1st Sunday After Christmas - St. Stephen, Martyr - 12-26-10

The Church Season of Christmas,
1st Sunday after Christmas,
St. Stephen, Martyr
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (December 26, 2010)
One Year Series

“The Gift of Faith”

Readings:  
    2 Chronicles 24:17-22
    Psalm 119:137-144
    Acts 6:8-7:2a, 7:51-61,
    Matthew 23:34-39            
   

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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 Epistle Lesson from the 7th chapter of Acts, especially the following verses.

Acts 7:55-58

But [Stephen], full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him

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

The account of the martyrdom of St. Stephen and his cruel death seems utterly out of harmony with the general spirit prevailing at Christmas time. The glorious white of the church paraments are now awash with red.  One day we hear of the Savior lying in the manger, weak and poor, the next day we hear of the same Jesus, standing at the right hand of God in glory. We don’t hear of angels coming down from heaven, as in the Nativity scriptures. Instead, heaven itself opens to receive in triumph the first of that multitude who gave their lives in defense of the faith. St. Stephen is a shining example of the glorious and wondrous power and effect of faith in all who receive Christ as their Savior, it is a reflection of the happiness of all who have had Christmas come into their hearts. Faith in Christ, faith in his Savior, gave St. Stephen the courage to confess Jesus joyfully even when facing a violent death because of his confession.

But who was Stephen, why do we call him as Saint and what is a martyr and why was he the first Christian Martyr.  Stephen was a man who proclaimed the Good news of Jesus Christ. Stephen is called a saint for the same reason you to are a saint.  The Greek word for Saint is ἅγιος, or what we might say in another way, to be consecrated, dedicated, to be made holy.  And indeed while we may say we are not saints, we have been made holy through God’s grace given to us in our baptism, there the Name of God is placed upon us we are made holy, and so we are sainted.  Now this is not to be understood as a person for whom we would pray to for divine intervention, no we only call upon the Name of the Lord, and that would be Jesus Christ and Him alone.  And why was Stephen a martyr?  He is a martyr because he died defending his belief in Jesus Christ.

The scriptures proclaim, “Stephen, a man full of faith.” For Stephen the message of Christ had effected not merely a passing emotion. The first spark of faith had become a great fire that caused his whole heart to glow. Although not an apostle but a distributor of gifts, his faith prompted him to confess Christ publicly. Hostile Jews disputed with him but could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. And so He was arrested and brought before the Council. Fearless, he was filled with such joy that his face was like the face of an angel. Though he knew the consequences of his testimony before the bloodthirsty judges, his faith did not waver. When he boldly accused them of betraying and murdering the Righteous One, they were enraged, they stopped their ears, they cast him out of the city, and then they stoned him to death.

We see in St. Stephen the glorious effect of faith, and of Christmas grace. When the grace of faith fills the heart, confession must follow, even before hostile world. We saw this effect in the shepherds, who shared all that had been told to them. And an elderly Simeon who spoke of seeing his salvation when his eyes saw His Lord. The prophetess Anna spoke of Jesus to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. If we believe in Jesus who was born for our salvation, we, too, shall be willing and ready to confess Him though it may cost our life. We shall say: For me God became man; the Christ Child is mine; salvation is my Christmas gift; at His manger He took from me the guilt and burden of sin. made me God’s child; I am now His brother and an heir of eternal life. Of such a Savior I need not be ashamed. I shall confess Him, even though I be ridiculed, hated, persecuted, killed. Early Christians were thrown to the wild beasts, burned at the stake, yet they confessed without fear or horror. That Christmas joy the heart of a Christian, this world cannot take away or touch, and it cannot extinguish the heavenly light. Our Christmas Treasure, Christ and His grace, is beyond the reach of all and everything, and so He comes for you.

In the account of St. Stephen we see more about what Christmas grace can bring about. Even here he saw heaven open above him and his Savior at the right hand of God. “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” This was an inconceivably great wonder, so great that no mortal, no believer, experienced the like before or after St. Stephen. And the wonder was that St. Stephen was permitted to see all this while still on earth for the strengthening of his faith, and a witness of faith to us.

And a poor question would be for us to ask, What does this biblical text of this dying man, this holy martyr mean to us? Who are we in comparison to him? Well, for what St. Stephen experienced here in his trial, is given to all the faithful.  The Savior is never far from any of His faithful, He is never far from you and He is ever ready to help and encourage and strengthen every believer.

The account Stephen teaches us still more regarding faith. It conquers all dread of death and makes of it a triumphant entry into heavenly glory. When Stephen’s persecutors surrounded him like bloodthirsty beasts and hurled stone after stone on him, Stephen’s courage did not wax nor wane. And Stephen did not plead for mercy, rather standing up like a victorious hero, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” The Lord, Jesus Christ, in whom he believed, is still the Rock on which he, and we too, stand. Fearlessly, joyously he faces death. There is no request that the Lord Jesus deliver him from his enemies, that he be preserved from death. No, there is only the confident petition that his Lord will receive him after death. His only concern is the soul of his murderers. “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” This is his last word.  And then Stephen’s life ends: “When he had said this, he fell asleep.” The mighty Savior, in whom Stephen put his trust, has transformed death into a sleep for His faithful. When Stephen’s mangled body breathed its last under a hail of stones, he fell asleep, he breathed his last breath and that same breath would be his first in heaven. Angels carried his soul home. Angel choirs welcomed him, and the Lord gave him the crown of glory.

Not all believers will pass through what Stephen did, but all believers will enjoy the one and the same salvation he received. We honor today Stephen who died for Christ, but we do not hold him over or above any of the faithful people who have ever died in the faith.  For all the faithful will see God and their Savior face to face, and all will receive the crown of life, and all will spend eternity in blissful communion with the angels and all the elect.  Our faith is a gift from God and whether we face an angry crowd like Stephen, or the physical, mental, and sinful challenges of this world, the faith given to us by Jesus Christ enables us to know that Jesus has overcome this world. For Jesus, who was born into this world for you and me, is our Savior until death, and Jesus will bring the faithful home to Himself.

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Christmas Day - 12-25-10

The Church Season of Christmas,
Christmas Day,
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (December 25, 2010)
One Year Series

“There is Life”

Readings:  
    Micah 5:2-5    
    Titus 3:4-7                   
    Luke 2:1-20           

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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 2nd chapter of Luke, especially verses 10 and 11.

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Today we celebrate a Savior born, the birth of life, and if there is no Jesus, then there is no life.  Life is who Christ Jesus is. Not only a holy man among holy men, or the holiest of all men. Not a man of nearly mythical proportions, but of life. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. Jesus is the life of all living things. For all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. Yet He is not only the life of all the living. He is also the life of all people. For in Him is life. But even more, our Lord Jesus Christ is the life of all those who wish to live through death. For whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. If there is no Jesus, then there is no life. For most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

Life is who and what is born of the Virgin Mary, wrapped in strips of cloth, and laid in a manger. Not just any life, but life Himself, life in the flesh, life incarnate.  So today of all days let us rejoice! Today we recall not just presents and trees but rather the birthday of life. While death may still lurk in the corners and stalk about; it still seeks to scare us into sin and urge us to live for ourselves. But death cannot hold a candle to life. For Jesus Christ has given us His Word when He says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25–26).  If there is no Jesus, then there is no life

“Do you believe this?” That is what Life asks you. For everything hinges on you recognizing Life for who He really is. And everything hinges not only on you getting a grip on Life, but on receiving Life as He gives Himself to you. For He is the way, the truth, and the life. “No one comes to the Father except through Christ”, our life.

