Sermon Texts

October 25, 2020 – Reformation                                               Text:  Romans 3:19-28

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Well, we’ve been at this for seven months now.  What fashion accessory have you added to your wardrobe?  If you said “mask” you just earned a reservation on the patio of your favorite restaurant in December – congratulations.  How many masks do you own?  I started with a hospital mask after a visit and now my collection numbers four.  Two work masks – crosses on cloth and two others for shopping and a night on the town.  The mask has become part of who we are.

            Have you enjoyed hiding behind your mask?  Head down, get what you need and get on with life.  Or has the “law” coming down on you and requiring the aforementioned face covering annoyed you?  Let’s take what we are experiencing and put it into our Reformation message.

“FREE TO LIVE UNMASKED”

            I am not making any kind of political statement with our sermon title, I am just thankful for the Holy Spirit’s leading which should help us understand these passages from Romans. 

            The Jews hid behind masks of their own making.  They needed to do the right things to merit the favor of a holy God, or so they thought.  Paul unmasks the Jews when he writes, “so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world held accountable to God.  For by the works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” (v. 19b-20)

            We too are unmasked.  Have you gone places without your mask and you get the disparaging look?  That is what the law does, it leaves us exposed.  We are naked before the judgment seat of God “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

            We wear masks for our protection and the protection of others.  That is why we have the Law.  But if we think the mask can keep us safe with no chance for infection, then it has become our god.  In the same way, if we think our own righteousness and good behavior can save us right into the safe arms of Jesus, we have let our sinful thoughts get the best of us.  The Law uncovers who we are as less than perfect human beings.  It cannot mask our need for the Gospel of Christ.

            God has revealed a new righteousness.  The proclamation is in the Law and the Prophets but it was “fleshed” out in Christ Jesus.  Christ has covered our sin.  We can stand bold and mask free before a gracious God.

            We can do this through the Lord’s grace.  It has always been about grace.  God’s Old Testament people looked forward to the final Sacrifice that was better than any that took place on their altars.  When Christ obediently gave his life on Good Friday, a literal mask was taken down when the temple curtain was torn in two and man and woman could come into the presence of a holy God.  Up to this point the temple curtain had masked them from the mercy seat of their Creator. 

            It is still grace, the means of grace, the Word and the Sacrament that allow us to take away our masks and come into the Lord’s presence.  He feeds us forgiveness and love and mercy and grace.  He welcomes us with open arms and we don’t need to follow an arrow on the floor but we walk confidently into a gracious hug that gives us a glimpse of the eternal hug that awaits us as His children.

            We are free to live unmasked before God.  We have no need of fear or uncertainty.  He even knows when the mask will no longer be part of our wardrobe.  He sees us only in the righteousness of Jesus.

            We are free to live unmasked before our neighbor.  We don’t need to pretend to be somebody we are not.  We simply boast in being God’s redeemed who know that the Lord is in control.  We confidently maintain this to all – our children, our spouse, our co-workers, our fellow students, our neighbor, our brothers and sisters in Christ here at Good Shepherd Lutheran.  It comes through in the way we worship and speak and serve.  “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (v. 28)

            Free to live unmasked . . . through Christ Jesus.

                                                                                                Amen.   

October 18, 2020                                                                  Text:  Matthew 22:15-22

Dear Friends in Christ,

            I’d like you to meet Jake Olson, a young man I read about.  Shortly after Jake was born, it was discovered he had cancer in one eye.  The doctors did everything they could to save the eye, but eventually they had to remove it so it would not spread to the other eye.

            As Jake grew, the Lord blessed him with athletic talent.  However, several years later, cancer was found in Jake’s other eye.  He went through numerous treatments, it went into remission, but it would always resurface.  The decision was made to remove Jake’s other eye.

            As a senior in high school, Jake wrote a book entitled, Open Your Eyes:  10 Uncommon Lessons To Discover A Happier Life.  Jake talked about his years as a high school student.  He was a straight A student, long snapper on the football team, he golfed, went skiing, surfing, and played guitar.  In golf, he learned to read the greens with his feet and he would shoot in the high 70’s or low 80’s.  For you non-golfers, us duffers would love to shoot that score.

            In the book, as Jake tells the story of what happened in his life, he said he has come to believe that God can use certain setbacks in our lives to create setups for what He is going to do next.  Isn’t that quite an insight from someone who lost both eyes and hadn’t even graduated high school when the book was written?

            In our text for today, the Herodians and the Pharisees come to Jesus hoping to lead him to a setback in His ministry.  It didn’t quite work that way.  The setback they tried to create became a setup for Jesus to advance His message.

