Sermon Texts

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.     

July 23, 2024 Text:  Luke 1:57-80

Dear Friends in Christ,

Do you remember from the 1980’s the show The A-Team?  On the show was the character Colonel Hannibal Smith played by George Peppard.  His famous line was, “I love it when a plan comes together.”

We all like to see our plans be successful, right?  Work schedules.  Financial plans that meet or exceed our projections.  Career plans – school that leads to job that leads to promotion.  And there are some in the pews this morning waiting for a vacation plan to Germany come together that began in April 2023.  

The Bible shows that God is also a planner.  Isn’t it nice to have Him in charge of the universe and human history and human destiny?  Our text is the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, a festival day in the church celebrated tomorrow.  We get to . . . 

“SEE AND HEAR GOD’S PLAN COMING TOGETHER”

We know that plans don’t always work out.  We might lose focus or procrastinate.  Sometimes we have a plan but because of expectations it is not what we intended.  Haven’t you had a great time somewhere, when initially you dreaded it.  Or vice versa, you have great expectations for something and then the big letdown.  Then sometimes plans are foiled because we live in a messed up, sinful world. Plans blow up in our faces.  We get discouraged.  Or we put too much trust in people.  This happens in politics.  You pray and vote for leaders and then they follow their own agenda instead of the one you voted for.

We have all seen plans fail.  Hopes dashed.  In our text, Zechariah had experienced this sort of thing too.  Zechariah was sure God’s plan wouldn’t work.

You remember the big announcement.  The angel Gabriel had come to Zechariah and Elizabeth, his wife, and told them they would have a son.  His name was going to be John and he would prepare the way for the Messiah.  This plan was promised throughout the Old Testament.  

Except experience, or what I call our sociological history, was telling Zechariah that this was a long shot.  Elizabeth and I are way too old.  God must be distracted.  Surely this coming Messiah can’t overcome the pagan rulers of Rome and religious leaders of Jerusalem.  

So, Zechariah didn’t believe in the plan of God.  Not now.  Not through him.  Zechariah was struck speechless because he didn’t believe in God’s plan.  Now pay attention to this for our modern times.  The pagan Roman rulers and corrupt religious leaders carried on with no apparent ill effects or consequences.  Zechariah had a lot of quiet time to contemplate what was happening around him.

The plan is starting to come together.  John is born.  Zechariah is speaking.  Zechariah’s song, his prophecy was a fulfillment that God’s Old Testament plans were coming together.  John means “The Lord has shown favor.”  He and Elizabeth were highly favored to have this child in old age.  They had been in God’s plans all along.

Verses 67-79 is called the Benedictus.  It has been part of the church’s liturgy since the 9^th century.  How did these words pop in his head?   God caused him to remember over a dozen Old Testament passages filled with promises that were now being fulfilled.  God’s plan had come together.

Zechariah’s prophesy talked about a Lord who was on the way.  Isaiah spoke about Him.  Malachi spoke about Him four hundred years before his coming.  God hadn’t forgotten.  God’s grand plan was now coming to completion:  to send Jesus, the Messiah.  Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, came at just the right time.  Jesus lived the perfect live that mankind had failed to live.  Jesus suffered and atoned for all the sins of mankind, who had failed to keep God’s perfect Law when He died on the cross.  Jesus rose from the grave to demonstrate his victory on our behalf.  This plan is not over.  Jesus will come again at just the right time to usher in the kingdom of heaven in all its fullness.

You and I, as the Church, have been commissioned to prepare the world for Jesus’ final coming.  Do not doubt the plan.  Do not be “speechless” with those who need the Gospel in preparation for that day.  Remember God’s promises.  Praise God like Zechariah did, for the plans in your life.  Study the Bible so you know the promises and can declare the Lord’s mighty works of love and salvation.   I love it when a plan comes together. 

Amen.        

