BIBLE MATTERS: The End Times -- begins Wednesday, January 10

            We will begin a new series on Wednesday, January 10.  Our topic will be The End Times.  Class time is 6:30 PM.

           With all of the turmoil going on in the Middle East, many pastors are saying that the final prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled.  Some will speak of the conversion of all the Jews.  Some will talk about a rapture in which Christians will be taken up into the heavens to be spared any tribulation.  Others will speak about a 1,000-year reign of Christ in Jerusalem.  Often, the order of events contradicts each other from various pastors.  What are we to believe?

We will consider how the Scriptures describe the End Times so that we can face it with both comfort and confidence and so that we will not be distracted by false teachings and promises.  

The tentative schedule is:

Jan. 10 -- God’s Word on the Future: Jesus Is Coming, but the Day and Hour are Unknown

Jan. 17 -- While We Wait for Jesus’ Return

Jan. 24 -- The Events of Judgment Day and the Judgment

Jan. 31 -- Millennialism (a 1,000 year reign of Jesus)

Feb. 7 -- Dispensationalism (Rapture and Tribulation); The Present Life in Light of Jesus’ Future Coming

           This will be the same series we have been going through on Sunday mornings, but it will be abbreviated due to limited weeks between the new year and Ash Wednesday (February 14).

          If you would like to order a book which covers this topic, one option for you is The People's Bible Teachings: End Times.  You can order that book at this link: End Times (nph.net)

ADULT BIBLE CLASS: The End Times

            We will begin a new series beginning on Sunday, November 26.  Our topic will be The End Times. With all of the turmoil going on in the Middle East, many pastors are saying that the final prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled.  Some will speak of the conversion of all the Jews.  Some will talk about a rapture in which Christians will be taken up into the heavens to be spared any tribulation.  Others will speak about a 1,000 year reign of Christ in Jerusalem.  Often, the order of events contradict each other from various pastors.  What are we to believe?

We will consider how the Scriptures describe the End Times so that we can face it with both comfort and confidence and so that we will not be distracted by false teachings and promises.  

The tentative schedule is:

Nov. 26 -- God’s Word on the Future: Jesus Is Coming!

Dec. 03 -- The Unknown Day and Hour of Jesus’ Return

Dec. 10 -- While We Wait for Jesus’ Return

Dec. 17 -- The Events of Judgment Day

Dec. 24 -- The Judgment

Jan. 07 -- Millennialism (a 1,000 year reign of Jesus)

Jan. 14 -- Dispensationalism (Rapture and Tribulation)

Jan. 21 -- The Present Life in Light of Jesus’ Future Coming

          If you would like to order a book which covers this topic, one option for you is The People's Bible Teachings: End Times.  You can order that book at this link: End Times (nph.net)

A Pastoral Concern -- Israel, Hamas, and God's chosen people

As if on cue, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has triggered many Christian teachers and churches to prepare for the final moments of earth.  Are these the final moments?  I pray that they are.  The older I get, the more often I pray, "Come, Lord Jesus."

However, there are many misguided people who equate the modern nation of Israel with God's covenant people of the Old Testament.  This blog post would run WAY too long to sift all this out.  So, I alert you to the following resources (scroll down) to address some of the statements that are being made about Israel and the final days--statements, by the way, which were also made in 1990 and Desert Storm, and in the 2000's with the Persian Gulf War.  I truly believe these books were already written and await a Middle East conflict to hit publication.

The short answer to who are God's chosen people?  Just two verses:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10).  God's chosen people the people whom Jesus Christ has redeemed, the Church.  It is not based on bloodline, heritage, borders, languages, or even eras.  

For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring (Romans 9:6-8).   Not every Israelite was a believer; therefore, not every Israelite is saved.  On the other hand, everyone who believes in Jesus as his or her Savior receives the benefits of Jesus' saving work.  Therefore, just as St. Paul says, the true Israel is the Church. The true children of Abraham are those who believe the same promise Abraham believed.

For a brief chapel devotion written by me which merely grazes the topic, look here.

For a more extensive review and critique of this issue, click here for an Issues, Etc. podcast.

YouTube -- 3rd Sunday of End Times: Saints Triumphant (November 13, 2022)

Here is the service from Sunday, November 13, 2022.

Sermon -- 3rd Sunday of End Times: Saints Triumphant (November 13, 2022)

LUKE 20:27-38

YOU ARE CHILDREN OF THE RESURRECTION.

In the name + of Jesus.

     In a series of challenges against Jesus, the Sadducees took their turn.  The Sadducees were the temple priests, but they were more politicians that priests.  They craved power and wealth.  Being worldly, they rejected the existence of angels and the resurrection of the body.  So, when the Sadducees came to Jesus, they were not curious about the resurrection.  Rather, they came to mock the very idea of one.

     It would be nice if we could bypass their rejection of the resurrection as some trivial oddity.  But we hear less and less about the resurrection of the dead even in Christian churches.  Funerals should be the one place where the hope of the resurrection is proclaimed.  Instead, funerals have turned into a celebration of the person and the life which was lived rather than delivering the comfort of the life of the world to come.

