Not There Yet

Hebrews 4:1-16
        
In the name of the Father, Son + and Holy Spirit, Amen.  The Holy Spirit says:  So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His.  Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience (Hebrew 4:9-11).  This is the Word of the Lord.

Parents have heard their children ask many times.  “Are we there yet?”  “When will we get there?” They ask because they are bored of riding, tired of sitting and eager to get out of the car at their destination.  The longer the trip, the more likely is the complaining.  If they are going to see beloved relatives like grandparents or cousins they can hardly wait to arrive.  If the trip takes them to a vacation spot, camping or amusement park a different kind of joy awaits.  “Not there yet” are three words children do not like to hear.

As children of the heavenly Father, you have been given new birth from above in holy baptism.  The Triune God adopts you as His own with full inheritance rights.  Through Jesus your sins are forgiven and heaven is open to you.  Even now your citizenship is in heaven and you await the time when you will finally be there to experience all of its wonder forever.  Meanwhile we sojourn through life. Times and seasons pass but one day seems similar to all the others.  The years roll on and some things change slowly.  You may be farming the same ground that your great-grandfather plowed a century ago.  The barn or shed that he built may still be in use.

The children of Israel spent four hundred years in Egypt and forty in the wilderness.  They were a people on the move, a pilgrim and transient group looking forward to the Promised Land. They did not enjoy a happy journey through the wilderness.  They complained about the food and water.  At times they longed to go back to Egypt a place of permanency in an otherwise tumultuous trek.  The Israelites were seldom content, often whining and frequently complaining.  They took out their frustration on Moses as God’s chosen leader of the Exodus. They were ultimately displeased with God but did not have the courage to express it directly.  More than once there was a collective “Let’s go back to Egypt” from the people.

Through it all God is faithful.  They ate manna and drank water from the rock.  Their clothing and shoes did not wear out all the days of their wandering in the wilderness.  Still they complained.  The report of the twelve spies sent to investigate the Promised Land scared them.  Oh, it was a good and bountiful land where a family could plant a vineyard or an orchard and enjoy the richness of the harvest.  But there we people in this land that the majority of spies feared.  They felt like grasshoppers next to them.  No way, they said, could they overpower these people.  Only Joshua and Caleb expressed confidence that the Lord would bring them safely through. These two faithful men were outvoted but God had the last word.  None of the adults except Caleb and Joshua would live to enter the Promised Land.  Another forty years awaited their time in wilderness.

The sin of the people was unbelief.  They did not take God at His Word or believe His promises.  They witnessed God’s plagues upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians. They experienced God’s deliverance from slavery and crossed the Red Sea on dry ground.  They travelled to God’s mountain where the Lord met with Moses.  Somehow this was not enough.  Seeing is NOT believing.  They feared men rather than God and rebelled when the Lord directed them ahead.  Despite all of the miraculous acts they witnessed with their own eyes, they did not enter the Sabbath rest promised the people of God.  The warning to the Hebrews applies to us.  Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts (Hebrews 4:7b).  This generation was not there yet, nor would they enter it because of their disobedience and unbelief (Hebrews 4:6).

Are we different from the children of Israel?  Do we recognize the time of God’s visitation and rejoice in it?  The Lord appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterwards in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7).  The longer a trip takes, the more restless children become.  They might quarrel and bicker in the back of the car.  They may say and do annoying things to each other.  Occasionally mom or dad intervenes with a sharp word or threat.  Persevering requires patience.  This commodity grows scarce when delays or unexpected detours arise.  No one is happy when of the travelers becomes sick and requires extra stops and attention.

Similar reactions are found in the church as we await the Lord’s return or our departure from earth at our death.  “Are we there yet?”  Anxious people fidget, bicker and feud.  Idiosyncrasies of people grow irritating the longer you are with them.  Patience wears thin when frustration increases.  We express our feelings in less than kind ways to the person or people we deem responsible for our unhappiness.  We may even turn against the Lord and His servants. All the while the Lord remains true to His Word.  He is with us all day, every day, even to the end of the age.  Why do we act as if He is absent or missing?  This was Israel’s sin even as the Lord’s presence was as close as the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.  Unbelief blinds.  It veils the truth from our eyes as it seeks to destroy vestiges of faith.  It is for this reason that our text states: Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience (Hebrews 4:16). The Holy Spirit is skilled warrior in the use of the Lord’s two-edged sword of Law and Gospel.  He wields it with the skill of a surgeon in excising sin and exposing the thoughts and intentions of every heart.  Everyone stands accountable to God to whom we must give an account.

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.  His penetrates the darkness caused by sin. Moreover He is the great High Priest.   Upon the tree of the cross He made atonement for your sins and mine. His is the blood of the Lamb, without blemish or spot that remains the propitiation for your sins.  Jesus knows what it is like to live in this world.  He faced every temptation common to man. He succeeded where you and I fail. Christ was crucified, died and was buried.  He rose from the dead ascended into heaven.  He is more than able to help you and me Jesus knows both the hardness of men’s hearts and the frailty of human flesh.  He is able to sympathize with us in our weakness.  We may approach His throne of grace to find mercy and help in our time of need.

Even now your true life is hidden with God in Christ.  When He appears, you also will appear with Him in glory.  Here in the Lord’s house and at His table he comes to us anew each week.  Here He passes over our lips, into our mouths to join His life to our mortal bodies.  Here we receive all that we need to support this body and life from Him who is the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.  Here we are called from disobedience to faith, from unbelief to a living hope in Him who died and rose again.  He is coming back but has not yet returned in His indisputable glory and honor before all creation.  Now we live by faith, not by sight.

In heaven we will have the full Sabbath rest described in our text.  Until then we are buffeted, troubled and hounded by the forces of hell trying to remove heaven from our sight.  Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience of Israel in the wilderness for we are not there yet,  Amen.

Conference Sermon

The following was preached at the Fall Southern Illinois District Pastoral Conference on October 2 at Pere Marquette State Park.

A Faithful High Priest

Hebrews 2:1-18

In the name of Jesus Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest who made propitiation for your sins, Amen.  In the ordering of creation there is a distinction between what is seen and unseen. Regarding the visible creation Adam was given dominion over the earth and everything in it.  He would serve as God’s minister to the created world.  Unmentioned both as to the exact day of their creation and their heavenly ranking and authority are the invisible (to mortal eyes) beings of God’s creation.  We usually lump them together as “angels.”  The good angels serve God and His creation ceaselessly.  The evil angels work at the destruction of the same through the corruption of humanity.

Since angels are a different order of creation than humans, it is presumed that they are better or more important than us children of men.  Scripture reveals something different that is utterly profound.  The author to the Hebrews writes regarding the work of Jesus:  For surely it is not angels that He helps, but He helps the offspring of Abraham (Hebrews 2:16).  Likewise the prophets longed to see what we have in Jesus Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit, something into which angels long to look (1 Peter 2:12).  God uses the angels to serve for your sake.  Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14).  This is why the text begins with the admonition that we pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it (Hebrews 2:1).

