Daily readings for March 11-17, 2012

Midweek March 14 – Pastor Michael Strong - Farmersville

Psalm 102  “But You, O Lord, Are Enthroned Forever”

Catechism: What sins should we confess?

Midweek  God’s gift of forgiveness

SUNDAY’S DIVINE SERVICE—THE WOMAN AT THE WELL

Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well teaches us that He is the Savior of all people, especially those who are the most unworthy and the most outcast of society. Samaritans were half-breed Jews who did not believe in the worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. Even more than this, the Samaritan woman is portrayed as a notorious sinner who had had many adulterous relationships. When Jesus is shown to be the Savior of all people, it does not mean that He does not take sin seriously. Quite to the contrary, Jesus exposes this woman’s sin that she might be drawn to Him for forgiveness. The awesome reality of the Gospel is that, even though she is such a notorious sinner, the Lord really does love her and really does desire to save her from her sin by offering to her the water of life. Jesus’ ministry of Law and Gospel to this woman resulted in her conversion. She was brought to repentance and faith in Christ. Out of this repentant faith in Christ, she then began to speak boldly of Him to others who need His salvation. This is always the way it is for those who have been touched by Christ’s salvation.

Next Weeks Lessons: Laetare—The Fourth Sunday In Lent

Old Testament: Isaiah 49:8–13 [Restoration of Israel]

Epistle: Acts 2:41–47 (alternate) [The fellowship of believers]

Holy Gospel: John 6:1–15 [Feeding of the 5000]

The Lord provided bread from heaven for His people in the wilderness. (Exodus 16:2–21) Now He who is Himself the Living Bread from heaven miraculously provides bread for the 5000. (John 6:1–15) This takes place near the time of the Passover, after a great multitude followed Jesus across the Sea, when He went up on a mountain. Thus we see that Jesus is our new and greater Moses, who releases us from the bondage of Mount Sinai and makes us free children of the promise. (Galatians 4:21–31) Five loaves become twelve baskets, that is, the five books of Moses find their goal and fulfillment in Christ, whose people continue steadfastly in the doctrine and fellowship of the twelve apostles, and in the breaking and receiving of the Bread of Life, which is the body of Christ together with His precious blood, and in the prayers. (Acts 2:41–47) So it is that God’s people “shall neither hunger nor thirst.” (Isaiah 49:8–13) For He abundantly provides for them in both body and soul.

Collect: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we implore You that we, who do worthily deserve to be punished for our evil deeds, may mercifully be relieved by the comfort of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

CALENDAR

Saturday       March 10                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

Sunday         March 11                 9:00 am       Bible Class / Sunday School

                                                   10:00 am                            Divine Service

Monday        March 12                                                              Army Duty

Tuesday        March 13                 4:00 pm                   Unity Finance Board

Wednesday   March 14                 5:00 pm                              Confirmation

                                          5:45 – 6:45 pm                        Lenten Luncheon

                                                     7:00 pm            Lenten Midweek Service

                                                     7:30 pm                                              AA

Thursday      March 15                 7:30 am                         Virden Chamber

Friday           March 16                                                  Pastor’s Family Day

Saturday       March 17                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

Daily Lectionary March 11– 17, 2012

March     11              Leviticus 23:1-24:23, Mark 15:33-47, Psalms 32:1-11

March     12                Leviticus 25:1-26:13, Mark 16:1-20, Psalms 33:1-11

March     13                 Leviticus 26:14-27:34, Luke 1:1-25, Proverbs 7:1-5

March     14                    Numbers 1:1-2:9, Luke 1:26-38, Psalms 33:12-22

March     15                  Numbers 2:10-3:51, Luke 1:39-56, Psalms 34:1-10

March     16                  Numbers 4:1-5:10, Luke 1:57-80, Psalms 34:11-22

March     17                                                          Looking ahead to Lent 4

