Sermon -- Advent Vespers: Week 3 (December 19, 2018)

MATTHEW 1:18-25

GOD'S FAITHFUL PEOPLE AWAIT THE COMING OF THE LORD.

They Are Saved.

In the name + of Jesus.

     When the priest, Zechariah, doubted the message of Gabriel that his barren, aged wife was going to give birth to a son, he suffered a stern rebuke.  The appearance of God's angel and the divine proclamation were not enough of a sign for Zechariah.  But what God had told Zechariah was not unprecedented.  Just as the Lord had blessed Abraham and Sarah long ago, so he was doing again through Zechariah and Elizabeth.  And God was true to his word.
     Neither Mary nor Joseph received a similar rebuke when our Lord was conceived in Mary's womb.  Mary was perplexed at how a virgin would become pregnant.  That was unprecedented.  There are no other virgin births in the Bible.  The angel revealed that God would work miraculously to bring it about, and Mary accepted God at his word.  Joseph was a righteous man, but he was not a gullible man.  Joseph knew of only one way that women become pregnant, which is also what the world has always known.  So, when Joseph learned that his betrothed was pregnant, he exercised common sense.  He deduced that Mary had been unfaithful to him, especially as she was accusing no one of raping her.  Mary was not devastated by her pregnancy; she accepted it as her vocation.  Joseph could not and would not be married to someone unfaithful.  And, while Jewish law permitted Joseph to publicly shame her and even stone her to death, he still had compassion for Mary.  He decided to divorce her quietly—which on Joseph's part was both honorable and merciful.
     Joseph had made some assumptions about Mary, and I don't think anyone would blame him for being unfair in his assumptions.  The only way Joseph could possibly have known the truth about Mary and the baby in her womb was by divine revelation.  And so, God revealed the truth to him.  “Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'” (Matthew 1:20-21)  In this way, Joseph's actions were not based upon assumptions, but the truth.
     It is alarming how often we believe our assumptions.  Sometimes we are eager to believe our assumptions and don't care about the truth.  For example, if there is someone you do not get along with, you are eager to believe the worst about that person.  You accept the most unflattering and salacious gossip as Gospel, because by it, you validate your hatred of that person.  It is not based on truth at all, but you are ready to assume the worst and to believe the lie because the lie is much more appealing.
     You may assume that God's favor rests upon you because everything in your life is going so well.  God may bless you with wealth, success, accolades, and awards, but that does not prove how God feels about you.  If it did, what conclusion would you draw when you are enduring troubles, tribulations, and temptations?  What if you lose a job, a loved one, or your health?  God's favor is not proved by worldly blessings.  And God's wrath is not proved by suffering or loss.  These are gross assumptions, and they are not based on truth. 
     Likewise, you may assume that God is pleased with you because you are so pleased with yourself.  Or you may assume that God hates you because you don't like yourself.  These, too, are gross assumptions.  Your feelings prove nothing about God's judgment of you.  It is especially important to remember this if you are enduring any kind of spiritual, emotional, or mental anguish.  If you are truly suffering depression, then understand that is a medical condition and seek help.  If you are suffering from self-loathing because of secret shame, then you know the crushing weight of sin and guilt.  Do not assume that justifying your sins will take away the shame.  Worse, it can result in despair.  Rather than believe the assumptions, hear the word of the Lord: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9) 
     God's faithful people awaited the coming of the Lord because with the Lord there is forgiveness, there is hope, and there is peace—even for the most troubled soul.  This is the news that was revealed to Joseph, and this is the good news that is proclaimed to you.  It is not an assumption; it is the word and promise of God.
     God's faithful people await the coming of the Lord who saves them.  The angel Gabriel revealed to Joseph what Joseph could have never known for himself.  Mary was still faithful, still a virgin, and still meant for him to have as his wife.  The child in her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  He is the Lord become flesh.  And the name given by the angel to Joseph was to confess and reveal exactly that.  The angel declared, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
     The name Jesus means, “The Lord who saves.”  It is who Jesus is.  It is what Jesus does.  Rather than assume what God's feelings are toward you, cling to Jesus who flat out tells you both with word and actions.  “The Lord who saves” delivers you out of all sin, covers over your shame with his righteousness, and overrules every guilty feeling with words of absolution, comfort, and peace.  Every word of Jesus has been backed up by his innocent life, by his sufferings and death, and by his resurrection.  His innocent life covers your sins.  His sufferings and death takes away your punishment.  His resurrection puts God's stamp of approval on his saving work.  Jesus is “The Lord saves you.”  It is who he is.  It is what he does.
     God's faithful people await the coming of the Lord.  And we come together in God's house to have God's words declared to us and repeated to us.  Since we are never able to overcome all the temptations that plague us, we always need to hear the word of the Lord.  It is not enough to assume that we are forgiven.  Assumptions do not save anyone.  The Lord applies his forgiveness and salvation to us through his word.  It is that word of absolution declared by his minister in his stead and by his command.  It is that word combined with the waters of baptism by which the Lord has put his name on you and makes a covenant of forgiveness with you.  It is that word which is added to bread and wine, declaring that we eat the body of our Lord and drink the blood of our Lord for the forgiveness of sins.  These are not assumptions about what we receive; they are the words and promises of God.  And therefore, God's favor is given through them, and we find our salvation in them.  God's faithful people rally to them to be saved.
     When Joseph heard the word of the Lord, he put aside all assumptions about Mary and all reasoning about the child in her womb.  It probably did not make much sense to him, and he spent the rest of his life pondering what the angel had said about the boy to be born.  But he did not put his faith in his assumptions.  He put his faith in God's word, and he acted accordingly.  He took Mary to be his wife.  He stood faithfully by her, and cared for the child who is “God with us.” 
     God's faithful people await the coming of the Lord.  Like Joseph, we do not put our faith in our feelings or our assumptions.  We trust the word of the Lord which declares: You are saved, you are forgiven, and you are loved—whether you feel like it or not.  For Jesus is the Lord who saves.  It is who he is.  It is what he does.  And he has done it for you. 

