Christ the King Sunday

Today's readings were Isaiah 51:4-6, Jude 20-25 (sermon text), and Mark 13:24-37.

We're able to make foolish choices. But God's angels are there to intervene on our behalf. We are grateful and thankful to Him for sparing us in such close calls - of life, health, and faith. Close calls about faith are the most important; Jude devotes his epistle to them. He points to God as the only Savior from such events; while he had wanted to encourage his flock, circumstances demanded that he alert them to the close call they didn't know they were experiencing. Are we the same?

Many Christians today don't know what the Good News actually is: Christ became man, lived, died, and rose for us. They think that it's all about a change in our behavior, but it's really all about God's behavior. The results of the Gospel should not be confused with the Gospel itself.

Jude closes his epistle with an exhortation to build ourselves up in the faith by meditating on the Word, remembering our Baptism, receiving the Supper, and depending fully on God. God the Son is able to hold us up and to present us perfect before God the Father - how wonderful! In spite of all our faults, He still forgives and takes joy in doing so. Through Him we are blameless and innocent, though by nature we are sinful and guilty. We need a Justifier, and we have one in Jesus Christ alone. Rejoice!

Soli Deo gloria.

Pentecost 24

Today's readings: Daniel 7:9-14, 2 Peter 3:3-14, and Matthew 25:31-46 (sermon text).

In the parable today, we see that there are two people groups that count for anything at Judgment Day: those who believe in Jesus Christ, and those who don't. Regardless of belief, all will see that He is both Son of Man and Son of God. His blood has set us free; this is intended for all nations (Matthew 28:19). But all hear only when the Word is sent forth to all people and nations.

We are the sheep, who eat only what the Lord in His pasture feeds us. The goats will eat anything - false teachings, auto-salvation, teachings denying Christ's work. This text is often misinterpreted to call for social action. "Come--unto Me," says Christ to the blessed. These are those who eat of His body, something CHRIST does. "Inherit--the kingdom prepared for you." Not all sheep will come, for some become goats. He waits to give the kingdom because He says "Come" in patience, for He desires all to be able to enter.

Those who love the Lord honor His word, and the pastors who preach it. "He who hears you hears Me." Therefore pastors should distribute only Christ's words. Not our deeds, though His love spills over into service to each of our neighbors. To do so, we must first be hearers of the Word. This Word in Baptism immunizes us from hell's fires. God's word is not silent - so feed upon it! Later, with all the saints, we will worship Him forever.

Soli Deo gloria.

Pentecost 23

Today's readings: 1 Kings 17: 8-16, Hebrews 9:24-28, and Mark 12:38-44 (sermon text). Although I do have a few minor issues with this sermon, it was good on the whole.

Practically, the widow's mite wasn't worth counting; it could do no useful work. To the eyes of Jesus, however, it was THE most significant. God measures what remains after the gift is given. Her gift was 100% - was it foolish investment? Impractical? A sign of dementia? But her gift mattered to the Master. The legacies of philanthropists fade, but since Christ's words will never pass away, this widow's legacy echoes forever.

Now let's preach Law: you should give 100% too! (Oops...bad theology!) Rather, try the Gospel angle: are we giving from excess (what we can spare, so it doesn't hurt us at all), or from poverty ("giving till it tickles," as Steve Green would say)? Can we spare it? Is it impractical, faith-based/ Is it based on others' expectations? Is it discreet? There's a warning here too, about the ostentatious law-teachers who sought only praise for giving.

We're all like this, for the Old Adam is a first-rate exhibitionist. Yet we have Christ as well, so our motives are for God - we seek no praise from others or from ourselves. Jesus sees faith in action, for which love is the motivation. With her pennies for heaven, the widow's mite points us to Christ, who gave 100% of Himself FOR YOU. His blood was offered to God for your redemption. Through this blood, we have an eternal inheritance! Therefore, we do all out of love.

Soli Deo gloria.

All Saints' Day 2009

At my home church! Today's readings were Revelation 7:9-17 (sermon text), 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12, and Matthew 5:1-12.

Saint John, in the reading, beheld the company of heaven--quite literally, our grandfathers' church. How do they worship there? They gather to stand around God's throne, clothed in white, holding palm branches, and singing hymns that speak God's Word back to Him. No other religion has the salvation promised by God--even Islam, the most similar to Christianity, has a paradise limited to men's sensual pleasure, a legalistic "salvation."

Let us return now to John's first vision: the kingly Lamb standing before candles that are the Church invisible. Sound familiar? It's not a "culturally relevant" way of worship (for pastors are the ordained hands and mouthpieces of Christ). It's your grandfathers' church.

Now to the Book of Life. All the universe didn't have anyone with the qualification, perfection, to open it. Even if we die for the faith, we cannot open it. But the Lamb has come to open the Book. May God grant that He will find your name therein. Those whose names are in it will get the privilege of adoring the one God, of falling on our faces in worship, the chief end of man, what heaven is all about. Christ has placed white robes on those, saints, He calls His children. He will be their light, peace, and comfort.

Soli Deo gloria.

Reformation 2009!

We sang DS setting 5 today! The entourage to the church we visited today was bubbly afterward because of this. Today's readings were Psalm 46, Revelation 14:6-7, Romans 3:19-28, and John 8:31-36 (sermon text, which included my confirmation verse).

The Reformation is about God's gracious forgiveness of our sins - not about anti-Catholicism. Before this Word is spoken, we are possessed and oppressed by our sin, which was brought to life by the Law (Romans 7). Looking into this perfect Law of God, we always see our inability to reach it. No matter how hard we work, how much good we do, we cannot obtain the righteousness of God. The Law's demands - even love of neighbor - we cannot keep.

In this light, look at the Gospel text. Jesus is speaking of slavery to sin, of the heart and conscience, that gives birth to death. From this we cannot free ourselves; it is indeed a body of death, a corpse affixed to us. Particularly: personal sins - unmet spousal demands, a rebellious child - that we bring to God, our shoulders slumped. That is our slavery.

Abide in My word, says Jesus, and we as disciples will know the Truth that frees the conscience. Once this happens, we see "the righteousness of God" not as Law but as a Gospel gift! We don't do it; it is given to us apart from the Law. Christ's atoning sacrifice effected it; we are now sons of God, inheritors of His infinite gift of salvation. Drink now the Blood, the vessel of His mercy.

Soli Deo gloria.