                                                 Isaiah 49:8–13, Acts 2:41–47, John 6:1–15

Daily Readings for March 4 - 10, 2012

Daily Lectionary March 4 – 10, 2012

March  4                    Leviticus 11:1-12:8, Mark 12:13-27, Psalms 30:1-7

March 5                  Leviticus 13:1-59, Mark 12:28-44, Proverbs 6:20-29

March 6                       Leviticus 14:1-57, Mark 13:1-31, Psalms 30:8-12

March 7             Leviticus 15:1-16:34, Mark 13:32-14:16, Psalms 31:1-8

March 8                Leviticus 17:1-18:30, Mark 14:17-42, Psalms 31:9-18

March 9             Leviticus 19:1-20:27, Mark 14:43-72, Proverbs 6:30-35

March 10           Looking ahead to Lent 3   

                          Exodus 8:16–24; Jeremiah 26:1–15; Ephesians 5:1–9; Luke 11:14–28

Look forward to Third Sunday in LenT (Oculi)

Exodus 8:16–24 or Jeremiah 26:1–15; Ephesians 5:1–9; Luke 11:14–28

Jesus Overcomes the Strong Man

Jeremiah was charged with speaking evil when he spoke the Word of the Lord (Jeremiah 26:1–15). So also, Jesus is accused of doing evil when in fact He is doing good. He casts out a demon from a mute man so that he is able to speak (Luke 11:14–28). But some said Jesus did this by the power of Beelzebub, Satan. Like Pharaoh of old, their hearts were hard (Exodus 8:16–24). They did not recognize the finger of God, the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through Jesus. Jesus is the Stronger Man who overcomes the strong man. He takes the devil’s armor of sin and death and destroys it from the inside out by the holy cross. He exorcizes and frees us by water and the Word. We were once darkness, but now we are light in Christ the Lord (Ephesians 5:1–9). As children of light, our tongues are loosed to give thanks to Him who saved us.

Lutherans for Life – www.lutheransforlife.org

Life Thought As the people of Jesus’ day, we too live in an “adulterous and sinful generation” (Mark 8:38). When in fear we fail to speak God’s truth, are we ashamed of Jesus? When in apathy we fail to speak up for those who cannot speak, are we ashamed of Jesus? All of us in so many ways through our words, thoughts, deeds, and silence profess we are ashamed of Jesus. Where is our hope? “Till then—nor is the boasting vain—Till then I boast a Savior slain. And oh, may this my portion be, That Christ is not ashamed of me!” 

 Life Quote: “From the time of conception to the hour we leave our mortal bodies, God is intimately involved in planning out who and what we are to be, assembling us together, growing us, guiding us, correcting us, forgiving and restoring us as needed, until we become all that He has in mind for us.” Gaylan Mathiesen, Ph.D., professor of mission and evangelism, Lutheran Brethren Seminary, Fergus Falls, Minnesota

  

CALENDAR

Saturday         March 3                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

Sunday           March 4                 9:00 am       Bible Class / Sunday School

                                                   10:00 am                            Divine Service

Monday          March 5                 7:00 pm            Call Meeting @ Nokomis

Wednesday     March 7                 5:00 pm                              Confirmation

                                          5:45 – 6:45 pm                        Lenten Luncheon

                                                     7:00 pm            Lenten Midweek Service

                                                     7:30 pm                                              AA

Friday             March 9                                                  Pastor’s Family Day

Saturday       March 10                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

Sermon for Lent 2 March 4 - 5, 2012

March 4-5, 2012

Reminiscere

Matthew 15:21-28

“Remember O Lord”

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

Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses for they have been ever of old.

Truth, Lord. We are dogs. We are not the lost sheep of the house of Israel. We deserve worse than simply being ignored. Our ancestors according to blood were pagans and heathen. They did not wrestle with You in the desert. They did not keep Your Law. Yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the Master´s table. Remember, O Lord, Your mother and Your brothers are those who keep Your Word. Truth, Lord. The dogs eat and are satisfied. They are held and scratched and loved. Let us be doorkeepers in Your House and dogs at Your table. For without You we cease. Without You we go the lord below who seeks to dominate and destroy, who rules a kingdom of perfect equity and punishment, who would give us all that we deserve. Spare us, O Lord, or there is no hope!

