Latin Names for Advent Services

In case you were wondering about those Latin words for the Sundays in Advent....

Advent I
Ad Te Levavi
from Psalm 24
in Latin = Ad te levavi animam meam
in English =Unto thee have I lifted up my soul

Advent II
Populus Sion
from Psalm 30
in Latin = Populus Sion, ecce Dominus veneit et ad salvandas gentes
in English =People of Zion behold, the Lord is coming to save all nations

Advent III
Gaudete
from Philemon 4
in Latin = Gaudete in Domino semper
in English = Rejoice in the Lord always

Advent IV
Rorate
from Isaiah 45
in Latin = Rorate caeli desuper, et nubes pluant iustrum
in English = Drop down ye heavens from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness

Advent 1 - Ad Te Levavi - 11-29-09

The Church Season of Advent
Advent 1 – Ad Te Levavi
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI November 29, 2009

“Your King comes to you this day”

Readings:
Jeremiah 23:5-8
Psalm 24
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 21:1-9

+INI+

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

The text for today’s message is as recorded in the Gospel lesson from the 21st chapter of Matthew, especially the following verses,

Matthew 21:1-9 (ESV)

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The paraments of our altar have changed to the royal color of purple. The Advent of our Lord is upon us, and how is it that the Lord of lords, the King of kings approaches the Holy city of Jerusalem? Scripture tells us, “See your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.”(v. 5) Oh that we could re-create that day. Many try, in fact thousands upon thousands have visited the Holy Land, seeking to walk where Jesus walked. They wish to see the road where He walked into the city. People wish to see where He was tried, convicted and crucified. They seek to find Jesus by lighting a candle, going to a grotto, by praying the right words. They think to themselves, If only I could see where those crowds were gathered, if only I could bring home a little dust from the Holy Land. But Jesus can not be sifted from the sands of Jerusalem, nor captured by our hands or our imaginations. No, your King Jesus Christ comes to you.

He comes as an unexpected ruler, a man who does not fit our minds eye for the design of someone who is the creator and ruler of the universe. Neither you nor the crowds of ancient Jerusalem came to Jesus. No that is not how the prophecy goes, for it was written it this way, “Your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”(v.5)

“Your King comes to you this Day”

And that crowd so many years ago, as Jesus approached Jerusalem, they threw their cloaks on the ground, and they laid down a carpet of palm leaves for the Messiah. He came to them. Very possibly the same people who would less than a week later cry "Crucify Him." Fickle crowd eh? Yet in that swing from cheers to jeers there is a warning here for us all. For one day we may praise God to the highest heaven for what He has done and the next day we may be despondent and blame God for all our ills. But quite frankly in spite of you and what you have done, your King still comes to you. Not in some abstract time or place, He comes for you, right here, right now, this very day.

And how would that be, you may ask? Well, today we have the honor of celebrating many good gifts from God. Among these gifts, today we will welcome two new members to our church, Ryan and Bridgett. And today we will celebrate and witness both the Sacraments of God. For today, in just a few minutes, Bridgett will be baptized. So the King Jesus Christ comes here in our midst for her.

Yet this is not the first encounter Christ has had with Bridgett. She has attended services and heard the Word of God, in many and various places. She has attended weeks of classes here delving into the scriptures, asking questions, hearing the Word of God. Now we gathered here would say, “then today is the conclusion, that is, God will finally come to her in the baptismal font.” But that would not be correct, she does not come here by her own reason and strength. She does not come here based upon some crafty marketing plans or by endless planning meetings, nor by her works or by the work of any others. Truthfully, she comes here the same way you did. The same way all God’s children arrive at the foot of the baptismal font. She heard the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit worked faith in her.

But wait you say, she’s an adult, when I was baptized I was a child. Yes, and you heard the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit worked faith in you too. Your faith and God’s grace are a gift. Faith and grace are not what you have done, nor what someone has done for you. You did not receive faith because you were carried to the font as an infant, or because you walked to the font as an adult. No matter what age, you heard the Word of God, and when it pleased the Holy Spirit, He brought you to faith.

Indeed, Bridgett will be made a child of God. Just like you in your baptism, today Bridgett will die to sin, and out of that water combined with God’s Word she will be re-born. She will live to Christ and be given grace upon grace. Today all of heaven sings, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”(v.9) The King comes to her this very day. Today all of heaven will rejoice on the account of just one, just like when all of heaven rejoiced on your baptismal day.

