Monday, April 25, 2011

EASTER
April 24/25, 2011
Pastor Timothy J. Spaude
Text: Job 19:25-27

“I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES!”
1. What comfort this sweet sentence gives.
2. He lives to bless me with His love.
3. He lives to silence all my fears.
4. He lives and I shall conquer death.

Job 19:25-27 (NIV) “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”

The Old Testament Book of Job is a wonderful gift from God. We don’t know when Job lived but we can all relate to what Job went through, just not to his extreme. Job was a believer in the one true Savior God of the Bible. He had been given many physical blessings, great wealth in property and herds and servants. He had been blessed with a large family. But then the Devil put him through some trials and hardships. He lost his wealth. All his children were killed in a storm. His health went bad. He endured the finger pointing from some of his best friends who questioned what sin he had done to be punished so. What was he hiding? Job endured the spiritual rollercoaster of confident trust in God, to clinging to Him for dear life, to hurt, anger and questioning of God’s love and goodness, fairness and justice.
What was it that gave Job hope through his trials? Jesus did. His Redeemer. Listen to his words again. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” In the midst of loss, hurt, lack of understanding, sorrow, anger, guilt that the Lord Jesus lives provided hope and confidence.
And it still does today. Job’s Holy Spirit inspired words served as inspiration for a hymn writer named Samuel Medley to write in the late 1700’s what has become a favorite Easter hymn aptly named “I know that my Redeemer lives.” In every line of each verse, every line but two, the word “lives” appears. Jesus Lives! Today we’ll use this favorite hymn to guide our celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and the confidence and hope for whatever we are going through in life it gives us. Let’s sing the first two verses as printed.

What comfort this sweet sentence gives.

I know that my Redeemer lives
What comfort this sweet sentence gives.
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save.
He lives all-glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.

Have you ever heard the term “comfort foods?” Do you have one? Comfort foods is a term used to describe a favorite food that provides some kind of emotional boost. It might be your mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup, or meatloaf, even something as simple as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. That fact that there are even such things as comfort foods stands as testimony that people need comforting. What is that you need comforting from? Are you lonely? Hurt? Feel rejected? Jesus lives. You heard in our Scripture readings about some women who needed comforting. The last time they saw Jesus he was dead. And if you can think about the last time you were at a funeral you know that there is something very final about death. But not with Jesus. The women came to the tomb and found that Jesus wasn’t dead anymore. He lives. God let Job see that too when he needed comforting. The hymn writer points out some reasons why this is so comforting. He uses these words to describe the living Jesus: triumphant, all-glorious and exalted. He reminds us that Jesus is in control. He knows what you need comfort for. He is there for you. What is it that you need comfort for? What is bothering you? Tsunamis and earthquakes? World unrest and fighting in Libya and elsewhere? Political divisiveness? Something more personal? Jesus lives. Go to Him and know that He is there for you. Let’s now sing the next two verses of our hymn.

Part 2: He lives to bless me with His Love.

He lives to bless me with His love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with His eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to bless me with His love. When Job went through his trials he experienced loss of blessings. He lost camels and sheep and oxen. His children died before he did. He lost his good health. Would it ever get any better? Would his hurt go away? I know that my Redeemer lives. Resurrection faith. Faith that clings to a living Jesus who does live to bless us because He loves us. Our hymn writer reminded us of just some areas. He pleads for us above. Oh what a blessing that is. Can you imagine being treated as your sins deserve? But you aren’t. Why not? Only because of Jesus. As the one who was punished for your sins and my sins He pleads for us. He points to His payment for sin in our place so no punishment is necessary. He feeds our hungry souls with His word giving us hope for our hurts. He helps us in time of need. He listens and cares when no one else does. All these and many more. You can list some of them if you want but let’s go on now with the next two verses.

List some blessings Jesus gives you.

Part 3: He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears,
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind wise heav’nly friend;
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while He lives I’ll sing;
He lives my Prophet, Priest, and King.

Fears and tears. They are a part of life living in a sin messed up world. Job experienced them. As messenger after messenger came to him with bad news of what had happened to this flock and what had happened to this herd he must have been afraid of what the next one would say. And when the next one came with the news that his sons and daughters had all perished, then the tears. We face situations like that. What will the doctor say, what will the tests reveal? I’m sure you’ve had one of those runs in life where you find yourself thinking, “Now what? What next? In a society that has no respect for authority police officers must fear what kind of reception they will get when they come to help. Their spouses can hate answering the phone when they are off to work. Fears and tears. But I know that my Redeemer lives. He silences my fears because He is ruling things for me and He will only allow in His wisdom what He can easily prevent with His power. Let me say that again, He will only allow in His wisdom what He can easily prevent in His power. He wipes away my tears with His gentle assurance that He is in control. He calms our troubled heart by letting us see that by His death and resurrection that God really does know what He is doing and He will keep His promise to work all things for good. The love our kind and wise heavenly friend has for us will not end. Is there something that is causing you to be sad or afraid today? Take it to Jesus who lives for you. Let’s sing now the last two verses of this great Easter Hymn.
What makes you sad or afraid?

Part 4: He lives and I shall conquer death.

He lives and grants me daily breath
He lives and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives, all glory to his name! He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives, “I know that my Redeemer lives!”