So often we believe that life is what we make of it. So we work hard to get the most out of life, afraid that life will pass us by, sure that we will not live life to the fullest, and convinced that life will give us a raw deal.  But Life was not born on this day to cheat you out of anything. He comes that you may have life, and that you may have it abundantly. He is not simply born. Life becomes flesh so that He might lay down His life. And greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. Yet Jesus is born to be more than a friend, more than someone to turn only in crisis, more than someone to gripe to or wish from. He is your life. To be that, He is born in flesh like yours. Then He gives away His life—all so that He might take it up again and give it into you.  If there is no Jesus, then there is no life.

So our Lord Jesus Christ was “in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:10–13).

Did you hear that new birth? Not just the birth of Life on Christmas Day, but your own birth, your new birth, through Life, by Life, in Life. For our Lord and our Life is born, not simply to take on flesh like yours with all its aches and pains. Our Lord and Life also desires to be born in your flesh and to live your life even while you live eternally in His life.

So today is not just about Jesus. It is about your life—your life which is hidden with Christ in God. Where is it hidden? In Christ. How? By this new birth, this being “born of God” which takes place in the waters of Holy Baptism. And what does that get you? He lives in you, and you live in Him. If there is no Jesus, then there is no life.

Listen carefully, then, to how Life describes your life in Him: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.” (John 15:4–8)

So on this day, let us truly and heartily and with full joy give thanks to God the Father, through His Son, in the Holy Spirit. For in His great love for us, the true and only God has not left us dead in our trespasses and sins. Instead, He has brought us to life in Christ Jesus. And that life began when Life Himself became flesh and dwelt among us. If there is no Jesus, then there is no life.

For you through Baptism, and with the eyes opened by faith the faith freely given to you, you will behold His glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. And having seen and received and tasted the Lord of life, understand and believe what dignity and worth you have received.

Today we are reminded that Jesus always is, and so for you there is life.  For you do not have just any old life. Life Himself has you, He holds you to Himself, and He gives you His own holiness, worthiness, righteousness, and dignity. Be mindful of whose Life you have so that you do not fall back into your living death. Rejoice this day for in the birth of that Christ child, Life eternal has been born for you, forever and ever. Amen.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen
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Christmas Eve - 12-24-10

The Church Season of Christmas,
Christmas Eve,
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (December 24, 2010)
One Year Series

“Prepared”

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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 1st chapter of St. Matthew, especially the following verse.

Matthew 1:18-21 (NIV)

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the Name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

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

It is the eve of the celebration of the birth of Christ into our world.  Are you ready?  Are you prepared?  Are you prepared for a journey which leads beyond the sparkling lights and sales, Santa Claus and Christmas trees, and all the gift giving, a journey to the quiet and sleepy town of Bethlehem.

Have you ever wondered what it would have felt to have been there on that blessed night so long ago? The shepherds standing in the fields, tending their flocks by day and by night. The awesome beauty and majesty of the sky, the peaceful air, and of that silent night.  And then bursting into the still silence a voice as frightening as thunder and the brilliance of the glory of the Lord. Were those shepherds ready? 

What would it have been like to hear the angels voices, proclaim “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The shepherds were not ready for what they had heard, they were certainly were not ready for what they would see.  But to be fair, are we anymore prepared for that Christ child who has come for us too?

If we believe we are prepared, then we shouldn’t we also be prepared for what we will see. When the shepherds arrived to see this glorious Child were they prepared for what they would see?  For the shepherds found Mary and Joseph who obviously were not prepared, they had no light, no fire, ad little assistance with that child.  But to be sure not just a child, the promised Child. And this Child was not wrapped in a royal purple silk but rather in rough pieces of cloth. He was not laid in an ornate, golden bed, no He was laid in a stone cold manger, a lowly feeding trough. Were the shepherds ready to understand what they saw?  Were they prepared to see that trough normally filled with hay to feed a few creatures, was now the home of God’s only Son who would feed the entire world with the bread of life?

No glory and honor and power and might just an innocent, humble, and helpless child. And is that what you want to see? Is this the Kingly glory that you desire, are you ready to see God’s face in this tiny helpless infant?

Many of the songs we hear around us focus upon those who would approach that manger.  But a precious few like those we sing tonight speak of what is most important and that is the One who is in the manger.  And truthfully we’re not prepared for Him, rather He is begotten for us and He prepares us for Him. 

Yes, that child is the King of glory, the King of the Jews, the Child who comes me to prepare us, by bearing our sin and being our Savior. For we are but a foolish lot of men, trapped and troubled by our fears and anxiety, and scared to admit our sins.  Yet, Jesus Christ is the Child who still dares to become incarnate in our midst. And not only in that manger so long ago, but He still comes to us this very day. This is the true miracle of Christ, it is the incarnation, that our Lord comes to us, and He still comes in ways that seem so very humble, so very weak, and even lowly.

For the Christ Child comes into our midst. He comes in the preaching and proclamation of His Holy Word. For where His Word is—there also is His Spirit. And He comes to us in Holy Absolution—forgiving our sins and then remembering them no more. He comes among us in simple water joined together with His Holy Word, a baptism which brings to us the free gift of faith.

And He also comes to us this day in perhaps the most humble and lowly way of all: in simple bread and wine which Jesus Himself proclaims IS His body and IS His blood, given and shed for the forgiveness of our sins.  Here again Christ prepares, renews, and refreshes us for eternal life and salvation. 

Our King comes to us, in the way He promised, ways in which the world may never understand. We not only see Him as a few shepherds did that very first Christmas, but we see our Savior this day when we too touch and handle things unseen.  Tonight the child prepares us to return to our own homes glorifying and praising God to all whom we meet, because of the forgiveness which He has won for us.

Soon, all too soon, the glitter and glamor of Christmas will be over. The decorations will be taken down, and life will go back to some form of normal. What then?  What do we prepare for next? Maybe we don’t want to go back to our everyday lives—to all the pain and suffering, the boredom and monotony, maybe the carols and lights have been some kind of salve to prepare for yet another day.  But, the Lord in the form of that Christ Child prepares you for healing beyond any wounds which world or our sinful hearts may inflict.  For that Christ child is also the Christ man.  And Jesus Christ’s wounds will not only redress the pain of this world and your sins.  Jesus will cause your sins to be forgiven and forgotten, and that no other man, no other child on this earth can ever do what He has already done.  Only Christ the God-man, only Jesus the Christ child, only Jesus the babe of Bethlehem prepares you for eternal life.  Amen. 

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Advent 4 - Rorate Coeli - 12-19-10

Advent 4 - Rorate Coeli

One Year Lectionary

Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (December 19, 2010)

“Crying in the Wilderness”

Readings:   
        Psalm 111   
        Dt. 18:15-19       
        Philippians 4:4-7            
        John 1:19-28
       
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 reading of St. John the 1st chapter, especially the following verses.