“A SETBACK FOR A SETUP”

            Today’s Gospel lesson takes place right after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  As holy Week begins Jesus is being hailed and revered.  But as we know the scene will soon change and it does. 

            The Pharisees and Herodians are trying to trick Jesus so they can discredit Him.  But this is nothing new.  It happened numerous times in Jesus’ ministry.  They had asked Him about healing on the Sabbath (Mark 3).  His message was rejected in his hometown of Nazareth and they tried to toss Him off a cliff (Luke 4).  The Pharisees thought he was teaching blasphemy when He forgave sins (Luke 5).  The Jews plotted the death of Jesus (John 11).

            Now they are going to entrap Jesus.  They are setting Him up for a setback.  They “mask” their plans with their phony baloney flattery.  The Pharisees had to pay the tax because they were not free people.  They were God’s chosen ones, but were still under a pagan ruler.  If Jesus agreed that it was legal to pay taxes to Caesar, he would be discredited for not being the saving Messiah people expected.

            On the Herodian side of things, they didn’t have a problem with the tax because they enjoyed Rome’s services.  So if Jesus said they shouldn’t pay the tax to Caesar, they would discredit Him as disloyal to Rome and they would report Him.

            This perceived setback was just a setup for Jesus.  He saw through their flattery and pointed out their hypocrisy.  He honored the government God had established – “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” 

            However, the ultimate issue is the rule and authority God has over spiritual matters.  Therefore, Jesus also instructs, “render…to God the things that are God’s.” God’s authority in spiritual matters is not administered by emperors and laws, or even Law, but through the Gospel.

            What looked like it was going to be a terrible setback for Jesus turned into a setup.  A few days later Jesus would end up on a cross – that has to be a setback, right?  Wrong.  God was setting us free from death and sin through the sacrificial death of Jesus – Easter proved that our Lord was setting us up for an eternity with Him.  What looks like darkness to us, God can use to shine His Gospel light into our lives.  You have examples of setbacks that turned into setups, don’t you?

            Most of you know my biggest one.  A girlfriend after college broke up with me.  I was devastated at the time.  God turned that setback into a setup when I met Toni.  We have been blessed ever since with similar thoughts, values, two faithful sons and numerous blessings from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Did you ever suffer a job loss that God turned into a better job?  Have you suffered a health setback that God used to setup a blessing?  Ever been down in the dumps but the Lord rescued you and set you on a better path?  Have you experienced the greatest setback – loss of faith or no faith at all and the Creator of your Life through the Holy Spirit has shown You His love, His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness, and now you see this has you setup for His salvation in Heaven forever?

            God’s authority sets us up for a gospel response.  We love the Lord our God and our neighbor.  We properly manage the resources He has given us.  We praise and thank the Lord Jesus for the freedom and forgiveness that Good Friday and Easter offer.  Be spiritually aware for the setback that could be a setup for Jesus to advance the Gospel.                   Amen.          

October 11, 2020                                                                             Text:  Isaiah 25:6-9

Dear Friends in Christ,

            I recently read a story about someone who was concerned that too many people live lives detached and devoid of emotional attachments with society.  He decided to do something about it.  Over the course of the year he hosted six dinners at his home.  He would post his meal via social media and invite anyone who wanted to fill one of the eight seats.  Within twenty-four hours, all six evenings, all forty-eight seats were filled and he even had a waiting list.  The people who came each night did not know one another.  They were politically, religiously, socially and culturally different.  Ages were from 22 to 74.  Most evenings the dinner and conversation lasted three to four hours.

            The host later reflected that there is something refreshing about sitting at a table and breaking bread with a stranger who is willing to let you into his or her personal space.  He summarized his year-long experience with such a diverse group this way:  people are hungry for connection, conversation, and community.

            Our text is from Isaiah and the Lord is throwing the dinner party.  Open up your envelope – what does it say?

“YOU ARE INVITED TO A GOSPEL FEAST”

            Welcome, may I take your coat?  Isaiah was God’s chosen messenger to Judah.  Many years’ times were good.  But there was a spiritual void.  These people struggled with the battles of life.  They had personal problems and there were political problems.  Isaiah spoke judgment calling for repentance.  Isaiah also spoke words of comfort and hope. 

            It happened because of the sin in people’s lives.  Sometimes it was the result of their sinful actions that brought tragic consequences.  At other times struggles ensued because it is the way of a sinful world.  People were wondering why?

            Have a seat, let’s talk.  When was the last time you just let someone ask questions about God?  When was the last time you listened without judgment?  When was the last time you just let some express their thoughts and feelings without having to “defend” God or explain His actions?  Sometimes people feel they are in ruin.  They feel poor and needy.  As you listen a connection is made.

