Sermon Texts

August 4, 2024               Text:  John 6:22-35

Dear Friends in Christ,

Herman Gockel in his book My Hand In His, shares the story of an elderly man on his deathbed.  His family is by his side.  One of his sons is a Pastor.  It’s a Saturday.  The man tells his son to go home and preach to his congregation the next day.  He tells his son that if he dies while the son is gone, his son will know where to find him.

“You’ll know where to find me.”  Imagine living your faith like that.  Imagine sharing your confidence and reassurance with your loved ones.  Eternal life is what really matters.  Life in this world will finally fail us.  Not the life our Lord gives.  Jesus says in today’s Gospel:  “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.  For on him God the Father has set his seal.” (v. 27)

Are you ready to die?  How often do you think about it?  It is an unavoidable appointment of stepping out of earthly sunshine and activities into  . . . into the what?  Where are you at this morning and . . . 

“WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO?”

We begin with verses 25-26:  “When the found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’  Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.’”

Jesus would have made a lousy politician.  He could have won everybody over by continuing to fill their stomachs or offering the ultimate health care plan or giving everyone a new car and home.  He put the brakes on them running after him just because He had fed them the bread and fish.

Some of us still remember the days when gas station attendants pumped your gas.  I’m not kidding kids!  They might even check your oil and wash your windows.  Remember what they’d ask?  “Fill’er up?”  That’s a look at our society.  Gimme that.  I want.  I deserve.  I intend to have it all my way.  They weren’t seeking Jesus because of the signs; they were crowding him because he filled their bellies.  What do we do with what we are observing?

Jesus goes on to say, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.  For on him God the Father has set his seal.” (v. 27)

What do want to get out of this world?  Do you have hopes and dreams or are you just surviving?  Do you want happiness?  Ah, yes.  Except you can’t except for some moments.  Don’t we smirk and say, “they can’t be that happy all the time.”  Can they?

Let’s check Scripture on this one.  Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation.” (Jn. 16:33b)  The Apostle John wrote, “Do not love the world or the things of the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)

Put them together and what do you expect?  Where are your expectations taking you in your walk with the Lord.

Jesus said earlier to “work…for the food that endures to eternal life.”  This gets the people wondering so they ask the question, “what must we do, to be doing the works of God?” (v. 28)  Jesus gives a simple and beautiful answer, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (v. 29)

“Believe in him. . .”  Jesus.  Everything comes back to this for God’s people.  The issue of this life is the Life given us in Christ.  It’s the daily comfort of forgiveness.  It’s the minute-by-minute presence in our tribulations.  It’s the joy of living because we know that heaven is our home.  It’s his Word that speaks to us in our daily trials and joys.  It is not just having our fill in our bellies but the strength of a Sacrament that fills our spiritual tanks.

James S Hewett writes, “Russian author Leo Tolstoy tells the story of a rich man who was never satisfied.  He always wanted more.  He heard of a wonderful chance for more land.  For a 1,000 rubles he could have all that he could walk around in a day.  But he had to make it back to the starting point by sundown or he would lose it all.

“He got up early and starting walking.  He walked on and on thinking he could get just a little more land.  But he went so far that now he would have to run to get back by sundown.  He saw the starting line, exerted his last energies, crossed the finish line, fell to the ground, and collapsed.  Blood streamed from his mouth, and he lay dead.  His servant took a spade and dug a grave.  He made it just long enough and wide enough and buried him.

“The title of Tolstoy’s story is ‘How Much Land Does a Man Need?’  He concludes by saying, ‘Six feet from his head to his heels was all he needed.’”

What . . . do . . . we . . . plan to do?

Amen.

July 28, 2024           Text:  Genesis 9:8-17

Dear Friends in Christ,

Many of you are familiar with the Irish Rovers hit song “The Unicorn.”  Here is a verse, “Now God seen some sinning and it gave Him pain and He says, ‘Stand back, I’m going to make it rain.’  He says, ‘Hey brother Noah, I’ll tell you what to do, Build me a floating zoo.”

The theme of the song is that all the animals made it into the ark except the unicorns.  The song goes, “Then Noah looked out through the driving rain, Them unicorns were hiding, playing silly games, Kicking and splashing while the rain was pouring.”  The ark started moving and the unicorns floated away.  That is why we see no unicorns to this very day.

It is a catchy tune, but I like the message behind it.  The unicorns got distracted with their lives that they missed the ark, which would have saved them.

