Sermon -- 4th Sunday of End Times: Christ the King (November 22, 2020)

1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-28

ALL THINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHRIST THE KING.

In the name + of Jesus.

      There is a segment of Christendom that professes a doctrine called Millennialism.  While there are a number of variations on this doctrine, the short of it is this: Jesus will come again to establish an earthly kingdom where he will reign for 1,000 years, that is, for a millennium.  It is taught that in this earthly kingdom, wars will cease and everyone will live in peace.  Unbelievers will either be converted or destroyed.  Basically, it is the idea of heaven on earth.

     There are numerous problems with this teaching.  First, it dismisses Jesus' own testimony before Pilate when he states, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)  An earthly kingdom of 1,000 years cannot be an exception to that claim; it is a contradiction.  Millennialism is a misunderstanding of a passage in Revelation (20:4) which refers to a 1,000 year reign of Christ.  Since all other numbers in Revelation are symbolic, we recognize that the number 1,000 is symbolic in that verse, too.  Perhaps the most egregious error in teaching that Jesus will come again and begin to rule is that this doctrine denies that Jesus is ruling right now.  

     All things are subject to Christ the King.  We confess that in our weekly prayer which concludes, “through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”  We also confess in the Creed, “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” (Apostles' Creed)  If he is seated at God's right hand, he is ruling over all things.  All things are subject to Christ the King.

     If the doctrine of Millennialism sounds appealing, it is because we would like to have heaven on earth and all things peaceful.  If the doctrine of Millennialism sounds accurate, it is because it does not look like Jesus is reigning over all things yet.  We see a world that is vile and violent.  We are at the mercy of disease, natural disasters, and death; but they have no mercy.  As long as we are in this world, we need to keep on praying, “Lord, have mercy” and “Deliver us from evil.” 

     The Scriptures, however, are clear on the topic.  “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)  In other words, Jesus lives and reigns over all things.  Jesus gave a glimpse of his heavenly kingdom during his ministry.  By healing many, Jesus demonstrated that sickness and disease would not have a place in his kingdom.  When Jesus commanded the wind and the waves which had threatened to capsize the disciples' boat to cease, Jesus showed that natural disasters would not cause harm to people or damage to God's creation in his kingdom.  In our sinful world, these things afflict us and produce grief.  But they will come to an end because Jesus lives and reigns. 

     The most grievous consequence of sin that haunts and taunts us is death.  No one escapes it.  Medicine, diet, and exercise may extend your days on the earth, but death finally comes for all.  St. Paul tells us why.  “By a man came death...  In Adam all die...” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)  We are all children of Adam.  We have all descended from that one man, which binds us together with all people in the human race.  But it also means we are bound together as sinful people who are going to die.  Adam's rebellion corrupted his heart and mind and his very being.  That sinful nature infects us all.  Our very nature is corrupt, which leads to wicked motives and selfish moods.  You cannot improve your sinful condition anymore than you can eradicate the world of lightning strikes or the common cold.  Because of sin, we are marked for death and judgment.  We cannot fix our condition.  We cannot control our hearts and mouths.  And we cannot escape the consequences.  “By a man came death...  In Adam all die...” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)  

     All things are subject to Christ the King.  Jesus demonstrated this when he cured the blind, the deaf, and the lame of their disabilities.  Jesus corrected the ailments that are common in a sinful world.  He demonstrated the perfect healing which would be the norm in the kingdom of God.  But greater than bringing a cure for disease or disasters, Jesus produced the cure for death.  

     “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)  Jesus became a man to undo the curse that effects all mankind because of Adam's sin.  Unlike the first man and every person since, Jesus maintained his holiness and innocence throughout his life.  But Jesus exchanged his innocence for your guilt.  Jesus was convicted and condemned for your sins.  You, since your sins have been taken from you, are pardoned and set free.  Though he died, death could not hold Jesus.  Jesus rose from the dead.  A man has conquered death and will never die again.  And since he has united himself to all mankind, all mankind shall be made alive on the Last Day.  Jesus lives and reigns, and even the grave must submit to him.  So he not only has authority over disasters and disease, he even reigns over death.  All things are subject to Christ the King.

