I bring you grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, Amen.

God’s holy Word for our glad hearing and learning is the Gospel Lesson for this Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, from Luke chapters 7 and 8.

Let us all pray. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of the hearts of your people be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and redeemer. Amen.

It didn’t quite go as Simon had planned. He had hoped to impress the brilliant Rabbi from Nazareth, and at the same time show him off to his friends. Simon was a very religious man –a strict Pharisee–with a very honored position in the community. And Jesus had accepted the invitation to come into his home. This was going to be good.

But then she showed up. He knew her: they all knew her. That she had a reputation in that city was putting it mildly. She was a sinner.

Interesting…the kind of people this teacher has following him. No, this could be good. Really good.

But then this unnamed woman proceeds to do what Simon neglected to do. She worships Jesus. She falls at His feet and begins to cry. She offers up an expensive offering of ointment. She is in the presence of her Lord and she repents of her sins.

Simon…is disappointed. He thinks to himself, “here is no prophet.” “If he really were a prophet, He would know who was touching Him.” “This Jesus seems clueless.”

The woman’s sins, we are told, were many.

Simon had only one. But it was greater than all her sins combined. It was the sin of unbelief.

And his unbelief made it impossible for him to repent of his sins. And because he was not forgiven, he could not forgive.

Simon, I have something to say to you.

The eager Simon always wanting to impress, answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?

Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” (Luke 7:40–43)

When we come to the Lord’s house we meet sinners. All kinds are found here. The reputations of some are well known. Yet, all who repent of their sins are forgiven. None are turned away. Jesus knows what is in each heart. He knows each hurt. He knows each sigh. He knows each tear.

This morning Jesus has a warning for those who shun the sinner; for those who will have nothing to do with the one who comes into his presence to receive His grace; for those who think that by slipping in and out they can have all the benefits of church and get credit for it and yet at the same time refuse to forgive, to continue judge, to maintain their righteous indignation, to shun the brother or sister by going the other direction; Jesus says you cannot have it both ways.

You cannot be forgiven and refuse to forgive. You cannot come into His presence, dine at His table, without touching sinners. If you are afraid of sinners–then you better stay away. For you see, there is not much that is worse than to sit in the pew and look around you and judge other people. Who died and made you God, that you might now decide the eternal welfare of another person? These are the blood-bought souls by Jesus!

Who are you to shun anyone of them? It’s worse than not coming to church at all. At least when you don’t come to church you don’t bring God’s judgment down upon yourself like Simon did. Better you stay at home.

Then turning toward the woman Jesus said to Simon,

Do you see this woman?

I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.

You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven- for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:44-47)

The time Simon spent deciding who was good enough for him to eat and to sit with he may just as well have spent in meditation and prayer, worshipping his Lord.

He may have instead repented of his sins, for which Jesus also came into the world to forgive, and went to the cross to die and shed his blood, so that Simon and all of us like him may have forgiveness,  and one day recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, (Matthew 8:11)

But Simon rejected all that Jesus had to offer him. Because he thought he could go it alone. That he was better than all the rest. That he was certainly better than this one sinful woman.

And it’s not just individuals who can be this way. It can be whole congregations. Because further on we read,

Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” Luke 7:49

The whole bunch of them didn’t believe that Jesus could forgive this woman her sins! And why? Because they didn’t believe the forgiveness that was offered them. They just didn’t believe Jesus and His Word.

Instead, they preceded to do to the poor Magdalene that which she previously had suffered under the seven demons from which Jesus had released her. The proceeded to hold her captive in her previous  sin. Make her a slave to that sin. And keep her in bondage, of their own making, by not forgiving her.

Friends, this is a serious matter that we must not ignore. When someone is shunned and mistreated by anyone of us because we have it in our minds that they do not deserve the forgiveness of Christ and be welcomed fully into God’s household of grace, we turn the wrath of God upon ourselves because we are immediately held to the same measure.

When the servant of Christ pronounces the absolution of all sins to those around us, and we come up to His table to eat and to drink his body and blood for the forgiveness of sins –and we remain unwilling to forgive, to speak to another individual, to shake the hand, to offer Christian fellowship and signs of friendship, then this is to be Simon the Pharisee.

Don’t expect to leave God’s house forgiven. As a matter of fact, expect your sins to be multiplied against you. Jesus says it here: “he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

But if you’ve been treated this way: take heart. Jesus forgives you. And He promises and gives you His Spirit of forgiveness so that you may forgive those who would hold you in demonic bondage of past sins and offenses. They have no real power over you. Rather pray for them. For they are in great spiritual danger.

We rejoice today at the good news that our sins are truly forgiven; that our heavenly Father welcomes all who repent of their sins and believe that they are forgiven for Jesus sake. We rejoice with one another in this forgiveness, that not one of us is denied by God Sonship and Daughtership in His heavenly kingdom. That we are washed and made clean by and also offered this day the very blood of Him who came into this world to save sinners, that bought us to be His own and that sprinkles clean and gives a good conscience.

To each of us this day Jesus says, “Your faith has saved you. You sins are forgiven; go in peace.” Amen.

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Jesus Brings Release from the Bonds of Sin, Death and the Devil The Lord finds those who did not seek Him or ask for Him. He spreads out His hands “to a rebellious people” (Is. 65:2) and calls them to be His people and to dwell in peace upon His holy mountain (Is. 65:9). For wherever Jesus Christ enters in, Satan is cast out. Those who were enslaved and driven mad by the assaults and accusations of the devil, are set free by the Word of Christ. He drowns and destroys the old Adam in us with the waters of Holy Baptism and thereby brings us out of death into life. No longer naked in our shame, living “among the tombs” (Luke 8:27), we are brought into the Lord’s house, fully clothed by Christ; for He has come, in “the fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4) to fulfill the Law on our behalf and to redeem us from its every accusation. Therefore, having been justified by His grace through faith in His Gospel, “you are no longer a slave, but a son” (Gal. 4:7).

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I bring you grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus, Amen.

God’s Word for our comfort this morning is Don’s confirmation verse: John 6, verse 68, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Let us all pray: Thanks to Thee, O Christ victorious! Thanks to Thee, O Lord of Life! Death hath now no power o’er us, Thou hast conquered in the strife. Thanks because Thou didst arise And hast opened Paradise! None can fully sing the glory Of the resurrection story. Amen.

As Don’s health began its long decline, one of things that was frequently sought was advice: advice and a word from the doctors caring for him. Don would keep track of hospitalizations: how long he stayed out and how soon he was back in. He’d say “I guess the Lord wasn’t ready for me!” and then chuckle, “I’m still here!”

Not long ago he was looking at a possible surgery. He had his knee done, and made it through that, so what were the chances, how did the cardiologist feel? Could he make it through it? The answer was “no”. His congestive heart failure had reached that point. His heart was too weak.

We like to think that doctors know everything and that they can cure anybody, but neither is the case all the time. And so even doctors seek the advice of specialists: the advice of the cardiac specialist, the renal specialist, the liver specialist, and the list probably can go on.

We know that the more acute the situation, the more specialized the advice needs to be. And it was not only the word of medical personal that Don so often desired. Don would call my phone and let me know where he was. He would keep me right-up to date. Just like I was a close relative. In the hospital, or back home. And in either place, the Word of God was sought and administered. The Word of comfort. The Word of assurance. The Word of peace.

And of all the words shared over time –and it became ever more obvious with time that Don was growing weaker –it was the Word of God that mattered the most to Don, that brought him the most encouragement. oh, we’d talk in the hospital –I didn’t have to lead the conversation necessarily –but when it came time to pray: Don listened and was attentive.

It is that God’s Word that brings us to this time and place. To this hour of Donald’s funeral. To this House of God, and later to the cemetery. It is God’s Word that brings us here, and again we look to it for comfort, and assurance, and peace.

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

These words of the Apostle Peter, spoken on behalf of the disciples to Jesus, and they are also the words of Don’s confirmation verse. These are our Words of comfort this morning.

At this time of sadness, we turn to the Word of God. That is what Christians do. For everything for the child of God begins with the Word. John, the same writer of Don’s confirmation verse, starts his Gospel by saying,

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

We know, of course, that “He,” is Jesus. Jesus, who at creation made all things, He is the Word that was spoken, who made all things, who became a human flesh.

We Lutherans have a high regard for the Word. We’re not ashamed to admit this, and we are rather proud to boast in it. We regard God’s Word highly, and  additionally, we are also unique in this way: we also regard preaching highly.

For we know that the Word that we need is the Word that comes from outside us. The preached Word is unfiltered, unaltered. When we gather to hear the proclaimed Word of God we have no choice but to hear what God has to say to us. And that Word tells us of sin, of death and of hell. We would avoid these truths and dwell only in the glory of it all if the Word didn’t come to us externally.

This is exactly the context of our Scripture from John Chapter 6. Jesus has been preaching about Himself and has been telling His followers that He is the Christ, the Son of God. He invites them to believe in Him. This faith was to be an intimate faith: an exclusive faith. They would have to come to Him through the Means of Salvation.

We know that this turned off many of Jesus’ listeners, and in the end all who remained with Him were just the Twelve. The Evangelist John writes,

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.  “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

The Christian Church imitates the example set here by St. Peter and says: “To whom shall we go? Where are we to turn? When life is unfair and kicks us when we’re already down. When friends desert us and we find ourselves alone. When sickness comes. When our consciences are haunted by past sins and failures. When death is knocking at the door. “Lord, I know no one but you. I know of no other message: You have words of life. Your Word has the proper ring. It is impressive and vigorous. It delivers from eternal death, from sin, and from all misery.”

Several times during his life a similar type question came to our beloved Don. At Baptism he was asked if he renounced the devil and all his works and all his ways. Through parents, sponsors and the Church we reply, “I do!” At Confirmation the same questions are asked, and the blessings of Baptism are affirmed and Christ is confessed. Again the same “I believe” is said.

So, also, in death, all of us may, rather, must, turn again to Christ and say, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Don knew how to rally. Perhaps it was the military man in Him. That Korea is again so much in the news these days makes us take notice. What will that nut running that country try and do? At least Don doesn’t have to worry about it. And he did his part 60 years ago!

But sin, death, the devil are just like that. They won’t leave us alone while we are in this life. We might think that we’ve come to a peace with them but it’s never signed. It’s more like a stand-off. They want us.

Only Jesus has the victory and vanquishes all our enemies. In John’s Gospel Jesus also says this, “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)

These things pleased Don. The prayers of the Church on his behalf pleased him. The Word spoken to him comforted him. The Lord’s Supper, which he frequented, strengthened him. And all along it was the same Word of eternal life.

This is the faith that carried Don through this life. You saw at home, you learned it as he brought you to this church. His love for you, Donna– and for all your family, was a natural part of his faith.

I am not sure how to bring this into the funeral sermon; and yet it would not be Don’s funeral sermon for me if I didn’t mention it. I am talking about the wine. Don had some pretty old wine he would to share with me. (I mean old!)

No doubt there was more than its actual taste that made that wine taste good to him. It had memories attached to it. It took him back to happy times and people and occasions he cherished. And I would have to sample it. Several samples.

And how much more is the Word of God which refreshes eternal! The forgiveness of sins breaths life into our weary souls. The knowledge of the resurrection fills us with strength for the day. The hope of a joyful reunion gives us faith to make it through this hour and the tomorrows.

