A Multi-Colored Gift

       In the name of the Father, Son +, and Holy Spirit, Amen.  A diamond ring has many facets that reveal its inner beauty, luster and radiance. Examining it under a jeweler’s loupeand bright light one appreciates the unique character of each stone.  One of my hobbies is coin collecting.  Many collectors are drawn to bright shining coins that look like they come straight from the mint.  Some coins that have been left largely alone in a box, bag or vault take on some very colorful toning. There, the atmosphere humidity, temperature and material surrounding the coin give it a unique patina.  The result is a coin that may display fabulous color.  Some of the beauty is not obvious initially.  But tilted under a light color jumps off the coin. These coins demand a premium from collectors who appreciate gorgeous toning.  They are literally one of a kind despite being one of thousands minted that year.

God’s gift of Holy Baptism is much like these coins.  The eyes behold water.  Seen through the light of God’s Word, this gift is much more vibrant and colorful. Each verse presents another facet of the diamond that is Jesus.  Each verse brings a new vibrant hue from the reality that is Christ Jesus.  Paul reminds the Colossians of all they have received from their connection to Jesus.  He rattles off a list from the gift-giving God. The Lord is at work throughout.
       In Baptism they have been buried with Jesus into His death.
       The Triune God is at work raising you from the dead in the resurrection of Christ.
       In Him your hearts have been circumcised
       God makes you alive together with Jesus,
       He forgives all your trespasses,
       He cancels your debt and marks it paid in full by nailing the bill to the cross.
      He disarmed rulers and authorities.
      He displays victory through death and resurrection.
You and I are the recipients of God’s manifold mercy and grace in Jesus Christ.  In Jesus the fullness of the deity dwells bodily. The implications are astounding.  We proclaim Jesus Christ.  He embodies the fullness of God in human flesh.  What we are unable to do, Jesus did. He made perfect satisfaction for your sins. He took your place under the law. We have what the world does not understand or know that it needs.

     Earlier this week I heard several men on the radio sharing their religious views.  Each of them believed that they were saved by their works.  They acknowledged that they are not perfect but hope that God will accept them based upon the good they did and their good intentions even when they did not result in good things. None of them expressed a need for a Savior or an Advocate to stand before the throne of God on their behalf. This is an example of what it means to be held captive by philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition and the elemental spirits of the world. They are dead men talking and do not realize the severity of their condition or the salvation that Jesus brings..

     Not that we should take credit for what we have in Christ.  It is part of God’s gifting to us.  Paul carefully illustrates this by the language he employs.  Words like “as you received,” “rooted,” “built up in Him,” “established in the faith” are all passives.  No one has the power to root, establish and build themselves up in the faith.  These works are reserved for God the Holy Spirit. They begin with baptism and continue through the hearing of the Word. This is what makes not attending church so damning.  A person removes themselves from the very place God chooses to root, establish and build them up in Jesus Christ.  As you have received Christ, so walk in Him. This is what you have been taught to do. It fulfills the commandment to remember the Sabbath day and keeping it holy. How is it kept holy? When we gladly hear the Word of God and live holy lives according to it. The apostle says it like this:  “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6).

     Solomon observed that there is nothing new under the sun.  The world is terminally ill unto death.  It is not a condition that anyone can overcome.  Left to our alleged goodness and noble intentions we fail.  We die because we are sinners.  The only antidote is Jesus Christ. He knows the true condition of every human heart.  He knows how we minimize our sins and maximize our own goodness.  He knows that are condition is fatal.  He comes anyway.  He comes to treat us not as we deserve but according to His mercy.  He comes and unveils for us a glorious salvation.  You are baptized into it as through this washing of water you are buried with Jesus and are instantaneously raised to new life.

     In the light of God’s Word, baptism pops with vibrant living color.  It’s all a gift for you daily. Many will try to disqualify you by saying that this can’t be true.  You must do and do and do and not do this, that and other things. Paul dismisses them as puffed up without reason, not holding fast to the Head who is Christ.  The reality is Jesus.  He is the head from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God (Colossians 2:19), Amen.