     Some Christians talk about reincarnation more than resurrection even though reincarnation is a Hindu teaching.  Reincarnation is appealing because people love this world and want to keep it.  People assume that they have lived a good enough life that they will return to this world in a higher place, in other words, attaining greater earthly glory.  In truth, if our rewards came through reincarnation, we should all come back as slugs; for our sins are many.  None of us has overcome jealousy, anger, impatience, or selfishness.  Reincarnation denies the resurrection of the body.  It rejects the fact that God created you to uniquely be the human you are for this time and in this place and that you will be you for all eternity.  But—God be praised!—you are not trapped in a cycle of death and reincarnation.  You are children of the resurrection.

     The Sadducees assumed that any eternal life would be just like this life.  So, they presented a worldly scenario in which a woman, through the course of time, was married to seven brothers.  God’s Law had called for every married man to have his name and his line preserved through his children.  So, if a man died without a child, his brother was to father a child through his wife, and that child would be regarded as the dead brother’s child.  As the Sadducees told their story, seven brothers all had taken this woman as a wife, but none of them ever fathered a child.  Finally, the woman died, too.  So, as if they were actually seeking an honest answer, the Sadducees concluded, “In the resurrection, … whose wife will the woman be?  For the seven had her as wife” (Luke 20:33).

     Jesus explained that life in time and life in eternity will be different.  Life in this world is full of sorrow and pain.  Even the Sadducees’ story acknowledged that.  Can you imagine the strife, stress, and sorrow that woman would have gone through to have seven husbands die?  She also never had a child to help her in her old age.  In this life, we endure loss of friends, loss of family, loss of property, loss of health, loss of hearing and eyesight and memory, and finally, we lose our life.  Such things may be common, but they are painful.

     Everything God had made was very good—and there is still good in much of it—but all of it was corrupted when sin entered the world.  Our bodies are good, but sin has corrupted them so they age, break down, and die.  Marriage was established and blessed by God, but every marriage takes work as two sinners fight off their selfish desires to serve one another.  Sometimes the sinful desires win and the marriage fails.  God created people to have a loving relationship with him, but sin has ruined that, too.  Sin causes us to be insulted that God thinks he should have anything to say about how we live our lives—even though God is the source of life.  Sin causes us to defy God with our actions and attitudes.  Sin causes us to fear his judgment.  Finally, sin produces death.  

     Everyone wants a better life than that.  Dear Christians, you have such a future!  Jesus came to restore everything ruined by sin.  He removed your sin from you.  The Lord took on a human body so that he could deliver our human bodies from the corruption of sin and the chains of death.  Jesus bore our sin and gave himself into death.  Jesus was not only put to death at the cross, he was put under God’s judgment at the cross.  And the full curse for all sin was emptied out there. 

     Jesus gave his life into death so that he would overcome death.  Then he rose from the grave, never to die again.  Jesus died in shame and weakness, only to rise with a body that lives in a glory that will never pass away.  Jesus submitted to beatings and bruises and bleeding, only to rise from the dead with a body that will never suffer any harm, any pain, or any affliction again.  Death does not own Jesus; Jesus is the master over death.  Jesus lives and forgives all your sins.  He has reconciled you to God and restored that relationship.  Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and all who believe in Jesus will be delivered out of death and raised up to life everlasting. 

     The Sadducees assumed that the next life would be just like this life.  Dear Christians, you have been delivered from being raised from the dead only to return to a corrupt life and wicked world.  Jesus will deliver you to a new life that is superior to everything in this world.  He will restore all things back to perfection.  Jesus will deliver you to a Paradise that is free from any problem you encounter now.  You will have a perfected body which can never die and will never get sick.  Your mind will be in complete harmony with God’s will, and your heart will have a perfect love for the Lord and for others.  Joy will never be interrupted with sadness.  Glory will never marred by shame.  Peace will never be lost to conflict or anxiety.  You will be with your risen Lord forever, for you are children of the resurrection.

     That’s not to say we are ungrateful the blessings God gives in this life.  But some are just for this life.  Jesus explained to the Sadducees, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection” (Luke 20:34-36).  God established marriage for this life because it is not good for the man to be alone.  He binds the man to his wife.  Then he blesses them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1).  That blessing still stands.  It drives our desire to procreate to assure that the world will have people living on it for generations to come.  That blessing and that drive to procreate are properly fulfilled within marriage, which is why God established marriage for this life.

     You are children of the resurrection.  Once you and I have been raised, we will be like the angels.  We will be perfected in glory, and we will have no need to procreate to add to the numbers in heaven.  Just as the number of angels is set, so will be the number of the redeemed.  Therefore, there is no need for people to be married off in the glories of heaven.  But that is not to say that there is no wedding. 

     As children of the resurrection, you will be brought to the wedding banquet of the Lamb.  You will recline with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the whole company of heaven to feast with your Lord for all eternity.  The Bride of Christ, which is the Church, is clothed in beautiful garments, which is baptism.  Through baptism into Jesus’ name, you have been clothed with garments of salvation.  The heavenly Groom, Jesus, will come again to receive his holy Bride, and there will be joy for Christ and his Church forevermore.  Of course, we already get to partake in that feast already.  We kneel at the altar where we receive the heavenly food.  It is the same feast that is shared by all the saints who have gone before us.  While our celebrations are interrupted by our labors in this sinful world, their celebration goes on in unending joy.  That joy will be yours soon enough, for you are children of the resurrection.

