Living God's Word

Observe [God’s Word] carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. – Deuteronomy 4:6,9
 

The Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land.  But God has something to say to his people through Moses before they would go into that land.

He says to them in the words above, “You have seen my love for you in action.  And I’ve given you my Word.  I have told you what I want you to do and what I don’t want you to do.  And you have seen that it is all for your good, because I love you and want what’s best for you.  Like a parent who sets down rules for his children to follow, they are for your benefit.

“The people around you know about my Word that you follow as well.  They know about it by the way you conduct yourself.  The life you live gives evidence to who you are and who you follow and what you are all about.  When you obey what I have told you, others around you will say of you, ‘They are such wise and understanding people.’  They will see how you love me and how you love one another.

“But when you are surrounded by people who do not believe what you do, who do not know me as the true and only God, who do not know my love, you will be tempted to put aside my laws and live as the rest of the world does.  Be careful.  Watch yourselves closely.  Don’t forget the things you have seen with your own eyes.  Don’t let my Word slip from your hearts.  Remember, I love you.  I have called you to be different than the sinful world around you.  I have called you to be a light among darkness.  I have called you to be my own.

“And these laws that I have given to you for your good, they are for your children too.  Teach them my Word.  They too will be tempted to give up on me and join in the ways of the world.  It’s your job to teach them of my grace and mercy.”

Dear friends, these words are for us too.  God has given us his Word.  In that Word, he has revealed himself and his great love for us.  He has made us his through the blood of our Savior, Jesus.  And now he calls us to live a life of love through him and for him.  As blood bought souls of Christ we gladly want to obey his Word.  And we know that he gives us his Word for our good, he wants what’s best for us too.  And when we live according to his Word people around us see that.  Be careful that you don’t slip and put aside God’s Word.  Repent for the times you have put yourself and the world before your God.  And receive the forgiveness Jesus has won for you.  And then live a life a love.  Love for God.  Love for your neighbor.

And don’t forget to teach these words to your children and your grandchildren.  And everyone else God has placed into your life.  You have been given the words of everlasting life.  You have been given the word that is a lamp for our path through this life.  Know that Word.  Live it.  Share it.

(The above text comes from the First Lesson from this coming Sunday, when we begin our new series, “Don’t Say You are a Christian, Be One.”  We will see how we have been called be a Christian not just with words, not just sometimes, but with our whole life.) 

Midweek Message from the Mount - August 29, 2012

Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. - Colossians 3:16
 

In the busyness of our day-to-day lives, with all the demands we have on our schedules, with all the options we have to spend our precious free time, how easy is it to let the sanctified encouragement above slip by?

In our world, and maybe if we are soberly honest with ourselves, often even in our own lives, the name of Christ is considered either theological vocabulary or a word used for thoughtless expression.  A word irrelevant to daily life.

Do you let the word of Christ dwell in you richly?  Or is it just something you think about one hour a week, if that?

As blood bought souls of Christ whom he loves dearly, we are called to live on a rich diet of his Word:  in daily prayer, in daily devotion, in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, by being in God’s house regularly.

So how is it for you?  Is the Word of Christ dwelling within you richly?  Or, for the most part, does it dwell among you poorly, perhaps in a long neglected catechism or in a dust covered Bible?  Is Christ a common topic of conversation in your house?  Do days go by without his name on your lips?  Do you lift your heart to him in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, not just on Sunday mornings, but on the commute to work, at the kitchen sink, or as you lay your head down on your pillow?

How much we have to be grateful for.  How much reason we have to praise our God.  Seek his forgiveness for the times you have neglected his Word and know you are fully and freely forgiven.  Make adjustments to your life that you might make his Word a priority.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would use the time you spend in the Word to strengthen you and fill you with his love.

May the Word of Christ dwell in us richly so we may more and more appreciate God’s great love for us!

Prayer:  Father in heaven, give me a love for you that is but a poor reflection of your love for me.  May I be moved to see and experience that love in my heart and in my home as we let the Gospel dwell in us richly.  May your love for me move me to love others.  In my Savior’s name I pray.  Amen.

Midweek Message from the Mount - August 22, 2012

Food that Really Satisifies

“I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”  (John 6:48-51)
 

So much of this life revolves around food, doesn’t it?  Shopping for it, preparing it, eating it.  How often don’t we think about food, and when we’ve had a good meal, tell others about it?  When we get together with friends and family, what it almost always present?  Yes, food of some sort.  Cooking shows are all the rage, with a number of television channels dedicated just to food.  So much of our life revolves around food, and we do enjoy it, don’t we?