LCMS Convention Sermon, Sunday Matins 7/21/13

Acts 16:25-34       Baptized For This Moment       21 July 2013

In the name of the Father, Son + and Holy Spirit, Amen.  What do an annoyed apostle, an exorcism, riot, beating, imprisonment and earthquake have in common? These were the events through which the Lord increased the first congregation in Europe, at Philippi. No mission board, church planter, evangelist, district president or synodical convention could have imagined outreach in this way.  The Lord did. He is the God of surprises. The Lord is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask, think or imagine according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Paul and Silas were baptized for this moment.  They were buried with Jesus into His death.  The public humiliation, beating and wounds connected them anew to the passion of Jesus Christ. Like Peter and John they rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41).  Their prayers and hymns caught the attention of every prisoner, the jailer included.  What manner of men sings and rejoices when beaten bloodied and shackled?  The jailer listened. These men were specifically put into his care.  He locks them in the inner prison.  Who are these guys? Who is this Jesus they keep mentioning?

Around midnight an earthquake opens the prison doors and loosens the chains of all the incarcerated.  Fearing the worst, the jailer thinks the men have escaped.  He concludes that it would be better to fall on his own sword rather than face the brutality of the authorities for failing in his duties.  Sensing what was taking place, Paul shouts in a loud voice assuring the jailer that all are present and no one has escaped.  Who are these men? They stay when they could have fled; they are more concerned about saving his life than escaping with their own.

This was no accident.  Lives are spared in the earthquake that souls may be saved for eternity.  The jailer cries out for this greater salvation.  Paul and Silas direct him to Jesus. The jailer and his household are baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection. In a scene reminiscent of the woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears, the grateful jailer washes the wounds of Silas and Paul. He further provides food for their wearied bodies. The Lord integrated these events and knit these lives together.  Jesus is serious about adding to the church daily those who were being saved.

Work in Philippi was cut short for Paul and Silas.  The Lord grows His church when and where He wills among those who hear the Gospel.  They jailer and his family were baptized for this moment. Along with Lydia and her household, they remained to tell everyone what God has done. The Spirit accomplished much in Philippi.  An annoyed Paul casts out a spirit of divination from a slave girl who was following them. This angered her owners who saw her fortune telling income drying up.  A riot erupts. Paul and Silas are stripped by the mob and beaten under the approving eyes of the magistrates. Wounded and humiliated Paul and Silas are put into the securest part of the prison.  Rather than curse, grumble and complain they pray, praise and give thanks. The Lord uses all of it; even in apparent defeat the Lord works.

This side of heaven the church labors under the cross of her Lord Jesus Christ.  It is a burden and yoke that Jesus makes easy and light. Christians are facing increasingly difficult times. The culture no longer respects the church as it did. Opposition is rising; persecution coming.  Fear not!  Jesus travelled this road on the way to Golgotha.  You were there with Jesus. Through Baptism into His death you die to sin and rise daily as a new creation. The old has gone new things have come. Jesus saves you through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit whom He has poured out richly upon you in your Baptism. 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.

       The Lord used Paul and Silas’ public beating, arrest and imprisonment to further His kingdom.  We who confess Jesus’ name today are blessed. Blessed even when reviled, blessed even when cursed. You are blessed to be a blessing.  Freely have you received, freely give.  This side of heaven you will never know the full impact of your daily confession and witness to Him who loved you and gave Himself for you. God knows. He is faithful. His Word works. As the hymn notes, eternity will reveal the pattern in the seeds that are sown.  Rejoice, that your names are written in heaven. Rejoice, you are baptized for this moment. Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus!

       In the name of Jesus Christ, ascended to the right hand of the Father and returning on the Last Day, Amen.  The text for our consideration is the epistle reading from Revelation 22, the last chapter of the Bible, particularly these words:  He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20). This is the Word of the Lord.

On Thursday the Christian Church celebrated the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven.  Forty days after rising from the dead, Jesus visibly left His disciples ascending into the clouds.  Two angels interpreted this event.  This Jesus whom you have seen ascend into heaven will return in the same way that you saw Him go into heaven (Acts 1:11).  Behold, He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him (Revelation 1:7).  The Church has been waiting ever since

Come, Lord Jesus!  Lutherans says these words before every meal.  We want Jesus to grace us with His presence as we give thanks for what He provides in support of our body and soul. Scripture says that all creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God (Romans 8:19).  The world in which we live is rapidly falling into decay.  This week we heard of the dramatic escape of three women, kidnapped and held captive by one man in a Cleveland home for the past decade.  A woman in Arizona is convicted of murdering her boyfriend.  She stabbed him twenty seven times, slit his throat and shot him in the head for good measure five years ago. Testimony from the abortion doctor on trial in Pennsylvania is too gruesome to share.  Come, Lord Jesus!

