Sunday, March 4, 2012
February 26th Worship
Genesis 22:1-18
WHAT IS GOD DOING?
I. Pulling you Closer.
II. Pointing you to the Substitute.
1Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.
2Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
3Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."
6Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
8Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.
9When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.
12"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
13Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."
15The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD , that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
In the name of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, dear Christian Friends,
Things were going well for Abraham. A peace treaty had just been worked out with some pesky neighbors. No more problems for the servants out on the back 40. Abraham was a mature father- well into his 100’s Sarah was 90 when the baby was born but that boy named Isaac or laughter had brought much joy to the house. God had kept his promise. Abraham and Sarah had a son. Everything seemed to be going well. Now a thunderbolt comes out of the blue. “Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” The Hebrew word translated here as "burnt offering" is Olah. An Olah offering is one you burn up completely to show your whole-hearted devotion to the Lord. When we hear the Lord’s words we wonder, “what will Abraham do?” What to do doesn’t seem to be the question on Abraham’s mind though. Immediately Abraham starts gets ready to do what God asked. “Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.” What to do doesn’t seem to have been on Abraham’s mind, but I wonder if another question was on Abraham’s heart, “What was God doing?” We might wonder that same thing because sometimes we wonder about that in our lives when things happen that we don’t understand. Now I can’t pretend to know the mind of God and all the good things God was working out for good here for Abraham, but maybe we can think of a few things God was doing. I won’t pretend to know all of the good things God has in mind for you when things happen that you don’t understand but let’s try to see that the Lord is I. Pulling you closer and II. Pointing you to the Substitute.
Moriah was the area of Israel where Jerusalem would one day stand and Mt. Moriah was were Solomon built the temple. It was about a 3 day journey from where Abraham and Isaac were living. So there would be time to think as they walked along. As Abraham’s heart was aching there would be time to think through the truths of God and His promises. Scripture gives us a look into one of the truths Abraham was settling his heart on. The Book of Hebrews says, “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.” So you see Abraham was reviewing the promises of the Lord. God was pulling him closer. As Abraham mulled the truths that God is all power and is even stronger than death, he was thinking that if he sacrificed Isaac on the altar, that God the Lord of life would resurrect him from the dead. As we read on we hear that Abraham had a chance to exercise and to show his faith in God’s promises as the time arrives for Abraham and Isaac to separate from the servants. “On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." Do you hear that? We will come back to you-not I will come back to you. Abraham didn’t know how but he knew God would take keep his promise. God was pulling Abraham closer.
As they walked along Abraham also had a chance to run through his mind God’s promises that He would provide. God was giving strength to Abraham’s legs and to his heart. Abraham had a chance again to show his faith when Isaac saw that the wood was there for making the sacrifice but there was no sacrifice. “Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." God was pulling Abraham closer. Did you hear the words earlier “God tested Abraham?” When teachers give tests, are they trying to make life difficult for their students? No, they care about their students and want to find out what they know and what needs to be taught differently or again. If that is true of earthly teachers, how much more isn’t it true of our great God and Father in heaven. James says that when God tests his children he has in mind to bless them. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
This week a member of the flying Wallenda family secured permission to tight rope walk across Niagara Falls. Apparently he has been tight rope walking since he was 2 years old. He will be the first person to ever cross directly over the falls. Past attempts took place further down the gorge. He says he will be “walking through the mist thrown off by the falls." Someone seeing him walking across the tightrope might ask “What is that guy doing?” It is actually very well choreographed in everything from the thickness of the wire right down to the suede wire-walking shoes which actually grip better when wet. Someone coming onto the scene on Mt. Moriah seeing Abraham with the knife raised might wonder what was Abraham doing? Or might What was God doing? Or looking around our lives this morning we might ask, “What Is God doing?” Have you been wondering what God is doing in your life lately? While God certainly doesn’t want evil to happen in anyone’s life, when bad things come our way in life God is strong and smart enough to choreograph everything. There is a safety net. God’s Word says, “When you are tempted God will always provide a way out.” Nothing happens without God’s permission. Remember Job? God limited Satan in what how he was able to tempt Job. Like the tight walker’s shoes grip tighter when it’s wet so God draws us closer to him – holds us tighter when troubles come. Difficult and challenging times give us a chance to paint God’s promises on our hearts.
Abraham and Sarah had waited so long for a child. It would have been so easy for Abraham to put Isaac #1 in his life and moved his relationship with God somewhere down the list. When everything is going well for us in our lives it is easy for us to talk about trusting God’s promises. When things are going well at home, when we have money in the bank it's easy to talk about trusting in God's goodness and his promises. But what if God takes those things away from us? What if he asks us to give up the earthly things that hold near and dear? What would we do? This account of Abraham and Isaac is very difficult to listen to because I know that I would not do very well on a test like and maybe you do too. We question God’s ways when it comes to little things that go wrong in our lives. We question God’s love for us when things don’t go the way that we would like.
During Lent the readings here in church are set up so that we hear about the events of Holy Week and Jesus’ sufferings and death on Wednesdays in the Midweek services. On Sunday we don’t use the Passion readings because the Sunday readings are set up to bring to mind Christ’s victories for us in His ministry. Did you notice Christ’s victory for us in the Gospel Lesson today as Jesus’ won the victory over the devil and his temptations in the wilderness. If this account ended right here it would not bring to mind a victory for me. If the account ended here we would be left to compare ourselves to the Abraham and I would fall far short and would imagine that you would too. And Abraham is not the standard God demands. God says, “Be perfect therefore as your Father in heaven in perfect.” Abraham was far from perfect in his trust in the Lord. That’s why what happened next is so important for us. What is God doing? II. Pointing us to the Substitute.
When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.