     Still, it appears that death has the upper hand.  Yes, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.  He was seen by his disciples who touched his body, inspected his wounds, and even ate with him.  His resurrection is undeniable.  The apostles willingly gave their lives up in confessing it to be so.  They died bloody and violent deaths for preaching about Jesus' resurrection.  Since then, many who were baptized and believed in Jesus have gone to their graves—some through disease, some through disasters, some peacefully, some martyred for the faith.  And even before death comes, we endure suffering, sorrow, stress, frustration, temptation, and so on.  Where is Jesus' reign in all this?

     Make no mistake: All things are subject to Christ the King.  The realities of living in a vile and violent world still vex us, but Jesus Christ lives and reigns.  And he will reign over all things until the last enemy is destroyed.  Death has, indeed, been conquered, but we will not partake in this victory until the Last Day.  This is what St. Paul wrote: “In Christ shall all be made alive.  But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.  Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.  For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-26)  

     All things are subject to Christ the King.  Therefore the grave must give up what it has claimed because Jesus has authority over the grave.  Jesus proved his victory at his resurrection on Easter Sunday.  And we will be participants in that victory at the resurrection of the dead on the Last Day.  Just as all die because of Adam, so all shall be raised up from death because of Christ.  All who believe and are baptized will rise to live in glory just as Jesus did.  He lives and reigns, and we will live and reign with him.

     All things are subject to Christ the King.  It is true even now, though we don't see it.  We know what will be—no more death or mourning or crying or pain.  In heavenly glory, all things will look and feel and act right.  But now we do see and feel death, mourning, crying, and pain.  Nevertheless, it is still true: All things are subject to Christ the King.  Nothing happens apart from Jesus' reign.  He knows about COVID and car accidents.  He knows about broken hearts and skinned knees.  He even knows about the number of hairs on your head.  That is because all things are subject to Christ the King.  They have to be, or Jesus is not at God's right hand, not all-powerful, and not sovereign.  But he most certainly is, even when it does not appear to be so.

     All things are subject to Christ the King—whether we regard them as good days or bad days.  All things are subject to Christ the King—whether it results laughter, anguish, or tears.  How do we know this is true?  Because we have a promise: “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)  Did you catch that?  “All things work together for good.  All things.”  The only way all things work for your eternal good is if the Lord Jesus Christ is living and reigning for you.  And he is.  Even the evils that you suffer Jesus works for your eternal good.  The promise is not that Jesus will work all things out so that life will be fun or easy or prosperous.  The devil issues promises like that.  And even if he grants a moment of pleasure, it always disappoints.  Eventually it damns.

     But Jesus lives and reigns for you.  If he deems it best that you endure hardship so that you long all the more for the heavenly kingdom, then God be praised.  Those hardships will not last, but God's mercies will.  And when Jesus comes again, all enemies will finally be crushed underfoot.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.  And then, Jesus will bring you into the glorious kingdom.  And then, all things will remain perfect and peaceful, not for a paltry millennium, but for a timeless eternity.  And then, the man Jesus will submit all things to the Triune God.  And then, the Son will live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  The Lord God Almighty reigns, and he reigns for your good to give you life and peace and glory forever and ever.

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

YouTube -- 3rd Sunday of End Times: Saints Triumphant (November 15, 2020)

 Here is the service from November 15, 2020.

Sermon -- 3rd Sunday after End Times: Saints Triumphant (November 15, 2020)

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

AN IMMORTAL SAVIOR MEANS AN IMPERISHABLE HOPE.

In the name + of Jesus.

