All Saints Sermon - November 1, 2009

All Saints

Matthew 5:1-12

“What did John See?”

November 1, 2009

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

What Our Lord describes on the Mountain, St. John sees in his vision. He sees a great multitude of the poor in spirit made rich in the grace of Jesus Christ. Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. He sees those who were persecuted like the prophets. They have come to their reward. They have left behind all mourning, meekness, hunger, and thirst. Day and night they serve the Lord in His Temple. They are satisfied. St. John sees the saints of God purified and gathered about the Lamb who has freed them by the outpouring of His Blood.

And notice this: he sees no stars, no celebrities. He does not name the apostles, martyrs, or prophets. He does not name kings or reformers or saints commemorated by the Church. They are there, to be sure. But he does not see them or notice them. All he sees are saints. They are all loved and honored by God. It is not so much that they are ordinary. He does notice that they are from every tribe and nation. But his attention is firmly fixed not upon them but upon the Lamb. In this he is like them. For he sees that all the saints and all the holy angels and the four living creature are worshiping the Lamb.

Salvation belongs to the Lamb, to Jesus Christ, and to Him alone. Yet He gives it away to men. These saints around Him are saved. Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might are His. They will be His forever. But He bestows them upon men, men who hated and rebelled against Him, men who forgot or neglected or abandoned Him. He has brought them out of the great tribulation. He has purified them with fire. They suffer no more slander or false accusations. No one steals from them, betrays them, or hurts them.

They are also free of gossip, jealousy, lust, anger, and fear. He has brought them out of sin. No one sins against them and they themselves commit no sins. The later is the greater. For we are more hurt by our own sins than by the sins of others. But they are free. He has made their robes as white as snow, they have no sin. He has cleansed their hearts and consciences. He has distilled them to their finest essence, to their truest selves. For in removing guilt and regret, shame and fear, He has made them truly men as He is truly a Man. He places palms of victory in their hands. They have overcome the evil one by the Blood of the Lamb. They reap the benefits and the glory, of His sacrifice. They reap where they did not sow. They buy and eat without money or cost. He relieves them of all burdens and bestows His own inheritance and perfect love upon them. And of all their joys, here is the greatest: Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, is in their midst. He is with them. That is the definition of “blessed:” to be with Jesus.

This is the Lamb who was slain but who lives. He did not love His life to death. Instead He loved them to the end. For He loves His Father. This He shows in perfect obedience. He does not ask, “Where is the Lamb?” as Isaac did, for He is the Lamb. He looks for no scapegoat, no mercy, no rescue. He lays down His life in perfect love in order to draw all men to Himself and show His love to creation. And so His Father loves Him and in Him He loves them. He loves His saints, washed in Blood, drowned and raised again in water, fed with the Holy Food of the cross and the empty tomb, anointed with His own Holy Spirit. His Name is upon them. And as He is holy so then they are holy. They belong to Him. Salvation is His, so salvation is theirs. The Kingdom is theirs. Their robes are white. The palms are in their hands. Psalms of praise are on their lips. They are His. He is theirs. They are poor, mourning, hungry, and persecuted no more. But they remain in heaven as they were on earth: blessed. For Jesus is theirs and Jesus is with them.

The only difference between them and you is that they have already passed through death and you must still abide in it. Your day will come. Your sins will end. Your sorrow will flee. But even now, like them, you are blessed: Jesus, your Holy Lamb, is in your midst. He is with you. The Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom that is theirs, is yours. You are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, the object of angelic protection and prayers. For you were sealed and anointed in the holy waters of Baptism with the fullest Name of God, not YHWH or Jehovah or the Lord, but the fullest Name. You were sealed with water and the greatest and most intimate Name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You were pulled out of those killing waters to new, everlasting life. You are here today to receive anew the forgiveness of sins, to be absolved, to hear the Word, to pray and praise your God, and to finally join in the most direct communion, to eat His Body and drink His Blood, to have Him come inside of you, to penetrate your heart and soul, to join you to Himself.

The great multitude that John saw was not simply those who had already come to heaven while He was exiled on Patmos. If it were we could expect that St. Mary and his friends and loved ones who had gone before him, and also all the saints of the Old Testament, were there. They were, of course, but there was more. For John saw the culmination of creation. He witnessed the great multitude after the resurrection on the Last Day. When he was transported to heaven he was also transported out of time. So he saw people who weren't even born yet, like St. Augustine, Gregory the Great, Martin Luther, and his own great-grandchildren. And I bring this up because this means that he also saw you. What he describes in chapter 7 is not about “them,” the saints of God. It is about you. These are your people. You are there. St. John looked and saw the American and African, and German and French and Russian and Finnish saints, nations and tribes not yet invented at his time. He looked and saw them all, including you, in white robes, with a palm branches, singing: “Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might are His.” Maybe you didn't know this, but you are in the Bible.

That is your future, foretold in God's Holy Word and seen by St. John. So it does not matter what happens on next week, what they say about you at work, whether your children respect you or not. What matters, what endures, is that the Lamb who was slain lives. He will bring you home. Yours in the Kingdom of Heaven. Yours is blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might. For yours is Jesus.

In + Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Readings November 1-7,2009

Daily Lectionary

November 1 (All Saints’ Day) Deuteronomy 34:1–12; Matthew 21:1–22

November 2 Jeremiah 1:1–19; Matthew 21:23–4611:20–30

November 3 Jeremiah 3:6—4:2; Matthew 22:1–22

November 4 Jeremiah 5:1–19; Matthew 22:23–46

November 5 Jeremiah 7:1–29; Matthew 23:1–12

November 6 Jeremiah 8:18—9:12; Matthew 23:13–39

November 7 Jeremiah 11:1–23; Matthew 24:1–28

Next Weeks Lessons:

the Twenty-second Sunday after trinity

Today's Theme: Forgive Us Our Trespasses

The parable of the Unjust Servant teaches us that in the death of His Son, God has forgiven us a debt that we could not pay. This parable teaches the baptized that forgiveness for those who trespass against us flows from faith in Christ's undeserved forgiveness, and that the refusal to forgive those who trespass against us is a denial of faith in Christ and a rejection of His forgiveness. He forgives us freely by the merits of Jesus alone, that we might live in that free gift of forgiveness especially toward those who have sinned against us.

Collect

O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; 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: Micah 6:6–8

Epistle: Philippians 1:3–11

Gospel: Matthew 18:21–35

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.