Carthago non delenda est

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:34:00 +0000

"Jesus, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!" Sermon for Pentecost 13 A.
http://www.faithcarthage.org/S,091111.mp3

Faith Carthage Sermon for Pentecost 13 A ILCW, "Lord, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!"

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:25:00 +0000

Matthew 15:21-28

Sermon for Pentecost 13 A

September 11, 2011

By Rev. Timothy H. Buelow

Theme: “Lord, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!”

²¹ Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”

²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

²⁸ Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”

²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

²⁸ Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Why did God let me get sick? Why did that tornado have to come? Why did God let 9-11 happen? Why indeed? Or as the Canaanite woman must have wondered so many times: “Why, oh why, does God let my little girl suffer so?!” Could it be, in part, that God wanted her to cry out to Jesus: “Lord, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!” Could it be, in our case, that God wants us to cry out to Jesus: “Lord, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!”

When in the Hour of Utmost Need

We know not where to look for aid

When days and nights of anxious thought

[Neither] help nor counsel yet have brought

Then this our comfort is alone:

That we may meet before Thy throne

And cry, O faithful God, to Thee

For rescue from our misery.

1. Faith-Testing

Who knows how long this had been going on?—a daughter possessed by a demon that throws her into convulsions. How terrifying and troubling to this mother! What mother, what father, can stand for even a moment to see their child suffer?! What a helpless feeling! God gives you the gift of a child. You pour your heart and life into lovingly caring for and raising that child. One of the most, visceral, gut feelings any parent has wrapped up inside them is to try to protect their child, help them, say “Don’t worry, mommy and daddy are going to make it all right.” And then to realize more painfully each day that you really can’t, that there’s really nothing you can do to help. What a gut-wrenching realization! What a feeling of worthlessness and helplessness and failure!

But miracle of miracles, her mother still has faith. She hasn’t despaired in hopelessness. She knows there’s a God who’s merciful, who hears her cries for help. She’s been praying. She hasn’t ceased praying day and night! How many weeks and months and years she’s been pleading with God. And now, this opportunity! Jesus crossed the border of Israel into Lebanon and came into her region!—the Jesus she’d heard so much about, the Jesus they say came down from heaven to do God’s work on earth. ‘I can get close to him. He doesn’t have bodyguards. He’s out and among us people. He’s been healing daughters, and sons. His reputation got here before he did! Oh, please, Jesus!’

She makes her way toward the crowds. She gently pushes her way through the throng, inches her way close to Jesus. Her silent prayers to God become audible, as she sees God’s own son in person. “Lord, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!” What great faith! What Scripture knowledge! She knows this man in the white robe is the Lord, the God of Israel to whom, miraculously enough, this Gentile, Syro-Phoenician woman has been praying for years. She knows Jesus is the Son of David, David’s everlasting heir, the Messiah God had promised through Samuel would rule forever from the royal throne of David. What great faith indeed! She sees in Jesus her Savior, from whom she can expect mercy, because God is love and so must his Son also be. “Lord, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!”

But the Lord, the Son of David, seems to ignore her. He acts as if she isn’t even there! He looks like he didn’t even hear her! Was this Man who gave hearing to the deaf, deaf himself? Couldn’t He at least see her? Was He blind as well? The disciples could see her and hear her. They found the whole situation quite annoying. Jesus lets them become an obnoxious part of the testing of her faith. Just a little longer Jesus will pretend He doesn’t hear, but He’ll let her hear the twelve’s obnoxious comment: Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

Church people can be just as obnoxious today as Jesus’ disciples were that day. How many people don’t cite some bad situation in church when they were younger as an excuse why they don’t go to church today. And shame on us when we become such obstacles. When we do, may we look in the mirror at ourselves, slap ourselves across the chops and beg God to forgive us, because we’re all obnoxious to someone, God forgive us.

But, truth be told, real faith, tested faith, mature faith, faith in Jesus, trust in His Word and His promises won’t ever let some dumb act or ill-spoken word prevent a genuine Christian from getting and staying close to Jesus. Real Christians don’t run away from the church, even if their fellow Christians there are immature or rude. After all, “love keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13) and love is what we have if we’re Christians—not the petty “I’m mad, so I give up on church” of those who are not part of God’s elect. This Syro-Phoenician woman doesn’t even seem to notice the rudeness of the Twelve. Nothing can stop her from praying to the Lord of Life and Death, seeking him out, falling at his feet and asking him humbly for help.

God gives each of us plenty to deal with—some far more than others. He does it to test our faith, just as He did for this woman and her dear daughter. Many times, it seems Jesus either doesn’t hear our prayer, or doesn’t care enough to really listen. He wants us to learn to keep on praying. He wants us to learn the endurance of real faith. As St. Paul said, “we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:2b-5).

