October 24-25, 2009 Sermon

October 24–25, 2009

Reformation
Matthew 11:12-15

“The Kingdom Still Remaineth”

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

I do not know what they will do in Wittenberg for Reformation. I doubt they will let the anniversary pass unnoticed. But Luther´s faith is gone from that place. After four hundred and ninty-two years, dictators, swastikas, tanks, and guns, after that perversion a hammer and a sickle, all that is left is the inheritance of violence and the shallow allure of tourism. The faith is gone. The seat of the Reformation, where by pen and by speech Luther revealed God in His mercy and turned the hearts of the fathers to their children, where freedom and truth rang in purity, where God´s Word and Sacrament were received anew by grace: Wittenberg is now a wasteland, all but devoid of faith. Where are Luther´s heirs?

Sixty-five years ago Herman Sasse, a German by birth, exiled to Australia by the Church he served, thought that the Missouri Synod was the future. I suppose it was. But now it looks quite uncertain. And what if Missouri goes the way of all flesh. What if she falls like Jerusalem, Rome, and Wittenberg before her? So what? Do not be afraid. It is in God´s hands. And the Reformation blooms again. Buds have broken through the snow in Siberia! There is a re-emerging Church, awaking from her slumber, in Latvia, in Lithuania, and in South Africa! Who knows where else? The Word of God does not fail. It does not return empty. It never belonged to us by right. Luther´s children, like Abraham´s, are not those who share his blood, but those who share his faith. From Wittenberg to St. Louis to Kenya and Novisibirsk. If that be God´s will, God be praised!

But what of our children, trapped in this post-modern lie, in a Church as rife with corruption as medieval Rome? Must they move overseas to have the Truth? Not quite. But they must fight for it. They cannot rest in the false comfort and luxury of an institutional lie. They must grasp the Word of God and hold Him to it. They might limp away like Jacob, but not without a blessing. Let them make sacrifices for their church. Let them become missionaries and teachers who will not settle for lukewarm anesthesia, but who insist upon the Word of God in all its strict, unbending sternness and the full liberating sweetness of the Truth. Let them seek fellowship with fellow confessors around the globe and cherish the companionship that comes only from unity in the Word of God. Let them fight, hurt, and grow to know that nothing else in this world can be trusted, nothing else in this world lasts. For all things pass away with the exception of this: The Word of God made Flesh for our redemption!

We´ve often said “The Church is not built of mortar and stone.” True enough, but neither is it built upon paper, logos, and slogans from headquarters. The Church is built upon the death of Jesus Christ. It is sustained in His resurrection. It is not found in corporate offices, radio programs, or tax shelters. It is found around the Altar of God´s Body and Blood. There hearts are broken and rebound. Old men are drowned. New men arise. Sins are forgiven. The devil is defeated. Faith is born and lives.

It is written: The prophets and the Law prophesied until John and if you are willing accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. The Passover is complete. Our tears in Babylon have ended. The resurrected Temple abides in the new Jerusalem and we are a people who were no people. The gates of Hell cannot hold us. If this building crumbles, this synod falls, this country ceases, still Our God remains. Our salvation is secure. Our hope is not in Jerusalem, Rome, Wittenberg, or St. Louis. It is in Christ alone. His triumphal march through Hell is done. The demons know the truth.

Still, the kingdom of heaven, even the kingdom within you, suffers violence. And it hurts. But if there is no violence, no struggle, then there is no kingdom. And that just may be what history sees as the demise of the Church in America as she does not struggle. When Church and culture are indistinguishable, the devil has won.

The kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force. The suffering kingdom must be seized by violent faith: foolish, reckless faith like that of John in the desert speaking truth to power without fear, losing his head because he would not pretend that adultery was okay, because he would not tolerate the false doctrine of the Pharisees; foolish, reckless faith of pioneers who would not settle for an American gospel of prosperity but begged their brothers overseas to send them missionaries trained in the Scriptures; foolish, reckless faith of African Bishops who will not take the blood money of abortion and depravation but dare to speak the Truth from their poverty. This is your heritage. In Baptism God gives this violent, strident faith that risks all for Jesus Christ is Lord.

That is why I am not sad at the prospect that our children might have to rebuild this Church, make sacrifices, learn discipline, do the work of teachers and Pastors. If that is the case, it will be good for them. It will be good for us. And in this sense I am glad for the troubles in Missouri and the Church in America. For wherever the Gospel is preached it brings trouble. He did not come to bring peace, but a sword. When the fighting stops our churches become tourist attractions, nothing more than symbols of the past. But not yet! By Grace, not yet!! The warning is there in Jerusalem´s rubble and Wittenberg´s brochures. But yet, by Grace, our churches are not symbols of the past. They are icons of the future: a witness to the kingdom won, a promise of the kingdom to come.