      In today's Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about ten virgins.  They were the bridal party who were to attend the bride to her wedding banquet.  Their role was to wait for the groom who would come from his home in a procession to get his bride and then to bring her and all her party back to his home for the wedding banquet.  The middle of the night is an unusual time for the groom to come.  But even if his timing was unexpected, his arrival was worthy of celebration.  The bride and her attendants all rejoiced to see this blessed union.  All who entered the banquet hall enjoyed the sumptuous feast.  

     However, Jesus noted of the virgins, “Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.” (Matthew 25:2)  Now, we know the result of the five virgins being foolish.  Despite knowing about the feast, they were shut out.  And there was no admission, no matter how much they pleaded.  

     While there is much more we could glean from the Gospel lesson, the point I am making here is this: While they were waiting for the bridegroom, no one would have known the five foolish virgins were foolish.  There was no apparent difference between them and the five wise virgins.  They had been summoned by the bride.  They knew about the coming of the bridegroom.  They were chaste, after all they were virgins.  But it was not until the groom came that they were found to be foolish.  And then, it was too late.  The five virgins were proved foolish because they did not have any oil, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit, or faith.

     It is really not much different in our world today.  It does not seem like there is a remarkable difference between those who are wise for salvation and those who are foolish.  Chances are, no one is amazed at you because you are a Christian.  A Christian who goes to work and does his job well does not look any better than an unbeliever who does the same.  A Christian accountant, surgeon, mechanic, or hockey player usually does not appear different than anyone else.  It does not make you smarter, taller, or better looking.  Often times even our morals don't seem different—whether good or bad.  By outward appearances, the wise and the foolish, believers and unbelievers, often look the same. 

     It even appears the same when does comes.  No matter who you are, death brings a painful separation.  We know that all people die.  But what we know in our heads is much more cruel when we face it in reality.  Having a loved one ripped from you hurts.  The finality of death and burial cannot help but produce mourning and grief.  Being a Christian does not make you immune to pain or tears.  

     But you who are wise for salvation have a special comfort, peace, and joy when it comes to your fellow Christians who die in the faith.  An immortal Savior means an imperishable hope.  St. Paul wrote, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)  

     The Thessalonian Christians were going through a bit of a crisis about their loved ones who had died in the Christian faith.  Since they died and were buried, it was thought that they had lost out somehow on the glories of the life to come.  Their bodies were put into the graves for decay, not glory.  But those who die in the Lord lose nothing.  They may be taken from us, but they are never lost.  

     When we must bury our loved ones, we cannot help but grieve.  But, St. Paul reminds us, we do not grieve like people who have no hope.  An immortal Savior means an imperishable hope.  This hope provides comfort in times of grief, and peace when death unsettles us.  What is our hope?  St. Paul says: “We believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14)  Jesus rescued us from damnation by enduring damnation in our place.  Our sins were placed on Jesus, and he gave himself up as the holy sacrifice which atones for sins.  Jesus' body was not put into the grave for decay, but for glory.  On the third day, Jesus rose from the grave.  His resurrection not only proves that his sacrifice is sufficient to pay for all of your sins, it also proves that Jesus is Lord over death and the grave.  Jesus is risen, and can never die again.  The grave must answer to Jesus.  This is why those who die believing in Jesus are not lost.  An immortal Savior means an imperishable hope.

     Those who die in Christ lose nothing.  They live; for their souls have gone to be with Jesus.  But our Lord never created us to be just souls.  We were given bodies to live in—not just on earth but also in heavenly glory.  God the Son took on a human body to save us.  He died and his body was buried to sanctify the grave.  At his resurrection, Jesus did not shed his body.  To this day and for all eternity, Jesus is fully God and fully man.  Your body and blood Savior has redeemed you, soul and body.   The point of death and resurrection is not to shed your humanity.  Rather, it is to have your humanity exalted.  Jesus will raise you and all the saints up to be the people God had originally created you to be, so that you will live without sickness and sorrow, frustration and devastation, disease or death.  The Church confesses, “We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come” (Nicene Creed).  These are the things we hope for because these are the things Jesus won for us.  An immortal Savior means an imperishable hope.