Did you hear about it in the news yesterday? Buried treasure. It seems a man was turning over dirt in his backyard in Austria and uncovered a treasure trove of rings and necklaces and other valuable jewelry from over 600 years ago. That’s quite a find. Buried treasure. Did you know that that’s what we could call the bones, the remains of every believer in Jesus Christ who has died? It doesn’t matter if those remains were buried in a casket or cremated or if the body was never found. It’s buried treasure. How you ask? I’ll let brother Job answer that again. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job knew his Redeemer Jesus lived and that the day would come when Jesus will stand on the earth. He identifies it as the end. We usually call it Judgment Day. Job looked ahead to that time and the Holy Spirit let him know that he too would be standing there to see his God with his own eyes. Even after his body had been decayed. How could this be? Buried treasure. It started with Jesus. Jesus died on the cross because He wants people with Him forever. He wants them living with Him body and soul in joy and happiness. Sin made that impossible. It is impossible for sinful people to live with God. Sin causes death. So Jesus died to pay for sin. Yours and mine and everybody’s! When Jesus was buried He was the treasure because of what happened that first Easter. Jesus rose again. Death couldn’t hold Him. He defeated death by being punished for all sins. He didn’t just beat death for Himself. He did it for everybody. And God has declared that everyone who believes in this Jesus will be saved. That means that just like Jesus rose from the dead to live again, every believer in Jesus will rise to live again too. They will nto go to the Hell they deserve but to a perfect and happy life with Jesus. They will see Him with their own eyes. So when Job died his body became buried treasure. When I die my body will become buried treasure. If there is one less person at your Easter feast today because he or she died and he or she was a believer in Jesus you have buried treasure. You will see them again with your own eyes because of Jesus. We will conquer death.
All because He lives. Samuel Medley the hymn writer stopped at 8 verses. Obviously he could have kept going. My Redeemer lives. If there is anyone here who doesn’t know Jesus as My Redeemer, please speak with me after the service. I’d love to tell you more. For “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Yours can too. Amen!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Maundy Thursday, April 21, 2011 sermon

Maundy Thursday, April 21, 2011 - sermon by Pastor Paul G. Eckert
John 13:1-7, 12-17
1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Luke 22:14-24
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
"Do you understand?" Jesus asked that after washing the feet of His disciples. We could ask that same question with regard to one of them, Judas. Do we understand exactly when he left the Passover meal to betray Jesus? We know it was Thursday evening at the Passover meal that Jesus singled Judas out as the betrayer and he then left the group of the apostles. But exactly what time was that? Was it before the end of that meal? That seems to be the case, that Judas left before Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper.
But here our logical minds might want to know exactly what time that was, like was it 6:30 or maybe 8:00. Then we have to remember that 2000 years ago they didn’t carry sundials on their wrists the way we have watches on our wrists and clocks on our phones and almost everywhere. Suffice it to say that the Holy Spirit obviously felt it wasn’t important for us to understand the precise time Judas left.
But there is something Jesus clearly wants His apostles and us to understand precisely, and that is the full extent of His saving love for us. So on the basis of our texts from John and Luke, our theme is:
THE FULL EXTENT OF JESUS’ LOVE!
DID THE APOSTLES, DO WE UNDERSTAND?
I CONSIDER THE PRESENT SETTING (13:1)
1. It was Passover time (1a)
It was just before the Passover Feast.
a) we heard the history behind this in the OT reading, how the
blood of a lamb was involved in the deliverance from Egypt
b) now Jesus, God’s real promised Lamb of deliverance from
sin, had arranged with His disciples to commemorate this
history for what would actually be the last required time
2. Jesus knew it was fulfillment time (1ab)
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.
a) He had come to this world, taken on Himself our human
flesh and blood, so that He could die as our Substitute
b) now, 33 years later, Jesus knew sacrifice time had come
3. He wants us to know His total love (1abc)
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
a) for Himself Jesus would never have had to face this
b) for us He humbled Himself, for us He contended against sin
c) and for us He would in His love take the next step, pay the
price for the world’s sins, and return to the Father victorious
II NOTE THE REFERENCE TO THE FUTURE (22:14-18)