Today you can show your love to Don by following his example and remembering his faith. Not that his faith can save you, but by imitating his faith, by finding God’s house regularly, by approaching this table frequently, by taking in the Words of life.

Don did not earn heaven. He was a sinner. He needed Jesus. But he also heard God’s Word and at the last that Word carried him through.

Jesus says, I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. (John 5:24-25)

Friends, do as Don did: hear; and you too will receive the same as Don has: eternal life. For Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Amen.

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

This morning’s text for our Confirmation sermon is the words of Jesus recorded by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the fifteenth chapter of John’s Gospel, the fifth verse there.

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. (John 15:5)

Let us all pray: Lord, in loving contemplation, Fix our hearts and eyes on Thee, Till we taste Thy full salvation, And unveiled, Thy glories see. Amen.

Dear friends in Christ –and I am especially speaking to you, our 2013 Confirmation Class,

On the night in which Jesus was betrayed our Lord said a whole lot of things to His disciples gathered there, as they were, with Him, upstairs, in that upper room in Jerusalem. He said words to teach them, so that they would know about His approaching death and what it would mean. He gave them a new commandment, that they should love one another as He loved them. He prayed for them, asking the Father to help and protect them through the coming hours of His passion which would culminate with His death on the cross and burial. He spoke the words instituting the Holy Supper which you also will be partaking of this coming Maundy Thursday at your First Communion. And He spoke in a new way to them –He spoke to them as friends. Indeed, he called them that: His friends.

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends. (John 15:15)

Jesus passion and death meant a lot of things, and it meant a change in their relationship, which would give them the privileges of being friends with God. Because of the cross and the atonement He would make with the Father on their behalf, and, indeed, on behalf of the whole world, they were no longer to be considered servants, but now friends; all because of what He was about to do.

My dear class, not so long ago you entered into a new relationship –a friendship –with Your heavenly Father. It happened at your Baptism. When you were Baptized, God called you out of the darkness into His marvelous light. He gave You a new birth. You were born again. By water and the Spirit. He saved you by the washing away of Your sins. He called you by name, and you are His child for all eternity.

To use another image, the one in our text this morning, you were grafted to the vine and became a branch to Jesus. Since then you have been learning about these things, and about a whole lot of other things. We heard some of what you have learned out of the Bible and the Small Catechism last week during questioning. How well you learned your answers! How confident you appeared! You have been given a wonderful start in your life-long journey of faith as God’s child. You are each a lively and promising branch on the Vine.

When Jesus sat down with His disciples that first Maundy Thursday, He also told them about the Father and the Holy Spirit. There is a great deal in John’s Gospel beginning at chapter 14 and continuing through chapter 17 that teaches us how that Jesus came from the Father, and that He was returning to the Father, and that He was sending the Holy Spirit. These words are very revealing. They tell us that the Father gave Jesus to us so that we can return to Him as His children. Since Jesus has promised to be with us always –and He is! –He does us the highest good!

We’re told that Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit so that we might know Him and believe in Him, and be brought to the Father. This is a wonderful description of the work of the Trinity in each of you. You were baptized in the name of the Triune God. And today you will confess your faith in the same Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This confession makes you a part of the vine. How wonderful! Only holy people may be connected to Jesus. This work of making you holy the Holy Spirit does through the Means of Salvation.

The Word of God declares you holy when you repent of your sins. Baptism has washed you clean of your sins and given you faith to believe. The Lord’s Supper gives you the very body and the very blood of Christ which was shed on the cross and broken. That blood is sprinkled on your soul just as it was sprinkled on the Old Testament children of Israel.

The writer of Hebrews writes,

How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:14)

 It is in the purifying action of Jesus’ blood that you are cleansed and made to bear fruit. In this way you are also the fruit of Jesus’ passion.

[And] the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,        faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Of these Jesus will give you without limit whenever you ask of Him. I pray He gives this to you now and always in overwhelming abundance.

And, today, my dear class, you enter into a different relationship with the rest of us as you are confirmed and invited to partake of the Lord’s Supper here at the Lord’s altar at Immanuel. You will kneel today and receive a blessing because of the confession you will make and the promises you will speak, and then you will hear me invite you to take part in all the privileges as communicant members of Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church of Frankentrost, Michigan.

 While confirmation is not a Sacrament, it is a holy thing, because we do it with the Word of God and prayer. That is how we sanctify our day, our lives, and ourselves to God

There is no higher gift from God than the seal and token of forgiveness given in the Sacrament. That’s why we have withheld it from you until now. So in a sense what we are doing here this morning is in fulfillment of what Jesus promised so long ago to His disciples and to all who take up the cross and follow Him. Here we see the fruits of being attached.

The evil one will try to detach you after this hour. He will do everything in his power to convince you otherwise. He will try to pull you lose, dry you up and cut you off. He won’t succeed as long as you remain attached to Jesus.

He has given you the Lord’s supper to remain attached to Him. You have your Bible, the Catechism, prayers, and hymnal. These will help. You have our prayers. These will help you, too. You have Jesus who is doing everything to keep you attached. Remain in Him. For apart from Him you can do nothing.

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

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I bring you grace and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus. Amen.

God’s Word for our glad hearing and our glad learning is the Epistle Lesson for this Fourth Sunday in Lent as was read, from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 5, verses 16–21.

Let us all pray, “Love caused Your incarnation; Love brought you down to me. Your thirst for my salvation Procured my liberty. Oh, love beyond all telling, That led you to embrace In love, all love excelling, Our lost and fallen race. Amen.” (O Lord, How shall I Meet You? Lutheran Service Book 334)

Dear fellow pilgrims traveling to the Paschal Feast,

Our second reading for today is from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. That alone should get our attention. For as we all know, the congregation in Corinth had quite a reputation.

The location of that ancient Greek city should warn us of trouble. It was served by two harbors; to use a good Greek word, it was very cosmopolitan. Yet it was a religious city, too. In Corinth there were temples to the old Greek Olympian gods and a huge, newer, temple dedicated to the worship of the emperor. The business of Corinth, and therefore also the source of a greater part of its wealth was in connection with the pagan idolatry there, and the associated temple prostitution. Paul truly came to a mission field when he came to the ancient city of Corinth.

The reception he received in the synagogue was mixed and he was rejected by most of the Jews there. Not unusual. Nonetheless, the Lord told Paul in a vision not to be afraid and not to be silent. He stayed there 18 months –this was on his second missionary trip.

Soon after leaving Paul decided he would return, but on his second trip there he was not well received and he found a strong opposition to the Gospel and also to him personally. Paul left again, and receiving reports that were disturbing, he wrote his First Letter to the Corinthians, in which he dealt very strongly with them. It is this First Letter that has formed the our general impression of the Corinthian Christians.

Luther writes,

Things got so wild and disorderly that everyone wanted to be an expert and do the  teaching and make what he pleased of the gospel, the sacrament, and faith. Meanwhile they let the main thing drop–namely, that Christ is our salvation, righteousness, and redemption–as if they had long since outgrown it. This truth can never remain intact when people begin to imagine that they are wise and know it all.

When reports were still not good, Paul wrote another letter which we do not have–one that was done in tears. It seemed to work. He then wrote again, in anticipation of another visit, and encouraged by the reports of repentance by the Corinthians. This was his Second Letter to the Corinthians. It isn’t as harsh in tone as his First Letter, but there was still much work to be done. And it is in chapter five of Second Corinthians that our Epistle Reading is from today, and beginning at verse 16, Paul tells them that he no longer regards them according to the flesh.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

What does St. Paul mean by saying, “we regard no one according to the flesh”? It is simply means not to regard a person, to think of, to hold a person in view of their human frailty and weakness. Not to recall sins and past mistakes. To forget as well as forgive. It is all these things and much more! It is to see a fellow believer as one who has been forgiven by Jesus and restored to God. As one who, on account of Christ’s death on the cross, has been justified before God and made righteous, so that the way we view each other is not by the things that have been previously been said or done, but in view of what Christ has done, making each what Paul calls here, “a new creation.”

Paul would understand this completely. One of the greatest problems at Corinth was just this: that a number of the people there in the church were against Paul and were effectively arguing and turning people against him and away from Christ by pointing out his weaknesses.

But what is even more amazing is that Paul himself admits that one time he regarded Christ in this way, “according to the flesh” –but not any longer! This can only refer to the time when Paul was a Pharisee and raged against Christ and the church and sought to bring an end to the faith; persecuting the believers and even approving of Stephen’s death.

Paul knows how things can go and he himself confesses he was scandalized by Christ. And it was because he (Paul) regarded Christ according to the flesh. But Paul learned that rather than in worldly wisdom and strength, Christ–who in all weaknesses, was, what the world regards as foolishness and indeed, shameful, Christ–was made by God our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:27-30)

So he says,

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

These words should comfort each of us today and every day. We’re not the same old self to God. We’re a new person: newly created in Christ. And even if we don’t see it, and it isn’t apparent to us now, it will be one day in the resurrection!

Another good verse for this is Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Oh, my dear friends, if we only would listen to these words of the holy Apostle this day and resolve for ourselves to regard one other in the same manner! To no longer regard each other according to the flesh, but to see each other differently. To no longer judge on terms of what this world approves and disapproves. To see each other as Christ sees each of us: forgiven, made new, reconciled.

For Paul goes on,

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;  that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Now, while this is all very necessary for each Christian to regard one another not in fleshly terms but in sprit, or heavenly terms. The important thing, as Luther points out, is that we don’t drop main thing: that Christ is our salvation, righteousness, and redemption. We may desire peace and harmony in the congregation, and that is a good thing. But not at the expense of truth and especially at a loss of the preaching of Christ and the cross and our redemption.

A pastor knows this better than anyone. For the office of the gospel is the highest and most comforting of all works and is for the profit and benefit of men’s consciences. The law has its use, but does no one any good, as far as it always condemns.

So it is extremely important to regard the servant and man of God in our midst in these terms. Yet as we read further, the Corinthians were still being tempted and persuaded not to do this, so that Paul had to defend his apostleship and also himself and say,

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Here is a reminder that the righteousness of God is ours through the ministers of reconciliation whom God has given to us. This is a hard thing to accept even in our day. And most don’t.

It all comes back to whether you are willing to give in to the devil’s temptation to regard, based on a fleshly opinion,  your pastor, and reject what he has to bring as an ambassador from God! Such rejection, especially of the pastor’s authority is a sin –a sin for which full atonement has been made by the blood of Jesus who gives eternal life to all who repent and believe on his name.

We’ve seen the level of discussion and how our nation has reacted to the killing of our Ambassador Christopher Stephens to Libya in Benghazi! Do we doubt that God is any less concerned about those whom Paul here calls, “ambassadors for Christ”?

Paul is pointing out the fact that are relationship with one another in the church is a pretty big indicator of our relationship with God. And this includes not just our relatives and friends, but also those who come to us and are sent to us.

Jesus came among us as one not to be regarded. Isaiah says,

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)

Yet, Isaiah also begins like so many pastors “Who has believed what they heard from us?” (Isaiah 53:1)

On this Fourth Sunday in Lent the Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians a second time, reminds us of the importance of regarding one another in the same as Christ regards each of us. That the message of reconciliation between God and us in Christ applies also to us, and that this has been entrusted to pastors to bring to God’s people as they make known Christ and God’s gifts of forgiveness and his grace and the peace we have with him in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May these words work on every heart and mind so that what Paul said in closing to the Corinthians may also apply to each of us that, “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14) Amen.