In the Gospels Jesus reveals that His return will come upon the world unexpectedly.  As in the days of Noah people will be eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage until the day when Noah entered the ark and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them away, so will it be at the coming of Jesus (Matthew 24:37-39). John carries the same theme forward in our text. His words are not to be sealed but proclaimed, taught and believed.  The world continues on its self-destructive course. Christ’s Word is no longer heeded, let alone respected.  Jesus notes that evil will increase before He returns.  The pre-flood world and the examples of Sodom and Gomorrah remain valid as to conditions prior to Jesus coming back.

The progression of evil continues.  “Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy” (Revelation 22:11). There is a distinction between believers and unbelievers. “Outside are the dogs and sorcerer and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood” (Revelation 22:15).  Jesus will return and hold the whole world accountable.  This is something our world does not like to consider.  Many try to convince themselves that sin has no consequences.  The unbelieving world extols the virtue of doing whatever you like without interference from others. Conversely society doesn’t get it when two brothers, one a naturalized citizen, set off bombs with the intent to maim and kill as many as possible.  Rather than look at what is in the human heart, sinful from birth; America is blamed for failing these men. It is your fault and mine for what these men did. Strange logic.

There are others who recognize the sin that lurks within each heart.  They have come to know how often they fail.  Their best intentions are not so good.  The good that they would do they fail to accomplish. The evil they despise is what they continue to do.  These people believe that if they are to be saved, salvation must come from outside of them.  They long for the return of Jesus.  These are the ones described by the angel speaking with John. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates” (Revelation 22:14). What began in the Garden of Eden culminates in the Eternal City of God.  Heaven is a described as a beautiful city coming down from heaven.  It has the glory of God.  Its’ radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal (Revelation 21:10-12). Within the walls of the city is the throne of God. Like the four rivers flowing outward from Eden, the water of life flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb.  It bisects the main street of the city.  Along is route is the tree of life constantly bearing fruit each month of the year. The leaves of this tree are for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1-2).

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him.  They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever (Revelation 22:4-5).  These words are trustworthy and true.  You can count eternity upon them.  Jesus says:  “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Revelation 22:7).

What Jesus says in this last chapter of the Bible is consistent with what has been taught throughout the Scriptures.  Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and treasure it, that is regard it is as precious and do it (Luke 11:27).  People are neither to add nor subtract from the Holy Scriptures.  Paul gives and excellent description of the Office of the Holy Ministry when he writes regarding the Lord’s Supper.  “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you” (1 Corinthians 11:23).  The Church receives with one hand and delivers with the other.  Entering the Promised Land, Joshua was directed not to depart from the Law of the Lord either to the right or to the left (Joshua 1:9).

In an age that believes it knows better than God what the world needs listen again to Holy Scripture.  “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book.  If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of this book of this prophecy, God will take away His share in the tree of life and in the holy city which are described in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).

Jesus is coming soon. That is His promise.  The ascended Lord is returning.  He will bring an end to this present way of life and judge the world in righteousness.  May we with the Church of all times and places say with the evangelist. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Amen.

Thought for the Day

The reign of Christ is hidden under the cross. - Martin Luther

Pastoral Installation Sermon on Good Shepherd Sunday

Acts 20:17-35       A Shepherd’s Call       21 April 2013

Rev. John Shank installation as Senior Pastor, Trinity, Edwardsville, IL

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  It is most fitting to hold a pastoral installation on this Sunday of the Church Year known as Good Shepherd Sunday.  The common name for ministers among Lutherans is “pastor,” which is the Latin for shepherd.  Pastors point people to the One Shepherd who alone is called “good,” Jesus Christ. The text we shall consider is from the first reading. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood (Acts 20:28).