1. He spoke of the immediate future (14-15)
When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."
a) the table was set, they were ready to eat together
b) then after that would come suffering, Jesus’ terrible suffering
2. And He spoke also of the heavenly future (16)
"For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."
a) they were at a meal celebrating a past deliverance
b) now Jesus pointed also to being at heaven’s eternal banquet
3. And He tells us something about both meals (17-18)
"After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
a) this was one of the last cups of their Passover meal
b) the Lord’s Supper would use bread and wine from that meal
c) but now, with this Supper, Jesus would proclaim fulfillment of
what the Passover pictured: the real Lamb of God sacrificed
III BE WARNED BY JUDAS’ BETRAYAL (22:21-23; 13:2)
1. Judas came as a betrayer (13:2; 22:21)
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
a) he had previously agreed to trade Jesus for 30 pieces of silver
b) now he was at the table as a hypocrite, but not to Jesus
"But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table."
2. This would have an impact (22:22)
"The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him."
a) it would not stop Jesus from going on to victory
b) but for Judas it meant an eternal catastrophe, eternal loss
3. What a warning for us (23)
They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
a) the other 11 apostles could not understand this happening
after three years with Jesus; and might we not think the same?
b) but how many years have we been with Jesus? how many
years have we learned from Him in our school and in church?
c) are we tempted to put money ahead of Jesus, to think the
world’s temptations would never put us and our faith at risk;
do we fail to realize that setting Jesus aside leads to eternal
loss as happened with Judas? - fellow believers, be warned!
IV LEARN FROM JESUS’ EXAMPLE (22:24; 13:3-7,12-15)
1. How easy it is to have wrong thinking (22:24)
Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
a) love of money, as with Judas, was not the only temptation
b) here pride, love of importance also reared their ugly heads
2. Jesus gave a personal example (13:3-7)
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
a) by this visible personal example Jesus wanted to show them
what He previously told them, that He, Jesus, had come not to
be served but to serve and to give His life for our salvation
b) but Peter, and probably all of them, did not yet understand
that they also were to be ready to serve, not to be served
3. He wanted them to understand this (13:12-15)
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes
and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done
for you?" he asked them. "You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’
and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and
Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."
a) this did not teach them how to save themselves
b) this was a lesson showing them what a saved apostle, a saved
Christian should want to do as a result of being saved
c) in our day, washing feet may not be a need; but you know as
well as I do that in our families and all around us there are
genuine needs that we according to ability should want to do
something about because we are Christians, following the
example of Jesus who is far more than an example, who is
above all our Savior, our Savior who has even given us sinners
a special meal that proclaims to us His saving love
V RECEIVE HIS MEAL’S ASSURANCE (22:19-20)
1. It is a simple meal
a) simple does not mean it is for all; Jesus gave it to His disciples
who had been instructed; today too we welcome to the Lord’s
Table with us those who are instructed and can examine
themselves, those who are one in confession and faith with us
b) its simplicity is in the bread and the wine and the wonderful
message Jesus proclaims by means of this meal
2. Listen to this meal’s message (22:19-20)
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
a) after the Passover supper, Jesus instituted His N.T. meal
b) here the Passover Lamb is Jesus Himself, Jesus who on the
cross satisfied God’s justice by paying for our sins, who tells
us personally in this meal, as we receive with the bread and
wine His body and blood, that His body given and blood shed
mean that our sins are forgiven by God
3. Use this meal in remembrance
a) don’t come to the Lord’s Table just to come, not thinking
b) Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me."
c) come then as penitent sinners, remembering what Jesus did,
and rejoicing in the full extent of Jesus’ forgiving love
The Full Extent Of Jesus’ Love! Did The Apostles, Do We Understand? God help us by our Christian lives following Jesus’ example to show that we understand and believe, to show that we want to live Christian lives because of the full extent of Jesus’ love: that He gave Himself for us, that He is our Savior from all of our sins for time and for a glorious eternity.

