Tuesday, July 26, 2011

July 24/25, 2011 Sermon on Romans 6:1-14 by Pastor Paul Eckert

Sermon by Pastor Paul Eckert - July 24/25, 2011 - Pentecost 6
Sermon text - Romans 6:1-14
 
Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, politics, our economy, taxes - does anybody here have the answers to all of these and other problems that face us as citizens of our country? I don’t think so.
What about answers to questions that face us as citizens of God’s kingdom, citizens who are waiting for the inheritance of heaven where there will be no problems? Here there are answers, answers that come from God’s throne in His revealed Word. Let’s get the questions and the answers from our sermon text, starting out with a theme question:
WHAT SHALL WE SAY, THEN?
I SHOULD GRACE MAKE US SIN? (1-2)
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
1. Grace is God’s undeserved love in His Son.
a) How greatly God’s grace of forgiveness in Jesus is needed!
b) How wonderfully God proclaims His grace in Scripture!
2. There is more grace than there is sin, as Romans 5:20 clearly
states: "Where sin increased, grace increased all the more."
3. But if there is plenty of grace available, then it makes no
difference how much I sin, right? (1)
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
a) So if I know getting drunk is a sin, then I can go on getting
drunk and there is forgiveness, right? If I steal, harm, slander
my neighbor, cheat on my spouse, there is more grace, right?
That means I can go to church and hear the public
pronouncement of forgiveness, or come to the Lord’s Table
and receive that message of forgiveness in the Lord’s Supper,
and then I can go out and start sinning all over again, right?
b) That is what our sinful nature only too easily wants to think.
4. But what do we as God’s children say to that? (1-2)
a) Should grace make us sin? Listen to Scripture’s answer:
By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
b) Scripture’s plain answer is "No!" Hear it again:
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
c) But now, what does it mean when it says "We died to sin"?
Let’s go on to ask our second question.
II DOES OUR BAPTISM MEAN ANYTHING? (3-4)
1. First, do you remember your Baptism? (3a)
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized ---?
a) If you had Christian parents who brought you, be thankful. b) But if that was as a baby, you don’t remember that, do you.
2. Next, how often do you think of your Baptism?
a) The Lord’s Supper, we are often reminded of that Sacrament
because it is regularly scheduled in our church services.
b) But do we think of our Baptism much less because we are
reminded of it only occasionally whenever the Sacrament of
Baptism is used in one of our church services?
3. But why should we think of our Baptisms? (3-4)
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
a) Why think of our Baptisms? As the Lord’s Supper tells us
something is ours because Jesus gave His body and shed His
blood for us, because He died, so Baptism also tells us
something is ours because by Baptism we are connected with,
baptized into, Jesus’ death.
b) Jesus’ death and resurrection, transcendently amazing
historical facts, also picture for us that Baptism, like the
Lord’s Supper, in a similar way means death and life for us.
4. What shall we say, then? (3-4)
a) Baptism does mean something, something wonderful.
b) It is not just a ceremony without any real value beyond that.
c) It means we are and should be new people. Listen again:
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
III DID JESUS’ DEATH DO ANYTHING FOR US? (5-7)
1. A terrific claim is made here. (5)
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
a) We are going to live, be united with Jesus who now lives.
b) But how is that possible? If the wages of sin is death, an
eternal separation from God in a place that isn’t life but a living
hell, how can we be united with Jesus in His resurrection life?
2. This claim is based on our death with Jesus. (6a)
For we know that our old self was crucified with him ---.