            Let’s sit down for dinner.  Pick a chair, no assigned seats.  Wow!  What a feast.  Fatty foods and aged wine were a delicacy at this time in history.  Go ahead and fill up.  Eat and drink and be satisfied.  What’s that, you don’t think you can?  You’ve been trying to fill your life with other things.  You’ve pursued the perfect job.  You’ve spent money but still have a void.  You’ve tried to control everybody’s life while yours is spinning out of control.  You are emotionally lost in these hectic times.

            The Lord of hosts says that is why you were invited.  I invited you here to tell you that all is not lost.  You feel disconnected from your church and your co-workers and your family and your fellow students.  You are tired of watching worship online and sitting in front of a computer at your kitchen table.  You don’t want to take another online test or watch a lecture in your pajamas.  Where is the community I used to know?

            The Lord has swallowed up the covering – the disconnect that is cast over all peoples.  The Lord has swallowed up the veil that darkens all nations.  The Lord has swallowed up death forever.  It is destroyed.  It is consumed.  On the mountain, Calvary’s mountain, Jesus was swallowed up by death.  However, three days later Jesus literally swallowed up death in His resurrection.

            Stop crying in your wine.  The Lord God will wipe away your tears.  Isaiah prophesies Revelation 7 – “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Rev. 7:17)  Because death has been swallowed up, because of the lavishness of God’s grace shown by the lavishness of the banquet feast, and because of the promise of eternal life the Lord turns “mourning into dancing.” (Ps. 30:11)  This is the gentle host reassuring His people of His presence, His victory, and His hope.  What a message with which to connect where people are in their lives.  And such connection creates community:  the communion of saints.

            Who is ready for dessert?  You have waited all night for it.  “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.  This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” (v. 9)  We can’t receive such a fabulous feast without an expression of thanks.  God saved us.  He saved us by inviting us to a Gospel feast.  He saved us by swallowing up death forever.  He saved us by removing our disgrace.  He connects us to Himself through Word and Sacrament in a world of disconnect.  He is our community.  The Lord of hosts who oversees His creation.  For all that and more, let us rejoice and be glad.

            Now, aren’t you glad you came?

                                                                        Amen.

October 4, 2020 – LWML Sunday                                                Text:  Matthew 21:43

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Many states are known for the fruit that they produce.  If I say peach – you think of Georgia.  You would put Washington with apples.  A mention of Florida would bring to mind oranges.  Cranberries would conjure up the bogs of Massachusetts.  A little closer to home we can even make it a city not a state, especially at this time of year.  I say pumpkin and almost all of us know that a majority of them in the United States are processed in Morton.  By the way I did my research and pumpkin is a fruit not a vegetable, even though it is related to the squash.  See you are going to leave here even smarter than when you came in.

The point is that each state is known for the fruit that its people produce.

            Just as states are known by the fruit each produces; the kingdom of God is recognized by the fruit its people produce.  This fruit is not found on a branch or a vine.  It is found in our actions through our faith.  It is Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Sunday and a good time to see how . . .

“KINGDOM PEOPLE PRODUCE KINGDOM FRUIT”

            We are the kingdom people.  This is a task given to us by Almighty God.  In our text for today we see that the task has been taken away from those who failed at its production.

            The parable Jesus tells is the story of Israel.  They were the chosen people.  They were the kingdom people.  They are the tenants in the parable.  When the servants come they stone them and beat them and kill them. 

            God had sent His prophets to restore Israel unto Himself.  Israel refused to hear the message, and they abused those messengers.

            The master of the house then sends His Son who He thinks they will respect.  But the tenants see an heir who they can kill and gain the inheritance and so that is what they do.  They took him, threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.  In just this way, Israel would take Jesus outside the city wall of Jerusalem and crucify him.

            The builders rejected the stone that would become the cornerstone.  The cornerstone is Jesus and this is what the church is built upon.  Salvation has come through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

            We needed this because we too are enemies of the Son and the cornerstone.  We want to produce our own fruit apart from the work of our Lord.  We figure a good-looking vineyard procured by our good works will merit a compliment from our Heavenly Father – the master of the house.

            We are only kingdom people who can produce kingdom fruit through Word and Sacrament, by God’s grace in Christ Jesus, because the Lord has made us new people of the kingdom.  This is a gift.  The words of Jesus are clear.  The kingdom of God is “given.” 

            The expectation then is that kingdom people produce kingdom fruit.  In our new state of righteousness our sanctified lives produce kingdom fruit such as repentance, faith, works of faith, and in the making of disciples.  This task is only done with the Lord’s help.  Luther’s Small Catechism states that the Holy Spirit calls us by the Gospel and enlightens us with His gifts.  We are connected to Jesus, who is our lifeline for bearing fruit.