Maundy Thursday, April 21, 2011 sermon

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

PALM SUNDAY
April 17/18, 2011
Pastor Timothy J. Spaude
Text: Zechariah 9:9-10

“KEEP WORKING!”
1. Your Palm Sunday King has come.
2. Your Palm Sunday King will come again.

Zechariah 9:9-10 (NIV) “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”

When things don’t go well people can get discouraged. Even God’s people, who have the right , and the reasons, to be the happiest and most optimistic people on the planet, even they can get discouraged. And if you were one of God’s people who lived at the time of the prophet Zechariah you were discouraged. This is why. First you probably lived through the tail end of the Babylonian Captivity. You remember how the people living in the southern kingdom of Judah had been captured by the Babylonians and carried away. It was God’s chastening of the people because of their idol worship. You saw the improbable and, what must have seemed like the impossible, happen as the Jews were allowed to return to their homeland. They were provided safe passage and even money and provisions to begin rebuilding the Temple. That was the work God gave them to do. Rebuild the Temple. It must have seemed like a dream. Back in the Promised Land! We can rebuild the Temple and then maybe Messiah will come! How exciting!
But there were setbacks, obstacles, bumps in the road and misplaced priorities. The Samaritans didn’t like you coming back. They didn’t want you building the Temple. They schemed and connived and the Temple work was halted. Well, of course you had other work to do while you waited to get back to Temple building. There were your own homes to build. Fields to plant. Food to find. Eventually the Samaritan threat went away. You would think they would have gotten busy again with the work of rebuilding the Temple but they didn’t. Many of God’s people had become complacent. They didn’t want their average home they wanted a bigger nicer home. They weren’t content to have enough food to live on. They wanted bigger fields and crops. Some understood the importance of rebuilding the Temple. They became discouraged. God sent the prophet Zechariah. He rebuked the complacent for their messed up priorities of putting God’s work second. He encouraged the discouraged by pointing them to their Palm Sunday king. “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you.”
Why? What was so great about that? Let’s see. “See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The coming of the Palm Sunday King was a reason to rejoice and keep working because of the type of King He is. Gentle. Riding on a donkey. He is not ostentatious. He is not overbearing. He is gentle. Of course our thoughts jump to the Palm Sunday events described in Matthew’s Gospel. How ironic that the King of kings looks so lowly. How wonderful to know He is gentle. I’m sure you all know people that are not. Bullies in school. Bullies in the workplace. Bullies in families. They get their way by walking all over people, intimidating them to do what the bully wants, manipulating and scheming behind the scenes to get their way. Our Palm Sunday King is the opposite. He is gentle. Even though He is the all powerful King of Kings with thousands upon thousands of angels to do His bidding, even thought He has the right and power to force our obedience, look at how He motivates us to obey God’s commandments. He gives His life for us. He loves us. He sees our weakness and He comes to help us. When Jesus came the first time He was gentle.
He also brought salvation. On Palm Sunday I wonder if the people really knew what they were saying with their “Hosannas” and the “Son of Davids.” Whether or not they knew the Holy Spirit did. They were identifying Jesus as the Savior. These truths were motivation for the people at Zechariah’s time to keep working. They needed to get that Temple built for their king who would come.
That’s the perspective that makes sense for us who live after Palm Sunday. Jesus did come as foretold. Matthew carefully recorded the details and connected the dots of prophecy. Zechariah’s prophecy looks further than Palm Sunday though. It points to a Palm Sunday King who will come again. “I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” The Lord through Zechariah proclaims a time of peace and a world wide rule. This is not talking about physical peace between nations and an earthly kingdom ruled by Jesus. It is talking about a spiritual peace between God and men and the worldwide nature of Christ’s kingdom. He has His believers scattered throughout the world at this time.
But it’s not always going to be that way and the best is yet to come. When? When our Palm Sunday King comes again. And He will. On Judgment Day. Then He will not come riding on a donkey. He will not come in lowliness. He will come in glory with all His angels with Him. He will come to judge all people. Those who have rejected Him will be cast in the fires of Hell prepared for the Devil and his followers. Those who believe will be ushered into the glorious kingdom of peace that lasts forever. Our Palm Sunday King will come again.
Which is a good reason for us to keep working. Remember these words were given to God’s people to help them stay at the tasks the Lord had given them to do even though they were feeling discouraged. They serve us in the same way. Let’s think for a moment of the work God has given each of us to do. I want you to think personally for yourself first. Think or write down a description of the roles God has given to you. I’ll give some examples. You have family roles. Mother, father, wife, husband, child, grandparent, aunt or uncle, friend. You have vocational roles. You might then also be a stay at home mom, a working mom, a student, teacher, employee, boss, unemployed, retiree. These are all examples of roles God gives and each one has work to do—be faithful and serve as though the Lord is your boss or your child or your student. In each one you might get discouraged. There may be obstacles, roadblocks or ever opposition to the work the Lord wants you to do. For example, others don’t appreciate the work you are doing. The love you are showing is not returned. You’ve done your best parenting but your child is now straying. You work faithfully but are passed over for promotion. Someone at work is undermining your work or position. You give great Christian advice to a friend but they don’t take it. You work your hardest studying but still do poorly on the test. You see no results. You feel discouraged. What’s the use? Your Palm Sunday King has come and He will come again. Don’t let outward results or other people’s responses determine what you do. Let your Palm Sunday King. He loves you. Serve Him. Let what you do be done for Him. Simply ask what He would want you to do, look at the work He has given you to do and do it. He will not fail you.
He won’t fail us as a congregation either. When you think of the work the Lord gave the returning exiles, to rebuild the Temple, you can’t help but think of the work the Lord has given to us, to build His Church by being His witnesses. But just like with Israel we can let opposition, obstacles and misplaced priorities discourage us. For the times when we have let misplaced priorities, fun and games rank higher on our list financially and time wise than doing the Lord’s work, God rebukes us. Look at your Palm Sunday King! Is that really what He deserves? For the times when we work and don’t get the results we want or face opposition or obstacles, God encourages us. Look at your Palm Sunday King. He’s ruling right now and He will come again. So for Him, keep working, brothers and sisters, keep working for Him! Amen.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

MIDWEEK LENT 6
April 13, 2011
Pastor Timothy J. Spaude
Text: Matthew 27:15-18, 20-23

“ONE OF THE CROWD”
1. Jesus was condemned by the crowd.
2. Jesus was condemned for the crowd.

Matthew 27:15-18, 20-23 (NIV) “ Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