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I bring you grace and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus. Amen.

God’s Word for our glad hearing and our glad learning is the Gospel Lesson for this Second Sunday in Lent, as was already read from Luke, chapter 13.

Let us all pray, “Love caused Your incarnation; Love brought you down to me. Your thirst for my salvation Procured my liberty. Oh, love beyond all telling, That led you to embrace In love, all love excelling, Our lost and fallen race. (O Lord, How shall I Meet You? Lutheran Service Book 334)

Jesus knew what it meant when his enemies started acting like friends –for He Himself knew what was in man (John 2:25), and with friends like these Pharisees, who needs enemies?

Whether they were trying to be helpful and warn Jesus, or not. Or, whether they were bringing a message on behalf of Herod, or not. Or, whether they simply wanted to scare Jesus away from their jurisdiction, or not. We really don’t know. In the end, Jesus wasn’t going to change for anyone; not even the fox Herod. But He was intent on going up to Jerusalem, and to suffer and to die.

We are now two weeks into Lent. Last Sunday we heard of Jesus severe temptations by the devil at the beginning of His ministry. He did not give in to any of them. He feared and loved and trusted in God above all others. He stayed the course. He was the chosen One, the Messiah. The Son of god who was come into the world for the redemption of all people.

Now today we see another angel on things –that is what Jesus had to go through to save us. And for many people, including many Christians, there comes now a warning. Christ would include you in His Kingdom and share with you the benefits of His death and resurrection, but you will not have anything to do with Him.

And as I said, this message is even more for those inside the church, than outside.

But the worst was to happen among His own people. Jesus predicts His own death. Now we’re hearing about what’s to come later this Lent. Now we’re beginning to see that Jesus knew what His fate was. Now we begin to realize what Jesus went willing on our behalves.

For He will go to Jerusalem. That was the fate of the prophets before Him, and it was also His as a prophet. Indeed, more than a prophet! As the Messiah He would go there to Jerusalem to suffer and die: where they kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to it.

And even if he was issuing threats against Jesus, Herod wouldn’t stop Him. Herod would have no influence as to whether Jesus lived or die. He may have killed John, but that was only because God had allowed it. But he wouldn’t touch Jesus, because the Father would not allow that Herod should touch Him.

It would be Gentiles to whom He would be delivered. And they would mock Him and shamefully treat Him and spit upon Him. And after flogging him, kill him, and on the third day he would rise. Luke 18:32–33

Jesus was on a mission from God and that mission was the salvation of the world. There would be no greater mission in all of human history.

From eternity, God saw the wretched state of sinful mankind. God knew that our first parents would disobey and fall into sin, bringing the whole human race under the curse of God’s wrath and punishment.

He knew that each of us would need saving if we are to spend eternity with Him. The very fact that we have heard about the goodness of Jesus and are here in this place this morning shows us God’s grace towards each of us individually. That’s something wonderful that we shouldn’t take lightly or not consider thoughtfully. God has come to each of us by the Gospel.

Do you take His grace lightly and respond to it as Jerusalem did her prophets? Take the Third Commandment. It is also about the prophetic Word of God. It says to remember the Sabbath day.

It more than occasionally supporting the church, or coming into the church once a year.

It means that God and His matter are foremost in our lives. That we regard those sent to us from God. Who speak God’s word to us. It means to support the kingdom of God and His Word regularly.

We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and God’s Word, but hold it sacred, gladly hear and learn it. Is that a one once a year deal? Or, when I feel like it? Or, when it only when I feel it to be agreeable?

The Pharisees, who came to Jesus thought of themselves as pretty religious. They were quick to let others see and hear all the remarkable things they did when they made their sacrifices, when they prayed, and when they helped the poor.

But they were also just as quick to reject the Word of God and Jesus who was sent to them because He pointed out that they needed more than these things –that they needed Him, and the continued indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit in order to believe in Him and be saved. Jesus said to them, “I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)

What did that mean to those people? It meant that even the most religious people of Jesus day were unable to make it into heaven without Him. And those Pharisees hated Jesus for saying it.

Yet don’t we often go about confidently, relying pretty much on our own good works? Would any of us want to have our offerings and prayer time and hours we spend in church related activity un-credited from our over-all spiritual report card. Doesn’t each of us some-what think that being a pretty good person in our own eyes and the fact that there are a lot worse people out there than we are count for something? Perhaps count a lot?  Maybe, since there is not much else to our spiritual life are we even depending just on this one thing: that God thinks pretty highly of us?

Well, Jesus doesn’t think so, and He uses the picture of a mother hen and her brood of chicks to tell us how it is. Either we are found safe and secure nestled under the wings of God or we are to suffer the fate of chicks that wander off to be killed by a fox.

You see, there is irony in the image Jesus uses here of a hen and chicks and fox. Certainly a hen is not stronger or more clever than a fox. But the chicks are safer under her wings than anywhere else. Surrounded by God shielded by Him we can be no safer. Outside His church we are at danger at all times.

And Jesus is making use of the same Psalm from the Temptation last week which the devil misapplied concerning tempting God and the angel’s protection.

He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.Psalm 91:11-12

Only this time verse 4,

He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4

Yet there is one hindrance when it comes to the salvation of a man’s soul. That is the man himself. “I stand at the door and knock,” says Jesus in Revelation chapter 3.

And at that invitation all excuses are useless. You can’t even blame the preacher. Before our Gospel today Jesus had warned about the narrowness of the door to Salvation.

Someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, ”Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’  Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’

But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’  In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see     Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you       yourselves cast out.

And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.

And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” (Luke 13:23-30)

We could do no better than rethink these matters, especially during this season of Lent, with Holy Week and Easter approaching. Do not make it that Christ died in vain for you.

That would be a terrible thing. Listen to His pleas that you would find shelter under His wings.; that He wants to protect you and keep you safe.

Don’t think this will happen automatically, just because you’re in the shadow of this building, or a lifelong member of this church. And don’t think that His grace isn’t for you because you are a new comer and not one of this church’s chicks. Jesus is willing to bring all under His outstretched arms. He wants all people to be saved.

There are no exclusions when it comes to the repentant sinner wanting forgiveness. It is only the arrogant, and the proud and those who trust in themselves, like the Pharisees, who don’t make it.

And if hearing that angers you, then you better rethink these things and hear Jesus’ warning.

But perhaps we best be reminded what our Christian Questions and their Answers say –what we all learned from the Catechism, about making use of the Lord’s Supper.

But what should you do if you are not aware of this need and have no hunger and thirst for the Sacrament?

To such a person no better advice can be given than this: first, he should touch his body to see if he still has flesh and blood. Then he should believe what the Scriptures say of it in Galatians 5 and Romans 7.

Second, he should look around to see whether he is still in the world, and remember that   there will be no lack of sin and trouble, as the Scriptures say in John 15-16 and in 1 John     2 and 5.

Third, he will certainly have the devil also around him, who with his lying and murdering day and night will let him have no peace, within or without, as the Scriptures picture him in John 8 and 16; 1 Peter 5; Ephesians 6; and 2 Timothy 2.

Finally, comes this warning, from Galatians 6,  “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever one sows, that he will also reap.”

Amen.

The post Sermon from 2 Sunday in Lent, Feb. 24 appeared first on Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and School of Frankentrost.

I bring you grace and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus. Amen.

God’s Word for our glad hearing and our glad learning is the Gospel Lesson for this Sunday of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, from Luke, chapter 9,

Let us all pray: All glory, Jesus, be to Thee For this Thy glad epiphany; Whom with the Father we adore And Holy Ghost forevermore. Amen.

Dear brothers and sisters of our Lord Jesus Christ,

One of the oddest things I’ve ever experienced in my time in the ministry happened when I wasn’t a pastor at all, but as a vicar. It happened while stepping into the pulpit to deliver the sermon only to look out at a good number of the people sitting in the pews wearing sunglasses. I had never seen that before.

Yet, when I inquired about it later it made perfect sense. It was about this time of the year –when the lengthening of days becomes noticeable. The first service at my vicarage congregation was earlier than this one, because we had five services. Our first service was at 7:30 a.m. The church faced east, and almost the entire east wall was a stained glass window, so that at that crucial time, when the sun first came up, it shone rather brightly into the church. Thus the need for sun glasses.

And the theme of that window that caused the need for sunglasses? The Transfiguration of Jesus. The very same event that we hear about in our Gospel Lesson this morning. Jesus and three of His disciples, Peter, James and John, on a mountain top and His being changed before them. His face and clothes dazzling brightly. And Moses and Elijah appeared with Him.

What a wonderfully glorious thing that must have been for them. The Gospel says that Peter was so taken by what He saw that He started to say senseless things. But mostly He wanted to stay up there on the mountain with Jesus and Moses and Elijah. For them it must have been the closest thing to being in heaven.

Heaven is where Jesus is. After coming down from that mountain, fulfilling all that was written about Him by Moses and the prophets such as Elijah, Jesus was crucified, died and was buried.

The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven. And when He left the disciples visibly, He promised He would be with us for all time.

When we hear God’s holy Word preached to us. Jesus is there. When we recall the promises of God that He fulfilled in Jesus, especially the sending of Savior to forgive us all our sins: Jesus is there. When we believe the Words of forgiveness spoken to us and applied to us: Jesus is there.

The people of the Old Testament, before Jesus came to earth, had men like Moses and Elijah to listen to. As we heard in our Old Testament Lesson this morning, the people thought a lot about Moses. Yet, because of a moment of doubt and disobedience, Moses was not to enter the Promised Land. He had to stand and look in on it. All of the Law Moses recorded –the Ten Commandments –and the religious laws he handed down from God to the people to do –all these could not even save Moses.

Nothing of the Law written down, or followed to the exact dotting of every “i”, or the crossing of every “t”, can save anyone. Not Moses, not the God’s people of the Old Testament, and not even the Peter and the other disciples. They needed One more faithful, as our Epistle describes Him.

They needed Jesus.

Even Elijah had his moments. God did great miracles through Elijah and yet Elijah would doubt God’s Word and God’s way’s. Through Elijah God had defeated the false god Baal prophets, demonstrating with fire from heaven that he was the one true God. No prophet since Moses had had a more dramatic and convincing proof that God was God almighty and the only true God for Elijah and all the people to believe and worship.

But what happened immediately afterwards? Elijah hid himself because he was afraid of the wicked wife of King Ahab, Jezebel. Elijah knew his mortality and the rage of the his enemies and these were what he came to fear most, not God who had caused the idolaters to be slain.

God came to Elijah and spoke to Him. Not in thunder or earthquake but in a whisper. God sent Elijah back telling Him that there were indeed those who had not worshipped Baal. They were faithful to God and would hear Elijah speak God’s Law and promises to them. Soon after that God took Elijah to heaven in a chariot of fire. He did not die.

No doubt then that remembering these things and much more were what made Jesus’ Transfiguration for impressive for Peter and James and John. They were on a Mountain top.

The Glory of God signified His presence. Jesus is changed and now appears with the greatest Law giver and the greatest prophet. He takes His place as one greater than even Moses and Elijah!

A cloud envelops the whole scene. God speaks! These men knew what it meant to be in the presence of God. They knew that no one can see God and live. Before them was God’s glory.

They were sinners. They needed Jesus.

