Sermon Text 2022.10.16 — When Jesus comes back will He find faith on Earth?

October 16, 2022                                Text:  Luke 18:1-8

Dear Friends in Christ,

    Phillips Brooks was an American clergyman of the Episcopal church who died in 1893.  You know him as the man who wrote the words to “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”  The story goes that at times he suffered moments of great frustration and irritability.  One day, a friend saw him pacing the floor.  He asked, “What’s the trouble, Dr. Brooks?”  And Brooks replied, “The trouble is that I’m in a hurry, but God is not.”

    Hit home for some of us?  Remember this, (God says) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” (Is. 55:8). There are many things that test our faith and the “things” have intensified.  So the question is . . .

“WHEN JESUS COMES BACK WILL HE FIND FAITH ON EARTH?”

    If God is real and full of love than why doesn’t He stop all the wars and hatred and molestations and shootings and starvation and…you name it.  Have you ever slandered someone?  Why didn’t God stop that?  Have you ripped someone’s heart with your words?  Why didn’t God stop that?  Ever told a lie or used God’s name in vain or lusted or flirted with someone other than your spouse?  Why didn’t God stop that?  Ever wished someone were dead?  Why didn’t God stop that?  Ever got caught up the peripherals of church instead of focusing on whether God’s Word is being preached here?  Why didn’t God stop that?

    Here is a better question.  Why doesn’t the human race stop doing all the terrible things they shouldn’t be doing but they do them anyway?  Why do the atheists and cynics ask all the pathetic questions that make no sense?

    Our text ends, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”  The implication is that there is something wrong with all of us.  Something that drives us into all sorts of horrible thinking and verbalizing and deeds.  Something…called sin.  Why doesn’t man stop it?

    You have heard the parable, so what does it all mean.  First, the parable is not a comparison between the unjust judge and God.  The parable is a contrast between the two.  When the widow keeps persisting what is the motive of the judge?  “Because the widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.” (v. 5).  God is not an unrighteous judge.  But even if an unrighteous man will give justice to the persistent, how much more will our righteous God do so?

    God has a deep and abiding love for His people.  It is expressed in these words of Jesus:  “I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (Jn. 10:14-15). Time and again, the Gospel impresses upon us that Christ died for sinners.

    Ok, I know what some of you are thinking.  It is in the text, “Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?  Will he delay long over them?  I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.” (vs. 7-8a)  How many of us are like Phillips Brooks?  We are in a hurry for a resolution, but God doesn’t seem to be?  “Why doesn’t God do…?”  And you fill in the blanks.  

    When Jesus said these words in Luke 18, what was near?  The most decisive act of God in vindicating His elect, namely the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Why doesn’t God stop our bad acts?  Because He can’t.  We are men and women who have free will.  But He will do something so we don’t carry around the guilty baggage.  He sent his Son, our Lord, to be the atoning sacrifice for our bad choices.  He forgives our slander, and bad words, and lust, and hatred and when we lose focus on the Gospel.  He sees them all and He forgives them all.  In our daily prayers, don’t many of us ask for that forgiveness?  The need never goes away.  The Good News is that God’s gift of salvation through Jesus never goes away.  The last verse of our text says, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”  This is a rhetorical question, urging faithfulness.  This is the key ingredient in our prayers – faithfulness.

    Now let’s get to question:  why doesn’t God act quicker?  Scripture answers that.  “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9)  Are you and I thankful that the Lord did not return the day before we were brought to faith?  Right?  It might seem a crazy question since we were brought to faith, but think about it.  Not wishing that any would perish.

    Matthew tells us, “lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (Mt. 24:12)  The admonition is clear, “the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Mt. 24:13)

We as God’s people will not escape bearing the cross or suffering for Christ.  The focal point is not this world.  It is this, “your redemption is drawing near.”  “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

    God help us to answer in the affirmative.  “Always pray and never lose heart.”  The persistent widow is our example.  God’s answer is our strength:  “And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?”

                        Amen.

Sermon Text 2022.10.09 — HOW CAN WE ANSWER THE CALL TO SUFFER FOR THE GOSPEL?

October 9, 2022                                  Text:  2 Timothy 2:1-13

Dear Friends in Christ,

    Have you ever been invited to a prison?  In this profession you get to go to a lot of places you never imagined.  I have been to a county jail, a juvenile detention center, and a minimum-security prison.  As they say, “it is not a good feeling when those doors clank behind you.”  It helps to understand the freedom taken away. 

    Paul invites Timothy to Rome, but this is no vacation.  There will be no visiting of interesting sites or a day excursion to the Mediterranean.  Paul is in prison.  Why invite Timothy?  All he could do was minister to a weakened, doomed old man.  He was also risking guilt by association which could mean his own imprisonment or execution.  Yet, Paul makes a compelling argument.

    In our text this morning Paul issues us the same invitation.  How eager will be to join him?  

“HOW CAN WE ANSWER THE CALL TO SUFFER FOR THE GOSPEL?”

    The first thing Timothy needs, and you and I need is strengthening.  “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (v. 1)  Paul uses three analogies to help Timothy understand his pastoral task:  the Christian is like a combat soldier, a competing athlete, and a hardworking farmer.

    Can you relate to any or all three?  I believe most of us can.  A soldier follows commands, despite the suffering involved.  We follow God’s Word even though it could involve mental, physical, or emotional pain.  As an athlete we have had to work for the win, we had to compete to be crowned the victor.  When I ran suicides on the gym floor I wasn’t celebrating inside, I was sucking air.  But that burning sensation in my lungs put me in shape for the fourth quarter.  No sucking air just stamina to win the game.  As a Christian the only way to receive the crown is to be in the arena competing.  Sitting on the sidelines is not an option.  Believe me I try, and the Lord just keeps pulling me in.  He could use my witness.  He can use your witness.  For the farmer, his hard work would give him a first claim on the best crops.  The Lord gives us the best as the seed is planted in our heart.  The word of faith grows and prospers and allows us to share the best crop with others.