Truth, Lord. The lord below (The Devil) has been our lord for too long. He has sorely abused us. His flattery and promises evaporate like cobwebs in the sun. He never delivers or satisfies. He always hurts us. The only thing he feeds is our addictions. We are dying, humiliated, dirty from his touch. And we are afraid. Remember, O Lord, You defeated him in the desert for us. You stopped his accusations on the cross.

Truth, Lord. We have brought much of this misery upon ourselves. We have complicated our sad lives with lies and vain plotting. We have risked everything that You have given us for a moment´s pleasure. We have become such crass story tellers, weavers of half-truths and practitioners of deception. We´ve even tried to fool ourselves but we lie awake at night and know the truth. Even though we´ve learned to wipe our hard drives, eliminate evidence, pretend forgetfulness, we are still haunted by our guilt. We have manipulated and bullied, stolen and coveted, gossiped and slandered, seeking always to steal what we did not need or truly desire. And no matter how much we are honored and respected by men, we know that You know the truth. We have been so stupid, so selfish, and so vain! We have committed adultery with more than our hearts, and against more than our wives. We have been deceitful and betraying. Our friends, our children, and our wives have borne the brunt.

Truth, Lord. We are afraid. We are weary. We cannot take much more. We have nearly ruined almost everything You ever gave, and now, even our children, our darling, laughing, running little children, the greatest trust You ever bestowed, they are afflicted with our demons. We invited demons in for the party and they never left. They defile our children. They drag them down with us and shatter all our dreams for the television and Hollywood only produce what we buy. Despair and depravity, loneliness and regret, are all we know on our own. But we are not on our own. Remember, O Lord, for You have promised: I am with you always.

We ask not for justice. We ask only for mercy. We do not ask for another chance. We ask for restoration, for redemption, for intervention. We ask that You keep Your Word. Be our God. Crush the serpent´s head. Be merciful. Be gracious. Love us and forgive our sins. Wash us clean. Make us Your people again. We are not worthy and we cannot make demands. We are but beggars, afraid, and in danger. So we beg. We plead. Keep Your Word. Be merciful. Be gracious. Be our God. O Lord, Son of David, have mercy upon us. Relieve us of these demons. Send us limping away if you must, but give us a blessing according to Your Word. We are not better than our fathers, but You are. Remember, O Lord, that our people are not defined by blood and genealogies but by faith. We are the sons of Abraham. We beseech You on behalf of his inheritance.

For this death You died, alone and without comfort, You died for all. You died even for us dogs and beggars and traitors ruled by our stomachs, even for us sleepy disciples who cannot stay awake, even for us sex feigns, murderers, cheaters, and scoundrels. You died for us! You rose for us! You satisfied all that Justice asked. You quenched the Father´s Wrath. You paid the devil´s ransom. You defeated death and Hell and pronounced us to be Your own. You have declared us righteous and promised that no one can snatch us away from You. You woke Lazarus up from his sleep in the earth. You pronounced peace in the upper room. You bought back Eve from the serpent. You made her not just Your daughter, but also now Your Bride along with Adam! You will do the same for us. Your Word cannot lie. Give us faith. Give us hope. Have mercy, O Lord, Son of David. Teach us to number our days. Deliver us from evil. Cause us to ever remember You, to proclaim Your death, in the eating and the drinking of Your Body and Your Blood, for it is our comfort, our Life, and our future, and has been from of old. Let us be dogs at Your table eating the crumbs of grace. Truth, Lord.

In + Jesus' Name. Amen.

Sermon for Lent 1 February 26, 2012

“A Mighty Fortress”

Text: Luke 4:1-13 (Romans 10:8b-13)

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

The First Sunday in Lent is traditionally set aside to remember the temptation of Jesus. When fresh off His baptism in the Jordan River, and the voice from Heaven that said, “You are my beloved Son,” (Luke 3:22) the Spirit leads Jesus out into the wilderness to fast and pray for forty days and forty nights. Not as punishment, but as a time of preparation for his public ministry; for the work He was about to begin. And while Jesus is out there, alone and hungry, Satan decides to take advantage of this opportunity. And so comes to Jesus and tempts Him to sin.

