Sermon Text Mar 17, 2019 — Where To Go

March 17, 2019                                                                                 Text:  Luke 13:31-35

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Have you ever had someone tell you “where to go?”  I don’t mean the directions you get from the local gas station or the GPS that keeps telling you to turn around so it can recompute your route.  I mean someone telling you “where to go” as in a not so friendly manner.  Maybe it was a co-worker telling you “where to go” when you felt they weren’t doing their part of a project.  Could it be a son or daughter who didn’t appreciate your advice and they told you “where to go.”  How about a spouse who didn’t like your tone of voice and they suggested “where to go” which ended up being the couch or the basement for the night.

            Don’t take this the wrong way but I am going to tell you “where to go” this morning.  I pray I do it in a Law/Gospel way and if this makes you feel any better, I am using the words of Jesus in our text to get the point across.   Lord and Savior please tell us this morning . . .

“WHERE TO GO”

            Our text seems to begin with some care and concern.  Can it be?  Pharisees?  “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” (v. 1)  They are telling Jesus “where to go” and it is not Jerusalem.  Let’s not be duped this morning.  The Pharisees weren’t concerned about Jesus’ welfare as much as they were tired of Jesus’ being there.  Jesus was gathering a large following on their turf…and they didn’t like it, so they are going to tell Him where to go.

            It is just like the world to not want Jesus around.  Herod even wants to end His life.  Amazing how someone so perfect can stir such hatred.  But we see it around us.  Jesus please leave the school and the marketplace and the courts and the government and we, the worldly wise will tell you and your followers “where to go.”  Where do they want us?  In our homes, with our mouths shut.  Or gathered in our churches with a social gospel.  They don’t want God’s Word or to hear what Jesus the Savior has to say.

            Jesus is going to speak in spite of this as He does in our text.  “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.” (v. 2)  Let’s not degrade the Savior into some wimp who is just all about acceptance.  He calls out Herod for who he is – deceitful, sly, tricky, a psychopath.  Herod will be one of the engineers telling Jesus where to go.

            The thing is Jesus knows where He is going.  In our text He must be on His way because He still has miraculous work to do.  But He will return.  He must die in Jerusalem.  Jesus knows where He has to go to get us to where we need to go.  The Pharisees took Jesus’ talk of a “third day” seriously because you may remember they posted a guard at Jesus’ tomb until the 3rd day.

            Where to go?  Where to go?  Everyone is always looking where to go for answers.  They are right here.  In our sin, the devil would like to escort us down the path of “where to go.”  That is someone we don’t want to follow…it might get a little hot.  Jesus instead would like to have us go to quiet waters and golden streets.  He made it possible when He returned to Jerusalem.  He knew He was in a long line of prophets that had been killed and would be killed in Jerusalem.   His death and resurrection would open up for us the “New Jerusalem.” 

            Out of the billions of people on this planet Jesus gathered you and me together as a hen gathers her brood.  We are His.  And somehow, regardless of what’s going on in your life this morning – somehow, if you’re really thinking about it – His gathering you under His wings has to make a difference as you live in world that doesn’t want Jesus.

            As those saved by the cross do we just stand there admiring it as a work of art?  No.  We depart because the Lord wants to tell us “where to go.”  “Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  (Mt. 28:19)  “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)  Christianity is not a stagnant faith.  It is a moving faith.  A faith on the move in our actions and words.  The next time you want to tell someone “where to go” point him or her to the cross or to the Bible or to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. 

            See, I told you it would not be so bad.  Where to go?  You know and I know now let’s tell the unbelieving world “where to go”.   Then when we get there let’s look for them on the path laid down by Jesus our Savior.

                                                                                                            Amen.        

Bulletin Announcements

March 17, 2019

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Philippians 3:19 – “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”  St. Paul does not want us to set our minds on earthly things, for they are passing away.  This is similar to what Jesus says about storing up treasures on earth rather than storing them in heaven.  Our heart tends to go where we put our treasure.  This is why God commands us to live generously; not to spoil our fun but to help train us in keeping our priorities straight and our minds off earthly things.

FAITH IN ACTION OF BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL:   One ride, one visit, one Senior at a time.  Need a ride?  Want to volunteer?  Need more information?  Call (309) 827-7780; or email: office@bnfia.org or contact Barry Hamlin at (309) 750-9424.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP under the theme: “Let My People Go”, will continue this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.  This week’s sermon: “Stop Trying and Start Trusting”.  Trusting in your Church Council to feed you they have an array of palatable delights that you may digest starting at 5:30 p.m.  The free will Offering for the evening will go to Seminary Student Joseph Schlie and family.

FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT IN MARCH is this coming Friday, March 22nd at 6:30 p.m.  The title of the movie is “RISEN”.  “RISEN” is the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection as told through the eyes of a non-believer.  Clavius, a powerful Roman military tribune and his aide, Lucius are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.  Join us for another great movie, good food and wonderful fellowship this coming Friday, March 22nd at 6:30 p.m. in the church basement.

NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the APRIL NEWSLETTER.   Any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted via email to goodshepherdblm @frontier.com, via mail, hand-delivered, or you may call (309) 662-8905 or (309) 838-1552.  Thank you!

“Walk For Life”:  Pastor and Toni make their annual trek in the Living Alternatives – Pregnancy Resource Center’s Annual “Walk For Life”.  The walk will be held at Christ Church, PCA in Normal on Saturday, April 13th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.  If you would like to walk, please see Pastor who has the forms. Also, please speak with Pastor if you would like to support the Lueck’s.  Thank you.

