January 24/25, 2010, Epiphany 3
Pastor Paul G. Eckert
Sermon text - Luke 4:13-21
13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
15 He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.
17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
When I chose the theme for today’s sermon text, namely the theme "AS JESUS BEGAN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY," I couldn’t help ut think of and compare a bit with when I began my public ministry. When Jesus began His public ministry He was about 30 years old. When I began I was 26 years old. Jesus began His preaching ministry in the northern part of Israel, Galilee, and then was also in the south, in Judah. My first call took me north too, to Canada, from where I also served two congregations in northern Michigan, and then another call brought me south to Wisconsin and St. Jacobi. Jesus’ ministry lasted about 3 years. Mine has lasted 3 years plus another 50 years.
You could make some comparisons for yourselves. How old were you when you became a Christian - at your Baptism, or more recently; and how long have you been a Christian? Where have you lived your Christian life - in Wisconsin, elsewhere, north, south? What is the work God has given you to do? Is it that of being a faithful Christian husband or wife, a Christian father or mother or son or daughter, a Christian student or teacher or employee or employer? Is it being a Council or Board member installed this Sunday, or being a volunteer? All of these positions, yours or mine, are important. But none is on the same level with Jesus and what He did. Jesus was indeed unique, special. And so let’s get back now to our theme for this service.
AS JESUS BEGAN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY
I THE DEVIL HAD HIS INPUT (13-14a)
1. There had been 40 days of intense temptation (13a)
When the devil had finished all this tempting, ---.
a) the verses just before our text tell us how the devil tempted
Jesus with three major temptations, all of them urging Jesus to
want and to do things which God had not told Him to do
b) in every case Jesus defeated the devil’s temptations by turning
to what God wanted and by clearly saying, "It is written!"
2. The devil would use many more opportune times (13)
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
a) think of the many cases of devil possession that confronted
Jesus, every one an attempt to interfere with Jesus’ ministry
b) think of the Garden of Gethsemane when the devil was so busy
that Jesus’ sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood; think of
the cross, the taunts saying if Jesus was the Son of God He
should prove it by coming down from the cross, not bring the
sacrificial death of the Lamb of God to atone for the world
3. Jesus went on with another power (14)
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
a) the devil Jesus defeated; "It is finished!" He loudly shouted
b) not with the devil, but with the Spirit’s power He, the Son of
God, would proceed with His ministry, with the triune God’s
saving mission for the world
4. Beware the devil’s input into our lives (13b)
--- he left him until an opportune time.
a) the devil may at times seem to leave us alone for a while
b) but he finds many opportune times: he’ll use television, society
with its loose morals, friends who will say, "Did God really
say that is wrong? Why are you so narrow-minded as to think there is only one way to heaven? Get with it! It’s 2010!"
c) while Jesus did not give in to the devil’s tempting input, we
do, and do so again and again; thank God that Jesus began His
public ministry on the way to saving people like you and me!
II THE PEOPLE HAD THEIR REACTIONS (14-16a)
1. Much of Jesus’ early ministry was in Galilee (14)
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
a) Jesus’ Baptism by John the Baptist took place in the south,
and there He also began to choose some of His disciples
b) but then He returned to the north where He had grown up;
there He performed His first recorded miracle, changing water
into wine at a wedding; there He began preaching the kingdom
of God and became known throughout the area
2. His method was what was standard (15a)
He taught in their synagogues ---.
a) for bringing sacrifices and for special occasions people had to
go to the temple in Jerusalem
b ) for worship at home they used their synagogues, their meeting
places, and there Jesus regularly taught the people
3. He was well received at this time (15)
He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
a) did some already know this was the Messiah, or were some
just impressed by His teaching and preaching style?
b) whatever, Jesus was praised here, praise that also changed
quickly; just a few verses after our text we are told that there
was an attempt to kill Jesus!
4. He gave us a custom to emulate (16a)
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom.
a) Jesus went to church every week; He never missed
b) we know there are times - sickness and other legitimate
reasons - when people cannot come to church every week
c) but members of St. Jacobi, look to Jesus’ example; come to
church regularly to hear God’s Word, to receive our Lord’s
Supper; and encourage and help fellow members who don’t
III SCRIPTURE FORETOLD WHAT TO EXPECT (16-19)
1. Here we are given the text Jesus used (16b-17a)
He went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him.
a) my sermon text today is from Luke chapter 4
b) Jesus’ text was recorded in Isaiah chapter 61 (OT reading)
2. It spoke of someone especially chosen (18a)
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me ---."
a) this would not be someone who took it on himself to say that
he was the Christ, the Anointed One, the Promised One
b) it would be someone anointed by the Spirit - aha! could this be
Jesus on whom the Spirit descended at Jesus’ Baptism?
3. It spoke of what His mission would be (18)
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed, ---."
a) this prophecy went beyond physical situations and spoke of
people who were poor before God and had nothing that could
pay off their debt from sin; who were prisoners of their sin and
could not break out; who were blind and could not see the truth
by themselves; who were oppressed by their own sins and by
what sin around them did to them and to others
b) the Anointed One’s mission would be to such people
4. It spoke of proclaiming the time for this (19)
" --- to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
a) over 4000 years had passed since God promised the Savior
b) people had waited for the fullness of time for this to come
c) prophecy said the Anointed One Himself would announce it
IV JESUS CLAIMED HE WAS THE FULFILLMENT (18-21)
1. Here the custom was to sit to preach (20a)
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down.
a) today we read the text and stay standing for the sermon
b) sitting or standing, the message is what is important
2. Jesus now made a tremendous claim (20b-21)
The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and
he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
a) many, also in recent times, have claimed to be the Christ
b) now Jesus claimed that He was - but could He prove it?
3. Consider how He fulfilled this and all prophecy (18-19)
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."
a) He fulfilled these specific words: He preached the good news
that He paid the price for sin we poor sinners could not pay off;
His perfect life and innocent death as our Substitute have set us
free from the prison of sin; His holy and precious Word has
opened our blind eyes to see the truth and released us from the
lies of the devil; and He continues to proclaim His Gospel of
salvation which makes every year and day of our lives a time of
His favor resting on us
b) do you want more proof that Jesus’ claim to be the Promised
One is valid? - think of how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of a
virgin birth, of Bethlehem as the birth place, of countless
physical healings of the sick and crippled and mute and blind, of
raising people from death to life, of His suffering and dying on
the cross, of His rising from the dead to be our Redeemer who
lives to be our resurrection and life; Jesus’ claim is valid, true!
4. Keep eyes and ears of faith fastened on Him (20b)
The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, ---.
a) some of these people later on may have turned away
b) may that never be the case with any of us
c) keep your eyes on Jesus who is God’s promised fulfillment;
keep your ears open to what He proclaims to us in His Word;
and use your lives to praise and serve Him
Today’s sermon theme has been: "AS JESUS BEGAN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY." That ministry was special. It was unique. And Jesus not only began it. He finished it! He is our Savior!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
EPIPHANY 2
January 17/18, 2010
Pastor Timothy J. Spaude
Text: John 2:1-11
“JESUS’ TIMING IS ALWAYS JUST RIGHT!”
John 2:1-11 (NIV) “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." 4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." 11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.”
You have to kind of wonder what was going through Mary’s mind as she raised her Savior. The beginning was filled with such excitement and extraordinary happenings. Gabriel appeared to her. Shepherds came with the story of the angel choir they’d seen in the sky. Simeon and Anna at the Temple with their thrilling and chilling words of praise and prophecy. Wise men came guided by a miracle star with expensive gifts. The Lord spoke to her husband Joseph in a dream. A flight to Egypt. A more orderly return to Nazareth in Galilee. There, life must have settled down to a very normal and predictable existence of raising Jesus and her family. While Jesus was a perfect boy He appeared to others as very average, so much so that when Jesus returned to Nazareth as Messiah they stumbled over their familiarity with His commonness. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” Mary must have wondered when Jesus would do what He was supposed to do. When would the time be right?
Things began to change when Jesus was about thirty years old. John the Baptist did his work. Jesus was baptized. He called some disciples to follow Him. Then a wedding took place. It was in Cana, a village about 10 miles north of Nazareth. Mary was invited. Jesus and His disciples were there too. Your typical marriage of the time consisted of the public announcement of the marriage, a waiting period when plans were made, preparations done and then the marriage festivities. The groom and his friends would go to the bride’s home, pick her up and escort her to the groom’s home where the bridesmaids were waiting, the guests and family members were waiting. Then you had a feast, a party. It could last several days. The groom and his family provided food and drink that entire time.
Here’s where the problem arose. They ran out of wine. We don’t know Mary’s relation to the bride or groom or their families. We do know Mary tried to help. “When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." What was Mary thinking? She had not seen Jesus do any miracles yet. Was this a subtle hint to get those guys following him to do something useful? We don’t know. We do know how Jesus responded. "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come." Now even though the form of address, “Dear woman” might sound a little harsh to our ears as a way for a man to address his mother it really wasn’t. Putting that aside though Jesus’ answer to her had to feel like rejection. But it wasn’t rejection. The timing was not right.
When the timing was right great things happened. “Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." Jesus did a miracle, His first miracle. He changed water into wine at just the right time with just the right result. “This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” Jesus’ timing is always just right.
Friends, that is a great and comforting truth from God for you to take with you the rest of this day and the rest of your life. Jesus’ timing is always just right. It’s true for every aspect of your life. “Jesus timing is always just right.”
