Let Freedom Ring!

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 too, 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)

Have You Continued

in What You Have Learned?

 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.   (2 Timothy 3:14,15)

On May 11, four of our youth will publicly confess their faith in Jesus and become communicant members of our church.   On that day these four youth will be asked in front of the congregation, and God:  “Do you intend to faithfully conform all your life to the teachings of God’s Word, to be faithful in the use of Word and sacrament, and in faith and action remain true to God as long as you live?” 

The words of Paul above to young Timothy are encouragement that we will offer to our newly confirmed members. But they are also words that each of us needs to take to heart, whether you were confirmed last year, eighty years ago, or anywhere in between.  You were thoroughly instructed in God’s Word and in Luther’s Catechism.  How are you doing in continuing in what you have learned?  How are you doing on keeping those confirmation promises you once made? 

Remember, confirmation is not graduation.  Confirmation is just the beginning.  It’s the laying of a foundation on which we continue to build our faith.  If you are at a time in your life where you have fallen away and are not doing so well at keeping those confirmation promises, it’s never too late to get back into God’s Word and begin nourishing that faith again.  For those who are regular in worship and Bible study and prayer, remembering your confirmation promises encourages you to dive into God’s Word all the more. 

With the help of God, may you continue in what you have learned and build on that foundation that was once laid.  It is in those holy Scriptures that you, find wisdom for this life, and most importantly, wisdom for salvation.  May you always remain firmly connected to Word and Sacrament so that as you publicly confessed at one time, you may remain true to God in faith and in action as long as you live.

- Pastor Aaron Bublitz

Why the Name "Lutheran" Matters

To many of the souls that we reach out to with the Gospel in our neighborhood, the name “Lutheran” does not mean a whole lot.  Some I talk to know that Lutherans are Christians, but they’re not always quite sure what makes Lutherans different from Baptists, Catholics, and other Christian denominations.  And I’ve had on more than one occasion while I have been canvassing,  the question if Lutherans are Christians.  And much of the time I do get the question, “What do you Lutherans believe?”

Because so many don’t know, and because some don’t want to seem divisive, some Lutheran churches have considered dropping the “Lutheran” from their name.  Should we?  Should we just call ourselves “Mt. Lebanon Church” so as to not confuse anyone, or even worse, to not offend anyone?

The truth is, our Lutheran heritage is important.   And labeling ourselves proudly as Lutherans is important because it gives us the opportunity to share what we believe and what we stand for.  Being a Lutheran distinctively means to confess and teach: by scripture alone, by grace alone, by faith alone. 

By Scripture Alone 

As Lutherans we believe, teach and confess that the eternal, unchanging truth of God’s revealed Word in the Holy Scriptures is our only guide in teaching and in practice (2 Cor. 4:2).  Traditions, writings by men, and human reason all must bow to the Word of God and can never claim authority over it.  Scripture alone is the sole authority in all matters! 

By Grace Alone

As Lutherans we believe, teach and confess that God has saved us not because of anything good in us, but only because he has loved us undeservedly (Eph. 2:8).  There is nothing we can bring before God that he should consider us worthy of saving.  Our good works do not earn us our salvation, it is Christ, who is God’s grace in human flesh, who has earned salvation for us through his perfect life and innocent death in our place.   God’s grace comes to us through the Gospel in Word and Sacraments as we hear his Word, receive his body and blood in the Supper, and receive the cleansing of our sins in Holy Baptism.

By Faith Alone

As Lutherans we believe, teach and confess that what Jesus has done for us through his life, death and resurrection becomes ours personally through faith, simply believing that it is all done for us by him (Php. 3:8,9).  But even this faith is a gift from God.  He is the one who gives us the faith to receive the merits of Jesus as our means of salvation.  So not even believing is a work of man, that too is a work of the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament. 

So you see what makes us distinctive as Lutherans, is that God receives all credit for all things.  The Scriptures that he has given alone reveal all we need to know for our salvation.  His grace alone is the reason that he has shown us love and mercy through Jesus, his Son.  It’s through faith alone which itself is a gift of God, not by works, that all God promises becomes ours. 

This is something to cling to, because this is the truth of God.  So celebrate your Lutheran heritage.  Cherish it.  Thank God for it.  And share it!

- Pastor Aaron Bublitz

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.