YouTube -- 1st Sunday in End Times: Reformation (October 30, 2022)

Here is the service from Sunday, October 30, 2022.

Sermon -- 1st Sunday of End Times: Reformation (October 30, 2022)

ROMANS 3:19-28

SALVATION COMES BY FAITH ALONE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     There has been an ongoing battle in the church about two Bible verses which seem to be at odds with one another.  The first Bible passage is from our reading for today.  St. Paul writes, “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28).  The second passage is from the epistle of St. James.  James writes, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24).  Some emphasize one verse at the expense of the other, hoping to avoid any sense of contradiction.  But it is important to understand the context of these passages.  When you do, you will recognize that there is no contradiction at all.

     James writes to Christians who were using God’s forgiveness as an excuse to continue in their sins.  Even today, you will find Christians whose behavior confesses, “If God forgives, then I can do anything.  It doesn’t matter.”  James warns you that it does matter.  If you have new life in Jesus Christ, that life ought to reflect a devotion to God’s word both in your confession and in your behavior.  A person who claims to be a Christian and yet lives like a pagan is a liar.  That person may claim to have faith, but what good is a claim to believe God’s word when one’s life is opposed to that word?  James tells you that your life should reflect your confession.  Therefore, he concludes, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). 

     St. James tells us how a justified person is supposed to live.  But if St. James is telling us how we are justified, the result is nothing but terror and despair.  If we are justified by works and not by faith alone, then we have a lot of work to do, don’t we?  If I believe in Jesus as my Savior but I must still prove my worth by my works, then the burden falls back upon me.  And this is work that does not end.  When will it satisfy God?  How will you know if God is satisfied with your works?  And how could you know?  If it depends upon your works, how should God communicate to you, “That’s enough.  You’ve done a good job”?  Since God makes no such utterance from heaven, when could you ever have peace because the works you’ve done are finally pleasing?  What God does make known to us is that all works must be done as he demands—willingly, cheerfully, flawlessly, and constantly.  Who is up to that?  On our best days, we would live in doubt.  On our worst days, we would sink to despair knowing that it is hopeless. 

     St. Paul shows us how hopeless the sinner truly is before God.  He declares, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  More accurately, we should read that verse this way: “All have sinned.”  That is a fact.  That is our status.  We are all sinners.  “And all continue to fall short of the glory of God.”  That is what we do.  We continually fail to live up to God’s Commandments.  We are impatient with other people and snap at them.  We become annoyed by our fellow man.  We detest him when we are supposed to love him.  We are bitter about our blessings, convinced that God has rewarded others better than us.  We struggle with our problems and suggest that God does not care about us or that he is incompetent to fix them.

     Because of our sinful status, we daily sin against God and others.  We cannot overcome our daily sins, and we cannot correct our sinful status.  Rather than offering our good works to God, we present lousy excuses.  God’s Law exposes this and condemns us for it.  St. Paul wrote, “Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God” (Romans 3:19).  What defense can we make before God?  Excuses fix nothing. 

     The Psalms ask us to consider, “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?  And who shall stand in his holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3-4).  In other words, only that which is righteous can dwell with a righteous God.  Our works are not righteous because we are not righteous.  Our hands are dirty, and our hearts are impure.  No matter how diligent, no matter how zealous, no matter how sincere, no matter how celebrated you are, your works will not make you righteous.  They cannot save you.  They cannot even contribute to it.

     Human efforts at righteousness fail.  “But now,” St. Paul writes, “the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:21-22).  This righteousness comes from outside of us.  It is not a righteousness from you; it is a righteousness from God.  It is not a righteousness you have to go and get; it is a righteousness which is given to you. 

     Salvation comes by faith alone.  It is the only way you will ever be assured of your standing before God.  While it is true that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), St. Paul goes on to state this as equally true: all “are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Romans 3:24-25). 

Jesus Christ has provided all you need to be justified, that is, declared guiltless of all sin.  He gave himself up as a propitiation, that is, as a sacrifice which appeases God’s wrath. 

     When an Old Testament worshiper came to the temple with an offering, he would place his hand on the head of the animal to be sacrificed.  He would designate it: “This is my substitute.  This one dies for me.”  His guilt would be transferred to the animal, and he would be slain on behalf of him.  God’s anger would be poured out on the animal which was consumed by fire, and the worshiper would be forgiven.  

     Jesus is that sacrifice for us.  He was designated by God the Father as our substitute.  We see Jesus and know: “This one dies for me.”  Our guilt was transferred over to Jesus, so God’s wrath was transferred over to Jesus.  He exchanged his innocence for our guilt.  Only Jesus could do this.  He became a man so that he could bleed and die as our atoning sacrifice.  But he is true God so that his payment counts for all sinners of all times.  At the death of Jesus, all the wrath of God was poured out.  Jesus was consumed in his fiery wrath.  The blood of God’s Son cleanses your hearts and hands and voices.  The innocence of Jesus has been transferred over to you for your righteousness. 

     Since Jesus made the full payment, there is nothing to add to it.  Justice has been done and grace has been bestowed through Jesus.  “It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).  Jesus’ propitiation proves that God is just: The guilty one has paid the price.  Jesus’ resurrection proves that God justifies you.  If Jesus’ payment to redeem you from sin and death were insufficient, he would still be dead.  But Jesus lives.  The payment is complete.  Your sins are forgiven.  Death is overcome.  Heaven is opened.  By faith in Jesus, you benefit from Jesus’ life and death.  Salvation comes by faith alone.

     Consider the peace this brings to you.  You are saved by taking God at his word.  Regarding the righteousness you need, the Lord promises: “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).  Regarding the sins you have committed, the Lord promises: “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).  As far as who is included in this salvation, the Lord declares, “[Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).  As far as the completion of the work of salvation, Jesus decreed just before he died, “It is finished” (John 19:30).  These are the promises of God who does not and cannot lie.  We take God at his word, and he alleviates our fears, silences our doubts, and guarantees everlasting life.  Salvation comes by faith alone in Jesus Christ.

     Oh, what an amazing comfort this is!  The devil still tempts you to add your little contribution to Jesus’ work, as if Jesus’ payment for sins has not been enough.  It seems to make sense because we know God’s will is that we live good and godly lives, as St. James testifies.  But the devil always wants to rob you of your comfort and your confidence.  He always directs your attention away from Jesus and puts it back on yourself. 

     But salvation comes by faith in God’s word, so take heed of that word!  He says, “We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28).  “Apart from works of the law.”  Apart from whatever you have done.  Apart from whatever you will do.  Apart from whatever you can do.  Salvation comes by faith alone.  Not by faith AND perfect church attendance.  Not by faith AND generous offerings.  Not by faith AND a clean record.  Not by faith AND a cheerful attitude.  Not by faith AND good mental health, a happy marriage, or a long and prosperous life.  While all these things are good and desirable, they are not what save you.  Salvation comes by faith alone.  Everything for your salvation relies on Jesus; therefore, you can be sure that it was done perfectly and completely.   