But how much of your life revolves around the spiritual food that your soul needs? 

Jesus tells us he is bread.  He is bread that doesn’t just sustain life, it gives life.  Andd the life it gives is eternal life.  This is the food that really matters for this life.  How much of your life revolves around this food?  How much do you think about it?   How often do you tell others about some of the spiritual food that you had that was extremely satisfying to you?  How often is the Bread of Life at your gatherings with family and friends?

Jesus longs for you to be filled with what really satisfies.  Not a Snickers bar, not an extra helping of potatoes, not snacks between meals.  But himself.  Feast on the bread of life.  And feast on it often.  Feast on it like your life depended on it.  Because it does.  Don’t spiritually starve yourself.  Don’t go through this life spiritually malnourished.  He gave himself for you, and he longs to give you the fruits of his life, death and rising.  Be filled, dear Christian!  Be filled with the food that satisfies into eternity!  May your life revolve around this heavenly food!

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, the Bread of Life, instill in me a hunger for you and your Word.  May I see my deep need for all that you have done for me and continue to do for me daily.  May I be moved to continually feed on your holy Word daily and to long for the many blessings you assure me of.  Please help me to keep my eyes fixed on the eternal and to know where true peace and happiness come from:  from you alone.  Amen.

Midweek Message from the Mount - August 15, 2012

You Have Beautiful Feet

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  (Romans 10:15)

 

I am sure that you would come up with a whole slew of adjectives to describe your feet before you would pick “beautiful.”  But that’s the adjective that God uses to describe your feet here.  And it’s not because they are attractive and smell nice, it’s not because your toes are all straight and your nails have had a pedicure.  They are beautiful because of what they do.

Paul quotes this verse from Isaiah who says that the feet that are beautiful are of those that go and proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation (Isaiah 52:7).  And that is what you have to share.  Peace with a holy God, knowing your sins are no longer held against you.  Good tidings of a heavenly Father who has proven his love to you in Jesus.  The proclamation of a salvation that comes not from what you do, but based on what has been done for you.  This is good news that is meant for the entire world, including the people right around you:  your neighbor, your co-worker, your friends, your family.

There was a peculiar fisherman who was very well prepared. He knew how to fish. He had everything you need to be a good fisherman. He had poles, nets, bait, and even a really nice boat, but this fisherman had a problem. You see, for all his preparation he never caught anything. Not one fish. Not one, not ever. And you know why he never caught a fish? The answers easy: He never went fishing. He had all the knowledge and all the equipment, but he never got into the boat, he never left the dock.

God in his grace has given you this good news and it has changed your life and your eternity.  Use the feet that God has given you to go and to share this with someone else.  It’s a gift you have been told to give away.

It doesn’t matter how ugly your feet actually are.  God thinks they are beautiful.  Because when you share that good news and a sinner repents and comes to faith, there is much rejoicing in heaven.   You have been his instrument to add another soul to his kingdom.  What a privilege we have!  Use the feet you have been given!


Prayer:  Thank you, heavenly Father, for the awesome privilege of using me to share good news with the world.  Give me a heart of confidence and a spirit filled with the desire to share the message of Christ crucified and risen with those you have placed around me in my life.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Midweek Message from the Mount - August 8, 2012

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6) 

I’ve heard it said that there can be union without unity.  If you want proof, just tie two cats together by their tails and throw them over a clothesline.  

God isn’t just looking for union in our church, he desires unity among us.

In the chapters preceding the verses from Ephesians above, Paul writes of God’s great love for us that has existed from eternity and has now been proven and showered upon us through Christ.  He writes above, that because you have received the call of being declared holy in his sight and a member of his eternal family through Christ, live like it.  Live like a child of God.   Live like someone who has been rescued from sin and death. Live like someone who has experienced the grace and mercy of the almighty God.  Live like a Christian. And a Christian lives a life of humbleness, gentleness, patience, love and peace, doing everything they possibly can to keep unity with their fellow Christians.

Is that the type of life you strive for? To live in love and unity with one another?

Have there been times when you have not lived a life worthy of the calling you have received?  Have there been times when you have not been completely humble and gentle, patient and loving?  Have there been times when you have actually caused division with fellow Christians rather than unity and peace?

