothers and sisters of Christ, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. It is at hand not only because Christmas is near, not only because the second coming is near, but because the King Himself is near. His body and blood are at hand, given from this very altar for you for the forgiveness of sins. Here is your Comfort. Here “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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December 6 – 7, 2008 Advent 2

“Sun, Moon, and Stars”
Luke 21:25-36
Trinity Lutheran Church Girard, IL
Rev. Keith E. GeRue
Advent 2
December 6 – 7, 2008

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

God created the sun, moon, and stars on the 4th day of creation. He said that they were not only to be lights for the earth and for mankind, but that they were to be for signs and seasons, and for days and years. The rising and setting of the sun marks the day, the phases of the moon mark roughly a month, the earth’s movement around the sun and it’s relation to the other stars marks the seasons and the course of a year. These heavenly bodies are God’s gifts to us that help order the times of our life.

They also point, to more than just the passage of time. They point to the fulfillment of time, to the end of time, and to Him who is the Lord of time and eternity, Jesus. Remember how it was a heavenly body, a star in the heavens, that led the Wise Men to the infant Jesus. These wisemen from Babylon were drawn by the star to Bethlehem to worship the Virgin’s Son. Jesus’ first coming was marked by a sign in the heavens. Remember also how, when our Lord Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, that there were signs in the heavens. Beginning at high noon, for three hours, all the land was covered with darkness and the sun did not give its full light. This was not simply an eclipse, since eclipses don’t last for three hours. Plus, this was at the time of the Passover, which is about the time of the full moon when eclipses don’t occur. The sun, you might say, bowed its head and dimmed at the sight of the Son of God dying to redeem the world from sin and the power of death.

In the same way, Jesus says, there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars marking His second coming. There will be familiar signs in terms of eclipses and comets and meteor showers and the like. But there will also be abnormal and unfamiliar signs as well. For the very powers of the heavens will be shaken prior to the close of this age. Not only will the heavenly bodies bow down to our returning Lord Christ, but they will eventually bow out altogether as this old creation passes away and gives way to the new creation that Jesus is coming to bring to His people.
Today’s Gospel warns us against misinterpreting these signs or even missing them altogether. That’s the way it will be with the world. They will say, “Big deal, another comet. A partial eclipse; so what. All things continue as they’ve always been. Don’t talk to me about this second coming of Jesus stuff. He hasn’t come yet. What makes you think He’s ever going to come.” Jesus says that the hearts of such will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the cares of the life. That’s all that matters to them–having a good time, taking care of their stuff. Jesus warns us to take heed to ourselves, lest we become like them.

That’s a real temptation that we face, to love our time in this world to the point that we begin to prefer it to the time of our Lord’s return and the glorious eternity He has prepared for us. If I were to tell you that Jesus’ second coming was going to occur in exactly 15 minutes, would there be a part of you that is disappointed because of all the things you still wanted to do and see and experience in this world? The prayer of the church is “Come, quickly, Lord Jesus.” Do you find yourself sometimes thinking, “Come, Lord Jesus, but not right away–not until after this or that which I’m looking forward to.” Repent. Repent that you are still so attached to this passing life. Repent that you so infrequently consider Jesus’ second coming, that your hearts are not fully set on Christ and the fulfillment of all things at His return. Watch, lest this Day come upon you unexpectedly as a snare and a trap. Pray that you may escape all these things that will come to pass and be made worthy to stand before the Son of Man when He comes.

For the truth of the matter is that Judgment Day and the second coming of Christ is not something to fear but to greatly desire and eagerly anticipate. Jesus says, “When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Your redemption draws near because your Redeemer draws near. The One who will come on the Last Day is the same One who already came to rescue you from all that would ensnare you and drag you down to hell. Jesus allowed Himself to be snared and weighed down with your sin and death in order to break their power over you. He did not escape the judgment of death so that you would have the gift of everlasting life. Your judgment day already took place on Good Friday. All of your sins were answered for there on the tree of the cross. All those who are baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection share in His righteousness and His life. You who believe have nothing to be afraid of and everything to look forward to when He comes again.

So when you see these signs that Scripture describes, do not let them be for you a cause of alarm or a sign of God’s judgment against you, which it may appear to be. Rather, with firm faith, let these signs be a reminder that you must endure only a little while longer, that your Savior is at the very gates of heaven about to return for you. Don’t give up hope, especially when you see the wicked and the ungodly prospering all around you with seemingly no consequences for their behavior. Remember what Malachi the prophet spoke in the Old Testament, how there will again be a distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not. For now, it’s all muddled together. But on the Last Day the wicked will be burned like stubble in the field. They will see the Lord coming and weep greatly that they rejected their only hope of salvation. It is written in Revelation, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.” However, you who fear the Lord will be spared for the sake of Christ. The Lord says of you, “They shall be Mine on the day that I make them My jewels.” The Lord will come with healing in His wings, to comfort His persecuted and afflicted people who are His treasure. He will come on the clouds with power and great glory, glory that He gives you to share in, power that He has exercised in love for you.

Jesus says, “Let the trees be your teacher. When you see them budding, even when it seems as if winter will never end, you know that spring and summer are near. Even so, when you see these signs occurring, and on earth distress of nations, even when it seems that you’ve been waiting forever, persevere, endure, continue trusting in Me and clinging to Me. For the kingdom of God is near.” Your faith will soon be turned to sight. And when Jesus appears you will be like Him, for you will see Him as He is.

A few moments ago I spoke of your reaction to the possibility of Christ coming in 15 minutes. That wasn’t an entirely hypothetical thing I was suggesting. The truth is that in a few moments He will be coming to you, in the Sacrament. Jesus said, “Lift up your heads.” In the communion liturgy we say, “Lift up your hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord.” We are made worthy to stand here before the Son of Man by His own forgiving mercy. As it is written, “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand. But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared.” This forgiveness is given to you with His true body and blood.

Therefore, brothers and sisters of Christ, as you see the signs of His return around you, look up and lift up your heads to the heavens. Learn from the sun, moon, and stars–not in the superstitious way of the astrologers. Rather let these markers of time remind you of the ending of time, stirring up your hearts to greater faith in Christ and a greater desire for His return and your deliverance from this world. For the heavens and earth will pass away. But Jesus’ words will never pass away.

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