     St. Paul declares how you can stand before God with clean hands and a pure heart, with a calm mind and a peaceful soul: You are saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ.  He has done the work.  He bestows upon you the gifts.  In saying so, St. Paul is not picking a fight with St. James.  St. James is also right.  We do strive for good and godly living as directed by God’s word.  We strive for this day after day—not in order to be God’s people, but because we are God’s people.

     “Faith alone” does not mean the works of the Law don’t have to be done.  “Faith alone” recognizes that the works of the Law have been done.  Jesus did them with his perfect life and with his innocent death.  And his resurrection proves that they were done.  Jesus gives us the benefit of them with his promise: “This is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40).  Jesus does not tell you what you must do, which will never be completed.  He tells you what he has done, which is complete and perfect and assured.  The Savior wants you to know that you are saved.  And he does.  You have his word on it. 

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- 1st Sunday of End Times: Reformation (November 3, 2019)

JOHN 8:31-36

JESUS FREES YOU TO BE WHAT GOD CREATED YOU TO BE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     When Jesus called the people he was talking to slaves to sin, they were appalled.  Their land may have been occupied by Roman soldiers, but they were not enslaved to them.  So they protested, “We … have never been enslaved to anyone.  How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” (John 8:33)  Americans are equally appalled to learn that they need Jesus to set them free.  We can pretty much say whatever we want, go wherever we want, and do whatever we want.  We go through our daily routine without being harassed.  There are no check points in our daily commute.  There are no secret police who force us to have our more serious conversations with whispers.
     We also enjoy our freedoms when it comes to the choices we make.  You are not assigned a career or a spouse or a home.  For your vacation, you can choose between the beach, the mountains, or your backyard.  When you leave church, you can go out for brunch, go home, or drive around aimlessly.  We are free to do these things. 
     While we enjoy these freedoms, Satan has sold us some huge lies about what it is to be free.  One lie is that we are free to choose to do the works that please God.  This lie fails to recognize what it means that we are sinners.  Another lie is that real freedom comes from casting off God's word and doing whatever it is you want.  Satan convinces us that God's word is too restrictive, too demanding, and too unreasonable.  To be free, Satan asserts, is to reject God's word and to do whatever makes you happy.  Both are lies, and both lead to hell from which these lies came.
     Jesus addressed the reality of our sinful condition: “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34)  We are sinners, and we are enslaved to sin.  If you need proof, just assess your own thoughts.  Do you assume that people with strange languages and cultures must be bad news?  Do you view your co-worker as a conspirator?  Do you give time to people who hold different opinions than you, or are they immediately disregarded as idiots?  Are addicts and thieves people to be shunned, or are they objects of mercy?  Are those who sin against you regarded in terms of revenge or forgiveness?  Our thoughts are wicked.  We are all turned in on ourselves, devoted to ourselves, and prioritize ourselves, which is idolatry.  This all arises from wicked hearts which we cannot fix.  We are slaves to sin.  God did not create us to be vindictive or vengeful or violent or vicious.  And yet we are.  We are not what God created us to be.  We are not free. 
     The other lie Satan sells us is that freedom—true freedom—is found when we ditch God's word for our own desires.  Adam and Eve bought that lie back in the Garden of Eden.  Satan convinced them that God's word was not good.  He told them that taking the fruit that God forbids would truly enlighten them and set them free.  But their rebellion brought on them shame and guilt.  They were not free from God; they were petrified of him.  By their sin, they introduced into the world disease, disorder, disaster, and decay.  They bound all mankind to death.  No one is free from that.  Such is the freedom Satan promised.  God did not create us to suffer from disasters, disease, disorder, and death.  And yet, that is the world we are stuck in.  We are bound to it, and we cannot escape it or fix it.  We are not what God created us to be.  We are not free. 
     Even though we are slaves to sin, God has not withheld blessings from us.  We all receive temporal blessings from the Lord so that life has its share of happiness, fascination, and comfort.  We get to enjoy a child's laughter, fall colors, music, and rainbows.  God is still good to his creation, but his creation will come to an end.  All people will come under judgment.  The blessings which all mankind have enjoyed will not endure.  In hell, there are no blessings, no relief, and no end.  Therefore, Jesus' words are ominous: “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever...” (John 8:34-35)  He who dies as a slave to sin will be cast out from God's presence and God's blessings forever.
     The devil tells you lies about what it means to be free.  The devil's “freedom” means shame and curse and death and damnation.  This is not what God created you for, but it is what sin delivers.  Therefore, we need to be delivered from our sin if we would be freed from all its consequences.  And you have a deliverer: For us the Valiant One, whom God himself elected.  Ask ye, who is this?  Jesus Christ it is!  Of Sabaoth Lord, that is, he is the Lord God of hosts, and there's no other God.  God the Son has come into his creation to set his beloved people free from sin, death, and the devil.  Jesus frees you to be what God created you to be.
     Jesus assures you: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:31-32,36)  The truth is that Jesus sets you free from your sin by taking your sin from you.  In doing so, Jesus bound himself to your shame and curse and death and damnation.  He accepted all of the devil's accusations for our sin and guilt.  He absorbed the full wrath of God.  He died the cursed death to set you free.  You are free from your sins; they do not condemn you.  You are free from the devil; you know the truth from God's word so that his accusations do not stick and so that his temptations are known as lies.  You are even free from death.  The grave may hold you for a while, but it must give you back.  Jesus has fought the fight and conquered death.  He will raise you up at the resurrection to life everlasting.
     Jesus frees you to be what God created you to be.  At the resurrection, Jesus will give you freedom from every stain and consequence of sin.  There will never again be disorder, dishonor, disease, or disaster.  There will not be viciousness or violence or revenge among God's redeemed.  You will never again have struggles against bad behavior, bad habits, or bad people.  You will be forever free from temptation, frustration, and depression.  You will be in perfect harmony with God and his will, have perfect love for your fellow saints, as they will for you.  You will delight in everything which is good and right and pure.  This is what God created you to be, and Jesus frees you to be what God created you to be.
     While you and I are free from sin, death, and the devil thanks to Jesus, we still have not entered the glorious state of the saints in heaven.  We are saints on earth, for that is what Jesus has decreed us to be.  Jesus has freed us to be what God created us to be by making us a new creation.  Through holy baptism, Jesus has put to death the sin in you.  He has created in you a clean heart so that you recognize that God's will is good and right.  And he has renewed in you a right spirit so that you desire to do the good and right things that God has declared.  This is what God has created you to be—godly people with godly desires who do godly works.  That is what we will be perfectly when we get to our heavenly home.  But we are not there yet.  We are weak and our works are not perfect.  We still struggle with temptation.  We still do sinful things, and we fail to do the good things we know we are supposed to do.  The problem is not that we don't know what is good or even that we don't want to do it.  The problem is that this sinful flesh still clings to us.
     That is why we continue in Jesus' word.  He said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. ...If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:31-32,36)  We abide in Jesus' words because he continues to comfort us with words of forgiveness.  Before God, you are not known by your sins, but by your redemption.  Our Lord continues to strengthen us in our battle against sin and temptation.  He continues to encourage us to be faithful while the devil and the world urge us to free ourselves from God's word.  And he continues to preserve us in the true faith so that we remain in the house of God forever. 
     Jesus frees you to be what God has created you to be—godly children in God's family.    That is what we are, by faith in Jesus' promises.  That is what we strive for in our lives.  And that is how we will appear and act and live in the glories of heaven when we are finally forever and perfectly free—free from every evil and free to rejoice in all goodness.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