     Now listen to what is in store for those who have died in Christ.  “For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16)    

     When Jesus comes again, he will give the signal and all who are in their graves will come out, believer and unbeliever alike.  No one will be omitted—not the atheist, not those buried at sea, not those cremated, not even the likes of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, whose ashes were launched into space.  Jesus is Lord of death and the grave, and at his command, all will be gathered before him.  St. Paul, however, does not concern himself here with the unbelievers.  He focuses on the Christian hope, which is the resurrection to life everlasting.  And an immortal Savior means an imperishable hope.

     On the Last Day, at the trumpet call, those who died in the Christian faith will be raised from the dead.  Those who died by disease will be raised incorruptible.  Those who died in an accident will be raised imperishable.  Those who were weak and frail will be raised with power.  Those who were put to shame for the sake of Jesus will be raised in glory.  And nothing can take away from them the glorious and eternal life Jesus has promised them.  Though the world may have regarded them as fools, the Holy Spirit made them wise for salvation and united them to Jesus who is the resurrection and the life.  Even though they died in this faith, they live with the Lord.  And they will be raised with their glorified bodies never to die again, just as it was with Jesus.  No matter what anyone says about you or does to you, no matter what frustrations and hardships you have to face in this world, even in the face of death itself, nothing takes away your hope.  For Jesus lives and reigns.  An immortal Savior means an imperishable hope.

     As he promised, Jesus is coming again.  Perhaps you will taste death before he comes.  Maybe you will still be alive at his coming.  Either way, those who are Christ's redeemed will not miss out on anything.  If you die, you will be raised up in glory with all the saints who have passed before us.  If you are still alive at Jesus' coming, your body will be transformed from flawed and weak to glorious holiness.  This is not spiritual babble said to make you feel better about dying.  No, as St. Paul said: “This we declare to you by a word from the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15)  Your hope is based on the promises of God—guaranteed by the death and resurrection of Jesus, sealed upon you through God's word and sacraments.  Therefore, this hope cannot be stolen or even cheapened by death, hell, or the devil.  For we have an imperishable hope, thanks to an immortal Savior.

     So, what makes the saints triumphant and joyful?  This: “We will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)  We will be with him who is the source of life and love.  We will be with him who is mercy and peace.  We will be free from every form of evil, sorrow, pain, and frustration.  For, we will be with Jesus.  If he loved us enough to die for us when we were sinners, how much more will he delight in his saints!  How great is the victory, the peace, and the life of the saints who have gone before us.  And how great is our joy that we will be reunited with them and will join with Jesus at the wedding feast of the Lamb!  “Therefore, encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18)  For, an immortal Savior means an imperishable hope.  

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

YouTube -- 2nd Sunday of End Times: Last Judgment (November 8, 2020)

 Here is the service from November 8, 2020.

Sermon -- 2nd Sunday of End Times: Last Judgment (November 8, 2020)

1 THESSALONIANS 15:1-11

THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME.

In the name + of Jesus.

      St. Paul wrote, “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2)  There is a day of judgment coming upon the world.  You may be frustrated and discouraged by all the wickedness you see in the world, and you may even cry out with the Psalmist: “Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve!  O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?  They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.” (Psalm 94:2-4)  Fear not, righteous ones.  The day of the Lord will come.  But you do not need to be warned of this.  You know it is coming.  St. Paul reminds you: “You are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.  For you are all children of light, children of the day.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5)  

     The day of the Lord will come.  We confess this each week.  “He will come again to judge the living and the dead.” (Apostles' Creed)  In the Athanasian Creed, it is confessed this way: “At his coming all people will rise with their own bodies to answer for their personal deeds.  Those who have done good will enter eternal life, but those who have done evil will go into eternal fire.”  This has led to confusion and has been bothersome for many Christians.  We all like to think that we have done good, especially because we want to receive eternal life.  But every week we also confess definitively and rightly: “I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good.”  All of this might make us question where we stand before God.  On the one hand, we know God's promises.  On the other hand, we know our reality—that we are sinful beings.