And today you will witness miracle upon miracle. For not only will Bridgett be made a child of God today, she will also be welcomed to Holy Communion. To partake of both Holy Sacraments in one day is a special blessing. And how many sacraments are there? Only two, Baptism and Holy Communion. And what is a Sacrament? It is a sacred act instituted by God, in which God Himself has joined His Word of promise to a visible element, and by which He offers, gives, and seals the forgiveness of sins earned by Christ. Notice carefully, that in both sacraments, Christ the King comes to you, and He comes to you this day.

Martin Luther said of Christ, “He is a peculiar King: you do not seek him, He seeks you; you do not find him, He finds you; for the preachers come from Him not from you; their preaching come from Him not from you; your faith comes from Him not from you; and all that your faith works in you comes from Him not from you.”

It is Christ who comes for you, you do not proceed to Him. What proceeds from us is not worthy of this King, what comes from us is a bedraggled mixture of praise when things are good and blame when things are bad. Rather, Jesus teaches us to see our earthly trials and struggles are more than physical: they are spiritual. And for that we should warn Bridgett, for upon becoming a child of God, the devil, the world, and temptation for sin, will be doubled against her.

But now your King, God Incarnate has come to you, and He gives you respite from all these attacks. When worn down by the things of the world, look to your baptism, it was then Your King came for you. Whether your physical health be challenged or your world seems to crumble about you, rejoice for Your King came for you. Faith by nature does not judge nor reason by what it sees and feels, but by what it hears. Faith depends upon the Word alone and not on vision or sight. You who believe in Christ must find riches in poverty, honor in dishonor, joy in sorrow, life in death, and hold fast to them, for your King has come to you. Jesus is that King who gives you faith which clings to the Word and expects such things.

Into Jerusalem Jesus came as the King riding on a donkey. Today Jesus comes to you in the hearing of His Word, in the bread and wine, in His the true body and blood. He comes for you Bridgett, He comes for all of you too. For Christ who once came to us in a lowly form now rules all of creation. Our King Jesus Christ comes to you this day and every day to give to you eternal life.

AMEN

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

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Thanksgiving Eve - 11-25-09

The Church Season of Trinity
Thanksgiving Eve, One Year Series
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (November 25, 2009)

“Thanksgiving”

Readings:
Psalm 67
Deuteronomy 8:1-10
Philippians 4:6-20
Luke 17:11-19

Sermon Form Deductive

+INI+

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The text for today is as recorded in the Old Testament Lesson from the 8th chapter of Deuteronomy, especially the following verse:

Deuteronomy 8:1-10 (ESV)

[God said]10 And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Thanksgiving is steeped with tradition, it surrounds us, and engulfs us. It is a time to gather together with family and friends. A time to tell the old family stories that have been told a thousand times before. We remember the Thanksgiving days from a few years ago and we remember those days we experienced in our youth. Some Thanksgivings we recall were better than others, in fact some we remember just because of the things that didn’t quite go right. Some past Thanksgiving gatherings we remember and cherish because several of those people with whom we broke bread are no longer sitting at the table with us. Thanksgiving is indeed a time for gathering together family and friends, old acquaintances and new, old memories join with new memories. Tradition is somehow upheld, even though reality tells us tradition slowly changes.

It’s true. For as a youth, your tradition was to sit at the kids table. That small little gathering off to the side of the main event. But sometime in your youth, your gaze slipped from the little friends, your little glasses, and your little plates, over toward the big people and the big table. And so as is the tradition, somewhere in time, the big table adds another chair. In turn, the little table becomes the despised place, and quite frankly being sent to the little table is a total disaster should a long lost adult show up and push you back down. But with little thanks and very little thought of your own, one day your place is finally secured. Somewhere, somehow, the spot at the table of honor became a forgone conclusion.

But as the change in tradition would have it, only a few years later, some found themselves at a new table, where there is only one familiar face. But from that face you are comforted because you came with someone who looks at you with loving eyes. Yet there are traditions in this new place which don’t seem quite right. Not the way you’ve known, and not the way you would do it. But still that stolen glance from the one who brought you to the dance, makes all the sense of old tradition to slip to near nonsense.