"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." Abraham never did put that knife into Isaac's heart. The Lord stopped him and directed him the the bushes. Now usually when we talk about something getting caught in the bushes, it not a very good thing. Maybe you’ve had the experience of getting caught in the thorn bush. But can you imagine how happy Abraham was when the Lord called to him, told him not to harm his son and then to look in the bushes where the ram was caught for the burnt offering. Many years later Jesus told us about how Abraham felt when he saw the one the ram in the bushes was pointing his eyes to. Jesus said, “Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad”
The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD , that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." The angel of the Lord is one of the ways the Old Testament talks about Jesus before He took on flesh and blood. We know this is no ordinary angel talking but is God Himself because He says the first time He spoke, “you have not withheld from me.” And in the formal language of the covenant agreement God was renewing with Abraham God swears by Himself.” In that one sided covenant where God would do all the work, the Lord comes again with the promises of his mercy. Abraham’s family would soon be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Already at the time the children of Israel left Egypt it is thought they numbered into the millions. Abraham’s descendants would not live in tents like their wandering ancestor Abraham. The Lord would give the children of Israel a home in the land of Palestine to await the birth of the Savior of the world who would come from Abraham’s family. “All nations on earth would be blessed through Abraham” because that promised Savior would perfectly live His life as a Substitute for you and me and the world. He never told a lie or even a half truth because he was afraid. He never thought that God wasn’t working fast enough. He never doubted God’s plans for His life. According to the plan for His life, Jesus would now present Himself as the lamb who would offer Hi s life in payment for the sins of the world. Through Isaac who was spared and the Lamb who took his place, God points you to that substitute.
Some of you may know Pastor Greg Schultz. In his book, The Problem of Suffering Pastor Schultz writes that on God’s test there is only one question. It is a true false question. God loves you- true or false. Of course the answer is true but sometimes it seems like it is false. Times when we might ask, “what is God doing?” He is pulling you closer and pointing you to the Substitute. Amen
Thursday, March 1, 2012
February 29, 2012 Wednesday sermon by Pastor Paul G. Eckert
February 29, 2012 Wednesday Lenten Sermon by Pastor Paul G. Eckert.
Sermon text - John 18:19-24
18:19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.
23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"
24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our Wednesday Lenten series’ theme is "SEE THE CROSS!" That’s not hard to do. Look up to the front chancel wall over the altar. You can see a large cross there. It goes back to 1979 when this church building was dedicated. You can see a small cross on the altar, a gold cross with Jesus pictured on it. That, with the candles, goes back to our old church on Forest Home and Mitchell. I know that was there in the 1950s already, and it could well go back many years before that. We can see crosses elsewhere in our church, like on the front banners, or in our school, and in our homes.
So it is easy to see a cross. But is it really seen? Or is its meaning a secret? Let’s look at today’s sermon theme about the cross.
IT’S NO SECRET!
I BUT FIRST WE ASK: IS IT A SECRET?
1. A cross itself is not a secret.
a) You can often see a cross as a decoration on a wall or a piece
of furniture as referred to before, or as a piece of jewelry,
perhaps on a suit lapel or on a woman’s necklace.
b) But it was not always seen as good. Historically it was seen
as a torture instrument on which people died agonizing deaths.
2. But the cross’s real meaning is a secret.
a) How many looking up at Jesus on the cross saw its real
meaning, understood what was taking place there?
b) Scripture’s answer in 1 Corinthians 1:18 is: "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing." And in
the next chapter it says the rulers did not understand, "for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
3. And it is a secret to us too.
a) These words from 1 Corinthians 2 apply also to us: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
b) Our little human minds would never come up with God’s plan
involving a cross to save a lost world.
c) So is the cross a secret, a mystery? Yes. But also No.
II IT’S NO SECRET! LISTEN TO OT SCRIPTURE.
1. Scripture starts with the record of the beginning.
a) In the beginning there was no need for a cross, no need for
a saving sacrifice on a cross.
b) When God completed His creating work, including mankind,
"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." No need!
2. But that beginning did not stay good.
a) After God’s creation of a perfect world that included perfect
angels to carry out His will, there was a rebellion among the
angels, and sin entered the world under the leadership of a
fallen angel whom we know as the devil or Satan.
b) Then in the Garden of Eden he came to Eve and Adam and
tempted and persuaded them to join him and his crew in sin.
3. At that point God revealed what was secret.
a) He immediately revealed and promised that someone would
come, born of a woman, who would defeat the devil and be
the answer to our problem of sin.
b) And as the years went by God revealed more and more details
about this Savior: a virgin woman would be the mother; the
child would be born in Bethlehem; He would fulfill the
message of the many OT sacrifices showing that the blood of a
spotless death was needed to atone for sins; He would bear the
iniquity of all; His altar of death would be a tree, a cross; He
would be victorious; He would be our forgiveness, our Savior.
c) Yes, from the beginning the secret was revealed.
III IT’S NO SECRET! LISTEN TO JESUS.
1. Jesus had spoken openly. (19-20)
Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret."
a) For three years Jesus spoke publicly about why He had come
and who He was: that He was the Way and the Truth and the
Life; that He would die and that He would arise from the dead
victorious; and He proved His authority by many miracles.
b) He did that all around the country, out in the open, in their
synagogue meeting places, in the temple in Jerusalem.
2. Large crowds, many people heard Him. (20b-21)
"I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
a) We might think of crowds of over 4,000 and over 5,000 who
were fed by Jesus not only with food but with His message.
b) And those who arranged His arrest, here maneuvering Him
to death on a cross, they certainly had heard Him.
3. And surely Jesus is heard today.
a) Many may not believe in who He is and what He did.
b) That’s no different from Jesus’ time.
c) But not hear about Him? That’s not too likely.
IV IT’S NO SECRET! LISTEN TO NT SCRIPTURE.
1. The Gospels and Acts give the history.
a) The details are there, connecting the promises of the Old
Testament with the fulfillment of the New, connecting a Savior
promised with God’s Son come to be that Savior.
b) The Acts of the Apostles shows how sharing that message
began, starting from Jerusalem and spreading far and wide.
2. The Epistles, letters, show the revealed secret going out.
a) Paul had said, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
Then he went on to say about this secret, "But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit."
b) That revealed secret Paul spread far and wide in his travels.
3. And listen to the last book of the Bible.
a) It begins with the words, "The revelation of Jesus Christ."
b) It pictures for us the wonderfulness of what God has waiting
for us, and ends with Jesus saying, "Yes, I am coming soon."
c) And His Church responds, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."
V IT’S NO SECRET! BUT IT IS REJECTED.
1. There is the rejection of denial on either side of our text.
a) Three times Peter rejected Jesus by denying he knew Jesus.
b) Our text is sandwiched between the first and the last two.
2. Here too we see Jesus and the truth rejected.(22-24)
When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
a) I like Jesus’ response here. He did nothing to stop what He
knew had to take place. But I like how He spoke up here.
b) The response of Annas? Keep on pushing Jesus to the cross.
3. Rejection continues to this day.
a) Jesus may be very acceptable as a teacher or an example.
b) Or He is acceptable as one way of many to reach heaven.
c) But the truth that He is God’s only Way, that is rejected.
VI IT’S NO SECRET! BELIEVE AND REJOICE.