If so, cling to Christ and know that he lived an innocent life in your place, being completely humble and gentle, patient and loving in thought, word and deed.  Cling to his cross where he paid the cost for every time you have failed to live as his child.  And be assured that he gives you the strength and the motivation to live in unity with others.

Satan wants nothing more for our church to be divided.  He wants nothing more than for there to be pride and arrogance, impatience and hatred among us.  But when the center of all we do is Christ, when he is the reason we are together, when we realize it’s in him that we are one together, Satan cannot win.  We are one, dear friends.  We are one in Christ.  May we, motivated by Christ’s love for us, make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Midweek Message from the Mount – August 1, 2012

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  (1 Corinthians 12:27)

A psychologist once did a study on how members of the various sections of eleven major symphony orchestras perceived each other. The perceptions that they found were that the percussionists were viewed as insensitive, unintelligent, and hard-of-hearing, yet fun-loving. String players were seen as arrogant, stuffy, and unathletic. The orchestra members overwhelmingly chose "loud" as the primary adjective to describe the brass players. Woodwind players seemed to be held in the highest esteem, described as quiet and meticulous, though a bit egotistical.  With such widely divergent personalities and perceptions, how could an orchestra ever come together to make such wonderful music? The answer is simple: regardless of how those musicians view each other, they subordinate their feelings and biases to the leadership of the conductor. Under his guidance, they play beautiful music.

You see, Christ is our conductor.  When we subordinate our feelings and our biases, we are able to play beautiful music together. 

Paul, in our lessons from Corinthians above, compares the church to a human body with Christ as the head.  It’s the same truth as with Christ as conductor of an orchestra.  Each one of us is a part of Christ’s body.  Some are hands, some are feet.  Some are the mouth, some are the little pinky fingers.  Regardless of what the part, each is vital for the health and the function of the body. Without each part doing its job, the body will suffer.

It doesn’t matter what part of the body you are.  You are important.  And when we subordinate our feelings and biases to the head who controls the body, then the body will function properly.  When we are willing to follow the head and to work together in sync with each other, the body can thrive and it can grow bigger and stronger.

I don’t think there’s a single one of us who does not want the body of Christ to thrive and grow.  So as a member of that body, what will you do to help promote its growth?  How will you do your part to make it thrive and flourish? 

Find forgiveness at the cross, find peace with God and peace with the other members of the body, and find ways to serve the rest of the body. And then watch the body thrive and grow as we work together.  We will grow stronger, more will come to know Christ, and God will be glorified.  May God bless our church and give us the wisdom and the strength to follow our head, Christ.

Midweek Message from the Mount - July 25, 2012

⁴² They (the believers in the early church) devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

In our current sermon series and Sunday morning Bible study we are asking ourselves the question, “Why are we here?”  We are looking at what a church that has been made alive by the power of the Gospel is to look like and how they will act.  The verses above from the book of Acts about the early Christian church gives us great insight into what a healthy, growing, vibrant church that has been moved by the Gospel looks like.

The early Christians were devoted to God’s Word, the Lord’s Supper (breaking of bread), and to prayer.  They were hearing the Word every chance they got and they received it with great excitement.  “Every day they continued to meet in the temple courts.”   They craved God’s Word!  They regularly received Holy Communion to be assured that they lived as forgiven children of God and they had his power to live a life pleasing to him.  They spent time in prayer together as they praised God and prayed for others.

They were devoted to fellowship with each other.  They cared for one another.  They shared with those who were in need.  They were a family.  The love they had for their Lord was evident in their love for each other.

They praised God openly and others around them saw their faith was evident in their lives. It must have been said of them, “Those Christians really love each other!”  “Those Christians certainly know what they believe and they are committed to it!”  And simply by the way they conducted themselves and the message they were so eager to share, many people came to believe.  The early church knew what their purpose was and God blessed them significantly.

Why are we here?  For exactly the same reason the early church existed.  We devote ourselves to hearing God’s Word and receiving the Sacrament so that we can grow strong in faith.  We devote ourselves to prayer for God’ blessing.  We share with each other and care for one another, because we are a family.  And when people see we are committed to the Gospel and in our love for each other, we will gain the favor of outsiders.  We keep working and preaching and living faithfully, and we let God take care of results!