And when that glance and stolen look from the one whom you love becomes greater than any tradition could ever be... Then, right then, you find that you have two meals to attend, and now two traditions that your memory must amend. Now the next challenge is which meal with which family comes first in the order of the Thanksgiving day. Yet just as soon as the schedule is addressed, then somehow off to the side, your glance goes astray, and at the little table, you see new faces begin to join, the family has somehow grown. Then you say, My God, my God how the time has passed away.

Then comes that day when your glance is turned again. Your stare is now at the clock or out the window to see when the arrival will begin. But, the table is prepared, it’ll be okay. Yet you still wonder will you host it as good as it has always been in the past? The tradition has come full circle. The old tradition is now new. The guests are seated and with thanksgiving hands are joined, the meal is blessed, and so it continues, just as it has begun, just as it was changed, just as it has always been.

And somewhere along life’s journey, whether after the meal you sit in the chair, or whether you gather the remnants of that meal gone by...Maybe, just maybe you’ll see the unseen the things that we really should see. One of course, the best unknown for supporting role, the table underneath the bread and over which the prayers are said.

But there is one who is yet greater even still. I pray that from your gaze upon that table you’ll close your eyes, and turn your thoughts to a table of fellowship with food from paradise. For it is Jesus Christ Himself that brought you His love into fellowship with Himself. He, not your table, is the one who blessed you as His child. Jesus Christ is the incarnate Word who gazed upon you with His love. It is He whose Word which was combined with water to welcome you into His family. And that forever family revealed, given, and shed for you was confirmed in the Name of the Triune of God, the Father Son, and Holy Spirit. Christ’s Name upon your heart and upon your forehead, moved you up and out of death and sin to the greater table of fellowship which has no end.

And that love of Christ is just for you, you are His blessed bride for all time. For Jesus has always gazed upon you even through pain and love. In the water and the Word Jesus gives you a new tradition of thanksgiving with His body and His blood. And even more He gives you to drink, “to the thirsty He will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”(Rev 21:6) A new fellowship at Christ’s table He now gathers you and all the saints of heaven.

There Jesus Christ will feed you for today, and for all your tomorrows. Yet even greater still with Christ’s body and blood you’ll receive an eternal supply of your heavenly bread. As you approach His table in repentant bow, Jesus erases, He forgives all your errors of the here and now. Your sins are forgiven, your sins are forgotten, now all are joined by not only hands and hearts, but as all redeemed in the body of Christ. Christ is He who is beyond all time, yet for His love of you He steps into time. And when gathered at that heavenly feast, you’ll not have even the inkling to say, my God, my God how the time has passed away.

For it was not you, but it was Jesus Christ who said My God, My God. And it is our sin marred gaze that would seem to make it Him whose time had passed away. For only days before His death, Jesus gave His Holy food, upon a table made of wood. But that table was set on end. And wood became the cross, from which God Incarnate gazed at you the world’s most lost. Yet from the cross the thanksgiving feast became complete, it is finished, and it was Jesus who was prepared. In three days time Jesus rose again and so that same meal of Him is now among us shared. A new tradition, yet an unchanging heavenly place, the guests are not seated, but rather kneel with bowed face.

This eternal Thanksgiving meal which Jesus blessed, it is for you, you no longer serve the Thanksgiving meal, the meal now serves you. By Jesus Christ you are redeemed and you have been blessed to move up to that greater table of the eternal Thanksgiving fest. Jesus Christ bids you to enjoy, remember, the meal tomorrow with good gifts of food, family, and friends. Jesus bids you to know that you will enjoy a greater feast that never ends. Then, rejoicing we'll finally pray, My God, My God how wonderful it is that your time will never pass away. So we praise and give thanksgiving not only for the meal just for tomorrow, we sing together, “All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given, The Son and Him who reigns with them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, whom earth and heav’n adore; for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.”(LSB#895) Amen.