Jesus, who is our High Priest before God. Who intercedes for us. He prays to the Father on our behalf. He pleads our case. Goes between. Showing His life and death as full satisfaction for our sins. And He is able to do so because He is alive and ascended and ever-living.

Jesus is not like Mohammed, or the Buddha, who had to be buried, never to be seen from again.

Even Moses was buried. And Elijah was transported in fire.

No, Jesus lives and reigns to all eternity because the father gave His life back to Him. Jesus pleased the Father. Jesus raised Himself back from the dead because He is God.

That makes Him deserving of our worship and praise. His Words are true that He said about Himself. And added to them is the testimony of the Father. To these are also added the Spirit’s testimony concerning Jesus through the apostles.

We might at times think we needed a special revelation of God’s presence and glory in order to keep believing in Him. We may even get like the Jewish readers that the writer of Hebrews was trying to convince not to go back to Moses and the Law because they didn’t feel the presence of God in their new faith in Jesus. But don’t do it!

Don’t ever let yourself be persuaded that there is any other way than by Jesus to come to the Father. He is the Chosen Son of God. He has been made our own High Priest. He came from God and returned from God. And He will come again to take us to live with Him in heaven.

Our Collect we prayed this morning talked about the mysteries of the faith and our one day being with Jesus in heaven. That’s what the Transfiguration of Jesus is about. Jesus is the One. The Holy One of God. The Son of God come into the world to save mankind. And all who listen to Him will be saved. Amen.

The post Sermon for the Transfiguration of Our Lord, Feb. 10 appeared first on Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and School of Frankentrost.

Since 1997, more than 40,000 visitors have made their way to Bethlehem via this unique presentation of the familiar Christmas story.

Some fun facts include:

268 costumed cast members participated in 2012 with 93 helping from outside our congregation. Each night over 140 cast members presented, with a combined cast and crew of approximately 170 people. The ages of our volunteers over the years have ranged from 3 – 92 years old.

From start to finish, this year’s production took approximately 300 volunteers -from rolling scrolls, mending costumes, baking cookies to building Bethlehem and cleaning-up.

2800 visitors kept Caesar Augusts’ census takers busy as they journeyed this year to be counted, listened to the shepherds tell of the angel’s message, heared prophets recall ancient promises, and visited the town alive with villagers. Going from inn to stable, they heard and saw that God has come to us in human flesh—as a baby lying in a manger.

For more information about the Living Nativity for 2013 click here http://frankentrost.org/living-nativity-2/

The post Over 2,800 Journey to Bethlehem at 16th Annual Living Nativity appeared first on Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and School of Frankentrost.

The year 2012 was the 165th year that the Lord Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit gathered together a family of Lutheran Christians at Immanuel, Frankentrost. A community that delighted to sing praises to our heavenly Father and receive all the good gifts that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have to give to us (and through us!) as we share in their unending life.

In January of 2012, the newly elected officers, board and committee members stood before the Lord’s Altar in His House and began the New Year with the assembled congregation, giving their promises to willingly serve in their elected positions and assist me in the Ministry of the Gospel. We thanked God for those who were leaving their offices and positions, and for their faithful service over the past year(s). The elders met for orientation on Saturday the 7th. An unusually long Epiphany allowed for us to get a good introduction to Mark’s Gospel.

With the new year, the retirements of our principal and 5th and 6th grades teacher, Mr. Dennis Neumeyer, and our 1st and 2nd grades teacher, Mrs. Marsha Neumeyer, loomed ever nearer. Many meetings and interviews, and the spending of much personal time and hours were the continued sacrifice of love offered by the members of Immanuel’s Board of Education, who were led by Kurt Schaeff in the task of finding suitable candidates. The Lord would bless their work (although He would also allow the testing of patience and faith at times).

On the 11th of February the Lord called to Himself Clinton Poellet. A memorial service was held in church on the 18th. Clinton always gladly heard and learned the Word of God, and will be missed in Bible Study and for his encouraging words to me.

Our thoughts turned toward a somber theme with the beginning of Lent marked by our Confessional Service on Ash Wednesday, Feb.  22, which included Corporate Confession and Individual Absolution.  That evening, the junior confirmands and parents met with me to begin the final preparations for Confirmation. Although February was supposed to be cold, it warmed up outside and also inside church, with the love and sharing of vows and the blessing of God upon Matthew Weiss and Sarah Scott who were married on the 25th.

On March 4th, Immanuel’s voter’s were led by God the Holy Spirit through Word and prayer to call Mr. Dean Scheele and Mrs. Christina Petzold to fill our school vacancies. Mr. Scheele would be led to decline our call. However, we were thankful to receive word from Mrs. Petzold that she would be our new 1st and 2nd grades teacher.

As the weeks of Lent progressed, we gathered for our beloved Vespers at the midweeks, and heard anew the story of our Lord’s Passion from Mark’s Gospel. Our meditations considered the Seven Penitential Psalms. Also during March, our Questioning Service took place at 10:30 a.m. on the 25th. The preparation and rigors of practice paid off!

Although it was April 1st, there was no fooling, and our 10 Jr. Confirmands faithfully, and in all seriousness, made their promises to the Lord at the 10:30 a.m. Confirmation Service. It was our joy to hear Shalina Aguilar, Randy Burk, Keri Frahm, Dustin Gross, Zachary Janson, Melody Kelley, Madalyn McKenzie, Victoria Reinbold, Nicklas Weaver, and Sean Weiss confess Him who had claimed them years before in Baptism and promise to be faithful to Him unto death by His grace. The Church was absolutely packed as usual that day.

As the 1st was also Palm Sunday, the 8:00 a.m. saw the little children come in singing the praise of Jesus, and “Hosanna!” as they waved palm branches. Holy week also saw us pondering more intently the holy Passion of Jesus. Holy Wednesday offered another Confessional Service like Ash Wednesday. This gave the newly confirmed young people an opportunity to prepare for worthy reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood on the following day at our Maundy Thursday Service and their First Communion. The Good Friday Service of Darkness featured a special musical adaptation by our choir of the Seven Last Words of Jesus which He spoke upon the cross.

The news on Good Friday of the sudden passing of Grant Engel came as a shock. The comfort of Easter was preached to those who attended his memorial service at Cederberg Funeral Home the Tuesday of Easter (the 10th). On Holy Saturday, our shut-in/ homebound members gathered in the church decorated for Easter to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and sing alleluias to the Risen Savior.

Joys abounding! Easter was the feast of joy that it always is to us – from the Saturday egg hunt for the young children, to the Sunday morning Easter breakfast (thank you, youth group!). The highlight: Easter Services held on the 8th, Easter Sunday, with the Feast of the Resurrection celebrated at the 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service and the 10:30 Divine Service.

April continued to be a busy month. We concluded with Julie Schaeff and Jacob Osborne married in church on the 21st, followed the next day by the first Baptism of the year when Adrienne Marie Smith was plunged beneath the bracing stream and came up from it with her sins forever gone and sealed with the Holy Spirit on the 22nd.

The voter’s would again turn to the Lord for wisdom and guidance on the 22nd, and called Mr. Todd Baringer as our principal and 5th and 6th grades teacher. After deliberating our call, he decided to decline.

The first Sunday in May was our Mission Sunday. The Evangelism Committee arranged for and hosted the Rev. Prof. John Pless from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to be our guest preacher and lead our Bible Study on the 6th. A door offering provided over $1,000 to assist in his traveling to South Africa to teach pastors and seminarians who otherwise would not have the opportunity to receive the pastoral training we take for granted here in North America.

Thursday the 17th was Ascension Day. The 7:00 p.m. Vespers gathered us to offer thanks and praise to our resurrected, ascended, and ever-living Lord.

A grand celebration was held for the retirement of Mr. and Mrs. Neumeyer with a personal friend and special guest preacher, the Rev. Harry Edenfield, from Brownstown, Michigan, offering the message at the morning services. A meal and program was held in the school gym afterwards. Also, on Friday the 18th, we thanked Nonie Brechtelsbauer for her many years of service to our school as secretary.

With May came two funerals. We lost that month both our oldest member, Elmer Heinlein, on the 20th, and our dear Betty DuRussel, on the 26th. Elmer was buried from Immanuel with military honors at the cemetery –he served our country during World War II in Europe. Betty’s funeral was also in the church on the 30th. Her lovely banners will continue to be a testimony to her joy in sharing her many talents from the Lord.

In the midst of the funerals new life flowed to little Dylan James Frahm, as the Savior claimed him as His very own for time and for eternity on the 27th. Memorial Day gave me an opportunity to speak to the Frankentrost and Blumfield Township community at the cemetery memorial services on the morning of the 28th. It was a extremely warm day!

The first Sunday in June is always Picnic Sunday. The outdoor service was held with the cooperation of Michigan’s fickle late spring weather. The day also served as graduation for our 8th graders and recognition of all our graduates from high school and colleges, etc. At the service, Zachary and Stacy Weiss were received as members by transfer.

Immanuel’s School Board decided to offer a contract to Mr. Jonathan Kamin as 5th and 6th grades teacher and principal for the 2012–2013 year. He announced his acceptance and all involved were thankful to God that the coming school year would begin without a vacancy in any of the classrooms.

I conducted funeral service for Jeffrey Reinert. Jeff passed away on Sunday, the 10th, in Lansing and received a Christian burial on Thursday, the 14th from Cederberg Funeral Home in Frankenmuth.

On the 17th our MOST Team to El Salvador was commissioned in church. They left on the Thursday, the 21st, and returned safely to us on Saturday, the 30th. We were thankful for God’s protection and blessing upon their travels and sharing His love.

I attend the 100th Michigan District Convention in Ann Arbor, held June 24–27.  Al Kaul served as our congregation’s lay-delegate. The District electorate were led by the Holy Spirit to elect the Rev. Dr. David Maier to a second term of office as District President. The Rev. Robert Gadeken from St. Michael’s, Richville is our Circuit Counselor for the next triennium.

July brought continued drought and prayers for seasonable weather. Also, there was great joy during the month in the conduct of our annual VBS and the sharing of the story of Christ with all the little ones on the 10th, 11th, and 12th. Back to back weddings on a Friday and Saturday were managed by Pastor for Nicole Kelsey and Ryan Schian on the 20th, (Nicole was welcomed into communicate membership the week before after six months of classes), and then for Bryan Schaeff and Jacqueline Aspin on the 21st. Thankfully, that weekend saw a temporary relief from the hottest summer in half a century. Heat records dropped, but not one wedding party member succumbed to the non-air-conditioned sanctuary. After the weddings and all the other activities of the year, I was anxious for some vacation.

August meant the end of Otto Reinbold’s earthly pilgrimage on the 20th.  I will miss our closest neighbor who always responded to my German, “macht’s gut!” with “du, auch!” Otto was called home while I was in Wisconsin with Audrey returning to Concordia University. We hurried back and his funeral took place at church on the 24th.

On Sunday the 26th, I installed Christina Petzold as 1st and 2nd grades teacher, and at the same service inducted Jonathan Kamin as a contracted principal and 5th and 6th grades teacher. Also that morning brought by way of transfer of membership both Teachers Kamin and Petzold, and the Brian Galsterer family, including Brian and Renea, and their children Jacob, Owen, and Allison.

August also saw a new school year begin with opening chapel on Wed. the 29th, and the children gathering to learn about Jesus, as well as the other important lessons of an elementary school education.