1. The world will call the cross foolishness. (1 Cor. 1:20ff.)
a) By itself the world can’t figure it out. Scripture says, "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?"
b) Then Scripture goes on to say, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength."
2. Yes, Christ the crucified is God’s wisdom revealed.
a) There, on the cross, God placed on His innocent Son all of
our sins, made Him pay the wages of our sins.
b) Yes, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
3. In this we rejoice. (1 Cor. 1:30)
a) At the crucifixion Jesus’ enemies rejoiced.
b) But you would not want to be in their shoes now.
c) May we rejoice and join the Apostle Paul in saying, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
VII IT’S NO SECRET! KEEP IT AND SHARE IT.
1. It’s a revealed secret to keep.
a) It has been revealed to us.
b) Don’t let go of it. Be faithful. Glory in the cross of Christ!
2. It’s a revealed secret to share.
a) You may not want to share a cross necklace with others.
b) But please, use opportunities to share Jesus’ cross, its real
meaning, why He was crucified and what that means.
3. It’s a revealed secret that means life.
a) Today, February 29, is called Leap Day. Calendar makers
many years ago added that day every 4th year with some
exceptions.
b) God from eternity planned to give us not just an occasional
extra day, but to give us eternal days in glory.
c) SEE THE CROSS of Christ. IT’S NO SECRET! There
see God’s answer to sin. There see God’s love for you. There
see your Savior and eternal life!
Sermon text - John 18:19-24
18:19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.
23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"
24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our Wednesday Lenten series’ theme is "SEE THE CROSS!" That’s not hard to do. Look up to the front chancel wall over the altar. You can see a large cross there. It goes back to 1979 when this church building was dedicated. You can see a small cross on the altar, a gold cross with Jesus pictured on it. That, with the candles, goes back to our old church on Forest Home and Mitchell. I know that was there in the 1950s already, and it could well go back many years before that. We can see crosses elsewhere in our church, like on the front banners, or in our school, and in our homes.
So it is easy to see a cross. But is it really seen? Or is its meaning a secret? Let’s look at today’s sermon theme about the cross.
IT’S NO SECRET!
I BUT FIRST WE ASK: IS IT A SECRET?
1. A cross itself is not a secret.
a) You can often see a cross as a decoration on a wall or a piece
of furniture as referred to before, or as a piece of jewelry,
perhaps on a suit lapel or on a woman’s necklace.
b) But it was not always seen as good. Historically it was seen
as a torture instrument on which people died agonizing deaths.
2. But the cross’s real meaning is a secret.
a) How many looking up at Jesus on the cross saw its real
meaning, understood what was taking place there?
b) Scripture’s answer in 1 Corinthians 1:18 is: "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing." And in
the next chapter it says the rulers did not understand, "for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."
3. And it is a secret to us too.
a) These words from 1 Corinthians 2 apply also to us: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
b) Our little human minds would never come up with God’s plan
involving a cross to save a lost world.
c) So is the cross a secret, a mystery? Yes. But also No.
II IT’S NO SECRET! LISTEN TO OT SCRIPTURE.
1. Scripture starts with the record of the beginning.
a) In the beginning there was no need for a cross, no need for
a saving sacrifice on a cross.
b) When God completed His creating work, including mankind,
"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." No need!
2. But that beginning did not stay good.
a) After God’s creation of a perfect world that included perfect
angels to carry out His will, there was a rebellion among the
angels, and sin entered the world under the leadership of a
fallen angel whom we know as the devil or Satan.
b) Then in the Garden of Eden he came to Eve and Adam and
tempted and persuaded them to join him and his crew in sin.
3. At that point God revealed what was secret.
a) He immediately revealed and promised that someone would
come, born of a woman, who would defeat the devil and be
the answer to our problem of sin.
b) And as the years went by God revealed more and more details
about this Savior: a virgin woman would be the mother; the
child would be born in Bethlehem; He would fulfill the
message of the many OT sacrifices showing that the blood of a
spotless death was needed to atone for sins; He would bear the
iniquity of all; His altar of death would be a tree, a cross; He
would be victorious; He would be our forgiveness, our Savior.
c) Yes, from the beginning the secret was revealed.
III IT’S NO SECRET! LISTEN TO JESUS.
1. Jesus had spoken openly. (19-20)
Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret."
a) For three years Jesus spoke publicly about why He had come
and who He was: that He was the Way and the Truth and the
Life; that He would die and that He would arise from the dead
victorious; and He proved His authority by many miracles.
b) He did that all around the country, out in the open, in their
synagogue meeting places, in the temple in Jerusalem.
2. Large crowds, many people heard Him. (20b-21)
"I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
a) We might think of crowds of over 4,000 and over 5,000 who
were fed by Jesus not only with food but with His message.
b) And those who arranged His arrest, here maneuvering Him
to death on a cross, they certainly had heard Him.
3. And surely Jesus is heard today.
a) Many may not believe in who He is and what He did.
b) That’s no different from Jesus’ time.
c) But not hear about Him? That’s not too likely.
IV IT’S NO SECRET! LISTEN TO NT SCRIPTURE.
1. The Gospels and Acts give the history.
a) The details are there, connecting the promises of the Old
Testament with the fulfillment of the New, connecting a Savior
promised with God’s Son come to be that Savior.
b) The Acts of the Apostles shows how sharing that message
began, starting from Jerusalem and spreading far and wide.
2. The Epistles, letters, show the revealed secret going out.
a) Paul had said, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
Then he went on to say about this secret, "But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit."
b) That revealed secret Paul spread far and wide in his travels.
3. And listen to the last book of the Bible.
a) It begins with the words, "The revelation of Jesus Christ."
b) It pictures for us the wonderfulness of what God has waiting
for us, and ends with Jesus saying, "Yes, I am coming soon."
c) And His Church responds, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."
V IT’S NO SECRET! BUT IT IS REJECTED.
1. There is the rejection of denial on either side of our text.
a) Three times Peter rejected Jesus by denying he knew Jesus.
b) Our text is sandwiched between the first and the last two.
2. Here too we see Jesus and the truth rejected.(22-24)
When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
a) I like Jesus’ response here. He did nothing to stop what He
knew had to take place. But I like how He spoke up here.
b) The response of Annas? Keep on pushing Jesus to the cross.
3. Rejection continues to this day.
a) Jesus may be very acceptable as a teacher or an example.
b) Or He is acceptable as one way of many to reach heaven.
c) But the truth that He is God’s only Way, that is rejected.