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The Last Sunday in the Church Year - 11-22-09

The Church Season of Trinity
The Last Sunday in the Church Year, One Year Series
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (November 22, 2009)

“Be Prepared”

Readings:
Psalm 149
Isaiah 65:17:25
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon Form Deductive

+INI+

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 25th chapter of St. Matthew, especially the following verses:

Matthew 25:1-13

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Today is the Last Sunday in the Church Year and we hear the parable of the ten virgins with their ten lamps. We know that these verses of scripture elude and teach of the return of Christ. This scripture also reminds us that we have completed another church year and it is only November. Next week is the first Sunday in Advent and then in a few short weeks we will be celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A bit strange isn’t it, this week the end of all times, the next four weeks of Advent. The first week of Advent about Christ’s birth, the second about His return, the third about the beginning of His ministry, and the fourth the announcement of His birth. A kind of odd jumping around a bit isn’t it. From being prepared for an immediate return to being prepared for His immediate entrance into the world. Well no matter how random it may sound the message is clear, Christ is the bridegroom and He comes for His bride the church. He comes to you as an infant. He comes to you in the Words of John the Baptist crying in the wilderness. He comes to you through the Holy Spirit who spoke through angels to Mary. He comes to you at an unknown time, and an unknown hour to lift you up from this earth to your eternal home. Are you..

Prepared

That same question will be asked thousands of times in the next few weeks. Are you prepared for the Holidays? Meaning do you have the turkey for Thanksgiving and the Ham for Christmas? Do you have the cookies and pies made, the stuffing purchased. What about those potatoes? You know we have to have regular and sweet potatoes. Did you hear about all those deals for the Friday after Thanksgiving? Maybe that will get us well on our way for our shopping for Christmas. Do you know when the office party is? What time is Thanksgiving with the children? Do the in-laws have the kids in the morning or do you? How am I supposed to cook when I’ve got to go to the airport to pick someone up? Are you going to ring the bells for that charity? Are we getting out the Christmas lights? Did you see the sale at Wal-mart or Meier, actually GFS has a better deal? Are you going to Dow Gardens for the Festival of Lights? What nights are the school concerts? When is the cookie and candy sale? Do Advent Mid-Week services really start in two weeks?

Stop..... What if the door just closed? What if the bridegroom just came? What if all those random series of scattered thoughts about things, people, and events have so filled our minds that we are surprised to find ourselves suddenly outside? What if allowed had our faith to be so pressed in from all sides thinking of things, that Christ came and we were not prepared? What if, we have so worn ourselves out with the thoughts of preparing for two holidays, that we don’t have time left over for Christ?

The parable in the Gospel lesson is a sermon by Jesus to us. And the topic of the sermon is the end of the world. Are we prepared? Christ the bridegroom is approaching.

Some of the attendants, half in fact were called foolish: they didn’t take any extra fuel along with them for their lamps. The other half were wise and took extra oil with them, they were prepared.

The ten virgins represent the people who wait for Christ’s appearing. Some were ready, some were not. Some wait in faith, some do not. Some wait prepared and vigilant, others with callous indignation. Some Christians say they look forward to Christ’s return. But even the non-believers of this world know that not all church members are true Christians. And Jesus was pointing that out too, when he said that five of these virgins were foolish.

There are some who do expect the Lord’s return. But, the foolish are those who think they are prepared for the Lord, but really they are not. Perhaps some of them are the lukewarm Christians who attend church only out of habit who neglect their Bible reading, or their worship attendance. Or maybe they do not make diligent use of the means of grace, meaning they take for granted the Lord’s Supper. Their faith is not maintained, replenished, renewed, refreshed by the means of grace, by God’s Word and by His true body and blood.

When the bridegroom Jesus Christ returns unexpectedly they will come up short. There will be no time to prepare and those who are prepared will not be able to share. Just like the wise virgins who could not share their oil. Each and every person must believe for themselves. One person cannot give faith to another, nor can a parent give their faith to their children. A parent can, “train a child in they way he should go, and when he’s old he will not turn from it.”(Prvb 22:6) But, when Christ does come each person will stand before Him based upon only their own faith. The bridegroom will know you only by your own faith.

So then what do we have to do to make sure that we have enough oil of faith for today? How can we have enough oil of faith to await for Christ’s to return? Repent, and see that we can do nothing. For your reason and strength lead us to busyness and distractions.

Your faith was and is prepared for you in advance, and given to you as you have heard the Word of God proclaimed, as you read His Holy Word in the Bible. Your faith is renewed and refreshed as you receive the Holy Supper of our Lord. In the Sacrament of Holy Communion Christ’s true body and true blood gives you the forgiveness of sins. The oil of your lamp is filled to the brim, you are prepared by Christ when He speaks these words for you, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”

Christ the bridegroom will return for you, His bride, the church. The heavenly door will close, some will be with Him, and others will not. For those outside, the reply will come, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’(v.12) But for you whom God has prepared by giving you faith and by His free gift of grace, you have been made ready. He has prepared you in baptism. He has prepared you by His death on the cross and His resurrection. He has prepared you with eternal forgiveness given for you to eat and drink this very day in His Holy Supper. Christ will come. And on that day He will bring you into His heavenly wedding banquet feast. The door will shut. And Christ the groom will celebrate with you His bride. And that is a marriage feast that will be celebrated forever and ever. Amen.