God also graciously sends tests to countries like ours, as He did on 9-11 ten years ago, and as He’s been doing in allowing this recession to try our faith. God does that sort of thing, because He cares enough not to let us plunge headlong into materialism and godlessness and idolatry. God wants us as individual Christians, and as a nation, to cry out to Him: “Lord, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!”

2. Strengthened Faith

It’s truly amazing that this woman had not lost her faith through her daughter’s demon possession. In fact, it seems to have gotten stronger. And why wouldn’t it? Demon possession was certainly a sign that there is most assuredly another “dimension”—the world of the invisible. Her faith was far better informed and thoughtful than the foolish ideas of those who promulgate godless atheism and agnosticism today. People ignorantly look at evil in the world and come to a really stupid, illogical conclusion: ‘There is no God.’ Those who look more closely at evil and face it in their own lives conclude instead on the basis of the evidence: “There is a devil!” And if we conclude there’s a devil, how can we not also conclude that there is a God to whom we must cry out for mercy and help?!

Jesus has one final test for this dear lady before he answers “Yes!” to her plea. He ‘insults’ her! He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” In a sense, of course, that was very true. Jesus’ personal ministry was directed first to the Jews. His Great Commission was yet to follow, on the day of his Ascension. It was His disciples who would be sent out to preach to people like us. For now, Jesus was to preach to the Judeans and Galileans. Behind that immediate arrangement, however, was God’s eternal will, both in the Old Testament and the New, to love and save all people through Jesus’ loving sacrifice of Himself on the cross for the sins of all nations.

She was not about to give up. ²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

What do you think? Should Jesus say yes now, or insult her one more time—stretch and test her faith? ²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”

She respectfully banters back with Jesus, leaving us an awesome example for true, Christian prayer: ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

What can you say to that?! ²⁸ Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Great faith, indeed! Awesome faith! The kind of faith you and I should pray God would give us. That’s the kind of faith that moves mountains! No matter what the Lord answered, she wasn’t going to give up asking. More importantly, no matter what the Lord answered, she wasn’t going to give up on Him.

What an example she became that day for Jesus’ disciples! And for us today. She had total confidence in prayer, knowing God is powerful and able—not confidence that God will do any dumb thing we ask, but confidence that he does hear our prayers, that He is merciful, that He will give us what is best for us without a doubt, because He loves us as a dear father loves his dear children. And what an example of persistence in prayer, knowing God can’t ignore those who cry out to him! She’s like the widow in Jesus’ story of the unjust judge who finally couldn’t ignore his petitioner anymore. Jesus wants us to keep asking, just as she did.

She challenged Jesus to live up to who He is—the God of mercy and grace. God loves it when we hold Him to His own promise to be gracious and merciful!

Of course God tests us and challenges us! What loving father wouldn’t? And He loves and tests us as a country too. Thank God He still cares enough about us to not just say “Nuts to them!” and let us go happily off to hell. Whether God does it like the way He allowed it to happen on 9-11 ten years ago, or as He allows today with our frightening, extended recession and the threat of worse to come, He lets difficulties come only because He loves us enough to test us. He wants to get us back on our knees in prayer. And how does He want us to pray? Just like that dear woman, pleading for her afflicted daughter: “Lord, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!” Amen.

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:10:00 +0000

We have posted the sermon for Epiphany 7, February 20, 2011

"Christian Love Knows No Bounds"

Sermon for Epiphany 4

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:02:00 +0000

Faith Carthage has posted the sermon for Epiphany 4, January 30, 2011 on the theme:

“God Chose the Weak Things of the World to Shame the Strong”

based on 1 Corinthians 1:26-13

Sermon, 1-30-11

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:57:00 +0000

The Audio Sermon for All Saints Sunday was posted on FaithCarthage.org

The Link is:

Isaiah 65:17-25

Faith Carthage Sermon for Reformation Day

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:56:00 +0000

The Audio Sermon for Reformation Day was posted on FaithCarthage.org

The Link is:

John 8:30-36

Faith Carthage Sermon for Pentecost 22

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:54:00 +0000

The Audio Sermon for Pentecost 21 was posted on FaithCarthage.org

The Link is:

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Faith Carthage Sermon for Pentecost 21

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:52:00 +0000

The Audio Sermon for Pentecost 21 was posted on FaithCarthage.org

The Link is:

2 Timothy 2:8-13

Faith Carthage Sermon for Pentecost 20

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:48:00 +0000

The Audio Sermon for Pentecost 20 was posted on FaithCarthage.org

The Link is:

2 Timothy 1:3-14

Faith Carthage Sermon for Pentecost 18

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:34:00 +0000

Faith Lutheran of Carthage has posted it's audio sermon recording of Pastor Buelow's Sermon on the ILCW C Gospel for Pentecost 18. The Text is Luke 16:1-13, and the Theme is

Be Faithful with the 'Little' You Have.