Now, whenever I’ve read this story (and maybe you’re like me) – I’ve always pictured the devil coming to Jesus in a very confrontational way. If . . . you are the Son of God, Satan says. Challenging the assertion. Trying to get Jesus to prove it. Trying to get Jesus to doubt it. If you are the Son of God, your Father wouldn’t be treating you this way. It can’t possibly be true.

And I guess I’ve always thought of it that way for Satan confronts us that way too, doesn’t he? Especially when difficulties come. When struggles and suffering come. When trial and uncertainty and darkness is all that seems ahead for us. Sometimes we get that little, nagging, doubting voice in our heads, don’t we? You think you’re a child of God? Really! Would a heavenly Father treat His child this way? Wouldn’t He make sure this stuff doesn’t happen to you? Really, isn’t this proof that you’re not who you think you are? Don’t believe it! You’ve been deceived.

So I think that’s part of it. And I think those thoughts have caused a lot of people to doubt and fall away. But I also think there’s more to it than that. For Jesus in this story, and for us. For I don’t think Satan puts all his eggs in one basket. And there’s another way he comes to us and tempts us. Another way he gets under our skin and into our minds. Another way he gets us to listen and lead us astray. And if he does it to us, then he also did it to Jesus, who (we are told) was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) And that other way is not by coming to us and confronting us, by coming to us and looking like our best friend.

And so imagine it like that, that day in the wilderness. . . . Jesus, listen – I’m not the enemy at all! I’m your friend. And (as it looks now) your only friend! I’m here to help. To make thing easier. For you’re the Son of God, right? And if you’re the Son of God, why are you hungry? Just make some food for yourself. That’s not hard for you! What’s the harm in that? You’re Father would understand. . . .

And if you’ve come for the kingdoms of the world – look, let’s stop this! I’ll just give them to you. If you just acknowledge that they’re mine, I’ll let you have them! We don’t have to be on opposite sides, you know. Why can’t we just get along? . . .

And speaking of that, why are you out here all by yourself? This is no place and no way to get people to follow you! Look, I know these people. Let me help you out. I’ve got a plan! Show the people who you are – you know, your power and glory! Throw yourself off the Temple. You won’t get hurt. For you’re the Son of God, right? And if you’re the Son of God, then you got angels all around to help you. Hey, they’ll add to the show! . . . Won’t that be better than this?

A better way than God’s way. Isn’t that how Satan convinced Adam and Eve? Isn’t that how he got to the children of Israel? And isn’t that how he gets us too? . . . Look, I’m here to help! Really! There’s more than one wisdom. There’s more than one truth. There’s more than one way. Your Father will understand. It’s not that bad. If it feels good it can’t be wrong. Can’t we just get along? Just do what comes naturally. Everyone’s doing it. Times have changed. . . .

And we fall for it, don’t we? I know I do! I wish I could say I was like Jesus. Who resisted the confrontation. Who resisted the “best friend” act. Who put down the lies and false promises of Satan with the Word of God. Seeing through his tricks and sending him packing. And trusting His Father. No matter what. Even when it didn’t look good. Even in the wilderness. Even on the cross!

Sometimes I do that. Mostly I don’t. I know I should, but I find that I can’t. (Romans 7) I am too weak. I am too sinful. I want to be like Jesus. I do! You too, I know. Fresh off our baptisms, fresh out of Church and absolution . . . But we are not.

