Sermon Texts

March 10, 2019                                                                               Text:  Psalm 91:1-13

Dear Friends in Christ,

            In 2012, Jamie Coots, a “snake-handling” Pastor in Kentucky, died of you – you guessed it – a snakebite!  Coots was the star of a National Geographic TV reality show called Snake Salvation.  He believed he had a special anointing from God that protected him from any harm from the snakes that he handled.  Why not?  Doesn’t God promise that in today’s psalm?  In verse 13, “You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.”  Isn’t God telling us in this psalm that He is our refuge and fortress?  Yes, but that doesn’t mean we become reckless.  In fact, I just saw this week a man who was mauled to death by a lion he kept as a pet.  

            Were the snake-handler and lion pet owner showing faith or were they testing the unpredictability of animals?  Did this Pastor misunderstand the promise of God?  Psalm 91 is not an invitation to “test” the Lord by seeking out danger at every opportunity.  Satan uses the words of this Psalm to test Jesus in our Gospel.  He is using them for evil as he foolishly tried to ensnare Jesus.  That is his game plan for you and I too.  We need the Word of God as he attacks us. 

“THE LORD . . . IS MY REFUGE”

            Yes, the Lord indeed promises protection in the midst of dangers.  He promises us that nothing can separate us from his love in Christ Jesus.  But nowhere in these verses do we find an invitation to put him to the test.  Jesus outsmarted Satan with a right understanding of Scripture:  “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Luke 4:12)

            Examine yourself.  In what ways have you tested God with your reckless behavior, rather than trusting him with a confident faith?  Let’s use our winter weather as an example.  Did you get out on the roads when it was not safe to do so?  Yes, you trusted the Lord for safe travel, but was it the smart thing to do?  Experience has taught me to stay home, the exception being Sunday mornings.  Where else do we test God?  Our behaviors can be reckless figuring we have forgiveness.  Why not spout off or not listen to our parents or twist God’s Word to fit our lifestyle.  Faith doesn’t work that way.  There would be no reason for Christ and Christianity if we all just lived the way we wanted.  Satan would be the victor and we would have no hope.

            Repent.  Recognize the satanic ploys that so easily ensnare you.  Confess your sins of weakness.  Admit defeat.  But don’t walk away defeated.

            We don’t always walk away the victor.  We suffer defeats in life but we are not defeated.  In baptism we were baptized into the death and resurrection of our Lord.  We share in his victory no matter how many times our sinful behavior has ensnared us.  Living in daily repentance and faith, we can enjoy the refuge of his victory as we receive his gifts of Word and Sacrament.

            Satan and the words of this psalm tempted the Son of God for real.  But Jesus took refuge in the promise of His Heavenly Father.  He held fast to God’s promise and did not fall prey to the roaring lion and slithering snake.

            But that wasn’t the ultimate victory.  The devil left Jesus “until an opportune time.” (Lk. 4:13b)  Wasn’t the most opportune time when your Savior hung on the pinnacle of the cross?  Remember the shouting, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Lk. 23:37)  Oh, that would have been so easy to do.  Why die for these knuckleheads who are shouting at me?  Why die for us who make Satan-inspired decisions in our life?  Thankfully, the Savior knew He wasn’t there for himself.  He was on that cross to save you.  To save you from bad winter weather decisions.  To save you from opening your mouth when you shouldn’t have.  To save you from not listening to the God-ordained authorities who are there to guide and love you.  To save you from forming an opinion not based on the words of Jesus you have learned your whole life but on a friend or a show or some knucklehead at an awards show.  The Lord knows Satan’s tricks.  He understands the deception.  He trusted, even then on the cross, even giving up the shelter of his Heavenly Father, so that you would dwell in the shelter of the Most High forever.