These are perilous times for Christians.  Christianity is under assault on many fronts.  Federal and state governments seek to restrict religious liberty by enacting laws contrary to the Holy Scriptures.  They expect the church to accommodate and adjust what it believes to be reprehensible.  If abortion is murder, which it is, no amount of time will make it less a violation of the fifth commandment.  If marriage is anything beyond the union of one man and one woman, there are unseen consequences ready to leap out of this Pandora ’s Box.  It is already starting. One woman wanted to marry herself.  Utah will no longer prosecute the laws prohibiting polygamy.  If marriage is “whatever” the fabric of society collapses. It will not be long before people marry their children, pets or stuffed animals.  The absurd will be commonplace.

A pastor in Arizona was arrested for holding a home Bible study.  Officials cited zoning laws prohibiting such meetings in a residential neighborhood.  Persecution will increase as Islam intensifies its campaign of terror and worldwide expansion.  Muslims will be given more protections even as yours are lost in the illiberal thinking that we mustn’t do anything to anger them.  Our Canadian brothers are already on guard against “hate speech” such as saying that the practice of homosexuality is sinful according to the Word of God.  It may not be far off before some of us are spending time in jail for being an unrepentant minister of the Gospel.  So be it.  Christians have faced worse.  Jesus experienced the ultimate hatred and rejection of mankind while being forsaken by the Father.

Listen again how Hebrews expresses this so eloquently.  But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.  For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of salvation perfect through suffering.  For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source.  That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers (Hebrews 2:9-11).  Jesus knows your heart.  He understands your fears.  The Sanctifier and sanctified are in this together; you are not alone.  Jesus is the merciful and faithful High Priest in the service of God to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For because He Himself suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:17-18).

Temptations abound.  Do you fear men more than God?  Repent.  Are you mushy in accurately dividing the Word of Truth?  Repent.  Do you condone sin so as not to offend the sinner?  Repent. Do you pass your days afraid of the very people you are called to serve?  Repent.  By now you may think: Maybe I should think about a different line of work and get out now before trouble begins in earnest.  I didn’t sign on for this.  I only wanted to help people and feel appreciated by them.  I didn’t expect to die for this gig.  Maybe I should look for the most out of the way place in the Synod and there live out my days in peace. Each of these temptations has a certain appeal to the flesh.  These, however, are not your calling.  Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:1-3a)

One pernicious temptation is to go it alone.  Withdraw into yourself.  Withdraw from your brothers.  Trust no one.  Follow your instincts, trust your gut not your mind.  Watch out.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Lions kill by isolating an animal from the herd.  They chase, circle and attack.  The victim is allowed no rest.  Exhausted, injured or maimed the kill comes quickly.  We need each other now, more than ever lest we fall victim to the evil one.  Most of all we need the merciful and faithful High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.  The mutual consolation of the brothers goes a long way in strengthening weak hands and wobbly knees.  The forgiveness of sins spoken one to another puts into practice the apostolic mission breathed by Jesus on the disciples in the Upper Room.  Jesus wills that repentance and forgiveness of sins be proclaimed in His name to the whole world until He comes again.

Often overlooked in times like this are the very basic but profound truths of the Holy Scripture summarized so well in the Creeds.  The Lord, He is God, there is no other.  Why do the nations rage and its rulers against the Lord and His Anointed?  The Lord sits in the heavens and laughs at the foolishness of haughty, arrogant men who presume to dismiss God.  He knows their day is coming.  The Lord has established His Anointed on His holy hill.  The Father has put everything in subjection to Jesus Christ.  Oh, we don’t see it that way now.  But it is that way, now, and for eternity in Jesus.  We confess that the Triune God is the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.  Why do we live and conduct our ministries as if He was not?

The Lord knows you intimately.  He knew you from eternity and called you to be His own in Baptism.  He comes to us again this morning hidden in bread and wine bestowing His very body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins.  You have been called into the Holy Ministry in the Church’s usual order.  You have been ordained or commissioned to serve the Lord in your particular ministry and location.  Jesus remains as the merciful and faithful High Priest interceding even now for you and the whole Christian Church on earth.  He is able to help those who are being tempted because He Himself suffered while tempted.  The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3).  What is there to fear?  Amen.

A Brief Overview of Closed Communion

The following was prepared as a response for a brief presentation on closed Communion.  

Closed Communion & Koinonia

1 Corinthians 10

16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation (koinonia) in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation (koinonia) in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

1 Corinthians 11

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

Acts 2

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship (koinonia), to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

A Multi-Dimensional Celebration

In the Lord’s Supper there is a vertical component as the person receives the body and blood of Jesus in the bread and wine.  This is genuine koinonia with Christ.  There is also a horizontal element where the person shares koinonia with all who are communing at that altar and church. The Sacrament of the Altar is the highest form of koinonia Christians experience on earth.  They are one with Christ and with believers who share the same devotion to the apostles’ teaching.  The celebration of the Sacrament expresses unity on the horizontal level.  The presence of division at the Lord’s Supper prompts Paul to address the church in Corinth. He indicates that division breaks the unity and has no place at the Sacrament.

     We profess not only what we receive into our mouths but also confess our agreement with the teachings of the congregation confessed at that altar, pulpit and denomination. To admit people who hold a different profession of faith is both unloving and harmful to their salvation. We either make them into hypocrites who believe one thing and practice another, or we let them eat and drink judgment on themselves by not discerning the Lord’s body and blood (1 Corinthians 11:29).

Closed from the Start

     From the beginning days of the Church, Christians followed closed communion. Only those who are baptized, instructed and confess the same faith in the Lord Jesus Christ received the Sacrament of the Altar.  Visitors from other congregations needed examination or a letter of introduction from their bishop (pastor) before they would be admitted to the Lord’s Table.  By the third century there was a rite of dismissal for those who were not baptized, receiving instruction or under church discipline.  They would be dismissed with prayer from the Divine Service to continue instruction under a deacon while the faithful celebrated the Sacrament behind the closed doors of the church.  Their rationale was simple.  “The Holy Things of God for the holy people of God.”  They cited Matthew 7:6 for not communing those who were not admitted to the Sacrament.   “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”

The Universal Practice of the Church

     Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutherans and other Christians practice closed communion today.  It was during the 19th and 20th centuries where the practiced changed among Protestants who did not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Lord’s Supper.  It was only in the latter half of the 20th century when Lutherans began to practice open communion.  Lutherans remain divided on church fellowship and the Sacrament of the Altar.

The ELCA - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

     The ELCA practices an extreme open communion policy and have declared themselves in altar fellowship with such diverse groups as the Anglicans, Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians and the United Church in Christ.  In some cases only baptism remains as the requirement for attending the Lord’s Supper.  In this diversity one can believe about anything regarding the Sacrament.  1) It could be the real body and Christ for us Christians to eat and drink; 2) It is simply a memorial meal where we eat bread and drink wine while our thoughts ascend heavenward to Jesus; 3) It is a command of Jesus that we do this in remembrance of Him but it has no power to forgive sins or give us Jesus’ body and blood in bread and wine. The Lord Jesus is much clearer on this topic than many wish to believe.

