August 1, 2021 Text: Ephesians 4:1-7

Dear Friends in Christ,

Frederick B. Speakman wrote about an incident in which a veteran waitress was taking orders from a couple and their young son. The couple had specific requests regarding substitutions. Speakman wrote than when the waitress addressed the son, the son “began to order with a kind of fearful desperation. ‘I want a hot dog…’” he started. Then this: “And both parents barked at once ‘No hot dog!’ The mother went on. ‘Bring Lyonnais potatoes, beef, vegetables and a roll.’

“The waitress wasn’t even listening. She said to the youngster, ‘What do you want on your hot dog?’ He flashed an amazed smile. ‘Ketchup, lots of ketchup – and bring a glass of milk.’

“’Coming up,’ she said as she turned from the table, leaving behind the stunned silence of utter parental dismay. The boy watched her go before he turned to his father and mother with astonished elation to say, ‘You know what? She thinks I’m real! She thinks I’m real.’”

We might not agree with the way the waitress handled it but it makes a point. God sees us as real. We are His. At the beginning of the Book Ephesians it says that God chose us before the creation of the world. Imagine that. It was His will to choose us. He has made us His through faith in Christ. As our text says, “you have been called.” Let’s not complicate this topic. Let’s keep it simple.

“ONE”

When Paul wrote this epistle he was in prison. He had offended the Jewish leaders who hung onto their laws and traditions that were contrary to salvation in Christ alone – One. Society couldn’t have someone spouting absolute truth so he had to be put behind bars.

We learn from the imprisoned Paul this morning. Did you catch all the One references? One body, One Spirit, One hope, One Lord, One faith, One baptism, One God and Father, grace given to each One. Christ’s Church is One.

We call this church the invisible church. It consists of all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. What binds us all together? Faith in the person of Christ. Faith in His life and suffering and death and resurrection. Denominations and divisions do not destroy the unity and Oneness of Christ’s church. This Oneness transcends denominations or labels. It is a holy church.

The church is One and holy because Christ made it so. He took our unholiness, our sins, and made us holy by redeeming us on the cross. The true believers of the church are found in all denominations. We are unified in the Old and New Testament Scripture as God’s Word. We are One in our belief that Christ died to save us from sin and grant us eternal salvation. We say it again. One body, One Spirit, One hope, One Lord, One faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of us all who is all and through all.

The visible church is right before our eyes. We see a church where hypocrites and unbelievers are present. This church may have false teachers and teachings. The visible church is the church at war. I’ve said this before but it bears repeating, “It is the Christian Church on earth that has done far more damage to the church and Christianity than unbelievers or outsiders.” God would love for the visible Church to be One in doctrine and teaching, but not at the cost of forsaking the truth of His Word. Paul lifts his voice for unity. Unity of Spirit and bond of peace.

Professor Eugene F. A. Klug wrote this in his book on Church and Ministry: “Differences in doctrine, therefore, between Christian church bodies on earth cannot be a God-pleasing thing, nor is the church’s splintered condition into many denominations. The solution for this disunity and division, does not, however, lie in the direction of tolerance or allowing false teaching in the church – all of it is misguided and wrong – but in humble listening and obedient bowing before God’s Word of truth, the Sacred Scriptures. This is the posture demanded by God of every devout follower of His and of every church, be it a congregation or a larger fellowship of congregations bearing Christ’s name.”

We all have the responsibility to find a church where God’s Word and Sacraments are taught and preached in truth. This makes us One. If you can’t find that, become a missionary. Christ’s grace has been given to each One of us.

We are called to speak the truth, grow in faith toward Christ who is our Head, and move as One body, waiting together for the return of our Lord and the resurrection of all flesh. All this we believe and confess with One voice as Christ’s true Church on earth.

Amen.

July 25, 2021                                                                                    Text:  Mark 6:45-56

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Have you ever had your back up against the wall?  You have that conversation with yourself that is straight out of a black and white war movie or sports movie.  “Men, we are surrounded.  We have our backs against the wall but we are not going down without a fight.  Who is with me?  All right, let’s go!”  Except in your conversation you stand there terrified.  “Cancer?  It can’t be?”  “He wants a divorce?”  “What did you just tell me about my child?”  “You can’t let me go, I need this job.”

            We are with the disciples this morning and they too have their backs against the wall.  What can be done?  Will it be an inspiring speech or will we see some action? 

“WHEN YOUR BACK IS AGAINST THE WALL”

            Let’s get going.  “Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.  And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.  And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.” (v. 45-47)

            Thousands of people had just been fed and they were satisfied.  This caused them to run after Jesus because they wanted more.  They wanted to make Jesus an earthly king so the Lord and his disciples had to get going.

            Jesus goes to pray.  These 12 men board their own charter.  We are the disciples as we scatter into our own boat or boats.  Where’s Jesus?  Here and there.  Or we give the standard Lutheran answer – “He is in the Word and Sacraments.”  Good job.  Come on up, I will put a star on your paper.  You are correct.  But what about times of sorrow?  What about those times are backs are against the wall?  Is the Lord there?  Does He care what is happening to me?  And if He does, why is He taking so long?

            Listen to David in Psalm 69:  “Save me, O God!  For the waters have come up to my neck.  I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.  I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched.  My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.” (v. 1-3)

            “Waters have come up to my neck.”  Ever have something flooding your life?  Your home or church the last few weeks?  Stress, conflict, upheaval and no foothold.  No foundation.  Nothing of certainty.  Have you been there…at least momentarily?

            As the Lord’s people we cry for help all the time.  If we believe that Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world, then neither is ours.  Our ultimate Kingdom is with Him in heaven.  Entering into eternal life takes us from our troubles.  He finds a way out for us.  He moves through “our backs against the wall” moments and He provides the strength.

            Let’s recall Joseph from the Old Testament this morning.  Siblings who thought it would be fun to sell him into slavery.  Then Potiphar’s wife falsely accuses him of sexual harassment and he ends up in prison.  His back was against four walls as he is left to die.  And God allowed it to happen.  But the Lord intervenes and as fast as you can say, “Interpret my dreams” Joseph becomes 2^nd in command to the King of Egypt.

            Do you recall the words Joseph spoke to his brother’s years later?   These same neophytes who wanted him dead.  “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.  And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life?” (Gen. 45:4-5)

            Where is God sending you?  Do you need to forgive a sibling who got the tea set mom promised you?  Is there someone who put you against a wall, but they repented, and you need to release them?  God has a design.  We get into a boat – a situation – and we need the Lord.  He delivers.  He works it for His purpose.  He works all things to the good.  He does all of this to draw us to Christ and everlasting salvation.

            “He saw they were that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them…He immediately spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart; it is I.  Do not be afraid.’  And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased.” (v. 48, 50)

            Here is our Lord again.  In the midst of our storms.  Like our church sign says,  “Need a lifeguard?  Jesus, our Savior, walks on water.”  Christ’s forgiving love is always there for us. 

            Do you see him when your back is against the wall?  Or is our faith so confused that we think He ought to put us on easy street?  Keep us from problems?  Never let wind or wave bother us?  Always hear, “you are in perfect health.”  That we will never have to be put in a position of having to declare to those who hate Jesus, “I believe?”

            How do we understand it . . . when our backs are against the wall?

                                                                                                                                    Amen.