Paul was returning to Jerusalem when he passed through Miletus for the final time.  The apostle met there with the pastors from Ephesus.  He reminds them of his own ministry among them. The apostle had patiently instructed them in the “whole counsel of God” in fulfillment of the Great Commission.  Jesus calls pastors to deliver what He entrusts to them.  Pastors baptize into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  They teach all things that Jesus taught and that which has been recorded for our instruction. Little has changed in the two millennia following.  Pastoral ministry is simply taking what we have received from the Lord Jesus Christ and literally handing it over to the people they are called to serve (1 Cor 11:23.  Pastors speak the Word of Holy Scripture and the sheep learn the voice of the Good Shepherd.

This is more difficult than it seems as Paul testifies. He is comforted with the knowledge that he did not shrink from this responsibility.  He withstood the plots of the Jews opposed to Jesus (v. 19).  The apostle taught in public and from house to house to both Jews and Greeks.  His message is summarized beautifully: repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 21). This message is the timeless golden cord that runs through Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. During the rite of installation we will review again what the Bible says concerning the institution of the Office of the Holy Ministry, as well as its responsibilities, strengths and promises.  Listen attentively to what is read.  These are the expectations God places upon pastors.  They form the standard for ministry in The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

What makes ministry difficult is when the expectations of a congregation and its members differ from what the Lord requires of His pastors who shepherd the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood. If a congregation asks the pastor to preach, teach or do something that is not in accord with the Scriptures an immediate conflict arises.  Is the pastor to do what the congregation wants, even if it violates Holy Scripture?  Since he cannot please everyone, does he make the perceived majority happy? How does he discharge the duties of the Holy Ministry as God directs?  Should the church favor the best givers or the ones who can trace their congregational ancestry back generations?  Holy Scripture commands us to show no partiality. Paul instructs pastors when he says: Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Persist in this, for in so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers (1 Timothy 4:16).

Paul says to the Ephesian pastors: Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood (Acts 20:28). The church does not belong to the pastor nor is it the possession of the congregation in whole or in part.  The Lord Jesus purchased you to be His own through the shedding of His blood on the cross.  He is the Head of His body, the Church.  Pastors are stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor 4:1-2).  They do not own or control them according to their own whims and desires.  The Lord expects His servants to be faithful in the fulfilling of their ministry.  The Lord does not authorize pastors to subtract from or add to the Holy Scriptures.  These are the Lord’s Words that He wants proclaimed, taught and believed.  When the pastor speaks God’s Word to you, it is the Lord who is speaking to your through Him.  You are to receive him as you would receive the Lord Jesus Christ if He was here visibly before you.

Likewise the church is the Body of Christ in this place.  Pastors are to care for Christ’s people in the manner befitting a faithful shepherd. The focus is on Jesus. It is Jesus who is “all in” for you in His incarnation, death, resurrection, ascension and coming return.  Jesus is not an absentee owner.  While the fullness of His divine glory is hid from human eyes until it is revealed on the Last Day; He is here in water, word, bread and wine.  Jesus remains among His own as the One who serves. Christians do well to treat each other with love, honor and respect. The Bible says that believers should be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy to all people (Titus 3:1-2).

The sad reality is that no pastor or layman does these things perfectly.  Pastors and laity share a sinful human flesh.  This flesh is well practiced in the art of sinning.  That comes naturally. We cannot help but sin as even our best intentions are tainted with our own self-interest. We have a God who specializes in sinners.  Jesus died for every one of our sins, trespasses and transgressions.  He forgives them all.  In Holy Baptism you are joined to His death and resurrection.  The Lord calls you by name and you are His.  He feeds you through the hearing of His Word and shortly in receiving our Lord’s body and blood through which He has purchased you to be His own.  In the pew, at the font and at the rail we are beggars still whom God richly cleanses and feeds.

Paul’s ministry with the Ephesians was coming to an end as he gave them final instructions and warned them of what would happen when he left.  False teachers would arise from their number and seek to lead others away.  Pastor Shank your ministry begins anew today as Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church.  The challenges you face are shared by your brothers throughout our district and Synod.  Remain alert for the various wolves who would attempt to steal the sheep of God’s flock here at Trinity.

The Lord has blessed you with a beautiful family.  Do not neglect them for the sake of the Holy Ministry.  They are also God’s gifts to you. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Remember that you are God’s man to care for His flock here at Trinity. These are the Lord’s people, purchased with His own blood.  They have prayed for wisdom, guidance and direction as they called you to be their pastor. The Holy Spirit has guided you to say yes to this call. May the Lord grant you a long and blessed tenure together!  Amen.

