Sermons

 

October 26, 2014 – Reformation Text: Psalm 46

Dear Friends in Christ,

Isn’t life interesting? The ups and downs. The good times and bad times. I like to say that all of us in this sanctuary are dealing with something. Some have health challenges. Some have family upheaval. Some have job uncertainty. Some have problems with a spouse. Some have college choices to decide. Some have financial issues. Some of you have to live with the consequences of life choices.
The church is also not immune to life. Because of job movement, deaths and leaving our area we have less people in our worship services. The church at large is under attack from its adversaries to the Word of God. The church in the world is being massacred for believing in a Savior. It surrounds us. I’ve seen more of it in the last few years than at any other time in my ministry. What do you say?
“WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THINGS FALL APART?
We will look at these questions this morning through Psalm 46. These words will help us discover how we should respond when things fall apart.
The psalm is familiar, isn’t it? Martin Luther based “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” on it. As we look at Psalm 46 we will see the events described are happening all around us right now. God’s Word is always contemporary.
Right away the author makes a bold statement about the position people of faith take when things fall apart: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” (vs. 1-2a) We will not fear. Period.
Then the author describes three scenes. Verses 2-5 describe hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. The earth is giving way. The mountains are falling into the sea. The oceans are in chaos and the earth is shaking and trembling. In the middle of the scene what do we see? “There is a river who streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” (vs. 4-5) God is in the river. God is present. God is there to help.
Verse 6 gives us our second scene. “The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.” Sudan, Syria, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, ISIS, geopolitical conflict and terrorism, Ebola outbreaks. Yet in the middle of the chaos what do we see? “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (v. 7) A fortress. The Lord Almighty is with us. A place of safety and security. A hiding place where we can rest secure.
Our third scene is verses 8 and 9. Here we have some fascinating words that describe the holy, unbridled power of God, doing things that God in his wisdom sometimes does without our comprehension. Breaking spears, destroying kingdoms, bringing desolation upon the earth. Sometimes God’s mighty, unbridled power intersects with our lives and there is collateral damage. In the middle of this what do we hear? A voice. “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (v. 10)
Which of these three scenes do find your life right now? Natural calamities where things are falling apart in your home or with your health? Interpersonal conflicts? The power of God where things just happen you can’t explain? In the middle of the chaos and anxiety and uncertainty, how is your faith? Where is your faith? In whom is your faith?
Without intending it, Luther found himself in the midst of conflict that rocked the world. He raised some questions, 95 of them, that he wanted to debate and have an open discussion about. Those questions changed the face of Europe and the world and brought the threat of death and excommunication from his church. Where could Luther put his faith? In whom?
No matter what scene you are in, God comes to us like he did with Luther, with these words: “Be still. I am your refuge and strength. I am your fortress.” The writer of Hebrews states, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (13:5) God stands beside us through His Son Jesus. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection took away the sin that had separated us from God. This Table – this body and blood – is the guarantee that the Lord is always with you providing you strength to face life. The waters of baptism were poured over you like the river that the Lord is in the midst of during your challenges. We depend on the Lord’s presence throughout our lives. We can say with the psalmist: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (v. 11) This enabled Luther to stand against popes and armies.
Do you ever notice that in the midst of things falling apart the Lord through His Holy Spirit still gives us some joy, something to hang on to? Think of it this way. You may have health problems, but your children are a blessing. You may have job insecurity but your marriage is loving and solid. You may face financial challenges but your favorite sports team is doing well. I mean if you are a fan of the Cardinals you have nothing to whine about. They have been the most fortunate team in all of sports the last few years. Believe me, my stomach and anxiety level knows! And one thing to add on the blessing side – our church here at Good Shepherd. If we know of things causing your life to fall apart we are praying for you and lifting you up to the Lord. You have brothers and sisters in Christ who care because none of us are immune to the foibles of this world. The Lord continues to bless.
We are going to see these three scenes continue to play out in front of us. How will we respond when things fall apart? God comes in this psalm to encourage: Do not be alarmed. Do not worry. Do not be afraid.
These are opportunities for us as Christians to speak these words to one another. We will not fear. Be still. We can sit at home or in our workplace and read the words over and over again: God is our refuge and strength. In the middle of the chaos, we have a calm, peaceful river that warms the heart of God. A strong and mighty fortress. A voice speaking to us: “Be still. For I am your God.”
Amen.