June 9, 2024 Text:  Mark 3:20-35

Dear Friends in Christ,

It was about 8 years ago at my Grandma Lueck’s funeral in Wisconsin.  The family was standing around all waiting to go into the sanctuary.  The Pastor asked if someone would like to say a prayer.  I don’t remember exactly what I said but it was a little off the beaten path for the moment, because you see everyone standing there was LCMS.  It included three Pastors, a parochial school principal, two church organists and various leaders in their churches.  We were going to have to cast lots…maybe that is what I said!  Anyway, my cousins gave me that look, what is this guy thinking.  I tend to get that a lot.  But there are no secrets, everyone knows who I am.  Church family, you get that, right?

Today Jesus is going to be with his family.  In a group setting.  As family we tend to know each other the best.  Do they know Him?  Do they understand Him?  Let’s sneak ourselves into this . . . 

“FAMILY AFFAIR”

Our text begins with Jesus going home.  Crowds are huge.  These newly appointed disciples and Jesus couldn’t get anything to eat.  The family goes to seize him and say, “he is out of his mind.”  Why did they say this?  We need a little context which Mark does not give, but Matthew does.  Jesus had just healed a demon-possessed man.  His family thought he was in league with the demons.  They do not believe he is the Messiah, he must be crazy.

Does our family ever think we are “out of our mind.”  Do they ever look at you, like my cousins looked at me?  There are times we are out of our mind.  We don’t think clearly.  We do dumb things.  We say things we shouldn’t.  Our family knows most of our foibles and our weaknesses.  If they don’t, God surely does.  It is all a family affair.  Being in a family is not all happy meals and campfire songs.  It can be dark and dirty, emotional and confusing.  Who can we thank for that?  The first family.  It’s there in your Old Testament.  They disobeyed God.  They were naked.  They hid.  They blamed.  Families have been doing the same ever since.  

The accusations don’t end there.  Here’s comes his church family from Jerusalem.  The place where the cross would play an important part in this family affair.  “He’s possessed.”  Jesus’ opponents could not deny his miracles, so they question their origin.   They aren’t from God, they are from Satan.  Well, that’s a big matzoh ball hanging out there.

Time for an answer.  Satan cannot cast out Satan.  If divided, a kingdom cannot stand.  Then the family affair analogy, a house divided cannot stand.  Do you think Jesus might be telling his family something?  Quite an absurd charge, but if you don’t believe in Jesus as Messiah, you can pretty much accuse Him of anything.  

The battle Jesus had with Satan occurred in a way no one saw coming.  Jesus would bear our sin on the cross.  God would condemn Jesus for your sins against immediate family, extended family, church family, the family of God.  He suffered your eternal judgment.  He utters, “it is finished” and your sin is gone.  The resurrection proves Christ took away your sin and sets you right with God.  

Christ can declare in our text, “all sins will be forgiven the children of man.”  Christ’s promise defeats Satan.  Satan is bound by Christ.  Satan can no longer accuse you.  His power is broken.  You walk naked no longer in the garden.  You are set free from his prison.

Because of Christ’s victory, you are no longer an outsider.  When our boys were little, I would say to them, “I love you like you are my son.”  They would say, “I am your son.”  I would respond, “that’s what the blood test says.”  God completed that family joke by giving the boys and I the same exact blood type.  

God has made us family by blood and our genes.  “Who are my mother and my brothers?”  Jesus addresses those who thought he was out of his mind and who at this point do not believe in Him as Savior.  Christ is not downplaying family ties and their importance.  Earthly relations are crucial and help form who we are.  But even more important is our relationship to God and His family of faith.  This forms our eternal communion.  All believers according to Ephesians are the household of God.  We are the household of faith as Paul writes in Galatians.   To Jesus this tie is supreme.  We have to be careful to not place the earthly tie above the heavenly.  I had the opportunity recently to be interviewed about one of our sons.  It gave a chance to witness again, “He is not really my wife and I’s son, he belongs to God.”  