Immanuel has two members preparing for professional church work. Audrey Loest is in her second year attending Concordia University – Wisconsin (Mequon) in the teacher education program. Daniel Wojtowicz is a junior completing an undergraduate degree at Concordia University – Ann Arbor. He is in the pre-seminary program. Daniel was willing to teach Adult Bibel Study this fall in the school library on Sundays.

In Septembe, we were still singing the praises of the blessed Trinity and rejoicing to have the choirs and bells back in on the action again – we always miss them during the summer months! Sunday School and Bible Studies began with Rally Day the 9th. I was able to attend a continuing education class at the Ft. Wayne seminary the 17th–21st. It provided me with a time to learn and reflect on my ministry skills. Also, during September, our Stewardship emphasis, “Living Each Day As A Steward,” taught us how stewardship is a daily calling and not an annual emphasis to simply raise money.

October brought our usual joys with LWML the first weekend.  The ladies’ singing added to the services. On the 14th we observed Kirchweih and our congregation’s 165th anniversary.

On the 11th, the Lord called home to Himself Edgar Rupp after a brief illness. I had shared the Lord’s Supper at home with him and June just the week before, so his passing was a bit sudden. At the funeral in church on the 15th, we gave thanks to God for Edgar’s life and faith and were comforted by the assurance of the resurrection and eternal life that is for all who die in faith in Jesus.

Also in October, I performed a Committal Service for Ernest G. Kueffner at St. John’s Cemetery. Ernie was originally from Frankentrost, but lived in Wisconsin when he died on September 13th.

On the 13th, our fall shut-in/ homebound Communion Service was held at church. A joyous occasion held in the church came when marriage vows were exchanged by Courtney Frahm and Joshua Struck on Saturday the 20th. At month’s end, we celebrated Reformation. Looking forward to the upcoming national and local elections a series of Bible Studies called, “Free to be Faithful,” were held on Sundays.

The Coordinating Council drafted ne mission and vision statements for the congregation. They are based on the Synod’s three-fold emphasis of Witness, Mercy, and Life Together.

Mission Statement Gathered by God as His redeemed people, in grateful response to His grace, and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the Mission of Immanuel Lutheran Church is to make known the love of Christ by word and deed among our members, in our community, and to the world.

Vision Statement With our LORD leading us and sustaining us, we strive to proclaim the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ and to provide for one another and our neighbors through Christian witness, works of mercy, and in our life together.

By November, of course, we had All Saints and the remembrance of the faithful departed, and the certain knowledge that it wouldn’t be long before another name would be added. Viola Abraham had been in decline, and with her passing another of the Lord’s saints, so ready to go to heaven, crossed over from death into eternal life. She passed away on the 5th and her funeral from church was held on the 8th.

On Election Day, our church was opened by the Evangelism Committee to our community for prayer. I held several short services throughout the day to pray for our nation and its leaders.

On the 10th, I participated in the wedding of Erich Reinbold and Amy Weiss at St. Lorenz in Frankenmuth. I can now say I have been a part of a service at that historically significant church. Twelve days later, Thanksgiving found a full church and our offerings and gifts of mercy given to help those in need.

By December we were ready for Advent. Living Nativity, was the 7th, 8th, and 9th. I enjoy visiting with our guests at the Evangelism Committee’s table and going among the cast, encouraging and lending a helping hand where needed. Midweek services were Wednesdays the 5th, 12th, and 19. A Communion Service for our homebound/ shut-in members included the 3rd and 4th grades children singing favorite Christmas songs. Refreshments followed. The weather is always a factor in December, but a fairly mild day allowed for a good attendance. Choral Matins was on the 23rd; Christmas Eve had our traditional children’s service (to a packed church) and then Lessons and Carols ending with the ringing of the church bells and the singing of “Stille Nacht” at midnight. Come Christmas Day, we sang our joy with the angels and archangels over the Word becoming Flesh and dwelling among us.

All in all a busy year, a year filled with joys, touched by sorrows, but a year of grace for the Blessed Trinity never failed us once – constantly pouring His grace upon our parish family. We welcomed new members and saw old friends move away or move on, but through it all, we were blessed to remain Immanuel, Frankentrost, a community of evangelical Lutheran Christians meeting in Blumfield Township in Michigan’s Saginaw County.

At the end of 2012, the baptized membership of Immanuel stood at 662. The communicant membership at 548. The average attendance was 253 per week (thank you, again, Bonnie Mauerer, church office secretary for calculating that for us!), which means that approximately 38% of our members were in attendance in a Divine Service in any given week.

Respectfully submitted by Mark A. Loest, Pastor of Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church of Frankentrost, Michigan, in the 9th year of this pastorate.

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Services: For Sunday morning and weekday services such as Wed. Advent and Lenten services the decision to cancel services will be made by the pastor, the head elder, and the elders on duty for that day —in the consultation with the head trustee, if necessary.

The decision will be based on weather conditions, the forecast, road advisories issued by the county and/or state, cancelations by sister churches, other closings in the community, and the condition of the facilities (heat, electric, parking lot, etc.).

Cancelations will be communictaed to all the elders, announced on radio station WSGW 790 AM and local television stations, posted on the church’s web site, and announced through the school’s information phoning system.

Members are advised that when conditions are doubtful to call the church office, Pastor’s cell phone, or contact your elder before coming out in bad weather.

On days when public school is canceled public school catechism class will also be canceled.

The post Weather Emergency and Church Service/ Activity Cancellation Policy appeared first on Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and School of Frankentrost.

I bring you grace and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus. Amen.

God’s Word for our glad hearing and our glad learning is the Gospel Lesson for this Epiphany Day from Matthew, chapter 2.

Let us all pray: All glory, Jesus, be to Thee For this Thy glad epiphany; Whom with the Father we adore And Holy Ghost forevermore. Amen.

Dear brothers and sisters of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Perhaps no story from the life of our Savior is more mysterious than that of the coming of the wise men (our English Standard Version translation follows the King James Version  and calls them wise men –the Greek is magoi (magoi), which is sometimes also translated as “Magi” –anyway, the coming of the wise men to Jerusalem, and their going all the way up to the throne of Herod and asking where is the newly born king of the Jews, that they had seen the appearing of his star and had come to worship him.

Matthew says that the words of these wise men from the East troubled Herod, and not just Herod, but also all of Jerusalem. And Jerusalem had good reason to be troubled.

The reaction of Herod to this news was just as they had feared. Only it was not Jerusalem that suffered for it, but Bethlehem.

These wise men came because they had seen a star rise. In their wisdom maintained over the ages they had recorded the hope of a King for Israel whose birth would be heralded by a star. Daniel had long before been among the Persians. He had been included among the wise men of the court. No doubt he spoke of Israel’s hope and the promise of a Messiah.

Also, by this time what we call the Old Testament had been translated into Greek. The wise men could read for themselves the prophecies.

And what had these prophecies from long before said? That from Israel would come the Christ and he would be ruler over all Israel and that the Gentiles would also be blessed by His rule.

God had told Abraham that through you (through the seed of Abraham) that is, through Christ, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. Gen. 12:1-3.

In Genesis 49:10 Jacob prophecies that the Gentiles will be drawn to the Christ.

In Psalm 2:8 God the Lord promises His Son. He shall give to him the inheritance of the Gentiles; that he should be a leader among the Gentiles, Psalm 18:44.

And Psalm 22:28 says that all the descendants of the Gentiles will worship him, and Psalm 117:1 that consequently all the Gentiles shall praise God the Lord.

In Isaiah 2:2 it also says that in the last days all the Gentiles shall run to the Mountain of the Lord. In Isaiah 11:10 that all the gentiles shall inquire about the root of Jesse, that is Christ, who stands as a Banner for the nations. In Isaiah 42:1 that the righteous servant of God shall bring justice among the Gentiles. Isaiah 49:6 also says that Christ has been made a light to the Gentiles, that He is their Salvation unto the ends of the earth. Finally in Isaiah 60:3, that the Gentiles shall walk in the Light of the Christ. There are many more Bible verses like these.

We marvel when we think that we have also been called by God to his Christ. The darkness of our sins and enslavement to sin we know well enough. Had the Gospel of Christ not been preached to our ancestors we would still be lost. Had we not been told the simple truths of God’s Word and his love towards all mankind we would still be in the bondage of our trespasses: pagans and worshipers of planets and stars.

Even more marvelous is how the wise men set out for Jerusalem. Such was the burning in the hearts and minds of the words they knew! So convinced were they that they meant something that they had to go and make inquiry!

We encounter this same thing today. People are all around us and in our world wanting to know more about the things they have heard about Christ. Often these things are incomplete. Perhaps their desire is based on what has been passed down in their families from a time when they had faith, but it had since been lost.

This is why the season of Epiphany also has a theme of missions running throughout: Christ is made manifest as God’s Son come into the flesh for all mankind.

For every kind of people. He is not kept only for the Jews. Or just for us.

But for every person. His death on the cross made satisfaction and paid for the sins of the whole world. All are invited to come and to behold him and believe in him.

But as we see, the world rages against this, especially those with power to loose. Those who gain by keeping people lost and blind in their enslavement to sin.

If people only knew that such things as drug addiction, alcoholism, gambling, pornography, sexual sins, murder, hate, theft, envy, gossip, all sorts of cruelties against other human beings, abortions, war, strife, uncontrolled anger, rioting, destructive behaviors, and the like are all the result of the un-enlightenment of this world and they knew the light of God’s Christ which shines brightly and makes known a better and holier way by the cross which forgive and cleanses, then all the people of the world would know the full blessing of the Kingdom of God and his Christ and come to have the peace that He offers and gives freely. But the Herods of this world won’t allow it.

Each of us has been graciously called by Christ into his Kingdom. We have a more certain revelation than even the wise men had. Peter says,

And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19

Epiphany is the manifestation, the making known the the baby in the manger. The child who nursed at his mother Mary’s breasts. The infant circumcised on the eighth day; declared to be a light to the gentiles and the glory of Israel on the fortieth; who was pursued by Herod; fled to Egypt, and was found in the Temple to the amazement of all. The child who was obedient to his parents, as a man baptized in the Jordan to fulfill all righteousness, and manifested his glory first at Cana.

This One is the Christ. Who suffered and died; and invites us to his table to feast. To come with our treasures –and our impoverishment, alike –to worship him.

To behold him now as the Christ the Lord –just as the angel announced. The savior of all mankind. Your savior and mine. And the mystery of the Epiphany continually being made known to us in word and sacrament. Until one day we behold him face to face.

Amen.

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“The Good Tidings of Great Joy”

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:8-14)

There is no prettier scene described for us in the Bible than that by St. Luke of the shepherds abiding in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night. And in Christmas pageants and Living Nativity presentations each year the faithful shepherds are always there, tending their sheep, on a cold winter’s night.

We can only assume that the shepherds were doing what shepherds do when they watch their flocks. They had a cold, lonely, rather isolated job. The animals were smelly and there wasn’t much in the way of entertainment. No cell phones, or ipads, or ipods. No texting. Perhaps they talked about the news of the day, of the Roman census that was being carried out and the great movement of people who were traveling to their birthplace to register and pay taxes.

That the shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks seems to indicate to some scholars that it was the lambing season, and that such vigilance would have been necessary. If that is true, then what a powerful image we have at Christmas and the birth of the “Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.”