Sermon -- 1st Sunday of End Times: Reformation (November 4, 2018)

MARK 13:5-11

CLING TO SCRIPTURE ALONE SO THAT YOU WILL NOT BE DECEIVED.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Jesus issued a warning to the Church: “See that no one leads you astray.  Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.” (Mark 13:5-6)  Now, to be fair, there are not many who are so bold as to claim that they are Jesus Christ.  They can be easily dismissed as liars.  But many come speaking in Jesus' name—and they do not all preach faithfully.  And many are led astray—because they are not listening carefully to the word of God.  See that no one leads you astray.  Cling to Scripture alone so that you will not be deceived. 
     Deceptions are dangerous because they are mostly true and sound good.  Sometimes we even want to believe that they are true.  When a person dies after a long bout with cancer, it is commonly said: “He's in a better place now.”  That is said of everyone who dies, and we want to believe it is true.  Sadly it is not.  Not everyone goes to heaven.  The Scriptures are painstakingly clear on this: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16)  
     Now, which one sounds nicer—everyone goes to a better place or whoever does not believe will be damned?  We would rather believe what sounds nice than what is true.  Do not be deceived: There is no salvation outside of Jesus.  There may be nice people outside of Jesus, but there is no salvation there.  This is why we yearn for people to come to church and to hear God's word.  That alone brings saving faith.  Cling to Scripture alone so that you will not be deceived.
     False teachers will come.  They will be friendly, engaging, and popular.  They may even believe what they are preaching.  However, no matter how popular a teaching is, no matter how long it has been around, and no matter how influential the teacher is, every teaching must always be measured by Scripture alone.  Salvation depends upon it.
     Today, we celebrate the Lutheran Reformation, which was ultimately a return to what the Scriptures teach.  It was not a new teaching; it was a rediscovery of the Bible.  But today is certainly not a day to pat ourselves on the back that we have it all figured out.  Jesus' warning still stands: “See that no one leads you astray.  Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.” (Mark 13:5-6)  False teachers and deception never go away.  Each generation is plagued by them.  Each generation must learn God's truth, defend it, and stand firm in it.  Each Christian needs to cling to Scripture alone so that we will not be deceived.
     What triggered the Lutheran Reformation more than anything was one poor, miserable sinner's deep desire to know that he was truly saved.  He listened to his Church, which spoke in the name of Jesus.  He was told that God's favor was gained by all who did the works which God required.  Now, this sounds right.  The Ten Commandments tell us what God wants us to do.  We know that we are supposed to be good.  No one is opposed to people being good.  If you pay attention to the news, you are praying more and more that people would be good.  But how good do you have to be to be saved?  How many good deeds are necessary?  How do you know if you are doing the right good deeds?  Are you praying enough?  Are your offerings enough?  Is your church attendance good enough?  Are you keeping your life free from enough vulgarity or moral failings?  If your goodness is essential for your salvation, will you ever know if you are saved?  Or can you ever be saved? 
     Cling to Scripture alone so that you will not be deceived and so that you will not despair.  How do we know we are saved?  Well, it is true that holiness is necessary for salvation.  For this is what the Scriptures teach: “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?  And who shall stand in his holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.” (Psalm 24:3-4)  So, how do we find this righteousness?  Again, to the Scriptures: “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” (Romans 3:21-22)  
     The very holiness you need Jesus Christ supplies to you.  While we strive to do good works because we want to honor and thank God, our works do not save us.  Jesus Christ does because he is our righteousness.  Jesus was not merely good; he was perfectly obedient to God's commands.  But he exchanged his righteous life for our guilt.   The Righteous One died for the unrighteous.  Again, to the Scriptures: “For our sake (God) made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)  Jesus Christ has become your sin and has taken up your curse.  You, in turn, have received his righteousness.  How?  Again, to the Scriptures: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)  No matter how much the devil may torment you about your sins, you have the word of God to shut him up.  That word and promise were sealed upon you through your baptism.  God does not lie to you, but continually assures you that your sins are forgiven.  Therefore, you are saved by faith in Christ alone.  Cling to Scripture alone so that you will not be deceived.
     Once Martin Luther took this to heart, he preached it, wrote about it, and sought to bring it to light.  He not only preached God's truth, Luther also wrote scathing words about the pastors and priests who were speaking in Jesus' name that Jesus is a God whose favor is gained by purchasing indulgences, by making pilgrimages to holy places, by praying to the dead, and so on.  There was no word of Jesus being a Savior who died for sinners and forgives them.  Luther was determined that everyone hear God's word of salvation through Jesus and to receive the comfort he had through it.  After several years of upholding God's truth and exposing deceivers, Luther was summoned to appear before the king and governors.  They demanded that Luther retract everything or face the consequences, which certainly meant death as a heretic.  Luther must have recognized that, if he did not retract everything and get back in line with the Church, the Church would be fractured forever.  So, if you want to lay the blame for so many denominations at the feet of Martin Luther, I guess this is where it happens.  But peace and unity at all costs has a great cost.  It meant forfeiting the Scriptures and Jesus' promises to preserve one church organization.
     Luther did not appeal for tolerance.  He did not demand freedom to believe what he wanted to believe.  Luther was captive to God's word.  He was willing to retract anything—as long as the Scriptures would be used to correct him.  He knew that Popes and Church Councils and pastors could err, and that they had.  He knew that he could err, for he was just as human as they were.  But the Scriptures do not lie.  They will never deceive us.  And so he took has stand there, willing to suffer whatever he had to.  As long as he was able to stand on the Scriptures alone, he knew that he was standing firm.
     Jesus commanded us: “See that no one leads you astray.  Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.” (Mark 13:5-6)  Many come in Jesus' name.  Many claim to preach Jesus' word.  And many follow.  Only those who cling to Scripture alone, however, will not be deceived by clever arguments or persuasive preachers.  Be on your guard.  You will be tempted to concede parts of God's word for the sake of harmony with the world.  As we see the world filled with wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, and so forth, many will plead with us that our greatest goal will simply be to get along with each other and to work to make things better.  We will be urged to put aside beliefs for the sake of peace and love.  It is attractive and deceptive.  Who despises peace?  Who doesn't want people to get along or to work together for better lives? 
     But peace at all costs has a great cost.  If we have to forfeit portions of God's word to achieve that, then we will choose faithfulness to God's word and the consequences of a petty world.  We will confess what the Holy Spirit has given us—the Holy Scriptures.  And, of course, if you are going to confess what they say, you have to know what they say.  So, if you do not want to be led astray, cling to the Scriptures alone.  Read them.  Learn them.  Come to Bible Class and ask questions about them.  Meditate upon them.  Commit yourself to them. 
     Cling to the Scriptures alone.  Scripture alone assures you of forgiveness.  Scripture alone guarantees salvation.  Scripture alone will never deceive you or disappoint you.  Rather, it delivers you comfort and confidence that God saves you.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