      Within the ELCA the Bible contains the Word of God.  Missouri Synod Lutherans believe teach and confess that the Bible is the Word of God.  The difference is the “continental divide” within Christendom today.  When the Bible merely contains God’s Word it has other words mixed in and we can’t be sure of anything.  The worst case scenario is that anything goes.  The world writes the agenda and the church follows.  This is the rationale behind women pastors and the acceptance of gay clergy. The next issue for apostasy will appear shortly as the world turns further away from Christ.

Conclusion

Closed communion remains the practice of the majority of Christians worldwide. It is the Biblical teaching of the Sacrament of the Altar that we retain in The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

No Concern for Tomorrow?

The 1960's band The Grass Roots exhorted listeners to "live for today."  Ancient hedonism played to the same theme:  "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die."  Didn't Jesus say:  "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble"?  Wait!  Jesus is discussing worry and anxiety over the future.  No sense doing that.  There's enough to focus upon today. We'll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.

Hezekiah's response to news that Babylon will carry away the riches of Judah is troubling.  Excited that emissaries from this far off power came to inquire about his health and bring him a present, the king opened up the vaults, the armory and all the storehouse of the land to these distant visitors.  Nothing in his palace was kept secret from them.  Isaiah inquires about the visitors and then delivers bad news.  The Babylonians will return and take everything they have seen.  Even some of Hezekiah's sons would become eunuchs in service to the king of Babylon.  Hezekiah's response?  "The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good."  For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my days" (Isaiah 39:8).

All of God's Word is good.  The law as well as the gospel.  It is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Hezekiah confesses the truth.  The words of the prophets are good, even in pronouncing judgment.  When judgment leads to repentance forgiveness flows freely.  Yet, forgiveness does not free one from temporal, earthly consequences for their actions. Hezekiah understands that as the consequences for his actions are detailed. The solace that he takes from the judgment is selfish.  "There will be peace and security in my days" (Isaiah 39:8).

Is Hezekiah really much different than you and me?  Many people believe history began the day that they were born and ends the day that they die.  Nothing else matters.  What happened before is boring and what comes after doesn't matter..  Sing another chorus of "Let's Live for Today!"  Hedonism is alive and well in Western Civilization.  As long as we have peace and security today, do we care about the world we leave behind for our children, grandchildren and posterity?

The Christian faith operates with an eternal perspective.  Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  He spoke the first word at creation and will have the final word on Judgment Day.  The in-between times are His too.  Christians live knowing how the end will work out.  In Jesus we win.  That is most comforting.  The troubles of today will give way to joy hereafter. The struggle is worthwhile for the labor in Jesus' name is never worthless.

There is a poignant scene in "Saving Private Ryan."  The eight men sent to save Private Ryan are under heavy attack by enemy tanks and infantry.  The lieutenant played by Tom Hanks sits with his back to a bridge, stunned and mortally wounded. He shoots at a German tank with his .45 M1911 handgun, one shot at a time. The tank rolls towards him.  Suddenly two P-51 Mustangs appear overhead.  Their rockets take out the tank.  Private Ryan lives though several of the men sent to find him die.We remain the Church Militant until the final trumpet sounds and the dead in Christ are raised. The battle rages on though the final outcome is certain.

It matters what happens today - and tomorrow. What we teach today is lived tomorrow.  Our values are being passed. It matters more than we realize. This side of heaven results are elusive. We shall see clearly from eternity. Live with the eternal perspective in mind.  Jesus did.  That's why he was willing to suffer, die and take the consequences for my foolishness.  He wanted you to be His forever, redeemed, forgiven, justified, sanctified and glorified.

Lord, keep us from being a Hezekiah taking solace that our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences for our foolishness while we pass our time in peace and security.  Grant us knowledge, wisdom and understanding to pass on all that you have given us for our instruction, both law and gospel.  Turn us from arrogance that presumes to know everything and grant that we may live as those who are humble, contrite and tremble at Your Word.  May Your Word may be proclaimed boldly, faithfully and courageously by us and our posterity.  Hear us for Jesus' sake!  Amen.

An Ordination & Installation Sermon

Benjamin Tyler Holt was ordained and installed as pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Golconda, IL on Sunday, August 5, 2012.  The following sermon was proclaimed.


In the name of the Father, Son + and Holy Spirit, Amen.  The text for our consideration is these words from Paul’s first letter to Timothy the fourth chapter.  Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.  Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers (v. 16).  This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Dear brother in Christ, Tyler Holt.  Are you sure you really want to go through with this?  You have purchased a house and are in the process of making it a home, but do you really want to enter the Office of the Holy Ministry?  There is still time to back out and pursue a different career.  Yes, it would change the plans for the good people of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church but the Lord will take care of them. He will take care of you and the rest of us too.  Are you sure you want to continue?

A prophet as great and powerful as Isaiah had second thoughts.  He saw the glory of the Lord fill the temple.  He heard the eternal cry of the seraphim: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!  Heaven and earth are full of His glory (Isaiah 6:3).  Isaiah’s sins overwhelmed him. He knew that he was a man of unclean lips and came from a people who were just like him.  You see, good people of Our Redeemer, this man who stands before you today is just like you and me.  He is a sinner through and through.  Like us, he was born into it and is well-practiced in its art.  Some of us who are older may know a few tricks that he doesn’t understand yet.  In time, he will.

Every time that an heir of Adam comes into contact with the Lord, they have a deep feeling of inadequacy.  Their sins are brought to the fore and they know intimately that they have no right to be in the presence of the Holy One of Israel.  Just when Isaiah thought it was over a seraph goes to the brazier and removes a burning coal with tongs.  The seraph flies directly to Isaiah and touches his lips with the glowing coal.  Remarkable words are heard.  “Behold this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, your sin atoned for” (Isaiah 6:7).  Immediately Isaiah is transformed. Oh, he is still a sinner, but now a forgiven one. This makes all the difference. When God cleanses your sin, He remembers it no more.  He frees you to be His child and heir.  He even sends some as pastors to to other sinners.  They speak of Jesus and how He made satisfaction for their sins and not only theirs but also the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1).

Members and visitors to Our Redeemer, expect your pastor to bring you the good news of Jesus Christ.  May your pastor determine to preach Christ crucified for you and all people (1 Corinthians 2:2). The Lord’s forgiveness prepared Isaiah for prophetic service.  The same Lord promises to be the strength and sufficiency for Pastor Holt too.  Isaiah quickly responds with a resounding yes to the call of the Lord.  Scripture is silent on what he thought as the Lord presented to him the conditions of the call.  Conditions were not good.  Isaiah would preach and it would fall on deaf ears.  People would see but never perceive what was being said.  Their eyes would grow weary and they would be bored with the prophet’s message.  The congregation would dwindle till only a tenth of the faithful remained.  The prophet was to take heart because in that remnant was the holy seed that is Jesus.