      The day of the Lord will come.  There is a day of judgment, and each will answer according to his deeds.  So, what hope do we have?  Jesus answers that in our Gospel lesson.  On Judgment Day, all people who have ever existed will be gathered before Jesus Christ for a public judgment.  The righteous will be on his right, and the wicked on his left.  Jesus will commend the righteous because of the works they did.  But the righteous will say, “When did we do these things?”  The faith of the righteous is not in their works.  We just don't consider our works as we face judgment.  Our faith does not focus on what we have done—whether good or bad.  Our faith is focused on Jesus.  

     Jesus has taken away your sins by his crucifixion.  That is where the Son of God has dealt with your sins.  For you, Jesus was condemned; therefore, you are acquitted.  There are no charges against you.  As for the righteousness you need to enter eternal life, Jesus has supplied that too.  His holy, innocent life was lived in obedience for you.  Through your baptism, you are clothed with Christ.  You have a borrowed righteousness.  For even though you have been declared righteous, your judgment is based on Jesus' merits, not your own.  That is why faith focuses on Jesus, and that is why the righteous think nothing of their own works at the judgment.  Oh, the righteous do good works, because faith produces good works.  But faith does not pay attention to those.  Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, and that is why you can be confident of your judgment.  Jesus is the judge, and he has already rendered your verdict to you: You are heirs of the heavenly kingdom.  The day of the Lord will come, and it will bring you what you long for and confess: “We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” (Nicene Creed)

     The day of the Lord will come.  There is a judgment on all mankind.  Many reject this teaching, claiming that a God who would damn so many people is too cruel to be real.  But mankind does not get to create the god they want.  We honor the God who is.  In the Holy Scriptures, God reveals who he is, what he does and desires, what he demands of us, what he sees in us, and even how he will judge all people.  If I were in charge of Judgment Day, you should care what I think about it.  But I am not, nor are you.  It is Jesus who will come again to judge the living and the dead.  We are fools if we do not pay attention to what he says.  Ignoring or rejecting the teaching of Judgment Day will not make it go away.  St. Paul warns, “Sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3)  

     Even people who despise the doctrines of judgment, damnation, and hell still hope that they are true to some degree.  When murderers, rapists, and human traffickers are sentenced to life in prison, that never seems to be a severe enough punishment.  If there is no eternal judgment, then even Hitler ultimately escaped justice.  Even people who despise the idea of hell still think some people deserve it.  Our sense of justice and vengeance may be selfish, but it is not unreasonable.  The wicked should pay for their wickedness.  And they will; the day of the Lord will come.  

     On the other hand, people also have a self-serving idea about good and evil.  Most people believe they are good and should be honored for it.  But Jesus said that many will be condemned for their failure to do good works.  They will reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?” (Matthew 25:44)  The wicked are not ignorant; they know they are suppose to do good.  But the wicked are not righteous no matter how much they cite their good deeds.  They do have faith, but it is faith in themselves.  They believe that they are good people.  They insist that they should be rewarded for the times they did good.  But outside of Christ, there are no righteous deeds, and there is no forgiveness for wicked ones. 

     “Without faith (in Jesus), it is impossible to please (God).” (Hebrews 11:6)  Apart from faith in Jesus, all works are soiled by sin.  Apart from faith in Christ, there is no righteousness, no matter how many works are done.  If anyone is condemned, it is for their unbelief, even if they were really nice people.  We do not confess this with joy, but with sadness.  Like our Lord, we do not take delight in the death of the wicked, but rather that they would turn from their ways to Jesus and live.  But if they will not, then they are lost.  For the day of the Lord will come, and they will not escape.  Only in Jesus Christ is there a refuge.