What will happen on this earthly plane, I do not know. But I know that soon we will not care. We will be free at last of all politics, elections, synods, building and church repairs, homeland security and terrorism, of past sins and regrets, of fear and sadness. We will abide in our Father´s home won by grace, born in love, raised to life because Jesus Christ is Lord.

Believe it for Christ's sake. In + Jesus´ Name. Amen.

Daily Readings for October 25-31, 2009

Daily Lectionary

October 25 Deuteronomy 27:1–26; Matthew 17:14–27

October 26 Deuteronomy 28:1–22; Matthew 18:1–20

October 27 Deuteronomy 29:1–29; Matthew 18:21–35

October 28 (St Simon & St Jude) Deuteronomy 30:1–20; Matthew 19:1–15

October 29 Deuteronomy 31:1–29; Matthew 19:16–30

October 30 Deuteronomy 31:30—32:27; Matthew 20:1–16

October 31 (Reformation Day) Deuteronomy 32:28–52; Matthew 20:17–34

NEXT WEEKS LESSONS:

all saints’ day

The Saints Are the Blessed Poor of Spirit

The One greater than Moses calls His disciples out of the multitudes and opens His mouth to give them the Word of God by which they are made alive. Jesus preaches about the reality of Baptism in which we are joined to Christ so that what is true of Him is now true of us. Truly, the eight Beatitudes describe Christ, but the plural is used because God the Father now declares this about all who are baptized into the name of the Blessed Trinity. Eight represents those of the new creation who possess the kingdom of heaven just as the eight were spared from the Flood in the ark. Each Beatitude looks back to events from the history of Israel, but also anticipates other parts of Matthew's Gospel. The life of the baptized is to be that of sorrow and joy, persecution and reward, death and resurrection. So closely are we joined to Christ in Baptism that these things of His experience become ours also. This is to be immediately understood of the work of the apostles themselves as they preach the content of the Beatitudes, that is, Christ. If they preach the Beatitudes as Law, the world will readily accept their preaching for the world sees these as admirable guides for behavior. It is only when they dare to proclaim the Gospel of the meek and merciful Peacemaker that they will be rejected and persecuted.

Collect

O almighty God, who has knit together Your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, grant us grace so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those unspeakable joys that you have prepared for those who unfeignedly love You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 33:1–3

Epistle: Revelation 7:9–17

Holy Gospel: Matthew 5:1–12

Daily Readings October 18 - 24, 2009

Daily Lectionary

October 18 (St Luke) Deuteronomy 17:1–20; Matthew 14:1–21
October 19 Deuteronomy 18:1–22; Matthew 14:22–36
October 20 Deuteronomy 19:1–20; Matthew 15:1–20
October 21 Deuteronomy 20:1–20; Matthew 15:21–39
October 22 Deuteronomy 21:1–23; Matthew 16:1–12
October 23 Deuteronomy 24:10—25:10; Matthew 16:13–28
October 24 Deuteronomy 25:17—26:19; Matthew 17:1–13

NEXT WEEKS LESSONS:
The Twentieth Sunday After Trinity

The Holy Spirit sounds forth the Gospel call: “See, I have prepared my dinner . . . Come to the wedding” (Matthew 22:1–14). But many reject this invitation in favor of worldly pursuits. And so the call goes out to others, both the good and the bad. For the wedding invitation is not based on the qualifications of those invited but on the basis of the merits and work of Christ. The feast is free: “You who have no money, come, buy and eat . . . Let your soul delight itself in abundance” (Isaiah 55:1–9). Those rejecting the Spirit’s work shall experience God’s wrath and judgment. Those who are not clothed in Christ’s righteousness shall be cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let us therefore seek the Lord while He may be found, for He will have mercy upon us. Let us redeem the time, being filled with the Spirit, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:15–21).

Collect
Grant, we implore You, merciful Lord, to Your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve You with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Old Testament: Isaiah 55:1–9
Epistle: Ephesians 5:15–21
Holy Gospel: Matthew 22:1–14

Sermon October 17 - 18, 2009

St. Luke the Evangelist's Day
Luke 10:1-9
October 17–18, 2009
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Girard, Illinois

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

God in the Flesh comes to redeem mankind, to make for Himself a people who were no people: by healing souls afflicted and burdened by sin, by inviting and welcoming back the rebellious, wasteful sons, by opening His house and table to the Gentiles, the Prostitutes and Tax-collectors, liars, cheaters, the sinners. He sends out seventy representatives with a message of peace and hope: “The Kingdom of God is here.” But some do not want peace. His message reveals the thoughts of their hearts. It causes the rising and falling of many. And the anger, the hatred, the betrayal, and the violence He inspires first against Himself and, then, against His followers, pierces St. Mary's soul like a sword. It will pierce your soul, also.