 

October 19, 2014 Text: Matthew 22:15-22

Dear Friends in Christ,

Let me paint a picture for you this morning and you see where you fit. It’s a family dinner. You are with extended family. There is one person in the group who starts talking politics or social issues or whatever. This does not surprise you because this has been happening for years. How do you react? Do you engage in the debate? Do you change the subject to the weather or something safe? Do you run as fast as you can to the kitchen to help with the gravy? Who are you and where do you fit?
Knowing almost all of you here this morning, I would say we have all three. For those of you who change the subject or skedaddle to some other part of the house I am with you most of the time. Experience has taught me that. At times I like to engage the debate. But think about it this way – do you ever leave that family dinner thinking you really ever changed someone’s mind? Many times it just causes tension and the joy of another family gathering goes right down the toilet.
Jesus got dragged into many debates. The text says, “You do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.” That should be part of the constitution of all of us. But the problem is He is God and we are not. Oh, how we would love the magic words to put someone in their place. He’s Jesus – Son of God and Savior. You – sinful human being. We are on two different playing fields. What can be done? Come along as we step into . . .
“THE GREAT DEBATE”
Do you remember a great debate when an opponent was silenced? They rarely happen. Here is one that worked. While receiving some tough questions from the press during the Desert Storm conflict, General Norman Schwarzkopf found himself debating with a reporter as to why we didn’t look to the French for more support. Growing tired his quick wit offered, “Going to war without the French is like going deer hunting without your accordion.” Insulted, but not converted, the reporter didn’t ask the general any more questions.
The great debate today is Jesus versus the Pharisees/Herodians. These two groups of people were not usually on the same side. They ask the debate question: “Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (v. 17) Remember the Herodians are puppets of the Romans and believed taxes should be paid to Caesar or that person was a traitor. The Jews believed paying taxes to Caesar was against God’s will and they shouldn’t have to do it.
So we see the trap. If he speaks against the Pharisees, he’ll show He is a traitor to his own people – the Jews. If he agrees with the Pharisees, the Herodians will have cause for his arrest. Then they could lawfully kill him. In this way the Herodians could carry out the dirty work of the Pharisees. They have to be thinking: “We’ve got him.”
In a simple way, we see ourselves. Can’t we manipulate others to get what we want? Spouses do it. Kids and parents do it. Workers and employers do it. Neighbors do it. Oh, we like to play the game. Herodian or Pharisee? Take your pick, we have been there.
In this great debate, Jesus has an answer. He does not avoid the question or withhold the truth. You and I might be looking for a quick exit. Not the Savior. He proclaims both Law and Gospel. “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (v. 21) Since Caesar is on the coin they are obeying the Fourth Commandment, by honoring the ruling authorities by paying taxes. That is being faithful to God, because He put the government in place. Doing our duty as citizens we are giving thanks to our loving and generous God for his gift of civil governance and peace.
But that is not the end. We are to understand the “give to God what is God’s.” It is to see the Holy Spirit at work in the Gospel. It is to believe that same gospel and to recognize that faith in Christ is the highest worship of Christ, the ultimate “rendering to God.” We receive the bounty of his grace in the Lord’s Supper, Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution. It is to cling to Jesus as the one who paid the tax debt by his suffering and death on the cross for you. The tax bill is paid in full. The bill collector of the grave was unable to hold Jesus. The effects of the debt – death and hell – had no power over him. He rose from the dead to prove that the debt is truly and completely paid.
Jesus won the great debate as only he could do. What does that mean for you and I? Don’t go off running from the great debates of our society. Recently, the Supreme Court took a pass on marriage. This is our great debate because society is on the precipice of falling. Have we learned nothing, sociologically from the breakdown of the family these last 40-50 years? If we add another layer away from God’s design what can we expect?
This is a tough one because it is government that gives me and other clergy the right to marry men and women. It is not official until I sign a piece of paper and send it to the county clerk. So, does God want us to just throw up our hands and give up because people are making these laws? No, of course not. He wants us to engage in the great debate. How do we know that? Because in his Word – our only source of right and wrong – He only blesses one avenue for His creation – male and female. “Be fruitful and multiply.” Science teaches the parts only work one way. The Creator knew this and called it good. When people want to be God they do nothing but mess things up. A gentle reminder – I’m not God, you are not God, the Supreme Court is not God, the pontificators of our time are not God. There is only one true God and He is in control.
In the greatest debate ever waged – Satan against Jesus – Jesus has won. Don’t run to the kitchen to make the gravy, but share God’s Word and keep it at that. The Holy Spirit has to do the rest. Many of you get frustrated and I feel your anguish – I too share it at times. But lean on the Great Debater. The one who loves you so much He doesn’t want to see you perish. The One who cares for you so much that He has promised not to leave you or forsake you. That’s what I take from the Great Debate. I pray you do too.
Amen.