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Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity - 11-15-09

The Church Season of Trinity
The Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity, One Year Series
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (November 8, 2009)

“Two Kingdoms”

Readings:
Psalm 111
Proverbs 8:11-22
Philippians 3:17-21
Matthew 22:15-22

Sermon Form Deductive

+INI+

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 22nd chapter of St. Matthew, especially the following verse:

Matthew 22:15-22 (ESV)

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Most people, even those who don’t go to church regularly, and even some people who don’t go to church at all, know these words, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.”(v.21) While some have heard those words of scripture, usually the impact of these verses come to us personally in another way. These words are brought home for us right after we’ve completed our first one or two weeks of work at our very first job. We’ve anticipated pay day. We’ve, added up our obligated hours and multiplied it out by an agreed upon wage. We know exactly how much money should be there, how many dollars represented by Ben Franklins, Grants, and Jackson’s there should be. We know it even right down to the last Lincoln cent. But, then comes the day when we’re handed the envelope, the one with the little window on the side showing our name and address. This is the first surprise lesson, envelopes with windows usually contain surprise obligations. Suddenly we see that we aren’t receiving all that we thought we would. In fact we’re receiving a lot less than we have already spent in our own minds. We ask ourselves, what’s going on here? What in the world is FICA, Social Security, Federal Tax, State Tax, and City Tax? Why am I obligated to let all those acronyms shave money out of my hard earned cash? And at that very moment, by some unknown signal, that the old wise and sarcastic sage of the company, is given their queue to walk right by, right while you’re staring at that check. And even though you have not said a word, that person sees the look on your face and they know it is time to say, “Render unto Caesar, that which is Caesars.” You wonder if you’ve been duped. It’s a dirty rotten trick. All of this was mine, it’s not theirs.

The kingdom of this world is real. We interact with it every day. We know and live it and Jesus knew it too. In fact, Jesus told us that the kingdom of this world demands our obligations. And of these obligations, Jesus told the Pharisees and Herodians: "Pay to Caesar what you owe to Caesar." And what did they owe to Caesar? They owed taxes, obedience to all laws, and loyalty to the government. Jesus taught the same lesson to Saint Peter. For Jesus Christ directed Peter to catch a fish which would yield a coin. Jesus said, 27"But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."(Mt. 17:27) Jesus obeyed all laws whether of the Jews or of Romans. And not only that He submitted both to Pilate and Herod as Jesus stood at trial, even though it was an unjust trial.

By the authority of Caesar, by Pilate, and by Herod, Jesus submitted. In the history of the world there have been many different forms of government, but their existence and authority are from God. Jesus Himself said so, in His response to Pontius Pilate, “"You would have no authority over Me if it had not been given to you from above." Jn. 19:11. And St. Paul also says, "Let every person be subject to higher authorities because there is no authority which is not of God and the authorities which exist have been ordained of God."(Rom. 13:1) Jesus gives us the correct attitude toward earthly power. He directs us to have a willing obedience as citizens of our government, and as members of God’s Kingdom.

Our obligation to our God given government is for us to serve and to obey, just as Jesus obeyed. We are to obey the laws of the land, to be good citizens and yes that even means that we are to pay our taxes. But, the Christian not only lives in the worldly kingdom. In fact, we live in two kingdoms: the kingdom of earthly power, which is the government, and the kingdom of God, which is the church. The two must always be distinguished sharply, but they should not contradict each other. They must work in perfect sync, each in the others interest. The state must have just laws and deal justly with all citizens and should not invade the religious rights of its citizens. At the same time the church must use the Word of God and apply it rightly to its members too.

But just how far do our obligations go? We ask that question with all the slyness of the Herodians and Pharisees, how much is enough? How much should we keep? How much should we give? Well, the answer we don’t want to hear comes from the mouth of Job who said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord"(1:21) Job was acknowledging that he all that he owned, all his worldly possessions meant nothing. Through all his trials and tribulations Job acknowledged that he was merely a steward of what God had loaned him.