Pastoral ministry in this second decade of the twenty-first century is filled with challenges.  This is increasingly an age where people’s ears grow heavy and their eyes are blinded to the truth.  Isaiah’s call was clear.  He was to bring God’s Word to them, persistently and faithfully.  The results were not in his hands, just as the results of Pastor Holt’s ministry are in God’s hands too.  You see it is a terrible sign of judgment when the Lord’s Word is faithfully proclaimed but it falls on apathetic people who really couldn’t care one way or the other. Too many of our contemporaries are just like the folks to whom Isaiah preached.  Sadly they seldom enter church, even for Christmas or Easter. The saddest is that many of them were baptized and confirmed.  They tasted and saw that the Lord was good but their hearts are no longer sure or comforted by the Divine Word.  Like the parable of the sower the seed has fallen on hard paths, or is being choked by weeds or withers because it is not well rooted.  What are you to do?

Listen again to the words of the text.  “Devote yourself to the public reading of the Scripture to exhortation, to teaching.  Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.  Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.  Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:13, 15-16).  We know from Holy Scripture that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  Pastor Holt, sow the seed!  Liberally and freely spread it abroad.  The next time it may take root and bear fruit, thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.  Immerse yourself and your people in the Holy Scriptures.  Use them to open every meeting, include the Lord’s Word in every visitation.  Use every opportunity to preach the Word faithfully, in season and out of season.  With great patience realize that the Lord is at work even when it seems nothing is happening.  Jesus does not lie when He says, “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28).

A pastor’s work is essentially simple.  He is literally to hand over God’s gifts to you, the people of God.  He is to instruct both young and old in the Christian faith.  He baptizes those in need of this blessed sacrament of initiation into the Church. He hears your confession of sins that you may be absolved. He prepares people that they may receive the body and blood of Jesus to their eternal good and temporal forgiveness.  He is to be a man of the Word and to persist in these things.  Why?  It is a matter of your salvation and his.

The ultimate task of a pastor is to prepare people for heaven and the life of the world to come.  Our time on this earth is around four score years; sometimes longer, sometimes shorter.  For a believer in Jesus life in this world is the closest they will come to hell.  For an unbeliever, life in this world is the closest they will come to heaven.  God would have all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth who is Jesus Christ.  Pastor Holt, give ‘em Jesus who is our light and our life.  Persist in this for by it you will save both yourself and your hearers, Amen.

Give 'em Jesus

A sermon on John 6:28-29 for the Southern Illinois District Day of Spiritual Renewal at Metro East Lutheran High School, Edwardsville, IL, August 7, 2012.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.  The text for our consideration this morning is the Holy Gospel that was read a few minutes ago, especially these verses.  Then they said to Him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”  Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you may believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:28-29).  So far our text.

These were certainly heady days for the followers of Jesus.  Some five thousand of them, not counting the women and children enjoyed a bountiful feast with twelve baskets left over.  All of this came from but five barley loaves and two small fish.  The crowd was ecstatic.  They were ready to make Jesus king by force.  They saw Jesus as the greatest social welfare program ever conceived.  If He repeated this miracle daily they would never again hunger or labor for food.  Hadn’t Moses done something similar after the Exodus?

Here is Jesus performing a similar, yet even greater miracle.  Make Him king and all your troubles would be solved.  The despised Romans would be overthrown and an earthly kingdom restored to Israel.  Jesus is a great King above all power, thrones and dominions.  No president, premier or prime minister is greater than He. The problem was that Jesus is not this kind of King the people expected.  He is superior.  His realm is more than this world.  He reigns supreme over all things visible and invisible everywhere.

Who can blame the people for wanting to coronate Jesus as their social welfare program and monarch rolled into one?  Who needs food stamps, grocery stores or restaurants when Jesus distributes fish and loaves ready to eat?  Who needs armed forces when Jesus can summon twelve legions of angels at a moment’s notice?  When Jesus makes things by speaking, who needs manufacturing, distributors or retailers?  Like every human since Adam, people seek the correct button to push, lever to pull, switch to flip, key to unlock the heavenly storerooms to benefit life on earth.  They earnestly ask Jesus to tell them this secret of the ages.  “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?

Jesus clarifies the situation.  He reminds the crowd that they are seeking him because they had full bellies the night before.  He turns their question around.  What must you do to the do the works of God?  Nothing.  God’s Work is this that you believe in the one whom He has sent.  Neither your work nor mine merits God’s gifts either to you or your students.  Sin permeates every human so thoroughly that it cannot be overcome by an exertion of the will.  We cannot assist the Lord in atoning for sin.   Your work or mine merits nothing good before the Lord of heaven and earth.

What we cannot do, God does.  It is by grace that you are saved through faith and this not of yourselves. It is not of works lest anyone should boast.  He saved us, not because of righteous deeds we have done in the flesh but according to His mercy through the washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit whom He poured out richly upon you through Jesus Christ. Being justified by grace through faith you are now an heir of heaven.  Rejoice!  This is God’s work for you.  This faith that is necessary for salvation is God’s gift that begins, centers and ends in Jesus.  He is the one thing needful.

Do you realize how precious and valuable this work of God is for you?  What we could never do being weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His Son in the likeness of human flesh.  Jesus persisted. He overcame sin, death and all the works of the devil.  Satan’s ugly accusations are washed away in baptismal waters.

Give your students Jesus, God’s Son our Savior who atoned for the sins of the world. Teach the reality of God’s work for them in baptism and hearing His Word. The evil one loves to rant against you and them.  He says that you deserve nothing from God.  You can reply:  “You are right. I deserve nothing but punishment and death.  But I have a God who loves me and gave Himself for me.  The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in Jesus Christ. His righteousness is my glorious crown.  Clothed in God’s armor, I am ready to face your charges. Jesus died for every sin of humanity. In Him I am a forgiven, redeemed and deeply loved.  He promises that nothing in all creation can separate me from His love.”

We receive these gifts from the Lord because of God’s work in Jesus Christ.  As George Gershwin wrote: “Who could ask for anything more?”  The flesh does. It is seldom content.  Jealousy and envy cause many to resent what others have that they don’t. Ever notice at a parade, convention or an event with door prizes how quickly the freebies are taken?  Doesn’t your heart yearn to be one of the winners? The real danger is mistaking the trinkets for the substance.  The crowd thrilled to bread and fish but missed their greater need for a Savior from themselves, sin and death.  They wanted food from Jesus but were not excited about His exposure of their real needs.  Jesus doesn’t pander to the crowd to keep them happy.  He patiently instructs them regarding the deeper issues of faith and life.

We face a similar temptation.  Some people have convinced themselves that church should be fun and games, like an endless Vacation Bible School or carnival.  The reality is so little of life is like that.  Children need a Savior for the very real lives they lead.  It is not easy growing up in a single parent home, or in a family with “aunts” or “uncles” who move in and out not to be seen again. Video games and television make poor babysitters.  Children feel guilty when mom and dad split. Give’em Jesus.  Your students need to know that they are forgiven and loved by the Son of God who gave Himself for them.

