Sermons

January 11, 2015 Text: Mark 1:4-11

Dear Friends in Christ,

“There’s something in the water.” If you grew up like I did in the 1970’s and 1980’s you remember a couple of movies where that line was important – “Jaws and Caddyshack.” One used it for fear. One used it for comedy. In each case that line help to make the scene.
We also have used this sentence. Maybe while drinking a glass of water or swimming in the water or bathing in the water. When we use it, it usually means something is in the water that we don’t want near us or on our person. Today is the day of Jesus’ Baptism and water is a big part of the plot line. But apart from the way we usually think, this water is a blessing. You see there is something more than just H2O. Praise God . . .
“THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE WATER”
Let’s get right to the “something in the water” from our text. Mark quotes John, “I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (v. 8) See there is something more in the water – the Holy Spirit. And more than that. We know from Matthew 28 that we are to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is present in Baptism. The Word of God with the water is what makes our Baptism valid. The Triune God is blessing us.
The text continues, “In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” (vs. 9-11) What is in the water here? Jesus. The Son of God. And look at the familial relationship. The Father is pleased with the Son.
What about our family relationships? They can be a struggle, can’t they? Arguments over nothing. Words or actions punishing the ones we love. Fighting during Christmas gift opening. Letting others know they don’t please us and receiving that same putdown. Relationships that are chilly at best. Getting along just to keep peace in the family. Oh Satan does love to work on our hearts, doesn’t he?
James S. Hewett tells this story: “A woman got on an elevator in an office building. There was just one other person in the elevator, a handsome man. She pushed the button for her floor and casually looked over at the man and suddenly had one of those sudden recognition moments. Could it be? The man looked exactly like Robert Redford, the movie star. Her gaze was almost involuntarily riveted on him. Finally, she blurted out, ‘Are you the real Robert Redford?’ He smiled and said, ‘Only when I’m alone!’”
The real . . . you and me. Who are we when alone in family relationships? Are we the same person that shines in the pew this morning or do we fall short in our kindness, love, and patience. We think we are one and the same, but an honest look might reveal something different.
That is why we needed “something in the water.” Jesus is at the Jordan to be baptized as the worst of sinners. Oh no . . . it is not for His sin for He is the sinless Son of God. He is baptized on account of us. For us! Christ is taking our place. Earning our forgiveness. Fulfilling all the requirements that God demanded in our stead. This all pleases the Father. This family relationship overcame our sinful family relationships. Jesus in the water for you.
The Father is pleased that the Son has taken our place. And our baptisms are what god does for us in order that we might share in Christ’s death and resurrection. Our sins have been washed away and we are acceptable to God. Though we cannot do what we want to do perfectly – though we still struggle with the sin in us – for the sake of Jesus Christ and the baptismal grace bestowed upon us God is pleased with us.
On Nov. 3, 1996, former Royal Marine Pete Goss embarked on the most grueling competition in his sailing career: the Vendee Globe, a nonstop, single-handed, round-the-world yacht race. Goss had trained for years, and this race was everything to him.
But seven weeks after Goss’s race began, he received a May Day distress signal. It was Christmas Day. A French competitor was sinking 160 miles away. Goss was the nearest person available to launch a rescue.
Goss turned his eyes from himself and his own interests of winning the Vendee Globe to the needs of this French sailor. For two days, Goss battled hurricane winds and risk to himself to search for this man who was now near death in the vast wilderness of the southern Indian Ocean. At the sacrifice of his personal dream and victory, Pete Goss heroically saved this man’s life.
The new life of the Christian in Baptism, the life that cares for others rather than for self, is a life of death – not ours, but Christ’s. We were buried with Christ by Baptism into His death (Rom. 6:4). Christ was the one who sacrificed everything that was his to save us. Because Christ was in the water, because the Word is in the water and because one day that water was on your forehead or even your full body you have been saved. Having been saved, we willingly live the new life of sacrifice for others.
Amen.