John 1:19-28

19Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." 21 They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." 22 Finally they said, [to John the Baptist]"Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' " 24 Now some Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"  26"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."  28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

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

Doesn’t it seems rather odd that we spend so much time on hearing about John the Baptist at this time of year? It seems like we're getting ready for Christmas in every other facet of life except for in the readings we hear at church during Advent. 

But John the Baptist’s is "the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'" And that is precisely what we need at this time of year—and always. You see, John is a great example for all pastors and preachers in that he points not to himself but to the Christ who is the living Word of God that has taken on flesh to dwell among His people (John 1:14).  So John answers the question as to his purpose by saying, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know." 

This is the very same preaching about Christ that is to continue in the church until the Second visible Advent, meaning the coming, of Christ at the end of the world.  And we know that because Jesus says so Himself just before He ascends into heaven and out of sight: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-21

Do you hear that? Jesus Christ is the One who is, “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; who rose again from the dead on the third day and 40 days later ascended into heaven and is "with you always, to the end of the age."  And this is all accomplished in the baptizing and teaching of everything commanded by Christ, the living Word of God—in other words, in the proclamation and pouring out of the forgiveness of sins in Baptism, preaching, Confession & Absolution, and the Lord's Supper. John the Baptist does not talk about church growth, how many members, how to get people into church, no John points to Christ the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world—and your sin too.

John the Baptist was speaking to the hardened hearts of unbelievers, so he said, "among you stands one you do not know." Martin Luther has a wonderful way of explaining those non-hearing hearers, those self righteous teachers of the Law: "They listen all right. But they stand and look at John the Baptist just like a cow looks at a new gate . . . as though they had not heard a single word he was saying. Thus they stand there and with hearing ears they do not hear."

Neither John nor the Christ to whom he points measure up to what they or we think the Messiah should be. They expect a conquering champion come to fight for them against all those other evil folks. They expect to be commended for their superior lifestyles and spectacular preaching of the Law to the people so that they will become more like them.

But of course isn’t it the same today? Who wants a Jesus who, though we can't see Him is indeed here in the water of Baptism, in the preaching of the Word, in the forgiving of sins, in bread and wine? And all that from the hands and mouths of men no more pleasing to the eye or splendid in status than that guy John the Baptist, a wearer of camel hair and eater of locusts. People like him don't fill the pews to the rafters like the preachers in today’s world who would have you believe there is no glory like the glory you can have today only if you have enough faith and let your light shine among men.

Luther says, and we must understand it holds true for us also: "The same situation prevails today, when we teach that to attain the life to come, people have to know the teachings of Christ and confess the [2nd] article [of the Creed], I believe in Jesus Christ." And this does not mean to simply use His name as we please or add it onto any old prayer and desire of our hearts. It means to believe that He is the one who not only was born on Christmas day as the baby of Mary, but the One who suffered and died for you; the one who rose and ascended for you; the One who will come again for you to raise your flesh; and even the One who comes today for you here in the preaching of the Word and in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Because these are among all the things He has commanded us, aren't they? And so they are the very things in and through which he promises to be with us always, to the very end of time and this world.

So once again to quote Luther as he follows in the footsteps of John the Baptist, "We see this everywhere among the smart professionals. . . . They would be happy to have a Christ . . . according to their liking. Yes, but what the Lord God has in mind is this: Man, you ought to accept Christ just as God sends him, not as you want him to be. . . . If you will receive John with his testimony, then you will have Christ at your door; therefore receive John and His witness."

And so once again you here today from this pulpit an echo of John, as well as Paul who preached "nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" [1 Corinthians 2:2]: "Among you stands one you do not know." And more importantly, among you stands the One who knows we are all sinners.  It is Christ who knows that we look to ourselves and our own actions trying to justify ourselves, to make ourselves feel better.  Who else but us could fill the church?  God must need help because whatever we’re doing isn’t working, the church is going to fail, falter, and slowly melt away, oh dear what can we do to save the church. 

Repent, for Christ was, is, and will always be the Lord of the Church.  It is Jesus Christ who is the One who came on Christmas Day as a lowly infant; it is He who is the One who will come again on the Last Day in all His glory; it is Jesus Christ who is the One who always was coming even before the foundations of the world as the eternal Son of God; and always is coming even today in all the things He has commanded and given to forgive you all your sins and give you eternal life.  So we are to stop our sniveling and weeping that the church will fade away.  John the Baptist has cried out, Jesus Christ is come, you have eternal life, and that is more than we could ever imagine or dream.  The reality is Jesus Christ is still Lord of the Church, and you will be in that church with Him and all the saints, forever and ever.  Amen

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
 

AMEN
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Advent 3 - Gaudete - 12-12- 2010

Advent 3 - Gaudete
One Year Lectionary,
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (December 12, 2010)

“No Doubts”

Readings:  
    Is. 40:1–11   
    Psalm 85   
    1 Cor. 4:1-5   
    Matthew 11:2-11
       
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 reading of St. Matthew the 11th chapter, especially the following verses.

Matthew 11:2-11 (English Standard Version)

 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" 4And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." 7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is he of whom it is written, "'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.' 11Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

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

Today's Gospel reveals a struggle that bothers, and prods all believers at one time or another.  We all struggle with doubt, one only need turn on the T.V. station and soon you will hear fantastic numbers being assigned to the age of the earth or as Carl Sagan used to say billions and billions of years. Whether it be this particular doubt or another, from time to time, even the most ardent believer will wonder if Jesus is really the one, meaning the one who can save them from sin.  Is this God-man Jesus the one who can give me an eternity free from doubt and fear.  In today's Gospel, we see that even John struggled.  He sent his disciples to Jesus and asked, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?"(v. 3)

But hold on for just is minute, isn’t this the John the Baptist, the prophet, who was already at work before Jess was even born?  For while John was still in the womb when Mary came to visit his mother Elizabeth, wasn’t this the same John who leapt for joy at His coming?  Isn’t this the same John who pointed to Jesus and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"(Jn 1:29) How can this same John doubt that Jesus is the Lord - the promised one - the Messiah?

The answer is that this doubt comes from the nature of the Advent of Christ.  We could say that the Advent of the Christ is a lot like a trip to the mountains.  When we first see the mountains on the horizon, they all appear to be about the same distance away.  They also appear to be a lot closer than they really are.  When we get closer to the mountains, we realize that those mountains that appeared to be right next to each other are actually many miles apart.

Biblical prophecy is like that.  When the Lord gave a vision of the future to His prophets, that future appeared to be all of one piece.  Now that we live in that future, we understand that thousands of years can separate the events of God's salvation.  So it is with the Advent of the Christ.  He came once to take on human flesh and save us from our sin.  He will come again to judge the living and the dead and take His people to live with Him forever.  We now know that these events are thousands of years apart.

Sometimes you’ll hear about Jesus by saying He is here now, but also not yet.  St. Paul may have said it best, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."(1 Cor 13:12)  Don’t let that confuse you, we know that Jesus is with us now, but we do not see Him yet as one day we will.  We know that we already live in the Kingdom of God, but we do not yet experience it as we will in eternity.  So as Christians, here on this earth, we live in the "now, but not yet."