We as Christians are citizens in two kingdoms. We are born into, live and die in the kingdom of earthly power, directed by an earthly government. And to the image of that government, whether it be a Caesar or in our case marked by dollars with the image of some past president, we still owe our obligation.

And what of the kingdom of God, the body of Christ, the Christian church? Well, the order is somewhat different. First in baptism we die to the sin of this world, both our sin inherited from Adam and the sin we have committed each and every day. But in that water combined with God’s Word we are made alive and we live to Christ. In baptism, we are marked with the sign of the cross, and there we are given the image of Christ. And in the image of the man Jesus Christ, we see God in human form, something we can comprehend. We see the man who granted us payment for more than we were due. We are blessed beyond imagination. Yes we do live in this worldly Kingdom, but we are also called to live here in a life of repentance.

And because we have freely received our faith and undeserved grace from God we are also called to serve our neighbor. We are called to help the sick, the poor, those who have failed, and those who have fallen to the challenges of this world. We are to give our all, if our fellow Christians fall or fail, we the church, the body of Christ fall and fail too. Reach out to those who are around you and help them. You have been given much, now also give generously to others.

A long time ago someone said, “The coin of Caesar is in gold, on which his image is stamped. But man is God’s coin, on which, is the image of God.”(Hilary) Jesus said, “Give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s.” When we close our eyes to the Kingdom of this world, we know that we will awaken in the Kingdom of God. And how will our payment appear? Will there be deductions for unknown obligations? Well, our entire obligation marked by all our sins will indeed be taken away, deducted and marked to zero. All your sins forgiven by very image of God, who is Jesus Christ. The image of Jesus Christ, God incarnate rendered His life unto you, so that all your sins have been forgiven and you will receive your full reward and that is that you may live eternally with Him in the Kingdom of God. Amen.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
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Twenty-second Sundy after Trinity - 11-08-09

The Church Season of Trinity
The Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity, One Year Series
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (November 8, 2008)

“Forgiveness Without Counting”

Readings:

Psalm 116:12-19
Micah 6:6-8
Philippians 1:3-11
Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon Form Deductive

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Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 18th chapter of St. Matthew, especially the following verse:

Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

How long would it take you to pay back a debt of five billion dollars? You never could, not in a million years, especially if you were a slave like the man in today’s Gospel. That slave owed a king 1,000 talents of money – something like a $5 billion debt would be for you or me. There was no hope for him to ever pay back that debt, so the king was ready to sell him along with his wife and children. But the slave begged for mercy, and the king had compassion on him. He not only set him free, he forgave the entire debt!

Like that slave, every one of us has a mountain of sin. We are unable to pay for a single one of our sins, let alone this mountain of debt. We have no hope, in ourselves, to get out from under this burden. But like the king in Jesus’ parable, our God is full of compassion. The Father sent His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ to make the payment for sin that you and I could never make. Your every sin was paid in full by the blood that Jesus poured out willingly on the cross. He is the compassion of your King and Lord. The blood of Jesus atones for all sin! You are free.

But now we must hear the rest of Jesus’ story. After receiving such great mercy for himself, that slave went straight out and grabbed a fellow slave by the throat demanding that he repay a measly 100 denarii – about $8,000 in today’s money. Compared to the $5 billion that he had owed the king, this was a drop in the bucket. But that slave demanded justice; he would not listen or have compassion when his fellow slave begged him for mercy. No, he threw that man into prison.

Just how unfair is that ?! That first slave was forgiven so much; but he would not give even a little mercy to his fellow slave. As we hear this story, that slave’s lack of mercy makes us sick; we are outraged and we are naturally relieved to hear what the king did to him when he found out. The king put that slave’s debt right back on him and turned him over to be tortured until he could pay the full amount.