VI IT’S NO SECRET! BELIEVE AND REJOICE.
1. The world will call the cross foolishness. (1 Cor. 1:20ff.)
a) By itself the world can’t figure it out. Scripture says, "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?"
b) Then Scripture goes on to say, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength."
2. Yes, Christ the crucified is God’s wisdom revealed.
a) There, on the cross, God placed on His innocent Son all of
our sins, made Him pay the wages of our sins.
b) Yes, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
3. In this we rejoice. (1 Cor. 1:30)
a) At the crucifixion Jesus’ enemies rejoiced.
b) But you would not want to be in their shoes now.
c) May we rejoice and join the Apostle Paul in saying, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
VII IT’S NO SECRET! KEEP IT AND SHARE IT.
1. It’s a revealed secret to keep.
a) It has been revealed to us.
b) Don’t let go of it. Be faithful. Glory in the cross of Christ!
2. It’s a revealed secret to share.
a) You may not want to share a cross necklace with others.
b) But please, use opportunities to share Jesus’ cross, its real
meaning, why He was crucified and what that means.
3. It’s a revealed secret that means life.
a) Today, February 29, is called Leap Day. Calendar makers
many years ago added that day every 4th year with some
exceptions.
b) God from eternity planned to give us not just an occasional
extra day, but to give us eternal days in glory.
c) SEE THE CROSS of Christ. IT’S NO SECRET! There
see God’s answer to sin. There see God’s love for you. There
see your Savior and eternal life!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
ASH WEDNESDAY
February 22, 2012
Pastor Timothy J. Spaude
Text: John 18:4-11
SURPRISING WORDS FROM OUR SAVIOR’S PASSION
“PUT YOUR SWORD AWAY!”
1. Because Jesus must go to the cross.
2. Because we must too!
John 18:4-11 (NIV 1984) “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 “I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
The cross is central. It is the central message of the Bible. It is the central focus of our church architecture. God’s word and the building are designed to keep our eyes on Jesus’ cross. It’s no surprise that our Lenten series this year strives to do the same. The Wednesdays of Lent have been traditionally used in the Christian Church to follow the Passion History of Jesus—to see His cross. This year we do that by looking at some surprising sayings of Jesus. Now it is not unusual to hear someone say something surprising, is it? For instance once when walking downstairs by our preschoolers one of them said, “Um, pastor, um, where’s your dress?” That’s surprising. I’m not sure where that was coming from. Or take this one. Whenever the pastor who supervised me for my vicar year visits our congregation he says, “Well, you’re looking good. Although there seems to be more of you.” That’s surprising. I don’t know why he would say that. I’m worried about his eyesight. Jesus’ surprising sayings have to do with our salvation. Our one for today is, “Put your sword away!” Why would Jesus say that?
We join Jesus and the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas had left them in the Upper Room to get the chief priests and their soldiers in accordance with his betrayal agreement. Jesus took the other disciples up the Mount of Olives to the Garden. He had prayed fervently to His Father. Now it was time for the next step. Notice what John tells us. “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him.” Jesus knows! How could He not? He is the Son of God. He knows and He goes anyway. But there’s more. Look at what happens.
Picture it, if you can. There is Jesus with the 11 disciples following behind. They meet Judas leading some of the chief priests and a detachment of soldiers. They have torches, lanterns, weapons. If you are one of the disciples watching you are thinking. What is this? What is Judas doing with them? What’s going on here?
Jesus asks a question. “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” You know what was going on there, right? Jesus was demonstrating to His disciples and His arresters that soldiers and weapons could not force Him to do anything. Jesus would go by His choice. Jesus asked again, “Who is it you want?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 “I told you that I am he,” Jesus answered. “If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” Again Jesus shows His love. He’s more concerned about what would happen to the disciples then to him.
That’s when it happened. Peter stepped forward. “Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) His Lord, His Master needed help. Peter stepped forward to defend Him. And then Jesus said it, “Put your sword away!” Why? Peter was standing up for Jesus. That’s what we are supposed to do. Peter was zealous for the safety of Jesus. What’s wrong with that? At this point, everything. Jesus needed to go to the cross. He knew that. He said, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” The cross was the Father’s plan, not the chief priests’, not Pilate’s, not Satan’s. God’s plan. Only on the cross could God punish sin without punishing us. Only through the cross could sinners be freed from their slavery and could death be made the path to heaven. Jesus said “Put your sword away!” because He needed to go to the cross.
We must go there too. Actually we have already been to the cross. Actually we have all already been on the cross. We were there with Jesus. He was there as our substitute. He did His job. No one kept Jesus from the cross. The Devil does try to keep us from focusing the cross. He likes to do that like He did with Peter, even using our good intentions. You saw how Peter got in trouble, right? He felt he had to help Jesus. Jesus couldn’t get by without Peter’s help. Wrong. Just as wrong when we do it. For every time we try we need to hear Jesus say, “Put your sword away.” For instance Jesus does tell us to live Godly lives and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables us to. But that doesn’t make us better than anyone else or more worthy of salvation. So when we are smugly feeling we are in some way better than other sinners or tempted to despise others we need to hear “Put your sword away.” Jesus does give us the privilege of being His witnesses. He does tell us to spread the word. But when our witnessing is met with rejection and we are tempted to rely on something other than the Gospel message of Jesus crucified to pay for sin, we need to hear, “Put your sword away.” And when we have sinned and in repentance hear Jesus announce forgiveness in His word, the Sacrament of through another believer we don’t need to mope around for several days to prove who sorry we are. Put your sword away. Jesus doesn’t need our help in paying for our sins either. You get to live the joy of salvation.
“Put your sword away!” was the surprising thing Jesus said to Peter who was simply trying to help Him. But Jesus doesn’t need Peter’s help or yours or mine. It’s a privilege to serve Him. Perhaps though there is one more surprising saying in this part of the Passion History. It’s surprising because of who said it. When the chief priests and detachment of soldiers came to arrest Jesus, He asked them, “Who is it you want?” Surprisingly they answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Who is it you want? Who do you want ruling your life? Who do you want to serve? Who do you want with you every day? Whose approval do you desired the most? Today and every day let there be no surprise about our answer. Jesus of Nazareth! Amen.