 

Oct. 12, 2014                                                              Text:  Matthew 22:1-14

 

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

Mealtimes are often filled with emotions.  Peter knows.  Sunday dinners with his mother, Ada, his father, Fred, and three siblings were always lively, relates Peter.  “On one occasion all of us except mother were in a silly mood, and we began requesting, in rhyme, items at the table.  ‘Please pass the meat, Pete.’  ‘May I have a potatah, Ada?’  ‘How about the salt, Walt.’  This went on for a while but then mom got fed up.  She stood up:  ‘Stop this nonsense right now.  I’d like to enjoy my dinner with some good conversation not this silly chatter.’  Then she sat down, still in a huff, turned to my father, and snapped, ‘Pass the bread, Fred.’”

You are cordially invited to . . .

“THE PARTY OF THE YEAR”

It was on Tuesday of Holy Week when Jesus spoke this, the third of his triad of parables about entrance into the Kingdom.  The king is planning his son’s royal wedding.  When the invitations went out, those invited came up with excuses based on possessions or purchases.

In our busy, consumer-oriented society it is easy to disdain invitations.  When we get invited to a party or dinner we may ask ourselves:  “Do I really need to go?  Will there be a problem if I don’t go?  Will I know people there?”  Those in the parable answered in all the wrong ways.

When we apply this parable to God’s inviting us to eternal fellowship with him, if we decline, there will be a problem.  In our times, ethics are perceived as individual and relative.  Many Americans do not accept God’s eternal values as absolute.  Yet they are.  The Lord’s patience eventually wears thin.  As a people we cannot continually turn our back on God and expect his blessing.  “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (v. 14)

Many are called, you know?  Jesus graphically portrays God as reaching out to people with his inviting grace.  God cared enough to search us out and bring us into His Kingdom with celebration and a feast.  We need to value those times we have in worship.  Our divine services are true foretastes of the eternal banquet.

All who choose to ignore our accountability to God cheapen God’s grace.  In fact grace is costly – it cost the life of God’s Son.  Dietrich Bonheoffer wrote:  “Grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.  It is costly because it cost a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.”  To be invited by God to feast at his table of divine grace is the ultimate honor for all human beings.

Welcome the invitation.  Don’t be put off because it is free.  This is not some late-night infomercial.  This comes freely to you because of Jesus covering the cost of your invitation.  Christ has risen and ascended to heaven to host the banquet of all banquets.  God values inviting anyone, even us.  That divine attitude can shape in us the same desire to invite all.

When you got up this morning, perhaps you hesitated for a moment whether you would come to worship or not.  It might be nice to sleep in, or veg out or pursue some other worldly endeavor.  But a small voice suggested you accept the invitation.  That was the Holy Spirit delivering Christ’s invitation to you.

 

Even in our more casual day and age, we know there are certain clothes required for certain situations.  When God the Father invites us to the wedding feast at which his Son will be the Bridegroom, he supplies us with the right thing to wear, the righteousness of Jesus given at our Baptism.  Clothed in Christ’s righteousness, we are ready for the Party of the Year.

Amen.

 

September 28, 2014                                        Text:  Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Don’t fall out of your pew on this one – but I watch a lot of sports.  I know you are shocked, but it is true.  One thing I hear the announcers talk about periodically is that a certain player is “a difference maker.”  They are conveying to the audience that some players have skills and abilities that can change a game.  They run faster, hit harder, pitch better than their fellow players.  They make a difference for their team, which usually leads to winning.