It is good to see that wicked, unforgiving slave get what he deserves, isn’t it? But before we enjoy his punishment too much, we must hear Jesus’ warning and realize that He is speaking to each of us when He says, “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”(v. 35)

It is so easy to receive God’s boundless mercy and forgiveness; yet turn right around and deny forgiveness to those who sin against you. When we hold grudges, when we refuse to speak to others until they first apologize, when we say we forgive but continue to gossip about those who haven’t lived up to our standards in some way, we are that servant who was forgiven $5 billion, but refused to forgive $8 thousand. As Jesus warns, this puts our forgiveness in great danger. Like Peter in today’s Gospel, giving forgiveness is hard; we feel there must a limit to how much we have to forgive. “How many times must I forgive someone who sins against me?” Peter asks Jesus. “Up to seven times?”(v.21)

In the world, this question makes sense. Seven times seems like a very generous number, especially when I often don’t feel like forgiving the first offense. But in the Kingdom of God, this is the devil’s question. How many sins must I forgive? Well, how many sins did Jesus pay for with His blood? He paid for every sin, of every person – more than sin than we could ever count! Therefore, if God has paid and forgiven every sin, but I withhold forgiveness after some arbitrary point – no matter how big it may seem to me — then I put have myself above God and against God. This is exactly what Satan wants. He wants you to join him in his battle against God. He wants sinners to get what they deserve. Misery wants company!

But in the Kingdom of God, sin is washed away and found no more in the sea of Jesus’ blood. This is the mercy we have received from Him who, as He was being crucified, said, “Father forgive them.” He did not wait for us to deserve or earn this forgiveness. Forgiveness was His heart’s desire and His free gift.

Freely you have received, freely you must give. We must strive to be merciful as Christ is merciful. Yes, it’s hard. The Christian life is tough work, to be sure, and you will fail often. However, striving and failing is something different from refusing to forgive. Insisting on your right to withhold forgiveness puts you in the devil’s camp. So then, strive to replace the words of judgment and condemnation that so easily come to our lips, with the words of grace that He gives you here. As His blood and blood fills you with life and forgiveness, freely give the same. It’s not your forgiveness but the Lord’s forgiveness that you give. He lives in you, that He might live through you to others.

Pray for the Lord’s help and strength in this holy endeavor. And in your weakness and failings, pray for His mercy and forgiveness, remember that His forgiveness for never ends. Not after 7 times, or even 70 times 7. Come and receive this gift of infinite mercy at the Lord’s Table. By this sacred meal, may the blessed Lord who forgives without counting, help us to put away our record books and join our hearts to His great heart of mercy and compassion. Amen.

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

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All Saint's Day - November 1, 2009

The Church Season of Trinity
All Saints Sunday
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (November 1, 2009)

“Beatitudes”

Readings:
Psalm 149
Revelation 7:2-17
1 John 3:1-
Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon Form Deductive

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Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The text for today is as recorded in the Gospel Lesson from the 5th chapter of St. Matthew, especially the following verses:

Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Over the years, today’s Gospel reading of Christ’s words has been interpreted in many ways. These first few verses we know as the Beatitudes. The word Beatitude is from the Latin word “beatus,” which we translate as meaning “blessed” or “happy” and that word occurs nine times in as many verses. About 25 years ago, plus or minus, these nine beatitudes, we’re interpreted differently by a person who was selling his self-help book entitled “The Be (happy) Attitudes.” Meaning if you do these things you can and will transform your life.” This author did not understand that Jesus Christ was not talking about your attitude nor mine or how we can do better and earn our way into heaven If you think this is what Jesus meant, If you do all these things, then you will earn from God great results then you end up with Be-happy-attitudes. Confusing? Then let us re-hear the Beatitudes as your requirements for holiness.

Be-attitude #1. “Blessed are the poor”(v.3) Be-happy translation, You shall be poor. You must be poor. You are to be poor, so immediately become poor. Therefore, Be-attitude #1 – Be poor, and if you do this, then and only then you will have the kingdom of heaven. So go ahead and do it, complete it by your own reason and strength, pull out your wallet or purse and give it to the shelter-house, sell your IRA’s, 401k’s, mutual funds, your house, your second house, your car, and all that you have and give it away, all of it immediately. That would be hearing the Beatitude as all Law. Rather be blessed in Jesus words. Hear now these words as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus says to you, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."(Mt. 8:20) Jesus was poor, so that you may inherit the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus says to you, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”(Mt. 25:34)

Be-attitude #2. “Blessed are those who mourn.”(v.4) Be-happy-attitude, you shall mourn. You must continually be mourning. Mourn right now and don’t stop, begin now, mourn. Be-attitude #2 – Be mournful. And if you do this, and only if you do this, then you shall be comforted. Mourn that you do not have enough, mourn that you have too much, mourn when someone else succeeds, mourn when you do not succeed. Do not think about glasses half full, mourn because all things in life are half empty. That is a Beatitude of made of Law. Rather be blessed and hear now the Gospel of Christ. Jesus cried for you, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!”(Mt. 23:37) Jesus mourned for you the lost, so He does what we would not. Jesus mourned cries out for you on the cross, “It is finished”, and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”(John 19:30)