Monday, February 20, 2012
TRANSFIGURATION
February 19/20, 2012
Seminary Student Nate Buchner
2 Cor. 4:3-6
I’m not a huge fan of the darkness. As a kid, I even had a fear of it. I didn’t like that feeling where I couldn’t see. I didn’t like the fact that I didn’t know what was around the corner, that there may be something really bad next to me. I even remember when I was down in the basement at night, I would run up the stairs after turning off the lights so I didn’t have to be in the darkness for very long. In life though, there is a darkness that is actually worth being scared about. Actually, it’s downright terrifying. You see, without Christ, we are lost in the absolute darkness of sin. But God does not leave us alone. Thus, we bask in glory of his light. The god of this age tries to blind our hearts. But God makes his light shine in our hearts.
Corinth, the city to whom Paul wrote, had a problem. They lived in a culture which was saturated with logic. Because of this, they sometimes evaluated the Christian preachers, like Paul, based on their oratory skills. Earlier, Paul had written them a letter in which he addressed this issue. However, at the time of our letter, 2 Corinthians, many of the people still had not learned. Instead of following the teaching of Paul, who in reality taught in Jesus’ name, some were tempted to follow men called the “Super Apostles.”
These “Super Apostles” didn’t put the truth forth plainly, but used deception and trickery to make their points. They then began to judge Paul because he didn’t use tremendous logic to get his points across. For, in the verse before our lesson, Paul says, “Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” This type of attitude did not mesh with the teaching of those “Super Apostles.” They chose to add to the gospel, while Paul spoke the truth plainly.
At this point the Corinthians may have been wondering, “Paul, this setting forth the truth plainly doesn’t always seem to work! There are still a lot of people who don’t ‘get it.’” You yourselves may even be asking this question. Well, Paul then answers this question for them and for you in the next few verses. In verse 3 he says, “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.” This is quite a powerful statement made by Paul. He is reassuring the Corinthians that it is not because of his or the other Christian leaders’ preaching that the gospel is veiled.
He then further answers the question why it seems that the gospel doesn’t seem to work in verse 4, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” What Paul tells us here is that the gospel is always powerful, and it does work. The problem does not lie within the gospel, but instead is found within the god of this age.
So then, who is the god of this age? Satan is this god. In another part of Scripture, Jesus had referred to the devil as the prince of the world. Here, however, Paul chooses god. Both the name “prince” and “god” are associated with someone powerful. But, the name “god” is even more powerful. Also, when you think of a god, it is something or someone which people follow. These are the reasons why Paul calls Satan “The god of this age.”
Secondly, Satan understands that he can’t change the fact that Jesus died to win salvation. Thus, he has to revert to “Plan B.” This is when Satan blinds men so that they can’t see the light of the gospel. And, sadly, Paul tells us that when people are blinded, they are perishing. Now, this blinding tricks people into thinking that the gospel is not sufficient enough to save us. This blinding can also deceive some into thinking the gospel is downright worthless.
For a moment, just take a look at the Gospel of our God. Think about it; what sane person wouldn’t think something more is needed? Think about how illogical the object of our faith seems to be. We believe in a God who became man. A man who lived 2000 years ago in a Roman providence in the Middle East, who came to this earth to teach us and to save us. What he said was that we can do nothing for our salvation, a teaching which goes completely against our culture where we must work in order to earn. On top of this all, since this man died, I can put my trust in him in order to get away from a bad place after life. And instead of going to this bad place, I will go to a different place where nothing bad happens? Finally, when you think about it, we have to admit that we can’t understand the logic in God’s plan. But when people try and find that logic, they begin to doubt and think that something else is needed, or they won’t even trust in God’s message at all.
Although Satan blinds unbelievers, he also attempts to blind the hearts of believers once again. He knows what both we and Paul preach, which is Christ crucified. For this reason, he tries to get our focus off of Christ and onto something else. The god of this world tempts us to try and harmonize God’s plan with our human reason. And since he can’t blind the Christ, he is forced to try and re-blind us. He asks us that nagging question, “Do you really want to believe in Christ for salvation? Shouldn’t you be doing something for your salvation?” Instead of basking in the glory of God’s light, the god of this age wants to make sure he has blinded our hearts.
However, although Satan wishes to blind us, God is working also. Thus we bask in the light that God causes to shine in our hearts. And this would not happen if God would not lead some men to say, 'For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” Can you imagine what Satan would do if we would begin to preach ourselves instead of Christ? Whenever preaching begins to focus on something else, the devil can jump in to attack. If the power didn’t come through the word of Christ and rather depended on those who speak to you, we’d all be in big time trouble. Satan can’t stand up to Christ, but he can sure go toe-to-toe with us. We are simply jars of clay, but yet, God has given us his precious message of his glorious light.
But God doesn’t stop there; he doesn’t just tell us what not to preach. But he himself, makes his light shine in our hearts. Paul makes this conclusion when he says, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” Think back to Genesis chapter one and what God says about the beginning of time. “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep.” Picture that. Absolute darkness. Absolute nothingness. And then, God spoke, “Let there be light. God’s voice roared out…and there was light. He, in his power, took the darkness, and he filled it with his light.
Again, imagine that utter darkness. That’s what kind of state we were in before God filled our hearts with light. And when God did this, he created light in our hearts. A light which allows us to see the glory of God. We know that although we are sinful, God chose his Son to save us. We deserved nothing, but God gave us everything. He gave, “us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” So, yes, now we have light. A light which is our Christ, the image of God. Our Christ, who showed a glimpse of his glorious light on the mountain of his Transfiguration, who laid waste to the power of Satan when he died for your and my sins on Calvary, and who showed his complete strength by dominating death and rising from the grave. And now, since God has opened our eyes with his light, we see that we are just jars of clay, that nothing special lies within us. Rather, we acknowledge the fact that our power lies in the crucified and risen Lord.
In the past, we were blinded with darkness. But, God worked in our hearts and gave us the knowledge of Christ, so that now we have his light and can see. However, this does not mean that we are on our own by any means. God continues to work within our hearts. Just as the god of this age constantly is trying to blind our hearts, so our God continually brings light into our hearts. Satan still tempts us to doubt God’s plan of salvation. But yet, every time that we hear the gospel of Christ, or partake in his sacraments, we can be sure that God is within us, strengthening the light of the knowledge of his glory. You see, in baptism Christ marked us as his own. Every day we can wake up and be reminded of Christ’s light just by thinking of our baptism. In his Holy Supper, we get to taste and see the light of Christ’s salvation. We get to partake in the body and blood of our Lord, a showing of the forgiveness of our sins. And finally, in his word, we can hear of how Christ won for us our light by dying on the cross for our sins. So then, when Satan comes around to tempt you, realize that you are not alone. He will try and veil the gospel and blind you, but God will be there also. And God will continue to let his light shine in your lives.