And so it’s important today to see Jesus here not as our example – in how to do battle against the devil and win! To buck us up and get us to try harder next time. No! But to see Him here as our Savior – the One who did do battle against the devil, for us who are weak and sinful; for us in our place – and won! Jesus is not showing us how to fight, but fighting for us! One on one. A new Adam, against the same old enemy. Or as Luther wrote, and as we just sang: “But for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected.” (LSB #656 v 2)

And He took it all. Luke slipped that in there at the end: When the devil had ended every temptation. Not just these three, but every temptation. A much greater weight than we will ever feel! For we usually cave long before we feel even half the devil’s force and weight of craft and temptation. But Jesus felt it all – its full and cumulative weight pressing down hard. Here in the wilderness, and on the cross – when “the opportune time” came for Satan again. When on the cross not just one sin, or one person’s sin, or one nation’s sin, or all believers’ sins, but every sin from the beginning of the world already committed, and every sin unto the end of the world yet to be committed – were laid upon Him. And that familiar voice returned: if you are the Son of God . . . Challenging Him. Befriending Him. There’s a better way . . . an easier way . . . I’m here to help, Jesus!

But Jesus stayed, in the wilderness, and on the cross. To atone for your sin. And what looked like defeat in His death, turned out to be triumph in His resurrection.

And that victory is our victory too! The victory we could never accomplish on our own, but now ours by grace through faith. Now ours as we are baptized into Jesus’ triumphant death and resurrection. Now ours as we eat His body and drink His blood. Ours, for we are not on our own, but now we live in Him and He is us. And so His life is my life. And yours. For all He did He did for you. His birth, His circumcision, His life. His temptation, His obedience, his faith. His suffering, His death, His burial, His resurrection, His ascension. All yours. All given to you when you hear those wonderful words: I forgive you all your sins.

For forgiveness is not getting off the hook. Forgiveness is getting a new life. The life of Christ, given to you. The life of Christ that will never end. Because, as St. Paul wrote, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. You will be saved from the devil, from your sin, from yourself. You will be saved, not because of what you did, because you said the right words – but because of what Jesus did for you. You will be saved, for you have a Savior. Who fought for you, and won!

 Satan will make you try to forget that, and rely on yourself. He’ll make you try to doubt it, and think yourself unworthy. He’ll try to make you think he’s your best friend and has a better way. And he will not give up. And so Jesus taught us to pray: And lead us not into temptation. And what do we mean when we pray this? Father, rescue me, for only you can. Don’t leave me on my own! Send Your Spirit to guard and keep me. Your Spirit, to lead me to Christ and keep me in Christ. In Christ, where I am safe. In Christ, where is my life and victory. In His flesh and blood – in the wilderness, on the cross, and on the altar. That I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. (Small Catechism, explanation to the Second Article)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, do not underestimate the enemy. But also remember who won. For that is the message this day. That against the devil and all his works and all his ways, we have A Mighty Fortress. A Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11) In the Name of the Father, and of the (+) Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Daily Readings for February 26-March 3, 2012

Lent Midweek February 29 – Pastor Stuenkel - Sherman

Psalm 38    “Make Haste to Help Me”

Catechism: What do you believe according to these words?

SUNDAY’S DIVINE SERVICE—JESUS GIVES US VICTORY OVER SATAN

In this first temptation, and first sin, we see the importance of God's Word. God's Word was spoken to Adam when God gave him freedom to enjoy all that was in the Garden of Eden. To eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was not good for it was not given them by God. Man fell into sin when he turned away from that Word that gave Him life.

In today’s wonderful epistle of encouragement, St. Paul teaches that Jesus is the Second Adam who, by His faithful and obedient suffering unto death, did what Adam failed to do. He trusted in the Father for us. He died in our place. He fulfilled the whole will and Law of God for us. It is called the “blessed exchange” that just as the disobedience of Adam brought sin and death “to the many” so the obedience of Christ brings righteousness, life, and salvation “to the many” through faith in Him. The First Sunday in Lent celebrates our Lord’s victory over Satan in His temptation in the wilderness. Man fell into sin when he turned away from that Word that gave Him life. The season of Lent is a time to return to our Baptism in which our "Old Adam" is drowned in repentance and the “New Man” is made alive through the Word of our Savior. Jesus used God's Word to defeat Satan's attacks. God's Word is our defense too. We especially need to rely on God's promises of forgiveness through Christ. Jesus’ ministry began with His temptation in the wilderness, not simply to give us an example of how we can overcome temptations, nor to show Jesus as our coach, who says, “See, I did it, so can you!” Rather, it is to show Jesus as the faithful Man for us, our Savior, who says, “See, I did it for you!” This is why He is our faithful high priest from whom we can receive grace to help us in every time of need.