Be-attitude #3. “Blessed are the meek.”(v.5) Be-happy translated. Always endure injury with patience, have humility, be gentle, be easily imposed upon, be submissive, not violent or strong, be docile and tame at all times and all places. Hear and do this always and you shall inherit the earth and that is all Law. Now hear these words as Christ’s Gospel, for you. He endured a trial, was struck and beaten, He was submissive in the face of the great powers of the earth, yet He says to you, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”(Mt 11:29)

Be-attitude #4. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”(v. 6) Law translation; Well at first blush it would seem obvious that Jesus was not talking to Americans for most of us are neither hungry or thirsty. But indeed He was talking to all mankind. Do not eat, do not drink, desire only the things of righteousness. Rather be blessed because you can not meet the requirements of the Law, it just can’t be done except by Christ who said on the cross, “I thirst.”(Jn 19:38) And He says to you even this day, “Take eat this is my body, Take drink this is my blood, given and shed for you for the remission of sins. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”(1 Cor 11:23-26)

Be-attitude #5. “Blessed are the merciful”(v.7) If you are to reflect a be-happy attitude; Do this always and without fail; be kind, be forgiving, be thankful, give others relief, be tender, be mild, be lenient at all times, always, and everywhere and to everyone. These words of Law you cannot keep. Rather be blessed by Christ and hear that Jesus would, “go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)

Be-Attitude #6. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”(v.8) Hear this as be-happy Law and you will do this always; never think an evil thought about your neighbor or anyone with whom you shall ever meet. Do not curse. Do not swear. Do not lust. Do not covet. Do not do any of these things ever. If any fail, we all fall. We cannot be pure in heart in all places and all times. Yet be blessed and recall in your baptism, where the water was combined with God’s words, “receive the sign of the cross both upon your heart and upon your forehead to mark as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.” And in your baptism Christ makes you pure and holy, and “[You} will see His face, and His Name will be on [your] forehead.”(Rev. 22:4)

Be-attitude #7. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”(v.9) Be-happy when you make peace with every family member. Make peace with every neighbor. Make peace with everyone who has done you wrong. Make peace with every single one of your enemies, yes even that person who you just now this very moment who came into your mind. It just can’t be done, though we should strive to do it, we can’t do it without fail. But Jesus says to you, be blessed; “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “(John 14:27)

Be-attitude #8. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”(v. 10) Be-happy while you stand up in public for the rights of the living unborn. Be persecuted for admitting you’re a Christian. Tell everyone you have cancelled your cable T.V. because it portrays unhealthy and ungodly relationships, violence, and all manner of evil things. Be persecuted for standing up and standing out in a crowd while fighting for those people who are weaker than you. But, now we say, wait a minute, you’ve gone too far, not my cable and besides everyone is entitled to their own opinions, aren’t they? All Law. Rather, Jesus says be blessed for, “God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’”(Luke 11:49) Christ was persecuted prophet, for your sake.

Be-attitude #9. “11 “Blessed are you when others revile you”(v.11) Be-happy and do not speak back when you are verbally abused. Never use abusive language to get you point across. Never become angry when you are critized by worldly views which are imposed upon a biblical foundation. And we say, Do you expect me to just take all that? Hear the Gospel of Christ knowing that an angry crowd said to Jesus, “He saved others; let him save himself.”(Luke 23:35) Hear how sad it is that that crowd uttered those words right after Jesus proclaimed the Gospel message to sinners saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”(Luke 23:34)

We can not do or change our character by trying to achieve any or all of these Beatitudes. Though we are called to do better each and every day we do not need Beatitudes which make light of the Law. The Law points us to what we have done and left undone. We live the Law daily as we see in our fallen lives and failing bodies. Rather we can approach Christ on bended knee with a repentant heart and in faith. And in spite of all our be-happy attitudes, Jesus completes the requirements of Law for you. Jesus speaks to you saying, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”(v. 12) Jesus was not only the persecuted prophet before you, He is the persecuted prophet for you. Rejoice and be glad not for what you or I have done. Rather, rejoice and be glad that Christ has freely given you your reward, which is eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

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

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