That’s the main point. There are several sub truths to take with you to help you to apply this main truth:
1. No problem is too small to take to God. Running out of food and drink when you are entertaining is embarrassing at the moment, something to laugh about later on. Yet Mary was right. She laid that need before God. Just as there is no problem too big for God to handle there is also no problem too small.
2. God’s answer might seem like rejection but it is not. Pray, people, pray, like Mary did, presenting a need without telling the Lord how to fix it. When you don’t see an answer that is not God’s rejection. He has a better way. Just wait.
3. The Lord will solve your problem in the way that is best and often not in any way what you were expecting. We are so limited and often only come up with very human ways of fixing things. Give room for God to be God, apply His wisdom in the way that is best.
4. Often the world will not recognize the miracles God does but His people do. Ah the master of the ceremony. His response to the miracle of Jesus was to observe an apparent breaking of custom. Most in that room were oblivious to the glory of God at work. Sadly that’s the way most people are today too. Can’t explain it. How did that happen? We don’t have to be that way. When a mother and baby both are pronounced dead at Christmas and then come back to life we don’t have to look for other explanations. God does miracles.
5. God’s number one goal in all He does or allows is that we trust in Jesus as Savior. When Jesus did this miracle it was to reveal His glory to His disciples and to build up their faith in Him. This is also God’s goal in all He does and allows in this world. People need to trust Jesus to be saved for heaven. Our sin and their sin condemn them and us to Hell. Only Jesus makes the difference. That’s why God does what He does, allows what He allows and waits when He waits. Jesus’ timing is always just right.
Hold on to that truth brothers and sisters. When you find yourself struggling against a sin you just can’t seem to beat or a family member is and you worry and you pray and the answer you are getting from God feels like rejection, remember, Jesus’ timing is always just right. At just the right time, in just the right way, for the right result Jesus will come through in your time of need. When you have ill health or a loved one is dying or has died and you are wondering why, remember, Jesus’ timing is always just right. What is the need, the problem, big or small on your heart today? Got problems with friends? Uncertainty at work? Debt out of control? Marriage problems? Lonely? Carrying some hurt on your heart? Take it to Jesus. Remember at just the right time Jesus went up on the cross for you. At just the right time, when all sins, your sins were paid for, He gave up His life. At just the right time He rose to rule as your Savior. Though as the children learned, our eyes may not be able to see it, Jesus’ timing is always, just right! Amen.
January 17/18, 2010
Pastor Timothy J. Spaude
Text: John 2:1-11
“JESUS’ TIMING IS ALWAYS JUST RIGHT!”
John 2:1-11 (NIV) “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." 4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." 11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.”
You have to kind of wonder what was going through Mary’s mind as she raised her Savior. The beginning was filled with such excitement and extraordinary happenings. Gabriel appeared to her. Shepherds came with the story of the angel choir they’d seen in the sky. Simeon and Anna at the Temple with their thrilling and chilling words of praise and prophecy. Wise men came guided by a miracle star with expensive gifts. The Lord spoke to her husband Joseph in a dream. A flight to Egypt. A more orderly return to Nazareth in Galilee. There, life must have settled down to a very normal and predictable existence of raising Jesus and her family. While Jesus was a perfect boy He appeared to others as very average, so much so that when Jesus returned to Nazareth as Messiah they stumbled over their familiarity with His commonness. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” Mary must have wondered when Jesus would do what He was supposed to do. When would the time be right?
Things began to change when Jesus was about thirty years old. John the Baptist did his work. Jesus was baptized. He called some disciples to follow Him. Then a wedding took place. It was in Cana, a village about 10 miles north of Nazareth. Mary was invited. Jesus and His disciples were there too. Your typical marriage of the time consisted of the public announcement of the marriage, a waiting period when plans were made, preparations done and then the marriage festivities. The groom and his friends would go to the bride’s home, pick her up and escort her to the groom’s home where the bridesmaids were waiting, the guests and family members were waiting. Then you had a feast, a party. It could last several days. The groom and his family provided food and drink that entire time.
Here’s where the problem arose. They ran out of wine. We don’t know Mary’s relation to the bride or groom or their families. We do know Mary tried to help. “When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." What was Mary thinking? She had not seen Jesus do any miracles yet. Was this a subtle hint to get those guys following him to do something useful? We don’t know. We do know how Jesus responded. "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come." Now even though the form of address, “Dear woman” might sound a little harsh to our ears as a way for a man to address his mother it really wasn’t. Putting that aside though Jesus’ answer to her had to feel like rejection. But it wasn’t rejection. The timing was not right.
When the timing was right great things happened. “Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." Jesus did a miracle, His first miracle. He changed water into wine at just the right time with just the right result. “This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” Jesus’ timing is always just right.
Friends, that is a great and comforting truth from God for you to take with you the rest of this day and the rest of your life. Jesus’ timing is always just right. It’s true for every aspect of your life. “Jesus timing is always just right.”
That’s the main point. There are several sub truths to take with you to help you to apply this main truth:
1. No problem is too small to take to God. Running out of food and drink when you are entertaining is embarrassing at the moment, something to laugh about later on. Yet Mary was right. She laid that need before God. Just as there is no problem too big for God to handle there is also no problem too small.
2. God’s answer might seem like rejection but it is not. Pray, people, pray, like Mary did, presenting a need without telling the Lord how to fix it. When you don’t see an answer that is not God’s rejection. He has a better way. Just wait.
3. The Lord will solve your problem in the way that is best and often not in any way what you were expecting. We are so limited and often only come up with very human ways of fixing things. Give room for God to be God, apply His wisdom in the way that is best.
4. Often the world will not recognize the miracles God does but His people do. Ah the master of the ceremony. His response to the miracle of Jesus was to observe an apparent breaking of custom. Most in that room were oblivious to the glory of God at work. Sadly that’s the way most people are today too. Can’t explain it. How did that happen? We don’t have to be that way. When a mother and baby both are pronounced dead at Christmas and then come back to life we don’t have to look for other explanations. God does miracles.
5. God’s number one goal in all He does or allows is that we trust in Jesus as Savior. When Jesus did this miracle it was to reveal His glory to His disciples and to build up their faith in Him. This is also God’s goal in all He does and allows in this world. People need to trust Jesus to be saved for heaven. Our sin and their sin condemn them and us to Hell. Only Jesus makes the difference. That’s why God does what He does, allows what He allows and waits when He waits. Jesus’ timing is always just right.
Hold on to that truth brothers and sisters. When you find yourself struggling against a sin you just can’t seem to beat or a family member is and you worry and you pray and the answer you are getting from God feels like rejection, remember, Jesus’ timing is always just right. At just the right time, in just the right way, for the right result Jesus will come through in your time of need. When you have ill health or a loved one is dying or has died and you are wondering why, remember, Jesus’ timing is always just right. What is the need, the problem, big or small on your heart today? Got problems with friends? Uncertainty at work? Debt out of control? Marriage problems? Lonely? Carrying some hurt on your heart? Take it to Jesus. Remember at just the right time Jesus went up on the cross for you. At just the right time, when all sins, your sins were paid for, He gave up His life. At just the right time He rose to rule as your Savior. Though as the children learned, our eyes may not be able to see it, Jesus’ timing is always, just right! Amen.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
January 10/11, 2010
Pastor Waldschmidt
January 10th , 2010
JESUS WAS BAPTIZED TOO!
I. To Show He was the Savior.
II. To Do His Father’s Will.
In the name of Jesus, who was baptized too, dear fellow redeemed children of God;
It has been a while since I've heard of this, but I remember books and movies that showed the benefits of taking cod liver oil. I’ve never tried it, but I don’t think one of the benefits was the taste. In fact in the books and movies in my memory banks, I remember the mom or dad begging and pleading and finally offering “Daddy will take some too.” And as I recall Daddy was not real thrilled about being included.
God’s Word today takes us to the banks of the Jordan River. John the Baptist is there with his camel’s hair outfit clothes and his lunch box filled with locusts and wild honey. He is busy baptizing and preaching about a change of heart. John looks up and there is Jesus. He is now 30 years old and ready to begin his public ministry. You can imagine the crowds of people being baptized sort of parting as Jesus approached and then Jesus is baptized too. It’s not a painful dose of awful tasting medicine but instead it’s a beautiful part of God’s Word that brings comfort and peace. Jesus was baptized too! I. To show everyone he was the Savior. II. To do His Father’s will.
John talked with the people about repentance to get the people ready for Jesus coming. Now, I’m impressed seeing and hearing John the Baptist on the pages of scripture. The people who heard John preached must have been impressed too. Some of them wondered if John might himself be the Messiah. That’s one of the reasons Jesus was baptized too- To show everyone who the Savior was. “The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.” John certainly made an impression but at the baptism of Jesus, John made clear that God had someone far greater than him in mind. “John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
John’s job was simply to prepare the people for the coming of the Savior. The Messiah’s power and tools to do His work would be far greater than John’s. “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." The coming Messiah would not only be the Savior of the world who would send the Holy Spirit to strengthen His followers but as John points out will one day sit in judgment of the whole world. Jesus, not John, would be the one to follow! Jesus would be the one to listen to! Remember the time when John’s disciples came to him complaining that more people were following Jesus and John explained, “He must increase, I must decrease.” With the heavens open, as Jesus stood in the Jordan River praying, it was made clear to everyone that Jesus was the Savior.