     Jesus’ final statement to the Sadducees is intriguing.  He said, “That the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.  Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him” (Luke 20:37-38).  Of course, the point is that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, though long gone from this life, still live with God in glory.  Now, I suppose you could argue that this does not prove the resurrection.  Their souls have gone to be with the Lord, but their bodies are still dust. 

     Jesus, however, says that this proves the resurrection of the dead.  Could it be that once we pass out of this time, we are immediately transported to eternity with bodies and souls already restored?  It is possible.  If they feast, they must have bodies; for spirits can’t eat.  But we don’t know how things work when we pass from time into eternity.  We only know this world and the time that passes in it.  From what we see, people die and their bodies turn to dust.  After a period of time, those bodies will be raised on the Last Day.  That is what we experience.  But what did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the saints of the past experience when they closed their eyes in death?  We can say that they are with the Lord because the Bible says so.  They live forever and they will never again know sorrow, pain, or death.  The Bible tells us that, too.  But whether death fast-forwards us to the day of resurrection or not, we can’t say. 

     What we can say for sure is what the Scriptures reveal.  We are safe when we take our stand there.  The Scriptures state that when we die, “the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7).  But God did not design us to have our soul separate from our bodies.  Death rips those apart.  Since Jesus has come to restore all things to perfection, he will reunite bodies and souls so that we will be whole as God designed us to be.  Jesus became a man to be the way for mankind to escape death.  He rose a body and soul man to show us that we will live as body and soul people in the glories of heaven. 

     You are children of the resurrection.  Jesus Christ has come to secure a life for you which is far better than any life you can imagine here.  Jesus Christ will come again to deliver you to that beautiful life.  And—God be praised!—those who have passed out of this life trusting in Jesus already have it.  What they are celebrating now, you and I pray for each day.  And Jesus Christ will guard and keep you to bring you there.

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

Something from ... Gottesdienst re: The horsemen of the Apocalypse and the Chaos in the World

Here is a brief article which addresses the chaos in our world from a Scriptural standpoint.  The reference is to the destruction which is caused by the four horsemen sent out by God in St. John's Revelation.  Each rider brought different kinds of suffering.  We see the fulfillment appear right before our eyes.

This destruction and chaos are sent by God so that people will repent of their sins and return to the Lord who alone can provide healing, relief, and recovery.  Sadly, the world goes merrily on, lamenting the loss of wealth, health, and blissful ignorance.  Instead, it lashes out in anger and willful ignorance of their sins.

Meanwhile, the Church prays and commits itself to the Lord.  Even though we also suffer in hard times, we know that the Lord still holds us in his favor for the sake of Jesus Christ whose name we bear, in whose name we worship, and upon whose name we call in the day of trouble.

Lord, have mercy, and use the chaos to bring people to repent.

From Gottesdienst: The Horsemen Are Riding — Gottesdienst

Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.

When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.

When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”

When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:1-8)

YouTube -- Liturgy Sunday / 4th Sunday of End Times (November 21, 2021)

Here is the service from Sunday, November 21, 2021.  It gives an explanation of the Lutheran liturgy interspersed throughout the service.  For further details, contact Good Shepherd.

Sermon -- 4th Sunday of End Times: Christ the King (November 21, 2021)

REVELATION 1:4b-8

EVERY EYE WILL SEE THE KING OF GLORY.

In the name + of Jesus.

     “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).  That means we believe God’s word to be true because God is not a liar.  It also means that we don’t often see what God says is true.  In Revelation, St. John said Jesus is “the ruler of kings of earth” (Revelation 1:5).  But it doesn’t look like it, does it?  The world is chaotic and violent.  The kings of the earth scheme and oppress.  They are the subjects of scandal and instigators of war.  If Jesus is living and reigning with authority over all things, why do such things still happen?  What we see looks like Jesus has no control over anything.  But we live by faith, not by sight.  Jesus lives and reigns for the good of his Church.  We don’t always understand how, but we know God does not lie to us.

     Consider Jesus himself when he preached and taught.  The disciples confessed that he is the Christ, the Son of God, but not because it was obvious.  This was revealed by God’s word.  When Jesus was arrested, Pilate did not conclude that Jesus is the Son of God.  Pilate did not even think to take seriously the charges that Jesus is a king.  By the time Jesus stood in Pilate’s chambers for questioning, he had been beaten and roughed up.  Although Pilate knew that Jesus was not deserving of a death sentence, neither did Pilate think that Jesus was anyone to be honored.

     Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews” (John 18:33).  I wonder if Pilate considered Jesus a nutjob more than a threat.  Who in Jesus’ condition would claim to be a king?  He did not look like it.  There was no band of soldiers who were fighting for his release.  His disciples had fled rather than stand by him in his cause.  I also wonder if Pilate was surprised by Jesus’ answer. “‘My kingdom is not of this world.’  Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’  Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king.  For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice’” (John 18:36-37). 

     We live by faith, not by sight.  When Jesus told Pilate that he is, indeed, a king, he did not prove it by saying, “Look at me.  Watch me.”  He said, “Listen to me.  Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”  Sadly, Pilate was uninterested.  Perhaps he was also unimpressed.  Pilate knew what power and glory were supposed to look like.  He had seen it for himself in Rome and with the forces under his charge.  Looking at Jesus of Nazareth, he concluded, “This is not power or glory or monarchy.”  Pilate lived by appearances, not by faith.  For him, Jesus was easy to dismiss.