The Living One

The Living One  

Revelation 1:4-18

Southern Illinois District Pastoral Conference, Wartburg, IL

In the name of Jesus Christ, the first and the last and the Living One who died and is alive forever.  He holds the keys of death and Hades in His hand, Amen.  Of all the disciples, one can argue that John was closest to Jesus.  He is known as “the beloved disciple.” John was next to Jesus in the Upper Room. Jesus commended the care and keeping of Mary into John’s hands as the cross.  Among the men John was the first to reach the tomb. His piety prevented him from entering. Peter ran up and went straight inside.  John was present Easter evening and again the following week as The Living One appeared to Thomas.  John was among the brothers as Jesus ascended into heaven.  Yet nothing in John’s experience prepared him for what he saw in the Revelation of Jesus Christ that forms today’s text.

Two rangers were on foot patrolling their campground around 3:00 am.  One was a Christian, the other an agnostic.  Suddenly night turned into day as a bright light burst from the heavens.  Both men fell to their knees in the dew drenched grass.  Looking up to they saw the bright tracing of a meteor that had entered the atmosphere and burned up.  The Christian said to the other, “I know why I was on my knees. What about you?”  He had no answer. The return of Jesus will have an even greater impact.  Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him.  All tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him.  Every knee will bow to Jesus and confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9).

Jesus is alive.  The crucified one is risen from the dead.  He holds the keys of death and Hades in His hands.  The believer’s momentary fear will give way to everlasting joy as your redemption draws near.  Those who rejected Christ will see with their own eyes what they rejected.  Jesus is alive.  He is returning to judge the living and the dead. The whole world is accountable to God (Romans 3:19-20). No excuses, no alibi’s, no good intentions count.  Either one believes in his heart and confesses with His mouth that Jesus is Lord or will face the eternal consequences for their rejection of Christ.

Permeating this text is an implicit fear of God.  This fear, expressed so well in Luther’s explanation of each commandment, is missing from the Public Square and pop spirituality. Some see God as their personal spiritual trainer. He is there to help you work out your salvation and improve on character shortcomings.  Some women see Jesus as a lover and the understanding man their husband can never be. Increasingly “the nones” have no use for any caricature of God.  What about you?  Do you fear God more than men? Are you more concerned with keeping your congregation happy than calling them to repentance and faith?  Do you keep quiet about controversial issues hoping they will go dormant? Do you fear people more than God?  Repent!

Jesus says. “Do not fear those who can destroy the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell…So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:28, 32-33). Jesus is the Living One.  He died and is now alive forever.  He holds the keys of death and Hades.

The apostle John did not recognize Jesus. Christ is the Pantocrator in His divine glory.  Still, like the Son of Man because of the incarnation.  Jesus is in the midst of His church.  He is the High Priest who intercedes for His people. Eyes with fire enable Him to discern the thoughts and intentions of every heart. He stands with His burnished bronze feet victorious over all the earth.  He speaks with the authority of God Himself. His Words kill and make alive.  He emanates light brighter than the sun.  Like the two rangers who fell on their knees, John falls prostrate before Jesus.  The beloved disciple knows He has no right to stand in the presence of the glorified Christ. Neither do we if He appeared to us with the unveiled majesty that is rightly His.

Jesus approaches John and laid His right hand upon John’s shoulder.  Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one.  I died and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Revelation 1:17-18).  The right hand of Jesus’ power and authority is entrusted to the Church.  Jesus continues to walk among us.  He graciously veils His divine glory that we may enter His presence with joy and thanksgiving.  He is here cradled in the Scriptures instructing us in all things and calling you to make disciples by baptizing and teaching them everything Jesus has revealed.  Jesus is here.  His body hidden in bread; His blood conveyed in wine. He enters our bodies in the eating and drinking of this most sacred meal.  Jesus is here forgiving you of all your sins.  He is here to strengthen you for the living of these days.  The Living One invites you anew to His feast service to your neighbor. Jesus had the first word at creation and will have the final one on the Last Day.