            For those of us in the kingdom of God it is always fruit production season.  This is what kingdom people do.  By God’s grace this is what the LWML does.  It is well known for its emphasis on fruit production. 

            In its pledge we say today you can see the words – “we dedicate ourselves to Him…pledge Him our willing service…consecrate to our Savior our hands to work for Him, our feet to go on His errands, our voice to sing His praises, our lips to proclaim His redeeming love, our silver and gold to extend His kingdom.”  These Lutheran Women in Mission are known for their work of sewing quilts and producing school kits and gathering mites for mission grants in their home districts and in countries around the world.  The LWML is a blessing as they produce kingdom fruit.

            In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Every healthy tree bears good fruit.” (Mt. 7:17)  As followers of Jesus, God makes us healthy.  We are in His kingdom.  We are His people.  Forgiven and loved and motivated by the Gospel message may the kingdom of God be recognized by our fruit.

                                                                                    Amen.     

September 27, 2020                                                                                  Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

Dear Friends in Christ,

            If we pay attention we know what brings our loved ones pleasure.  Maybe they like a certain treat or type of food.  We know they enjoy a good massage or having their hair brushed.  We can bring them pleasure in telling them their team won and a team they don’t like lost.  We see their face light up at receiving a certain gift.  We know what pleases them.

            What gives God pleasure?  What makes God happy?  People worshipping Him consistently.  Trust in his Word.  Prayer.  Faith.  Love. 

            Today we are going to delve into something we probably don’t think a lot about.  The mind of God.  He lets us in through the words of Ezekiel.  What is our Lord thinking?

“WHAT IS GOD’S GOOD PLEASURE?”

            God delights in life.  He has since the beginning.  He took man from dust and put air in his lungs and made him a living creature.  In the Gospel of John He says that whoever believes in Jesus should not perish but have eternal life.  He tells us to have life and have it abundantly, also in the Gospel of John.

            Life was poured out on you at the baptismal font.  You feed on the living self of Christ at the Communion rail.  From this pulpit, the Father speaks into your heart new life.  What is God’s good pleasure?  That you live.

            Why do people die?  Does death give God pleasure?  Never!   People die, we die, because we chase our own pleasures.  “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.” (v. 30b) 

            God designed us for life, life like His own.  When we live to make ourselves happy that is the real killer.  “Behold all souls are mine…the soul who sins shall die…” (v. 4)  Turn down God’s gift of life and you’re a goner, gone forever.  “You’re dying because you’re guilty, not because somebody else sinned.”  That makes it very personal.  The fact you will die begins and ends with you.

            We can’t pass that off.  Ezekiel was hearing the blame game.  God heard it in the Garden of Eden.  Do you ever whine, “Life’s not fair.”?  “There wasn’t anything I could have done about it.”  The Lord could just let us wallow in this quagmire of excuse making.  He is heart-struck by the accusation.  God defends Himself even to us:  “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’  Hear now, O house of Israel:  Is my way not just?  Is it not your ways that are not just?” (v. 25)  Ezekiel then quotes the Lord in the next verse, “When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness, and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die.” (v. 26)  There are no excuses.

            Still, God says, “When a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life.” (v. 27)  God wants to forgive.  God wants to give life.  He declares, “Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.” (v. 28)

            We need to turn away and repent and cast away our selfish desires.  Only the Lord can create a new heart within us.  We turn away from our sin to Christ’s forgiveness.  We cast away the death we deserve and turn to the Lord’s gift of life.  The resurrected Christ has given the good news that changes everyone.  God gives life.

            On April 26, 2006, Newell and Colleen Cerak received a phone call that their daughter Whitney, who was traveling in a Taylor University van, was involved in a crash with a semi.  The van had nine passengers, five were dead.  The Cerak’s daughter Whitney was one of the five.

            That same evening another phone rang in the home of Don and Susie van Ryn.  They were told their daughter Laura had been in the van; she was in intensive care, barely clinging to life.

            More than 1,000 people came to Whitney Cerak’s funeral.  Meanwhile, the van Ryn family stayed at Laura’s bedside.  She came out of the coma.  Five weeks after the crash her sister asked, “What’s your name?”  To the shock of the family, the girl they thought was Laura said, “Whitney.”  The coroner and the hospital had confused the two horribly battered young women.

            The van Ryn family for weeks had believed their daughter Laura was alive.  Devout Christians, the van Ryns now rejoiced to see the Cerak family receive Whitney back from the dead.  The Cerak family were also devout Christians, and four years later, they invited the van Ryns to Whitney’s wedding.  Whitney was married in the same church where her funeral was held.