That is the family affair we should all want.  You and I belong to God.  You have been set free from Satan.  You are in the family of Christ the Savior.  Nice to have you home.

Amen.     

May 26, 2024 Text:  Acts 2:14a, 22-36

Dear Friends in Christ,

Roll the dice and take your chance.  When your numbers up, it’s up.  Do feel lucky?  Well, do you?  Is that how we live?  Is that how God operates?  Is life random, or . . . .

“DOES GOD HAVE A PLAN?”

It has been my experience as a Pastor that people answer this question in three different ways.  Some feel that their life has no direction.  They do not see God leading them and that things just happen randomly.  Life has just evolved and whatever happens, will happen.  They don’t have a God direction and they may have a hard time seeing heaven and hell and judgment.  A fellow by the name of Haywood Broun noted this little nugget, “Nobody talks so constantly about God as those who insist there is no God.”  And why does this happen?  The 17^th century mathematician Blaise Pascal said it correctly:  “Men despise religion; they hate it and fear it may be true.”  And this scriptural teaching that God is one God in Three Persons?  Well, it is beyond the human mind.

Does God have a plan?  The second answer from people is yes, He does but they do not have the spiritual awareness to see it.  Someone once remarked to me, “I know God has an answer, I just wish He would write it in the sky.”  These folks have a hard time understanding who God is.  We tend to fit Him into our thoughts and ideas.  When that happens, we want Him to be a skywriter and give us the plan.  Come into my office, Mr. and Mrs. Christian and I will lay everything out for you.  Is that how God works?   

The third way to answer this question is the Spirit induced way.  Yes, God does have a plan.  Yes, He does reveal it to us.  No, He does not always do it in ways that are expected.  I see my life as one God-ordained journey.  I tell my family over and over that God has put me exactly where he wants me to be.   In my socialization over the years, it has led me to see the reasons for events in my life that have taken place.  The Lord has always given me signs.  What career path to take.  Who to marry.  What call to take.  There are more big decisions in my future where He is going to lead me.  Do you see it the same way?  Which of these three ways do you find yourself?  No-direction God?  Some direction God?  All direction God?  Does God have a plan?  Or is it all random?

There was nothing random about your salvation; God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have a definite, gracious plan for you.  In God’s work, we know him and his character, and we see the three persons of the Trinity in action.  Why did God need a plan?  Sin.  It separated us from God.  We deserved death.  But God had a plan.  Peter proclaims this wonder:  God knew what was going to happen.  He knew that we would sin, and He knew what redemption would cost.  It was the price of His Son.  Yet He still went forward.  He created. He redeemed.  

The entire Trinity was involved in God’s plan.  The Father foreknew and sent His only-begotten Son.  God allowed Jesus to be crucified.  He preserved Him from corruption and raised Him from the dead.  Jesus was exalted to God’s right hand.  Jesus’ saving work was complete.  God declared His Son Jesus both Lord and Christ, Master and Savior.

The Son submitted to the Father’s will and came to earth.  He took on our flesh, assumed our nature and shared in our weakness.  He did mighty works which showed His identity.  He resisted all temptation and took our sin upon Himself.  He became obedient to death on a cross.  He faithfully carried out God’s plan.

The Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost.  The Spirit gathered the crowds to hear the message in their own language.  The Spirit testifies to Jesus through the Gospel.  We are born again of water and the Spirit.  He speaks to us through God’s Word.  Continually calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies, and keeps us in the one true faith.  

This is God’s plan.  The Father, Son, and Spirit are one God, and each person works in grace and mercy to make us His own.  What a plan!

So, if He knew you from the creation of the world and He had this wonderful plan that He made your soul a part of, doesn’t it figure that He is giving you some direction in life?  I think you know the answer to that.  No need to roll the dice or feel lucky.  You are blessed because this Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has made you a saved soul.  Now may the Trinity help you to live like one.

Amen.