a) When Jesus was on the cross as our Substitute, loaded down
with all of our sins, we were there! Yes, you and I were there!
b) When Jesus died, we died, we were crucified with Jesus; the
wages of our sins were taken care of by our perfect Substitute.
3. That has tremendous meaning for us. (6)
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - .
a) By Christ’s atoning death, sin has been overcome, is now
powerless, cannot condemn God’s baptized, believing people.
b) And surely God’s people then do not want to be slaves to sin,
don’t want to sin deliberately or take orders from sin anymore.
4. What shall we then say to this? (6b-7)
--- we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
a) In Baptism Jesus’ death became ours, we died, we are free!
b) That means that sin’s damning power has been overcome, that
the devil no longer has the power of a slavemaster over us.
c) Listen again to what Jesus’ death did and means for us:
If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
IV DOES JESUS’ LIFE MEAN ANYTHING FOR US? (8-11)
1. Jesus’ life means we will live. (8-9)
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with
him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he
cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
a) Jesus died once, to save us - but never again.
b) We all will die once - unless Judgment Day comes first. But
then we too will live, will be united with Jesus in resurrection
glory, and death will no longer have power over us either.
2. Our text repeats that astounding truth. (10)
The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
a) Once Jesus died, once He did it for all of us.
b) Then He returned to the right hand of eternal glory where He
now reigns and awaits receiving you and me into glory.
3. This is how to look at life and death and life. (11)
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
a) You don’t want the death we deserve because of sin.
b) Believing in Christ Jesus, now already count yourselves to be
alive to God, serving Him and not the sin that leads to death.
4. What shall we say, then? (8-11)
a) Had Jesus stayed dead, we would be lost forever.
b) But Jesus lives - and we shall too!
c) Listen again:
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
V DOES HOW WE NOW LIVE MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE? (12-14)
1. Obviously it should make a difference. (14)
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
a) The law can’t condemn us when we are under God’s grace.
b) So don’t live letting sin and the law be master in your life.
2. Instead make it obvious you do not serve sin. (12-13a)
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you
obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as
instruments of wickedness, ---.
a) Use my mouth to speak filth or to slander someone, use my
hands to steal, use the sexual parts of my body which God has
given for use between husband and wife and use them instead
outside of marriage on a date or an affair, use my feet to go
where temptations will make me want to go along with sin, use
my eyes to enjoy pornography? - And so on and on.
b) Surely a Christian does not want that to be his response to
God’s will that says, "Do not offer the parts of your body to
sin, as instruments of wickedness ---"!
3. Rather show by your lives that you belong to God. (13b)
--- but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
a) We have been brought from death to life, from condemnation
for sin to forgiveness of sins, from a deserved hell to a
promised heaven.
b) May our thank offering be lives and bodies that glorify God, as
we hear also in 1 Cor. 6:19-20: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
4. What shall we now say? (12-14)
a) Let us say "Thank You" to God for His Son and our salvation.
b) Let us ask His Spirit’s strengthening to show that thankfulness
by honoring God with our bodies, with our lives.
c) And now, in closing, let’s hear again the opening and ending
words of our sermon text.
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! --- Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
 