Where’s Waldo? Do any of you remember playing that game? It was often a book really. The pages were full of faces, all kinds of faces. The challenge was to find Waldo. You wouldn’t think it would be that hard, but it was. It’s hard to pick out a single face in the crowd. In the video portion of the Passion History we just watched we saw a crowd of people. Did you pick out any face in the crowd? If not, you need to for the last person of the Passion we look at for our Midweek Lenten services is just another face in the crowd, one of the mob.
Just what was this crowd doing there anyway? Matthew tells us. “ Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.” If you recall the events, Jesus’ great sacrifice took place during the Feast of the Passover. At that time the normal population of Jerusalem of around 50,000 would swell with a 200,000 or more visitors planning on celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem. The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, the thinker stinker, has already been revealed as someone who tied to please people. He had a custom. During the festivities surrounding the Passover he would release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. You could see how this could happen. Roman justice was brutal and swift. It could easily happen that a fairly innocent Jewish man could get arrested and imprisoned with the really bad guys. Pilate was a people pleaser. Rome’s justice would be served with the arrest. But the people would be placated by having someone to pick to be released.
This year Pilate offered them two choices. “At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.” Their choices were simple: Jesus or Barabbas. Let’s look a little more closely at them from the perspective of the crowd. What did they know about Jesus? Well, He had a reputation as a miracle worker. He was the one that many previous crowds had been amazed at His teaching saying, “We have never heard anyone speak like Him before.” Certainly they had heard about the recent raising of Lazarus from the dead. Were any in this crowd also part of the crowd that had the Sunday before hailed Jesus as the Son of David, Messiah, casting palms and cloaks before Him singing their Hosannas? That’s one choice.
The other choice was Barabbas. What do we know of Barabbas? What did the crowd likely know? Scripture tells us that Barabbas was notorious, well-known, but not in a good way. He is identified as a rebel, someone who was revolting against Rome. That would make him popular with the people you would think, but Scripture further reveals that Barabbas was a murderer and a robber. Apparently to fund his rebellion or in the process of it he had robbed from his people and murdered some of them. Not a nice guy. Not someone you’d want back on the streets if you lived in those days.
The choice was easy and obvious. Choose Jesus, an all around nice guy that some are whispering about may be the Messiah or Barabbas, a notorious robbing, murdering rebel who would probably do more of the same if he was released. Of course they chose Barabbas. Barabbas! Are you kidding me? That made no sense. How could it happen?” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered.” It seems that the mob mentality took over. They went against common sense and natural morality and condemned Jesus.
Have you ever wondered how you would have done in that situation? It’s really not that hard to figure out. What did you do that last time you were with a crowd and the mob mentality set in. Kids, the last time a classmate or friend was being picked on did you join in or say nothing? Then you know. You would have condemned Jesus. Young people, the last time you were at a party and realized illegal drinking was taking place, did you join it or just keep quiet and stayed there? You would have condemned Jesus. How about the last time you were in with a crowd of gossipers, potty mouths, people getting drunk, what did you do? Join in? Nothing? You would have condemned Jesus. It would seem that if we are going to pick out a face in the crowd that condemned Jesus the easiest one to pick is your own.
But friends, let’s not lose sight of the big picture. While the crowd condemned Jesus, Jesus was condemned for the crowd. In fact we could say that Jesus condemned Jesus. Jesus condemned Jesus because it was His own great love for people that compelled Him to choose the cross. It was His complete trust in the good will of His heavenly Father that moved Jesus to obediently submit to death, even death on the cross. Jesus was condemned for, on behalf of the crowd. He would take their sins on Himself. Which means He has taken your sins and mine too. What is it that bothers you about yourself? What sinfulness makes you ashamed for disappointing the Lord? Is it selfishness and how it affects your relationships with other people? Is it weakness, the inability to stand up and do the right thing or say the right thing when you are in the midst of sin? Get your chin up. Jesus was condemned for you. He does not look down on your or despise you. He comes to help you with weakness. He forgives you and He considered it a joy to be condemned for you and to suffer and die on the cross for you.
So you see you’re not just another face in the crowd. We might not be able to pick out faces very well. But Jesus can and does. As He is on the cross He can look for and find Waldo and you and you and you and you too. Jesus was condemned for me! And now as we leave let’s remember this people watching we have been doing during Lent. As we have been watching the people of the Passion we need to understand that other people are watching us to see what we do and why we do it. Let’s do all we can to let them see people who love Jesus. Amen.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

April 10th, 2011 Sermon

The Fifth Sunday in Lent
April 10th, 2011

Text: John 11:17-27, 38-45
JESUS HAS POWER!
I. Power to raise the dead.
II. Power to give his life for all.