Midweek Message from the Mount -- July 18, 2012

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

These are words of encouragement and instruction from the Apostle Paul to his friend and fellow pastor, Timothy. If it’s important enough for Paul to write to Timothy, a pastor, about being in the Scriptures and using the Scriptures, do you think it’s important for you as well?

Dear friends, continue in what you have learned and what you believe in because the Scriptures are the only way we are made wise for salvation.  It’s in those Scriptures that God reveals his unlimited love for you in Christ Jesus.  Continue in these Scriptures, which are given to us by God himself in order to teach and be taught, to rebuke and be rebuked, to correct and to be corrected, to train and to be trained in righteousness.  Knowing what these Scriptures mean for our life here and for our eternity, how can we not continue in them?  How can we not long for them, cling to them, and thirst for them?

An unknown writer said, "The Bible is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.”

May God work in you a desire for his Word and then fill you with what he desires to give you there.  Continue in what you have learned so that you may be equipped for every good work that God has prepared for you!

Midweek Message from the Mount -- July 12, 2012

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3)

 Are you good at making excuses?  I know I am.

God says, “Be in my Word regularly.”

“But God, I’ve got a lot going on in my life right now.  I am just going to have to fit it in when I have time.”

He says, “Bring your concerns and troubles to me.”

“But God, I know what I’m doing.  I’ve got this under control.  I can handle this.”

He says, “Rely on me for your needs.”

“You know, God, just hoping that the bills will be paid or that there will magically be food in the cupboard just isn’t going to cut it.”

He says, “Tell that co-worker of yours about me.  Tell him what I have done for him.”

“Are you serious, God? He’s not going to listen to me.  He’ll just make fun of me.”

I’ve become pretty good at making excuses when God tells me to do something.  My guess is you’re not too bad at it either.

What about Abram? Do you think he was pretty good at making excuses like you and I are?

God tells him, “Abram, I want you to leave your country, your people, and your father’s household and I want you to head out to a land that I am going to tell you nothing about right now.”

You can imagine the list of excuses that Abram may have given.  “But God, my family is here, I can’t leave them behind.  You know, I am not so young anymore, God.  I just don’t know if I am up to all this traveling and living out of a tent.   I am not going to know anyone there, I’ll be considered a stranger.   God, why me? Why did you pick me for this?”

But the Lord immediately overwhelms the excuses that Abram may have spoken, or that he maybe was only thinking.  He gives him a perfect package of seven promises in order to strengthen his faith to do what he wanted him to do. And his final, most important and greatest promise in the list, the “Go out there and get ‘em” of his pep talk, is the promise of the Messiah who was to come from him.  This was enough for Abram, because immediately following this Messianic promise are the words, “so Abram left, as the LORD had told him.”

The Lord overwhelms all of our excuses with a perfect package of promises as well.

“You have too much going on in your life to find time to be in my Word regularly?  I promise that I will remain in you when you remain in me.”

“You think you have everything under control and you don’t need to bring your troubles to me?  I make the promise, come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I promise, I will give you rest.”

“Do you really think that your worrying about paying the bills or your fretting about food for the cupboards is going to provide for you?  Seek first my kingdom and my righteousness and I promise you, all these other things will be given to you as well.”

“So you are worried that co-worker is not going to listen to you?  I promise you, my word will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I desire.”

There is no reason to doubt the Lord will make good on these promises or any of the others he makes to us in His Word.  The Lord fulfilled all of his promises to Abram, most importantly, that of the Promised Savior.  And because of this Savior, the Lord promises that every single one of your sins of doubt and distrust are forgiven, and you have the assurance that all his promises to you will be accomplished.

There is no need for us to make excuses.  The Lord is faithful. So like Abram, we go, as the Lord has told us to.  Believing, and trusting in his promises.

Midweek Message from the Mount -- July 3, 2012

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13,14)

Do you ever feel that freedom is misused and abused in this country?  That it’s used as an excuse to do whatever we want?  To say whatever we want?  To allow anything and everything to be permissible, because you know, you can’t tread on anyone’s rights and freedom.  What do you think Revolutionary soldiers who fought for our freedom would say of the state of our country today?  I am guessing they would be appalled at many of the things they saw on television and the internet, revolted at the words and actions of people as they appeal to their rights and freedom.  “This isn’t what I fought for at all!” they might exclaim.