            How about you?  Do you consider yourself a difference maker?  Not in the sports arena but in the life arena.  Do you like to just sit on the sidelines and complain about people and the world?  Or do you like to get in the game, use your God-given skills and abilities to further advance the cause of Christianity down the field?

            This morning Paul is addressing his brothers and sisters in Christ at Philippi.  A congregation founded by Paul and one he still watched over.  He knew the challenges they were up against.  But he had a game plan they could each be a part of.  This morning so can you . . .

“BEING A DIFFERENCE MAKER”

            Paul knew what his fellow Christians were battling.  He said they were “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.” (v. 15b)  Don’t we hear the same words being used about the times we live in?  Crooked in the generation that has left the straight paths of the Lord.  Crooked in mind and in heart and thus in acts means lying thought.  Truth is straight but lies are crooked or twisted.

            Have you heard or seen this one?  It is called “the blasphemy challenge” and it is used by atheists to further their agenda and to expose the “crock that is Christian doctrine.”  They want their followers to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and this verse from Mark 3:29:  “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.”  This is how twisted things are.  People who supposedly don’t believe in the Trinity want to sin against it.  But, of course, they wouldn’t call it a sin.

            In the political arena two agendas have been advanced.  Marijuana and same-sex marriage.  Having grown up in the 70’s and 80’s I didn’t think I would see a day when marijuana was looked on more favorably than smoking.  I don’t want to argue the medicinal purposes but we know this will lead to abuses as we are already seeing.

            When it comes to same-sex marriage and parenting I read this interesting quote:  “You encourage a consumerist model of parenting.  It encourages the idea that individuals have a right to a kid, instead of viewing children as a gift and a great blessing.”

            In this crooked and twisted generation we live in a “social revolution that attempts to define what you’re allowed to think and do in the public square.”

            So, how do you and I make a difference?  First, Paul’s advice:  “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (vs. 3-4)  These admonitions all come because of our connection to Christ.

            Gandhi had this interesting quote during his lifetime:  “I don’t refuse Christianity because of the Christian Scriptures but because of Christians.”  Ouch!  We can’t be self-righteous but we must make an honest assessment of ourselves.  We can be crooked in thoughts and deeds.  We can become twisted in our thinking if it fits an agenda or manipulates a situation.  We are not immune to the garbage that is coming our way, day by day by day.  And then some of us don’t want to be difference-makers because we think there isn’t anything that can stop the tide that is sweeping over us.  Satan and sin and the world win when we become apathetic.  Talk about the sidelines, some don’t want to leave the locker room.

            But leave it we must.  Contact with the world cannot be avoided.  Ever and ever we must have it impressed upon us that we are different from the world, must be told what is the matter with the world, and what we have that makes us different.  Look at Paul’s encouragement, “Holding fast to the word of life.” (16a)  Paul labored because of his confidence in the Word of God.

            Do you have that same confidence in the Word?  As Scripture says, “These words…are life.”  They increase our spiritual life.  This Word called us in the waters of Holy Baptism.  This Word strengthens are daily walk.  Holding fast to the Word of Life continuously reminds us of the forgiveness and life we have in Christ.  This Word of Life is power as the Holy Spirit helps us to become difference makers.  The Word of Life in Holy Communion can make the weak strong.  It is a spiritual boost for the days ahead.

            As the text tells us, we are to “shine as lights in the world.” (v. 15c)  Even imperfect Christians shine.  When Jesus spoke to his imperfect disciples he did not use the future tense:  “You shall be the light of the world,” but the present:  “You are the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14)  And you are you know?  The littlest things you do for others can make a difference.  The big things you shout from the rooftops can make a difference.  As with a ballplayer, God has gifted you with certain gifts and abilities that start to make the crooked straight, and the twisted start to untangle.

            The social scientist I quoted earlier on same-sex parenting had this to say later in his presentation.  France is proof “of signs that people are fed up with the fruits of the sexual revolution.  Human nature is reasserting itself.”

            Be faithful.  That is all that is asked of a difference maker.

                                                                                                                        Amen.