In the name of Jesus, the resurrection and the life, dear fellow redeemed children of God,
Years ago our Waldschmidt family reunion summertime picnic would end with a tug of war. It wasn’t a tug of war over the last brownie or last little glass bottle of soda at the bottom of the ice water filled tub even though I seem to remember some battling going on for those items. No, this was the tug of war event between the branches of the family. The most important person on the tug of war team would be the anchor. You would look for someone so big and so strong that they could not be moved. Our side of the family didn’t always win. But no matter which side of the family won or lost, the Lord blessed us with another kind of anchor in our lives. He has blessed you with that same powerful anchor- our Savior Jesus. We see His power in God’s Word today. Just like we sing in the children’s song, “we are weak but he is strong”, we put our trust in Him Jesus has power. I. Power to raise the dead. II. Power to give his life for all.
Have you ever been watching a movie or reading a book and all of a sudden something happens that makes it clear to you how it was going to end. English teachers call that foreshadowing. In God’s Word today, we see Jesus give his disciples and us a powerful hint about how the story of our salvation was going to end. Jesus is just about ready to go to the cross. Yes, Jesus would suffer and die, but there would be a twist in the story. Just as he had shown with the young man outside of Nain, or with Jairus’ daughter, Jesus shows that he is much more powerful than death. He gives us a foreshadowing of Easter. Jesus has power - power to raise the dead.
Jesus had received an urgent message from the town of Bethany. His friend Lazarus was sick. His sisters asked that Jesus come right away. Humanly speaking Bethany seemed like it would be a dangerous place for Jesus to be. The disciples pointed tried to point that out to Jesus when he said he “was going to wake Lazarus up.” They said that the chief priests had tried to stone him last time he was near Jerusalem. But Jesus’ love took Him there. As they left for Jerusalem, Thomas tells us how dangerous it really was for Jesus as he tells the other disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
Judging from the “four days” mentioned later it seems likely that Lazarus died just after the messengers left Bethany to take the urgent message to Jesus. Jesus’ love brought him to Bethany but His love and wisdom also led him to delay two days before he made the day’s journey to Bethany. There is an indictment and a comfort here for all who have wondered about God’s timing. Have we ever waited for the Lord to help us with something and foolishly said, “What is He doing? Why isn’t he helping me? What’s taking Him so long?” With our little brains and our limited sight we have questioned the ways of the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” How foolish! But the One who holds all of this power and knowledge in His hands loves us. When Jesus delays he has a blessing in mind, even though like with Mary and Martha, it might be hard to see those blessings. His timing is always just right.
That’s where we pick up the story in God’s Word, “On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.” It would seem ridiculous to take a dead body to the doctor 4 days after death. It would seem pretty obvious that it would be too late for medical treatment to help. But not for Jesus. Jesus has power- power over death.
“Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.” Notice all the details. This wasn’t a “once upon a time” kind of thing. Jesus showing His care and power would be seen by many people. “When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.” This time it is Martha who hurries to sit at Jesus’ feet. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Martha hints at the power that Jesus has-power even over death. She pours out what’s in her heart. She was disappointed that the Lord was not there while Lazarus was still alive. But she also now humbly says that she knows that somehow someway Jesus was going to work it all out in the way He knew was best. Isn’t that something we can say to Jesus when we don’t understand something that happens in our lives. I don’t understand this Lord but I know you can work something good out of it. At times we pour out our disappointment to the Lord that this or that didn’t happen but then rest in Jesus’ love and power knowing that somehow someway he’ll work it all out. Jesus’ power was not just something off in the future. Jesus power over death was real then and there. “ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
We pick up the story at the cemetery where Jesus’ friend Lazarus had been buried four days earlier. “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.” The Bible describes Jesus as a “man of sorrows, familiar with suffering.” We see that there at the tomb as he mourns with the family. There is also sometimes a feeling of helplessness that we have around someone who has lost a loved one. We would like to help but we can’t. Jesus can! “Take away the stone,” he said.” Right away Martha objects thinking that Jesus’ grief and compassion have overcome his good sense. “But Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “By this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” If you have smelled the odor of a dead animal, the odor of a body that has been dead for 4 days in a warm climate is far worse. It is a reminder that things have been messed up in God’s perfect world. It is a stark reminder of part of the foul smelling payment for sin- my sin, your sin.
“Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” Sometimes we forget that the Bible says that “Jesus is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” My confirmation pastor, Pastor Janke had a very powerful voice. It seemed like he could sing as loud as the whole congregation could, all by himself. You always knew when he was in the room. But look at the power in Jesus’ voice! With a prayer and a few simple words, Jesus calls Lazarus back to life on this side of the door of death. Without lifting a finger, Jesus brings a man who has been dead for four days back to life. What power! The one who holds that power is the one who is on the receiving end of our prayers. No matter what enemies face us every day- sickness, financial problems, unbelieving co-workers who harass us- Jesus is with us,
That powerful voice belongs to the one who in great love let his voice go silent in death. Believers would see the glory of God even clearer in the days to come on Calvary and at the tomb. They would see that Jesus has power-power to lay down his life for all.
Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Jesus would make our living forever possible by laying down His life on the cross. Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus moved things in the direction of the cross. From that point on the Pharisees plotted in earnest to kill Jesus.
Unlike the Pharisees, by faith we see that Jesus’ raising of Lazarus was really more something really cool that Jesus could do. It reinforced for everyone again that Jesus was the one Martha had talked about earlier. Remember? Jesus asked her, “Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
Jesus’ miracle in the cemetery that day brought others to see that He had power- power to give up His life for us all “Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.”
A number of folks have said that this winter sure has seemed long. Do you feel like your batteries are empty? God has something to pick you up. In the weeks we’ll see him in the upper Room, in Gethsemane, we’ll see him whipped and crowned with thorns in Pilate’s Palace, we’ll see his chest heaving in agony on Golgotha. See there your Savior’s love. As we see him helpless and dying let’s remember what happened in the cemetery outside of Bethany. Let’s remember His power. Our powerful Savior goes with us everyday. Amen.

April 3rd, 2011 Worship Service

April 3, 2011 from Richard Waldschmidt on Vimeo.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

April 6, 2011 - 5th Wednesday Lent Service by Pastor Paul G. Eckert, based on Matthew 27:11-4 and John 19:11-16