The Kingdom of God is here in Christ Jesus. It is where God rules by Grace, by forgiveness, though His Word. But that Kingdom is a threat to the devil's kingdom. The devil rules by lust, greed, and fear, through coercion, bribes, and lies. No man can be a citizen of both kingdoms, nor can he have two masters. So the devil fights for every soul, wages war against every bearer of that holy peace, turning brother against brother, friend against friend, breaking hearts and piercing souls along the way. He divides the Kingdom by dangling petty rewards, offering earthly glory and honor he cannot give, recruiting traitors and encouraging treason for a fading and unsatisfying moment of fleshly pleasure. And the fatalities are great. Ten thousand fall. The sons of Judas, those self-seekers and promoters, attempt to steal the kingdom for themselves and the devil's lying “gospel” of “peace” that Jesus did not bring, of “peace” without sacrifice or God, of “peace” that is no peace.

Where are those noble men of old, who counted not the cost, whose conviction was matched only by their courage and their zeal to proclaim the Truth? Who will stand against the prince of Hell and suffer his abuse? Who will boldly say that God is good? Where are those who will not turn, who will not compromise, who will not lie to save face or to gain an earthly reward? O Luke, I hope you cannot see the dismal state of affairs on this side of the Church! I hope you do not know our weak, betraying, scheming ways. I hope our fear-laden whispering of the Truth is mistaken in heaven for the soft prayers of the martyrs engulfed in flame. Lord, have mercy. We are not worthy of Your Heritage, of Your Word, or of Your Church.

But the Word is not stopped. It is not driven by our worthiness, but by Christ’s! Those seventy preached against all odds, announced the arrival of the Kingdom in God's Son, the Son of Mary. And in some strange and unlikely places, across an ocean and a sea, through the years, that goodly seed takes root and grows and bears a hundredfold! That Word, so carefully researched by Luke, is good. That Word, painfully penned and scratched onto papyrus by Luke, is powerful. That Word, delivered and believed in grace by Luke, changes sinners into saints, converts cowards into heroes, creates confidence in the depressed and worried, and makes ordinary men into Evangelists. For that Word does not fail. It will not pass away. Through St. Luke, that dear physician and brave martyr, God has left unto us that same, mighty Word and revealed salvation. The Kingdom ours, remaineth.

For God in the Flesh came to redeem mankind, to make for Himself a people who were no people: by healing souls afflicted and burdened by sin, by inviting and welcoming back the rebellious, wasteful sons, by opening His house and table to the Gentiles, the Prostitutes and Tax-collectors, the sinners. Come, O you children of the Word, you citizens of Grace, you friends of God and receive the medicine of immortality. Be healed. Feast and live. Make the angels rejoice.

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

Daily Readings October 11-17, 2009

Daily Lectionary

October 11 Deuteronomy 9:23—10:22; Matthew 11:20–30

October 12 Deuteronomy 11:1–25; Matthew 12:1–21

October 13 Deuteronomy 11:26—12:12; Matthew 12:22–37

October 14 Deuteronomy 12:13–32; Matthew 12:38–50

October 15 Deuteronomy 13:1–18; Matthew 13:1–23

October 16 Deuteronomy 14:1–2, 22–23, 28–29; Matthew 13:24–43

October 17 Deuteronomy 15:19—16:22; Matthew 13:44–58

NEXT WEEKS LESSONS:

the nineteenth sunday after trinity

The Lord does not to require us to ascend to Him; in mercy He descends to us (Genesis 28:10–17). The ladder in Jacob’s dream was not for climbing; it was the means by which the Lord came to bless Jacob. This event finds its fulfillment in Christ who descended from His throne to save and bless us. By His incarnation He is the eternal bridge between heaven and earth. “The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” (Matthew 9:1–8). The Lord was present in the flesh to absolve the paralytic. Jesus also healed and restored this man’s body. “For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation” (Small Catechism). The Lord still has power on earth to forgive sins. For “God has given such power to men.” In holy absolution He raises up the new man (Ephesians 4:22–28) and bestows the healing medicine which will bring about our resurrection on the Last Day. Thus we say with Jacob, “This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!”