And to, in our freedom as Christians, we are not free to go and do whatever we want and misuse and abuse the freedom Christ has won for us.  Our freedom is not a license for us to sin and live for ourselves.  The freedom from sin we have through Christ moves us to want to, with the Spirit’s power, fight sin and avoid it, so we don’t once again become enslaved by it. 

The Emancipation Proclamation declared that all slaves were free.  The Civil War resulted in that freedom, but yet the Jim Crow laws, the segregation laws in effect for nearly 90 years after the Civil War, literally enslaved them still.  Freedom had been declared, but awfully, they weren’t able to live in freedom.  And so we too, we have heard and believed that our freedom is declared and complete, so why would we continue to be harnessed by our sin, to live as if we were not free from that sinful flesh and the grips of Satan?

It’s only by the Spirit’s strength and counsel that we live in freedom, wanting to submit to God’s will, using his Word as a light for our path, to use the law as a guide for our daily living.  Paul writes that “the entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”   The freedom from sin we enjoy through Christ leads us to make ourselves servants of each other and to love one another, and in that way we show our love for God.  In your freedom, your life shows the fruits of the Spirit as Paul lists, in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22).  This is the fruit that God looks for in our life of freedom, this is the fruit that the Spirit produces.  As we daily drown our Old Man in the waters of our Baptism, and as we arise in our New Man, in our freedom to serve God and each other we seek to serve and glorify God.

We enjoy such wonderful blessings of God as citizens of the United States of America.  Blessings we cannot take for granted.  Blessings that have come with a huge price tag.  Blessings we should cherish. 

But the blessings of God that we have as citizens of Christ’s kingdom of grace are so much greater and so much more precious.  Redeemed and freed from the tyranny of the devil, sin, and our sinful flesh.  Freed and forgiven and declared holy in God’s sight.  Blessings we cannot take for granted.  Blessings that came with a huge price tag.  Blessings we should cherish. 

You are free, you are free indeed!  Let that freedom ring in your lives!

Jesus promises you:  “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31)

Midweek Message from the Mount – June 20, 2012

 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. ³⁴ Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵ Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:33-35)

Have you ever thought about how amazing it is that Jesus calls us his brothers and sisters?  Have you considered how remarkable it is that we have been made the sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father? 

Through Jesus, God has taken us, bitter enemies of himself because of our choice of straying instead of obeying, and he has reconciled us to himself.  We were sons and daughters of the Father of Lies, but he has declared us to be the sons and daughters of himself, the Father of Life.  This is nothing we have earned or deserved.  There’s nothing we have done that God should look at us and think we were worth adopting.  But he did it because of his love.  How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)  And because we are his children we find peace and security in his faithful promises, we find comfort in his loving and protecting arms, and we are happy to obey his commands and to do his will.

And have you ever considered how this relationship with our heavenly Father makes us brothers and sisters of each other?  Not by our blood, but by Jesus’ blood, are we family.  And that’s something that is stronger than any other relationship we have on this earth, because it lasts for eternity.  The brothers and sisters in faith that you have here will be your family forever.  So we care for one another.  We look out for one another.  We help each other when we are hurting.  We rejoice with one another when we have reason to rejoice.  And we love one another.  Not just in words, but in actions and in truth.  We love one another as Christ our brother first loved us.

Thank God that he has made us his family, and he has made us into a family!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, We thank and praise you for making us your dear children through the merits of Jesus.  Lead us to place our trust in you as you supply us with all our needs. Strengthen us as we live together as a family of believers that we might exhibit our love for you in our relationships.  May we glorify you in all that we say and do together as a family in faith.  We pray in the name of Jesus, our brother.  Amen.

Midweek Message from the Mount – June 13, 2012

Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5:15)

God blessed his people with the gift of the Sabbath Day so that they could find rest for their bodies and their souls.  Here, through Moses, God tells his people that he brought them out of slavery in Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land, which was accomplished only by his almighty power.  Because of that, they were to observe the Sabbath to remember just how much God loved and cared for them, both physically and spiritually.

You and I have been freed from the slavery of our sin.  We were locked away in the prison of our sinful flesh with Satan as our master. But God has broken that yoke of slavery through the life and death of our Savior and our Substitute who took the punishment for us.  We have been forgiven of our debt, we have been freed, and it’s all by God’s mighty hand and outstretched arm, and not by anything we have done or ever could do.  And so we too eagerly desire to remember just how much God loves and cares for us. 