Sermon -- 1st Sunday of End Time—Reformation (November 5, 2017)

JOHN 8:31-36

SALVATION IS ASSURED

BY SCRIPTURE ALONE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     How do you know you are saved?  Chances are, even if you have been raised in the Christian church, this question has haunted you at some point.  If you know that you are saved, you have all comfort, joy, peace, and encouragement.  If you have ever had doubts, there is no greater fear.
     So, how do you know you are saved?  This is the very question which plagued Martin Luther.  He was raised in the Church and was a good catholic boy.  He took God's word seriously.  He tried to order his life according to God's Commandments.  But he knew that he had not achieved the obedience God demands of all people.  He tried, but he knew God's judgment stood against him.  He had done what is evil, and he had failed to do what is good.  For this, he knew he had earned God's punishment both now and in eternity.  He felt acutely the words of Jesus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34)  Luther was chained to his sin, and he could not escape it.
     So, Luther decided to enter a monastery.  Becoming a monk certainly seemed like a pious, holy thing to do.  The monks spent all day praying and worshiping.  They had to be closer to God than others.  But Luther did not find any peace there.  For all of his devotion, Martin Luther still could not be sure he was saved.  He was still a sinner.  Not even becoming a monk could change that.  So, Luther tried to demonstrate his sorrow for his sins.  He whipped himself until he bled.  He slept outside in the cold.  He fasted until he fainted from hunger.  He put dried peas in his shoes.  He tortured himself to try to earn God's mercy.  But there was still no comfort, no assurance, and no salvation.
     Eventually, Luther's teachers decided he should lecture on books of the Bible at the new university in Wittenberg.  Despite Luther's protests, he went.  He read the Bible and prepared for his lectures.  In his reading, Luther discovered something.  Yes, God is righteous and demand that we be righteous, holy, and obedient.  And God does condemn all who fail to do this.  But God also reveals a righteousness which does not come from our efforts.  This righteousness comes from Jesus Christ to all who believe in him.  The Scriptures proclaim that Jesus Christ came to save sinners from guilt, from death, from hell, and from the devil's torment.
     Jesus had declared, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)  The truth of God's love and mercy is revealed in Scripture alone.  The Scriptures are where God promised a Savior to sinners as soon as sin entered into the world.  The Scriptures are where God promised that he would send a perfect sacrifice which would be our substitute under God's judgment.  God had promised through the prophets, “The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)  Salvation is assured by Scripture alone.  For in the Scriptures, we have God's promise that he will save sinners.
     God was faithful to his promise.  God came in the flesh to be the Savior of the world.  That is why Jesus claims, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)  Jesus is true God, and he points us to his own words and promises.  Salvation is assured through Scripture alone.  St. John the Baptist declared the truth about Jesus.  He said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)  Jesus is the propitiation (or, atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)  By taking your sins from you, Jesus has set you free.  You are free from God's wrath.  You are free from any damning judgment.  You are free from hell.  Because Jesus rose from the dead, you will be set free from the grave.  You will rise from the dead to live forever.  These are God's promises to you, all fulfilled by Jesus.  Jesus lived in perfect obedience for you to supply the righteousness you need.  Jesus suffered and died under God's judgment for your unrighteousness so that it is taken away from you.  Then Jesus rose from the dead to show that his payment for your sins is certain.  The Son of God, indeed, sets you free from sin, death, and the devil.  These are not just ideas about God's love for you.  These are God's works for you and God's promises to you.  “God so loved the world,” which means that God loved the world in this way: “He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)  Salvation is assured through Scripture alone.
     In the days of Martin Luther, not many people knew the Scriptures.  The Bible was not written for the common man to read.  It was written in Latin, and so only the learned could read it.  The common people were at the mercy of the Church or their local priest to proclaim what the Lord says.  No doubt, people wondered: “How do I know that this is what God says?  How do I know the priest is right?  How do I know the Church is right?”  Unfortunately, the priest and the Church were not always right.  People were taught that forgiveness and salvation were only delivered through the workings of the priest who ultimately got his authority from the Pope.  One of the ways people were told they could find freedom from their sins was through the purchase of a papal indulgence.  For a fee—“a contribution to Christ's Church” sounds better—a Christian could be granted a papal indulgence which told the Christian that he would be free from the punishment of sins in purgatory.  He had the Pope's word on it.  In fact, these indulgences could even set relatives free from punishment.  What heartless soul would let his parents and grandparents languish in puragory if he could gain their freedom?
     It was this practice in particular that prompted Martin Luther to draft his 95 Theses which sparked the entire Lutheran Reformation.  Luther came up with 95 statements to challenge what the Church was doing.  Rather than to through 95 ways to be sure of salvation, let's limit ourselves to one.  Consider the Gospel again today.  This is what the Lord says in the Scriptures: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)  Jesus does not refer you to indulgences.  Jesus does not suggest that the Church will invent new and exciting ways to impart salvation.  Jesus points you to himself and his words.  Jesus is your Savior; for he has done all the work to save you.  And Jesus promises to those who abide in his word: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)  It is faith in Jesus' words and promises which set you free from sin, death, and the devil.  Salvation is assured through Scripture alone. 
     While you can still get indulgences from the Roman Catholic Church today, they don't seem to get much attention in America.  That does not mean American Christians are immune to seeking assurance in the wrong places.  Ask someone, “How do you know you are saved?” and some will answer, “I know it because I feel it in my heart.”  So, what happens if you don't feel saved anymore?  If you are ever in a hospital bed and have quiet hours to think, the devil will be there to remind you of your sins.  It will be the one time the devil will not lie to you.  He will simply remind you of what you have thought, said, and done.  You will know he is right.  And you will not feel saved.  You will feel the sting of Jesus' words: “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever. “ (John 8:34-35)  So, now what?  Are you saved?  If you are counting on your own feelings to find assurance, you will be crippled by fear.
     Still others will claim, “The Lord speaks to me.  That is how I know I am saved.”  That sounds especially pious and holy.  But here is an important question: How do you know it is God who speaks to you?  Is it because you like it?  Because it flatters you?  Because it agrees with what you already think?  Understand this and mark it well: There is no way you can know God speaks to you unless it comes from the Scriptures.  Martin Luther thought it was pious and holy to become a monk.  He found no assurance of salvation there.  So also with you, if you are turning to your feelings, your sincerity, your actions, or anywhere else other than the Scriptures, you have no assurance of salvation.  In fact, if you do these things, you are turning away from the only place where God says anything to you.
     Salvation is assured through Scripture alone.  That is where God delivers his promises, bestows his mercy, grants forgiveness, and saves sinners.  Our Lord has also been pleased to attach that word to water and makes this promise: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16)  He attaches his word to bread and wine and declares, “This is my body, which is given for you.” (Luke 22:19)  “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood...which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28)  He even attaches his promise to men who speak in his name: “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.” (John 20:22-23)  This is where Lord forgives sins and saves sinners.  Jesus does not refer you to any other place.  It is not so because I say so, because some Church Council said so, or because the Pope said so.  It is so because God has said so, and he recorded it in the Scriptures so that you can know it is so.
     Therefore, salvation is assured in Scripture alone.  This is where God has given his word so that you can know what God has done, what God has promised, and what God gives you.  If you know this, you have all comfort, joy, peace, and encouragement. God has revealed and recorded all of these things so that you can have all comfort, joy, peace, and encouragement.  Jesus wants you to know and abide in his word.  If you do, you will be forever free from sin, death, and the devil.  His word is the only way you know you are saved.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