     The day of the Lord will come.  Brothers and sisters, you do not need me to tell you about it.  You know it is coming, and you already know your verdict.  “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9)  This is how you can live in peace, even as the Last Day draws near.  But the day has not come yet.  “So then,” St. Paul continues, “let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.  But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8)  

     The day of the Lord will come, but many days may take place between now and then.  And while pursuing good works won't save you, giving in to sins, neglecting God's word, and being lazy in your battle against temptation may end up condemning you.  That is why St. Paul urges us to keep awake and be sober.  He urges us to avoid the worldly practice of medicating our fears and guilt by being stoned or drunk.  Nothing productive was ever accomplished by intoxication.

     But more importantly, St. Paul encourages you to be sober-minded and alert.  Satan seduces more people out of the kingdom of God with words than with deeds.  Satan employs deceptive arguments so that you might turn your faith to anything other than Jesus Christ.  It makes sense to people that they should focus on good works to be saved.  How could God have a problem with good works?  But here is the lie: Apart from Jesus we are all sinful.  There is no one who is good, and even our righteous acts are like filthy rags.  That is why our hope and confidence are not in good works, even though God commands them.  Salvation is found in Christ alone.  Do not be deceived.

     Be sober-minded and alert.  The day of the Lord is coming.  People who reject the teachings of judgment, damnation, and hell often reject them because the thought of hell is terrifying.  It is!  We agree with that!  But we do not get to dismiss is because we don't like the idea of it.  Rather than reject the Lord and his word because hell sounds so bad, we rejoice that the Lord has given us an escape from it.  

     St. Paul urges you to “put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8)  In this way, your head and heart are protected and preserved by God's word.  God's word exposes the devil's lies, so stay alert.  God's word proclaims God's truth so you can remain sober-minded in a world that is intoxicated with greed, lust, and self-glory, or which becomes unglued by politics, disease, or a bad economy.  God's word assures you of your place in God's kingdom no matter how the world judges you.  When you are seduced by temptation, you get to flee to God's altar where the body and blood of Christ are given for the forgiveness of sins.  Here, you will find a refuge against death and damnation.  Here, you have mercy, hope, and peace.

     So, be sober-minded in the world.  Be alert against Satan's seductive lies.  And be eager to see your Savior return.  Fear not, you righteous ones.  The day of the Lord will come.  

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 -- Last Sunday of the Church Year (November 23, 2014)

MATTHEW 25:1-13

KEEP WATCH: THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING!

In the name + of Jesus.

     A man from Nazareth had betrothed himself to a young virgin from Nazareth named Mary.  They had not yet come together as husband and wife when Mary heard from the angel that she had conceived and would give birth to Jesus.  Joseph had not heard about the angel, but he had learned about Mary’s pregnancy.  Betrothal was a binding arrangement, but Joseph no longer wanted to be bound to Mary, presuming that she had been unfaithful.  Instead, an angel appeared to Joseph urging him not to divorce Mary, but to take her home as his bride.

     Back in those days, a man would be betrothed to a woman for as much as a year.  When the time for the wedding came, the bride would adorn herself and have her attendants wait with her for her groom to come for her.  The groom would have his attending groomsmen join with him in a procession from his house to get his bride.  He would arrive at her house sometime during the week of the wedding festivities.  He would collect his bride, and all would go to celebrate and to partake in the wedding banquet.

     In the parable Jesus told, the bride and her attending bridesmaids, the ten virgins, were waiting for the groom to come for his betrothed.  For whatever reason, the groom was detained, and so they waited.  And waited.  And waited.  The groom took so long to come that the ten virgins all fell asleep.  The groom’s arrival did not come at a time that was expected or convenient.  But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him.’  Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. (Matthew 25:6-7)  The ten virgins were awakened from their slumber.  The five wise were prepared for the bridegroom.  They trimmed their lamps and put in fresh oil.  The foolish ones did not realize that they were foolish or unprepared until it was too late.  They failed in their duties to keep watch for the bridegroom.