Jan. 18, 2015 – Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Text: Isaiah 40:1-2

Dear Friends in Christ,

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Our focus is on life issues, like crisis pregnancies, abortion, post-abortion syndrome, assisted suicide and euthanasia. For some these topics are “hot-button”, or “controversial”, or “political.” For the Christian they are more than that. These are issues that touch people’s hearts with life and death decisions and challenges their faith. Should we be talking about them in church? Yes, of course, because they are . . .
“MATTERS OF THE HEART”
The word “heart” for the Hebrew described someone’s inner being or soul. Hebrew idioms expressed this. Joy may be expressed as a “leaping heart.” Grief as “evil of the heart” and guilt as being “struck by the heart.” In our text we have “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.” It is literally translated “speak to the heart of Jerusalem.”
God’s people experienced much “evil of the heart” and they were “struck by the heart” because of their sin and constant rebellion. But God in His mercy and grace wants to give them a “leaping heart” once again. What a joyful message He gives, “Her warfare is ended,” “her iniquity is pardoned, “she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” (v. 2b) If they deserved X amount of punishment for their sin, they instead were given 2X the amount of grace from God. They didn’t get what they deserved but received twice as much of what they did not deserve.
Twice as much grace – we could use that as well. We like ancient Israel are rebellious sinners. We chase after other gods – love of money, love of power, love of self, love of pleasure. You have your own list in your heart. Our sins flow from a corrupt heart. And something else flows from our heart – nothing. Yes, nothing, failing to do what is right, failing to love and help others.
If life issues are just political, we don’t need to discuss them in church. But if they are matters of the heart that touch people’s souls and put our brothers and sisters in need and we have what it takes to deal with matters of the heart – the Gospel of Jesus Christ – but close our hearts to doing so, how can God’s love abide in us?
Are life issues matters of the heart or political issues? You be the judge. She is sixteen, pregnant, and frightened. She knows she made a big mistake and doesn’t want anyone to know. Abortion seems a quick and easy solution. But deep down she struggles with the decision. She is confused and feels so alone. Is this a political issue or a matter of the heart?
Every day in the US of A confusion and fear leads to nearly 3,000 babies being brutally destroyed through abortion. Babies created by God, babies for whom Jesus died, and babies God wants to call into an eternal relationship with Him. Is this a political issue or a matter of the heart?
At first he panicked when his girlfriend said she was pregnant. This would ruin everything. He would pay for the abortion. But then he realized this was his child. The circumstances were not ideal but how could he pay to have his child killed? He vowed to help his girlfriend and protect the child. She called and said the problem was over – she had the abortion. He was crushed, filled with guilt and wept tears of pain. A political issue or a matter of the heart?
His beloved wife had a stroke. Recovery was slow. She could eat, but needed assistance. She had some mobility in the wheelchair but only one arm worked. Speech was slurred and no improvement had been made in a long time. This was not the quality of life she wanted. Assisted suicide was legal in their state. Should he bring it up to his wife? They were Christians and what was wrong with sending her home to Jesus? Is this a political issue or a matter of the heart?
Brothers and sisters, you and I know these are matters of the heart. We have lived them or are living them. The gospel of Jesus Christ is made for such issues of life and death, pain and suffering, grief and regret and guilt. The Gospel speaks to the heart of the pregnant teen. It speaks of forgiveness and offers the presence and strength of Jesus. The Gospel speaks to the heart of that post-abortive man. A forgiveness big enough for all sins. The Gospel speaks to the hearts of those in situations involving disease, pain, suffering. It speaks of a God who, as long as He gives life, gives life meaning and purpose. It speaks of a God who demonstrated His ability to bring good out of suffering through the cross of His own Son.
How can anyone think they are just political? The Gospel is designed to speak to your heart and my heart and all hearts. It calls us to repentance and the cleansing of our hearts. Look at the wonderful words of our text, our “warfare is ended” and our “iniquity is pardoned.” Through Christ we have peace with God. We can trust Him and turn to Him, not death, as the solution to our problems.
We receive from the Lord’s hand twice as much grace that we do not deserve. We receive it in the overflowing waters of Baptism. We receive it through his Holy Word, and we receive it in his lavish meal. We live surrounded by this “double grace” and nothing can separate us from this.
The Gospel speaks to our hearts and calls us to action. “Comfort, comfort my people says your God. Speak tenderly…” (vs. 1-2a) How do you do that? First, become informed about how God’s Word speaks to the life issues. Speak through your prayers for those dealing with matters of the heart. Pray for our country that respect for life is restored. Speak with your actions. Walk beside those who have made mistakes. Support local pregnancy centers, like my family and I do. Speak compassion. Visit the home bound and those in care centers. Help them see the body of Christ cares. Support the families of these people. Learn other ways to help through lutheransforlife.org.
My prayer is that you understand that life issues are more than political issues. They are matters of the heart that touch people deeply. The Good News is that the Gospel of Christ Jesus is tailor made for matters of the heart. May it speak to all of our hearts today with its message of forgiveness, comfort, and hope.
Amen.