April 6, 2011, 5th Wednesday Lent Service - by Pastor Paul G. Eckert Sermon texts - Matthew 27:11-24 and John 19:11-16 Matthew 27:11-24 11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, "Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. 15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. 22 "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" 23 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man’s blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" John 19:11-16 11 Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar." 13 When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). 14 It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered. 16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ What do we know about Pontius Pilate? We know that his name is mentioned in history books and over 60 times in God’s book the Bible. He is mentioned in both the Apostles’ and the Nicene Creeds which we regularly speak together in our Sunday/Monday services. Just about all of the references to Pilate deal with Jesus’ trial. Another reference, in Luke 13:1, tells us of a time when Pilate mixed the blood of some Galileans with their sacrifices. In other words he definitely made use of his position as an official of the Roman government to use killing force. What else do we know? Pilate later apparently was recalled to Rome. We don’t know for sure what happened to him after that, but some tradition says that he ended up committing suicide. Now let’s get to our sermon title: PILATE, THE THINKER. That makes me think of what is known as one of the world’s best known sculptures, dating back to 1902, called "the Thinker statue." I have a picture of that here. Perhaps you’ll recall it when I describe it. It shows a man sitting on a rock, leaning forward with his left arm on his left leg and his right elbow on his right leg and his arm up with his chin on his hand. It sure looks like that man is thinking. About what, that we don’t know. But the statue made me think of our theme and Pontius Pilate. What was Pilate thinking? Looking at how he dealt with Jesus’ trial, I could come up with a theme other than PILATE, THE THINKER. If you permit me to say it, I could make the theme PILATE, THE STINKER. But maybe I better stick with PILATE, THE THINKER and make the full theme: PILATE, THE THINKER - WHAT WAS HE THINKING? I ABOUT WHO JESUS WAS (Mt. 27:11-14) 1. He received input from Jesus (11) Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. a) Pilate was stationed in Caesarea, was in Jerusalem at this time and must have heard much that made him ask this question b) without hesitation Jesus told him who He was: He was indeed the promised descendant of King David, the descendant who had come not for an earthly kingdom but as the promised eternal King with a heavenly kingdom to win for His people 2. Pilate had also heard from the people (12-13) When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, "Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" a) many false and invalid charges had been brought against Jesus at an earlier church trial b) here too Pilate no doubt heard many false charges 3. What did Pilate think, what do we think? (14) But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. a) Jesus did not answer to false charges b) what did Pilate think? - he was amazed, but not convinced c) what do we think? - thank God that we know, that we can be amazed because of the amazing grace found in Jesus II ABOUT HIS OWN RESPONSIBILITY (15-18,20-22) 1. Pilate tried to avoid his responsibility (15-18) Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. a) Pilate knew the charges against Jesus were not valid b) instead of acting on that, he clearly tried to shift responsibility 2. And then he caved in completely (20-21) But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. a) maybe he thought he could avoid an unpopular decision by trying to make the people responsible for setting Jesus free b) but it backfired; they chose an obviously dangerous criminal 3. What did Pilate think, what do we think? (22) "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" a) Pilate did not think enough to choose to do what was right b) what is the Barabbas in our lives that we are tempted to choose ahead of Jesus? - is it money, pleasure, the world’s sinful lifestyle - and do we set Jesus aside for that? c) if that is how we think, then we are stinkers too III ABOUT INPUT FROM HIS WIFE (19) 1. Pilate heard from his wife (19) While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." a) she must have heard much about Jesus b) now she had a dream and gave her advice to her husband 2. What did he think about that? a) while basing something on a dream may not be wise b) yet here is a husband who should have listened to his wife 3. What do we think about advice? a) it can be good or bad, and dreams are questionable b) but what about advice that clearly comes from God’s will, like parents telling their children to be careful about the company they keep, the movies and TV they watch, the temptations to treat sex like a safe toy to have fun with, to think there is nothing wrong with the abuse of alcohol and drugs? c) God help us, husbands and wives and children, to follow good advice, to accept God-pleasing input IV ABOUT HIS ACCOUNTABILITY (23-24) 1. Pilate abdicated his accountability (23-24a) "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, ---. a) Pilate had concluded that Jesus clearly was not guilty b) but he gave in like a coward and abdicated his accountability 2. He tried to shift not only accountability but also blame (24) When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man’s blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" a) he may have thought that this would make an impression b) but water could neither excuse nor wash away what he did 3. What did Pilate think, what do we think? a) Pilate and we could scrub our hands raw b) but our rubbing, our washing, our efforts of any type, cannot remove any guilty stain c) yet how often do we try to excuse ourselves for doing wrong of some type or another, try to justify ourselves? V ABOUT POSSIBLE REPERCUSSIONS (24a and 19:ll-12) 1. Pilate was concerned about the people (24a, 19:12) When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, ---. From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar." a) he didn’t want a riot starting that would hurt him b) he didn’t want repercussions from Rome because of trouble 2. He should have been concerned about God (19:11) Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." a) Jesus here reminded Pilate that God was really in control b) also when there was more than enough sin to go around 3. What do we think of repercussions? a) are we concerned about doing what is right in God’s eyes? b) or, if we do what is wrong, is our concern mainly to avoid any repercussions, to avoid getting caught, to be able to get away with it and not get into trouble? c) and if we do get away with it with people, what about God? VI ABOUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT JESUS (13-16) 1. The decision about Jesus was reached (13-15) When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered. a) in a court of justice gross injustice took place b) but God was greater; the evil of the people would be forced to serve God’s saving purpose: the Passover Lamb of God would be killed, sacrificed to take away the sins of the world 2. And now Pilate the thinker handed Jesus over (16) Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. a) Pilate had a major role in this, together with many others b) do we, our thinking, our sin, have a role in this? definitely! 3. What did Pilate think, what do we think? a) I don’t know for sure what Pilate thought or felt now b) I do know that we Christians don’t think of Pilate favorably c) but I also do know that in faith we Christians know what to do with Jesus: Pilate handed Him over, but we’ll hand over to Jesus our sins, the sins for which Jesus was crucified, the sins for which He paid with His innocent death so that you and I might be forgiven, God’s justice satisfied, heaven our home Concluding this sermon now, do you think we could call Pilate the stinker instead of the thinker? If so, don’t forget that God could look at you and me and because of our sins very often could say to us, "You stinkers, you." Earlier I said some tradition refers to Pilate committing suicide. Some also says he became a believer. I hope the latter is true, that Pilate eventually saw Jesus, whom he had sentenced to crucifixion, as his Savior from all of his sins. If that would be the case, how great that would be to see Pilate the thinker-stinker in heaven with all of us stinkers who have been made clean of our sins not by washing our hands with water, but by being washed clean by the precious blood of our Savior.                         

Monday, April 4, 2011

LENT 4
April 3/4, 2011
Pastor Timothy J. Spaude
Text: Hosea 5:15-6:3

“COME, LET US RETURN TO THE LORD!”
1. The Lord who chastens with love.
2. The Lord who is faithful with mercy.