Without Christ in our lives, we would still be lost in our blindness, and the god of this age would love for nothing better for this to be the case. However, it is not. God has made his light shine in our hearts. He has given us the light of his Son, who has saved us from the darkness of our sins. But, this does not mean that the devil will stop from trying to re-blind us. At times like this, we see the strength of our God. We see our God who protects us to this very day and continues to give us his light, who is none other than our Christ. Our Christ, who vanquished the foe by his death, so that we may have the light of life. Therefore, we bask in the glory of his light.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
February 5/6, 2012 sermon on Psalm 103 by Pastor Paul G. Eckert
February 5/6, 2012, Pentecost 5
Sermon on Psalm 103:1-22 by Pastor Paul G. Eckert
The entire text is in the body of the sermon
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We can speak of three special days this month: Ground Hog Day, last Thursday, February 2; Super Bowl Day, this Sunday, February 5; and then Leap Day, February 29. Two of those happen every year, and one comes every fourth year except for certain years.
But instead of talking about some things that happen only once a year at the most, let’s learn from Psalm 103 that there is something you and I as Christians should want to do every day of every year.
PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL
I BY NOT FORGETTING ALL HIS BENEFITS (1-7)
1-7 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
1. This is a call to worship God. (1-2)
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits
a) The first word - Praise - could well be translated: worship.
b) Yes, we are to praise and worship God for all of His benefits,
all of the good things He gives us and does for us in our lives.
2. But can there be neglect instead of worship? (2b-5)
all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
a) How easy it is for us to take blessings for granted, or to credit
ourselves for them and take God out of the picture.
b) And how easy it is to put God into the picture when there are
difficulties, to blame God instead of trusting a promise He has
made to all of His people that He will make all things, also
difficulties, serve for the eternal good of those who love Him.
3. Here we should learn from history. (6-7)
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of
Israel:
a) Moses’ life was loaded with difficulties: from Egypt, through
the wilderness wandering, and up to the promised land. King
David too in the promised land of Israel had a life that was
loaded with difficulties and sin - he was far from a perfect man.
b) Yet for Moses and David, who were true and penitent
believers, God kept His promise to use also difficulties and to
turn them into benefits. And how richly God did that with the
nation of Israel. Though loaded with sinners and difficulties,
yet through them God gave the greatest benefit of all, the
Savior who is the glory of Israel and the world’s Redeemer.
4. We need this reminder. (1-2)
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits
a) St. Jacobi Congregation, are we taking God’s many blessings
to us for granted? St. Jacobi Congregation, do we show that
by not showing up regularly in church to worship Him, by not
serving Him as well as we should with our time and offerings?
b) Each of us, is God a part of our daily lives? Do we daily pray
to Him, seek His guidance from His Word, trust Him?
c) Let us acknowledge that we too, like Moses and David and
other people, are sinners and need God’s reminder that He
wants our worship and praise for who He is, for what He
has done. And let’s not forget to thank Him that in His grace
He does forgive us who often do forget all His benefits.
II BY REMEMBERING THAT HE UNDERSTANDS (8-18)
8-18 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the
LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
1. Thank God that He does not forget us. (8-10)
a) Yes, God is rightfully angry at sin and fully aware of what we
deserve for even one sin.
b) But look at what kind of a God we have, a God who does not
deal with us as could be expected, but a God who loves people,
people who by ourselves are so undeserving of love.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
2. Listen again to what this means. (11-12)
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
a) You have repented. But do your sins keep coming back to
haunt you, to make you wonder if God has really forgiven you?
b) Then look at the examples God gives about space and
distance. Because of Jesus your sins have been blasted into
space, zoomed into the horizon. They are forgiven, gone! A
similar reference in Ephesians 3 says, "--- grasp how wide and
long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Yes, so far,
out of His sight, has God removed our transgressions from us.
If the "worst sinner" present stood up here now, penitent, I
can say to him that his sins are forgiven, gone; go in peace, as
Jesus will tell us exactly that also in His Lord’s Supper today.
3. Recognize that God understands us. (13-16)
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
a) God knows what weak sinners we all are. But as good parents
have compassion on their sinful children, so God understands
and has compassion on us, undeserving sinners that we are.
b) It is exactly because of this that Jesus came into this world, as
the letter to the Hebrews says, "For this reason [Jesus] had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might
become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and
that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted." Yes, Jesus does understand us.
4. What a contrast to us human beings! (17-18)
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
a) We are temporal and sinners, but God is eternal and holy.
b) He fully understands us; He can and does empathize with us.
c) And His eternal love continues with all who fear Him.
III BY ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT IS DUE TO HIM (19-22)
19-22 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
1. Recognize and acknowledge His sovereignty over all. (19)
The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
a) With what is all happening in the world it at times may well
seem that nothing is in charge, including God.
b) But whether it is turmoil or weather conditions, God is as
much in control now as He was when He showed Himself in
control from the Garden of Eden, through history, and to a
birth in Bethlehem to carry out His saving plans and purposes.
2. His angels recognize His sovereignty. (20)
Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
a) Evil angels, evil people do not acknowledge God’s authority,
but instead spew out evil, immorality, corruption.
b) But God’s good angels acknowledge it and serve God with powerful deeds to protect us and to carry out God’s will.
3. His creation recognizes His sovereignty. (21-22a)
Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do
his will. Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion.
a) God - not evolution or man’s thinking - created the world, the
sun and moon and stars, the farthest away heavenly bodies.
b) They still follow God’s orders, including sometimes using
weather conditions to show that God and not man is in control.
4. Let each and every one of us recognize His sovereignty. (22b)
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
a) Let’s not give our Creator and Savior God neglect or taking
for granted, or feel that He does not understand and love us.
b) May we instead gather faithfully in church to hear His Word
and receive His Supper, to give Him the worship and praise
that is due Him.
c) And may we do that in our daily lives, as families, at home, at
work, or anyplace, joyfully serving Him who served us.
Ground Hog Day, Super Bowl Day, Leap Day are not every day. But may God help all of us not to forget His benefits any day, and to make every day a PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL Day.
>>> Sing Psalm 103, CW p. 105 (in place of creed)
Sermon on Psalm 103:1-22 by Pastor Paul G. Eckert
The entire text is in the body of the sermon
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
We can speak of three special days this month: Ground Hog Day, last Thursday, February 2; Super Bowl Day, this Sunday, February 5; and then Leap Day, February 29. Two of those happen every year, and one comes every fourth year except for certain years.