Sermon -- 1st Sunday of End Times -- Reformation Sunday (October 30, 2016)

NOTE: This sermon was preached at Good Shepherd, Novi at 10:00 AM, and again at a Reformation Rally at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jackson, Michigan at 3:00 PM.

ROMANS 3:28

ONE LITTLE WORD 

SHALL FELL HIM.

In the name + of Jesus.

      This verse from St. Paul's epistle to the Romans probably got Martin Luther into more trouble than any other verse in the Bible.  Part of it had to do with his theology—that we are justified before God by faith alone.  The other part of it had to do with that word—alone.
     That word “alone” caused a firestorm because Martin Luther added it to his translation in Romans 3:28.  The verse we read before is rightly translated: For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. (Romans 3:28)  But Luther added the word “alone”—or “allein” if you prefer the German—to that verse.  Kind critics accused Luther of being ignorant.  Harsher critics accused Luther of blasphemy and of altering the word of God for his own self-centered purposes.  Many were in uproar over one little word.  As to why Luther dared to add the word “alone” to his translation, Luther himself answered that question when a woman wrote him a letter to ask why.  We will come back to that later.
     Perhaps it sounds wrong to hear that we are saved apart from deeds.  After all, the Commandments reveal what God demands of us.  The Commandments are not optional.  Every person on earth knows that there is a standard of right and wrong.  Though some may not care about doing what is right, everyone gets a sense of justice when they've been wronged.  From the most pious Christian to the most ardent atheist, people understand that we are expected to do good.  Even St. James wrote: “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24)  
     It is true that the Commandments tell you what you are supposed to do.  But the Commandments also highlight that you have not done.  Even when you have wanted to serve God faithfully, you have not lived up to God’s glorious standard.  The Law does what St. Paul said it is designed to do: The law…speaks…so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.  …Through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19-20)  There is no difference between the most pious Christian and the most ardent atheist: All have sinned, and all continue to fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23, translated by me to convey the tenses of the Greek verbs)
     Martin Luther was haunted by this question: “How is a man made right before God?  Where does he get the righteousness he needs to be saved?”  God’s word reveals God’s Commandments.  It tells you God's will so you can do what is right and good.  But God's word, more importantly to the conscience-stricken sinner, reveals an alien righteousness—that is, a righteousness that does not come from you since you don't have it, but rather a righteousness that comes form God who does have it.  This righteousness comes to you through Jesus Christ.
     Jesus Christ is the Righteous One whom God himself elected.  Jesus has obeyed all of God’s Commandments perfectly.  Remember, the commandments are not optional.  Man must keep them.  And now we have a man who has done just that.  But the righteous life that Jesus lived was not merely for him.  Jesus is the Righteous One, but he is especially the Lord Our Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:6, emphasis added)  Jesus lived a holy and obedient life for you.  His righteousness was put upon you when you were baptized.  God now views you as holy and blameless—not because you did the works, but by faith in the one who has done the works for you.  We are saved by faith alone.
     On the other hand, our sins against God’s Commandments cannot be overlooked.  Just as obedience to the Commandments is not optional, neither are the consequences for law breakers.  The guilty must pay.  But your iniquity has been laid upon Jesus.  He suffered and died for crimes and sins he did not commit.  So, the consequences have doled out.  Jesus suffered the consequences and paid the price for all sins.  You are saved from God’s wrath—not by works you have done, but by Jesus who has done the works for you.  You are justified before God by faith alone.  That is why we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works.
      This one little word, alone, supplies all our comfort and confidence in life and in death.  For Satan will always be your “Accuser.”  That's what his name means.  He reminds you what the Law says and he accuses you of your sins against it.  And the devil makes nothing up.  He simply shows you what you have been.  He highlights that you have not been good or right.  But now, one little word shall fell him.  You are saved by faith alone apart from the deeds of the Law.  You don’t have to lie to overcome Satan's accusations.  You cling to faith alone which points to Jesus, the Word made flesh, who has overcome the devil and who silences his accusations.  When the devil comes to show you that your deeds have failed, you respond, “I’m sorry, you are bringing your accusations to the wrong person.  Jesus Christ answers for me.  He has redeemed me.  Therefore, I belong to him; so you must speak to Jesus about me.  He tells me I am forgiven.  So, off to hell with you.  I have work to do.”
     One little word shall fell him.  Martin Luther added that one little word “alone,” to his translation.  We hold that one is justified by faith alone apart from deeds of the Law. (Romans 3:28)  That “alone” means that every part of our salvation is in Jesus’ hands, not ours.  And since salvation rests in Christ alone, we are sure that it is complete and certain and perfect.  Faith rejoices in what Jesus has done.  Faith yearns for what Jesus continually gives through his word and sacraments.  There, Jesus creates, strengthens, and sustains your living and saving faith.  You are justified by faith alone; but as St. James mentioned, faith is never alone.  Faith cannot just sit there on its hands.  While faith receives good things from God, faith also desires to give what it receives.  Faith desires to work, to love, to serve, to praise, to confess, to pray, and to forgive.  By faith, we are declared right before God.  And by faith, God creates a right spirit within us to do the right things he desires.
     We hold that one is justified by faith alone apart from deeds of the Law. (Romans 3:28)  Martin Luther added one little word not to edit God’s word, but to keep our focus on Jesus Christ.  When asked why he added this word, Luther explained that he wanted St. Paul to speak good German.  A German would say that he came to market not with barley but with grain alone.  Since that's how Germans speak, that's how the Bible should speak to Germans. Therefore, we are justified not by works, but by faith alone.
     Faith alone confesses salvation by Jesus alone.  The devil always wants you to focus on your works so that he can drive doubt into your heart.  But one little word shall fell him.  It is not our doing; it is the work of Jesus Christ alone.  Salvation is not our work; it is by faith alone in Jesus.
     One little word shall fell him.  One little word—the Word which became flesh which was laid in a manger for you; the Word made flesh which overcame every temptation and fulfilled every Commandment for you; the Word whose flesh was nailed to a cross and whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins for you; the Word made flesh whose flesh has risen from the grave and ascended to the right hand of God the Father Almighty for you.  One little Word shall fell him.  And by faith alone, that Word completely saves you.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Reformation (October 25, 2015)