Collect

O almighty and most merciful God, of Your bountiful goodness keep us, we implore You, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready, both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things that You would have done; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Old Testament: Genesis 28:10–17

Epistle: Ephesians 4:22–28

Holy Gospel: Matthew 9:1–8

October 10-11, 2009 Sermon

Trinity 18

October 10 – 11, 2009

Matthew 22:34-46

“A Life in God and Neighbor”

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

Our text for today is from the Gospel lesson, particularly these words, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

Being a Lutheran, I am always fascinated by how people understand the Law. Government, home, work, school, just about every aspect of our lives have laws associated with them. You don’t even have to be very old to realize that the Law of Gravity kind of covers us all. What goes up, must come down.

Yet as I observe nature, society and people, one common thread kind of runs through all of these different groups and how they view laws and the Law. People, whether deliberately or not, will always try to figure out ways to make the Law serve them. You figure out how to work your company’s vacation day rules to maximize your time in the sun. You figure out how to work your parents rules about what chores you are supposed to do and don’t say exactly when you are supposed to do them. Taxes. Lawsuits. Pre-nuptial agreements. All the way down to whose turn is it to take out the garbage, at every turn, we seek to use the law to our advantage, and for our own purposes.

That is exactly what is behind this lawyer’s question to Jesus: What is the great commandment? We could rephrase the lawyer’s question this way: Out of all of God’s law, what is really the most important? What is the least that I have to do in order to get into heaven? The Pharisees were can-do people. They were going to get done whatever needed to get done in order to get into heaven. So to them, the Law is very important, because it is all about requirements and contracts and expectations and what really needs to happen to be right with God.

This is what you do as well. We all do it. We look at the Law as an obstacle to be overcome, so that we can get what we really want. If that means keeping the least number of them in order to “pass,” then that’s what we’ll do. We do this at home all the time. How much work around the house do I need to do in order to get my wife off my back? How much shopping can I do without making my husband angry with me? How many buttons can I push on my parents without setting them over the edge? You do these things. Don’t deny it.

What Jesus does by His answer is demonstrate that he knows what this lawyer is trying to do. Jesus answers in the words of Deuteronomy:

“’You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

These are words that you and I have probably heard before. But notice what they say. What they say is that the summary of the Law is that it is not about you. Your life is to be lived in God and in your neighbor. That’s it. The Law is not about your needs and desires at all. And every time you use the Law to gain advantage for yourself, you draw yourself away from God and His Word and have fallen into the snare of the devil.

This is serious business, for it shows us how far removed from God’s way of doing things we really are. We often live in a delusional world, where we believe that we are basically good, basically right with God, and that our sin is more or less a little backsliding, or just not quite doing as well as we ought. But that is not what the Scriptures teach, and that is certainly not what Jesus taught or preached. What Jesus taught and preached is that either you keep the Law completely by living your life in God and in service to your neighbor, or you are living your life for yourself.

But perhaps we should ask ourselves the question: Why should I love God with my everything and my neighbor as myself? Why indeed? The reason is simple. You love God with your everything because He has given everything to you. Everything you have and own is His. Everything you are, from your personality to your abilities to your family and everything in between. It is all His. And He gives it all to you. Your life is not dependent upon you and what you do. If that were the case, you would mess it up all the time. Your life is dependent completely on God, whether you realize it or not.

It is for that reason we can love God with our hearts, souls and minds. It is also for that reason that God commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Why? Because you have nothing to lose, since nothing is yours in the first place. You can give yourself in service to your neighbor, because God has given everything to you. Whether we’re talking about money or time or talents, it matters not. When you give of yourself, God is at work using you for His great purposes of taking care of the world.

But this is precisely what you cannot do. You cannot give of yourself like that, because you are blinded by your own pride and selfishness. Jesus, of course, knows this, and so he asks the lawyer the second question about the Christ. Whose Son is He, Jesus asks. They answer rightly, the Son of David. Jesus then says:

He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”? If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?”

What Jesus is getting at here is this. There is no contradiction between service and Lordship. Jesus, who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Himself, serves the world by shedding His blood on the cross for you. His is the Name above every Name, and yet He is the lowest servant of all.

There is great hope and comfort in this for sinners like you and I, and a renewed perspective on how we view the world. The everyday tasks of your life are sanctified and made holy by the blood of God’s Son. Every aspect of your life is connected to the God who became the servant of all. Martin Luther put it this way:

We conclude, therefore, that a Christian lives not in himself, but in Christ and in his neighbor. Otherwise he is not a Christian. He lives in Christ through faith, in his neighbor through love. By faith he is caught up beyond himself into God. By love he descends beneath himself into his neighbor.

This is your life in Christ, dear friends. God has redeemed you by His blood to be His people, His servants in the world. That life of service, though, is not one of payment, where you try and work off a debt. It is a life that you live in freedom, because Christ Himself has done it all for you. Believe it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.