 

But there is no longer that command to observe a certain day of rest.  Christ has cancelled the written code and all the observances and festivals (Col. 2:13-17). We have been set free and we are able worship and find rest whenever we want.  We worship not because we have to, but because we cannot help not to, knowing the grace and mercy God has showered on us through Christ.  That yoke of slavery to sin has been crushed by Christ, and he now gives us a blessed invitation:  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

 

It’s in Christ that God’s commandment to keep the Sabbath Day was fulfilled.  It’s in Christ that we find rest from our sin and this sinful world.  It’s in Christ that we have the hope of eternal rest. 

 

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, Thank you for keeping the Law perfectly in my place and dying for my disobedience to the Law, so that I might be set free to serve you in faith.  Continue to lead me to eagerly seek you in Word and Sacrament where I find true rest for my soul.  Amen.

Midweek Message from the Mount – June 6, 2012

  In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. ³ And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory.”

⁴ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

⁵ “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

⁶ Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:1-8)

The first lesson for Trinity Sunday that we read this past Sunday is filled with beautiful truths and imagery.  Look at what brings Isaiah to his eager desire to be sent by the Lord.  It’s what the Triune God does for him that compels him.

He knows who he is before a holy God.  A man of unclean lips.  Ruined.  Woe is upon him.  He knows he does not deserve to be in the presence of the almighty God and he honestly admits he should be destroyed for it.

But notice how God responds.  He does not destroy Isaiah the sinner.  He declares Isaiah to be a saint, he takes his sins away, it’s atoned for, his guilt is vanquished.  And for no other reason than God’s great grace and mercy. 

Then comes the call.  “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?”  And Isaiah, knowing what his loving, Triune God has done for him, bringing him from ruin to life, from guilt to a pure heart, can’t help but raise his hand high and shout, “Here am I.  Send me!”

God has forgiven your sins and taken your guilt away by the blood of Christ.  Now he calls out to his sinners declared to be saints, “Who will go for us?”  How will you respond to the call?  How can you not see God’s love for you and raise your hand high and shout, “Here am I.  Send me!  Use me for your purposes!  Let me share this love with others!  Let me be the servant of the Triune God!”  The holy God has declared you, a sinner, to be holy.  And now he even calls you into his service.  How awesome is that!  What a privilege you have!

Prayer:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I thank you for so perfectly providing for all of my needs, especially for making me your child now and forever.  Lead me to hear your call into a life of service to you and to answer cheerfully, “Here am I.  Send me!”  May I be a light to the world that reflects your great love for all people.  May I give glory to you in everything I say and do.  Forgive me when I fail, restore me with your forgiveness, and give me your strength to live for you.  Amen.

Midweek Message from the Mount – May 30, 2012

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:25-27)

Jesus kept his promise to his disciples.  For three years he had been teaching and preaching, preparing and equipping his disciples for their own ministry.   Their heads were full of things Jesus had taught them.  Soon he would be leaving and they would need to be reminded of everything he had said and everything he had done.  So he promised them the Counselor and he kept that promise on Pentecost, ten days after he had ascended.  This gift would bring them peace and joy as they preached boldly in the face of persecution and the early church grew rapidly.

And Jesus makes this same promise to us as well.  He sends the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to us.  We have a Pentecost experience every time we come into contact with his Word, every time we receive his Supper, every time we remember the blessings of our baptism.  We don’t speak in different languages, but we are certainly filled with the Holy Spirit, strengthened in faith, and through it, Jesus gives us his peace.  We receive his peace knowing that we are one with God through what Christ has accomplished in our place, and that there is nothing in this world that can take that from us. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled!  Do not be afraid!  You have the peace of Jesus through his promised Holy Spirit!  Cling to Word and Sacrament where you only can find that peace. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, we praise you for working through Word and Sacrament to strengthen us in faith and to bring peace to our hearts in such an un-peaceful world.  Lead us to cling to the merits of Christ for forgiveness and for our salvation.  May we be filled with faith and confidence to live the life that you call us to live in this world, so that more may come to know your saving power.  We pray this in the name of Jesus, our ascended Lord, Amen.