When John's disciples came to Jesus and asked their questions, Jesus gave them an answer that brings comfort and assurance.  Not just comfort for John, but for all who believe in Jesus.  Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."  And Jesus asked John to remember the words that God gave to the Old Testament prophets - words like the ones we read this morning from Isaiah, “5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.”  As the Word of God incarnate, Jesus is not only the great prophet who gives us the promises of God, but He is also the God who keeps those promises and fulfills those prophecies.

To be clear, there are indeed people who would criticize Jesus for His answer.  They ask, "Why didn't Jesus just say He was the Christ?" They say, "This seems like a pretty round about way to give an answer."  They want us to believe that Jesus never made any special claims about Himself.

Maybe we should look at it this way, just think about the number of people in our world today who actually believe they are Napoleon of France or Cleopatra of Egypt and there are even people alive today who actually say they are Jesus of Nazareth.  We don't give any credibility to people like that, we don’t listen to them.  In fact, we hope that these people are receiving treatment from caring professionals.

So the real challenge here is that it is one thing to say that you are the Messiah.  And it’s an entirely different thing to show that you are the Messiah.  It is one thing to talk well, but what is it that we say about people who can talk well? You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? Jesus knew that actions speak louder than words and Jesus allowed His actions to do His teaching for Him.  He challenged John's disciples and John himself to compare His deeds to the prophecies from God.  Was He fulfilling the words that God gave to the prophets of old?

And Jesus walked the walk, no doubt about it.  With His teaching, Jesus described the reason for His first Advent.  He took on human flesh so that His mother laid Him in a manger.  He grew up in a sinful world and yet, He Himself never sinned.  He then submitted to beatings and crucifixion and, while He hung on that cross, He absorbed the full punishment for our sins.  His friends buried His lifeless corpse in a tomb and yet, that tomb is empty.  Hundreds of witnesses saw Him alive after He died.  They ate with Him.  They touched Him.  They had conversations with Him.  The credibility of those witnesses has been sanctified by the fact that those witnesses refused to change their story even in the face of torture and death.  The historical evidence is clear beyond any reasonable doubt.  Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.  This is the sign that is greater than the witness John received from his disciples.  Jesus fulfilled His own promise to rise from the dead.

And Jesus had high words of praise for John.  He said, "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist."  With these words, Jesus tells us that John is not only the last of the Old Testament prophets, but he is also the greatest of them.  Never the less, King Herod executed John before he could witness the fulfillment of those prophecies.  John saw neither the crucifixion nor the resurrection before he died.

And we who believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin live after the crucifixion and resurrection.  We have the comfort and assurance of the resurrection.  We have the comfort and assurance that is superior to even that of John the Baptist.  That is the reason Jesus can say, "Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than [John]."

Yet with all that we do know, we all still have our doubts from time to time.  But Christ gives comfort even in our time of doubt for the resurrection is always there for us when we have those doubts.  The witness of those who were with Jesus after His death gives us historical evidence that Jesus lives.  We can live in the certainty that Jesus is our savior.

And for that reason, we who live between the first Advent and the last Advent can look forward to the day when Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead.  For on that day we shall stand clothed in the righteousness of Christ and we shall live with Christ for eternity.  This is the encouragement, comfort, and assurance that will, one day, be with Christ in His Kingdom for eternity, no doubt about it. Amen

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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Advent 2 - Populus Sion - 12-5-2010

The Church Season of Advent
Advent 2 – Populus Sion
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI  December 05, 2010

“What is Coming on the World”

Readings:   
    Malachi 4:1-6       
    Psalm 50:1-15       
    Romans 15:4-13       

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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’s message is as recorded in the Gospel lesson from the 21st chapter of St. Luke, especially the following verses,

Luke 21:25-36 (NIV)

25 [Jesus said] “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

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

Jesus said, “Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world.”(v. 26)  Well maybe this week we didn’t faint but certainly more than a few of us became faint upon hearing that one of the members of this church, David Larson, had suddenly passed away.  Hearing of a 51 year-old person suddenly dying does make one stop and think and might even strike terror into ones heart.  But every form of terror in our lives whether it be personal or even from a natural disaster is a glimpse of the end times. The prophet Haggai writes “thus says the LORD of hosts: “Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,” says the LORD of hosts. Isaiah also prophecies the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall totter like a hut; its transgression shall be heavy upon it, and it will fall, and not rise again.” Natural disasters are scary thing. If an earthquake, fire, flood, ice storm, blizzard, tornado, or tsunami doesn’t prove the world is ending, nothing will. Jesus speaks in today’s Gospel, “when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”(v. 28)

And waiting for redemption is perhaps the last thing on your mind when disaster strikes. You’re taught to be prepared. Some of you might recall back in the day a training video called, “duck and cover” in preparation for a nuclear bomb. Now and then, you might see a sign for a “fallout shelter”. Some of you may keep a stash of food and water just in case of a terrorist attack on our country or some other unforeseen calamity. While he Cold War may be over and the Iron Curtain may have fallen, the end times still looms large in the minds of Christians.

Why are we so scared of the end of the world? It is the great unknown. Our sin-sick brain cannot understand what it means to see “the powers of the heavens…shaken.”(v.26) We don’t understand what it will be like to have a new body and soul. We have not seen someone rise from the dead on command. Never before have we seen what life is like beyond what life is like for us right now. Living in the presence of Almighty God in the heavenly mansions is beyond even our imagination. Certainly your “heart fails…from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth.”(v. 34)

It has been written that, “Wretched are they who are of a double mind, and of a doubting heart; who say, ‘These things we have heard even in the times of our fathers; but behold, we have grown old and none of them has happened to us.’” Fools, compare yourselves to a tree: take the vine. First it sheds, then it buds, then leaves, then flowers, and after that the sour grape, then the ripened fruit.”(St. Clement)

That last bit about the tree sounds familiar, doesn’t it? In fact that writer used the words of Jesus Christ from today’s Holy Gospel. Jesus uses an illustration about a fig tree and all trees to explain the signs that precede His final advent. When a tree buds, you know summer is near. So it is with our Lord’s coming. When unexplainable things in nature happen, you know that this world will pass away and a new world is coming soon.

“Look up and lift up your heads.”(v. 28) Do not catch yourself saying Jesus is a liar when He bids you consider the fig tree and all trees. The great Elijah prophesied by Malachi has come and John the Baptist is his name. He prepares the way of the Lord in the preaching of repentance, not the preaching of complacency. The last words of the Old Testament lesson bid you “remember the Law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.”(Malachi 4:4) The fig tree is turning green even though winter is here with us for awhile.

So if you think about it we have a summer sort of Savior. For Jesus Christ takes those languishing in the winter of discontent and shakes them awake with the preaching of the Law. You either remain discontent and die for all eternity or you repent and are renewed through the forgiveness of sins. No tree surgeon takes a dead branch, bores a hole in a living tree, sticks the dead branch into the living tree, and makes the branch alive.