Scripture says, “Be baptized and wash your sins away.” But Jesus didn’t have any sin. He was sinless. So why was it so important that he be baptized too. We got a clue about that in the Old Testament Lesson today. Remember that when God chose a prophet, a priest or a king for His people, they were anointed. When a person was anointed, God’s prophet would pour oil on their heads. This simple act was God’s way of telling everyone that the person who had been anointed had been reserved or set aside for a special job. In the case of David, he was set aside as the king. God didn’t hang a sign or badge on David to say he would be the next king but that’s the anointing showed everyone.
At Jesus’ baptism God showed everyone that He had set aside a descendant of King David for a special purpose – for a special job- to be the Savior of the world. There on the banks of the Jordan River God made clear to everyone that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. Jesus was the prophet who would proclaim freedom and forgiveness for those held captive by sin and death. Jesus was the priest who would sacrifice himself as full payment for the sins of the world. Jesus was the King who would fight for His people and win the victory over the devil. The scene there on the banks of the Jordan told everyone Jesus was the Savior. The disciple John records for us, John the Baptist’s reaction, “Then John gave this testimony; “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him. I would not have known him except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. I have seen and testify that this is the Son of God.”
I picture John the Baptist as kind of guy you might feel a little uncomfortable around. Not so much uncomfortable because of the way John looked. No I think it would have been interesting to find out how locusts taste or if the camel’s hair was scratchy. I think people would have been uncomfortable because of what John talked about. He talked plainly about sin and how uncomfortable it will be for sinners standing before the sinless one. No one could stay standing there thinking, “I glad the Messiah is coming to be the Savior for all those people. As for me I really don’t need a Savior. I haven’t been so bad.” John’s word burned in their hearts. “He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." King David later talked about our need for a Savior in one of his psalms. “Surely I was sinful from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”
No one can stand here this morning on the banks of Jacobi thinking “I’m glad Jesus came to be the Savior for those people. They sure need a Savior. As for me I haven’t been so bad.” John’s words burn in our hearts. “His winnowing fork is in his hand…He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” We need a Savior. Because of God’s grace we have a Savior in Jesus. Jesus being baptized showed everyone that Jesus was the Savior. At the same time John the Baptist made people comfortable because he talked to them and to you and me about our Savior. “And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.”
At first, John was sort of taken back when Jesus came to him to be baptized. The Gospels record his reaction, “John tried to deter Jesus, saying “I need to be baptized by you and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Right from the very beginning of His ministry Jesus ties himself to sinners. Remember the Bible said that “Jesus would be numbered with the transgressors.” No “t’s” would be left uncrossed, no “i” undotted in the plan of salvation God was now unfolding. . “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened.” Jesus was baptized too-to do His Father’s will.
Jesus was doing all things right in our place. Jesus does things right for us. As He begins His ministry, there He is, praying. Just think about that for a moment. Ask yourself how your prayer life is? Do we check in with our God at the beginning and end of the day or do we pop out of bed at the beginning of a new day of blessing without even a word of thanks or fall into bed at the end of a day with an acknowledgement that he was the one who got us through the day? Here’s Jesus, at the beginning of His ministry doing things right for us. The things we’ve failed to do right Jesus did right in our place. In God’s wonderful accounting book of grace, God transfers Jesus’ record for us.
Still today, tonight because of Jesus, it is because Jesus did His Father’s will that God opens heaven to us to hear our prayers. God stoops to hear the things that are on our minds and hearts. He tells us, “Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you will glorify me.”
Some might say that you are weak if you do what someone else wants you to do. Others have written that a person is weak if they have to pray. But look at Jesus! He is the one whose sandal shoe string John was not worthy to untie but yet here He is praying- here He is doing His Father’s will.”
And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Here we can see God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit all working together. No person of the Trinity is going rogue. No, your salvation and my salvation was the something that Three in One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, worked out. Jesus was indeed carrying our His Father’s will.
Some might wonder how this event in the squishy mud of the Jordan River has an effect on us. In Baptism God tied you and me to Jesus in faith. This one who is the Savior is your Savior. This one who did the Father’s will did it in your place. All of the events of Christmas with the angels and the manger and the shepherds and the wisemen- benefit you. Jesus went to Calvaryt for you. You are tied to Jesus. You are a member of God’s family. God says of you “This is my son or daughter.” He looks at those trusting in Jesus with His Jesus’ glasses on and says, “With Him I am well pleased.”
Are you feeling a little alone lately? Maybe all your friends and much of your family has gone home to heaven. Maybe you are feeling like sort of an outcast from your family, like you don’t fit in. Trusting in that one who was baptized too, you are a member of God’s family.
They say the Jordan River plunges downhill at a furious pace, falling nine feet per mile. The 158-mile river begins in the snows of Mount Herman at a point 260 feet above sea level. By the time it empties into the Dead Sea, at a point 1,287 feet below sea level, the water has reached the lowest point on earth. At the high points of life and at the low points of life we can take comfort from something that happened in the Jordan River. Jesus was baptized too! Amen.
January 10th , 2010
JESUS WAS BAPTIZED TOO!
I. To Show He was the Savior.
II. To Do His Father’s Will.
In the name of Jesus, who was baptized too, dear fellow redeemed children of God;
It has been a while since I've heard of this, but I remember books and movies that showed the benefits of taking cod liver oil. I’ve never tried it, but I don’t think one of the benefits was the taste. In fact in the books and movies in my memory banks, I remember the mom or dad begging and pleading and finally offering “Daddy will take some too.” And as I recall Daddy was not real thrilled about being included.
God’s Word today takes us to the banks of the Jordan River. John the Baptist is there with his camel’s hair outfit clothes and his lunch box filled with locusts and wild honey. He is busy baptizing and preaching about a change of heart. John looks up and there is Jesus. He is now 30 years old and ready to begin his public ministry. You can imagine the crowds of people being baptized sort of parting as Jesus approached and then Jesus is baptized too. It’s not a painful dose of awful tasting medicine but instead it’s a beautiful part of God’s Word that brings comfort and peace. Jesus was baptized too! I. To show everyone he was the Savior. II. To do His Father’s will.
John talked with the people about repentance to get the people ready for Jesus coming. Now, I’m impressed seeing and hearing John the Baptist on the pages of scripture. The people who heard John preached must have been impressed too. Some of them wondered if John might himself be the Messiah. That’s one of the reasons Jesus was baptized too- To show everyone who the Savior was. “The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.” John certainly made an impression but at the baptism of Jesus, John made clear that God had someone far greater than him in mind. “John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
John’s job was simply to prepare the people for the coming of the Savior. The Messiah’s power and tools to do His work would be far greater than John’s. “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." The coming Messiah would not only be the Savior of the world who would send the Holy Spirit to strengthen His followers but as John points out will one day sit in judgment of the whole world. Jesus, not John, would be the one to follow! Jesus would be the one to listen to! Remember the time when John’s disciples came to him complaining that more people were following Jesus and John explained, “He must increase, I must decrease.” With the heavens open, as Jesus stood in the Jordan River praying, it was made clear to everyone that Jesus was the Savior.
Scripture says, “Be baptized and wash your sins away.” But Jesus didn’t have any sin. He was sinless. So why was it so important that he be baptized too. We got a clue about that in the Old Testament Lesson today. Remember that when God chose a prophet, a priest or a king for His people, they were anointed. When a person was anointed, God’s prophet would pour oil on their heads. This simple act was God’s way of telling everyone that the person who had been anointed had been reserved or set aside for a special job. In the case of David, he was set aside as the king. God didn’t hang a sign or badge on David to say he would be the next king but that’s the anointing showed everyone.
At Jesus’ baptism God showed everyone that He had set aside a descendant of King David for a special purpose – for a special job- to be the Savior of the world. There on the banks of the Jordan River God made clear to everyone that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. Jesus was the prophet who would proclaim freedom and forgiveness for those held captive by sin and death. Jesus was the priest who would sacrifice himself as full payment for the sins of the world. Jesus was the King who would fight for His people and win the victory over the devil. The scene there on the banks of the Jordan told everyone Jesus was the Savior. The disciple John records for us, John the Baptist’s reaction, “Then John gave this testimony; “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him. I would not have known him except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. I have seen and testify that this is the Son of God.”
I picture John the Baptist as kind of guy you might feel a little uncomfortable around. Not so much uncomfortable because of the way John looked. No I think it would have been interesting to find out how locusts taste or if the camel’s hair was scratchy. I think people would have been uncomfortable because of what John talked about. He talked plainly about sin and how uncomfortable it will be for sinners standing before the sinless one. No one could stay standing there thinking, “I glad the Messiah is coming to be the Savior for all those people. As for me I really don’t need a Savior. I haven’t been so bad.” John’s word burned in their hearts. “He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." King David later talked about our need for a Savior in one of his psalms. “Surely I was sinful from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”
No one can stand here this morning on the banks of Jacobi thinking “I’m glad Jesus came to be the Savior for those people. They sure need a Savior. As for me I haven’t been so bad.” John’s words burn in our hearts. “His winnowing fork is in his hand…He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” We need a Savior. Because of God’s grace we have a Savior in Jesus. Jesus being baptized showed everyone that Jesus was the Savior. At the same time John the Baptist made people comfortable because he talked to them and to you and me about our Savior. “And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.”