 
 

Monday, July 11, 2011

PENTECOST 4
July 10/11, 2011
Pastor Timothy J. Spaude
Text: Exodus 19:2-8a

“GOD CARRIES YOU ON EAGLES’ WINGS!
1. Remember this as you consider His commands.
2. Remember this when you are falling.

Exodus 19:2-8a (NIV 1984) “After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. 3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” 7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the LORD has said.”
In March my family and I visited the LaCrosse area. We hit it just right for eagle watching. The eagle population along the Mississippi River has really made a resurgence so we drove along the river and did we see the eagles. They were soaring through the skies. They were sitting in their nests. They were swooping and grabbing fish. They were sitting on the remaining ice floes eating their catch. We saw a lot. What we didn’t see though were any mother eagles teaching their young to fly. Have you? Apparently what they do is when mom determines that her eaglets are strong enough to fly she pushes them out of the nest so they have to flap and flutter as they learn. All the while though those eaglets stay safe because mom is right there to swoop under them and carry them on her wings safely back to the nest to try it all again. That’s the picture of eagles’ wings. A powerful being. A loving being, taking care of its young.
And that’s the picture God uses to help his people. Imagine you are with the children of Israel. Many of you have the scars from the slave masters whips. It’s been a couple of months since God rescued you from slavery in Egypt. God’s power in the plagues is fresh on your mind as is His destruction of Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea. Now it’s time for God to set you up into the special nation, the chosen nation, that will write down and safeguard the Old Testament of God’s Word and carry along and protect the Savior’s birthlines until it was time for Him to be born. God brought you to Mt. Sinai and something very special was about to happen. God would give you His commandments.
Now there’s something we need to remember about God’s commandments. They are His laws. It does not matter what laws nations pass that allow or protect immorality. It does not matter when church bodies pass resolutions changing, modifying or laying aside God’s commandments. They are His. They are absolute rights and wrongs and God expects them to be obeyed. By everyone. When it comes to obedience there are really two reasons people obey any authority: because they have to or because they want. People obey because they have to when they are afraid of punishment. When people obey because they want to it’s sometimes just thinly disguised selfishness. They are looking for a reward or praise or more money. Sometimes people obey because they want to simply to please their authority. Can you guess which of those God wants when it comes to His commandments? Actually you don’t have to guess at all. You know. Jesus said, “If you love me obey my commandments.” And so Christians, those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, they know that willing obedience is the most meaningful way to show love to God. Let me repeat. Willing obedience is the most meaningful way to show love to God.
That helps you understand why God said what He did before He gave His commandments. Instead of threatening and laying out His divine right to perfect obedience God told Moses this: “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” God reminded them of His loving protection. He had carried them on eagles’ wings. God pointed to honor and privilege. Of all the people on earth they would get to be the kingdom of priests and a holy nation. God carried them on eagles’ wings.
God has carried you on eagles’ wings. Even though we are Christians we all still have our sinful natures. Even though we know the most meaningful way to show love to God is through willing obedience we still have that part of us that only wants to obey out of fear or hope for gain or reward. Brothers and sisters, rebuke that part of you with me today. Reject it. For it doesn’t work and it isn’t God-pleasing. We can’t just be told, “Be more loving! Be more generous! Love God first!” and it happens. The law can’t produce those characteristics in us. But the Gospel can. Look what God has done for you! God has carried you on eagles’ wings. He rescued you from the slavery of sin by sending Jesus for you. He has provided for you to this very day. He is just and righteous and powerful but He loves you and wants the best for you. The first people who heard these words forgot that. They lost the privilege of being a kingdom of priests for God. But we haven’t. Listen to what God tells us in 1 Peter 2:9. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Remember that when you consider God’s commandments so they won’t be a chore, a burden, a have to but a privilege. Of all the people in the world we get to serve God the way He wants. Why wouldn’t we? He’s carried us on eagles’ wings.
And He will continue to. When a mother eagle wants to teach her young to fly she has to kick them out of the nest. Why do you suppose that is? Well let’s see. Eaglets get to sit there while mom brings them their food and keeps them safe. That’s a pretty good life it would seem. It must be easy for eaglets to get lazy. But mom knows best and knows that real life for them is soaring through the skies using the abilities the Creator has given them to fly and hunt and feed themselves. So she kicks them out. That must be scary the first time until they realize that mom will catch them on hear eagles’ wings.
You know it’s pretty easy for us to get lazy to. We can easily grow comfortable in going through the motions of our relationship with our Savior God. While it’s good to have a habit of worshipping God publicly every week it’s bad when it’s just routine. We may think we are God trusting, Jesus loving people but we’re not when our life is on auto-pilot with no zealous efforts to grow spiritually. Sometimes we can get lazy with sin, comfortable with it or around it. Yet God knows that real life for us is when we know Him as our God of love, trust only in Jesus for salvation and zealously strive to keep His commandments as our most meaningful way of showing Him love. What do you think a loving God should do? Kick us out of the nest. Let us fall. Anyone who’s ever jumped off the high dive for the first time knows that falling is scary. The job ends or falls through. Scary! Major health problem comes along. Scary. Maybe an authority, a boss, a parent, the police start snooping around that sin you’ve been coddling. You might get caught. Scary. You are falling.
God carries you on eagles’ wings. God chastens those He loves and He saves them from falling. There will be times in life that are scary. There will be times in life when you will fall because the ultimate powerful loving and wise being, the Triune God, knows that it is best. When you are in those times and it seems like the challenge will overwhelm you, think of God carrying you on eagles’ wings, swooping underneath to catch you before you really get hurt. That’s the God you are privileged to serve.
The people who would become the nation of Israel realized this, at least at first. When Moses told them what God had said, when they recognized the truth of eagles’ wings they responded by saying, “We will do everything the LORD has said.” We know however, that their commitment didn’t last. Brothers and sisters, let’s be different. Let’s daily recognize how God carries us on eagles’ wings, remember how He has rescued us when falling, rejoice that He will continue to and go from here saying, “We will do everything the LORD has said.” And mean it! Amen.