Dec. 25, 2014 – Christmas Text: Luke 2:1-5

Dear Friends in Christ,

The great census in those days of Caesar Augustus that, humanly speaking, set in motion the Christmas story is plenty familiar to us today in the United States and Canada. Every ten years in the U.S. or five years in Canada, the government sends out forms in the mail and then follows them up with energetic, real-live human census takers – 585,000 of them in the last U.S. census. As with that famous Roman census, the goal was that “all the world would be registered,” that not a single soul would be missed. A census taker today could in one day knock on the doors of million-dollar houses and run-down apartments. Every person, literally, counted.
The Roman census was so that Caesar could extract taxes from every citizen. He wanted no one missed so that not a denarius would be missed for the imperial treasury. There was to be an accounting from every person. Our census is actually for a different purpose: so that no one citizen misses out on the benefits of citizenship. Every district is to be fairly represented in Congress, and every qualifying resident is to be noted for government programs. Every body counts.
Today is Christmas and we are so blessed with the coming of a Savior. Because of what that baby would someday do on a Calvary hill, we can exclaim with the angels and the whole host of heaven . . .
“EVERY BODY COUNTS”
Christmas reminds us that every single person, every soul, counts before God. Every single human being in this sanctuary right now – and every other human being who’s ever lived or ever will – will one day be called to give an account. God’s registration misses no one. Everyone will one day stand before God for final judgment. But God, in fact, set in motion the events of the first Christmas not to tax us, but to see that no one be missed with the blessings of citizenship in his kingdom. God knows each of us, each of you, by name. He calls you again this Christmas to himself. You count. Every body counts.
The census of Caesar Augustus counted millions. The census today counts hundreds of millions. But it really is the One that counts. Yes, it’s the One that counts, because God sees every single one of us through that One, the One who was first counted in that first census, a poor and easily overlooked baby boy just born in the little town of Bethlehem. He is the One for whose sake we count with God.
When Paul in Romans talks about Abraham believing in God “and it was counted to him as righteousness,” we are part of that. We too have been counted righteous. Scripture also says, “blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (Rom. 4:8)
Whoever you are, therefore, and whatever your circumstance in life, this gift of the Savior is “for you.” You count. It has your name on it. Whether you are rich or poor, Jesus is your true treasure. Whether you’re young or old, he is the only one whose days are without number. Whether you are overwhelmed by loneliness or caught up in the crowd, He is the One who is your true friend and companion. You could not be any more important to Him.

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be take of the entire world…So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David…I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people (see every body counts). Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:1,4,10a,11)
Amen.