     Jesus looked even less like a king after Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified.  He was scourged so that his flesh was torn apart.  He was given a crown of thorns to mock the charges against him.  He was stripped naked and nailed to a cross.  As he was dying, he had to endure the mockery of his enemies as well as the official charge above his head, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”  Dear Christians, is that your king?!

     But we live by faith, not by sight.  The sight of Jesus was grotesque and pathetic.  It is actually strange that Christians display artwork of such a gruesome death in our church and in our homes.  But you do it because you know what was really going on.  God’s word has revealed to you the payment of your sins in that death.  Jesus bore the curse for all our sins.  Every stain and smear of sin was put upon Jesus.  Every mark was on Jesus’ record so that he died the bitter death all sinners deserve.  When Jesus was on the cross, he was not merely dying; he was damned.  Again, this was not obvious by appearances; it had to be revealed by God’s word.  God reveals that Jesus suffered damnation so that you would be pardoned, set free from sin and death, and receive the favor of God.  And the body of Jesus which his enemies saw buried in a tomb has risen from the dead.  Therefore, death cannot keep you either.  We know that our future includes a resurrection and a glorious kingdom because Jesus has promised it.  He backed up that promise by his own resurrection and ascension.  And since he is God the Son, he does not and cannot lie to you.

     You and I have never seen a resurrection from the dead or a photo of the heavenly kingdom, but we live by faith not by sight.  We trust God’s promises.  And the day is coming when we will no longer live by faith.  We will see the majesty of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the everlasting glory with Jesus.  The day is coming when every eye will see the King of Glory.  The Last Day is coming, and every eye will see the King of Glory.  

     Jesus’ return will not be hidden or done in secret.  St. John foretold it: “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him” (Revelation 1:7).  Every eye will see the King of Glory.  The dead will be raised, and they will see him.  All who are still alive at his coming will see him.  He will come from the clouds in full glory with all his angels to judge the living and the dead.  His arrival will be unmistakable.  His glory will be undeniable.  His judgment will be unavoidable.  His reign will be unassailable.

     Sadly, his coming will also be met with wailing, mourning, and dread.  Those who pierced him, who plotted for his death, and who campaigned for his execution will be in terror.  They did not believe he is the Son of God.  They will wail when they finally see what they would not believe.  But it will not be limited to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Pontius Pilate.  It will be everyone who did not believe his word. 

     They will mourn because they did not take him seriously.  They will wail because they never felt any need to repent of their sins.  They will be in dread of the judgment because they had convinced themselves that they were good enough and did not owe God any answers or accountability.  But when the judgment comes, they will be in terror to learn that they ignored their own consciences and God’s word to their own peril.  They would not repent of their sins, and so they will be judged for them.  They would not believe in Jesus, and so they will be judged without a Savior.  They never wanted God’s mercy, and so they will be judged without mercy.  Now is the time to sound the warning; for then there will be only the sound of wailing among the unbelievers.

     Every eye will see the King of Glory.  Perhaps the thought is terrifying for you, too.  “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner” (1 Peter 4:8)?  The righteous can scarcely be saved?  No wonder the day of judgment can make even the most pious Christian anxious!  We know our sins.  The devil picks at our weaknesses.  We still feel the guilt from the times when we have said and done the most regrettable things.  We can’t take them back, and we probably cannot fix what we’ve broken either.  We don’t want our Lord to expose us before all creation.

     But if your sins haunt you and the judgment scares you, then flee to Jesus.  He is your refuge in the face of death and judgment.  Jesus is the King of Glory, but his glory is that he loves and saves sinners.  He alone is the Savior of all mankind.  “The blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).  And now here, from this altar, you get to receive the body and blood of Jesus which has taken away your sins.  It was given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.  It is given to you to eat and drink for the forgiveness of your sins.  And if the innocent blood of Jesus covers you, then death and damnation must pass over you.  You will not be judged according to what you see in yourself, but according to what Jesus has done for you and says to you.  We live by faith, not by sight.  We are saved by faith, not by sight.

     Every eye will see the King of Glory.  You who rejoice in his mercy now will have every reason to rejoice over him.  You who are in his kingdom now pray for the coming kingdom of glory.  The words and promises of God are given to you now to uphold you, to encourage you, and to console you.  What you see in this world can make anyone lose hope for better days.  But remember: We live by faith, not by sight.  God the Father has assured us that we are his children whom he loves.  Jesus assures us that we are victors over death and heirs of eternal life.  The Holy Spirit dwells in us to guard and keep us by the word of God so that we will remain in the faith.

     And then, at last, on the Last Day, every eye will see the King of Glory.  You have been practicing singing his praises throughout your lives.  And you will rejoice to sing his praises when he comes to gather you up for everlasting glory.  You rejoice to know the Lord by faith now.  How much greater will your joy be when you see the King of Glory with your own eyes!

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

     “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever” (Revelation 1:5-6).

YouTube -- 3rd Sunday in End Times: Saints Triumphant (November 14, 2021)

Here is the service from November 14, 2021.