            Enter this season of Lent with confidence, dear Christian, the confidence of a God who grants you refuge in the victory of His Son.  Isn’t it fitting to begin the Sundays in Lent with this glorious psalm?  The psalms are prayers.  Pray them as God’s people have always prayed them.  Pray them with confidence that through the work of Jesus you have a refuge and a fortress and a shelter.  You live in Christ’s victory.  Call upon Him in temptation and daily defeats.  His salvation is your salvation.  The refuge we all need.

                                                            Amen.    

March 3, 2019 – Transfiguration                                     Text:  Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Dear Friends in Christ,

            There is some thought that near the moment of your death your entire life will flash before your eyes.  We don’t have much to back this up, obviously, but what if this happened to Moses?

            He floats in the Nile River.  Pharaoh’s daughter rescues him.  He lives as a prince in Egypt.  He murders a man and goes into hiding.  For forty years, he is in the wilderness.  He marries and starts a family.  At age 80 he sees a burning bush and the Lord tells Moses he is going to lead his people, the Israelites.

            He utters the famous line to the Egyptian Pharaoh, “Let my people go.”  He watches the ten plagues and the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart.  He oversees the instructions for the Passover and he leads 2 million Israelites through the Red Sea with the Egyptian army drowning behind them.  This fascinating life is only getting started.

            The Lord speaks on a mountain in a cloud and a fire and gives to Moses the Ten Commandments.  He brings God’s written Word down to the people.

            We have the golden calf and Moses restraining the wrath of God.  The construction of the tabernacle, the anointing of Aaron and his sons to serve as priests and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

            He sent spies into the Promised Land.  The people listened to those filled with fear so the Lord gave them forty years of wandering in the wilderness.  Forty years of people whining.  Forty years of people complaining to Moses.  Forty years of protection and food and water.  Forty years for Moses to write Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  There were also forty years of funerals.  None of the men who came out of Egypt would make it to the Promised Land, only their children.  Now we come to the end, the edge of the Jordan River, only one left to die – Moses at 120 years of age but “his eye was undimmed and his vigor unabated.” (v. 7)

            Other than Jesus and King David, we know more about Moses than any other person in Scripture.  His life was stunning.  They should make movies about him!  He is a picture of Law and Gospel.  He stands on the precipice of the Promised Land but realizes that . . .

“THE BEST IS YET TO COME”

            Don’t we all at times do what we just did with Moses – look back over our life.  We are probably not going to make 120 or lead 2 million people or be given God’s Law but as we contemplate our past don’t we see what Moses sees – the Lord’s Blessings.  In our wanderings, don’t we see His leading?  In our complaining, don’t we see His providing?  In our times of need, doesn’t the Lord speak to us?  When we ponder the past, live the present and face the future, do we agree with Moses, the best is yet to come?

            Look at Moses.  120 and full of life, standing on Mount Nebo across the Jordan.  The Lord puts before him the land of promise – because Moses is a Christian and because the Lord intends for Moses to die as he lived, with faith and hope.

            Moses is not looking behind, he is looking ahead.  He looks across and sees the mountains of Judah.  There is Bethlehem where Jesus is born.  Flowing below him is the Jordan River where Jesus will be baptized.  There is the wilderness of Judea where the devil will tempt Jesus for forty days and nights.  To the north is Galilee where Jesus will teach, preach, call his disciples.  Further north is the mountain where Moses will stand with Jesus and Elijah and the disciples and he will finally be in the Promised Land. 

            There in the hills directly in front of Moses is Jerusalem.  Jesus will suffer and die here.  He will be lifted on a cross, taking God’s wrath in our place, in Moses’ place, in the place of all sinners.  There, too, is the grave that will be empty.  Look the Mount of Olives where Jesus will ascend to the Father to rule and reign for all eternity.  Yes, Moses, the best is yet to come.  Jesus will return and there will be the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting for those who believe.

            Moses doesn’t relish in his past, the victory over Pharaoh, the dry land miracle, the glory of the mountain, being the leader of so many for so long.  As Moses dies he is looking to the promises God has set before him.