Does that ever happen to us?  We get caught up in our silly games and the salvation story passes us by.  You don’t think we get distracted?  Let’s focus on the rainbow today.  It is a beautiful symbol of God’s grace.  The world distracts us from that by it being a symbol for the homosexual community since 1978.  Isn’t it ironic that their symbol is one of God’s greatest promises?  With apologies to the Muppets and their 1979 hit let’s delve into . . . 

“THE RAINBOW CONNECTION”

A little science lesson to begin.  A rainbow comes in seven colors and involves refraction, internal reflection and dispersion of light in water droplets.  It is always opposite the sun.  It is a full measure of God’s creative power on display in a sign to remind you of His mercy and love.

What is our connection?  The promise we hear today is not just for the eight people left on earth.  It is for all of mankind forever.  This covenant is between God and His creation.  God is making a promise that all living things will never suffer and be destroyed by the devastation of a global flood again.  God is going to bring about hope and peace.

What are the terms of this covenant?   Rains will still fall.  Floods will still rage and foam in parts of the earth.  Life is still in peril due to this wrath expressed in nature.  But “never again” will waters wipe out all of life.  

In order to provide Noah and his descendants – including us – this covenant, God would provide a sign.  “My bow.”  He chooses a sign that reflects the light and glory of His creation:  the rainbow.  There is the connection.  It connects you and I to God’s promise.  It connects God to the world.  It is breathtaking.  Martin Luther states, “This sign should remind us to give thanks to God.  For as often as the rainbow appears, it preaches to the entire world with a loud voice about the wrath which once moved God to destroy the whole world.  It also gives comfort, that we may have the conviction that God is kindly inclined toward us again and will never again make use of so horrible a punishment.”

We can’t speak of all the continents, but some of us can attest to the rainbow in Europe.  We saw it after a very heavy rain that made it hard to see the road.  But that is how the rainbow works.  It always follows a storm.  Noah leaves the ark, there it is.  We have a downpour and go out on our decks, there it is.  A tornado may move through, we come up from the basement, there it is.  The Lord says, “When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh.” (vs. 14-15a)

This is the first mention of clouds in the Bible, but certainly not the last.  There would be some horribly dark times to come.  We have them, don’t we?  We get trapped in our sinful darkness.  We build our own ark for safety, but the demons keep knocking at the door.  There is only one way out – the light of Christ.  His red blood shed on the cross is a sign of hope.  His yellowing skin from the beatings that He takes on our behalf.  The blue of death when He breathes his last.  Then the bright colors of Easter morning that announce that He has risen.  No tomb can hold Him in.  He bursts forth in full majestic color for the world to see.  His rainbow connects to His cross as symbols of His love, grace, mercy. 

Let’s also not miss the water connection.  In flooding, water is a symbol of destruction.  In our baptism that same water is a sign of hope and forgiveness.  But to get to the font we had to be born in sin.  There had to be something to wash away.  We come out of the font or lake or swimming pool or wherever we were baptized as new creations.  Just like Noah and family who left the ark.  The rainbow promise connects us together.

Noah and his family were in the ark for over a year.  Tossed about by the waves.  Probably had some fear and anxiety.  What would they see when they opened that door?  How different would the world look?  They saw light.  They saw a rainbow.  Something so beautiful that the whole of creation should never forget how great is the God of creation.

It is the same today.  We can look to the clouds, and we receive the same comfort.  Our rainbow connection says that God loves us and holds us dear.  He sent His Son Jesus to fulfill the terms of this everlasting covenant. 

Amen.

July 21, 2024 Text:  Ephesians 2:13-22

Dear Friends in Christ,

President Reagan said this in a speech before the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany on June 12, 1987.  “Behind me stands a wall that encircles the free sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent of Europe…As long as this gate is closed, as long as this scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind…General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate.  Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate!  Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Our text talks about a “dividing wall of hostility” that separated Jews and Gentiles.  They had their own religion, culture, and language.  But God created people to live together in peace and harmony.  

Christ came to tear down the dividing wall of hostility.  God in Christ reconciled Jew and Gentile to himself.  That is the way things are supposed to be.   United together.  One Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one Spirit. All in one communion of saints.  

“HOW CLOSE IS GOD TO US?”

Our text in verse 13, “But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”  This would be all of us.  We were once far off and away from God’s grace.  Sin does that to a person.