Hosea 5:15-6:3 (NIV) “Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me.” 1 “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. 2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. 3 Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

It seems to be one of those things that comes standard issue with the sinful nature all are born with. I’m talking about the innate ability that all people have to take blessings God has provided for a long time for granted. Americans with their freedom. Children with food. Christians and their privileged relationship with God. Old Testament Israel was no different. Hosea served as a prophet of God in the northern nation of Israel around 750 BC. The people he served were privileged. They were the people of God. They hadn’t done anything to deserve it. They were born into it. Israel the chosen of God! They took this blessing for granted. They forgot that what God really wanted was their hearts. They gave outward obedience to God’s commands instead of willing obedience, if they even gave obedience at all. Their worship became a going through the motions. Their offerings were the leftovers of their flocks instead of firstfruits. It became acceptable for God’s people to join the pagan partying as part of their idol worship.
Trouble came. The powerful Assyrian army was swooping through the region, threatening to capture Israel, to absorb and deport the people. Why would God allow such a thing? Thankfully we don’t have to guess. We know because through Hosea God tells us. “Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. And they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me.” God was acting out of love! He was chastening His people. Often times when bad things happen to people they think God is punishing them. In truth God has the right to do bad things to punish people when they do wrong. With His people though, God chastens. And while chastening and punishing may often look and feel the same to the one chastened or punished, they have a far different purpose. Punishment makes someone pay for what they have done. Chastening is designed to help people get better. Parents try to do that with their children. God does it perfectly with His. He chastens with love. His affliction of the people of Israel with the Assyrians was designed to help them see their need for God so they would come back to Him. And the people of Israel got it. They said, “Come, let us return to the LORD.”
Come let us return to the Lord. Does God still chasten His people in love today? Certainly! It is in His Heavenly Father nature. Can we always know what those chastenings are? Not unless He tells us like He did here. But when hard and difficult things happen, the question is worth asking. Is an earthquake and tsunami and nuclear problems God’s chastening of people He loves whom He wants to turn to Him? Is economic recession God’s chastening for a nation that has taken Him and His blessing for granted? Is ongoing political unrest God’s chastening of a state that has taken Him for granted? All those questions are worth asking about the world, the nation, the state, but the more important ones are the ones we can ask ourselves. Do we need God’s chastening? Have we been taking our privileged status as the children of God for granted? Is that why our weekly member attendance has been shrinking with no discernable reason why? Have we decided it is OK to put God in second place in our weekly scheduling or maybe even lower, that it is OK to worship Him when it is convenient for us rather than by making sacrifices to put Him first because we love Him with all our heart and all our soul and all our mind? Is our struggle to meet our church budget because we set the sights too high, because God has not given us enough to live on, or because we think it is acceptable to offer our God leftovers instead of firstfruits, a pittance of our income, not even as much as we spend on entertaining ourselves? In your own life do you really believe it is only be grace alone that you get to be called a child of God is He pretty lucky to have you? Have we let society’s sins, pagan partying become acceptable among the people of God today? Is he getting outward obedience from us instead of willing, or no obedience at all? I don’t have the answers to those questions except for myself. You have them for you. If we have followed the sinful nature pull to take our God for granted, if we have lapsed into apathy, come, let us return to the Lord. Return to the Lord who only chastens in love. He knows we cannot attain real happiness unless our relationship with Him is right.
I can’t help but think of the practice some Christian have of giving up something for Lent. That can be done with the wrong motive of trying to make up for sin or the right motive of showing love for Jesus. Some choose to break a habit or give up a luxury. But what God wants us to give up is our reliance on ourselves and our ways rather than on Him, our nasty habits of taking Him for granted or valuing entertainment more than the Gospel. Come, let us return to the Lord!
Let us return to the Lord who is faithful with mercy. Listen to the people’s response. “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. 2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. 3 Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” The people of Israel recognized God’s chastening. They knew they had been forsaking God. They knew they needed to return. And God made it easy for them. Do you see how? They knew God would be merciful. Follow their word pictures. He has torn us but he will heal us. He has injured but he will bind our wounds. He will revive us so that we may live. Just like we can count on the sun rising and the spring rains we can count on God’s mercy. In spite of their unfaithfulness God still got His message through. Repentant sinners always find mercy. They knew God would be merciful.
We know it too. We live in times when the proof they were waiting for has come. We know Messiah is Jesus Christ. As He announced in the Gospel lesson Jesus went to Jerusalem to serve by giving His life as a ransom for sinners. That’s why Paul could so firmly assert, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” God is rich in mercy and faithful with it. When the Lord calls us to repentance He makes it easy for us to return to Him because we know what He will say every time. “I love you. I forgive you. Now serve me in love.” Isn’t that the message that is received and proclaimed every time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper? With the miracle of body and blood in bread and wine God says, “I love you. I forgive you. Go to serve.” The Lord is faithful with mercy. No matter what you have done or how far you have strayed God will welcome you back with open arms. Jesus is your proof. He is faithful with mercy.
We need to be faithful in repentance. If you happen to read this part of Scripture in your Bible you will see that verses 1-3 or our text have the heading “Unrepentant Israel.” That might surprise you because they sure sounded repentant. They sounded like they were going to return to the Lord, but they didn’t. Words were as far as it went. They didn’t follow through. And follow through is very important. Watch the shooters during the NCAA championships. If you like basketball and you watch the players who really can shoot, they all have great follow through. We need to spiritually as well so we don’t end up like Old Testament Israel. Our commitment to God, our repentance for sin cannot be word only. There must be the follow through of actions and truth. Changed behaviors. Changed scheduling habits. Changed money management. And we can do that because of the LORD. He makes it easy because He only chastens us out of love and is always faithful with mercy. Come, let us return to the LORD! Amen.