December 28, 2014 Text: Galatians 4:4-7

Dear Friends in Christ,

“You can pick your friends but you are stuck with your family.” An appropriate quote don’t you think right after Christmas? We are born into families. We don’t pick our parents or other relatives. We’re stuck in that family. While many happy family moments occur, we also can be hurt in families. Dysfunctional families can damage the members within them in ways that are not pretty.
But let’s think bigger than our immediate families. We are all born into the human race. We are stuck with the human family. It is a dysfunctional family and does things to us that are not pretty. Let’s look at Paul’s list of the works of the flesh: “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealously, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” (Gal. 5:19-21) We will focus on three from that list.
First – sexuality. God’s gift of sexuality is to be celebrated in the husband/wife relationship. But we misuse the gift by not having sexual relations as husband/wife or by going outside the husband/wife relationship. It can be misused in the family. It is also abused in the human family with the things in the media, prostitution, homosexuality, sex-slave trafficking. “This is the family we are stuck with.”
Second – anger, enmity, and divisions. Anger from hitting four red lights in a row, using words on social media when impatient or not thinking clearly that damage relationships. Then we have school shootings, domestic violence, terrorism, and war. “This is the family we are stuck with.”
Third – drunkenness. One in six Americans has a drinking problem. The rates are even worse among the poor. Seventy percent of children in foster care show the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
This is the family we are born into. We are stuck in this family. But, it is not the only family. Jesus opens the door to a different family home.
“ADOPTED INTO GOD’S FAMILY”
In God’s time, he decided when the time had come to fulfill his promises in Genesis 3 and Isaiah 9. Jesus is born of a woman. He is born one of us. In that manger was a human being with arms, legs, fingers, toes, and baby fat! Joseph and Mary could caress his cheek and hold him close. But, he is born into the human family.
Under the law. The law accuses and punishes. The death declared in the Garden of Eden is physical and spiritual. But, Jesus in unique. The law can’t convict him. No punishment is due him. Remember the words of God the Father to His Son at the Transfiguration: “with him I am well pleased.” This shows that Jesus had done nothing wrong.
To redeem us. Jesus, now with grown-up hands and feet is hung on a cross. He takes the punishment for us. He goes through the punishment of separation from his Father, a spiritual death, with “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” It’s the same for his physical death. His heart stops beating; his arms and legs go limp. He is buried. He takes the condemnation of the law we were under onto himself so that we could be adopted into a new family. It is the greatest Christmas present ever.
We are adopted. Remember the quote at the beginning “you can pick your friends.” God has chosen us. He has chosen you and you and you and you. I can say confidently to all of us, “We may be born into the human family, but because of Jesus we are adopted into God’s family.”
It is Christmas every day because the Holy Spirit has been sent into our hearts. He leads us to say, “Abba Father.” Think of what it is like to be in God’s family with the gift of the Holy Spirit present in the life of the church. Think of just one example: how the Lord’s Prayer ties us all together. Pray it with your family. Pray it with strangers at a nursing home. Pray it with tribes in the far reaches of our world.
I know of a Pastor who is adopting two children from overseas. The family has to live for six weeks in that country to complete the adoptions. The congregation where the Pastor has been for one year has been very supportive. They have given him time away and helped with fundraisers. The Pastor and his wife and their two children have flown overseas to adopt the children. The children to be adopted were at an orphanage. One has scoliosis and is in a wheelchair. Within a couple of visits that child was starting to say “papa.” And, where is the adoption taking place? Ukraine. In the midst of the anger and violence are compassion, kindness, and patience. This is what the family of God looks like when adopted by our Abba Father because of the Christmas gift named Jesus, and the Holy Spirit forming his fruit in us brothers and sisters.
We may be born into the human family, but when you are adopted into God’s family, it’s Christmas every day. Amen.

Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Dear Friends in Christ,
Charles Dickens’s novel A Christmas Carol is about Ebenezer Scrooge and how his heart was changed one Christmas. It’s a feel good story because they all lived happily ever after. But lines from another Dickens novel more accurately describes the way Christmas feels for most. He begins A Tale Of Two Cities with these words:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom; it was the age of foolishness. It was the epoch of belief; it was the epoch of incredulity. It was the season of Light; it was the season of Darkness. It was the spring of hope; it was the winter of despair. We had everything before us, we had nothing before us.”
Christmas is a time of contrasts. Prosperity and poverty. Good will and ugly greed. Family togetherness and excruciating loneliness. Light and darkness. Spring of hope and winter of acute despair.
We all want Christmas to be the best of times. It is the reason we do all the things we do – decorate, send cards, shop, bake, attend parties. Sometimes though it can be the worst of times because of the expectation of a holly, jolly Christmas.
Some of you may have spent too much again this year. Maybe it is your health or the health of loved one on your mind tonight. Do you have old hurts that won’t heal? New wounds that won’t go away?
That is why our text from 1 Thessalonians seems so strange, so out of place, so artificial.
“REJOICE ALWAYS”
Really now Paul, what is there to rejoice about? Isn’t Christmas just a fantasy season of sugar plum fairies and old St. Nick?
And if Christmas is real, it is real for other people. I’ve got problems no one can relate to. My parents passed all there hang-ups to me. My siblings? We don’t get along. My job is a hassle. The marriage has lost its excitement. It’s too late to do anything with this mess I call my life. How dare Paul say, “Rejoice always.” How could he write this candy cane coated concoction?
I’ll tell you why. Paul knew the angelic announcement, “I bring you good news of great joy.” (Luke 2:10) Not for some people. Not for good people. Not for religious people. This is good news for everyone. Joy is the gift Christ gives to everyone. He gives it especially to you.
Please hear this. There is a difference between happiness and joy. External gifts like health and wealth and children are great blessings from God. They make us happy. But they are not essential for joy. Why? Because happiness is determined by what is going on around me. I can’t control that. Joy is determined by what is going on inside of me. And God has taken control of that. He sent Jesus.
Jesus didn’t have a lot of reasons for earthly happiness. Born in a trough to a blue-collar father and teenage mother. As an adult he had no home. Jesus was an itinerant preacher and washed feet. Not the path to making it big.
And then this, “Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:8) Death on a cross was reserved for the lowest of the low. They ripped his skin, burst his arteries and severed his nerves. It brought unimaginable pain.
In spite of it all, though, Jesus, exuded joy. Poverty and disappointment and rejection couldn’t take it away. Even death on a cross couldn’t take away the joy. Hebrews 12:2 says as much, “…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame.”
What does it all mean? No matter where your life is right now, this truth makes it worthwhile: Jesus Christ was born to die for you. From his cross He gives unlimited joy. It is for you. “I bring good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Jesus once said, “No one will take your joy from you.” (John 16:22) Why is that? Remember? Happiness is determined by what is going on around me. I can’t control that. Joy is determined by what is going on inside of me. And God has taken control of that by sending Jesus who is the doorway to deliverance, the pathway to peace, and the gateway to glory. His goodness is limitless. His loves never changes. His grace is sufficient. His Word is enough. No one will take this joy from you.
Joy stems the tide of gloom and despair. It brings confidence in the midst of confusion. Hope when there is uncertainty. Calm in the midst of life’s storms.
Please don’t confuse happiness and joy. They are not the same thing. There are happy Christmases and there are sad Christmases. It all depends on what is happening around us.
Joy, on the other hand, is dependent upon what is happening in us. And the birth of Jesus is God’s commitment to send the Holy Spirit who comes inside to heal our hurts, forgive our filth and redeem our wretchedness.
Whether tonight is for you the best of times or the worst of times, the birth of Jesus – announced by the angels, witnessed by the shepherds and marveled at by the magi – leaves us finally with only one response. And what would that be? Paul wrote it. They are the words of our text. 1 Thessalonians 5:16. “Rejoice always!”
Amen.