How close is God to us?  The very blood of Christ has brought us into God’s family.  We are blood bought possessions.  Hebrews says, “. . . without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Heb. 9:22b).  The words of John:  “ . . . the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from every sin.”

How close is God to us?  God owns us.  Through our faith in the blood of Christ to wash away all of our sin.  

What is the most frightening thing in the world?  World War?  A world that is morally inept?  The godlessness of nations?  The most frightening thing in the world is the thought that God wouldn’t love us anymore.  We constantly offend him with our words about Him and our actions toward Him.  What if Christ looked at us and said, “I’ve had it!  I don’t love you anymore!”  But . . . He doesn’t!  Listen to our text . . . “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one (Jew and Gentile) and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility . . . He came and preached peace to you who we far off and peace to those who were near.  For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (vs. 14, 17, 18)

How close is God to us?  We have peace.  That is to say God is no longer hostile toward us because our hostile sin against Him.  Christ bore God’s wrath and punishment.  For Christ’s sake we are forgiven.

Jesus has fully paid our sin so he won’t say that he doesn’t love us anymore.  He will say, “I love you and my suffering has brought you peace.”

God is accessible.  And that accessibility is in front of us through Word and Sacraments.  In our darkest moments he is there.  He is there when we leave this world.

That makes us His family.  “You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.  In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (vs. 19-22)

How close is God to us?  Through Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary and by virtue of the faith He has instilled in us He has made us . . . family.  

We haven’t forgotten, have we?  C.S. Lewis said, “the devil always sends errors into the world in pairs – pairs of opposites.  And he always encourages us to spend a lot of time thinking which is worse.  You see why, of course.  Her relies on your extra dislike of the one error to draw you gradually into the opposite one.”

The devil wants to divide.  Christ wants to unite.  How close is to God to us?  He is using you and I to share this message with others.  As his family members he asks us to share his love and grace and compassion.  Rupert Brooke wrote:  “Now God can be thanked, who has matched us with this hour of history.”  We are at the right time and the right place – touching the souls of others.  And you thought your life was meaningless?  Now when God is this close!

Amen.   

July 14, 2024 Text:  Mark 6:14-29

Dear Friends in Christ,

Herod the King was enjoying himself greatly.  His belly was stuffed, the drinks were flowing, the hall was hot and smoky.  Then a young woman, beautiful in his eyes danced for him.  That it was his stepdaughter and niece disturbs us, but not him.  This tells you a lot about him.  He was so pleased that he made this ridiculous offer:  “I’ll give you whatever you ask for, up to half of my kingdom.”  The room probably became still and silent.  The king was probably drunk, and they could gain a favor.  She had the power. 

She takes this promise from Herod seriously.  She goes to her mother who says, “I want the head of John the Baptist.”  But it gets even more vile, “I want it on a platter.”  This King who had broken promises his whole life, kept his worthless word this time.  He waved his hand and made it so.  They could’ve have asked for half the kingdom, but they chose something more valuable, at least to them, life without guilt.  

Herod’s wife was smart, savvy, and evil.  While all through the palace party people were losing their heads, she had kept hers, clear and cunning.  She was playing a game you might know, the one where you win or you die, and she craved more influence, and this prophet, bearded and ugly and dirty, had stood in her way.

“STANDING IN THE WAY”

John had long been in prison because of Herod.  But for whatever reason, in moments of clarity, the king occasionally brought John into his throne room to hear him speak.  And that makes sense.  Thousands upon thousands had come to the wilderness to hear John preach.  They were baptized by Him in the Jordan River, just as Jesus himself was.  John’s message had not changed.  He was always taking repentance.  Now standing before this fool king, he still talked of repentance.  He didn’t ask for his release or butter up the sloppy king, but said rather, “How you are living right now, it ain’t right.”  John’s message was standing in the way.

What had Herod done that wasn’t right?  Taken his brother’s wife to be his wife.  The problem – his brother hadn’t died.  He simply took her because he could.  That is what happens with power.  John told him clearly that this wasn’t the way to live.  And the queen didn’t like it.  She felt the words of John kept her influence over the king in check.  She felt trapped by the words of this man in prison.  He was standing in the way.  So, the moment presents itself and she gets the head of John the Baptist.  That head on a platter threw her guilt away.  Herod and his wife would not have to hear his incisive sermons again.