Yet Jesus Christ does this very thing. The living God sows His Word into your life. His living Word turns your heart of stone into a heart of flesh. The living Word draws you to the font of Holy Baptism, where your sin is washed away. The washing of repentance and renewal draws close once again in the words of Holy Absolution. Sin is forgiven and washed away. Your transgressions are as far from you as the east is from the west. He grafts you through baptism into His Vine of righteousness. Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”(John 15:5)

The living Word draws you to the Altar to receive nourishment of forgiveness and life in Christ’s True Body and True Blood. As often as you eat His Body and drink His Blood, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

What a day it will bring when Jesus calls us! All the worrying and fretting about the world crumbling around us will be forgotten. When the earth quakes, when stars fall from heaven, when nation rises against nation, when waves roar and foam out of control, and when all the world has no idea what’s happening, you will “look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”(v. 28) This may not sound like a message of hope, but it is. What is here today is gone tomorrow. The old hymn rings out to us, “I am but a stranger here, heaven is my home.”(Hymnal LSB #748) Those words remind us that we are but wayfaring strangers passing through a pilgrim land. David Larson was reminded of that just last week and he went home to be with his savior.  David was “counted worthy to escape all these thing that will come to pass.”(v. 36) And for all who are baptized and believe you too, have been counted worthy, by the worthy Lamb who was slain to set you free from the travails of this world. And to be freed by Christ from sin is to no longer feel “faint from terror” or to be, “apprehensive of what is coming on the world”(v. 26) For the birth pangs of the end of the world are the birth pangs of a new heaven and a new earth, it is the home of righteousness which God in Christ Jesus prepares for you. Amen.

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

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Funeral Sermon for David Larson - December 4, 2010

The Church Season of Advent
Advent 1 – Ad Te Levavi
Funeral Service for David Larson
Our Savior Lutheran Church,
December 4, 2010

Readings:  
Psalm 23                 
1 Corinthians 15:51-57              
John 14:1-10

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“THE UNEXPECTED”

Friends and family of David, his brothers and sisters, nieces, and nephews and his many friends.  Grace, mercy and peace be to you from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

David Larson was born on November 13th, 1959, and he was baptized into the Christian faith.  David was one of eight children and was member here at Our Savior Lutheran Church.  Blessed are they who die in the Lord, from this time forth and evermore.

The text for today’s message is the text from St. John the 14th chapter

Last week when I heard of David’s death I know that I reacted a lot like many of you did, shocked, bewildered, confused, and sad at such an untimely and unexpected death.  People who turn 51 aren’t expected to die so young, this kind of news which is just too much for us to bear.  But the unexpected happens in our lives and for David the unexpected help shape his life.  David grew up in Midland, graduated from Midland High, and a few years after graduation the unexpected took it’s toll on him.  Because David was involved in a terrible car accident, and was so badly injured he was not expected to survive.  The family gathered around him and supported him, and by God’s grace beat the odds and he lived. And the injuries to David’s body from that unexpected accident would effect David for the rest of his life.

But surprisingly all the effects were not so negative.  After that accident David went on to graduate from college, and he became content with all that God had given him.  David loved his family, he loved his nieces and nephews, and I know that he loved all children too.

In the Bible lesson I read a few moment ago, St. John wrote of time when Jesus Christ was explaining to His disciples something which they did not expect.  For something beyond the imagination of the disciples was going to happen to Jesus.  Jesus was going to be betrayed, arrested, and his closest disciple Simon Peter would deny Him.  All this was too much for the disciples to bear, they did not want to hear that their beloved master, friend, and leader was going to die, no they were just not ready for that kind of news.  

The disciples were really troubled.  The one person in their life whom they really loved was leaving them and they did not want Him to go so soon.  So Jesus comforted them by saying , “Do not let your hearts be troubled, Trust in God; also trust in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (Jn. 14:1-2)

Jesus was saying to them, Trust in God; trust in me Jesus Christ.  And trust is a strong term, it means to have faith and to have faith is to put yourself into the care of someone else.  That’s hard to do, and in human terms it’s even harder to consider.  We want our loved ones here and now, we want David here amongst us even though we know he is now in better care than this world could ever offer. 

Jesus had heard the fear in the disciples words, He was tuned in and so He wanted to calm them with the knowledge that though He was leaving, they too would one day again be with Him.  That is the comfort from the unexpected news.  From Christ’s unexpected death, comes for them, for you, the expectation of eternal life.

God knows that this world leaves us battered and bruised almost to the point of death many times in our lives.  Whether it be from physical pain or mental anguish, whether by the things we have done or left undone, most of those injuries we feel we haven’t deserved.  And it would seem that despite our best efforts to play by the rules and lead a godly life, we often end up with the short end of the stick.  Couldn’t Jesus just provide us with a model of how to handle all our unexpected challenges? 

Well, the reality of life is that this world is a place which we all must leave one day.  We are all sinners and we fall in this world.  David too was a part of this world, he knew that he was a sinner.  But at the same time David also knew that he was made a saint, that is he was made holy, by God in Jesus Christ ad that happened in the water combined with God’s Word in David’s baptism.  For there is baptism a promise is given, a promise from Christ a promise beyond human expectations.

Because, just like when David was baptized, and for all who are baptized into Christ Jesus, the Scriptures remind us “you were baptized into Christ’s death.  You were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, you too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4)  Christ’s death gives us the expectation of God’s glory for us.

So what can we expect in this world?  Well, there will be days which are filled with wonderful memories of loved ones like David and yet there will be other times when we and our loved ones will suffer and grieve.  That is the expectation of a Christian, it’s kind of like a rollercoaster, it has its ups and downs, its twists and turns, its straights and bends.  But we can always be reminded of what St. Paul said, “13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.”(1 Thess. 4:13)  And the important thing to hear from those words is what St. Paul is what he didn’t say.  He didn’t say expect to be free from grief.  In fact, we do grieve throughout our lives.  What St. Paul said was that Christians do not grieve like those who have no hope.  And the hope of a glorious reunion in heaven is exactly what we have hope for, it is exactly what we expect in faith.

I know that everyone who knew David misses him deeply. The reality of death stings.  In times like this we are surprised when death comes.  It makes us think of our death too.  And that cold reality of our own impending death, we stash deep in our thoughts, in the lofty places of our minds, mostly forgotten, except for days like this, then we are reminded of our own mortality.  But again, be comforted by God’s Word which tells us, “Death is swallowed up in victory, ‘O Death where is  your sting? O Death where is your victory?’  The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”( 1 Cor 15:55ff)

 Especially in these unexpected times, hear of the salvation which Jesus freely gives to you.  Christ gives you the expectation of eternal comfort in the knowledge of residing in room in His Fathers house.  Jesus bears your griefs and He carries all your sorrows.  There is indeed healing, in His Holy Body and most precious blood, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

As you fondly recall your memories of David, who loved life, his friends, and his family, stop and think just for a moment about this.  Though David’s death may have seemed unexpected, it was not, even David knew he was going to die.  And because David lived in faith, He also expected that in death, Jesus Christ would give him eternal life.  And Jesus Christ lived up to David’s expectations.  Jesus Christ died up upon a cross for David’s expectations.  Jesus Christ died for you to guarantee your expectations of eternal life too.  For Jesus Christ speaks to each of you when He said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”(John 14:2)  Be comforted with the knowledge that David, and all who have died in the faith of Jesus Christ, now reside in one of those many rooms, just as they expected.