At first, John was sort of taken back when Jesus came to him to be baptized. The Gospels record his reaction, “John tried to deter Jesus, saying “I need to be baptized by you and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Right from the very beginning of His ministry Jesus ties himself to sinners. Remember the Bible said that “Jesus would be numbered with the transgressors.” No “t’s” would be left uncrossed, no “i” undotted in the plan of salvation God was now unfolding. . “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened.” Jesus was baptized too-to do His Father’s will.
Jesus was doing all things right in our place. Jesus does things right for us. As He begins His ministry, there He is, praying. Just think about that for a moment. Ask yourself how your prayer life is? Do we check in with our God at the beginning and end of the day or do we pop out of bed at the beginning of a new day of blessing without even a word of thanks or fall into bed at the end of a day with an acknowledgement that he was the one who got us through the day? Here’s Jesus, at the beginning of His ministry doing things right for us. The things we’ve failed to do right Jesus did right in our place. In God’s wonderful accounting book of grace, God transfers Jesus’ record for us.
Still today, tonight because of Jesus, it is because Jesus did His Father’s will that God opens heaven to us to hear our prayers. God stoops to hear the things that are on our minds and hearts. He tells us, “Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you will glorify me.”
Some might say that you are weak if you do what someone else wants you to do. Others have written that a person is weak if they have to pray. But look at Jesus! He is the one whose sandal shoe string John was not worthy to untie but yet here He is praying- here He is doing His Father’s will.”
And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Here we can see God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit all working together. No person of the Trinity is going rogue. No, your salvation and my salvation was the something that Three in One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, worked out. Jesus was indeed carrying our His Father’s will.
Some might wonder how this event in the squishy mud of the Jordan River has an effect on us. In Baptism God tied you and me to Jesus in faith. This one who is the Savior is your Savior. This one who did the Father’s will did it in your place. All of the events of Christmas with the angels and the manger and the shepherds and the wisemen- benefit you. Jesus went to Calvaryt for you. You are tied to Jesus. You are a member of God’s family. God says of you “This is my son or daughter.” He looks at those trusting in Jesus with His Jesus’ glasses on and says, “With Him I am well pleased.”
Are you feeling a little alone lately? Maybe all your friends and much of your family has gone home to heaven. Maybe you are feeling like sort of an outcast from your family, like you don’t fit in. Trusting in that one who was baptized too, you are a member of God’s family.
They say the Jordan River plunges downhill at a furious pace, falling nine feet per mile. The 158-mile river begins in the snows of Mount Herman at a point 260 feet above sea level. By the time it empties into the Dead Sea, at a point 1,287 feet below sea level, the water has reached the lowest point on earth. At the high points of life and at the low points of life we can take comfort from something that happened in the Jordan River. Jesus was baptized too! Amen.
Monday, January 4, 2010
EPIPHANY
January 3/4, 2010
Pastor Timothy J. Spaude
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
"LESSONS LEARNED FROM WISE MEN!"
1. Seek the Lord.
2. Find the Lord.
3. Worship the Lord.
4. Obey the Lord.
Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV) "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem {2} and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." {3} When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. {4} When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. {5} "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: {6} "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' " {7} Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. {8} He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." {9} After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. {10} When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. {11} On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. {12} And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."
There are several different ways to define wisdom or smarts. Those who know how to get things done legally or illegally, to survive in a dog eat dog environment are known as being street smart. Several outwardly successful businessmen like Michael Dell, Paul Allen and Bill Gates never went to college but they are obviously business smart. Then there are the book smart people, intellectuals who prosper in the academic fields. Then there is good old common sense which often seems to be uncommon but is most often displayed by those who have lived a while. Wise is the child who learns sooner rather than later that the older you get the smarter your parents become. In the Bible it God says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Since that’s true we get to turn to the account of some men who demonstrated that kind of wisdom and are aptly named “The Wise Men.” Let’s learn from them.
If we do the first thing we’ll learn is that it is wise to seek the Lord. The wise men did. "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem {2} and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." The actual origin of these wise men is unknown. Best guess is they came from what had been Babylon and that they had heard about the Lord and the coming Messiah from what had been passed down from Daniel the wise man whom God used as a prophet in that land. Whatever their origin, their title, Magi, indicates they were smart men, excelling in mathematics and astronomy and probably many other things too. But that’s not what made them wise. This did. They came seeking the Lord, the one born, king of the Jews. How long did they travel? Months? A year? How much did it cost them? No matter. They were seeking the Lord.
We join the ranks of the wise men when we do too. I’m not talking about showing up at church occasionally or even weekly as long as it’s convenient. I’m talking about putting some work, some time, some effort, like the wise men. Praying on a daily basis, “Show me your will, O Lord, teach me what you want me to do. Tell me what you want me to believe.” Make it your goal to know Him more clearly, love Him more dearly and follow Him more nearly this year. Wise men seek the Lord.
If you do, you will find the Lord, as they did. “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. {4} When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. {5} "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: {6} "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.” These wise men showed they had more than Godly wisdom. They actually stopped to ask for directions. They knew a king had been born so they naturally came to the capital city. The not so wise King Herod asked some not so wise chief priests and teachers of the law where to find the newborn king. They found out where in the Bible. Now even though the chief priests and teachers of the law knew where to find the Lord, they didn’t go there. That’s not very smart, is it?
If you know where the Lord is to be found why wouldn’t you go see Him? Are you smart? Do you know where to find the Lord? Sure you do! He’s there for you every day, in the Word. Please, people of God, follow through on that desire you have to be someone with a daily devotional habit, reading your Bible or a good Bible based devotional book. You will find your Lord there waiting to speak to you, waiting to talk with you. It’s a wise thing to do for wise men find the Lord.
Wise men worship the Lord. “Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. {8} He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." {9} After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. {10} When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. {11} On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” When these wise men found the Lord they worshipped Him. They used what was at their disposal to show others that this baby was their number one. They used gold, incense and myrrh.
What can you use to worship the Lord? What has God put at your disposal? I’m reminded of the Christmas song, “The Little Drummer Boy.” Do you know it? Did you see the claymation version of DVD or TV? “I played my drum for him, I played my best for him.” There it is, there’s worship. Not the best. No one can give God the best. My best for Him. There’s worship. Devoting yourself to the Lord. He gets my best time. My best effort. My best of what God has put into my hands to give for Him. Wise men worship the Lord.
Wise men obey the Lord. “And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." You heard before the command from Herod. The wise men were to return to Herod and let him know where they found the newborn king. The wise men did not obey Herod. They obeyed the Lord not King Herod. Why? Because they were wise men and the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. They respected the Lord more than King Herod. They feared more the punishment of God than the mistreatment of man. Wise men obeyed the Lord.
Let’s obey Him too. Brothers and sisters, we have the blessing of true teaching in this church. We got it right that our God is so wonderful forgiveness is free. God’s grace is astounding, how He keeps forgiving us. But what does it say to others when we are careless in our obedience to this wonderful Lord? What does it say when we zealously obey His commands? Wise men, those with God’s wisdom living in them, obey the Lord. They care more about what He thinks than what anybody else does.
They know they are dealing with their Lord. The wise men, what did they see when they got to Bethlehem? They saw just a little boy, a baby no more than 2 years old. He didn’t do any tricks for them, no levitation, no glow around his head. But that didn’t make them stumble. This was the Lord. So you too, don’t stumble over your Lord. While He could make all your illnesses go away and give you great wealth, while He could perform miracle upon miracle, what He’s most concerned with is that you are with Him now and in heaven. So that could be He gladly was punished for your sin. He is first and foremost your Savior. Wise men, women and children know this so they seek Him, find Him, worship Him and obey Him. Amen.
January 3/4, 2010
Pastor Timothy J. Spaude
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
"LESSONS LEARNED FROM WISE MEN!"
1. Seek the Lord.
2. Find the Lord.
3. Worship the Lord.
4. Obey the Lord.
Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV) "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem {2} and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." {3} When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. {4} When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. {5} "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: {6} "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' " {7} Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. {8} He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." {9} After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. {10} When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. {11} On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. {12} And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."
There are several different ways to define wisdom or smarts. Those who know how to get things done legally or illegally, to survive in a dog eat dog environment are known as being street smart. Several outwardly successful businessmen like Michael Dell, Paul Allen and Bill Gates never went to college but they are obviously business smart. Then there are the book smart people, intellectuals who prosper in the academic fields. Then there is good old common sense which often seems to be uncommon but is most often displayed by those who have lived a while. Wise is the child who learns sooner rather than later that the older you get the smarter your parents become. In the Bible it God says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Since that’s true we get to turn to the account of some men who demonstrated that kind of wisdom and are aptly named “The Wise Men.” Let’s learn from them.
If we do the first thing we’ll learn is that it is wise to seek the Lord. The wise men did. "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem {2} and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." The actual origin of these wise men is unknown. Best guess is they came from what had been Babylon and that they had heard about the Lord and the coming Messiah from what had been passed down from Daniel the wise man whom God used as a prophet in that land. Whatever their origin, their title, Magi, indicates they were smart men, excelling in mathematics and astronomy and probably many other things too. But that’s not what made them wise. This did. They came seeking the Lord, the one born, king of the Jews. How long did they travel? Months? A year? How much did it cost them? No matter. They were seeking the Lord.
We join the ranks of the wise men when we do too. I’m not talking about showing up at church occasionally or even weekly as long as it’s convenient. I’m talking about putting some work, some time, some effort, like the wise men. Praying on a daily basis, “Show me your will, O Lord, teach me what you want me to do. Tell me what you want me to believe.” Make it your goal to know Him more clearly, love Him more dearly and follow Him more nearly this year. Wise men seek the Lord.