Sermon -- 3rd Sunday of End Times: Saints Triumphant (November 14, 2021)

JOHN 5:25-29

JESUS’ VOICE BRINGS THE DEAD TO LIFE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     The Bible teaches the realities of heaven and hell throughout the Scriptures.  Both places, though, are difficult to comprehend.  The blessings of the heavenly kingdom include the absence of every problem and every pain.  In the heavenly kingdom, everything is restored to purity and perfection.  It will be that way without interruption and without end.  Its goodness will be far beyond anything we can understand.

     On the other hand, hell is just as incomprehensible.  The Bible says hell is an unquenchable fire.  It is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Gnashing of teeth refers to the anguish of people there.  Weeping is the regret of despising God and his word.  It is a place without mercy and without hope.  It will be that way without interruption and without end.  Even the horrors of war, famine, or plague do not measure up to that.  In fact, it is so horrible that even some Christians have rejected that it is real.  I think you would agree that it is horrible, but to reject the reality of hell is to reject the words of Jesus and many other parts of the Bible.

     I suppose one of the reasons people think that hell is such a terrible judgment is because people do not recognize the severity of the sinful condition.  We might have the idea that people mind their own business, not really hurting anybody, and then Jesus will come and banish people to hell for no good reason.  Now, if that were true, then the Lord would be a monster.  But it is not true.  No one is neutral.  Everyone comes into this world a sinner—both unable and unwilling to follow God’s word.

     The Psalms teach us to confess, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5).  We are corrupt from the very beginning.  No one had to teach us how to be selfish, cruel, or angry.  While we may be minding our own business, it is opposed to God and his business.  St. Paul declares, “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot” (Romans 8:7).  That is why St. Paul also says, “You were dead in the trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).  If you are dead in your sins, then you cannot fix your sinful condition.  You can’t even begin to do it, because dead people don’t get better.

     While it is true that God will send people to hell, he is not a monster who delights in doing it.  This is what the Lord says: “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God” (Ezekiel 18:32).  For this reason, God sent a Savior to rescue us from our sinful condition and from being destined for damnation.  And so Jesus came for sinners, to bring the dead to life.  He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live” (John 5:25). 

     Jesus’ voice brings the dead to life.  This is the first resurrection.  Jesus comes to people who are dead in their sins and enlivens them.  He enlightens you to see that God’s word is true, even when it convicts you.  He renews your heart so that you have a love for God’s word.  He transforms your mind so that you are eager to live and to act as God’s word directs you.  He shows you that you do not need to flee from God in terror.  Rather, you need to flee to God; for he alone provides hope, mercy, and peace for sinners. 

     Jesus’ voice brings the dead to life.  When the word of the Lord goes out to sinners, it produces what it says.  Consider the times Jesus raised people from the dead.  The daughter of Jairus had just died.  Jesus took her by the hand and said, “Little girl, I say to you, arise” (Mark 5:41).  Jesus’ voice brought the dead girl to life.  When the young man from Nain was on his way to the tomb, Jesus spoke, “Young man, I say to you, arise” (Luke 7:14).  Jesus’ voice brought the dead man to life.  When Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days, Jesus summoned him, “Lazarus, come out” (John 11:43).  Jesus’ words produced what he had commanded.  Jesus’ voice brings the dead to life.

     So it is with you in your sinful condition.  Jesus preached, “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).  The voice which called people to repent changed their hearts.  The voice which called people to faith planted that faith into their hearts.  Whether Jesus says it himself or a believer repeats Jesus’ words, Jesus’ voice brings the dead to life.  For, it is through that word that the saving work of Jesus is applied to people.  It is the word of the Lord which delivers the forgiveness of sins to people.  The word of the Lord is added to water which makes it a washing of regeneration—that is, the water of life by which you are born again.  The word of the Lord is added to bread and wine which deliver to God’s people the body and blood which have overcome death.  Through these, Jesus’ voice brings the dead to life and sustains the life of those who have been enlivened.  “Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection!  Over such the second death has no power” (Revelation 20:6).

     Jesus’ voice brings the dead to life.  It is not only true in bringing those who are dead in sin to spiritual life, it is also true in summoning the dead from their graves on the Last Day.  Jesus spoke about the resurrection of the body, in fact, the resurrection of all the bodies.  Jesus conquered death by his resurrection.  He is now the Lord over death and the grave.  So, on the Last Day, every person who has died will be called forth from his grave—whether a body buried in a cemetery, or cremated ashes which have been scattered, or a soldier whose body was annihilated by a missile.  Although people who are dead in sin can reject the Gospel which would grant new life, no one will be able to reject or resist Jesus’ voice when he calls the dead from their graves.  Every grave will be emptied; for Jesus’ voice will bring the dead to life.  And then will come the judgment.

     Jesus’ description of the judgment can be disturbing.  He said, “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29).  Now, I know which one we all want to be.  No one wants to go to hell.  But the judgment will be based on what we have done while in the body, whether good or evil.

     So, which one are you?  I am sure every one of us can think of good things we have done.  We go to church.  We stay out of jail.  We show up for work.  We say “Please” and “Thank you.”  We were nice to our mothers.  We hope that God would notice and remember.  But no one is perfect.  We have also done evil.  We had made snide remarks about people who are in our way, and we don’t care if they are struggling through a bad day.  We have snapped at our loved ones.  We have criticized people whose business we don’t know.  We have yearned for evil to come upon people who have enjoyed success.  These things have not gone unnoticed by the Lord.  The Bible reminds us, “Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord—how much more human hearts” (Proverbs 15:11)!  You can pretend you are better than you are by hiding your sinful thoughts from others, and they will probably believe you.  But you and I know the truth, and God knows it even better.