The whole counsel of God is given to address life now and for eternity.  Contrition, repentance, forgiveness and faith lie at the center of the Christian life. These spiritual disciplines are adaptable to all stages of life.  Teach your students the Holy Scriptures.  They are profitable for correction, for reproof for training in righteousness that they may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  These things are written that they may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God and by believing they may life in His name.  

Give your children Jesus.  People do not live on bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).  Jesus is the bread of life that came down from heaven and gives life to the world.  The forgiveness of sins is at the heart of the Gospel.  The Lord Jesus broke down the barrier of hostility between heaven and earth and between pupils in your classes.  Teach your children to confess their sins and to leave them with Jesus.  God’s work is to bring them to faith so that they believe in the One God has sent into the world, Amen.

Convention Greetings

On July 27 I brought greetings to the convention of the International Lutheran Laymen's League on behalf of President Harrison and my role as LCMS Liaison to the LLL Board of Directors.

I am privileged to bring you greetings this afternoon from President Matthew Harrison and the six thousand plus congregations of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.  He regrets not being with you today, but after thirty-five LCMS District conventions with some twenty-five in June and July, he has been busy.  The mayor of Saskatoon mentioned his American “cousins” in his welcome this morning. I am one of those returned home.  My grandmother was born in Blind River, Ontario.  I have several generations of French-Canadian ancestry in m family tree. My family roots go further back in Canada than in the United States.

Since 1917 the International Lutheran Laymen’s League has been a vital partner with the Synod as one of its two auxiliaries.  Bringing Christ to the nations and the nations to the church remains the mission of Lutheran Hour Ministries through its signature broadcast under its dynamic speaker Greg Seltz.

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised.  What was said of the British Empire at its zenith can be said of the Holy Christian Church and Lutheran Hour Ministries.  The sun never sets on the work of the International LLL. Lutheran Hour Ministries serves worldwide with offices on six continents. The twenty-first century is shaping up to be the one where the global south receives the Gospel with joy and gladness.  The southern hemisphere shows tremendous potential for the Christian church in the coming decades. Walk the streets of Saskatoon and visit its stores and eateries.  The world is coming to Canada too.

North America remains a challenging mission field.  No county in the United States has shown growth regarding the percentage of Christians to population in the last twenty years.  Apathy and apostasy are real barriers to the Gospel.  Cafeteria style spirituality where individuals select parts of various beliefs that appeals to them undermine the church’s catechetical efforts.  Still, the words of Jesus remain true.  He builds His church and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it.  The Holy Spirit brings people to faith where and when He will in those who hear the Gospel.

Lutheran Hour Ministries is an evangelistic arm of the Synod. The materials are excellent and award winning.  Encourage your pastors to take a new look at LHM publications and productions as tools for local ministry.  From its inception the Church has grown from faith to faith, person to person, an individual at a time repenting of their sins and being born from above through baptismal waters. LHM materials can be a catalyst for this to begin and for a person to be assimilated into the church.

It is easy to lament the decline of Christianity, and well we should.  However, this is not a time to wring our hands, weep and abandon the faith as irrelevant.  Jesus, the great I AM is always relevant, always practical, always appropriate for any situation or circumstance.  Neither the Church nor its auxiliaries will benefit from jettisoning the faith once delivered to the saints.  No, the preaching of the Word, the clear, consistent proclamation of the truth is needed more than ever.  The grass withers and the flowers fall but the Word of the Lord endures forever.  This is the Word that has been preached to you.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  He is the name above all names and the only name under heaven by which we must be saved.  The LCMS, the LCC and LLL/LHM will never go wrong in bringing Christ to the nations and the nations to the church.  From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.  So shall it be eternally.  Thank you for your partnership in His mission. May the Lord bless our work together in His name.

The Prophet's Call

The following was presented at the International Center of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod on  Tuesday, July 17, 2012.  The text is from Amos 7:7-15.


The prophet’s task has never been simple.  An eloquent expression of it flows from the pen of Martin Franzmann: 

“Preach you the Word and plant it home

To men who like or like it not,

The Word that shall endure and stand

When flowers and men shall be forgot” (LSB 586:1). 

Amos preached to men who liked it not.  His message was one of judgment on Israel and her idolatrous worship.  When Israel split, King Jeroboam established Bethel as a shrine to keep his people from making a pilgrimage south to Jerusalem.  The northern monarchy had no problem mixing church and state.  Golden calves were erected as symbols of the deity who led them out of Egypt.  The revolt against the Lord at Sinai was renewed in Bethel.

                The prophet saw a vision of the Lord holding a plumb line in His hand.  God was placing it in the midst of His people Israel.  The false worship sponsored by the house of Jeroboam will end.  The shrines and religious high places will become desolate, the land laid waste.  Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, protests.  He does not welcome such a prophecy in his presence.  He tattles on Amos to Jeroboam the king.  Before the king can issue a reply, Amaziah tells Amos to go back home and prophesy there.  Bethel is the king’s sanctuary and it is the temple of the kingdom.  Note carefully.  It is not God’s sanctuary nor His temple but that of the earthly ruler and his line.  Playing church is not being church.  God’s judgment falls on impostors and personal kingdom builders.

                Speaking truth to governmental leaders is never easy.  Ask President Harrison who made the good confession before Congress.  Politics and religion have clashed throughout history.  The state does not like to be told that it is in error or does not have the backing of the Almighty.  Nevertheless the Church must speak – boldly, confidently – assured that her Lord stands with those who are faithful to “the Word that shall endure and stand when flowers and men shall be forgot.”

                The evil foe is consistent with his attacks on the church throughout the ages.  If you can’t discredit the message, destroy the messenger.  Blame it on the delusions of a sinful, misguided prophet who really doesn’t know what he is saying.  Appeal to the glory of what man has built and accomplished.  Amos did not back down.  He quotes the Lord who said to him:  “Go, prophesy to My people Israel” (Amos 7:15).  Jesus commends Amos and all the faithful when He says:  Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you on My account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12).  As for the church today:

                        Preach you the Word and plant it home

And never faint, the Harvest Lord

Who gave the sower seed to sow

Will watch and tend His planted Word (LSB 586:6), Amen.

Astonishing Bravery

Alban Butler's "Lives of the Saints" is a two hundred and fifty year old chronicle detailing the life and often martyrdom of over 1600 saints from the early church.  July 3 is the date that Phocas is observed.  Here is Butler's moving summation.