If you do, you will find the Lord, as they did. “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. {4} When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. {5} "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: {6} "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.” These wise men showed they had more than Godly wisdom. They actually stopped to ask for directions. They knew a king had been born so they naturally came to the capital city. The not so wise King Herod asked some not so wise chief priests and teachers of the law where to find the newborn king. They found out where in the Bible. Now even though the chief priests and teachers of the law knew where to find the Lord, they didn’t go there. That’s not very smart, is it?
If you know where the Lord is to be found why wouldn’t you go see Him? Are you smart? Do you know where to find the Lord? Sure you do! He’s there for you every day, in the Word. Please, people of God, follow through on that desire you have to be someone with a daily devotional habit, reading your Bible or a good Bible based devotional book. You will find your Lord there waiting to speak to you, waiting to talk with you. It’s a wise thing to do for wise men find the Lord.
Wise men worship the Lord. “Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. {8} He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." {9} After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. {10} When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. {11} On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” When these wise men found the Lord they worshipped Him. They used what was at their disposal to show others that this baby was their number one. They used gold, incense and myrrh.
What can you use to worship the Lord? What has God put at your disposal? I’m reminded of the Christmas song, “The Little Drummer Boy.” Do you know it? Did you see the claymation version of DVD or TV? “I played my drum for him, I played my best for him.” There it is, there’s worship. Not the best. No one can give God the best. My best for Him. There’s worship. Devoting yourself to the Lord. He gets my best time. My best effort. My best of what God has put into my hands to give for Him. Wise men worship the Lord.
Wise men obey the Lord. “And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." You heard before the command from Herod. The wise men were to return to Herod and let him know where they found the newborn king. The wise men did not obey Herod. They obeyed the Lord not King Herod. Why? Because they were wise men and the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. They respected the Lord more than King Herod. They feared more the punishment of God than the mistreatment of man. Wise men obeyed the Lord.
Let’s obey Him too. Brothers and sisters, we have the blessing of true teaching in this church. We got it right that our God is so wonderful forgiveness is free. God’s grace is astounding, how He keeps forgiving us. But what does it say to others when we are careless in our obedience to this wonderful Lord? What does it say when we zealously obey His commands? Wise men, those with God’s wisdom living in them, obey the Lord. They care more about what He thinks than what anybody else does.
They know they are dealing with their Lord. The wise men, what did they see when they got to Bethlehem? They saw just a little boy, a baby no more than 2 years old. He didn’t do any tricks for them, no levitation, no glow around his head. But that didn’t make them stumble. This was the Lord. So you too, don’t stumble over your Lord. While He could make all your illnesses go away and give you great wealth, while He could perform miracle upon miracle, what He’s most concerned with is that you are with Him now and in heaven. So that could be He gladly was punished for your sin. He is first and foremost your Savior. Wise men, women and children know this so they seek Him, find Him, worship Him and obey Him. Amen.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
December 27/28, 2009 Christmas 1
Pastor Paul G. Eckert
Sermon text - Hebrews 2:10-18
10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises." 13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me." 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he 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. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jacob became Esau. Or did he? Do you remember this Old Testament account starting with Genesis chapter 25? I’ll try to summarize it. You might want to read all of it in your Bible at home.
Jacob and Esau were the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Abraham was Isaac’s father and their grandfather. Esau was the first of the two to be born. At that time special birthright benefits went with being the firstborn. But Esau despised that one day when he was older and hungry, and traded with his slightly younger brother the birthright for a special meal - what foolishness on his part.
But now the problem. How was Jacob going to get his father Isaac, who did not know about the trade, to give him the special birthright blessing? Isaac still would think of Esau first. Aha, here is where deception came in. For this deception, Jacob had the help of his mother Rebekah. They took advantage of the fact that father Isaac was old now and his eyesight was not good. So Jacob and his mother took various measures to trick the father into thinking that Jacob was Esau. In a way, then, we could say that Jacob became Esau, and in this way, by deception, Jacob received the blessing.
The results? For Jacob much trouble. His brother became his enemy. Jacob had to flee to get away from him. God, however, was in control and used what had happened for His good purposes, leading up to the birth in Bethlehem which we just celebrated.
Jacob became Esau? In a deceiving sense yes. But actually no. Now let’s look at the birth in Bethlehem and see something that was actual. What we have just celebrated in Christmas is no deception whatsoever. In a very real sense we can say:
THE SON OF GOD BECAME ONE OF US
I THE MIRACLE OF THIS (10,14a,17a)
1. God’s plan was for our glory (10a)
In bringing many sons to glory, ---.
a) what does sin call for, sin like deceiving, cheating, lying?
b) God wanted glory for us; but the wages of sin is not glory
2. For that someone had to suffer and die (10)
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
a) the wages of sin is suffering, not glory; death, not glory
b) the problem is that our suffering and dying cannot pay for sin,
our suffering and dying can do nothing but lead us to the
deserved penalty of hell; yet suffering and dying were prices
that had to be paid; if someone was going to author salvation,
write an account whose last chapter was glory, there would
have to be a suffering and death that could actually pay for sin
3. That is why God’s Son became incarnate (14a,17a)
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity ---. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, ---.
a) could a person without a Green Bay Packers uniform on, go
into the game and be a valid substitute? No
b) so also if Jesus was going to substitute for a world of human
beings He had to have the flesh and blood uniform of a human
being, He had to be able to compete as one of us, He had to be
able to suffer and able to pay the wages of sin in our place
4. This incarnation we have just celebrated
a) no, Jacob did not really become Esau
b) but here is the miracle: Jesus did really become one of us;
Jesus was born of the virgin Mary and took on Himself our
flesh and blood, flesh and blood that could suffer and die
c) what have we just celebrated - an ordinary baby? by no
means; our Christmas observances celebrated the miracle of
God’s eternal Son becoming one of us to bring us to glory
II THE REASON FOR THIS (14-16,17b)
1. There was a terrible power over us (14)
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil ---.
a) God has not yet revealed to us all details about what happened
to His perfect creation; but we do know that God created
angels who also were perfect, that in their free will at that time
some rebelled against God, that they were rejected, that their
leader the devil then tried to get Adam and Eve to join him and
his crew, and that he succeeded in doing that
b) we also know that by the fall into sin all of the descendants of
Adam and Eve, by having the devil as their leader, have a
leader who has brought us all under the control of death and
removed any hope of glory by anything we could do
2. From this we needed freedom (14b-16)
--- so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.
a) the good angels, confirmed in their bliss, did not need help
b) people like you and me, human beings, we needed the help
3. Jesus was able to help, to make atonement (17b)
--- that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
a) how could Jesus do this when we say nobody else can?
b) it is because Jesus was and is God’s Son; while all you and I
could do would be to bring an IOU to God, He was able to
bring a perfect payment that could satisfy God’s justice
4. This is what we really have been celebrating
a) if all you saw in Christmas was parties and gifts and some time
off, then you didn’t see what a true Christmas celebrates
b) if all you saw in a manger was a baby who was an ordinary
baby, then you had no reason to rejoice over that baby
c) but when you in faith have seen the Son of God incarnate,
the Son of God who became one of us, then you did celebrate
Christmas with real meaning and with real joy
III THE RESULTS OF THIS (11-14,17-18)
1. Jesus’ atonement makes us holy (11a)
Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.
a) Jesus’ perfect life covers our imperfect lives, Jesus’ innocent
death canceled out our deserved eternal separation from God
b) marvel at this: what Jesus did makes us holy in God’s sight
2. Jesus wasn’t and isn’t ashamed of us (11-13)
Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."
And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says,
"Here am I, and the children God has given me."
a) this is amazing! we still are sinners by nature, yet Jesus as our
brother sees us as members of His family
b) in our weakness we still fall into sins by omission and
commission, by word and deed and thought, and Jesus looks at
us and says He is not ashamed of us - amazing! what grace!
3. He continues to intercede for us and help us (17-18)
For this reason he 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.
a) we are tempted; He was too; He can understand and help us
b) and when we fall into sin Jesus is there for us before God’s
throne, successfully pleading our case because He made
atonement for our sins, all of them - what mercy and grace!
4. Don’t put any of these truths away after Christmas
a) put away your trees, put away all of the Christmas
decorations, go back to your normal routine of life
b) but never stop marveling at the truth that THE SON OF
GOD BECAME ONE OF US to be our Savior
c) the results of this give joy and peace in our hearts every day,
and promise us the sure hope of glory in heaven one day
Jacob could not become Esau, though he tried. We cannot become holy people with our efforts or money, no matter how much we try.
But because THE SON OF GOD BECAME ONE OF US, because with His perfect life and innocent atoning death He paid for our sins to forgive us and victoriously defeated death to be our Resurrection and Life, because of all of this He has made us holy in God’s sight, members of His family. He, the author of our salvation, has written our names in the book of life, with the last chapter being glory for us with Him. That’s what we really celebrated in Christmas.
Pastor Paul G. Eckert
Sermon text - Hebrews 2:10-18
10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises." 13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me." 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he 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. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jacob became Esau. Or did he? Do you remember this Old Testament account starting with Genesis chapter 25? I’ll try to summarize it. You might want to read all of it in your Bible at home.