            Is the best yet to come?  The Lord drew us out of the waters of Holy Baptism.  He rescued us with the blood of His Son.  He is with us in joys and sorrows according to his kindness and mercy.  When we come to the end, He points us to his unwavering promises.  We look to Jesus who was crucified and raised for us and who will return to take us to be where He is in heaven.

            As you stand on the mountain today and see what is in front of you – the best is yet to come.  The resurrection of the body and life everlasting await.  The Lord’s promises will carry us forward.  Hello Moses.  Hello Abraham.  Hello St. Paul.  Hello loved ones.  Then we see Jesus at last…face-to-face.

                                                                                                Amen.        

February 24, 2019                                                                              Text:  Luke 6:27-38

Dear Friends in Christ,

            A man was informed by his doctor that he had rabies.  The man had waited so long to go to the doctor that nothing could be done about his condition.  After telling him the sad news, the doctor left.  Later, he came back to check on the man.  Instead of finding him upset, the patient was writing on a piece of paper.  “Are you writing a will?” the doctor asked.  “No,” said the man, “I’m making a list of all the people I am going to bite!”

            Oh how we love to live for revenge, armed with ammunition, ready and equipped to pay back those who have hurt us.  Jesus knew about this sinful nature in all of us, this spiteful bitterness that builds up so easily.  That is why He went to great lengths to give us a better way to live.  Don’t live for revenge . . .

“LIVE TO FORGIVE”

            That is the sum of the message Jesus shares in Gospel reading from Luke.  Listen again to our Savior’s words:  “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.  Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.  And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (v. 27-31)

            Now, this type of forgiveness is easier said than done, isn’t it?  It is not easy to forgive someone who has hurt you, or embarrassed you or caused you pain.  Forgiving then can be one of the hardest things in life to do.  Our nature is to strike back or make them pay or stop loving them or cut off all communication.  We can’t just let them off the hook, can we?

            Sin is never free.  There is always a price.  The price has been paid.  It was not paid with gold or silver but with the precious and innocent blood shed by Jesus Christ on the cross. 

            The price for all the sins that will ever be committed against you was paid that day when God’s own Son gave up His life at Calvary.  That same day the price was paid for all the sins you commit against others.  There is a price for sin.  We don’t pay it.  Jesus Christ, God himself, paid the ultimate price with His life.  Is it right for us to try to make others pay for their sins, when God doesn’t make us pay the price for ours?

            Jesus didn’t live for revenge.  When He rose from the grave He didn’t go off in some Stallone-Schwarzenegger rage to track down those who wronged Him.  We may love that in our hearts and minds, but that is not God’s way.  He lives to forgive and He enables us to live that kind of life also.

            Jesus says in verse 36, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”  Alex lives in Columbia.  One day he was on his way to work at a banana plantation when armed guerrillas boarded his bus, ordered everyone off and shot them.  In the shooting, Alex lost an eye.  He later joined a prison ministry where he ran into Ismael, the very man who shot him years before.  Through his sharing of the Gospel in the prison, Ismael came to the Christian faith.

            Alex is now on his way to law school to help those improperly imprisoned.  Thanks to the peace process in Columbia, many former guerrillas, including Ismael, were pardoned and released from prison.  Ismael needed a place to live, so Alex asked him to move into his place.  The former guerrilla and his victim are now roommates.

            Alex, through the work of Christ on his heart, was able to let go of the grudge against the man who had wronged him.  He was following the Lord’s plan and there is another Christian believer on earth.  “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” (Rom. 5:8-10)

            Live to forgive.  Live to love others.  When we share the forgiveness God has given us, it will have an effect in the lives of those we forgive.  We may not see the effect right away.  We may never see it.  But when we share the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, we can rest in His promise that He will touch the lives of those we forgive, just as He has touched our lives through the forgiveness He’s given us.

            There it is.  God’s plan for your life.  Live to forgive.  That is the kind of life God lives.  And that’s the life He empowers you to live also.  Live to forgive . . through Jesus Christ.