Is that a desire we can relate to?  Not participating in this cruel spectacle, not ending the life of another, but to live without guilt.  John brought a message to Herod about God’s Law, and how Herod’s life needed changing.  Instead of changing heart and life, it was easier to put his head on a platter.  Our lives might be filled with less obvious darkness than was evident at that party in Herod’s palace.  Do we occasionally have a similar reaction . . . easier to kill the messenger than hear the message?

No matter who you are, no matter what you are, there are times when the word of God stands in our way, interrupts our lives and says, “stop, turn, and hear righteousness and holiness from God.”  And the hard truth is we would rather turn our backs on God, than hear his words.  People leave the church because they don’t want to live with the guilt.  God’s Word is standing in the way of their lifestyle.  So, they adopt a new world view that doesn’t conflict with their behavior.

This misunderstands guilt.  When we are faced with guilt, when we bump into God’s Word that says, “this ain’t right,” we are not offered only two choices – either turning our back on it or trying to work are way out of it.

The message of today, the invitation from Jesus is rather that you bring your guilt to him.  Watch as God nails your guilt to the cross.  Watch as He turns to you and changes you, and then, in the freedom of forgiveness, turns you toward righteousness and holiness.  You see, righteousness and holiness, they don’t gain God’s favor.  They are gifts that come with God’s favor.

So, for those struggling to believe or behave or to keep the faith, or to turn your backs…to all of us…comes this encouragement from God’s Word today.  You are welcomed into the feast the King provides.  You leave with no regret or shame.  Those things were washed away when Jesus showed His mighty power of love, when on the cross he purchased your seat at the table.  He stands in the way of your guilt.  His bloodied body shows that for all to see.

We can live without guilt as we live under the power of the cross.  Listen to John preach.  It may not always be easy . . . but in the end, it will be worth it.

Amen.   

July 7, 2024 Text:  2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Dear Friends in Christ,

As 18 of us Christian souls head to Europe on Tuesday, it has been said by some around the world that Americans are cocky and arrogant.  I’ll let you know what we find!  Because of our economic power, vast natural resources and standard of living it is tempting to be a little proud.  When we have closets as big as houses . . . well you get you the picture.  We have the natural barriers of two oceans.  Our freedoms are prolific.

Sometimes we can become a little laisse faire about why we have all these blessings.  God’s grace.  There is nothing biblical about our form of government or that this way of life will continue indefinitely.  Our place in history is not because we have pleased God more than others.

Remember, God will do with this nation what He alone chooses to do, regardless of which party is in the majority of our legislatures and regardless of which personality is in the office of president.  Our country and way of life stand by God’s grace alone.

This applies to our Missouri Synod as well.  Her growth during the 19^th and 20^th centuries has now been replaced with declines.  Are both of these happenings under God’s grace alone?  Sure they are. 

In our text Paul has been given revelation.  Yet throughout his 2^nd Epistle, Paul struggles to be heard by the hard-hearted members of the congregation.  What a dichotomy, stupendous revelations yet closed-minded congregants.

These internal struggles came to a head in chapter 12.  Paul is still the poster child for God’s grace, but he had been given a “thorn in the flesh.”  This was a messenger from Satan.  Could Paul explain it?  Could these difficulties be attributed to the grace of God?

Paul knew what it was like to have problems.  God uses Paul’s problems and our problems to shape our weaknesses.   God is in control of them.  He uses them to draw us closer to Him.  St. Paul says in this morning’s text that these trials are brought to finality, the Greek here implies the completion and ending, in our weakness.  This same root word of finality was used by our Lord when He cried from the cross, “It is finished!”  Paul reminds us of God’s love and care.  Simply . . .

“GRACE MIGHTIER THAN THORN”

The power of His grace spreads over us, covering us with Himself and His strength in our great weakness.  Hence, our Lord’s comforting words, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (v. 9)  This is counterintuitive and only understood by faith.  “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (v. 9-10)

Our nation might be well served to be put that on a bumper sticker.  Instead of cocky and strong, we could use some weakness to turn us back to God.  The Lord is allowing many thorns in the flesh, is he not?  Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote about Germany in 1939 these stirring words:  “Christians in Germany will face the terrible alternative of either willing defeat of their nation in order that Christian civilization may survive or willing the victory of their nation and thereby destroying our civilization.  I know which of these alternatives I must choose.”  Bonhoeffer was asked by the general secretary of the World Council of Church this question:  “What do you pray for in these days?”  His answer raises the hair on the back of our necks, “If you want to know the truth, I pray for the defeat of my country.”