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

Lutheran vs. Catholic -- What's the difference?

One of the big lies that is so prevalent in America today is that all religions are the same.  Even Christians say that.  It is a lie.  They are not all the same.  

In the link here, https://www.facebook.com/DailyWire/videos/288785111777404/ ,  Charlie Kirk (a conservative commentator and a Jew) asks a Roman Catholic priest about salvation.  The priest gives an answer that is perfectly consistent with Roman Catholic theology.  It is appalling.

The most appalling claim is that you don't need Jesus to be saved.  You can renounce Jesus and even the very existence of God and can still be saved.  Really.  He says that, and backs it up with Vatican II proclamations.

Secondly, he says that the grace of Christ is not enough.  You need to follow up with that and cooperate with Christ to attain your salvation.  He says that Luther should have said "By grace first" rather than "By grace alone."  So, he highlights that Lutherans and Roman Catholics are still far, far apart on the matter of how one is saved and where one finds confidence in salvation.

If I need to add something to the grace of Christ, I am going to hell for sure.  The very problem from the start is that I am corrupt and cannot fulfill the Commandments of God.  Even now, as a Christian who desires to be godly and obedient, even now I cannot fulfill the Commandments of God.  The only thing I can add to the grace of Christ is my corrupt failures.  THAT is supposed to help save me?!?  That's the very reason I need to be saved!!!

According to the priest in the interview, atheists can be saved.  A vehement rejection of God and his word is, apparently, not enough to condemn anyone.  However, this is what the Roman Catholic Church says about Lutherans:  "If any one saith, that justifying faith is nothing else but confidence in the divine mercy which remits sins for Christ's sake; or, that this confidence alone is that whereby we are justified; let him be anathema." (Session IV, Canon XII)  NOTE: This has never been repudiated.  So, according to Roman Catholic theology, an atheist can be saved, but a confessional Lutheran is damned for sure.

So, the difference is massive.  It is tragic, but it dare not be ignored or glossed over.  Salvation and comfort for sinners is at stake.

Lutherans uphold what the Scriptures declare about salvation so that all may have the comfort and confidence of knowing God's favor rests upon you.  Scripture references abound, but I will highlight two.