LUTHERAN HOUR   February 26

"Repent" Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus
Is repentance important? Is repentance necessary? The answer is an unqualified "yes." True, Jesus loves us as we are-but He never leaves us as we were. (Mark 1:14-15)

WSMI              Carlinville, IL              1540    AM      Sun      9:30 am
WLUJ              Springfield, IL             89.7     FM       Sun      3:00 pm
WLLM             Lincoln, IL                   1370    AM      Sun      7:00 am

WLLM             Lincoln, IL                   1370    AM      Sun      7:00 pm

Daily Lectionary February 26 – March 3, 2012

February 26                                 Psalm 77, Job 4:1-21, Ephesians 2:1-10

February 27                                    Psalm 77, Job 5:8-27, 1 Peter 3:8-18a

February 28                          Psalm 77, Proverbs 30:1-9, Matthew 4:1-11

February 29      Psalm 22:23-31, Genesis 15:1-6, 12-18, Romans 3:21-31

March 1                          Psalm 22:23-31, Genesis 16:1-6, Romans 4:1-12

March 2                          Psalm 22:23-31, Genesis 16:7-15, Mark 8:27-30

March 3                                                             Looking ahead to Lent 2

                   Genesis 32:22–32, 1 Thessalonians 4:1–7, Matthew 15:21–28

Look forward to Second Sunday in LenT (Reminiscere)

Genesis 32:22–32; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–7 or Romans 5:1–5; Matthew 15:21–28

Holding God to His Word

Jacob wrestled with God; he would not let Him go until he received a blessing from Him (Genesis 32:22–32). So it was with the Canaanite woman. Though Jesus seemed to ignore and reject her, she continued to call upon His name and look to Him for help (Matthew 15:21–28). Even when the Lord called her a little dog, she held on to Him in faith and would not let Him wriggle out of His words: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” This Gentile woman shows herself to be a true Israelite, who struggles with God and man in Christ and prevails. “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire” (Matthew 15:27–28). This is the sanctifying will of God (1 Thessalonians 4:1–7)—to test your faith in order that it may be refined and strengthened. For tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope in Christ does not disappoint (Romans 5:1–5).

CALENDAR

Saturday   February 25                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

Sunday     February 26                 9:00 am       Bible Class / Sunday School

                                                   10:00 am                            Divine Service

Wednesday February 29                5:00 pm                              Confirmation

                                          5:45 – 6:45 pm                        Lenten Luncheon

                                                     7:00 pm            Lenten Midweek Service

                                                     7:30 pm                                              AA

Thursday        March 1                 9:00 am                     LWML Bible Study

Friday             March 2                                                  Pastor’s Family Day

Saturday         March 3                 5:30 pm                            Divine Service

Ash Wednesday Sermon 2012

Ash Wednesday

God’s Gift of Forgiveness

Save Me Because of Your Unfailing Love (Psalm 6 )

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

Our text for tonight is the Psalm for Ash Wednesday, Psalm 6.

Lent in many ways is a journey. We journey with our Lord to the cross and deal with the forgiveness of our sins. Each week we will hear a portion of the reading of the Passion story of our Lord, and we will reflect upon our Lord’s death and what that means to sinners like you and me. That reflection is a familiar part of Lent.

It would be easy to make a journey like that as far as the journey goes. A trip down memory lane. A stroll through the story of Jesus’ death. But Lent in the Church really has two focuses: First, it is a time to reflect on Christ’s Passion and death. Second, it is a time of learning and spiritual renewal through the Word of God. In the Early Church it was during Lent that those preparing for Baptism received their final instructions in the faith before being baptized. So what we will be doing this Lent is hearing about Christ’s Passion and death, and about what that has to do with who we are as Christians who need Confession and Absolution.