We are entering uncertain times for the Church within the United States. Persecution is underway.  The extent of which is unknown.  In many ways ministry will be fulfilled in an age increasingly hostile to you and the Savior that you proclaim.  We are not unique or alone.  Consider how John identifies himself as the author of Revelation.  He is your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus (Revelation 1:9).  He writes from Patmos where he had been exiled because of Jesus.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a book of immense comfort for Christians in an hostile age.  No matter what happens, Jesus wins.  His people prevail and we will be with Him forever.  Knowing how everything ends makes it easier to face today.  The Lord Jesus joined you into His death and resurrection in your baptism.  Your true life is now hidden with God in Christ. The Lord Jesus will transform your lowly body to be like His glorious body by the power that enables Him to subdue all things to Himself.  What is there to fear? Jesus, the Living One remains in the midst of His golden lampstands, the Church.  He is coming back.  Everyone will see Him.  When these things take place stand erect and look up for Jesus, your redemption draws near, Amen.

Whose Approval Counts?

The world seeks to be praised And honored by the mighty

Yet never once reflects That they are frail and flighty.

But what I truly prize Above all things is He,

My Jesus, He alone. What is the world to me!

(LSB 730:2)

This hymn from the turn of the 18th century captures well the eternal Word of God.  Jesus warned that no one can serve two masters.  You will hate the one and despise the other.  One cannot serve both God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).  The apostle John likewise warns:  "Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh, and the desires of the eye and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17).

The flesh battles constantly against the Spirit.  Given new birth from above, Christians are to set their eyes on things above where Christ is seated that when He appears you will also appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4). The good that we would do, we don't.  The evil that we hate, that is what we find ourselves doing (Romans 7).  What the world offers is immediate gratification.  Click a link and there it is! Many feast their eyes on pornography and fill their souls with straw.  Don't delay; hurry and enjoy today.  It doesn't matter what you seek, there are many avenues that portray themselves as gateways to pleasures. So many are off to gain the whole world and enjoy what it offers.

Jesus complicates the pursuit of pleasure, happiness, riches and whatever else the world deems important. He asks a simple question.  "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his soul?  What can a man gain in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).  Some politicians enter public life with moderate income.  They retire from office as millionaires.  Salaries alone cannot account for this increase.  They are enriched through government coffers and influence seekers trying to buy their vote.  Some politicians enter public life with both virtue and morality intact.  These may quickly be sacrificed to move up in the party or to gain reelection in the changing political winds.  A man's actions speak louder than words.  One can say anything, but it is what they do that shows where their real values lie.

What those who live for today forget is that all will appear before Jesus on the Last Day. There each person will give an account for their conduct, priorities, use of time and possessions entrusted to them now. Do you fear God more than people? You should.  Jesus teaches: "Do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!" (Luke 12:4-5) God alone has authority to kill both body and soul and cast them into hell. We should fear God's wrath and not take it lightly. Everyone who stands before God in their own righteousness will be condemned. Those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

Wilhelm Loehe, a 19th century support of missions, including those in North America. some of which joined the Missouri Synod, writes: What do you love? Do you love the world? It will pass away and its desires too. Acknowledgement with people? That’s blowing mere bubbles and great nothingness. Honor? That’s just a passing shadow. A big name in this world? Soon it is forgotten. Favor with the high and mighty? Then your really clutching at straws. Friends? They come and go like the tides of the oceans, like summer rains or the seasons. Father and mother? They are but mortal and will have to leave you sooner or later. Your children? They’re not yours really, they belong to the heavenly Father. Your own life? That’s a weaver’s coil and will be unravelled in no time. Your house? That’s about as an abiding abode as the whale was to Jonah.  It will spit you out naked with nothing to go with it. Your fields, forests and pastures? Who knows how soon somebody else will call it his own? What do you love? Vanity? That suffocates anybody in the long run. Do you love yourself? That’s probably the biggest disappointment of all in the end. Choose what you want here on earth. It’s all not more than a loss and bound to lead to serious disenchantment. 

Only Jesus is our righteousness, wisdom, sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). Blessed is the one who hears His word and keeps it.  This means that God's word is kept as a valued, treasured possession. Through it we live now and for eternity. Courting the world's favor is like building a home out of Styrofoam   It will not endure the judgement but melt into nothing under the intense heat.  He who boasts in the Lord Jesus has it all.