                                                Amen.

February 20, 2019                                                        Text:  1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Years ago George A. Buttrick wrote:  “When he does die, the undertaker strives to make it appear that he has not died:  he dresses him in a (suit), and lays him in a narrow box as if he were asleep, even though a man does not usually sleep in a (suit) in a narrow box.  There is a funeral, for, unfortunately for our evasions, the man has died:  ‘Too bad about So-and-so.  But let’s not think about it!’  So we run to our familiar hiding place in the sensate world.  And the cynic calls religion an ‘escape!’” . . .

            That is our starting point for this morning.  We are going to die.  The fact is we are dying.  A sportscaster on ESPN used to say of an injured player, “He is day-to-day but aren’t we all.”  We are.  We don’t know when it’s coming just that it is coming and we can’t escape it.  That we would be a fearful statement if it weren’t for what Christ has done for us.  He is resurrected.  He has been raised.  He is alive.  He has given us who will fall asleep in Christ . . .

“THE GREATEST VICTORY”

            What is your greatest victory?  What makes your top 5?  Family?  Work?  A game?  I’ve been blessed to make game winning free throws with no time on the clock, a game-winning shot that got us into the district championship against Greg Sheley and his Lincoln Jr. High teammates; I’ve had the pleasure of watching victories by Karson and Holden, but “The Greatest Victory” is not a movie title or TV show it is what Christ Jesus has done for you and for me.  Why do we need “The Greatest Victory?”  Listen carefully to this:

            “The world today is trying to get into the Church in a way different from that of former times.  The radio is a most wonderful invention, and by it the pure Gospel is brought to thousands who otherwise would not hear it; but by the same means false teachers are admitted into the homes of many who otherwise would not hear them.  The automobile and good roads have shortened distances and made travel more convenient; however, the automobile is not only used to bring people to churches, but also to take them away from it.  The moving picture is a most valuable educational means; but it is largely used in the service of sin…The rapid growth of our cities is making it possible for our Church to reach more people than ever…but at the same time it is, for various reasons making the work of the church more difficult and is destroying home life.  The elimination of much hard work by labor-saving devices is not conducive towards emphasizing the dignity of toil and has a tendency to make people think that hard work in unworthy of a gentleman or lady.

            “We are living in a restless and restive age.  Life today is much more strenuous and nerve-wracking.  People, especially the young, are impatient of control and hard to keep in check.”

            Those words were penned by Lutheran Professor Dr. John H.C. Fritz and penned in 1932.  Eighty-seven years ago!  So, what’s new?  Nothing.  Your parents and grandparents lived in a restless and nerve-wracking time.  Everyone does this side of the grave.  O death, where is your victory?

            Everything hinges on the resurrection.  That is Paul’s argument in our text.  People can argue and debate Jesus and His words all they want but the Resurrection confronts the world with the greatest, most colossal event ever.  Complete victory over the grave.  Your eternal life rests on it!  My eternal life rests on it!

            If He was not raised from the dead we are to be pitied.  But we are here because we are resurrection people.  We proclaim the greatest victory every Lord’s Day.  We celebrate the greatest event that ever came to this earth:  Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection to overcome sin, death, and hell for those who believe.  And Paul instantly drags us from the roots we drive into this world, drags us past the headstones and states the case without question:  “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (v. 20)

            I still like the words of Alexander MacLaren here:  “I believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, (among) other reasons, because I do not understand how it was possible for the Church to exist for a week after the crucifixion, unless Jesus Christ rose again.  Why was it that they did not all scatter?  Why was it the spirit of despondency and the tendency to separation, which were beginning to creep over them…did not happen?  How came it that these people, with their Master taken away from the midst of them, and the bond of union between them removed, and all their hopes crushed did not say:  ‘We have made a mistake, let us go back to…our fishing again, and try and forget our bright allusions’?  That is what John the Baptist’s followers did when he died.  Why did not Christ’s followers do the same?  Because Christ rose again and re-knit them together.”