JOHN 2:13-22

JESUS IS THE GREAT REFORMER.  

In the name + of Jesus. 

     We do not see Jesus get angry very often.  That is why his actions in this gospel reading are so shocking.  Jesus was not only angry, he displayed his anger by overturning tables, scattering coins, and driving animals out of the temple courtyard.  It's not that Jesus punched anyone out.  But he did treat animals like animals, and he showed no respect for the coins.  What we see on display at the temple during that Passover festival is what the Psalms said we would see: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” (John 2:17; Psalm 69:9)  Jesus demonstrated zeal, love, and respect for the place where God had said that he will come to his people to bless and to save them.  And Jesus took it upon himself to rid from the temple whatever would intrude and desecrate that.
     We do not see Jesus get angry very often.  Though the Lord is slow to anger, that does not mean he never gets angry.  But we ought to understand exactly what Jesus got angry about.  Jesus was not angry that there were animals in the temple.  Sacrifices went on daily in the temple.  Naturally, animals would have been there.  Jesus was not angry that the Jews were exchanging money or buying animals.  Many Jews came to the Passover from distant lands.  They would not have brought animals with them for the feast; they would have bought them in Palestine.  They also would have been carrying Roman coins with them.  At the Passover, each Jewish man was obligated to pay the temple tax.  That was not paid with a coin which bore the Roman Emperor's image.  So, each Passover pilgrim would have exchanged his Roman denarius for a shekel or a didrachma.  Such transactions were not evil.  However, the priests had decided that the best place to do this business was in the temple courtyard where people were praying and worshiping.  Jesus had assessed it correctly: “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” (John 2:16)  
     What's worse is that people were being taught that forgiveness was a commodity to be purchased:  “Come to the temple.  Buy your animal.  Pay your tax.  Make your sacrifice, and God's forgiveness has been secured.”  God's people were not being taught not to trust in the Lord and his word for salvation, but that salvation could be purchased for the right amount of money.  Zeal for God's house and for God's salvation moved Jesus to drive the animals and the money-changers out of the temple courtyards.  Jesus acted to reform their worship to what is God-pleasing.  Jesus is the Great Reformer.
     You'd think that people would have learned the lesson.  You do not look for salvation where God does not give it.  Nevertheless, God's people were deceived again.  While you cannot fault people for their desire to be saved, you can fault people for seeking it wrongly.  Many have sought God's favor by fasting, by monastic vows, by paying money for a mass offered in honor of a loved one or for themselves, by reverencing relics, or by purchasing indulgences.  Much money was handed over by people who were eager to believe that God forgives sins and saves sinners.  But it was all a lie.  Salvation is not something that man works out.  Forgiveness is not a commodity to be purchased.  As a result of his own conscience being vexed by such inventions, Martin Luther challenged the church leaders of his day and demanded that they forsake their inventions.  Luther clung fervently to God's word as the only source of hope, certainty, and salvation.  If God said it, we can be sure of it.  If God did not say it, at best we are in doubt that salvation is real.  When you are facing death, you do not want to be vexed by doubt or fear.  You want certainty.  Our works may have the appearance of piety, but they have no certainty.  Only faith in Jesus' words and works are certain for salvation; for it is only Jesus Christ who saves.  He was pleased through faithful ministers like Luther, to turn people away from pious-sounding inventions to the sure word of God.  Jesus Christ is the Great Reformer of his Church.
     You'd think that people would have learned the lesson.  You do not look for salvation where God does not give it.  Nevertheless, God's people are still often deceived.  To this day, we are told and tempted to look into our hearts for assurance that we are doing or believing the right thing.  But this is what the Lord says: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)  Our hearts are so corrupt that God has to reveal to us how bad our condition is—and even then many do not believe it.  Everyone believes that he is basically a good person.  The Lord declares that none are good, that all fall short of his glory.  Our sinful hearts believe that God owes us answers and that God should act like we would act.  Then we assume he does, and we reject God when he does not.  This is blasphemy and idolatry.  It is evidence of utterly corrupt hearts and minds, and it will result in damnation to be sure.  Repent!
     Jesus is the Great Reformer.  He does not submit his word to us for our approval.  He does not take suggestions for how to improve it.  By his word, Jesus overturns in our hearts everything that desecrates his kingdom or distracts from his word.  Jesus pours on us fear, terror, judgment, and despair in order to destroy every religious impulse that derives out of our hearts, no matter how pious it sounds.  For, our salvation does not flow out of our hearts and minds; it comes only from God's word to us.  God reforms our hearts and transforms our minds.  He causes our hearts and minds to submit to his word.  That is where we find divine truth and a sure salvation.  Jesus is the Great Reformer.
     When Jesus did lash out at the false worship in the temple, the Jewish leaders said, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” (John 2:18)  They demanded to know by what authority Jesus did what he did.  Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19)  Jesus pointed them to the resurrection.  The temple is the place where God dwells among his people to bless and save them.  Who is Jesus?  He is God who dwells with his people to bless and save them.  The people would put him to death, but he would raise up the temple of his body to show that he has all authority.  Jesus has authority not only to drive out men-centered worship, but also authority to forgive sins, to raise the dead, and to give eternal life to all who believe in him.
     Jesus is the Great Reformer, and he turns us away from ourselves and put our trust completely on him.  It seems like a violent act because it destroys all that we consider to be reliable and trustworthy.  It destroys every other foundation so that we are left with nothing but Jesus.  And that trust is not misplaced.  For Jesus Christ has paid for all our sins by his death.  Jesus has delivered us from death by his resurrection.  Jesus opens the kingdom of heaven to us and has every right to do so.
     Jesus summons us to hear his word and receive his sacraments.  That is where he delivers salvation to us.  That is where Jesus is at work to wash away sins, to strengthen faith, to proclaim salvation, and to feed his people.  Jesus continues to reform us, to work in us, to preserve us, to strengthen us, and to save us.   And since Jesus is the one doing the work for us and in us, we do not have to doubt if it is sure or fear that it will fail.
     At the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus cleansed the Temple and reformed its worship.  Jesus repeated this cleansing at the end of his ministry, just three Passovers later.  The people did not learn their lesson.  Jesus is the Great Reformer, for he continues to cleanse and re-form each one of us who are still learning the lesson.  Salvation never comes from us—from our works, our worship, our piety, our sincerity, and our hearts.  It all comes from Jesus.  He delivers it through his word and sacraments.  And since it is Jesus who has worked at the cross and tomb to win salvation, it is sure.  Since it is Jesus who delivers it in the sacraments, it is sure.  Since it is God's Word to you, it is sure.
     Jesus is the Great Reformer.  Since you and I are humble sinners in need of God's reformation continually, we will surely continue to flee to God's word and to feed at God's altar where God re-forms our sinful hearts into godly ones and where God delivers his forgiveness.  And where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