We are nowhere near that yet, but the thorns might be painful.  God’s grace is always with us.  Think of God’s immigration plans.  He requires background checks and can only be accessed through a “narrow door.”  We can’t do it.  Only the work of Christ for our salvation allows us into the streets of gold and perfect homeland that awaits.  On the other hand, Satan has an open border policy.  The ways to go to hell are endless.  

Take strength from God’s Word.  1 John 5:  “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (v. 4-5)  The writer to the Hebrews:  “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:15-16)

Regardless of who is in the Oval office, Congress, or state houses, God’s grace trumps any thorn we may bear in this nation.  It is the same in our churches.  No matter who is in pew or pulpit, God’s grace is greater than any thorn we may encounter.  We have been appointed as His children in our Baptism.  God holds us near and dear.  Relax.  Grace Is Mightier Than Thorn.

Amen.

June 30, 2024 Text:  2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15

Dear Friends in Christ,

Is the government too generous with your money?  Talk about a loaded question.  I can only imagine the answers floating in your heads about now.  Most of you get a little or a lot upset about the way your tax dollars are used.  So, is the government too generous?  Do we ever find it tough to be generous with the money we do control?

The Apostle Paul in our text found some poor Christians who were pleading for the privilege to be generous.  Can we be like them?  Can . . . 

“GOD’S GENEROSITY FEED OURS?”

We do need the Lord’s help.  It doesn’t come naturally.  It is a learned behavior.  But what are some roadblocks in our way of being generous?

We might give too much.  After all, we have ourselves and maybe a family to look after.  Some do have to be careful with their finances, but many of us are blessed way beyond what we envisioned when we were kids.  Do you ever feel you give too much of your time, talent or treasure?

Another roadblock is that we might think we can’t give enough to make a difference.  The needs of our world are great.  Yes, entities can use our dollars, but they also need volunteers who can share their special God-given gifts with others.  

Our generosity could be misused.  That is true.  Sin is still all around us friends.  Maybe we don’t feel our generosity is appreciated.  Do you always remember to thank a gracious giver?  I’ve told you it was drilled into me by my mom.  A simple thank-you note.  The older generation thinks the younger generation is less appreciative.  They do send less notes, but maybe you get a text or social media post.  We need to pass thankfulness on to others.  None of these should be excuses.  Don’t let the devil have you thinking that everything you have is mine, mine, mine.

Paul provides some help for growing a generous spirit.  Jesus shows God’s generosity to us.  Paul in verse 9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich…”  Jesus did not have a lot of cash and never owned a home.  Materially wealthy he was not.  As far as we know he could only afford sandals.  Christ provided spiritual wealth.  Sin is the spiritual debt we owe to God, so then forgiveness earned for us by Jesus on the cross is the spiritual wealth by which he makes us rich.  Romans 5:8:  “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  This generous God helps us to be generous.

The Spirit is at work.  We give because we care.  That starts in our heart.  The Macedonians first gave themselves to the Lord (v. 5), then they begged to take part in the relief of the saints. (v. 4).  Generous comes from the French word meaning “noble birth.”  We are of noble birth spiritually.  Children of the King.  Brothers and Sisters of the Prince of Peace.

Generosity isn’t about amount; it is about attitude.  I like that.  Hope you do too.  Verse 3, “For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will.”  Free will.  We are generous because we care.  

We give to thank God.  Verse 2, “In a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.”  Maybe their property taxes were going up and grocery prices have us shaking our heads in the aisles.  We are still the most blessed people in the world.  Look at our food prices compared to other parts of the globe.  House interest rates of 6-7%, but some of you remember 15-20% rates in the 1970’s or when you bought your home.  Our gas and electricity bills are not that much higher than 20 years ago.  I still have ours and yes, I looked!  We can complain or we can look at our salary or our 401k or 403b or the things in our closet.  I could wear a different  t-shirt every day for the next 3 months and probably still make it to Thanksgiving.  It really is amazing.  We are blessed by God.  We are taken care of by God.  Now here on earth and even better in eternity.  We might drive pot-holed streets, but gold avenues of smoothness await us in heaven.  Because God gives so much to us, we can be generous with others. 

Doesn’t generosity feel good?  Not in a name a park after me good, but in knowing that God is using you for the betterment of the sliver of earth you occupy.  God always blesses us from the cross of Jesus so that we can be generous in some way, to someone.

This week look for a way to be generous . . . that doesn’t involve money . . . so that others may be blessed by your generosity . . . for Jesus’ sake.

Amen.