But instead of talking about some things that happen only once a year at the most, let’s learn from Psalm 103 that there is something you and I as Christians should want to do every day of every year.
PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL
I BY NOT FORGETTING ALL HIS BENEFITS (1-7)
1-7 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
1. This is a call to worship God. (1-2)
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits
a) The first word - Praise - could well be translated: worship.
b) Yes, we are to praise and worship God for all of His benefits,
all of the good things He gives us and does for us in our lives.
2. But can there be neglect instead of worship? (2b-5)
all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
a) How easy it is for us to take blessings for granted, or to credit
ourselves for them and take God out of the picture.
b) And how easy it is to put God into the picture when there are
difficulties, to blame God instead of trusting a promise He has
made to all of His people that He will make all things, also
difficulties, serve for the eternal good of those who love Him.
3. Here we should learn from history. (6-7)
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of
Israel:
a) Moses’ life was loaded with difficulties: from Egypt, through
the wilderness wandering, and up to the promised land. King
David too in the promised land of Israel had a life that was
loaded with difficulties and sin - he was far from a perfect man.
b) Yet for Moses and David, who were true and penitent
believers, God kept His promise to use also difficulties and to
turn them into benefits. And how richly God did that with the
nation of Israel. Though loaded with sinners and difficulties,
yet through them God gave the greatest benefit of all, the
Savior who is the glory of Israel and the world’s Redeemer.
4. We need this reminder. (1-2)
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits
a) St. Jacobi Congregation, are we taking God’s many blessings
to us for granted? St. Jacobi Congregation, do we show that
by not showing up regularly in church to worship Him, by not
serving Him as well as we should with our time and offerings?
b) Each of us, is God a part of our daily lives? Do we daily pray
to Him, seek His guidance from His Word, trust Him?
c) Let us acknowledge that we too, like Moses and David and
other people, are sinners and need God’s reminder that He
wants our worship and praise for who He is, for what He
has done. And let’s not forget to thank Him that in His grace
He does forgive us who often do forget all His benefits.
II BY REMEMBERING THAT HE UNDERSTANDS (8-18)
8-18 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the
LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
1. Thank God that He does not forget us. (8-10)
a) Yes, God is rightfully angry at sin and fully aware of what we
deserve for even one sin.
b) But look at what kind of a God we have, a God who does not
deal with us as could be expected, but a God who loves people,
people who by ourselves are so undeserving of love.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
2. Listen again to what this means. (11-12)
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
a) You have repented. But do your sins keep coming back to
haunt you, to make you wonder if God has really forgiven you?
b) Then look at the examples God gives about space and
distance. Because of Jesus your sins have been blasted into
space, zoomed into the horizon. They are forgiven, gone! A
similar reference in Ephesians 3 says, "--- grasp how wide and
long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Yes, so far,
out of His sight, has God removed our transgressions from us.
If the "worst sinner" present stood up here now, penitent, I
can say to him that his sins are forgiven, gone; go in peace, as
Jesus will tell us exactly that also in His Lord’s Supper today.
3. Recognize that God understands us. (13-16)
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
a) God knows what weak sinners we all are. But as good parents
have compassion on their sinful children, so God understands
and has compassion on us, undeserving sinners that we are.
b) It is exactly because of this that Jesus came into this world, as
the letter to the Hebrews says, "For this reason [Jesus] had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might
become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and
that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted." Yes, Jesus does understand us.
4. What a contrast to us human beings! (17-18)
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
a) We are temporal and sinners, but God is eternal and holy.
b) He fully understands us; He can and does empathize with us.
c) And His eternal love continues with all who fear Him.
III BY ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT IS DUE TO HIM (19-22)
19-22 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
1. Recognize and acknowledge His sovereignty over all. (19)
The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
a) With what is all happening in the world it at times may well
seem that nothing is in charge, including God.
b) But whether it is turmoil or weather conditions, God is as
much in control now as He was when He showed Himself in
control from the Garden of Eden, through history, and to a
birth in Bethlehem to carry out His saving plans and purposes.
2. His angels recognize His sovereignty. (20)
Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
a) Evil angels, evil people do not acknowledge God’s authority,
but instead spew out evil, immorality, corruption.
b) But God’s good angels acknowledge it and serve God with powerful deeds to protect us and to carry out God’s will.
3. His creation recognizes His sovereignty. (21-22a)
Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do
his will. Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion.
a) God - not evolution or man’s thinking - created the world, the
sun and moon and stars, the farthest away heavenly bodies.
b) They still follow God’s orders, including sometimes using
weather conditions to show that God and not man is in control.
4. Let each and every one of us recognize His sovereignty. (22b)
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
a) Let’s not give our Creator and Savior God neglect or taking
for granted, or feel that He does not understand and love us.
b) May we instead gather faithfully in church to hear His Word
and receive His Supper, to give Him the worship and praise
that is due Him.
c) And may we do that in our daily lives, as families, at home, at
work, or anyplace, joyfully serving Him who served us.
Ground Hog Day, Super Bowl Day, Leap Day are not every day. But may God help all of us not to forget His benefits any day, and to make every day a PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL Day.
>>> Sing Psalm 103, CW p. 105 (in place of creed)
Monday, February 6, 2012
January 29th, 2012 Worship Service
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
IN CHURCH WITH JESUS
I. Finding Security in His Power.
II. Drawing Strength from His Word.
Mark 1:.21-28 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil[a] spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
In the name of Jesus who says, “Come to me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”, dear fellow redeemed children of God,
There still is time to enjoy a Star Trek Celebrity Cruise! I found out that the original dates have changed. The details are being worked out with the celebrity guests now. I’m not sure that stars from the original Star Trek that I enjoyed are able to do much cruising any more so cruise participants will be joining the stars from the later generations of Star Trek. The dates will be announced soon for those who would like to join the crew of the Star Trek Voyager on a Caribbean Cruise. Participants could actually talk catch a glimpse of Doctor Phlox, the Denobulan chief medical officer, on his way to the pool or chat with Ensign Harry Kim at the buffet. That sounds like fun, but I think it would be even cooler to go on a Space shuttle flight with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock.
God’s Word offers something even better than that. Today in God’s Word we travel to the Holy Land, to the city of Capernaum in Galilee and we get to go to church with Jesus. Imagine that! In Church with Jesus! I. Finding Security In His Power. II. Drawing Strength From His Word.
