Author: TechCommittee

Sept. 8, 2019 – Christian Education Sunday                                Text:  2 Peter 3:14-18

Dear Friends in Christ,

            God loves growth.  He loves growth in people.  The human body is designed for growth.  Various growth hormones are released at special times in the human life cycle so that children grow.  There are growth plates in bones.  As the growth plates lengthen, bones, skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments grow with the bones.  In addition, God has placed in our minds an insatiable curiosity that spurs our brains to grow and expand in knowledge.

            God also love spiritual growth in His people.  How do we measure that?  When the body grows or people expand their knowledge we can see it or quantify in testing.  Spiritual growth not so much.

            Our text is a reminder to us today that God desires growth, causes growth, and directs growth, so that His children of all ages may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Yes . . .

“GOD LOVES GROWTH”

            Growth always requires an outside source of power.  Plants need sunlight.  Bodies need food.  The mind needs educational experiences to grow.  We need the power of God to grow spiritually.  “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)  Connected to Jesus through baptism, remaining in Jesus through His Word, strengthened in Jesus through the body and blood in the Sacrament of the Altar, there is power for growth.  We need the light emanating from the Son of God.  We can grow only by grace.

            Do ever thank God that in His grace He sticks with you?  You break His heart.  You skirt His laws.  You turn away from His Word.  You abuse your God-created body.  You listen to the world.  You do this over and over.  He should let you go.  He can’t rely on you.  You have disappointed Him so many times.  He doesn’t do that, does He?  No, He keeps loving you like the prodigal son or daughter that you are.  His love doesn’t make sense.  It plays on our mind.  How can someone love us this much?  How can a Father sacrifice His Son for a worm such as I?

            His Scriptures remind us.  When He forgave and healed the paralyzed man, it was His grace in action.  He showed grace when he invited Zacchaeus to come down from the sycamore tree.  He showed grace when he fed the masses.  He showed grace when He went to the cross and died for us.  He multiplied that grace for eternity by rising from the dead. 

            That grace is ours.  The Lord provides direction for our lives.  His grace enables us to be graceful to those in our household.  His grace enables us to be patient with that trying co-worker.  His grace inspires our compassion toward a neighbor in need.

            The best way to get to know Jesus is to listen to Him.  We literally sit at His feet when we hear the Scriptures read publicly, when we engage in the Pastor’s sermon, when we study the Word of God in a group, when we have a devotion.  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. . . My sheep listen to my voice.” (John 10:14 & 27)  In hearing the voice of Jesus we get to know Him better.

            We see the joy of Jesus at a wedding turning water to wine.  We see him calm in stressful situations whether in the midst of a mob or in a storm tossed boat.  We see him relaxed with his disciples or in the midst of prayer.  We see him comfort the dead and their families.  We see Him face His own death.  We see His consistency through His love and grace.  He loves us in the same way.

            Our Christian Education is constantly evolving but are we growing?  Do we have an answer for the agnostic or the atheist?  Can we give a coherent message of God’s grace to a hurting family member?  When a friend wants to know about your Christian faith, what words come to mind?  If we don’t feed our bodies, they will not grow.  We don’t just snack on the Word of God when it fits our purpose.  It’s a meal.  It’s a daily meal.  It is a lifetime meal. 

            Step up and be fed.  We commit ourselves and our congregation to growth.  God loves growth, hey didn’t I hear that somewhere?  He loves spiritual growth.  God helps us grow through the power and direction that come from Jesus.  God helps us grow by His grace given to us through the Word and Sacraments.  We take no credit for growth, it is all the Lord’s doing.  Because as you know . . . God Loves Growth.  Didn’t I hear that somewhere?

                                                            Amen.            

September 1, 2019                                                                           Text:  Luke 14:1-14

Dear Friends in Christ,

            On The Andy Griffith Show amateur psychologist Deputy Barney Fife was always trying to help town drunk Otis Campbell cure his drinking.  In one episode Barney shows Otis the Rorschach inkblot cards and asks him what he sees.  When he shows him the one that looks like a butterfly, Otis sees a bat.  No matter what Otis says with the rest of them they are usually the opposite of what Barney wants him to see.  They end up yelling at one another and the guffaws ensue on the greatest comedy show of all time – in this Pastor’s opinion.

            Jesus has been invited to dinner.  People are watching him to see what he will do.  They want to find something to accuse him of.  Jesus is also testing them.  Let’s step into the drama and ask . . .

“WHAT DO YOU SEE?”

            The Pharisees are watching the Savior.  A man with dropsy appears.  Jesus gives the first test:  “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” (v. 3)  The Pharisees answer was no as we see by their silence.  They didn’t see a soul in pain that needed their help.

            What do you see?  When we look at those around us with problems and difficulties, do we feel annoyance and emotional tiredness?  Do we grow weary of helping others especially those who come with problems but don’t listen to our advice?  Do we set a boundary because we do not want to be an enabler?  Do you see this as love?

            Jesus gets to the deception.  He uses a son and ox that have fallen in a well.  “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”  Now it gets personal.  Wouldn’t you help a loved one or an animal you need for labor?  Again – silence.

            Jesus on the other hand acts immediately.  He healed the man and sent him away.  In the same way He does not delay in healing and restoring us.  He doesn’t wait to forgive us if we repent.  Jesus doesn’t put our problems or pain off until a later time.  He listens and then acts according to His will and purpose.

            When the Pharisees see their peers, what do they see?  How do they relate to others?  Their love is for themselves.  They want the highest honor and the best seat.  They think their actions and work give them this deserved place. 

            What do you see?  Don’t we size up others?  Who is above me?  Who is below me?  Where ought I to sit?  When we love ourselves the most then we see others as objects and not people.

            Jesus again has an answer.  In their narcissistic attitude – love of self – they may get moved down in the order.  They may occupy the lowest place, the place of shame because they loved themselves more than others.

            The proper way is to start out is at the lowest place.  In our sin this is where we all are.  We are so far away we can barely see the host of the dinner.  But wait.  Here He comes.  He wants us to move up.  Go to the front of the line.  Sit in first class.  In love He is sacrificially giving us a better place.  This is Jesus’ sacrifice for us.  He gave His life placing others in front of himself because of love.

            When the Pharisees see their friends, what do they see?  Is Jesus insulting the host?  Has Jesus been invited because the host expects something from Him?  Wouldn’t this host, a Pharisee have better social standing if he could catch Jesus doing something wrong?  He is using others for himself.

            He has invited those who love him.  These people will gladly return love and invite him to their party.  I say “love” here but it is really a mockery of love.  It is not the deep sacrificial love Jesus has for us.

            We too confuse love.  We love our children but do we ever manipulate their lives?  We love our spouse, but are we above emotional blackmail?  We love our Pastor but will we still love him if he refuses to bury, marry, or commune someone we ask him to?  What do you see?

            Jesus expects nothing in return for His love.  He loves purely and simply to help others.  This is the love of God that led him to send his Son for our salvation.  This is the love of God from which we will never be separated.  In this love we see the gracious salvation that is indeed ours now.

            In the 2008 movie Vantage Point the President gets shot.  The rest of the movie is that moment in time.  What was the vantage point of each main character?  What did they see?  Each of you this morning sees and hears this sermon from a different vantage point.  Through the Holy Spirit can you trust the Savior’s love more faithfully?  Can the Lord’s love motivate your love toward others?  What did you hear today that has got you thinking – what do I see? 

            See this.  A Savior who loves you.  A Savior who sacrificially died for you.  A Savior who wants to help you to love others more than yourself.  Oh, say can you see?  Yes, with the help of Jesus.

                                                            Amen.