            God makes no mistakes.  “The soul who sins shall die.” (v. 4)  Because He takes up the whole horrible load of my sin, Jesus dies.  No mistake.  The Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world.  Why?  The Lord, your God, declares that He has “no pleasure in the death of anyone.”  “So turn.”  Turn to Jesus “and live.” (v. 32)

                                                                                                                                    Amen.         

September 20, 2020                                                                         Text:  Isaiah 55:6-9

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Back in 1981 when President Reagan was shot, Vice-President Bush was not in Washington D.C.  Until he could return to the White House, Alexander Haig the Secretary of State called a press conference at the White House and famously said, “I am in control here.”  The press criticized him for the “power grab” and what they perceived to be his lack of knowledge about the succession of the President, which has the Speaker of the House next in line after the Vice-President.  He clarified his meaning later but the story was already written.

            If you have ever been in a group, on a board, served on a committee, been on a team or played in a band you want someone in charge.  Like my mom, a long-time teacher said, “you have to have a chief.”  If everybody is in charge, then no one is in charge and we know that brings chaos.

            People are looking for guidance in our confused and directionless society.  The problem is and always has been – we look to the wrong chief.  It is not a politician or a branch of government or a sports star or media personality.  The only way to have true meaning in this life is to “seek the Lord.” 

            The world is asking so let’s let God’s Word guide us in answering . . .

“WHO’S IN CHARGE HERE?”

            When we look outside of God for the answers we just jumble our life.  When we hear news that agrees with our hypothesis we want to tell others.  If we hear news that scares us, we retreat into our shell.  Every year people in the U.S. leave family and jobs behind to start life with a new identity.  But this too is hopeless without Christ.

            Some souls are so burdened with guilt and shame over past sins or so intertwined in the struggles of living that suicide is the only answer.  Just week or so ago someone took their own life on the property of one of our sister churches.  They lived nearby and ended it on church grounds. 

            When the question is asked, “Who’s In Charge Here?”  Most of us answer, “I am.”  You know the clichés, “master of my domain,” “captain of my soul.”  We trust in everything but the living Lord.  It may be the loudest voice or a buffet religion or science and technology.  Author Fred Brown wrote a short story about an electronic super-computer that was asked the question, “Is there a God?”  The computer replied, “There is now.”  If we took computers and phones away tomorrow, cemeteries would be filled by the end of the week.  “Who’s In Charge Here?”

            Our text proclaims that answers to life and its problems are to be found by seeking God.  To the modern mind that remedy is not simple.  Where is God found?

            God is not dead.  God has not departed from human history.  God reveals Himself in Holy Scripture.  Our text says, “He is near.”  God has entered human life and experience in the person of Jesus Christ, whose name is “God with us.” (Is. 7:14)  Jesus promised, “I am with you always.” (Mt. 28:20)

            He is not found in our thoughts.  “My thoughts are not your thoughts.”  God’s plans and reason are beyond our understanding.  Herman C. Theiss wrote this in Life With God, “The creator of our reason cannot be the product of our reason.  If we worship a god our mind has pieced together we are only worshipping ourselves.”  Our reason and thoughts are corrupted by sin.

            God is near.  God can be found.  Where is He?  Who’s In Charge Here?  God’s Word reminds us that it is “a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Ps. 119:105)  In Psalm 50 God says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”  Have you gone to the man in charge during these troubling days?

            In repentance – turn from these other “gods” you may be trusting in and return to the living God.  In faith – lean on the confidence of Christ and His Word.  In prayer – let Him untangle you from your fear and anxiety and know that the Lord Jesus Christ is in charge. 

            It brings me great joy to know that my ways are not His ways.  Yes, I like to be the chief sometimes, but not without the Lord’s help.  I pray you will turn to the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Lord has the world right where it needs to be so that His ways and His plans can further the work of salvation for all mankind.  In turning to the Man in charge you are receiving grace and mercy and compassion.  God will “abundantly pardon.”  We cannot comprehend God’s ways and thoughts to save fallen mankind. 

            This past week, in preparing for Adult Bible Class, I did a lot of research on the pandemic of 1918-1920.  The God of history enlightened me to see that not much has changed in the hearts and minds of human beings.  We still question.  We still do silly things.  We don’t tell the whole truth.  Despite all this, God brought many blessings 100 years ago and He will in our current times.  In order to see it, we must know Who’s In Charge Here?  “My ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Relax, friend, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has this . . . because we know . . . Who IS In Charge.

                                                                        Amen.