    I love what Paul does here for Timothy, he tells him to remember.  “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal.  But the word of God is not bound.  Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” (vs. 8-10)

    Paul is not just under house arrest, he is in a dark, dank, smelly dungeon.  But it is a good comparison that the living and active Word cannot be imprisoned or chained – it accomplishes God’s desires.  He is enduring for the elect, that is the Christians.  We all need each other so that we can answer the call to suffer for the gospel.

    Is any of this a picture of what motivates you to stand up for Jesus and His Word?  All of it should.  I know this is what happens in my brain when confronted with those who want to bash the name of Jesus or His teachings.  I am strengthened by Him.  My athletic training helps me endure.  I remember Jesus and what his Word can accomplish and then I do it for the other Christians in my life.  I want the boys to see what Christian involvement looks like.  I want to strengthen our marriage as Toni and I stand together.  I want the Lord to use my situations to encourage the situations of you brothers and sisters in the pews.  You do the same for me.  I am strengthened by your witness.

    Paul was in chains not for what he believed but for what he preached.  The world will not slight you or hate you for what you believe – as long as you keep it to yourself.  We pray for the strength to share this wonderful message with the world.

    Contrary to legal understanding, God’s justice is not fairness or giving one what he deserves.  We deserve condemnation for those times we don’t open our mouths, or we allow the Word of God to be defamed.  A fair God would give us what we deserve.  Punishment and imprisonment forever.  Thank the Lord that His justice justifies us sinners.  He deems us righteous, on account of the person and work of Christ.  

    The temptation is to lose heart in these last days and believe the maxim, “justice delayed is justice denied.”  In God’s case, this is a lie.  Though the appearance of God’s Kingdom and his justice may seem delayed, “he will give justice.”  Indeed, He already has.  His justice, His righteousness, has already been passed on to you through your Baptism.  His Kingdom comes to you this morning as you participate in the feast of His Kingdom.  Do not lose heart, dear saints.  It is not fun in the sun every day here.  Let us endure suffering for the Gospel because it is God’s way of bringing others to glory.  Remember Jesus.  He is true to His promises.

                                            Amen.             

Sermon Text 2022.10.02 — For us and with us

October 2, 2022 – LWML Sunday                            Text:  Romans 8:31-39

Dear Friends in the Christ,

    Think of the powerful images being conveyed by someone holding another’s hand.  The long-married couple clutching hands as one lies in a hospital bed.  The parents holding the hand of a newborn son or daughter.  The young couple on a first date nervous about touching each other’s hand.  Fast forward to that same couple grasping tightly those same hands in front of God’s altar as they make a lifelong commitment to each other.  

    Earlier this summer when we went hiking in the Colorado Rockies there were opportunities to grasp each other hands.  There were a few treacherous turns and loose rocks where a helping hand was wanted.  A good grip was needed.

    Today is LWML Sunday.  The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League is an auxiliary organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  Their mites, small offerings that when combined throughout Synod make millions of dollars every few years for mission projects around the world.  For decades this organization has given a strong witness to how God’s love holds each of us.

    Our text is from Romans 8.  God is . . .

“FOR US AND WITH US”

    The main subject in our text is God.  The danger for us is that at times we may think our success depends upon our grip, our hold, our work.  The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gives a different perspective.  It is quite clear that God’s everlasting love holds us.

    Because Jesus is for us and with us, we have no fear of condemnation.  Paul writes, “What shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things.” (vs. 31-32).  What things?  Paul has just acknowledged that God has done everything for our salvation.  Therefore, how should we respond?  Paul continues:

    “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies.  Who is to condemn?  Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (vs. 33-34)

    Why did Jesus die?  You know, to pay for our sins.  Why was He raised?  Because the Father accepted this payment.  The check has cleared.  He died so that we might live.

    Now Jesus is interceding for us.  He is in the battle for us.  Corrie Ten Boom said, “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”  Think about your life?  How did things go this week, for you?  Did you speak to a loved one in a tone you would like to take back?  Did you push away someone trying to assist you?  Did you refuse a helping hand?  We all fall short of the glory of God.  The pit can be quite deep at times…but God’s love is deeper still.  His arm is long and able to rescue us.  Those arms and legs were spread on a cross to rescue us.  Those limbs were made alive again as Jesus was raised from the dead.  Jesus is with us and for us.

    Because Jesus is for us and with us, we have no fear of separation.  God will not let go of your hand.  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (vs. 35-39)

    Notice what Paul does not say in the text.  He does not say that our lives will be free of challenges or suffering or heartache.  He doesn’t say that danger will not happen.  Paul had his struggles.  We have ours too.  What weighs on your mind this morning?  What permeates your thoughts?  What would you include?  Who would you include?  No matter what you are facing, God declares you righteous and loved in Jesus.  Our assurance comes from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    Lutheran Women in Mission have served each other for many years.  They have been there for their fellow sisters when lives seemed out of control.  They remind each other that God is in control.  They hold a hand and our reminded of God’s love in Christ.

    Because Jesus is for us and with us, we have certain victory.  Our baptism is the guarantee.  St. Paul writes in Romans 6:4:  “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  Baptism is victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil.  We are more than conquerors.

    Our victory is not secure because of our hold on Christ, but by His hold on us.  We can live confidently each day trusting in Jesus.  Remain in his Word and grace and the Lord holds on to you – forever.

    We thank the Lord for the hearts and hands of the LWML.  They encourage our service with their service.  May God continue to hold us in his love, the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.                    Amen.