When a cruel persecution, probably that of Dioclesian in 303, was suddenly raised in the Church, Phocas was immediately impeached as a Christian, and such was the notoriety of his pretended crime, that the formality of a trial was superseded by the persecutors, and executioners were despatched with an order to kill him on the spot wherever they should find him. Arriving near Sinope, they would not enter the town, but stopping at his house without knowing it, at his kind invitation they took up their lodging with him. Being charmed with his courteous entertainment, they at supper disclosed to him the errand upon which they were sent, and desired him to inform them where this Phocas could be most easily met with. The servant of God, without the least surprise, told them he was well acquainted with the man, and would give them certain intelligence of him next morning. After they were retired to bed he dug a grave, prepared everything for his burial and spent the night in disposing his soul for his last hour. When it was day he went to his guests, and told them Phocas was found, and in their power whenever they pleased to apprehend him. Glad at this news, they inquired where he was. “He is here present,” said the martyr,—“I myself am the man.” Struck at his undaunted resolution, and at the composure of his mind, they stood a considerable time as if they had been motionless, nor could they at first think of imbrning their hands in the blood of a person in whom they discovered so heroic a virtue, and by whom they had been so courteously entertained. He indirectly encouraged them saying, that as for himself, he looked upon such a death as the greatest of favors, and his highest advantage. At length, recovering themselves from their surprise. they struck off his head.

Butler, A. (1903). Vol. 3: The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints (18–19). New York: P. J. Kenedy.

Lord, grant us such courage and conviction to face our own death bravely!

Good Enough?

Years ago I was involved with a service project in the local church.  We were doing some outdoor work.  One of the volunteers repeated what soon became a mantra for the day:  "Good enough for government work!"  This struck me as odd on many levels.  Do we expect less quality from the government?  What is good enough?  Should we be content with the implied "good enough for the church" effort?

When it comes to salvation no one is "good enough" for all of our righteousness falls short of the glory of God.  By the works of the flesh no one will be justified in God's sight.  The Holy Scriptures require of us our best.  Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce (Proverbs 3:9).  Whatever you do in word or deed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:17).

The firstborn was offered to the Lord and dedicated to Him.  Sacrificial lambs were to be one year of age without blemish or spot.  People and priests in Malachi's day were weary of giving the best to the Lord.  The  people offered inferior animals for sacrifice.  These were the diseased, injured or crippled.  The priests made no protest and offered what was presented to them.  The Lord was furious. God instructs the people to give the governmental leaders such inferior gifts and see how they would react.  It would be a great insult to the ruler and bring disfavor and reprisal upon the one who presented such poor fair. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished.  For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts and My name will be feared among the nations (Malachi1:14).

Why do we think that God is satisfied with second best or the dregs of what we have to offer?  He is a great and mighty King, the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.  The Lord gave us His very best as Jesus became man and dwelt among us.  He took the worst humanity has to offer and bore its weight and consequences upon the cross.  The Father laid on His Son the iniquity of us all.  Less than best would not do.  We would still be in our sins if Jesus was blemished, lame or sick.  There can be no good enough for the Lord who demands perfection  (Matthew 5:48). The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite heart.  This He will not despise.

Who are we to blame for the malaise of "good enough for the Lord" prevalent today? Pastors blame sin filled congregants still guided by the flesh.  Teachers lament student's out of school life and how difficult it is to teach contrary to the world and one's sinful flesh.  A growing number of Christians favor their own opinions in place of what is written and revealed in Holy Scripture. Christians expect opposition from the world.  When it comes from within the church it seems to hurt more.

The Lord holds His servants accountable for tolerating the sins of the people. Priests should never have accepted inferior animals for sacrifice.  They are to uphold the Lord's standard.  If they don't God was going to wipe their faces in the offal and dung of the animals they accepted.  God expects more from pastors and teachers.  He expects them to be the faithful stewards whom He has called.  For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.  But you have turned aside from the way.  You have caused many to stumble by your instruction.  You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts (Malachi 2:7-8).

You have no one to blame but yourself is the judgment from God through Malachi.  Is the law you teach and proclaim faithful to the Lord who gives it for instruction of His people?  Do you shy away from presenting the law in its full sternness afraid that it might scare people away?  When you do this it is the same as accepting crippled, lame and inferior sacrifices and calling them good enough for the Lord.  Where is the fear and reverence of God?

Here we need the Lord's best.  We need Jesus the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  He is here for you.  Jesus ransomed you from the futile, sinful ways inherited from your forefathers.  He did this not with gold or silver but with His holy and precious blood like that of a lamb without blemish or spot (1 Peter 1:17-21).  Jesus suffered once for your sins to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit to bring you to God (1 Peter 3:16-18).  It is Jesus who causes you to be born from above in the waters of baptism.  He joins you to Himself and calls you to be faithful unto death so that you may receive the crown of life.  Jesus' life, death, resurrection and ascension are what is good to the Father.  His righteousness for your unrighteousness is the greatest trade ever made.  Nothing else is close nor good enough.

Are You Listening?

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:5,7). Faith comes by hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ (Romans 10:17).  Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it (Luke 11:28).
Have you detected the common theme in these verses of Holy Scripture?  Each refers to the blessedness that comes from hearing the Word of God.  Disciples are lifelong learners. They realize that Jesus has the Words of eternal life (John 6:63). All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  To stop hearing the Word of God is akin to not breathing in the breathe of life that the Father gives us in Jesus through the Holy Spirit.  Hold your breath too long and you will pass out.  Not breathing for eight minutes or more can cause irreversible brain damage.  Breathing is a vital part of life.  So is hearing the Word of God.
What are you inhaling from the Word of God?  In His great wisdom the Lord spreads the faith orally and aurally.  God speaks, we listen. God breathed into Adam and he became a living being (Genesis 2:7).  Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" and the Office of the Keys was given to the apostles (John 20:22-23) The Spirit works through that which is heard to bring the Word deep inside the listener. He forgives our sins that we may forgive others their sins against us.
Are you listening? There is no better place to listen and learn than in the Divine Service.  Are you involved in an organized study through your congregation?  Listen to God's Word and learn from Him.  This is the way of wisdom.

On The Passing of a Pastor

The Lord Jesus called His servant Rev. Armand Mueller home last Friday at the age of 80.  He was in the 55th of ministry following ordination.  Armand was born into a Lutheran pastor's family in Argentina.  He knew German and Spanish before learning to speak English.  You would never know it for he had no discernible accent. Following graduation from seminary in 1957 he was called to his first parish in Idaho followed by churches in Washington, Nebraska, Kansas and finally at Trinity, Prairie, Illinois, the one where the grave of Martin Stephen is in the church cemetery.  Pastor Armand Mueller spent his last 19 years of parish ministry at Trinity before retiring in 1997 and moving to the town of Red Bud three miles away.

Retirement allowed Armand time to translate German, serve as a guest organist and do supply preaching.

In the fall of 1982 a freshly minted vicar was learning the art of ministry in a neighboring congregation.  Rev. Armand Mueller was always friendly, welcoming and supportive.  He treated the vicars as colleagues rather than the raw rookies that we were.  He shared stories from his ministry.  What stood out about Armand was his constancy, steadfastness and devotion to the pastoral office.  He served faithfully and well.  He put the interest of others ahead of his own.  He was Lutheran through and through without apology or arrogance. Pastor Mark Nebel captured this well in the funeral message.  Armand was the embodiment of a pastor.  The line between pastor and person merged into one.