     “An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29).  So, which one is it?  Which one are you?  Good or evil? 

     Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice!  You do not have to pad your resume and invent good works to impress God with them.  You have a Savior!  Jesus’ voice brings the dead to life.  He does not give you a list of things to do to get eternal life.  He gives you words and promises.  Therefore, you can have confidence at the judgment and comfort for every day that leads up to it.  You will not be judged based on your merits or your performance.  This is what the Lord says: “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).  When the Lord sees you, he sees the righteousness and innocence of Jesus.  In Christ, you are not merely good, you are blameless, pure, and holy.  You are not destined for death, but have been guaranteed eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Jesus’ voice brings the dead to life.

     Therefore, we even have comfort when Jesus tells us about the judgment.  Listen to what he says: “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.  And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man” (John 5:26-27).  Jesus is the judge of all mankind.  You shall be judged by a peer—the man Jesus.  He has been given that right because he has done all that the Father gave him to do—perfect obedience, a sacrificial death for the disobedient, resurrection from death to conquer the devil and the grave.  The Son of Man has been  confirmed as the perfect man and has the right to judge all mankind.  Those who reject his word also reject his forgiveness.  They will be judged according to what they have done.  Since they have remained in their sin, the sad result will be the weeping and gnashing of teeth—incomprehensible suffering forever.

     But you, dear Christians, know that the judge of the living and the dead is on your side.  He is your friend.  He is your Savior.  What’s more, he has already told you your verdict!  He has already taken away your sins.  He has clothed you with his righteousness.  You have his word that you are heirs of eternal life.  At the Last Day, in the presence of his Father, the angels, and all people who have ever lived, the voice of Jesus will publicly declare, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).  Jesus’ voice brings the dead to life—life as a child of God now, and a life of everlasting glory to come.  And we shall all receive the glories of the heavenly kingdom—incomprehensible goodness and peace forever.

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

Sermon -- 3rd Sunday of End Times: Saints Triumphant (November 17, 2019)