No doubt protecting and feeding the sheep from wild animals and thieves, as well as sheering the wool, were all round-the-clock tasks that required the shepherds being in the fields. Dr. Paul Maier, Lutheran pastor and professor of ancient history at WesternMichiganUniversity writes,

The Bible is full of references to sheep and shepherds. Such Old Testament heroes as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David were all shepherds at some time in their lives, and the Twenty-third Psalm remains one of the most beautiful commentaries on shepherding ever written. In the New Testament, the familiar figure of Jesus as “The Good Shepherd” underscores the theme. In fact, the modern terms “pastor” and “bishop” both derive from the ancient words for “shepherd” and overseer-guardian,” and to this day the bishop’s staff is a shepherd’s crook. Perhaps it was highly appropriate, after all, that shepherds be the first guests at the first Christmas. (Maier, Paul L. In the Fullness of Time Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1991. p.44.)

Little did those shepherds on Bethlehem’s plain suspect that on that night over two thousand years ago they were to be recruited as eyewitnesses of the Greatest News mankind has ever heard.

But first, before they were to tell it, they had to hear it for themselves…and believe it. When the angel first appeared to them they were not ready to receive the Good News that the Savior was born. That is shown in the fact that they were terrified. The appearance of that angel must have been something great and indescribable.

Angels are the foremost invisible creatures. This means they are spirits and are confirmed in their holiness, and they serve God by worshipping Him and protecting His people. There is no more tender an image than of the guardian angel watching over a child at play or sleeping.

But angels have not always brought good news to people. The angel that stood at Eden’s entry after Adam and Eve sinned, barred them from re-entry and threatened them with a flaming sword. Abraham, while he entertained angels, also knew that their determination to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah was nothing to be taken lightly.

And the Angel of the Lord showed great power in protecting the children of Israel while destroying Egypt’s first born and later laying waste to whole armies of  their enemies. Any angel that brings news is to be feared. Even the Christian is warned not to regard another Gospel, even it comes from an angel.

But the time of the angel’s appearance that first Christmas Eve to the shepherds was different than the time of the Old Testament, and of our time of the New Testament, since. It was the time when God was acting to fulfill His promises of long ago.

Th last chapter of the Bible says,

For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.  But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.  And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.  (Malachi 4:1-3)

In Malachi, God uses for Himself the title of LORD of hosts. This means He is the Lord over the great number of powerful angels that serve him and are at His bidding. God was going to act, and although it wasn’t for another four hundred years, it would be too soon for all who disregard Him and do not return and repent.

The prophet in the very last chapter of the Bible told that God was to act and it would be accomplished partly through his angels. This happened! First God sent an angel to Zechariah in the Temple in Jerusalem. Next, to Mary in Nazareth. And then also to Joseph, Mary’s betrothed.

Each received word in one form or another about the coming Christ. Zechariah’s son, John, would be the new Elijah, to prepare the way. Mary would be the Mother of Our Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit overshadowing her. Joseph was to take Mary without fear and to name the child Jesus. While the Christ was for all the people, each of these received a message personally.

Each were at first convicted of their sin when the angel appeared to them (that is why they were afraid). But soon they were told the Gospel concerning Christ and they received the Gospel in faith and believed. This brought praise to their lips –Zechariah, spoke the Bendictus, Mary sang the Magnificat in the presence of Elizabeth, and Joseph had the baby named Jesus, as the angel had instructed.

Finally, the hour arrived for God’s Son to be born and the angels were sent. “Messenger” is the meaning of the word angel, and the heavenly messenger brought the good news. What happened on Bethlehem’s plain is exactly what is described in Romans, chapter 10, where it says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Not that the angel, or preachers, for that matter, have extraordinarily lovely feet, but rather, the power and swiftness of the Word –its efficacious nature –overtakes the hearer and brings judgment and comfort: Law and Gospel.

The shepherds were at first stricken with fear, but soon they were comforted with words that brought great joy. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

The angel comforted the shepherds by speaking to them about everything the Christ was to do. He was reign on the throne of David and He was to forgive sins. To the shepherds, this was such good news that they could hardly contain their joy. And yet, until it was made their own, they could do nothing with it. For that reason a sign was also added: And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.

Now the Shepherds had something tangible to rejoice in. Before they had just the promise, and the word that the promise was fulfilled. Now they could go and see for them selves. Touch the baby and hold Him –had Mary allowed it. So great was this News that the whole host of heaven could not hold back the praises.

Later in Luke’s Gospel we are told that there is no greater joy in heaven than when one sinner repents. Imagine, then, the joy that filled heaven at the news that all the Savior of all mankind was born. How glad the angels were, even if they didn’t fully understand it.

But for each of us this evening/day, to whom the welcome words of the angel come again –we hear and we believe. We grasp it not by our own reason or strength, but because God gives us His good gifts and Holy Spirit. Like the shepherds, and Mary and Joseph, and all who heard and marveled, we confess our sins before Almighty God. While the rest of the world sees Christmas come and go, and counts its receipts or charges, eats and drinks itself into a stupor, and wonders what will be next to satisfy its appetite and desires, the people of God rejoice in the news that the Savior is born and that He is their Savior. This night tells us that God not only speaks—He acts. And He will act again someday when Jesus comes again to take us to be with Him in heaven forever.

That will be a Christmas Eve only similar to the first at Bethlehem. We will hear angels sing. We will rejoice in the presence of the Savior. There will be no end to the joy we will have. And the peace we will know then have no end. Amen.

The post Christmas Eve/Day Sermon Luke 2:8–14 appeared first on Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and School of Frankentrost.

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

It is almost as an afterthought: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days”…Is there anyone left? Oh, look here! There’s one small package in the back. Now who could that be for?

Bethlehem just makes it.

It’s not the last of the prophets. But almost. The name sure sounds like it. Micah…Malachi: what’s the difference?

Bethlehem’s name would now be listed as least among the clans of Judah. The prophet had said it. The town’s fate was sealed.

Frankenmuth, Franekenlust, Frankenhilf, Frankentrost

Bethlehem would be synonymous with a failed hospitality industry. The town planners had failed to anticipate the need. They ran out of rooms. And they didn’t have an emergency walk-in facility! (read: maternity ward)

But they can’t shift the blame. They had been warned. For centuries Bethlehem and all of God’s people had been told that Bethlehem would be the center of a great cosmic event, the likes of which even the Mayans could never have predicted.

When the prophet Samuel visited old Jesse the sheep-herder in the waning days of Saul’s reign and asked to see all his sons, Bethlehem should have known something new was taking place.

As each of the sons of Jesse were brought to Samuel.

Here’s my oldest. –Buzz!

This is my finest. –No.

How about this one? –Not him.

And this one? –Him neither.

And him? –Nope.

These? –No, no, and no.

Well, I can’t understand it. One of one of these should make a fine king! (Of course, the whole time what they were doing would have been considered treasonous by king Saul!) –Are you sure you don’t have any left?

Why, yes; except for David. But he is out shepherding the sheep, and we’ll have to have him sent for. Besides, he’s a pipsqueak and not very Michelangeloesque. –He must be sent for. I must see all your sons!

And the lot fell to David.

But David would make what are now called “poor choices” in murdering Uriah and taking his wife and committing adultery with her.

It’s all there in Matthew’s genealogy of the Messiah for everyone to read. “And Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah.” (Matthew 1:6)

When the prophet Nathan confronted David about this, David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.” 2 Samuel 12:13

That would signal the beginning of decline of the House of David. “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.” (2 Samuel 12:10)

Later Isaiah would promise, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” (Isaiah 11:1)

And the prophet Jeremy would declare, “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’ “For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, (Jeremiah 33:14-17)

The shepherding reputation would nonetheless stick. Micah also says, “And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.”

In order to provide the countless sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem, sheep grazed in the region of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem also means House of Bread. The Bread of Life would come from there.

Herod, unsecure in his rule and unwilling to share his throne, has Bethlehem’s babes slaughtered. There seems to be no outrage. Only the prophet records,

“Thus says the LORD: ‘voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.’ (Jeremiah 31:15)

It is to this Bethlehem that He who is Shepherd over Israel came. And by His Word He comes to our Bethlehem’s. To the places of sins -secret and in the sun. To the slaughter of babes. Wherever Rachel would otherwise not be comforted.

He comes with healing in his wings. As the Bread of life. As the shepherd struck down –to lay his life down –only to take it up again. A shepherd for all of God’s people, regardless where they are found.

It is in Bethlehem that the Immanuel is born. God with us. One who is ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.

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

The post Sermon from Dec. 23, Micah 5:2–5 appeared first on Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and School of Frankentrost.

I bring you grace and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus. Amen.

God’s Word for our glad hearing and our glad learning is the Epistle Lesson for this Third Sunday in Advent, from Philippians, chapter 4,

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4–7)

Let us all prayer: All praise, eternal Son, to Thee Who advent sets Thy people free, Whom, with the Father, we adore And Holy Ghost forevermore. Amen.

This morning finds us at the Third Sunday in Advent. The candle on the advent wreath is pink. The traditional name for this Sunday has been Gaudete, the Latin word for Rejoice. Our Epistle Lesson is no less subtle. The holy apostle tells us, “Rejoice.”

“Rejoice in the Lord, always; again I say, rejoice!” But then who needs to be told to rejoice at Christmas? It’s easy to rejoice at Christmas. The good news of Jesus’ birth is at the center of the our Christian faith. If Jesus was not born –had He not come into the world –there would be no Savior. We would be lost because of our sins.

But Jesus was born. And we are invited by angels, no less, to receive the news as tidings of great joy. Rejoice!

Sometimes, however, our Christmas rejoicing is forced at moment that are not meant for rejoicing. I spent my first Christmas as a pastor with a family whose mother died rather unexpectedly on Christmas Day –the house full of all her preparations for the day: the cookies she made, the presents she had anticipated giving out. I have had funerals just days before Christmas. One year I buried the still born child of a friend.

And I am certain that in your own life you have had more than one Christmas interrupted by events that turned you off to Christmas and to the celebrating that goes with it. The first Christmas without a loved one –a spouse, or parent, or perhaps even a child, is the hardest they say. And I’m not always sure they get any easier, even with the passage of time.

And then there are events that are completely outside our lives, yet they come with such shock, and have such an effect on our preparation, our celebrating, our rejoicing. It seems this sinful world allows us just so much joy, and then snatches it completely away –unexpectedly.

Now, I am speaking about real joy. Not the kind that is in newspaper adds, or is set up in front yards at this time of the year. Joy that is dated; that has a January expiration date.

There is little true joy that can be had in the way the world celebrates its Christmas. True joy, it would seem, has to come from outside our world.

St. Paul seems to caution us this morning that at times we may need to limit our outward rejoicing. “Let your reasonableness be known to all men.” Know when to rejoice. Or better, know how to rejoice.

Christian reasonableness does not walk around looking and talking as if you are totally removed from the realities of this life. There is an appropriate time and place even for Christian Christmas cheeriness.

And then there are events such as what took place in New Town, Connecticut this past week that simply are way beyond what any of us can fully grasp or even begin to explain. And to try to, I believe, goes beyond the reasonableness the apostle is peaking about here.

We have our Christian faith. We rejoice in a risen Savior. We believe that the devil is vanquished. But if we begin to speak about how we can still rejoice in a time of such tragic events, then everything else we say will be of no help to anyone, including ourselves. No one will listen, taking us for being out of touch. And we might even find ourselves asking, “really? can I really be that stupid to think that these parents who have had their child taken at Christmas can be so easily consoled by ´Jesus is the Reason for the Season?’”