The former vicar turned pastor returned to Southern Illinois in 2001.  Armand was the guest organist one Sunday.  Eighteen years had passed since they last spoke. Both served in the Northwest District.  Armand at Moses Lake, WA and the newly installed pastor fresh from seven years in Wenatchee, WA both in the same circuit. They quickly caught up with the vitae of one's life as reacquainted pastors do.  Always the disciple of Jesus, Armand continued to listen and learn in retirement, attending lectures and symposiums. My church had much less need for a guest organist in the ensuing years.  Our paths crossed less. I am the poorer for it.

Those involved in the Office of the Holy Ministry bear a burden for their people and congregations.  They shoulder that responsibility until called to a new field of service, to new people in a different setting.  Pastors are privileged to have access into the pivotal moments in the lives of people.  These include birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage, hospitalizations, crises, graduations, funerals and rites of passage. Pastors are called by the Holy Spirit to bring Jesus to their flocks.  Preaching, teaching, visiting, admonishing, encouraging, comforting, guiding, praying, baptizing, celebrating the Eucharist are ways in which this is done.  Pastors rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.  All the while they are haunted by sins of omission.  Who have I not visited?  How could I have handled that situation better?  Is my preaching and teaching what these saints of God need?  Am I directing them always and only to Jesus and not creating a following for myself?

Like every other sinner, pastors are saved by grace and grace alone.  They too are baptized and redeemed by the Lord, saint and sinner simultaneously.  Their hope is the same Jesus they deliver to the flock.  They trust that the Lord is true.  His Word will not return to Him without accomplishing the purpose for which He sent it.  How they cling to the promise that one's labor in the Lord is never in vain. Jesus works through His Word and Sacrament creating a people for Himself in time and for eternity.  The Word of the Lord endures forever. The prophet Daniel saw from afar the importance of the pastoral office with heavenly eyes.  Those who are wise shall shine like like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:3).

Every Christian longs for the resurrection of the body and the bliss of heaven, when they will be in the Lord's presence with all the company of heaven.  They long to hear the words of Jesus:  Come you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34).  Rest in peace, Armand!  I look forward to catching up with you again.

A Veteran Remembered

George Scharr 1922-1969

George volunteered for the Army in the weeks following Pearl Harbor.  A Detroit native, he was assigned to the Army's 35th Texas Division.  He participated in three invasions:  Salerno, Anzio and Southern France.  George was the heavy weapon's man for his platoon and carried the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR).  He was twice wounded in combat..  Once in the left knee in Italy and then in his hands in Southern France.  George spent nine months of recuperation following the knee wound in England.  After the second wound healed he transferred to the 8th Air Force where he finished the war. Like 15 million other Americans he spent World War II in uniform. Thank you, George Scharr, for your service to the nation and for being my father.

Your Personal Pentecost

This is a portion of the message that I proclaimed on Pentecost 2012.

 If you look for another Pentecost through a rushing wind, visible tongues of fire and the ability of speaking languages you never studied, you will wait a long time.  The crowd on Pentecost that was cut to the quick cried out to the apostles as to what they should do.  The response was clear.  Repent and be baptized, everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself (Acts 2:38-39).  About three thousand souls were added to the church through the water the word of Baptism on Pentecost.

Fire, wind, water and the Word were part of Pentecost.  The wind accompanied the tongues of fire on the apostles.  Peter preached boldly by the Spirit’s power that led the crowd into all truth.  The Spirit convicted the crowd of sin because they did not believe in Jesus. Of righteousness because God the Father raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him to His right hand.  Of judgment because the devil is judged and under judgment.  The apostles directed the repentant hearers to the water of Baptism.  The baptized receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This promise is for young and old, for children and everyone whom the Lord calls to Himself.

Holy Baptism is your personal Pentecost.  It is the working of the Holy Trinity.  The baptized are joined to Jesus in His death and resurrection.  It is as if the baptized was transported in time to Golgotha and died on the cross with Jesus.  Instantaneously they are with Jesus alive and resurrected Easter morning, clothed in His righteousness.  The baptized are sons of God because the Holy Trinity has adopted them into the family.  They are set among believers in the church.  It is at the font where believers are united into the one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

We can say these things because the Holy Spirit, indeed, the blessed Trinity is at work in baptism bringing the spiritually dead back to life.  The New Testament abounds in this baptismal language where God is the Giver and you are the receiver.  As many of you who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27).  So those who received His word were baptized (Acts 2:41).  He saved us, not because of righteous things we have done but by the washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit whom God poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5). Baptism now saves you (1 Peter 3:20).  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has caused you to be born from above through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).  We have witnessed such a miracle this morning.  Luke, welcome to the Lord’s family through the gift of Holy Baptism.  The righteousness that is now yours in Christ is designed for a lifetime, literally an eternity. It expands and grows with you and is very resilient.  In heaven this righteousness will be your crown.  May you grow in your understanding and appreciation of this gift all of your days.

Only a Word?

How often have you heard a request for "a word of prayer" or a "brief prayer"?  This strikes me as peculiar.  What single word can suffice for prayer?  Why do we need to limit the length of our prayers?  When was the last time you heard a long prayer in contrast to "a word" or "brief" variety?  The Prayer of the Church has developed into a responsive prayer.  This encourages congregational participation and breaks up longer petitions into "sound byte" lengths.  Do you pay closer attention to the shorter petitions? Does the Lord expect brevity? Where can God's people pour out their hearts to God together?  Under what circumstances is a longer prayer acceptable?  The Scriptures encourage us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5) yet to avoid vain repetition (Matthew 6).  What is the balance and how is it attained? What are your thoughts?

Retirement or Re-positioning?

Sunday afternoon we bid Godspeed and farewell to two veteran pastors in Southern Illinois as they enter retirement this summer.  Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Marion graciously hosted the service on behalf of the Greater Egypt Circuit and served a delicious meal afterward. Thank you, Pastor Mark Surburg! LCMS 1st VP, the Rev. Dr. Herbert C. Mueller, Jr. preached an outstanding message.

Pastor Jim Rivett served in the United States Marine Corp prior to entering college and seminary.  He saw action in Vietnam and suffers from complications related to Agent Orange.  Pr. Rivett has been heavily involved with prison ministry over the years.  He spent twenty years with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, retiring in 2002.  Since then has been an integral part of our District Prison Ministry.  Pr. Rivett's ministry began in Olmsted, IL way down south on the Ohio River.  He retires at the end of July from Our Redeemer in Golconda, just upstream on the Ohio.

Pastor Ted Mayes ministry followed a different path.  He began as an assistant pastor at Holy Cross in St. Louis before becoming an instructor of religion, dean of the chapel, and religion department chairman at St. Paul's College in Concordia, MO.  He went on to serve at Hope, Maryville, MO for eighteen years.  Pr. Mayes last eleven years have been at Immanuel, Murphysboro, IL.  Pr. Mayes has completed an all but his dissertation from, the University of Missouri, Kansas City.  He has spent his free time of late translating the Baier-Walther Compendium into English.  This was the Systematic textbook of the LCMS for many years.  His last service at Immanuel is this coming Sunday, May 27.