            Christ has done that for us – re-knit us together.  The broken pieces of our life re-assembled.  The defeats conquered.  “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:56-57)  Because He lives we will live.  Enjoy . . .  The Greatest Victory!

                        Amen.   

February 10, 2019 Text: Luke 5:1-11

Dear Friends in Christ,

What are things that you find hard to do, especially on a daily basis? For me I have two and they occur within the first few moments of my day. I find it hard to get out of bed, I like my sleep and I find it hard to get out of the shower. If it were socially acceptable a half hour shower would be the norm. What do you find hard to do?

For the Apostle Peter what he found hard to do on daily basis was to not be so reactionary. He reacted to Jesus saying he was going to be betrayed by telling him it would never happen. The Lord had to tell him “he had in mind the things of men not of God.” Peter reacted to Jesus’ betrayal by cutting off the servant’s ear. Peter reacted to Jesus’ trial by denying him three times. Poor Peter. But Jesus also used this wonderful evangelist in many and various ways. He built his church upon Peter – the rock. Peter is the first called disciple. Peter gave the great sermon in Acts. Like us Peter is a dichotomy. He’s human with all the twists and turns, ups and down, sinner and saint.

Like Isaiah being called in our Old Testament Reading this morning is about the calling of the first disciples. We will weave the story through the title . . .

“PETER OUT”

Where do we derive the etymology for the phrase “Peter Out?” Most dictionaries relate it to the mining profession and its association with saltpeter – potassium nitrate. As the miners would get tired they would “peter out.”

The disciple Peter could “peter out” on Jesus at times. Remember when he tried to walk on water? As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he was fine, once he took his eyes away from the Savior – he sank. Sometimes following Jesus was hard for Peter and the other disciples so they would “peter out,” lose their trust and lose their confidence. Is he really the Lord?

Do we ever “peter out?” Do we lose trust and confidence in Jesus our Savior? Once the waves and storms come at us do we become distracted? Do we begin to doubt God’s guidance and wisdom in our lives? During pain and loss, do we doubt whether He really cares? Our confidence wanes, we peter out.

We need a rescue. This is where the phrase “peter out” takes a turn. While Peter had his faults, he also possessed a wonderful faith. When Jesus called it was Peter, out, as he immediately joined the army of the King of Kings. He left behind his livelihood in order to follow the Messiah. Out of the boat, into the mission. But how did it happen?

Peter is in his boat fishing. Along comes Jesus and he starts giving fishing instructions. Ever do this with someone who is an expert on something? For us, it usually does not go well. But Peter knows a little bit about this guy giving the advice. This fella had changed water into wine. This interloper in the boat had healed Peter’s mother-in-law. This was no stranger. The men will listen. Jesus speaks – they obey. The catch is so great that Red Lobster and the Filet-O-Fish will be in abundance for days. There is joy, but also fear. Peter realizes whom he is in the presence of and he says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” It could be Peter out, Peter away, but it is not. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” Peter is out of the boat and following Him.

In our sin, in the presence of God, which is always, we want to find a way out. We fear the wrath of our past and our future. But the Lord tells us not to fear. I am not angry. I did not come to condemn you. I’ll take care of your sin. I’ll make a way for you to be alive and live with me forever. The Lord allows us to have a healthy fear of Him. He tells you and I that He is nothing to be afraid of. Look, here is my Son, crucified for you. We leap out of our boat in joy.

Just like Peter and Isaiah the prophet, the Lord calls us out. He sends us to proclaim His Gospel message and to be of service to others. In the midst of our uncertainty and doubt and those times we “peter out,” we only need to remember that we are not alone in our journey. We have the Trinity the Three-In-One walking with us. The Father of all grace and mercy, The Son who redeemed us from our sins, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and keeps us in the faith. So keep walking in His strength. Keep proclaiming with His voice. Keep trusting that God is with you every step of the way. Peter Out? I don’t think so. Even the Apostle knew that. He kept the faith until the end. May we do the same as the Lord leads.