I tell you my friends, it takes a whole lot more than just saying, “There is sin in the world,” or “they are all now angels in heaven” to console grieving parents, or a whole community, or even a nation because of a needless, senseless act of such magnitude as the slaughter of these babes.

I expect that all of us are feeling two things –at least I am. Even if we are unable to identify them or express them. They are anger and guilt.

Anger, at such an evil act. At the perpetrator. Anger that people didn’t see it coming. The parents of this boy, his doctors, educators, neighbors, and friends.

Anger that in the very midst of Advent and in Christmas preparations we have to hear and see this –be reminded that there is no true peace that the world can give, no real joy at the cash register, no genuine contentment in wanton consumption.

And perhaps even anger, that God would allow such things to happen.

And guilt. Guilt that I am a part of this sinful human race and part of a society and culture that allows the glorification of evil deeds and sin making it more than acceptable, glorifying in it. Movies, video games, disregard for human life. Drunkenness, pornography. Idolatry of individuals and things. All sorts of evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. (Mark 7:21-22 )

Guilt that I should be horrified at these deaths, and yet allow each day to pass with the deaths of over 3,000 children each day through abortions. Each of them also having their entire lives ahead of them.

Even guilt at turning it off, and walking away, shaking my head and going on with my life as if nothing has happened.

I don’t know if this has happened to you. Maybe not this time, but perhaps in times past, on another occasion. But I am certain it will happen at sometime. It is one of the devil’s greatest ploys to play with our emotions. He knows how we are made up. He knows how to set us up for the fall. He knows just what will bring us down.

And yet there is something offered to us today that more than helps us with all this. It is God’s generous gift of helping us to deal with the evil that we encounter and, that, yes, even comes into our own lives. The Apostle says that in the midst of this interrupted Advent –this lost Christmas –that as we conduct ourselves reasonably about these things –and yes, even mourn with those who have been so grievously hurt– we may pray to the Lord.

The Lord is at hand;  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts   and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7)

The Lord is at hand. He’s near to you. He’s close to you. He is ready and willing to hear your prayers. Hear your anger. Forgive your sins. Grant you His peace.

Our reaction to news like this is to pray. It can be simple. It doesn’t have to be profound. “Lord, in your mercy help these people. Grant them and all of us peace. Amen.”

We don’t need to tell God how He will show them mercy; He knows how. We don’t need to tell God how peace should come in the midst of chaos and confusion –He will manage it. The Holy Spirit is our wonderful gift from Him. God’s gifts that He is ready and willing to give to us for the sake of His Son Jesus Christ are far greater than we can ever imagine.

St. Paul also says in Ephesians 3:20, “He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”

That means that God will also work from within. That while outside storms will rage and you might wonder, “how will I get through this?” The inner peace that God gives protects you from being overwhelmed and destroyed by it.

That doesn’t mean we may not outwardly appear to be at peace and calm. Remember, I said rejoicing takes place within reason. And we’re not expected –and even told –not to always walk around like we are totally out of touch.

But the inner joy and peace that we hear about today is always there. Because Christ is always there. And the Holy Spirit is always there. In our hearts. Guarding them. And our minds. Guarding them, too.

So that in the midst of this worlds cares and worries. In the midst of anxieties and depressions. When we face and see evil, such that we can hardly tell if it is reality or a nightmare. We are kept safe by Jesus.

Who knows all these things because He lived a human life here on this earth and carried all its sin and evil to the cross and committing himself to the father graciously gave Himself up for us all. And that because He lives, we shall live also.

Really, when we think about it for a minute we know that Christmas isn’t alone about the outward things that are taken down and in the garbage can the next day, but in the inner, abiding, presence of Christ. The peace of His Word. The joy at His feast. The promise of heaven.

Christmas is a part of the Christian story: which is why so many reject Christmas. Why else did we ever think that people would ban manger scenes? Make war on Christmas?

Because they know they lead to crosses! The world has never really been concerned about Christmas. Oh, it puts up with if there is a profit in it.

But the message has gotten through. So well in fact, that following Christmas there are the innocents of Bethlehem. That’s what the devil would do to us if he was allowed.

But take heart, and rejoice –if only inwardly –God is in control. And He gives us help and protection, even in the most evil of times. And he has promised to guard and keep us safe, until we are safe at home with Him. Amen.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts   and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The post Sermon For Third Sunday in Advent, Dec. 16, 2012 appeared first on Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and School of Frankentrost.

I bring you grace and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus, Amen.

God’s Word for our glad hearing and our glad learning is the Gospel Lesson for tHis Last Sunday of the church year from Mark, chapter 13, (Mark 13:24-27; Mark 13:32-37 ESV)

Let us all pray: O Christ, who diedst, and yet dost live, To me impart Thy merit; My pardon seal, my sins forgive, And cleanse me by Thy spirit. Beneath Thy cross I view the day, When heaven and earth shall pass away, And thus prepare to meet Thee. Amen.

Three days ago we gathered here in the Lord’s House to offer our praise and thanks for His blessings, which are countless, and which we do not deserve, but come to us out of His fatherly divine goodness and mercy.

We opened our Thanksgiving Day service with the wonderfully familiar Thanksgiving hymn,  ”Come, Ye Thankful People Come.” That hymn reminds us of the harvest that has been gathered in and of the coming winter. As we look around us we can see in the empty fields what that hymn tells about.

And there is another theme besides the annual harvest about which that beloved hymn also speaks. It is the Last Things.

We too, the hymn writer says, are a harvest waiting; as the third stanza poignantly says, “For the Lord, our God, shall come And shall take His harvest home; From His field shall in that day All offences purge away; Give His angels charge at last In the fire the tares to cast, But the fruitful ears to store In His garner evermore.”

The message is clear. We are God’s final harvest. We bear fruit to God’s praise. And one day we will be gathered-in to be with the Lord forever.

So, I hope you were in the Lord’s House to praise Him for all His mercies that He has shown to you, which are new every morning. If not here in this temple of the Lord, then I pray that where ever it may have been where you worshipped Him, you were able to give Him thanks for His faithfulness to you.

I hope the Lord was not left wondering on Thanksgiving Day as we read in the Gospel, “Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:18)

Today is the last Sunday of the church year. Our thoughts are directed toward what I’ve already mention are called the Last Things. The Last Things are what we confess in the Third Article of the Creed, at the very end, we say: “I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.”

The Last Things will take place at the end of the world. Last Sunday we heard about the Last Things in our Old Testament reading from Daniel, chapter 12, describing the outcome of the last judgment.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2)

This should come as no surprise to us. A couple of Sundays ago we were told by the writer of Hebrews,

It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.  (Hebrews 9:27)

So death is real, and judgment day is real, and yet many people do not like to think or talk about a final judgment, nor about accountability to God for what was done during His or her life, and so consequently they do not like to hear about the Last Things.

Jesus believed in the Last Things. Not only did he talk about them with His disciples, but he also revealed as much as was allowed for Him to talk about those days. And when he begins by saying, “But in those days….,” we should take note that there will be an extended period of time before the final summons.

The end of all things should come as no surprise to anybody. Yet we are told for many it will come suddenly and un-expectantly.

Have you ever had a thief break into your house? Or has anything taken or vandalized? You know, then, the feeling of anger and frustration, and just wishing you had known ahead of time. You would have been ready for them.

A few weeks ago, some pranksters came by the parsonage late and rang the door bell and smashed a pumpkin on the sidewalk. They were not very good at it because they had their car parked in the school parking lot which meant they had to sneak all the way back to the lot and then drive away. I watched them try to hurry undetected and had to laugh as they even drove pass the parsonage. I waved.

When I counted the pumpkins in our yard I noticed that they had brought their own pumpkin to the smashing. I guess their respect for the pastor was enough that they didn’t dare smash one of His pumpkins!

Judgment Day will not be like that! There will be no such distinction between persons. All will see Jesus come in the clouds; the dead will be raised first. It will come unexpectantly, but only to those who are unprepared. For them it will be like a thief in the night. Yet, again, from our Gospel Lesson we can safely assume that will be that way for most people, if not all people, including Christians.

Now why do I say that? Because of Jesus words in last part of our Gospel selection.

But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.  It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts His servants in charge, each with His work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning. (Mark 13:32-35)

Now I ask you? Who can stay awake, without ever sleeping? None of us can. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are kept awake, and this happens through God’s Word in us.

When we have God’s Word we have His Sprit who never sleeps and is always at the ready to answer, guard, and keep us from every evil, including at the Last.

While the dead are unable to be ready for the end. Those who are dead in Christ are– for they have life in the Spirit. That’s what Jesus is speaking about in the middle part here. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Mark 13:31) Jesus also says, “My words are Spirit and Life.”(John 6:63)

Jesus’ word keeps us ready for the final summons. For judgment. Jesus’ word of our declared righteousness before God on His behalf makes us able to stand at the judgment on last day. His words concerning us are written in the Book of Life and say we are justified. When the Book of Life is read it says that we are saved by Christ.

Isaiah says,

Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples. My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed. (Isaiah 51:4-6)

Here we see clearly that the word of God goes out declaring God’s people righteous and justified before God so that they can withstand the day of judgment. The salvation of God is eternal, Isaiah says.

But what then, are we to do in the mean time? Again, we turn to Jesus’ words which say to, stay wake.” These words are to each of us, but especially to the church. The church stays awake. At all times in various places there are Christians praying. We pray for each other. When Christians are dying we pray that they may be continually be held in the arms of God’s love and that they be defended against the final assaults of the evil one.

When we pray the Lord’s prayer we pray that Christ’s Kingdom come. When we confess the creed, as we have already seen, we pray for the resurrection of all flesh and for the life of the world to come. When we gather to receive the gifts of God’s salvation, of forgiveness spoken and offered with life and salvation, especially at the heavenly feast of the Lord’s Table we receive a foretaste of the feast to come.

Yet perhaps the question remains, “What might I do to stay awake, as it were, if not in body, then in soul and spirit.”

To that I will give a simple answer: pray Luther’s Evening Prayer. And pray his Morning Prayer as well. It has the best answer to these matters. “Let Your holy angels be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me.” Then go about to your daily tasks– or go to sleep at once– and in good cheer. Amen.

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

Jesus makes sure to point out that the one leper who returned to thank Him was a foreigner. The Evangelist tells us he was a Samaritan. Jesus acts surprised at this. But He was making a point.

We shouldn’t be surprised. Usually it is the stranger in the land who is most grateful.

The Samaritan was from Samaria. Long before this Samaria was the name of the capitol of the Northern Kingdom. But it was also the name of the region. The Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom in around 721 B.C. Samaria in Jesus day was the land between Judea to the south and Galilee to the north.

The name Samarian means “keepers of the law.” In 2 Kings 17, the only use of the word Samaritan in the Old Testament, it is used to describe the people as idolaters.

The problem the Jews had was that the Samaritans were an ethnically blended group of people who claimed a different way to worship God and had a past of blending their religion with idolatry. The response from the Samaritan is exactly the response you would expect from a person whose belief in god was tainted with idolatry.

Among the chief characteristics of idolatry was the constant care and offerings for and to their gods through their idols. Idolaters in the ancient world were sensitive about keeping their gods happy and well fed. And they made sure they showed their gratitude when their god performed for them.

That’s why we find such a strong prohibition from God that He will not be served as an idol. The first commandment is as much a prohibition from paying homage as it is anything. “You shall not bow down to me as an idolater does His idol!”