Blessed are they who die in the Lord Jesus Christ from this time forth and forevermore.  Amen.
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Advent 1 - Ad Te Levavi - 11-28-10

The Church Season of Advent
Advent 1 – Ad Te Levavi
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI  November 28, 2010

“The Advent of Our Lord”

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

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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’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.

It is a new season, a new church year, the paraments which adorn the church have changed to the royal color of purple.  The Advent of our Lord is upon us, and how do we hear that Jesus Christ the Lord of lords, the King of kings approaches the Holy city of Jerusalem?  Scripture tells us, “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden..”(v. 5) Oh that we could re-create that day.  And some do try to re-create the day by visiting the Holy Land, trying to seek out the path and to walk where Jesus walked.  They wish to see the road where He walked into the city.  And people wish to see where He was tried, convicted and crucified.  They seek to find Jesus by lighting a candle, by going to a grotto and 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.

But what of this season of Advent, what about this Christ who would be our King?  It has been said, “Nothing is more terrible than activity without insight.”(Thomas Carlyle)  And those words are indeed timely in this first week of Advent.  We are acutely aware of the busyness of this season.  Thanksgiving is barely over and in only a few weeks Christmas will have sped away ever so quickly as it has always done in the past.  Engulfed with our preparations for Christmas, the pace of our already busy lives tends to accelerate as we rush from one thing to the next.  There are projects to complete, appointments to keep, and commitments to honor.  The time is short.  Indeed, “activity without insight is most to be feared.”

And that is why we need this season of Advent, for it brings God’s insight, His eternal Word into our fleeting activities.  It forces us to prepare for what we have, and prepare for what will come.  Advent puts our lives into focus in that royal announcement spoken by the Prophet Zechariah and fulfilled on Palm Sunday: “Behold your King is coming to you...lowly and riding on a donkey.”(v. 5) 

Thank God Jesus did not have to wait in Heaven until we had time to receive Him.  No, He does not wait until we have time, Jesus is so bold that He interrupts our lives with His coming.  For if He did not come to us, we would never come to Him.  He comes to us. In one of his Advent sermons, Martin Luther made this point so clearly.  He says “This is what is meant by ‘thy king cometh.’  You do not seek Him, but He seeks you.  You do not find Him, He finds you.  For preachers come from Him, not from you; their sermons come from Him, not from you; and where He does come, you remain outside; and where there is no Gospel there is no God, but only sin and damnation, free will may do, suffer, work, and live as it may and can.  Therefore you should not ask, where to begin to be godly; there is no beginning, except where the king enters and is proclaimed.” (Lenker, N. Sermons of Martin Luther 1:27)

All of Advent is summarized in this simple declaration: “Behold you King is coming to you.”  In fact, the word “Advent” simply means “coming.”   And that, to us means incarnation, the season of Advent weaves together all three “comings” of our Messiah.  He comes to us incarnate in the flesh, born of the virgin Mary to ride into Jerusalem and suffer and die as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  The same Lamb of God now comes to us in the preaching of His Word, in Holy Baptism, and with His body and blood  in the Sacrament of the Altar.  He comes now in time under these lowly means to bestow on us the forgiveness of sins won at Calvary.  The Lord who comes to us today, hidden beneath the covering of work, water, bread, and wine, will come uncovered on the Last Day in the full splendor of His glory to be our judge  The only way to be prepared to receive Him on that Day is to embrace Him now by faith.

He comes to you now in your need.  Listen again to the words of the Prophet: “See, your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation.”  Our king Jesus Christ has what we lack.  Our sin has made us unrighteous and strangers to God’s salvation. It has been written “Man feels...shame because he lacks something”(Dietrich Bonhoeffer p. 20). Shame is the recognition that our sin has divorced us from God; that we lack unity with Him.  Shame is what Adam and Eve experienced after their fall into sin when their eyes were opened and “instead of seeing God” they saw themselves.  God’s law shows us our shame.  It shows us what we lack, revealing to us our failure to “fear, love, and trust” in the Triune God above all things.  The law shows us that we are naked before God, lacking his righteousness and salvation. 

More that that, the law shows us that the fig leaves which we try to use to over our nakedness and hide or shame, will not work.  God sees right through every futile attempt at self-justification.  We cannot defend ourselves from God.  Our legs are not long enough to out run Him and our arms are not strong enough to push Him away. There is no place to hide from Him.  To push Jesus Christ away is to hold your life to yourself as though it were your possession to do with as you please, and that may be called self justification, but really and most simply it is hell.

“Behold, your King is coming to you.”  Jesus Christ does not come to terrify you with your sin or to cast you into hell.  He comes with righteousness and salvation.  He comes to save you and take away your shame.  Jesus comes to you to comfort you in your time of sorrow, to fill your heart with joy even as this world would attack you in body and soul.  Jesus Christ comes to give you that which you are lacking and in so doing God did not leave us in our shame.  Christ Jesus died for us while we were still His enemies.  He died to reconcile us with God, to cover our shame with His own righteousness.  He is the God who comes to us!  He comes not to condemn or destroy us but to forgive us and save us.

And how shall we meet Him?  We receive Jesus Christ by faith, trusting in His merciful words as He comes to us with His body and blood.  See your King comes to you, no longer on a lowly donkey but in His Word and with His body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine.  He comes today to take away your shame.  It is the Advent of our Lord and Jesus comes to restore you to the joy of His salvation.  Cast off your fears, your sorrow, and your grief, your Lord comes and He comes for you, so sing with your soul freed of any fears of sin and death, sing and rejoice in the Advent of Jesus Christ,  “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!”  Amen.

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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Advent & Christmas Services

Advent Sunday Services
Advent 2 - 12/5/10 @ 9:30 a.m.
Advent 3 - 12/12/10 @ 9:30 a.m. with Holy Communion
Advent 4 - 12/19/10 @ 9:30 a.m.

Advent Midweek Services all with Holy CommunionAdvent 1 Midweek, 12/1/10, 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. (5:00 to 6:15 Soup and Sandwich)
Advent 2 Midweek, 12/8/10, 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. (5:00 to 6:15 Soup and Sandwich)
Advent 3 Midweek, 12/15/10, 4:00 and 6:30 p.m. (5:00 to 6:15 Soup and Sandwich)

Christmas Services with Holy Communion
Christmas Eve, 6:30 p.m.
Christmas Day, 9:30 a.m.
First Sunday in Christmas, 9:30 a.m.
New Year's Eve, 6:30 p.m.

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

The Eve of Thanksgiving - 11-24-10

The Church Season of Trinity
Thanksgiving Eve, One Year Series
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (November 24, 2010)

“THANKSGIVING FOR ALL PEOPLE”

Readings: 
    Psalm 67
    Deuteronomy  8:1-10
    1 Timothy 2:1-4
    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 2nd chapter of 1st Timothy especially the following verses:

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

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

The weather changed, the days have grown shorter, the crops are now harvested, and for those who will see it, the abundance of God is again revealed in the gifts which He has given to us.  And as we gather together this time of year for Thanksgiving many families out of a sense of tradition will begin their meals by mentioning something they are particularly thankful for at this time.  And those thank-you thoughts may be for the present gathered family, or for the well-being of those who can not be with us on that day.  We take to  time thank those who prepared all the food set before us, for the love and care they took to insure the opportunity of a wonderful meal.  We thank God for friends, for our jobs, for our well-being and the well being of others.  And for all those thankful thoughts, Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful day.  Our memories tend to want to keep it that way, for our minds are filled with those Thanksgiving Days of the past, the experience of that special entrée that your mom or grandmother used to make.  And sometimes we cherish a memory of how something didn’t quite go according to plan.