ISAIAH 65:17-25

ALL THINGS WILL BE RENEWED, RESTORED, AND MADE RIGHT.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”  Genesis, chapter 1, verse 31: “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”  We believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.  God made a physical world with water and stones and soil and bones and flesh.  And God made it perfect and flawless.  But it is not so anymore, and God is certainly not at fault.  The world was corrupted when man brought sin and death into the world.  The heaven and the earth no longer function as God created them to be. 
     God still loves his creation.  Even though it has been corrupted, it has not been stripped of God's love and blessing.  Rain still waters the earth.  The earth still produces crops and fruit.  Animals are amazing and beautiful.  People still retain some semblance of justice and compassion.  But it has all been corrupted.  While rain still waters the earth, we have to endure snow storms, droughts, and floods.  While the earth still produces food, we have concerns about rotting crops, e-coli, and listeria.  Animals may be amazing and beautiful, but they can also be deadly.  People may retain some semblance of justice and compassion, but they still lie, cheat, steal, exploit, and demand the rights to abort their babies.  It has all been corrupted, and we see it with every tear, every act of terror, every illness, and every death. 
     The heaven and the earth no longer function as God created them to be.  Isaiah referred to this when he said, “They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat.” (Isaiah 65:22)  Israel knew what it was to work hard only to be invade and oppressed and to have other people enjoy the fruits of their labors.  But even when we get to enjoy the fruits of our labors, sin makes us discontented with our lives.  How often does our daily routine seem futile?  We go to work and wonder if we really produce anything useful at all.  We buy nice homes, only to have to continually repair them.  We want to make a difference in the world, and are disappointed that we barely even get noticed.  Is that all there is to life—go to work, make money, and die?  We want our life to mean more than that.
     The heaven and earth no longer function as God created them to be.  Isaiah referred to this when he spoke of “the sound of weeping and the cry of distress,” and “an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days” and “[bearing] children for calamity.” (Isaiah 65:19-20,23)  God did not create people to taste the bitterness of tears and heartache.  It was not God's plan for people to die—whether in nursing homes or children's hospitals.  But the world is corrupt.  All people are sinners.  And the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)   
     The heaven and earth no longer function as God created them to be.  Isaiah referred to this when he spoke of the wolf and the lion being next to the sheep and the ox.  Unless you are planning on feeding the sheep and the ox to the wolf and the lion, you don't put them together.  Adam had a brief time when the animals were not divided into predator and prey.  They all came before him so that he could name them.  He did not fear fangs or claws or venom.  But not anymore.  Zoos have barriers and cages for a reason.  People don't treat predators as pets.  The world has become corrupt, and violence is seen not just among mankind, but even in the animal kingdom.
     The heaven and earth no longer function as God created them to be.  Isaiah referred to this when he talked about people being for joy and gladness.  But our hearts do not exult in other people.  We have been on one end or the other with rivalry and jealousy and annoyance and road rage.  But worse that dysfunctional families and bitter enemies among mankind is the ruined relationship between God and man.  The heaven and earth no longer function as God created them to be because of man's sin, but we fault God when we suffer the consequences of man's sin.  We treat God as our underling—criticizing his wisdom and demanding answers for what he does!  The creation mocks its Creator, and then is shocked and offended when God speaks words of judgment for our rebellion.  Repent.  We are sinners.  That is not God's doing.
     The heavens and the earth no longer function as God created them to be.  And yet, God still loves his creation.  He continues to supply all creatures with what they need to live.  The rains still fall.  The ground still produces.  The beauty of animals and flowers and mountains are still there.  But God has done much more than give us food to eat and pretty pictures to take.  He assures you that life is not boiled down to some futile trip to the grave.  God has acted to make all things renewed, restored, and right again.
     In love for his creation, God made himself one with mankind.  He became part of his creation in order to redeem his creation.  Jesus is the man who takes for mankind everything that has incurred God's wrath.  He bears all guilt, takes up all shame, and suffers for all wickedness.  The creation itself voiced its curse over Jesus as the sun stopped shining when he hung from the cross and when the earth quaked upon his death.  Jesus died on behalf of a dying world in order to bring its release from death and decay.  The Lord does not despise the physical world.  He acted to redeem it and all things in it.  Jesus has assured you that your life is no relentless march to the grave.  Thanks to Jesus, all things will be renewed, restored, and made right.
     This is what the Lord says: “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.  But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create...” (Isaiah 65:17-18)  Jesus not only delivers you from the guilt of sin and the power of death; Jesus also shall deliver you to a kingdom which abounds in glory, where heaven and earth will function as God created them to be.
     All things will be renewed, restored, and made right.  Isaiah declares it.  No more will anyone have his life cut short or even cut off.  No longer will anyone weep or cry out in distress.  No longer will God's blessings be snatched away, worn out, or lost.  No longer will anyone be destined for calamity.  No longer will God's creation have groups of predators and prey.  No more will we face any threat from an enemy, no jealousy from an acquaintance, and no disappointment from a friend.  No one will let us down or put us down.  No more will we suffer shame or regret.  In fact, we will not even remember the shame or regrets of the past.  For, as Isaiah declares it: “The former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17)  As surely as the Lord has removed all charges from your account, so also he will remove any memory of them from your mind.
     All things will be renewed, restored, and made right.  At the resurrection, the Lord Jesus will raise you up from the grave with renewed and restored bodies.  And all will be made right.  That means we will never suffer an aching back, an annoying itch, a seasonal allergy, or the frailty that comes with age.  All things will be made right—not only in regard to physical weakness, but also in regard to spiritual weakness.  You will delight in all that is good.  You will be treated perfectly by your fellow saints, and you will find great joy in doing good to them.  You will not only be free from the guilt of sin, you will be free from any temptations to sin.  For the Lord says, “Be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.  I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people...” (Isaiah 65:18-19)  
     “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)  In the end, God will make a new heavens and a new earth.  And it will be very good.  Best of all, we will dwell with the God who loved us enough to create us and bless us, to suffer and die for us, to come to dwell among us so that we could dwell forever with him.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have cleansed us and set us apart for everlasting glory and goodness.  We will forever get to marvel at God's glory and grace.  We will forever have all things renewed and restored.  It will forever be good and right.  The new heavens and the new earth will be exactly what God had designed them to be.  And God has designed our salvation so that we will be there—renewed, restored, and made right.

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

Sermon -- 2nd Sunday of End Times -- Last Judgment (November 10, 2019)