Sermon -- 1st Sunday of End Times-Reformation (November 2, 2014)

MATTHEW 11:12-15

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN SUFFERS VIOLENCE.

In the name + of Jesus.

The voice of the LORD cries to the city—

and it is sound wisdom [O LORD] to fear your name. (Micah 6:9)

     Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12)  That doesn’t sound right.  We would think that Jesus would state that the kingdom of heaven is coming to crush all that are in opposition to it.  We would think Jesus would tell us that kingdom is glorious, and that it will stand glorious even as the whole world falls apart.  Instead, Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence.  And when Jesus says this, he is not suggesting that anything will change.  The verb was translated the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, as if it would soon be a thing of the past.  But the verb is actually present tense.  The kingdom of heaven is suffering violence, and violent men are grabbing hold of it.

     This was the case in the days of Jesus and John the Baptist.  Each began their preaching with the exact same message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17)  The kingdom of heaven is revealed and established in Jesus Christ.  He alone is the source of mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life.  Outside of Jesus Christ, there is no hope and no salvation.  So even if your neighbor or co-worker seems to be nicer than you are, does more good than you do, has achieved more honor, or has sacrificed more than you, that does not save him.  Outside of Christ there is no forgiveness, no matter how great someone seems.  Salvation does not come by your deeds of love, but by Jesus’ deeds of love for you.  In other words: by faith alone. 

     But your senses tell you that faith cannot be enough.  Your senses tell you that you must do something to be saved.  There must be something in you that makes you worthy.  We usually decide for ourselves what that thing is: I am more sincere.  I have put in more time.  I have refrained from cheating.  I am a good parent.  I get to church more than most.  We will even give ourselves credit because we intended to do better.  In other words, we believe we deserve a reward.  And while we recognize that Jesus’ death was important, we think that it is equally important that there was something in us which has merited God’s attention and affection.

     So the kingdom of heaven suffers violence—not just from King Herod who kills John the Baptist; not just from Caiaphas who plots to destroy Jesus; not just from Muslims who decapitate Christians; not just from post-modern Americans who are appalled that the Church still calls sins evil; but even from you who take pride in your good works and think that they have earned something for you, who think that your opinion is equal to God’s judgment, and who look down on others because they have not been as righteous or moral or honest as you.  The kingdom of heaven suffers violence at the hands and mouths of everyone.  For, everyone presumes to think and speak for God and to judge on God’s behalf.  This is nothing new.  Adam and Eve sought to become like God in the Garden.  To this day, we all grasp for that position.  We all strive and struggle and violently attempt to seize not just the kingdom but the kingship.  Repent.

     The very first of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses states: Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said [Repent!], willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.  Those words began what we now call the Lutheran Reformation.  Now, if something is going to be reformed, there will be an act of violence involved.  Steel that is reformed into the frame of a truck will endure violent blows.  Marble that is reformed into a statue will be hammered and chiseled.  Likewise you, when the Lord works repentance in you, must destroy your sinful nature and reform you into a new nature. 

     The clash between heaven and hell was never going to be peaceful.  The Lord Jesus did not come to forge a treaty, but to destroy Satan and his kingdom.  The very first promise of the Savior foretells of the violence.  In speaking to the serpent, the Lord said that the Seed of the Woman would “bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)  Each would deliver a violent blow.  Satan struck against Jesus who willing took all Satan had to give.  Jesus took your sins, your curse, your death, and your hell.  Jesus absorbed all the venom of Satan and endured a violent, shameful death. 

     But by going into death, Jesus delivered a violent, crushing blow upon sin, death, and Satan.  By dying for you, Jesus paid for all your sins.  So, by dying, Jesus delivered you from Satan’s domain.  Then Jesus destroyed death by rising from the grave.  Jesus delivered you from death by his resurrection.  Jesus did not leave sin, death, and Satan wounded; he crushed them all underfoot.  Likewise, Jesus does not leave you in doubt about your forgiveness, resurrection, and eternal life.  Jesus lives; no one can kill him off.  Jesus reigns; nothing can overthrow his kingdom.  So, even though the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, not even the gates of hell can overcome it.  You have been delivered from death to life.  You have been brought from Satan’s domain into the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus is your refuge, your hope, your salvation, and your life.  You are secure in his kingdom.

     Nevertheless, what Jesus said is still true: “The kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12)  You still live in the Church Militant, and that means that the violence will continue.  Your greatest struggles are not against the forces of ISIS, but against your own sinful flesh.  Your sinful nature does not willingly surrender.  For, it does not want to die.  Temptations from your own flesh are ever-present and persistent.  If you surrender to them, you will perish.  So you must fight against and pray.  Put your sins to death by repentance, and Jesus will raise you up with his divine absolution.  You will confess your faith before a world which despises Jesus, and they will despise and ridicule you for it.  You will be mocked for doing what is good, and you will be despised for calling sins evil.  The kingdom of heaven will not appear glorious in this world.  The Christian life with not be easy, and it will not look pretty.  The kingdom of heaven will still suffer violence.