Amen.

November 11, 2018                                                              Text:  1 Kings 17:8-16

 

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

What are some things in your life that you would never want to be empty?  If you had your way they would be perpetually full.  How about your bank account and gas tank?  How many of you would like your energy to always be full?  What about your faith?  Victories in your favorite teams win column?  Your coffee or hot chocolate cup?  Love you have to give, love you can receive.

Has any of this actually happened?  None of us drive with the tank always full.  Who has endless energy?  Our bank accounts aren’t empty, but we still get nervous, don’t we?  Even with free refills the cup does not always runneth over.  Our teams lose.  Experience shows us that eventually things run out.  We live day in and day out with the cold reality that there never seems to be enough.  As you sit in the pew today what are you thinking when it comes to . . .

“ARE YOU FULL?”

The widow from Zarephath in our text would have an easy time answering that one.  Full?  She was barely hanging on.  The food available to her and her son was about to be empty.  Enter the prophet Elijah.

Elijah had been sent by God to pronounce judgment on King Ahab and his land.  This led Elijah to go into hiding and to have his every need met miraculously by the Lord.  He now comes to the widow and her son, whom God had instructed to feed him.

He finds the widow gathering sticks.  He asks for water and a morsel of bread.  She responds with, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug.” (v. 12)  Here we learn the gravity of her situation.  She has little to offer.  She is living in a land of scarcity.  She is preparing a final meal for herself and her son “that we may eat it and die.” (v. 12)  She is miles away from being full.  She is hanging by a thread.

Logic tells us that if you are down to your last supper, you don’t give it away.  Like the widow we can be guilty of a little hyperbole when it comes to being full.  We think that God understands our scarcity.  Yes, he does.  The problem isn’t with him; it’s with us.

We want to protect and preserve.  That is what logic tells us to do.  It is easier to feed the poor when the cupboards are full.  Tithing can be more comfortable when the account is overflowing.  When things are full, life is good.  When the unexpected happens, what are we going to do?  When you reach the year of both kids in college and one of those kids has a two-day hospital stay to begin the school year are you feeling full?  When the job you were hoping for or the relationship you didn’t see ending enters your life, do you feel empty?  When you deal with the same problems over and over and over do you feel like life is hanging by a thread?  Are you literally down to a last meal spiritually and emotionally?

These are all questions we ask ourselves because we trust in our own abundance.  If we do this then we miss the movement of God in our lives.  Logic is good but if it gets in the way of what God is trying to teach us then we lose out.

In our text God uses scarcity as a doorway to trust.  Trust in the Lord and his provision is the only way this account makes sense.  A widow obeys, she feeds Elijah and she and her household ate for many days.

God has been using scarcity to lead his people to trust for a long time.  He provided manna in the desert.  He brought water from a rock.  He fed large groups of people with the scarcest of provisions.  Then there were leftovers.  With Jesus there is always enough.  A lesson we struggle to learn but one that time and time again points us to the cross.

Jesus emptied himself on the cross to fulfill the full price of our sin.  His mission was not about multiplying food to fill our stomachs but about ransom and restoration to free our souls and fill us to overflowing with grace and forgiveness.  The writer to Hebrews reminds us that Christ came so we might be full of salvation:  “He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

Are you full?  Sure you are.  We are the fullest, blessed people on earth.  I know a little about the family with the college kids and the hospitalization.  We felt challenged but never empty.  We were blessed by God’s provision.  We still have half a year to go but we know the sufficiency of Christ is enough.  I pray you see it the same.  You have been crowned with Christ’s glory.  You are loved with a never-ending love.

As God’s redeemed children, we need not fear scarcity because our Father is a God of rich abundance.  When we put our trust in the Lord, when we put our trust in Jesus, we can be sure, no matter the circumstances, there is always enough.  We are full.

Amen.