Jacob and Esau were the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Abraham was Isaac’s father and their grandfather. Esau was the first of the two to be born. At that time special birthright benefits went with being the firstborn. But Esau despised that one day when he was older and hungry, and traded with his slightly younger brother the birthright for a special meal - what foolishness on his part.
But now the problem. How was Jacob going to get his father Isaac, who did not know about the trade, to give him the special birthright blessing? Isaac still would think of Esau first. Aha, here is where deception came in. For this deception, Jacob had the help of his mother Rebekah. They took advantage of the fact that father Isaac was old now and his eyesight was not good. So Jacob and his mother took various measures to trick the father into thinking that Jacob was Esau. In a way, then, we could say that Jacob became Esau, and in this way, by deception, Jacob received the blessing.
The results? For Jacob much trouble. His brother became his enemy. Jacob had to flee to get away from him. God, however, was in control and used what had happened for His good purposes, leading up to the birth in Bethlehem which we just celebrated.
Jacob became Esau? In a deceiving sense yes. But actually no. Now let’s look at the birth in Bethlehem and see something that was actual. What we have just celebrated in Christmas is no deception whatsoever. In a very real sense we can say:
THE SON OF GOD BECAME ONE OF US
I THE MIRACLE OF THIS (10,14a,17a)
1. God’s plan was for our glory (10a)
In bringing many sons to glory, ---.
a) what does sin call for, sin like deceiving, cheating, lying?
b) God wanted glory for us; but the wages of sin is not glory
2. For that someone had to suffer and die (10)
In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
a) the wages of sin is suffering, not glory; death, not glory
b) the problem is that our suffering and dying cannot pay for sin,
our suffering and dying can do nothing but lead us to the
deserved penalty of hell; yet suffering and dying were prices
that had to be paid; if someone was going to author salvation,
write an account whose last chapter was glory, there would
have to be a suffering and death that could actually pay for sin
3. That is why God’s Son became incarnate (14a,17a)
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity ---. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, ---.
a) could a person without a Green Bay Packers uniform on, go
into the game and be a valid substitute? No
b) so also if Jesus was going to substitute for a world of human
beings He had to have the flesh and blood uniform of a human
being, He had to be able to compete as one of us, He had to be
able to suffer and able to pay the wages of sin in our place
4. This incarnation we have just celebrated
a) no, Jacob did not really become Esau
b) but here is the miracle: Jesus did really become one of us;
Jesus was born of the virgin Mary and took on Himself our
flesh and blood, flesh and blood that could suffer and die
c) what have we just celebrated - an ordinary baby? by no
means; our Christmas observances celebrated the miracle of
God’s eternal Son becoming one of us to bring us to glory
II THE REASON FOR THIS (14-16,17b)
1. There was a terrible power over us (14)
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil ---.
a) God has not yet revealed to us all details about what happened
to His perfect creation; but we do know that God created
angels who also were perfect, that in their free will at that time
some rebelled against God, that they were rejected, that their
leader the devil then tried to get Adam and Eve to join him and
his crew, and that he succeeded in doing that
b) we also know that by the fall into sin all of the descendants of
Adam and Eve, by having the devil as their leader, have a
leader who has brought us all under the control of death and
removed any hope of glory by anything we could do
2. From this we needed freedom (14b-16)
--- so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil - and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.
a) the good angels, confirmed in their bliss, did not need help
b) people like you and me, human beings, we needed the help
3. Jesus was able to help, to make atonement (17b)
--- that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
a) how could Jesus do this when we say nobody else can?
b) it is because Jesus was and is God’s Son; while all you and I
could do would be to bring an IOU to God, He was able to
bring a perfect payment that could satisfy God’s justice
4. This is what we really have been celebrating
a) if all you saw in Christmas was parties and gifts and some time
off, then you didn’t see what a true Christmas celebrates
b) if all you saw in a manger was a baby who was an ordinary
baby, then you had no reason to rejoice over that baby
c) but when you in faith have seen the Son of God incarnate,
the Son of God who became one of us, then you did celebrate
Christmas with real meaning and with real joy
III THE RESULTS OF THIS (11-14,17-18)
1. Jesus’ atonement makes us holy (11a)
Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.
a) Jesus’ perfect life covers our imperfect lives, Jesus’ innocent
death canceled out our deserved eternal separation from God
b) marvel at this: what Jesus did makes us holy in God’s sight
2. Jesus wasn’t and isn’t ashamed of us (11-13)
Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."
And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says,
"Here am I, and the children God has given me."
a) this is amazing! we still are sinners by nature, yet Jesus as our
brother sees us as members of His family
b) in our weakness we still fall into sins by omission and
commission, by word and deed and thought, and Jesus looks at
us and says He is not ashamed of us - amazing! what grace!
3. He continues to intercede for us and help us (17-18)
For this reason he 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.
a) we are tempted; He was too; He can understand and help us
b) and when we fall into sin Jesus is there for us before God’s
throne, successfully pleading our case because He made
atonement for our sins, all of them - what mercy and grace!
4. Don’t put any of these truths away after Christmas
a) put away your trees, put away all of the Christmas
decorations, go back to your normal routine of life
b) but never stop marveling at the truth that THE SON OF
GOD BECAME ONE OF US to be our Savior
c) the results of this give joy and peace in our hearts every day,
and promise us the sure hope of glory in heaven one day
Jacob could not become Esau, though he tried. We cannot become holy people with our efforts or money, no matter how much we try.
But because THE SON OF GOD BECAME ONE OF US, because with His perfect life and innocent atoning death He paid for our sins to forgive us and victoriously defeated death to be our Resurrection and Life, because of all of this He has made us holy in God’s sight, members of His family. He, the author of our salvation, has written our names in the book of life, with the last chapter being glory for us with Him. That’s what we really celebrated in Christmas.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sermon for Sunday December 20th, 2009
Luke 1:39-45
Our Hearts Leap With Joy!
I. Jesus is in our midst
II. The Lord has done what he promised!
In the name of Jesus, our Savior and King, dear fellow redeemed children of God;
There is a picture hanging in our living room from the wedding we had in our family last summer. The pictures were taken by a fountain where the photographer encouraged everyone in the wedding party, which included all of our children, to jump up in the air all at once. The photographer did a great jump because she caught everyone right at the top of their leap- some even kicking up their heels. It was a happy day. When we look at that picture, while we might not do any of the “Toyota” leaps in the air, it does make our hearts leap for joy. Leaping for joy - that’s our theme for today as we gather on this Sunday before Christmas. Today in God’s Word we hear about a baby who jumped for joy in his mothers’ womb when Jesus came into the room still in Mary’s womb. Jesus and all he has done for us make our hearts leap for joy I. Because Jesus is in our midst and II. The Lord has done what he promised for us.
In the verses just before our text, the angel Gabriel had given the virgin Mary some very unexpected but happy news. The angel told Mary, “Don’t be afraid, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus.” The angel went on to Mary’s amazement, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Mary was going to have a baby, even though she was a virgin, and the child she would bear would be the Son of God.
The angel assured Mary that nothing is impossible with God. The angel also added the astounding news that Mary’s relative Elizabeth was also pregnant even though she was no past the time when she would normally have children. Elizabeth of course was the mother of John the Baptist.
To all of this spectacular news Mary replies, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” After the angel left Mary, the Bible tells us, “Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.” Mary made the trip from Nazareth to the hill country of Judah to compare notes with Elizabeth who the angel had also said was going to give birth to miracle baby.
Mary wasn’t going to Elizabeth’s house to express doubt or skepticism like, “you know the strangest thing happened to me the other day.” No Mary went to the house of Elizabeth to share her joy and excitement that the Lord was going to fulfill the promises he made in the Old Testament- that he would sent the Messiah, the long awaited Savior. Mary stayed at the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah for about three months. During this time she may have cared for Elizabeth who was in the later stages of her pregnancy.
We’re told that “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among woman and blessed is the child you will bear. But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” We see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in both Elizabeth and the baby John the Baptist. By a miracle of the Holy Spirit, the unborn person John the Baptist leaps with joy when the God man, the Savior comes into the room still in his mother’s womb.
We can also see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in Elizabeth. God’s word tells us that she was filled with the Holy Spirit and the Bible says, “No one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit enabled her to identify Mary as the mother of her Savior and to confess Jesus as the promised Messiah, even before Mary has a chance to explain what the angel had told her.
God’s word tells us that John the Baptist leaped for joy in the presence of Jesus. Jesus is present with us everywhere that we go. Do we always leap for joy in the presence of the Savior? When we’ve asked Jesus to come and be our guest at the dinner table do we ever sink to saying hurtful things to our family. When we’ve asked Jesus to walk with us have we even gotten down into the gutter of listening to or telling dirty jokes? Do we ask Jesus to ride along with us in the car and then listen casually to songs with lyrics that might peel the paint off the wall? These and all our many sins make us blush with shame and stain our pillows with tears of sorrow. We all must say with Paul, “What a wretched man I am.” We could all say with St. Peter, “Go away from me Lord for I am a sinful man.”
But that’s not what Jesus does. He came into this world as the Savior so that we could be with him in heaven. He became flesh to bless the whole world. Elizabeth tells Mary, “Blessed are you and blessed is the child you will bear.” Mary and the whole world would be blessed through the baby who was laid in Bethlehem’s manger. When Jesus died on the cross, the full and free forgiveness of sins was offered to everyone through faith in Christ Jesus. Jesus brings countless blessings to us through what he did on Christmas, Good Friday and Easter and all the days in between. Now this one who pours down blessings upon us directs our lives for us.