Midweek Message from the Mount – May 23, 2012

I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  (John 17:14-17)

 

“A scuba diver may live in the water but he breathes the air--he has to take his environment with him.”  This is the way it’s supposed to be for the Christian living in this world.  You live in it, but you are not of it.   You don’t breathe what everyone else in the world does.  Instead, you live and breathe God’s Word.

And for that reason, the world hates you.  It opposes what you believe.  It tries to get you to give in and be tolerant and accepting of what God calls sin and the world calls “choices” and “fun.”  Thankfully we do not have to experience violent persecution for our faith in our country, but the persecution is there, as subtle as it may be.  The world hates you and what you stand for. 

And that’s why Jesus prays for you in the words above.  This is part of his prayer to the Father on Maundy Thursday evening before he was arrested.  Consider what he’s facing in the next hours, and it’s you he prays for.  Even though the world may hate you he doesn’t pray that you are taken out of this world.  But he prays that you are protected from the evil one who would use this sinful world to get us to doubt our God and give up on his promises.  And Jesus points us to his Word.  That he has given us his Word and that we be sanctified (made and kept holy) by the truth of his Holy Word.  It’s there we find forgiveness for the times we have looked just like the sinful world around us.  It’s there we find comfort of the perfect life and innocent of Jesus for us.   It’s there we find the peace of knowing that in his time he will bring us out of this sinful world to his heavenly kingdom.  It’s there where we find guidance for our life of faith in a sinful world.

Be sanctified by the truth of God’s Word!  It’s there you find the ammo you need to fight evil one as you continue to be in this world, but not of it.  That’s what God has called you to be!

Prayer:  Gracious Father, there is much evil in the world around us that Satan will try to use to get us to doubt you and give up on you.  Forgive us, for Jesus’ sake, for the times we have become part of the world we live in.  Lead us to your Word where we see how much you love us and to receive the strength we need to remain your children.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Midweek Message from the Mount – May 16, 2012

⁷ But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”  (Ephesians 4:7,8)

 

Tomorrow we celebrate the festival of the Ascension of our Lord.  His work was completed, what he came to do was accomplished, it was time for the Son to return to the Father.  He left this earth, but he did not leave us alone!  “Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age,” he assures us (Matt. 28:20).  Jesus promises that the Father would “give you another Counselor to be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth . . . you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (Jn 14:16,17). This Counselor comes to us freely and in full measure through Word and Sacrament. He has certainly not left us alone! 

And he has left us with something to do too.  “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”  Our spiritual enemies have been defeated by Christ, and now he has given us gifts to serve him.  “To each one us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

In addition to the saving grace we have received through Christ’s life, death and resurrection, we each have received gifts of grace that we are not only encouraged to use, but out of response to his love, expected to use.  He has given them to you to use for the benefit of others.  Jesus is gone, but he has chosen to continue his work through you and through the gifts he has given you, so that through your life others may see him.

What are the gifts Christ has apportioned to you?  What are the gifts that he has given you so that he might work through you?  Do you have the gift of teaching?  Of encouragement?  Of working with your hands?  Of prayer?  Of music?  Of leadership?  Of serving?  You have been given gifts, there’s no doubt in that.  The question is, are you using them as he intends for you to, to give him glory?

Jesus is gone, but his Holy Spirit dwells within you through faith and Jesus is with you through Word and Sacrament.  And Jesus now extends his work through you and the gifts he has apportioned to you.  Take time to prayerfully consider: how will you carry out the work that he has given you to do with the gifts he has given you?

 

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, we praise and thank you for completely saving us through your life and death, so that we are yours only by grace and not by our works.  But you have given us work to do and you have given each one of us different gifts to serve you and each other.  Help us to recognize these gifts and to use them to the glory of your name, so that others might see you through us.  Amen.

Midweek Message from the Mount – May 9, 2012

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”  (John 15:1,2)

 

Do you feel like you are constantly being pruned by the Gardener?  Do you feel like you’d just like a break from the pain and the problems of this life? 

A man once visited an orange grove where an irrigation pump had broken down. The season was unusually dry and some of the trees were beginning to die for lack of water. The farmer giving the tour then took the man to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly. "These trees could go without rain for another 2 weeks," he said. "You see, when they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them to send their roots deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Now mine are the deepest-rooted trees in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these are finding moisture at a greater depth."