Romans 3:20-28
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.  
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Salvation is by grace alone -- God's gift, won by Jesus Christ, and given to sinners.  Salvation is by faith alone -- the works were done by Jesus Christ and are credited to sinners.  Ephesians even highlights that saving faith is given by God.  We have nothing in ourselves to boast about.  It is all God's doing for us.  And, since God did it, we can be certain that everything has been done completely and perfectly.

Sermon -- 3rd Sunday of Advent (December 16, 2018)

LUKE 3:7-18

REPENTANCE RECOGNIZES 

WHAT IS RIGHT.

In the name + of Jesus.

     A little while back, there was a sign outside a local business which said, “It is more important to be kind than to be right.”  While I am in favor of people being kind, I whole-heartedly disagree with that sentiment.  “It is more important to be kind than to be right”?  I sure hope my surgeon does not have that attitude, or my accountant, or my attorney, or even the person who cooks my food. 
     One person who did not share that sentiment was John the Baptist.  John was completely focused on one thing—that you would recognize your need for a Savior.  You can argue that John was not kind with his words, but you must understand that John was more concerned about your salvation than he was about your friendship. 
     John declared, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:16-17)  In other words, if you think the warning is harsh, wait until you face the judgment.  The Lord is very serious about his word.  Those who do not take it seriously will burn with unquenchable hell-fire.  Therefore, John says: “Repent!”
     Repentance recognizes what is right.  In some ways, repentance is very practical.  In general, John noted that the right thing to do is doing what is kind.  “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” (Luke 3:11)  Your fellow man may not always have need for your possessions, but he will always need your patience, kindness, and compassion.  You and I are absorbed by our own challenges, stress, deadlines, or problems, and we are unaware that our fellow man is grieving over a divorce, a suicide, or a lost job.  We only know that he is in our way, and we despise him for it.  You cannot credit yourself for being a good person when you are dismissive of others.  Repentance recognizes what is right.  Repent.
     John the Baptist also noted that repentance demonstrates itself very specifically in one's vocation.  Tax collectors ... said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”  And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.”  Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?”  And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:12-14)  We are disgusted by business magnates and politicians who make deals which enrich each other at the expense of regular people.  But regular people also scheme and lie to gain a few bucks were we can—fudging on a time card to get a few more dollars on a paycheck or figuring out how to get a free dessert out of a restaurant.  You cannot credit yourself for being a good person when you defraud others.  Repentance recognizes what is right.  Repent.
     Perhaps it is not nice to say things so bluntly.  But if being kind is important, being right matters even more.  No one enters eternal life because they are nice.  Only those who are righteous in God's sight and obedient to God's word may enter eternal life.  And even if you commit yourself to cleaning up your life and doing better, the very fact that you have improvements to make shows you are guilty.  We all are.  John the Baptist may not be kind in saying so, but he does have us all dead to rights.  And you would be right to listen to him; for, repentance recognizes what is right. 
     If John has your attention, then you pay close attention to the one John declares is your only hope—Jesus Christ.  While it is true that he comes to judge, it is also true that he came to save.  Jesus' kindness is not revealed in giving you a free pass for your sins.  If that were true, you could ignore every call to repent, figuring that if Jesus gave a free pass to previous sins, he will also give a free pass to the next ones.  Jesus knows what is right.  He knows that we are not.  And he enforces the Commandments against anyone who does not live according to them.
     The kindness of our God is revealed in this—that Jesus delivers you out of your sin and guilt.  Jesus, who did all things right, was put to death for every one of your wrongs.  Your way into eternal life was paid for with innocent blood.  The very God whom you have disobeyed so desired to have you in his everlasting kingdom that he became a man to take the curse in your place and to die a wretched death for you.  It was right for God to condemn Jesus because he bore your sins.  And it was the ultimate kindness, for he did not owe it to you.  Rather, he did it to save you.  In Christ, God is proved both right and kind.
     By baptism, you are washed clean of all your sin, covered in the righteousness of Jesus, and given a new heart which is eager to do the good God desires of you.  It is this kindness of God which makes you right and holy and pleasing in his sight.  This is what saves you.  And this is what we celebrate every Christmas, every Sunday, and every day.  The Lord Jesus has come to comfort all who are grieved by their sins with full and free forgiveness.  For, he does not want to judge you worthy of hell-fire, but covered in his righteousness.
     This is not only kind, but it is even right—for Jesus has taken away your sins.  Repentance recognizes what is right and strives for it.  But repentance also recognizes the kindness of Jesus who has mercy on sinners and saves them.  And even John the Baptist rejoices with you in that.