Our hearts can leap for joy because Jesus is with us as we sit down to eat and pray, “Come Lord Jesus be our guest….” Jesus is there with his blessings and shares the happy times with us and our families. Jesus is there as we feel hurt, frustrated and lonely. Yes, we have many reasons to leap for joy because Jesus is in our midst.
Elizabeth asked, “Why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? “ Certainly we too when we look at everything the Lord has done for us have to ask, “Why am I so favored?” God’s undeserved love is the only answer to that question. In his grace God promised that he was going to send a Savior. By God’s grace he fulfilled all of these promises. This gives us our second reason to leap for joy. God has done what he promised.
“Blessed are you among women and blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Here the Bible highlights for us the faith God had given to Mary. Here is a young girl, pregnant not by a human father but by the Holy Spirit. I am sure she faced many jeers from unbelieving neighbors and friends, not to mention what her fiancée Joseph might say. Human reason must have screamed in her ear, “This can’t be happening to me.” Still Mary put her faith in the simple words and promises of God. By faith Mary recognized that she would bear the Savior promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “The mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name….He has helped his servant Israel remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”
The words of Elizabeth, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished” really apply to each one of us. All of us are certainly blessed when by the power of the Holy Spirit we believe the words and promises of God. We are blessed because Jesus has brought us peace with God and we can look forward to an eternity of peace with God. We are blessed when we believe the words of our Old testament lesson for today that out of Bethlehem- that little town- would come one will be ruler over Israel whose origins are from of old from ancient times who will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord.” We are blessed as we put our trust in the Good Shepherd who in all things works for the good of those who love him.
The other day I listened to a talk show about what not to get your spouse for Christmas. They offered some helpful advice like, “Husbands don’t get your wife a power washer or chain saw. Their hearts probably will not leap for joy. How do you think your loved ones will react when they open your gifts? As we look again at the pages of God’s word, how will you react when you open the gift the Savior brought for you? Let’s let our hearts leap for joy as we hear the good news. Let’s hurry like the shepherds to Bethlehem and see these things which the Lord has told us about. Then let us return from our Christmas services glorifying and praising God for all the things we have seen and heard which were just as they had been told.” Amen.
Our Hearts Leap With Joy!
I. Jesus is in our midst
II. The Lord has done what he promised!
In the name of Jesus, our Savior and King, dear fellow redeemed children of God;
There is a picture hanging in our living room from the wedding we had in our family last summer. The pictures were taken by a fountain where the photographer encouraged everyone in the wedding party, which included all of our children, to jump up in the air all at once. The photographer did a great jump because she caught everyone right at the top of their leap- some even kicking up their heels. It was a happy day. When we look at that picture, while we might not do any of the “Toyota” leaps in the air, it does make our hearts leap for joy. Leaping for joy - that’s our theme for today as we gather on this Sunday before Christmas. Today in God’s Word we hear about a baby who jumped for joy in his mothers’ womb when Jesus came into the room still in Mary’s womb. Jesus and all he has done for us make our hearts leap for joy I. Because Jesus is in our midst and II. The Lord has done what he promised for us.
In the verses just before our text, the angel Gabriel had given the virgin Mary some very unexpected but happy news. The angel told Mary, “Don’t be afraid, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus.” The angel went on to Mary’s amazement, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Mary was going to have a baby, even though she was a virgin, and the child she would bear would be the Son of God.
The angel assured Mary that nothing is impossible with God. The angel also added the astounding news that Mary’s relative Elizabeth was also pregnant even though she was no past the time when she would normally have children. Elizabeth of course was the mother of John the Baptist.
To all of this spectacular news Mary replies, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” After the angel left Mary, the Bible tells us, “Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.” Mary made the trip from Nazareth to the hill country of Judah to compare notes with Elizabeth who the angel had also said was going to give birth to miracle baby.
Mary wasn’t going to Elizabeth’s house to express doubt or skepticism like, “you know the strangest thing happened to me the other day.” No Mary went to the house of Elizabeth to share her joy and excitement that the Lord was going to fulfill the promises he made in the Old Testament- that he would sent the Messiah, the long awaited Savior. Mary stayed at the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah for about three months. During this time she may have cared for Elizabeth who was in the later stages of her pregnancy.
We’re told that “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among woman and blessed is the child you will bear. But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” We see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in both Elizabeth and the baby John the Baptist. By a miracle of the Holy Spirit, the unborn person John the Baptist leaps with joy when the God man, the Savior comes into the room still in his mother’s womb.
We can also see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in Elizabeth. God’s word tells us that she was filled with the Holy Spirit and the Bible says, “No one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit enabled her to identify Mary as the mother of her Savior and to confess Jesus as the promised Messiah, even before Mary has a chance to explain what the angel had told her.
God’s word tells us that John the Baptist leaped for joy in the presence of Jesus. Jesus is present with us everywhere that we go. Do we always leap for joy in the presence of the Savior? When we’ve asked Jesus to come and be our guest at the dinner table do we ever sink to saying hurtful things to our family. When we’ve asked Jesus to walk with us have we even gotten down into the gutter of listening to or telling dirty jokes? Do we ask Jesus to ride along with us in the car and then listen casually to songs with lyrics that might peel the paint off the wall? These and all our many sins make us blush with shame and stain our pillows with tears of sorrow. We all must say with Paul, “What a wretched man I am.” We could all say with St. Peter, “Go away from me Lord for I am a sinful man.”
But that’s not what Jesus does. He came into this world as the Savior so that we could be with him in heaven. He became flesh to bless the whole world. Elizabeth tells Mary, “Blessed are you and blessed is the child you will bear.” Mary and the whole world would be blessed through the baby who was laid in Bethlehem’s manger. When Jesus died on the cross, the full and free forgiveness of sins was offered to everyone through faith in Christ Jesus. Jesus brings countless blessings to us through what he did on Christmas, Good Friday and Easter and all the days in between. Now this one who pours down blessings upon us directs our lives for us.
Our hearts can leap for joy because Jesus is with us as we sit down to eat and pray, “Come Lord Jesus be our guest….” Jesus is there with his blessings and shares the happy times with us and our families. Jesus is there as we feel hurt, frustrated and lonely. Yes, we have many reasons to leap for joy because Jesus is in our midst.
Elizabeth asked, “Why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? “ Certainly we too when we look at everything the Lord has done for us have to ask, “Why am I so favored?” God’s undeserved love is the only answer to that question. In his grace God promised that he was going to send a Savior. By God’s grace he fulfilled all of these promises. This gives us our second reason to leap for joy. God has done what he promised.
“Blessed are you among women and blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Here the Bible highlights for us the faith God had given to Mary. Here is a young girl, pregnant not by a human father but by the Holy Spirit. I am sure she faced many jeers from unbelieving neighbors and friends, not to mention what her fiancée Joseph might say. Human reason must have screamed in her ear, “This can’t be happening to me.” Still Mary put her faith in the simple words and promises of God. By faith Mary recognized that she would bear the Savior promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “The mighty one has done great things for me. Holy is his name….He has helped his servant Israel remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”
The words of Elizabeth, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished” really apply to each one of us. All of us are certainly blessed when by the power of the Holy Spirit we believe the words and promises of God. We are blessed because Jesus has brought us peace with God and we can look forward to an eternity of peace with God. We are blessed when we believe the words of our Old testament lesson for today that out of Bethlehem- that little town- would come one will be ruler over Israel whose origins are from of old from ancient times who will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord.” We are blessed as we put our trust in the Good Shepherd who in all things works for the good of those who love him.
The other day I listened to a talk show about what not to get your spouse for Christmas. They offered some helpful advice like, “Husbands don’t get your wife a power washer or chain saw. Their hearts probably will not leap for joy. How do you think your loved ones will react when they open your gifts? As we look again at the pages of God’s word, how will you react when you open the gift the Savior brought for you? Let’s let our hearts leap for joy as we hear the good news. Let’s hurry like the shepherds to Bethlehem and see these things which the Lord has told us about. Then let us return from our Christmas services glorifying and praising God for all the things we have seen and heard which were just as they had been told.” Amen.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Third Wednesday in Advent
December 16, 2009
Pastor Paul G. Eckert
Text: Haggai 2:1-9
THE LORD BRINGS PEACE
THAT SHAKES THE HEAVENS AND EARTH
I THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
WAITING AND WORKING
II THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
SHAKING AND GATHERING
III THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
FULFILLMENT AND GLORY
Haggae 2:1-9
1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 2 "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. 5 ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’
6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty. 8 ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty. 9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."
I am going to read the sermon introduction I had planned to use last Wednesday, one week ago. This is it:
"I might not have been here to conduct this service. Could have died - am getting older. Or Judgment Day could have come - but then none of us would be here, would we. The actual reason is something unexpected that came up: I was called for jury duty this week Monday and Tuesday. That meant waiting to see if I would be finished yesterday or not. So wait I did. Thankfully Pastor Spaude said he would be ready to exchange with me and step in if my duty continued."
As it turned out Pastor Spaude and I had to exchange Wednesdays because my jury duty went beyond Monday and Tuesday of last week and extended through Monday of this week. Believe me when I say I am happy that it didn’t go still longer. So waiting obviously was involved.