Take a look once again at Psalm 6, which we prayed a few minutes ago. This is a psalm of David belonging to a group we call the penitential psalms. The word penitence or penitential is related to another very Lutheran word: repentance. What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from your sins and turning to Christ for forgiveness. Repentance, then, is ultimately a gift from God, because only God can turn the sinners heart toward Him. It reminds me of Luther’s words about Baptism in the Small Catechism:

What does such baptizing with water indicate?
It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

This process of contrition and repentance is daily, not once. Law and Gospel. Sin and forgiveness. This is the cycle of the Christian life. That is why we continue to repent and receive absolution. That is why we go to the Lord’s Supper week after week. It is about living the Christian life, not simply knowing right answers.

This is what God is going to teach us in the penitential psalms. In Psalm 6 David begins by lamenting that it seems like God has abandoned him. Law. God is angry with David, and so David prays that God will have mercy on him because he is weak and troubled.

Where does this start for you? What does this tell you about God? Well, it first of all tells you that God hates sin, and that when you sin, God hates you. Does that sound harsh? You bet! God’s Law is very harsh. As the psalmist writes in Psalm 5, “You hate all evildoers” (5:5). The Law doesn’t wink at sin. You and I try to wink at sin. Yes, our sin is bad, but let’s just ignore it. This is like saying, “My cancer isn’t that bad; it’s just on the top of my skin.” You can’t ignore sin. Sooner or later it will dig in and do it’s work of destruction.

But let’s go on to verse two of Psalm 6. David prays that the Lord will be gracious to him and heal him. Like blind Bartimaeus, or the Canaanite woman, David is not going to let God off the hook just like God won’t let David off the hook. You see, David knows God’s true character. He hates for a time but loves for eternity.

Now think again about the effect that this sin has on David. He is faint, his bones are in agony, his soul is in anguish. He even cries out, “No one remembers You when he is dead. Who praises You from the grave? (cf. v. 5). David is afraid for his very life. Worn out from groaning, flooded with tears, eyes, weak with sorrow, fail because of all his foes.

David’s picture in Psalm 6 of the effect of sin is profound and even painful. It’s a picture that makes you squirm. It makes me squirm. I don’t like to talk about my sinfulness or think about it. I would much rather think of myself as a basically nice person. I’m a Christian, and that means all this sin talk is for someone else. But remember, David was also a Christian. David grew up in a household that looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. Sin isn’t just something that unbelievers have to deal with and address. I think sometimes in the Church we can get the mistaken idea that sin and forgiveness is for the bad people, but that the Christians just praise God because He’s so great. Well, that’s a false comparison. The angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents. That means you.

There is hope. That is the message of Psalm 6. No matter how messed up your life has become. No matter how far down the path of sin you have trod. No matter what nightmares trouble you and pain you have caused to yourself and to others. God is merciful and forgiving. He hates the sinner for breaking the Law, BUT because of Jesus Christ, God loves the sinner even more. He loved you so much that His Son, Jesus, went to the cross and died for you. God hates the sinner, and He took all of that wrath out on the cross. God’s unfailing love will put you back together when nothing else can. Only God can scatter your enemies: sin, death, and the devil. Only the mercy of God in Jesus Christ can turn your life around and remake you in the waters of Baptism. Only God has given His Son in a Holy Meal to feed you and forgive you.

This Lent we are taking a journey together. We are taking a journey together to the cross of Jesus Christ. On this journey we are going to learn about God’s mercy for lost sinners like you and like me. We are going to hear about God’s gift of forgiveness that He gives in confession and absolution. For some of you, this will be a journey that you’ve taken before many times. But for most, this may be a new journey, or at least a new path on this same journey. Confessing your sins, not generically but specifically, is a hard thing. So hard, in fact, that many will never even try it. But I am here today to hold up God’s gift of forgiveness to you, and everything He has to give in His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer (cf. Psalm 6:9). In the name of Jesus. Amen.