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

Something from ... Pope Leo on the Two Natures of Jesus (3rd entry)

Here is something more from Pope Leo the Great ( c. 400 – 10 November 461) on the two natures of Jesus -- that Jesus is both God and man.  (For a longer introduction on the significance of this teaching and the attack against Christianity which prompted Leo's letter, see this blog entry.)

Pope Leo the Great

After the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD), Pope Leo wrote a letter to Flavian, bishop of Constantinople, regarding Eutyches who had been teaching that Jesus was not really a man, but bore only the form or appearance of a man.  What Pope Leo writes is the correct teaching of the Scripture and the faithful confession of the Church. 

It is a mystery worth pondering, especially as we are coming up on the celebration of the incarnation of our Lord, better known as Christmas.  

Here is another portion of Leo's letter:

"There is nothing unreal about this oneness, since both the lowliness of the man and the grandeur of the divinity are in mutual relation. As God is not changed by showing mercy, neither is humanity devoured by the dignity received. The activity of each form is what is proper to it in communion with the other: that is, the Word performs what belongs to the Word, and the flesh accomplishes what belongs to the flesh. One of these performs brilliant miracles the other sustains acts of violence. As the Word does not lose its glory which is equal to that of the Father, so neither does the flesh leave the nature of its kind behind. We must say this again and again: one and the same is truly Son of God and truly son of man. God, by the fact that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; man, by the fact that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. God, by the fact that all things were made through him, and nothing was made without him, man, by the fact that he was made of a woman, made under the law. The birth of flesh reveals human nature; birth from a virgin is a proof of divine power. A lowly cradle manifests the infancy of the child; angels’ voices announce the greatness of the most High. Herod evilly strives to kill one who was like a human being at the earliest stage the Magi rejoice to adore on bended knee one who is the Lord of all. And when he came to be baptised by his precursor John, the Father’s voice spoke thunder from heaven, to ensure that he did not go unnoticed because the divinity was concealed by the veil of flesh: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Accordingly, the same one whom the devil craftily tempts as a man, the angels dutifully wait on as God. Hunger, thirst, weariness, sleep are patently human. But to satisfy five thousand people with five loaves; to dispense living water to the Samaritan woman, a drink of which will stop her being thirsty ever again; to walk on the surface of the sea with feet that do not sink; to rebuke the storm and level the mounting waves; there can be no doubt these are divine."

Source: http://www.papalencyclicals.net/councils/ecum04.htm

Update from Good Shepherd (December 12, 2018)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE

Our Divine Services are on Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Thursday services at 3:30 PM are also offered, but call or text to confirm you are coming (248-719-5218).  If no one calls to confirm their attendance, he may not be at the church.  After today (December 13), the Thursday afternoon worship option will be suspended until 2019.

SUNDAY SCHOOL & ADULT BIBLE CLASS
Our Sunday School & Adult Bible Class meet at 8:45 AM.

SUNDAY SCHOOL REHEARSAL
       In order to prepare for our Sunday School Children's Christmas service (December 16), our final dress rehearsal will be Saturday, December 15;  9:00 - 11:00 AM.  This includes our Christmas party.

        Children's Christmas service-- Sunday, December 16;  10:00 AM 

ADULT BIBLE CLASS  — St. Paul's Epistles to Timothy
What does God expect of his church?  What does God desire for worship?  What are the qualifications and responsibilities of a pastor?  These are the questions St. Paul addresses in his letter to protegee, Timothy.  Having trained Timothy for years, St. Paul entrusted Timothy to serve as the pastor of the church at Ephesus.  Paul's instructions teach us what the ministry is supposed to look like.  These instructions still apply to Christ's Church today. December 16 2 Timothy 1-2 (Guard your faith and your teaching) December 23 2 Timothy 3-4 (Faithfulness in a faithless world)