Friends, that’s exactly what God intends for the pains and the problems of this life to do for you.  He prunes you so that you might know where to look for real strength, for real peace, for real solutions.  To look to him.  Not to yourself.  Not to “experts” around you.  But to look to him alone. To seek him in Word and Sacrament that he gives us.  To know that he is in control. To remember that he has proven his love to you through Christ.  To remember that he has showered his love on you our entire life, and that he certainly won’t stop now.

And the result of allowing us to go through pain and problems in this life is so that we might bear even more fruit for him.  That you might know and recognize the limitless power and strength of the God who loves you personally.  That your faith might be strengthened in his promises and his plans for you.  And so that others may see God’s power working through you.

It sounds rather strange, but I encourage you to thank God for the pain of this life.  Praise God for the problems that he allows in your life.   Appreciate the pruning the Gardener does on you.  Remember his faithful promise:  he will not give you more than you can bear.  He is simply leading you to a deeper trust in him.  He is using you to lead others to himself.  And in his love, he’s preparing you for eternity.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, sometimes I do not understand why you allow certain things to happen in my life.  But let me never doubt your great love for me that you have proven to me in my Savior, Jesus.  Help me to accept your pruning as proof of how much you care about me, that you want my faith in you to increase, that you want me to bear more fruit for you in my life, and that you are preparing me for eternity.  I ask this in the name of my risen Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Midweek Message from the Mount, May 2, 2012

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.  (1 Peter 5:1-4) 

 

The Good Shepherd has provided for his sheep, undershepherds, to care for them, feed them, and guide them with the Word.  Pastors, elders, council, boards, committees, teachers, whatever forms of ministry we have leading our flock, they are given encouraging reminders here in our lesson of the great trust they have been given, and how they are to carry out their work in the stead of the Good Shepherd. 

Does Peter make the role of an undershepherd sound like a daunting task?  Seemingly, yes.  Our sinful nature will find any excuse not to serve with the proper motivation and attitude.   But with the example of the Good Shepherd himself, the task of undershepherd is not daunting at all.  Consider the model he set forth for serving as he walked on this earth, a model of humble, willing, selfless service.  Peter is asking our leaders to live out a love and care for us that is nothing other than what our Good Shepherd has already been for them and for us.

These words to the undershepherds also bring to you, the flock, great encouragement, as we see how our Good Shepherd is with us, and how he provides for all of our needs.  You are flock well-cared in this life by those whom the Good Shepherd has chosen to feed and guide you, as they seek to serve you in the love and service of Christ.  Through the love of his chosen shepherds, we see the love of our Good Shepherd! 

But remember to whom you ultimately belong.  You belong to the Good Shepherd.  You are “God’s flock”!  This flock was purchased with the blood of the Good Shepherd himself.  As we heard in our Gospel lesson this past Sunday from John 10, the Good Shepherd laid down his life for his sheep.  He gave up everything to save his sheep, to bring them to himself. 

And this is where motivation of both undershepherd and sheep is found.  Sheep follow because their Savior from sin and death has gone ahead first.  Undershepherds lead because their Savior from sin and death has shown them how to lead.  And the goal of the undershepherds is to simply lead the sheep to see their Good Shepherd, to remind them who they belong to and the love he has for them.  The undershepherds lead the flock to the foot of the cross, to see where the Shepherd became the Lamb, the perfect Lamb who was the perfect sacrifice for the flock which is full of blemishes and defects.  The undershepherds lead the flock to the empty tomb of the Good Shepherd, to see his triumph over death and the assurance of the springs of living water in eternal life, where he will sit as the Lamb at the center of the throne.  The undershepherds lead the flock to the Word to find that even in the earthly struggles, pressures and sufferings; the Good Shepherd leads his sheep.  Through the dark valleys of this life we hear the voice of our Good Shepherd proclaimed through the Word. 

And our Good Shepherd has a purpose in mind.  His chosen undershepherds lead his flock through this valley.  And when the shadow of death of that valley has been eclipsed by the light our Good Shepherd’s reappearance, Peter writes, “you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” To those who guided the flock, the unfading crown of glory will be graciously given.  To the flock, that same crown of glory will also be awarded.  It’s not a reward for faithful service or faithful following, but a reward of grace.  It is only by the bearer of the crown of thorns that the crown of glory is ours.  It’s his plan, his goal and his free eternal gift of grace to you as his precious flock.

The flock of the Good Shepherd is well-cared for, no matter what this life may hold.  We belong to the Good Shepherd, and he will lead us home!