Two gifted men, used by the Lord for His purposes in different ways.  As long as the Lord grants them health and strength, without the daily demands of full time parish work, these men will continue to serve the Lord.  Both look forward to spending time with their wives.  They are willing to do supply preaching.  Pr. Rivett is making plans to visit South Africa in October and November to help our partner church, the LCSA, expand its prison ministry.  Pr. Mayes will continue to translate and complete some of his unfinished projects.

We called Sundays event a "Retirement Service."  It is more likely a re-positioning.  The Lord makes use of a person's gifts and experience.  In His economy nothing is wasted.  This is not the end of the road for either man.  The Lord brings an end to earthly service at death.  Both pastors hope to have a little more discretionary time but will be kept busy.  A new chapter is opening for both of them.  It will be interesting to watch how the Lord both places and uses them in the future.  Both have faithfully run the race to this point.  The Lord will decide the course and time ahead.

Thank you for your partnership and years of service!

The Neglected Festival

A blessed Ascension Day!

Forty days after Easter Jesus ascended bodily into heaven.  Man has gone where no human has gone before.  Jesus, both true God and true man, rules over all things on behalf of His body, the Church.  Where Jesus has gone, there believers shall go also. These lowly, decaying bodies will either be resurrected gloriously or be transformed in the twinkling of an eye.  Heaven is open for you.  Jesus has prepared the way and invites you to live there with Him forever.

No greater gift is possible.  You will not find it in any catalog.  Not even MasterCard with its priceless campaign can secure it.  No amount of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, stocks, bonds or plastic can purchase it.  No parliament, politician, judiciary or military can change it. Trust not in princes they are but mortal, earth born they are and soon decay. Neither the strength of man or beast can obtain it or change it.  The fact of the matter is:  Jesus reigns.  He is the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent ruler of all things visible and invisible.

His power is revealed in weakness.  His body, betrayed, battered and beaten hid the splendor of His might.  In His silence the verdict against all unrighteousness was leveled on Him.  He bore the cross for you, that by His wounds you might be healed.  He died that you may live forever.  He rose as proof that God the Father accepted the sacrifice of His Son.  He ascended to assume His rightful place at the right hand of the Father.  Still He cones today.  He calls His church to be stewards of the mysteries of God.  His Word is alive and active.  It kills and makes alive.  It reveals the thoughts and intentions of every heart.  He empowers water and the Word to be the cleansing flood for a fallen creation.  Those who are baptized into Christ are baptized into His death and join in His resurrection.  The Savior calls them His own.  He feeds them with His body and blood that are received in bread and wine in the Supper He instituted.  Here He joins Himself  to you in time that you may be His eternally.  He gives you His Spirit as the down payment of what is to be yours forever.

When Jesus returns what is hidden now will be disclosed in all of its divine majesty and glory.  There will be no mistaking what is happening at His Second Coming.  Every eye will cry on account of Him.  Believers surprise will give way to everlasting joy.  Unbelievers will cry out for the crumbling mountains to hide them from the One who is returning.  The Ascension of our Lord is an integral part of the Divine Drama for your salvation.  Take heart!  No matter how bad it gets, Jesus promises never to let you go.  Multitudes have gone before your in the Faith. Some lost their earthly lives only to gain entrance into that city whose architect and builder is God. Imitate their faith.

Why then is this day so neglected?  Is it disbelief that these things are true?  Is it love for this present order of things?  Since it is out of sight is it also out of mind?  For many the answer is yes, yes and yes.  Why among believers does this day go by as just another Thursday?  The above may fit.  Perhaps it is something deeper, even sinister.  Could it be that an ascended Jesus doesn't fit the image people want of Him?  Any potentate, particularly a divine one, creates fear and awe in sinful mortals.  Better not to be noticed by the King; better to live in quiet obscurity trying to make the most of life now.  Maybe none of what the Scriptures claim about the ascended Lord is true?  If it isn't true then one trusts solely what they feel, think and experience.  Faith becomes a faint hope that if you just mind your own business, keep to yourself, make no gigantic waves and go along with the status quo everything will be okay. Others look for that proverbial fifteen minutes of fame as being the best one can attain.  How tragic. How sad that people believe the devil's lies.

The incarnate, crucified, resurrected and ascended Lord is not distant and far away. He is closer than you think.  He is with you all day, every day, even to the close of the age.  He invites you to remain in His Word, to taste and see that He is good in the Holy Supper, to rejoice in the new birth from above that is yours in Baptism.  These gifts are located specifically in the Holy Christian Church and set in the Divine Service.  Here heaven meets earth.  With Jesus are the host of heaven.  In Him we are united.  What we have now in faith we shall have by sight eternally.

Why is this day so neglected?  Could it be as simple as we do not recognize the Giver and the gifts He brings because He is the incarnate, crucified, resurrected and ascended One?

My will or Thy will?

Every one has hopes, dreams and desires.  Christians seek to honor God and glorify His name.  How do we know what belongs to God's will or my will?  Lutheran catecheses teaches that what God has promised to do we need not pray, if it be your will.  Things like forgiveness and salvation fall into this category.  God forgives sins through Jesus Christ.  He has won salvation for us through His Son's death, resurrection and ascension.  The Lord wants all to be saved and to come to the Truth.  His will is clear in these matters.

What about those things for which God has not revealed His will?  Specifically, how should we pray regarding those hopes, dreams and desires that we have?  Is what I am requesting for the benefit of others or me?  Does it glorify God?  Is it in harmony with the Ten Commandments?  So far so good.  But what if everything you do in pursuit of your desire ends with frustration?  Here is where we might be harboring an idol under the guise of doing God's work.  For instance, promising God a healthy percentage of lottery winnings does not make the lottery something good for you.  Winnings may lead to temptations and evils you cannot imagine now.  God cannot be bribed with the promise of future proceeds if He lets you hit it big.

Are you willing to place your hopes, dreams, desires and aspirations before the Lord?  Are you willing for Him to recreate, redeem and sanctify you and them to be in accordance with His will?  That which you withhold from God and are unwilling to let Him have His way is an idol.  It is painful when these are exposed in our lives.  It is much easier to point out the idols in the lives of others while protecting our own.  Ultimately the Lord will cast every idol from its throne, for He is God and He alone.  It is better to lay them at His feet in repentance and to live in His forgiveness.

The Lord has your best interests at heart.  He who sought your soul's salvation is not about to give up on you easily.  He desires to bring you through this life to Himself in heaven.  He knows what is best for us in any situation.  He has both short and long term in mind.  He sees the big picture, the eternal one.  Commit your way to the Lord.  Trust in Him.  He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday (Psalm 37:5-6).  May His will be done in my life and yours!