And for those who do not believe in Jesus Christ, nor the grace which He gives us, those memories, and those offerings of thanks all come to an abrupt end by the prompting of someone at the table saying ‘let’s eat’ or ‘go ahead and dig-in.’  And while that may indeed be the point of the national holiday of Thanksgiving, it is not at all the main point for our thanksgiving.  In fact, most people outside this place will not even know that the word thanksgiving is from the Greek word Eucharist, which is the word for Holy Communion, or Holy Eucharist. 

But, St. Paul in his great love for St. Timothy his brother in Christ and fellow evangelist, takes great care to say what thanksgiving means for Christians.  St. Paul wrote, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people”(v. 1). Here St. Paul gives, “Four synonyms for prayer, each with a different nuance. Supplications; Offered for specific benefits or needs. Prayers; A common NT term, denoting a wide array of petitions. Intercessions; Appeals for others made to God with boldness and childlike trust. Thanksgivings; Expressions of gratitude for mercies received. All these of these different ways of prayer are always appropriate, even when earthly circumstances are difficult, because we are never separated from God’s love and mercy in Christ.” And finally St. Paul closes that sentence with, 'all people.' Those are inclusive words, meaning even all unbelievers and enemies of the Church are included in the Church’s prayers.”

Now think back to your most glorious Thanksgiving meal ever.  Everything set in its place and everyone smiling and happy.  Now try for a moment to remember if anyone at that beautifully adorned table gave thanks for all the unbelievers in the world or for their enemies or the enemies of the church.  We didn’t have to think too long to know that the likes of them are not to be included in our perfect meal. But Pastor, you will say, if that is how St. Paul would describe to Timothy as the meaning of thanksgiving, to include those not loved by our world or even by us, how then can we ever have our perfect gathering?  If we include those dregs on earth whom we deplore how could we ever have that perfect Thanksgiving meal? 

Well repent and do not fear.  That perfect meal does exist, at least not on Thanksgiving Day, but it does exist for you in the Holy Eucharist. That perfect meal is not made by our hands, but rather by the right hand of God.  There Jesus Christ will feed you not just for today, but for all your tomorrows too. 

And the meal which Christ has prepared is not only for you, but for all the world and all peoples too.  For just days before His death, Jesus gave His Holy food, His Holy Eucharist.  And upon that table made of wood God in Christ shared His meal for all who would attend.  But that table of Christ’s love was set on end and the wood of the thanksgiving table became the cross.  And there upon the cross Christ died for you, and in three days time Jesus rose again, and now the Eucharist  the eternal  Thanksgiving given and shed in Jesus Christ's Body and Blood are now among us shared. 

And so the eternal Thanksgiving meal which Jesus blessed, it is for you.  Remember today, tomorrow, and forever, while you give thanks and serve a Thanksgiving meal, the Holy Thanksgiving meal the Holy Eucharist is the meal which always serves you.  It is Jesus Christ who bids you to enjoy, remember, and cherish the thanksgiving meal of tomorrow with good gifts of food, family, and friends.  But also know that Jesus bids you to enjoy that greater Thanksgiving feast prepared for you which never ends.  Amen.

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The Last Sunday of the Church Year - November 21, 2010

The Church Season of Trinity
The Last Sunday in the Church Year, One Year Series
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (November 21, 2010)

“Present and Future”

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 65th chapter of Isaiah, especially the following verses:

Isaiah 65:17-25 (ESV)

[God said to Isaiah]17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. 20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, and their descendants with them. 24 Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

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

This is the last Sunday of the Church Year, so this day we set aside to look forward to the end of the world.  And the odd thing about looking forward is that we are already living at the very end of the world.  So some of what the text describes is already, it has been done by Christ and some of it is not yet, because it looks past the end of this world and into the eternal realm.

It is also very awesome that what God told Isaiah of the world in our Old Testament lesson, is exactly what St. John said he saw in his words recorded in the Book of Revelation.  Confused?  Well listen again to Gods word in which He speaks of a reality which Isaiah would see, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.”(Is. 65:17)  Now listen to what St. John saw, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” (Rev. 21:1)

One reality was looking from the here and now, another looking at the there and eternity.  So what can we learn from this?  Heaven is not only a future reality it is a present reality for us too.  But just as soon as I say that you have heaven now, I’m sure that most would think that this life just doesn't always feel like heaven, does it?  It doesn’t it look like heaven either.   Because we have in our minds that Heaven is where God is, and where His people are, yet heaven is also where God’s Word is preached and the heavenly gifts of God are handed out - gifts like Holy Baptism, the Holy Absolution, and the Lord's Supper.  So, this is heaven, right here.  Heaven is in the Church, whether it be here in the world in the Church Militant or there in heaven in the Church Triumphant.

It is while describing the realities of the coming age that Isaiah, and we too, need all of the pictures, all of the words to describe heaven and really none of them help us to see anymore than a faded glimmer of what will be.  But, God does tell us that this His heavenly place will be a new place a, “new heavens and a new earth.”(v.17)  And when it comes, the sorrows and the troubles of our past and present will be forgotten.  Those who wonder how they will feel about their family and friends who do not join them in heaven can find comfort here, "the former things will not be remembered or come to mind." (v. 17) We will not know, nor sorrow.  All of God's people will be there, and it will be right and it will be right for us. The promise is that in this new earth, "There will no longer be heard in her the voice of weeping and the sound of crying." (v.19) There will be no sorrow.  The New Jerusalem is for rejoicing!  Nothing will interrupt our joy!  

But joy is not always what we feel in our lives.  We pin ourselves down in this world by our sin, whether it be by our own actions or inactions the result is the same. We fail to see heaven in this world because we are too busy trying to make it from day to day here on earth.  The body fails, the mind is attacked, and so our first inclination is to attack at God.  So what about this new heaven God? Where is it, why not now, why so much pain, why me, why my family, why?  Well the why is a question blinded by our sin and when we repent our eyes are opened to see that why question is really better answered by the where reality. And that where reality is the new heaven and earth, and that new heaven and earth became a present reality in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.  He came from heaven to earth, to make a new earth and  a new heaven, for you.

And that new reality is for you sheer bliss.  Peace shall be the rule in your hearts and minds.  God tells Isaiah that even the creatures of the wild will be calmed, and there will be no violence or death.  Lions will eat hay like cattle.  Wolves will graze next to rather than upon the lambs.  The powerful will not hurt or take advantage of the helpless.  And the part I like the best is that the serpent who deceived the Old Adam will have dust for his breakfast, lunch, and supper. 

All of these wonderful promises, eternal life and happiness and peace and joy and contentment, all of these promises are because of the victory over the cross by Jesus Christ, and His promise given there for us.  He has won the battle.  He has paid the price!  He has done all that needed to be done.  Jesus made us His people, and pours out all of the heavenly riches for us.  Your sins, whatever they may be, are forgiven.