FROM THE OFFICE:  It’s time for the Annual Renewal of Lutheran Witness.  Emails are going out to those who currently have a subscription.  If anyone who is not currently receiving the Lutheran Witness is interested, please contact either Janet or Sandy in the office before the end of March and we will gladly add your name to the list.  The cost is only $15.96 for the entire year; July 2019 through June 2020.  (The June/July issue is combined so there are 11 issues.)

THE LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS, “People Of The Passion” are available on the table in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

FROM THE OFFICE:  It’s time for the annual update of the Church Directory Listing.  On the table in the narthex there are two lists, one with only phone numbers and email addresses; and also one with home addresses included.  Please check the listings and make any changes necessary.  We hope to have a new Church Directory for you by the first Sunday in April.  Thank you for your help.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2019 we have two separate sign-ups: Donut Pick-up and Coffee Set-up.  We would like to encourage you to sign-up for one or the other.  You may also sign-up for both if you wish.  The sign-up sheet is by the door by the north stairwell.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Death Doesn’t End the Story” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 11.  Some accept death as the end, others, as a new beginning.  Jesus turned death into a sign that points us to the Author of Life. The speaker will be Reverend Dr. Michael Zeigler.  Hear his message on The Lutheran Hour on WGN (720) at 6:00 a.m.; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.  Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.  Tune in!  You can also listen to The Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org.

FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE:  If you miss church, please be reminded that copies of the previous week’s sermon are available on the table in the narthex.  Also, the sermon will be available on our web site at www.goodshepherdblm.org.  Thank you.

PRAYER CIRCLE:  If you have a prayer request please submit them by email to Mary Anne Kirchner at makirchner@yahoo.com or you may phone a Prayer Request to Mary Anne; her cell phone# is (309) 532-2582.  The Prayer Request box is on the table in the narthex for any written requests.

Elder, Usher, and Acolyte Schedules, March 2019

Elder and Usher Schedule

Date
8:00
Elder
10:30
Mar 17Barry Hamlin, Gene Fuller, Richard RossMike FieldBrian Dirks, Mike Field
Mar 24Nick Hitch, Steve ParryPaul GerikeGreg McNeely, Mike Huth, Theron Noth
Mar 31Craig Culp, Daryle Schempp, Paul GerikeNathan KluenderBob Love, Randy Reinhardt

Acolyte Schedule

Date
8:00
10:30
Mar 17Lucas PiperPastor/Elder
Mar 24Pastor/ElderJessica Isaac
Mar 31Chloe HitchWill McNeely

Stewardship Corner March 2019

Everything we have and everything we are is a gift of God’s providential care. We

understand that we’re not islands unto ourselves. We could not exist without those who have

gone before us and those who walk alongside us. God has given us forefathers in family,

country, and faith. We are recipients of what God worked through them. We know God

provides for our well-being through these means.

He gives us farmers and ranchers so we can eat. But more than that, God created and

gave us all the things those farmers and ranchers cultivate. He gave us the corn, the beans, the

wheat, the cows for milking, the steers for grilling. He gave each of those things for our

nourishment and sustenance. Without God creating and instilling in those things their taste,

their nutritional value, etc., we would not exist.

God gives us doctors, surgeons, nurses, and hospitals. He gives us medicine and medical

instruments, and, of course, He gave us everything to make those medicines and medical

instruments. He instilled in those things the properties to be utilized for those purposes.

Without God creating and instilling healing properties into those things — and without God

creating the ability within man to learn this and implement it to serve our medical needs — we

would not enjoy the health we do now.

But there’s more. He gives us gainful employment through our employers and provides

for the necessities of life through the labor of our hands:

“Then Moses said to the people of Israel, ‘See, the Lord

has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur of

the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit

of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and

with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work

in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting,

and in carving woûd for work in every skilled craft. And

he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the

son ofAhisamach of the tribe of Dan.’ “(Exodus 35:30—34)

And one step back from that, He has created and given us hands, and attached to hands

are arms with strength. He created us with minds to make those arms and hands move and

accomplish the work set before us. And with that mind, He has given us reason and senses.

That mind, because of the reason God has instilled in it, ¡s able to work through difficult

problems before we press those arms and hands into labor. It allows us to grapple with concepts

and run through scenarios instead of having to experience every situation personally. It allows

us to learn from the mistakes, as well as from the accomplishments, of ourselves and others.

This can be done for our entire body, all our skills and talents, everything that makes us … us.

So, everything we have and everything we are is a gift from Him. This is what we

confess in the First Article of the Creed when we say that we “believe in God, the Father

Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.”

But that is just the First Article of the Creed. We confess two more articles that deal

with God’s provision for our spiritual well-being. He sent his Son to die and be raised on the

third day for our justification. He delivers that justification through the means of grace

(baptism, preaching and the Word of God, and the Lord’s Supper). And to give you those

means of grace, He gives pastors and teachers, etc. Literally everything we have and everything

we are ¡n this life — and the next — is an inexpressible gift from God.

And it is for this, all of this, that we give thanks. And that is what stewardship is all

about — giving thanks for God’s provision for us. To give thanks is more than having an

attitude of gratitude, more than just a feeling in our hearts.

It is an action. It begins in the heart, but it doesn’t stay there. It works its way out through

the mouth in praise for God’s gifts and in love and charity through the hands to our neighbors

in family, country, and church.

“For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey him” (The

Small Catechism, 16).

So give thanks to God for His inexpressible gifts — for everything we have and

everything we are. Do this not only in word but also in deed.