LUKE 19:11-27

THE KING SEEKS AND REWARDS FAITHFUL SERVANTS.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Jesus told this parable because he was about to enter Jerusalem and the crowds were convinced that his kingdom was about to burst forth and establish glory on earth.  He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.” (Luke 19:12)  Jesus taught that he would go away for a while and then return.  But it was true that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to establish a kingdom.  Doing so would not look glorious.  Jesus established his kingdom by suffering and dying.  This is the payment that rescues you from sin, judgment, death, and hell.  Your place in the kingdom of God was purchased with blood.  If the crucifixion seems glorious to you, it is only because you know what was won at the cross, and that it was won for you. 
     But Jesus is a king.  He rules over his kingdom.  And you are in it.  You do not have to wait for the forgiveness of sins.  You are not waiting for a living faith which goes forth to live a godly life.  You are already children of God, and you are already have the benefits of being in his kingdom.  You are not in glory yet.  As long as the king is away and we are awaiting his return, he gives us work to do.  This work is not being done because it will save you; it is to be done by those who are already saved.  The king seeks faithful servants.
      Jesus said, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.  Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’  …  When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business.” (Luke 19:12-13,15)  A mina is simply a coin of a certain weight.  It is about 3 month's wages, so it is quite valuable.  Each servant received the same, one mina each.  Whether the mina represents our faith, our service, or our goods, it does not really matter.  They are all intertwined in God's kingdom.  You are a servant of whatever it is God has given you to do.  And our king seeks faithful servants in his kingdom.
     Upon the king's return, there was an assessment of his subjects.  He summoned each to report on their service for the king.  Only three replies are recorded.  The first confessed not, “I earned ten more minas,” but “Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.” (Luke 19:16)  It was not the servant who did the works the king desired, but it was the mina.  In the same way, it is not we who can boast that we are doing the works of the Lord.  For, this is what the Lord says: “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)  The king seeks faithful servants.  First, he grants you a living faith, then he works through you by that living faith, and then he rewards you for the faith he has given you and for the works he has done through you.  The king seeks and rewards faithful servants.
     The third servant serves as a warning for us all.  He, too, received a mina, and he was also given the instruction, “Engage in business until I come.” (Luke 19:13)  But he didn't.  When the king summoned him to give an account, he responded: “Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man.  You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” (Luke 19:20-21)  Even though the king had given this servant the mina, the servant insisted that the king was thief for benefiting from his labors.  So, rather than do anything with his mina, he buried it.
     The king called him a wicked servant; for he did not do what he was given to do.  We agree with the king's assessment in the parable, but we hesitate to make the same judgment in real life.  It is God who has given us all that we have and are.  More than just creating us, God has also redeemed us and brought us into his kingdom of grace.  He has given us a living faith and calls us to serve him according to his word.  No longer are we to engage in sin and to do the works of the devil; we are to be devoted to good works which honor our God and serve our neighbor.  Our service is not to gain God's favor; we already have that.  Rather, we serve because that is what a living faith does.  A faith that does nothing will not be rewarded.
     Jesus promised us: “I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit...” (John 15:5)  If we remain in God's word—that is, listening to it, taking it to heart, and being conformed to it—we will bear much fruit.  A living faith will show itself and do the works God seeks.  Even though the wicked servant was given a living faith, he buried it.  He was negligent and lazy and was even offended that the king expected something out of him.  But this is why we need to abide in Jesus and his word.  We all grow weary of doing the work God gives us to do.  Often it is because we don't see the reward.  We wonder, “What's the point?  Why put my faith to work when it doesn't pay?”  We must abide in his word for the mina to produce.  We want to feed our faith for it to remain alive, grow, and produce.  Otherwise we wonder, “Why should I forgive that guy when he sins against me?”  And we remember, “Oh, that's right, because my Savior continually forgives me even though I sin against him.”  “Why should I be patient with that guy when he gets on my nerves?  Oh, that's right, because my Lord is ever patient with me in my weaknesses.”  “Why should I risk confessing my faith to someone who would only mock me for it?  Oh, that's right, because when we were still enemies of Christ, he died for us.”  “Why should I be generous and kind to somebody who will never pay me back?  Oh, yeah, because God is always generous and kind to me and I can never even begin to pay him back.”  Through his word, our Lord continues to strengthen us, to encourage us, and to produce in us both to will and to work according to his good pleasure.  “Apart from me,” Jesus warns, “you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)  But if we remain in Christ, we will bear fruit and be the faithful servants he seeks.  And on the Last Day, the reward will be given.
     The king seeks and rewards faithful servants.  The king grants the mina, and the mina produces what the king looks for.  In other words, the Lord grants you saving faith and works good works in you by that living faith.  And the Lord rewards you for what he has given you.  The Lord grants you faith, and the Lord makes and keeps you faithful as long as you abide in him.  It is all God's doing so that your salvation is by pure grace.
     The king seeks and rewards faithful servants.  The servants did not receive their commendation from the king until he had returned.  In the same way, we continue to serve, but we will not see our reward until Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead.  You may wonder how you are doing with your service.  You may notice some Christians who seem to be accomplishing amazing things, and you may wonder if you are really measuring up.  You may even wonder if you will qualify as faithful.
     Two servants appeared before the king.  The first said, “'Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’  … And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.'” (Luke 19:18-19)  And the king commended both and rewarded them.  He did not criticize or question the servant who came with five fewer minas.  Both had produced good works.  Jesus' promise stands: “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit...” (John 15:5)  And Jesus does not add a quota onto that.  You might think of two mothers who prepare meals for their children.  One spends all afternoon preparing a gourmet, seven-course meal for her children, and the other serves them whatever was put into the Happy Meal bag.  While some might say that one mother did better work, the children of each mother would simply say, “Mom fed us dinner tonight.”  Faithful service in the kingdom of God does not need to be world-changing or life-altering.  It simply is doing what God gives you to do.  God seeks this kind of service and rewards his faithful servants.
     Jesus has established a kingdom, and he has brought you into it by giving you a living faith.  He gives us all work to do, and he works in us to will and to work according to his good pleasure.  For, it is not our works or merits which save us.  Jesus is the one who saves.  He is the faithful Savior who has worked in us saving faith.  And his word makes it living and active.  Do not grow weary in doing good.  Your reward and your glory are soon to come.  For your king is coming, and he will bring you into his glorious kingdom to live and reign with him forever.

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

Hymn Notes: The Day Is Surely Drawing Near (CW 207)

Among the hymns we sing, there are some that are more solid, more moving, and more comforting than others.  Sometimes, it is an entire hymn that does it.  Occasionally, it is a single verse.

It might seem odd to some that a hymn regarding Judgment Day would provide such a comforting verse, but "The Day Is Surely Drawing Near" (207 from Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal) does just that in stanza 5.  We will sing it this Sunday, but I think it would be worth memorizing and singing throughout the year.

My Savior paid the debt I owe
   And for my life was smitten;
Within the Book of Life I know
   My name has now been written.
I will not doubt, for I am free,
   And Satan cannot threaten me;
There is no condemnation!

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.