The people of Capernaum had a front row seat to Jesus’ rescue mission. The city was the hub for Jesus’ ministry up in Galilee. It was on the shore of the Sea of Galilee where many important things would happen like the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus calming the storm. Jesus healed Simon Peter’s mother in law who lived in Capernaum. The city was also right on a busy highway where taxes were collected which is what Matthew was doing when Jesus called him. The people who gathered at the synagogue would see Jesus power. Jairus was one of the synagogue officials there. Jesus raised his daughter from the dead. Jesus healed the servant of the Centurion who built the synagogue there. On a Sabbath day early in Jesus’ ministry the people in that synagogue would get to see Jesus’ power over evil spirits.
So Jesus was busy when he was in Capernaum. He was in the middle of calling His disciples who would be the witnesses the His rescue mission of saving sinners from eternal death. Heaven or hell for us was hanging in the balance. If that were on our plate, we might be tempted to think that we were too busy for church and to sleep in on Sabbath morning. “They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue.” How easy isn’t it for us to that we think that we know what we were going to talk about at church anyway so why go? The sinless son of God who wrote the Scriptures went to the Synagogue on the Sabbath. He did that for us our benefit. He was our perfect substitute. He did what we could not do. Part of His rescue mission was defeating the devil for us and in this confrontation in church we find security in His power.
We’re told Jesus “began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” The people noticed that Jesus was different. From the things Jesus tells us it seems many of the teachers of law were mainly concerned with rules taught by men but their hearts were far from God.” When the people heard Jesus, they were amazed. What amazed them was not the appearance or public speaking style of Jesus. The Bible says that there was nothing special about the appearance of Jesus that would would attract people. It also says he would not be one to raise his voice or cry out in the streets. What amazed the people was the authority and power of Jesus’ message. His message was very different from what they were accustomed to hearing in church. Jesus’ message pointed the people to what God would do for them.
The people were not the only ones who noticed Jesus. The evil angels did too. Have you ever used Raid spray on those creepy crawly insects in the dark corners of the basement. As soon as just a little bit of spray brings the bugs out of their hiding places Jesus was here and the creepy crawly demons slink out of their hiding places.? “Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” The dictator from North Korea who died recently was often pictured at his parades with his country’s armed forces marching by and a big missile being towed by a big army truck. He was trying to display his power. One of those missile trailers probably would not have fit into the synagogue that day but we do see some of the devil’s power as a man who was possessed by an evil spirit, another name for an evil angel tries to confront Jesus. We normally can’t see them but evil angels are incredibly powerful creatures. The Bible doesn’t tell us how the evil spirit made this man’s life miserable but in the Gospel accounts we hear people possessed by evil spirits having arms so strong that no chain could bind them or throwing young boys into fires. What does it say about the religious leaders of Jesus’ day that the demon knew who Jesus was and the religious leaders did not.
Jesus didn’t have to call 911 or call in air support. Faced with the incredible power of an evil spirit Jesus shows incredible power. “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. One might ask why Jesus would tell the demon to be quiet when it was speaking the truth but remember that those demons are Jesus’ enemies- our enemies. That eveil angel did not have anything good in mind for us with His words. You can imagine that the people of the town had heard this demon speak its native language of filth and lies and they might take lump its foul lies with Jesus’ words of truth. Jesus didn’t want or need the testimony of demons. With just a few words Jesus silences the foul smelling words of the demon. He doesn’t have to use a flying head scissors or some other fancy wrestling move. Jesus simply says the words, “Come out of him!” and “the evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.” Jesus saw a man in desperate need, and he acted on it. Demons are incredibly powerful, but Jesus is far more powerful. With a few short words he drove the powerful demon out of the man.
As scary as the devil looks, Jesus did not go heading for cover. The devil and the evil angels are not stronger than Jesus. No matter how fast the devil can talk with his temptations, he did not outwit Jesus, your substitute. This Jesus who loves us enough to die for us watches over you. The one whose words send shivers down the spines of evil spirit says, “I am with you always.” Through my life, I’ve noticed that when my dad is driving I’m not so frightened by snowy roads. When my dad is there getting the project done, I’m not so afraid that it won’t be down right. Now my dad is getting to be almost 79 years old so the day may come when he doesn’t drive or ramrod projects anymore but that feeling of security is something that we see magnified many times over in our Savior Jesus. Jesus, our powerful Savior goes with us. Nothing paralyzes him in hear. No problem is so great that he cannot help. We find security in His strength.
Isn’t it interesting that the people don’t seize onto the powerful way Jesus threw the demon out of the man. They grab onto Jesus’ teaching that day in church with Jesus. Each week as we come here to God’s house we too can not only find security in His strength but we can draw strength from His Word.
It is amazing that the Bible does not not tell us what Jesus was teaching about that day. It simply says that the people were amazed at His teaching. Perhaps that is so that we can continue to be amazed each week as we gather together to hear the Lord talk to us. Sometimes we pastors have to smile when people come out of church and people will say, “Pastor, that’s just what I needed to hear” or “you were talking about me or to me today in that sermon” We have to chuckle because with our little brains most often we didn’t have that person in mind when we wrote it but God did. Every day God knows the things that are on our hearts and He has just the right Word to bring strength for us to carry on. Each week when we gather here Jesus knows the sisn and problems that are weighing you down. Through the power of the holy Spirit, His words have real strength. His words cut deep into greedy tax collectors like Matthew and Zacchaeus and made them generous givers. His words warmed the hearts of fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John and made them fishers of men. His words turned a sinful woman of the street into a sincere worshiper of the Savior who gladly washed his feet with her tears. Let’s keep coming here to God’s house because here the Lord gives us food for medicine for our souls. In His Word, He promises forgiveness for all your sins. At your baptism he made a personal promise to you that you belong to him and he will never leave you or abandon you. In the Lord’s Supper he puts his own body and blood into your body and blood and says, “For you, for the forgiveness of your sins.” As Jesus’ words are read from the lectern, explained from the pulpit, sung from the pew Jesus gives you strength. “So is the word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty. It will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Others soon heard of what Jesus did and taught that day in church, “The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.”
The Star Trek Celebrity Cruise last only for a week and costs around $2,000. The security and strength Jesus gives us in His word are given freely. By His grace, Jesus not only goes with us everyday, He also comes to sit us with here in church. More and more may we be found in church with Jesus, finding security in His power and strength in His teaching. Amen
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