God gets nothing from us. True worship of God is receiving from Him.

Extremely important was purity. The ancient world seems to have been more fascinated with this than we are. All of this makes for a very complicated event. The lepers who approach Jesus have little hope of ever being pure enough to worship again. For the Samaritan this would have been especially devastating.

Yet, this group of lepers calls to Jesus. They have heard good news about him. That he has the power to heal. They cry for mercy. They call him Master. And Jesus tells them to fulfill the law regarding purification and get the priests certification that they were clean.

Ten were cleansed; one, upon being cleansed returned back to give thanks. He was a foreigner.

He was a Samaritan. He had faith in Jesus.

On this National Day of Thanksgiving it is by proclamation of the government that we as a free people are told to assemble to give thanks. Because the Pilgrim founders were Christian, this holiday is chiefly thought of as giving thanks to the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The first Thanksgiving was held a year after the Pilgrims arrived along the coastline of the state of Massachusetts. They were intending to go to the Hudson River.

That they made it on the old Mayflower and that any of the survived was recognized by them as a miracle and is marveled at by historians to this day.

The Indians of that region watched them from a distance throughout the winter and were so impressed by their tenacity that they decided not to wipe them out because they came to assume the Pilgrims had a special power or magic. Half the settlers died.

But when a Thanksgiving was declared among them they took time to give thanks to God and invite the neighbors. When 100 Indians showed up it was the four deer they brought with them saved the Pilgrim women the embarrassment of not having enough. The Indians also contributed the custom of playing sports and games.

Those who are critical of our nation’s founding and of the white-man coming here are shallow in their judgments. Yes, the coming of the Europeans often spelled disaster for the Indians in the way of plague and disease. But that was nobody’s fault. There was no knowledge of antibodies and disease-resistance. Rather, they brought to this great land faith in the true God, from whom all blessing flow.

Thanks was given to the God, who has blessed this land in ways in which that outsiders can only marvel at and in which so many [outsider] long to take part. Our giving thanks on this day is a witness to those around us that we know that it is God who blesses our land and us.

It is faith in Jesus Christ that makes us righteous before God. We come before him in thanksgiving and offer him our praise in faith. But lest we bemoan the fact that many in our land show no gratitude to God for His goodness and do not have a saving faith that trusts and believes in Jesus Christ, we, as the people of God can pray on their behalf. We can offer up our prayers that they may come to a true knowledge Jesus Christ. We can give thanks to God for them, using our unique position as holy priests before God on behalf of the people of our land.

And where there is want and need, we also bring our gifts of mercy for others, to share with our neighbor. Giving thanks is about receiving the gifts God offers to us freely. Forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. Given to us by Jesus’ death on the cross.

Giving thanks is to offer God our praise and to serve and to obey him.

All the while caring for those in need and telling them about the mercy of Christ. Amen.

The post Thanksgiving Day Sermon, Nov. 22, 2012 appeared first on Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church and School of Frankentrost.

2012-04-29 32k Good Shepherd Sunday 2012 Psalm 23

 Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

 I would like to say the 23rd Psalm, again. And I am going to say it the way most of us learned it by memory. And I invite you to say it for memory with me.

Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life and lives nevermore to die. Amen. 

David, who wrote the 23 Psalm, was a shepherd long before he was ever King over Israel. He knew the ways of shepherding and he was familiar with sheep. He knew how sheep acted and behaved; what was normal for them and what was unpredictable about them.

David also knew what made a shepherd a good shepherd for his sheep. A good shepherd would do whatever was in the best interest for the sheep, even if it required the use of the rod and staff to make them lie down or lead them. And even if it meant giving up his own life for the sheep.

While David was a good shepherd and eventually led God’s people as King of Israel, he was far from perfect. David himself needed someone to guide and lead him. He also depended on the Lord to protect him, as he watched over the sheep in the pastures outside Bethlehem and later as king over the people of God.

And David confessed, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1).

Jesus is the Shepherd David speaks of in Psalm 23.  Jesus is the One who shepherds each of us. In Psalm 100 the Psalmist also says, “we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalm 100:3) And in today’s Gospel Lesson Our Lord says, “I am the Good Shepherd.”

Sheep need a shepherd. Without the shepherd’s leading and guiding, seeing that they are fed and protected, the sheep would not make it. Left in the wild they can not make it on their own. This is especially true because of the wild animals that roam about seeking to devour some poor, hapless, sheep that has wandered off. Without a shepherd sheep wouldn’t last long.

Without the Good shepherd the sheep fall victim to all kinds of troubles, temptations and eventually are lost. They must have a shepherd!

But the Shepherd has to be more than an office holder: just playing the part. He can not be a hireling. A “Johnny-come-lately”. A flock-pleaser. A sheep stealer. A wolf in sheep’s clothes.

The shepherd must know the lay of the land. Know where the water is good and safe to drink. Where the grass is fresh and the safe places to graze and open pastures so that all the sheep can be watched and protected.

The way of the Good Shepherd is along paths chosen carefully by the Shepherd. He leads the way. The righteous paths may be unfamiliar to the sheep, but they trust the Shepherd’s familiar voice.

They know His way is right, even when they don’t comprehend it for themselves. They know that His thoughts are only thoughts of peace, and not of evil, so that they have an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Even when the sheep are frightened: when they must go through looming places that threaten from all sides, where wolf and lion might be hiding and easily pounce upon the sheep, the Shepherd’s leading and calming voice takes the sheep through, so that they go unafraid, trusting that they are His.

This is the way it is with the Good Shepherd. And also this: that the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. What makes Jesus the Good Shepherd is that He lays down His life for the sheep.

The message of Easter is about the Shepherd begin struck down and taking His life back up again. It is about the feeding of the sheep; the Lambs; the sheep. “You were straying like sheep,” says the Apostle Peter, “but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25)

In Holy Baptism the Lord first brings us to still waters. The Lord has brought us up and nurtured us in the faith. We’ve been confirmed, come to His table, drank from His overflowing cup. Experienced His goodness and mercy. The Lord is faithful. He shepherds us throughout life.

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1).  As a child I always thought this was strange. But I grew to realize that it means that we will never be in want. And that we want no other shepherd.

“The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.”  He invites us to call upon Him in the day of trouble and He will deliver you (Psalm 50:15). The Lord knows our every need, from food and drink, home and clothing to safety and security. No matter where we go, the Lord is there, especially when we traverse the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus gives us strength not to be afraid. 

He died for the sins of the whole world on Good Friday and rose Easter Sunday.  Jesus lives forever. No matter how dark the road or difficult the journey, Jesus promises never to leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us1 that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 

 Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

God’s Word for our glad hearing and learning is the second reading for this Third Sunday of Easter, from the First Epistle of St. John, chapter three.

Let us all pray: All praise, O risen Lord, we give To you, once dead but now alive! To God the Father equal praise, And God the Holy Ghost, we raise! Alleluia! Thank You, Father, Son, and Spirit, for our continued Easter joy. Go with us, Triune God, as we serve You every day. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Dear brothers and sisters of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

“Appearances can be deceiving.” We’ve all heard that; said that. “Appearances can be deceiving.” It has a ring of truth to it.

We know from experience that sometimes things aren’t always quite the way they appear.

Perhaps we learned this on a first date. “That person is not the kind of person with whom I want to spend the rest of life!” Or maybe it was at a younger age. Something we at hoped for turned out not as great as we thought. The toys on the TV commercial were a lot smaller and needed a whole lot more imagination to go with them in order to come close to doing what they were shown to do in the commercial.

Or maybe this is something we have had to re-learn later in life. “The symptoms that seemed so dreadful are really nothing” But usually it isn’t so positive. “Things are far worse than we originally thought.”

The Apostle John, who is also known as the apostle of love because he speaks so much about God’s love and because he calls himself in his Gospel the disciple whom Jesus loved  tells us that we are children of God. That God has lavished His love upon us. And that we are righteous.

Now at first glance, if we really look at ourselves, we have to wonder about all this. Because if you were to judge whether we –whether you, or I– are God’s children solely on the basis of the way things appear in the world –in this life– well, ­then, we would have to come up with no other conclusion than we are not God’s children.

For you see, as godless as the world is around us, it still operates under the law of God. And the law always says we stand condemned. The law always accuses. So, the world sees us and says, “you are no child of God! Look at the way things are going for you. If God really loved you and favored you, things would be far different for you! Look at your health. Just look at really how successful you’ve been. Look at how happy you are!”

And while we may enjoy some health for a while, or be successful for a time, or find a bit of happiness for a while, when we do have these things it is really for a moment in the grand scheme of things. And eventually the world’s conclusion appears to be the right conclusion. Everything is altogether vanity. And of all people, we are the most to be pitied.

Now, if this doesn’t depress us completely, then how about the second line of attack the world uses to completely rob us of our joy and assurance as God’s children?

“You’re no child of God. Look how you act and behave. Think of all the sins you have done. God’s child doesn’t behave in that way.”

And so on.

Again, the world is good at following the Law of God to the letter when it comes to accusing us of our sins. It may even entice us to sin and then leave us to be caught holding the bag and with a guilty conscience, only later to come again at a time of weakness to remind and accuse us of what we have done that makes us no child of God. And it all appears to be right, and correct, and true, and we seem hardly fit to be called God’s children.

But God says differently With God things aren’t necessarily always they way they first appear. Especially when He says so. And to us He says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

On the night He was betrayed Jesus told His disciples,

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (John 15:15–17)

Jesus says that since we are loved by Him; that seeing we are Children of God. And if the world realizes this about us. Then it will go after us full force. And try to convince us that we are not God’s child. And that we are not loved by God. And that we are not deserving to be called a child of God. And in a way it all has the ring of truth to it because in many ways it is all correct.

Except for the lavishness of God’s love. Except for Bible verses like John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Or Romans 5:8  “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Or, as we heard last week,

“If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2)

You see, by the Law it would seem that the only way to be pure before God is to live pure lives. To have only pure thoughts and motives. To be completely innocent and holy before God.

But by the Gospel–through the Gospel–we are made pure in Christ. Jesus is pure and he makes us pure so that we can be called children of God. His blood sprinkles us and makes us pure. His holiness shines on us and makes us a holy people. His Sonship makes us adopted sons and daughters of the King. What is His is made ours and what is ours is made His.

And, so, as our Lesson teaches us, it should come as no surprise to us if the world hates us.

Jesus also told His disciples on Maundy Thursday,

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause. (John 15:18-25)

So you see, we, the children of God, are not recognized by the world. This should not come as any surprise to us; for the world did not recognize Jesus. Yet in spite of appearances we remain God’s Children. And although we don’t appear to be that way now. When Jesus returns we will appear as He appears. That means that all the sin and evil and unholiness and impurity and whatever else that sticks to us now will be removed for ever. Never to have to be seen or heard from again.

And this hope –that is, believing this to be true– is evidence of our faith. And it comforts us. And because of it we find we are becoming more like Jesus.

This is not the situation of sinful people. They continually break God’s law.

Yet, we are pure because we are in Jesus and He makes us pure. In Him we are pure. So the distinction between the child of God and the one who is not a child of God is seen in that the one that is not in Christ keeps on sinning. And so we strive to do better.

So don’t let those false accusations deceive you. The righteous practice righteousness.

And the righteousness of child of God is this: Christ is our righteousness. Amen.

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