Sermon for Pentecost 17

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 01:39:00 +0000

Faith Carthage has posted Pastor Buelow's Sermon for Pentecost 17 on Exodus 32 titled

"May the Lord Continue to Relent."

Faith Carthage Sermon, Pentecost 17

Sermon for Pentecost 16 finally posted!

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 21:38:00 +0000

This is a slightly longer file as it includes both the readings and sermon for the day.

True Wisdom Begins at the Cross of Jesus Christ

Sermon for Pentecost 15

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:58:00 +0000

Pastor Buelow has uploaded his printed and recorded sermons on www.FaithCarthage.org

The Pentecost 15 Sermon is based on the Gospel lesson, Luke 14:1,7-14 and is titled

"Fit for Humble Service"

God bless your week as you grow in his Word!

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:31:00 +0000

Faith Carthage has uploaded Pastor Buelow's sermon for Pentecost 14, August 29, 2010 on Isaiah 66:18-24, preached under the theme: "You Are Part of God's Eternal Mission Plan."

Sermon for Pentecost 12

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:49:00 +0000

The Sermon has been posted for Pentecost 12 by Rev. Timothy H. Buelow. The Text is Luke 12:23-42. Preached under the Theme: "Live as Heirs of the Kingdom." As a Lutheran Liturgical Sermon, it also incorporates the message of the Old Testament Lesson, Genesis 15:1-6, and the Epistle Lesson from Hebrews 11. That may well make it a "homily" depending on the definition of the word.

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:00:00 +0000

Sermon for Pentecost 11 is now available, based on Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:18-26. The Them for the sermon is "All Depends on Our Possessing God's Abundant Grace and Blessing."

Sermon for Pentecost 10

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:42:00 +0000

"Lord, Teach Us to Pray" - Sermon on Luke 11:1-13

Pentecost 10, August 1, 2010

Faith Carthage Sermon for Pentecost 3

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:10:00 +0000

Remember, that even if a link is not posted here each week, sermons are faithfully posted each week in both printed and audio formats at www.faithcarthage.org

June 13th's sermon on the raising of the young man at Nain is available in audio format here:

Sermon,6-13-10.mp3

Sermon for Easter 6

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:05:00 +0000

Audio Sermon for Easter 6 posted at FaithCarthage.org

Faith Carthage Sermon for Easter 5

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 02 May 2010 20:03:00 +0000

Well, we've been more efficient than last week, especially since the recording equipment all functioned perfectly today. On the 5th Sunday of Easter, we continued our series of sermons on the ILCW Series C Epistle Lessons from Revelation, today 21:1-6, where we focused on the last verses (since New Jerusalem is the subject of next week's text and sermon). Our Theme is "Behold! I Make All Things New."

God bless you with strengthened faith as the gift of the Holy Spirit through your hearing God's Word. (That's God's own promise of course: "Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it."

Sermon for Easter 5 at Faith, Carthage.

Faith Carthage Sermon for Easter 4

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:43:00 +0000

Well, it took a few days to post this week's audio. Sorry for the delay and the temporarily non-functioning link on www.FaithCarthage.org. There was a glitch with the recording and we had to use our backup cassette recording to make a new CD recording, from which to make our mp3 recording! All our ducks are now in a row, and so the continuation of our series on the readings from Revelation is now on Faith's web site. This week's sermon is titled "God's People in Glory" based upon Revelation 7:9-17.

Faith Carthage Sermon for Easter 4

Sermon for Easter 3

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Our series on the appointed Epistle Lessons from the Book of Revelation continues, as we examine Rev. 5:10-11 (plus the surrounding verses). The theme, "Worthy of Worship Is the Lamb" is drawn from the text. We consider what true worship is and its centrality in our lives as Christians.

Faith Carthage Sermon for Easter 3

Sermon for Easter 2

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:37:00 +0000

Last Sunday, we began a series of sermons on the readings from the Revelation of Jesus to St. John which are the epistle lessons for the entire Easter season in series C of ILCW.

Last week's sermon was from the first chapter, and serves as an intro for the upcoming readings. You can hear the sermon here:

Sermon at Faith, Carthage, April 11

Feast of the Resurrection at Faith Carthage

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:43:00 +0000

The recording posted is of the entire opening festival liturgy and sermon.

Easter Liturgy and Sermon from Faith Carthage

Good Friday - Meditations on the Seven Words from the Cross

pastor@faithcarthage.org (Rev. Timothy H. Buelow) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:39:00 +0000

Our entire Good Friday Tenebrae Service of Meditations on the Seven Words from the Cross was recorded in two different files, which have been posted. The service begins with a hymn and then the responsive ancient Litany of the Church, sung to the Lenten melody from the Altar Book of the Church of Sweden.

Good Friday Service, Part 1

Good Friday Service, Part 2