     The foolish five begged for help from the five wise virgins.  They wanted oil for their lamps, but there was not enough for both.  The foolish ones were told to go and buy oil from those who sold it.  But would they really find any at the midnight hour?  Whether they did or didn’t is irrelevant.  The five foolish virgins came late to the banquet hall, and they begged to be let in.  But they had not been prepared, so they were not allowed.  They heard the master of the banquet utter the cruel words of judgment: “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.” (Matthew 25:12) 

     Now, we might conclude that the five wise virgins were heartless because they did not share.  We might think that the master was heartless because, although the bride’s attendants were late, they eventually did come to the feast.  Sinful hearts always want to find fault with the master or others.  The parable is not about sharing or hospitality.  Jesus makes the point with the word, “Therefore.”  “Watch therefore,” (Jesus said), “for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13) 

     Keep watch: The Bridegroom is coming.  Jesus Christ has ascended to heaven to prepare a place for you at the wedding feast of the Lamb.  He will come again to gather his Bride, the Church.  As part of the wedding party, it is your joy, your responsibility, and your duty to keep watch.  The virgins in the parable were not clueless about the groom’s arrival.  They were special guests and desired by the groom to be a part of the celebration.  So it is with you.  The Lord has done everything to prepare a place for you and to prepare you for that place.

St. Paul

     So it was also for the five foolish virgins.  But they were foolish because they did not have any oil for their lamps when the groom came.  Their lights were extinguished.  Their faith was dead.  When the Groom came, only then did they realize that this was important and that they were foolish.  No begging from the wise virgins could help.  They could not share their oil.  One person cannot believe for another.  One person cannot vouch for another.  Even if all ten virgins had been tight friends, not even friendship or kinship will help when the Groom comes. 

     Keep watch: The Bridegroom is coming!  When the bridegroom arrived, the five foolish virgins went off to find oil.  But when the Groom comes, it is too late.  The gospel is preached here and now.  When Jesus returns, there will be no more preaching, no more oil, no more mercy, and no more time.  Now is the day of salvation; then it will be too late.  Therefore, keep watch; for the Bridegroom is coming.

      While this parable serves as a warning, it need not condemn you.  You can find many things which can distract you from your Savior’s voice.  These distractions are not necessarily evil things.  You are not condemned for taking your kids to soccer games.  You are not condemned for seeing the late movie on Saturday night.  You are not denounced for having a job which forces you to work on Sunday mornings.  These things are not evil in and of themselves.  But you can easily let them distract you from Christ’s word and sacraments.  That is when they become evil.

     It is easy to mistake a life of pleasure with God’s blessing upon you.  Your sinful flesh does not even have to work hard to make excuses why Jesus has to wait for you—until you have time, until you are rested, until this season is done, until you get past this stage of life, until, until, until…..  Keep watch: The Bridegroom is coming!  He will not give a two-week notice or a two-minute warning so that you can get serious about him at the last moment.  The five virgins were not foolish because they were floozies, but because they were faithless.  Their lamps had run out.  They had no oil.  They did not keep watch or care.  And they were shut out. 

     Keep watch; for the Bridegroom is coming!  Jesus is coming to give you much better than you have now—greater blessing, endless peace, immeasurable joy, and a bounteous feast that will never get old or stale or ruined.  He already lets you sample the feast now—the heavenly banquet in which he takes away sins and keeps your faith fed.  He repeats the summons week after week as his word is read and preached.  Here is the oil which keeps the light lit in your lamp.  Here is where you come to ready yourself, to pray for strength against temptations, to confess your sins, to confess his name, to receive his mercy, and to keep watch for his return. 

     Soon, the cry will go out.  Soon, the Bridegroom will come.  Soon, the Church will be gathered into the heavenly banquet hall.  Soon, the party will really begin.  Until then, keep listening.  Keep praying.  Keep watch; for the Bridegroom is coming!

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