And because we have been given such a rich reward, we are called to share that Good News with those who are around us.  And that focus and message is upon our new banner too as a reminder.  Witness.  Share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us “For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.”(1 John 5:7-8)  Because you when heard you received the free gift of faith, let all the world hear of the love of Jesus Christ. Mercy.  Have mercy on those who are around you, because your Father has had mercy on you, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give Hs life as a ransom for many.”(Mk 10:45)  Life together.  We are called to have fellowship with one another, to live out our lives in our vocations proclaiming Christ by what we do and by what we say, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”(1 Cor. 1:9)  Witness, Mercy, Life Together, these phrases illustrate how the church lives and works together to proclaim the Gospel and to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ in our congregations, in our communities, in our state, in our country, and throughout the world.   And in all we do, Christ is at the center, leading us, sustaining us, keeping us focused on our mission.  This will never change.

So as we look at our lives now and see things which are not what they could be, challenged by life, by our thoughts, and our actions.  Do not forget the comforting promises God has given to you in His Son, and revealed Holy Scripture for you.  The entire Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament tells you that all of God’s gifts, are for you.  God put His Son into this world for you.  And Christ puts Himself into you in your Holy Baptism, He puts His body and blood into you in Holy Communion for you.  In Christ your old sinful Adam has died and you are given the promise that you too will see the new Jerusalem and that new heaven made just for you.  And there in the New Jerusalem God tells us that, “no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.(v. 19)  The tears of a life of todays will give way to an eternity of joy and gladness.  Today you heard of what one day you will see with your own eyes, and you heard of what your loved ones who have died in the faith now see with their own eyes.  And that is the present and future reality of your eternal life. 

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity - November 14, 2010

The Church Season of Trinity
The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity, One Year Series
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Midland, MI (November 14, 2010)

“Certain Faith”

Readings:   
    Psalm 126
    Isaiah 51:9-16
    Colossians 1:9-4
    Matthew 9:18-26

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 9th chapter of St. Matthew, especially the following verse:

Matthew 9:18-26

 18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.  20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”  22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.  23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.

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

In our Gospel lesson, one man and one woman desire healing from Jesus and both people receive what they desire in two different ways. Both people also are outstanding examples of faith that clings to Jesus Christ against all odds.

In the parallel accounts in Mark and Luke we hear that the ruler of the synagogue’s name was Jairus. His daughter has just died. Although he has no reason to trouble Christ with a request, nevertheless, he came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” Talk about strong faith! Jairus knew that all Jesus needed to do was lay a hand on her and she will live. A few weeks ago, we heard that someone with a fever wanted Jesus to come and lay a hand on them too.  And there Jesus spoke but a word and the fever was gone. This time Jesus follows Jairus who wanted Christ’s mercy. 

But on the way to someone who was dead, Christ came upon someone who was becoming dead.   For on the way to the ruler’s home, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But, instead of our Lord laying a hand on her or speaking a word of healing to her, she touches his tunic and is healed. Jesus knows what has happened. Mark and Luke’s Gospel record Jesus asking who touched Him because Mark says He felt power leaving Him. Nevertheless, our Lord’s response to her action is the same: Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.

Faith is a word that is tossed around so much that it’s hard to remember what faith is and what faith is not. One thing is for certain: you don’t just have faith. Faith is not merely trusting a process or wanting the impossible to be possible. Faith has an object. For those in the Christian faith, the object of faith is the Triune God. You trust God to keep the promise He made to our fathers in the faith, to Abraham and all his children’s seed forever.

In the book of Hebrews we hear these words, “Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.”  So, you see that saying to someone, “You just gotta have faith” while still having the tiniest bit of doubt about who will perform your request, or who will take care of your needs is not really faith. Faith is being sure.

Now think about putting yourself in the place of the woman, for twelve years you’ve been sick. The doctors are stymied. They can’t seem to find the problem.  They’ve done all the tests.  The medicine can’t or isn’t curing the illness. So what are you left with, well quite frankly your only hope and trust and faith is in Jesus. But stubborn as we are we don’t go to Christ because we don’t think He will heal us. Or we won’t go to Him because He won’t heal us in our terms.

Now put yourself in the place of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue. Jesus brings joy both to Jairus and his household.  Jesus comes into the house, a house full of doubts.  Tears are flowing because the young girl is dead.  And when Jesus says the girl is just sleeping, the mourners break out in laughter.  But, Jesus confounds those who ridicule Him for saying Jairus’ daughter is not dead, but just sleeping. He clears the room of the crowd, Jesus, “took her by the hand, and the girl arose” If the resurrection of the dead does not bring joy, then nothing can bring that kind of joy.

The same two things that happen to Jairus and the woman with a flow of blood happen to you now and will happen to you in the Day of Resurrection. When you pray for healing, peace, repentance, forgiveness, or any other need you may have, be it physical or spiritual, even if you glance the hem of our Lord’s garment, then you believe without a doubt, and Jesus hears your prayer and He will answer according to His good and gracious will.

When you pray for spiritual matters, like strengthening your faith, our Father in heaven has to give it to you. When you pray for earthly matters, like healing from illness, our Father answers according to His will. If His will is that your loved one die, and if they die in the Christian faith, then really they have the best healing possible. If His will is that your loved one recovers, you rejoice because the illness is gone. You also rejoice because, if the one healed is a Christian, they know that ultimately they will have final healing in their resurrection.

There is no greater joy than the eyes which will see and ears will hear than our Savior descending from heaven to call you to His side. For ages upon ages, up from this earth rise countless men and women who died in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His promise of forgiveness and they are restored, they are brought home to Him. Their sins are forgiven in Christ’s blood and righteousness. They are restored to the way they were meant to be when our Lord shakes off their mortal bodies, reunite their souls with their new bodies, and recreates heaven and earth, just as He promised in His Word. And their faith believes it possible, because with God all things are possible.

Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. And there is evidence of these things which you have not seen. The evidence is in Holy Scripture, God’s Holy Word. And here today the substance of your hope is in the visible Word with water, and with the bread, and wine, delivering forgiveness and eternal life into your life. 

Christ’s love for you is real, He came from heaven to earth for you.  In our lesson these two people are healed today, Jesus became incarnate to them.  He came into their presence, for them, to heal them, to set them free one from sickness and one from death.  The world today ridicules a faith which believes in Christ, just as it so many years ago Jesus was ridiculed just before He raised the Jairus’ daughter. But, Christians will have the last laugh against this world and the devil when Jesus casts out the unbelievers and He raises His children from the slumber of death to the joy of eternal life. 

Jesus comes into your lives to heal you too.  He becomes incarnate in this world to address your every sickness, to grant you hope for every trial, to give you the certainty of what you may not be able to see right now.  Though the world, the devil, and our sinful nature would throw trials and tribulations at us to try block and hinder your view of heaven.  Jesus casts away the blinding darkness of the unbelieving world, and He brings you through and out of all that would cause you sadness in the here and now.  For Jesus brings you to His there and forever.  Jesus came into this world, for you and for me and for all who would believe in Him.  And that heavenly relief is what we in faith hope for, and Jesus makes certain you will eternally see.  Amen.

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