In our prayers....
While we offer up prayers for specific requests in our services, petitions and intercessions can be offered up throughout the week for continued concerns.  Please continue to remember these in your prayers:
-- For Dale Peterson, father of Jeanette Schneider, who is still recovering from a second stroke
– For Jon Rumics, son of David & Diane Rumics, who is being treated for cancer.
– For the family of Oliver Barber, father of Terry Barber, who was called to eternal rest (11/23/2018)

ADVENT VESPERS
We prepare for the coming of the Savior with repentance as we prayerfully, quietly, and eagerly await our Savior.  Our Advent Theme is: God's Faithful People Await the Coming of the Lord.
December 19 They Are Saved.  (Matthew 1:18-25)
Dinner                    Church Council

Join us on Wednesdays for Advent.  Supper begins at 6:00 PM; Vespers begins at 7:00 PM.

POINSETTIAS
          The Ladies of Good Shepherd has set out a sign-up sheet for Christmas poinsettias.  A donation for the poinsettia, if you want to take one home after Christmas, is appreciated.  Checks can be made out to Good Shepherd Worship Committee.  Cash can be left in the collection plate but needs to be designated “poinsettias.”  You are welcome to take yours home after the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service.

HVL CHRISTMAS CONCERT 

This year’s HVL Christmas Concert will be held on Sunday, December 16, beginning at 3:00 pm.  Come worship the Christ-child with the HVL Choir, and Hawk Singers as they perform music for the season.

CHRISTMAS AT GOOD SHEPHERD

Children's Christmas Service – Sunday, December 16, 10:00 AM

Christmas Candlelight Service – Monday, December 24, 7:00 PM

Christmas Day Festival Service – Tuesday, December 25, 10:00 AM

Invite your family and friends!

JESUS CARES MINISTRIES: Worship at the Cross

Our first effort for Worship at the Cross did not have any attendees. We are being optimistic, suggesting that the hectic schedule of December left people not wanting to add another event to their month.  We will try again on Tuesday, January 8 at 6:30 PM.

Worship at the Cross is a  service and a Sunday School class for people with special needs.  These people, precious to Jesus, are often neglected.

Please continue to  publicize this.  If you know of anyone with special needs (e.g., Down Syndrome, Autism, et al.), please inform them of our Worship at the Cross efforts.  Registration forms for Worship at the Cross can be found here: http://goodshepherdnovi.org/worship_at_the_cross/registration 

You can find out more about Jesus Cares Ministries and Worship at the Cross at: http://www.tlha.org/jesus-cares-ministries .

SUNDAY NIGHT BIBLE SERIES
A next session of our Sunday Night Bible Series will be Sunday, January 13 at 6:00 PM.  This series, entitled “Eating God's Sacrifice,” explores the Lord's Supper portrayal in the Old Testament sacrifices.  While the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper flows from the Passover, its roots and forgiveness come from all the Old Testament sacrifices.  After viewing each DVD segment, Pastor Purdue and Pastor Schroeder will lead a discussion about the material which is in the DVD.  All sessions will begin at 6:00 PM.  These are intended to be interactive discussions as well as informational.  Desserts and snacks will be served.  All are welcome.

DO YOU LIKE US?
Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook.  Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings.

BAD WEATHER POLICY FOR SERVICES AT GOOD SHEPHERD
For future reference (or a reminder) here is the bad weather policy for Good Shepherd services:
We will always have services as scheduled at Good Shepherd.  Since I live across the parking lot, I can get to the church no matter how bad the weather gets.  Even if the service is just me and my family, we will be here.  For everyone else, please use your God-given common sense to determine whether or not you will get on the road to attend any service when the weather is bad.  We don't want anyone to risk his or her life to be here.  But if you do venture out, the scheduled service will take place.  It may be only a handful with a capella singing and/or spoken liturgy, but we will be here.
Bible Classes and meetings may be cancelled due to weather.  Check your email regarding announcements to see if any of those scheduled events is cancelled.  If there is no email about it, it is not cancelled.  But again, use common sense to determine if you can make it, and call the pastor to let him know if you will not be coming.

God bless you.

