Sermon: 2-21-2016

February 21, 2016                                                    Text:  Philippians 3:17-4:1

 

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

In 304 AD, the Roman emperor gave a command that all the people in Iconium had to offer a sacrifice to the pagan gods.  A Christian woman by the name of Julitta decided to leave the city with her three-year-old son, Cyricus, in order to escape persecution.  In Tarsus, however, she was arrested and brought back to Iconium and had to stand before the governor – man by the name of Alexander.  She admitted she was a Christian and consequently she was tortured.

She endured the torments with great patience, but her little son cried loudly when he saw his mother suffering – he desperately wanted to go to her.  Even the hardhearted governor was touched by the boy’s tears and went so far as to take the child in his lap with an attempt to calm him down.  Still the boy cried and called for his mother.  Finally, the boy began to imitate the words of his mother by saying over and over again, “I am a Christian!  I am a Christian!”  With this the governor was filled with sudden rage and hurled the boy to the ground head first, killing him instantly.

Julitta was full of grief but actually thanked God with a loud voice that her little boy, Cyricus had gone on before her into heaven and would not have to witness her death.  After that, the governor increased her torture and eventually had her beheaded.  Before she died, Julitta offered up this prayer, “I thank you, O my God, that you first transferred my son into your kingdom.  Grant also that I, your servant, though unworthy, may likewise be received there.  Lead me, like the wise virgins, into your wedding chamber!”

We can have a lot of reactions to a story like that.  Sadness for the mother and son.  Anger at the governor.  And what an example for every Christian.  These Christians really lived and demonstrated what our text says.  They knew their citizenship was in heaven and they were able to stand firm in the Lord.

Who among us would do the same thing?  We might be quick to say “yes” but we are the same people who live in this luxurious society and panic at the first sign of anything that might intrude upon our comfort zone.  We grumble at God, yet build ourselves up that we could stand firm like Julitta and Cyricus.

The deeper question is this:  What was it that gave them strength to endure what God had allowed to happen in their lives?  Paul addresses that in our text as he encourages us to . . .

“STAND FIRM – HEAVENLY CITIZEN”

This epistle of Philippians is mostly upbeat and encouraging, even though Paul himself is in chains for the gospel.  The threat in our reading is walking apart from Christ.  It is easy for us to fall back on the Law and cling to the confidence of our accomplishments.  What did you give up for Lent this year?  Soda?  Potato chips?  Social media?  Alcohol?  Political debates?  It is fine to practice self-discipline but we take it too far if we hold it over the head of God or our neighbor.  You want to impress God and your co-worker.  It may seem harmless on the surface, but ultimately it rejects the cross and all that Jesus accomplished for you there.

We stand firm because we are citizens of heaven.  Citizenship in verse 20 can also be translated “homeland.”  We have “homeland security” not because of some cabinet position in Washington, but because our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, opened heaven to us by his life, death, resurrection, and ascension.  By grace, God has made us citizens of that heaven through Holy Baptism.  This is our present reality.

As heaven’s citizens, we anxiously await our Savior’s return.  We occupy our minds with heavenly thoughts through worship, devotion, bible study, and prayer.  We eat heavenly food as the true body and blood is fed to us for forgiveness and a taste of the feast to come in our eternal homeland.  We walk according to those examples of citizens of Christ’s kingdom.  We stand firm to the end, anxiously awaiting the transformation of our bodies to be like his glorious body.

So what gave Julitta and Cyricus the strength to endure what happened in their lives?  They were looking ahead to a glorious future that was far greater than anything they could have on earth.  Their hearts and minds were set on heavenly things and nothing was more important than their eternal salvation.  It is really that simple.  They died for the faith because they knew they would live.

May the Holy Spirit continue to strengthen us in this same faith.  May He lead us to stand firm even as we see the signs around us that may call us before government officials and judges.  Our homeland is in the distance, but possibly nearer than we think.   The Lord is our strength, so STAND FIRM – HEAVENLY CITIZEN.

Amen.

Feb. 24th Lenten Worship Services tentatively cancelled

The National Weather Service is forecasting several inches of snow and strong winds resulting in blizzard-like conditions tomorrow evening.  For everyone’s safety driving after dark in potential blizzard-like conditions, Pastor and the elders have decided to tentatively cancel worship services for Wednesday, February 24th.  If weather conditions change, worship services may be held, although the meal will still be cancelled.  Please check back here at the church’s website tomorrow afternoon, or listen to WJBC to determine if services will be held.

Feb 24th Meal cancelled

The National Weather Service is forecasting several inches of snow and strong winds resulting in blizzard-like conditions tomorrow evening.  So that those preparing the Lenten meal can know how to plan, Pastor and the elders have decided to cancel the meal for Feb. 24th.

Bulletin Announcements – February 21, 2016

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February 21, 2016

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.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying “Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today”.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL the children will study “The Temptation of Jesus.” Like us, Jesus was tempted by Satan to sin. Yet, for us, He overcame all temptation because we cannot. In your family discussions consider asking, “How are we tempted to rely on ourselves and trust in our powers?

TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the MARCH NEWSLETTER. Mandy Kluender is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at mgkluender@hotmail.com or you may call her at (309) 838-9868.

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICE: The Lenten Journey is upon us this Wednesday with worship at 7:00 p.m. As we work our way through the Book of Job our message is: “Learning To Lament”. The Evangelism/Stewardship Board will lovingly provide the meal. The fellowship begins at 5:30 p.m. in the basement of the church and the free-will Offering will go to Lutheran World Relief.

LWML LADIES: We will not be meeting on February 23rd. Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 8th at 9:00 a.m.

LENTEN DEVOTIONS are available on the table in the narthex. Pick up your free copy today

TO ALL THRIVENT MEMBERS: Your Choice Dollars for 2015 will expire March 31, 2016. If you haven’t already done so, please contact Thrivent either by e-mail or by phone and direct your choice dollars before the end of March.

WINTER WEATHER PLAN: If bad weather is likely, the Elders will send an email reminder to the Newsletter email list the night before services reminding you to check WJBC or email to see if church is cancelled. If you do not receive the Newsletter email and want to receive cancellation emails, subscribe to the Newsletter email at: http://www.goodshepherdblm.org/about-us/contact-us/

GOOD SHEPHERD BLOOD DRIVE: Good Shepherd has been blessed to have another Blood Drive through the Red Cross. Our Spring Drive will be on Monday, May 2nd in the afternoon. You need 56 days between donations so in order to be eligible for our Drive please give by the end of February.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell. We need an individual/family to sign-up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee. If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled. We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.

LUTHERAN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: Marriage is for a lifetime. Want to get out of the rut and focus on the Biblical principles of fidelity, commitment, physical enjoyment and marriage as the Bride of Christ? Lutheran Marriage Encounter is here for you. The next weekend is scheduled for April 1-3, 2016 in Peoria IL. For more information and/or to register visit: www.GodLovesMarriage.org.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Follow Him” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Matthew 9:9. Is your life headed in the wrong direction? The speaker will be Reverend Ken Klaus. Hear this Sunday’s 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.

PRAYER CHAIN: 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 home # is (309) 661-6522; her cell phone# is (309) 532-2582. The Prayer Request box is on the table in the narthex for any written requests.

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