We are now in the season of Advent. We had to wait for that to come too. And now our text also speaks of waiting, waiting for the Lord to accomplish and bring something. Our theme is
THE LORD BRINGS PEACE
THAT SHAKES THE HEAVENS AND EARTH
I THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
WAITING AND WORKING (1-4,8)
1. The historical setting (1-2)
On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people."
a) Judah had been captured by the Babylonians, the temple was
destroyed, people taken into captivity in Babylon; perhaps you
remember from that time about Daniel in the lion’s den, the
three men in the fiery furnace, Queen Esther
b) after 70 years of captivity, as God foretold, Persia took over
Babylon and permitted a remnant of the Jewish people to
return to Israel to rebuild what had been destroyed
2. The temple
a) a new foundation had been put in, but that was all so far
b) encouragement was needed to keep on building, to restore
the temple, not just their houses as we heard last Wednesday
3. Here a comparison was brought up (2-3)
"Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?’"
a) Solomon’s temple was in the past; it had been glorious,
loaded with silver and gold and the best of everything
b) now back from captivity, how could anything they build come
even close to comparing with that original? - it couldn’t!
4. They, while waiting, were to work (4,8)
"‘But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.’"
a) don’t stop doing what the Lord wants you to accomplish, just
as you and I are not to stop doing the Lord’s will today
b) work, and the Lord promised to be with them and to provide
"‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.’"
c) He would enable them, be with them as they waited for the
real meaning behind all of this: the bringing of peace
II THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
SHAKING AND GATHERING (5-7)
1. Shaking - coming out of Egypt (5)
"‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’"
a) remember all of the construction, shaking of the ground, for
the work on Forest Home Ave.?
b) can’t compare with the 10 plagues God threw at Egypt to
deliver His people, the crossing of the Red Sea, providing
for them for 40 years in the desert - all of this to keep His
promise of a Savior from the line of Abraham, a Savior who
would be born in a place called Bethlehem
2. Shaking through history (6-7a)
"This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, ---.’"
a) God did that shaking through Greece (remember Alexander
the Great?) to bring a common language in which God would
record His New Testament Scriptures; God did that through
Rome, establishing a world peace that would speed the spread
of the Gospel everywhere
b) God continued to do that through Babylon and Persia; and He
still rules the world today for His good purposes
3. This was for gathering the desired of all nations (7ab)
"‘I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, ---.’"
a) was this "desired" Jesus? surely should be for us; but Jesus
was rejected by nations, not desired even by His own nation
b) rather "desired" (plural verb) refers to gathering of God’s
people, His desired from all nations, including us in Wisconsin
4. Here is glory (7)
"‘I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.’" a) God had promised a Savior not for just one nation but for all
b) do you remember how Simeon recognized this when he held
the baby Jesus in His arms in the temple? - "My eyes have seen your salvation - a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
c) and think of the Wise men from the East who also saw God’s
promises fulfilled and brought their thank offerings of gold and
incense and myrrh to be put into the Savior’s service
III THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
FULFILLMENT AND GLORY (8-9)
1. The glory is not outwardness (8)
"‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.’"
a) Solomon’s temple had to be tremendous with gold and silver
b) here too God provided; but that was not the glory
2. There is a far greater glory (9a)
"‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, ---’"
a) real glory of the temple was not seen in how it looked
b) even as our church’s real glory was not and is not found in
our old church, our school gym for services, or present church
3. It is in what comes out from there (9)
"‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."
a) what is beauty of our church? it is the message of God’s
promises fulfilled, the Gospel message of peace through Jesus
b) so it was with the real meaning of the temple where sacrifices
pointed to the Lamb of God, to Jesus’ fulfillment and peace
4. Rejoice in this message of peace (9)
"‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."
a) peace: Jesus came, lived, died, arose
b) peace to sinners: no condemnation, past forgiven and
forgotten by God, heaven’s door open; like Simeon we can
depart in peace
c) a person often hears of earth-shattering news, but here is
hell-shattering news: Jesus slammed shut hell’s door for all
believers and opened heaven’s door wide: Peace
God grant that this peace, this glory of God, will continue to shine brightly in this temple or church of ours this Advent and Christmas season and always as we celebrate Jesus who came to be our Savior. May the closing words of our text always apply here: "‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."
December 16, 2009
Pastor Paul G. Eckert
Text: Haggai 2:1-9
THE LORD BRINGS PEACE
THAT SHAKES THE HEAVENS AND EARTH
I THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
WAITING AND WORKING
II THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
SHAKING AND GATHERING
III THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
FULFILLMENT AND GLORY
Haggae 2:1-9
1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 2 "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. 5 ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’
6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty. 8 ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty. 9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."
I am going to read the sermon introduction I had planned to use last Wednesday, one week ago. This is it:
"I might not have been here to conduct this service. Could have died - am getting older. Or Judgment Day could have come - but then none of us would be here, would we. The actual reason is something unexpected that came up: I was called for jury duty this week Monday and Tuesday. That meant waiting to see if I would be finished yesterday or not. So wait I did. Thankfully Pastor Spaude said he would be ready to exchange with me and step in if my duty continued."
As it turned out Pastor Spaude and I had to exchange Wednesdays because my jury duty went beyond Monday and Tuesday of last week and extended through Monday of this week. Believe me when I say I am happy that it didn’t go still longer. So waiting obviously was involved.
We are now in the season of Advent. We had to wait for that to come too. And now our text also speaks of waiting, waiting for the Lord to accomplish and bring something. Our theme is
THE LORD BRINGS PEACE
THAT SHAKES THE HEAVENS AND EARTH
I THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
WAITING AND WORKING (1-4,8)
1. The historical setting (1-2)
On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people."
a) Judah had been captured by the Babylonians, the temple was
destroyed, people taken into captivity in Babylon; perhaps you
remember from that time about Daniel in the lion’s den, the
three men in the fiery furnace, Queen Esther
b) after 70 years of captivity, as God foretold, Persia took over
Babylon and permitted a remnant of the Jewish people to
return to Israel to rebuild what had been destroyed
2. The temple
a) a new foundation had been put in, but that was all so far
b) encouragement was needed to keep on building, to restore
the temple, not just their houses as we heard last Wednesday
3. Here a comparison was brought up (2-3)
"Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?’"
a) Solomon’s temple was in the past; it had been glorious,
loaded with silver and gold and the best of everything
b) now back from captivity, how could anything they build come
even close to comparing with that original? - it couldn’t!
4. They, while waiting, were to work (4,8)
"‘But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.’"
a) don’t stop doing what the Lord wants you to accomplish, just
as you and I are not to stop doing the Lord’s will today
b) work, and the Lord promised to be with them and to provide
"‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.’"
c) He would enable them, be with them as they waited for the
real meaning behind all of this: the bringing of peace
II THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
SHAKING AND GATHERING (5-7)
1. Shaking - coming out of Egypt (5)
"‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’"
a) remember all of the construction, shaking of the ground, for
the work on Forest Home Ave.?
b) can’t compare with the 10 plagues God threw at Egypt to
deliver His people, the crossing of the Red Sea, providing
for them for 40 years in the desert - all of this to keep His
promise of a Savior from the line of Abraham, a Savior who
would be born in a place called Bethlehem
2. Shaking through history (6-7a)
"This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, ---.’"
a) God did that shaking through Greece (remember Alexander
the Great?) to bring a common language in which God would
record His New Testament Scriptures; God did that through
Rome, establishing a world peace that would speed the spread
of the Gospel everywhere
b) God continued to do that through Babylon and Persia; and He
still rules the world today for His good purposes
3. This was for gathering the desired of all nations (7ab)
"‘I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, ---.’"
a) was this "desired" Jesus? surely should be for us; but Jesus
was rejected by nations, not desired even by His own nation
b) rather "desired" (plural verb) refers to gathering of God’s
people, His desired from all nations, including us in Wisconsin
4. Here is glory (7)
"‘I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.’" a) God had promised a Savior not for just one nation but for all
b) do you remember how Simeon recognized this when he held
the baby Jesus in His arms in the temple? - "My eyes have seen your salvation - a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
c) and think of the Wise men from the East who also saw God’s
promises fulfilled and brought their thank offerings of gold and
incense and myrrh to be put into the Savior’s service
III THIS IS A PEACE THAT INVOLVED:
FULFILLMENT AND GLORY (8-9)
1. The glory is not outwardness (8)
"‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.’"
a) Solomon’s temple had to be tremendous with gold and silver
b) here too God provided; but that was not the glory
2. There is a far greater glory (9a)
"‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, ---’"
a) real glory of the temple was not seen in how it looked
b) even as our church’s real glory was not and is not found in
our old church, our school gym for services, or present church
3. It is in what comes out from there (9)
"‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."
a) what is beauty of our church? it is the message of God’s
promises fulfilled, the Gospel message of peace through Jesus
b) so it was with the real meaning of the temple where sacrifices
pointed to the Lamb of God, to Jesus’ fulfillment and peace
4. Rejoice in this message of peace (9)
"‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."
a) peace: Jesus came, lived, died, arose
b) peace to sinners: no condemnation, past forgiven and
forgotten by God, heaven’s door open; like Simeon we can
depart in peace
c) a person often hears of earth-shattering news, but here is
hell-shattering news: Jesus slammed shut hell’s door for all
believers and opened heaven’s door wide: Peace
God grant that this peace, this glory of God, will continue to shine brightly in this temple or church of ours this Advent and Christmas season and always as we celebrate Jesus who came to be our Savior. May the closing words of our text always apply here: "‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."
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