     But fear not!  Though Satan rage, though the world rebel, and though your own sinful flesh tell you to retreat or surrender, the Lord Jesus has fought the battle and he has won.  The Lord Jesus will still work his reformation in you.  Though you will feel battle weary in the Church Militant, the Lord uses those struggles to purge you of your sin, to drive you to your refuge, and to find comfort and hope in Jesus Christ alone.  Jesus is the only place you will find comfort, hope, and salvation.  That is why he lets the world go on in rebellion.  The world’s judgment is mounting up against it.  But you have your refuge in Jesus Christ.  There, you find forgiveness.  There, you are delivered from death.  There, your eternal life is certain.  Jesus has given you ears to hear this, hearts to believe it, and mouths to confess it.  So do not fear, though the whole world and all of hell break out in violence.  The kingdom of heaven cannot be overthrown, and you cannot be snatch out of Jesus’ hand.  You have an indestructible refuge.  Your God is a mighty fortress.  Though the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, in Christ, you are safe.  

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Reformation Sunday; End Times 1 (November 4, 2012)

MARK 13:5-11

SAY WHATEVER IS GIVEN TO YOU.

In the name + of Jesus.

     As you know, there is a tremendous reward for being a Christian.  Jesus Christ has cleansed you and claimed you through your baptism.  Through baptism, Jesus has bestowed upon you blessings that are beyond measure and cost.  He forgives you of all your sins.  In fact, if you ever wonder if you are truly forgiven, you can confess, “I am baptized.  God’s promises are mine, and God does not lie to me.  Therefore, my sins are forgiven.”  You are Christ’s.  His blessings are yours.  There is nothing greater on earth.

     Nevertheless, Jesus told the apostles that there would be a tremendous cost for being a Christian.  “Be on your guard.  For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.” (Mark 13:9)  The apostles were reviled, ridiculed, arrested, flogged, and martyred.  They were considered enemies of both the church and the state.  What heinous crime was worthy of such treatment?  Jesus said, “The gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.” (Mark 13:10)  The apostles were commissioned to do this preaching.  For preaching the gospel, they were charged with treason, blasphemy, and other crimes.  For proclaiming God’s love, they were hated.  For preaching the forgiveness of sins, they were condemned.  For opening up the gates of heaven, many people wanted them to go to hell.  For showing people the resurrection to eternal life, they were put to death. 

     Jesus had warned them: “See that no one leads you astray.  But be on your guard.” (Mark 13:5,9)  Life as a Christian means life under the cross.  That means both blessings and cost.  The apostles were arrested and tried before the Sanhedrin, before governors, and even before Caesar.  It was not a time to be cowardly or to concede, but to confess.  The apostles were to do nothing other than to witness what they had seen and heard from Jesus.  A Savior has lived in righteousness for sinful mankind.  A Savior has died under God’s curse to atone for sins.  A Savior has risen from the grave to declare peace between God and men, to deliver from hell into heaven, and to assure you that the grave does not reign – Jesus does.  They were simply to say whatever had been given them.  It was not their opinion.  It was not their propaganda.  It was the good news promised by God and fulfilled by Jesus. 

     It sounds simple enough, doesn’t it?  When you have an opportunity to confess your faith, you simply confess the faith.  It is not your opinion.  It is not propaganda.  It is the good news promised by God and fulfilled by Jesus Christ.  It is God’s word which you believe and confess. 

     Nothing has changed.  You will likely never have to face the fury the apostles endured, but confessing the gospel still evokes bitter opposition.  People hate this gracious Savior because they don’t believe they need grace and they don’t believe they need to be saved.  Even if a person gives himself to drunkenness, to speculating about his neighbors and assuming the worst about them, to coveting another man’s wife, to belittling his children, and to gratifying whatever carnal desires he has, he still believes he is a good person.  He despises God’s word.  He rejects God’s judgment.  

     But God’s word is not open for debate.  People may reject it and despise it, but God’s word cannot be changed any more than God himself can be changed.  People may despise you for confessing God’s word.  But when that happens, see that no one leads you astray.  But be on your guard. (Mark 13:5,9)  Do not find ways to make God’s word more compatible with wickedness or tolerable to the ungodly or permissive to your own sinful weaknesses.  Say whatever is given to you, and what is given to you is God’s word.  God has spoken, plainly and clearly, for himself.  What God condemns, let him condemn.  What God blesses, let him bless.  If you change God’s word to suit your audience, you lose who God is.  You forfeit your Savior. 

     You will likely never be called upon to speak before a president, a governor, or even your mayor.  You do get to speak to co-workers, friends, and relatives.  It should not matter how great or small they seem to you.  Say whatever is given to you.  Confess the faith.  Let God speak for himself, and let your voice be the one which proclaims that word – just as St. John and St. Peter did before the Sanhedrin, just as St. Paul did before Nero, and just as Luther did before Emperor Charles V.

     Say whatever is given to you.  Confess the faith boldly and freely.  But be on your guard. (Mark 13:9)  Do not fear when you are called on to confess.  Fear will tempt you to go silent or even to deny the faith.  But this is what the Lord says: “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)  Though you testify before men about the hope that is in you, you are not accountable to men.  Though men may judge you for your confession, men are not the judge.  Friends may forsake you.  Activists may attack you.  Religious leaders may banish you.  Caesar may execute you.  They do not have the final verdict upon you.  Say and cling to what has been given to you – God’s word.  For the Lord is the judge.  He has the only word with authority.  He holds the final verdict.

     You have a Savior who has taken all the slander away from you.  He was condemned for every time you have failed to live up to the word of the Lord or confess the word of the Lord.  He died under your verdict of condemnation and has risen to render you a new verdict.  You have been given a word that overrules every other word, no matter how vicious, vindictive, or final it sounds.  You have been given a salvation which cannot be lost no matter how brutally you are treated.  No matter how badly they slander you, you have been given an eternal verdict by the Risen Lord.  No matter what they take away from you, you have been given a place in the kingdom of God for now and eternity. 

     Therefore, say whatever has been given to you.  You have been given a Savior who lives and reigns no matter how violently the world rejects him or vehemently the world hates you.  The Lord has given you a word that cannot be overruled and a kingdom that will never be overthrown.  He has given you an eternal life which can never be taken from you and a resurrection that can never perish. 

     Say whatever has been given to you.  For what has been given to you shall save you.  “When they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11)  The Holy Spirit has given you words to confess.  The Holy Spirit who dwells in you will proclaim his word through you.  That word will sustain you in the face of every temptation, in the face of every enemy, and even in the face of death. 

     So say whatever has been given to you and do not fear anyone who would raise his hand or his voice against God and his people.  The Lord still reigns – just as he reigned in Jerusalem even when the apostles were arrested and flogged, just as he reigned in Alexandria when Athanasius was exiled five times, just as he reigned in Wittenberg when Luther was excommunicated, just as he does in Novi no matter what anyone says about you or against you.  Whether God’s people confess the faith with their mouths or with their blood, the Lord Jesus lives and reigns.  So say this word which has been given to you.  His word stands forever, and the kingdom ours remaineth.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.