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

==============================

DIVINE SERVICES

     Sundays at 10:00 AM

ADVENT VESPERS
     Wednesdays, December 12, & 19, 7:00 PM

SUNDAY SCHOOL

     Sundays at 8:45 AM

ADULT BIBLE CLASS

     Sundays at 8:45 AM

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE

www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com

Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church
41415 W. Nine Mile Road
Novi, Michigan  48375-4306
+   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +
Divine Services -- Sundays at 10:00 AM
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

Sermon -- Advent Vespers: Week 2 (December 12, 2018)

LUKE 1:26-38

GOD'S FAITHFUL PEOPLE AWAIT 

THE COMING OF THE LORD.

They Are Humble.

In the name + of Jesus.

     People commonly wonder why Mary was chosen by God to be the woman through whom the Savior would come into the world.  God does not reveal why he does many things.  The only way we can ever answer a “Why” question is if God plainly tells us in the Scriptures.  Anything outside of that is a guess.  It may be an educated guess, or it may be a very bad guess based on wrong assumptions.  But it is still a guess.
     Scripture assures us that God does not do anything for us because we have earned it.  We are all sinners, and Mary of Nazareth is no exception.  God did not choose Mary because she deserved to be chosen for this honor.  Still, there are a few things about Mary which offer some insight on why God chose to work through her.  First, Mary was a believer.  She knew the promises of the Messiah, and she humbly waited for the Lord's fulfillment of them.  God would not have chosen someone who denied these.  She was among God's faithful people who were awaiting the coming of the Lord.
     We also know that Mary was a nobody girl from a nothing town.  If God had not chosen Mary to bear the Savior, history would never have remembered her.  There was nothing remarkable about Mary which demanded recognition, and there was nothing special about the city of Nazareth.  But that is the way God works.  God takes things that are nothing and he makes something out of them.  It was true when God created the heavens and the earth—making everything out of nothing; and it was true when God made you a new creation.  His Law showed you that you have nothing to give to God that he should honor you.  We are sinners; we are nothing.  But God was favorable toward you.  He made you a new creation—putting to death the sinner in baptism, and raising you up to be something special to God—a saint.
     The angel Gabriel was sent to a nobody girl in a nothing town with an amazing announcement.  “The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:30-31)  Although Mary was humbly waiting for the coming of the Messiah, she certainly did not have plans that he would come into the world through her.
     We know the whole story, so we tend to marvel at the honor which the Lord bestowed upon Mary, that she would be the mother of our Lord.  I doubt Mary really saw it that way at first.  As she was trying to process Gabriel's announcement, she may have been thinking, “What did I do to deserve this?  People are going to accuse me of being the town tart.  My betrothed will accuse me of infidelity.  My reputation will be dirt—not just up to the birth of Jesus, but even for the rest of my life.  Why me?”  It was no small thing that the Lord was giving her to do.  It would come with incredible hardships. 
     Gabriel did not ask Mary if it was okay with her that the Lord chose her for this.  It was an announcement that this was God's plan, and that God was employing her to fulfill it.  God's faithful people were awaiting the coming of the Lord.  And Mary, in her humility, accepted what God had given her to do.  Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
     God has called people to serve him in various ways throughout history.  He has raised up prophets who were called to preach a particular message.  God did not give them the option to water down the message or to decline this service.  Moses tried.  Jonah tried.  God sent them anyway.  God did not tell them it would be easy, but he did tell them that he would be with them.  It was the same for Noah, for Abraham, for David, and for other faithful people of God.  While the faithful people of God awaited the coming of the Lord, they were humble and served the Lord in what he had given them to do.
     God has called you to be his own and to serve him as his people.  We each serve the Lord in our various vocations.  This is what God has given you to do—as parents, siblings, children, employees, neighbors, and so on.  We are all called to order our lives according to the Commandments.  God does not ask us if we want to obey, or if there are any works we would like to avoid.  He gives us his Commandments and sends us forth to live according to them.  It does not mean that it will always be easy or convenient to keep them.  It is hard to be kind and compassionate to people who are rude or arrogant.  It is hard to be chaste and decent when the world expects us to be immoral and cheers lustily when we are.  It is hard to be faithful to God's word when others tell us how hateful we are for saying that there is no salvation outside of Jesus, even for nice people, or when we say that people who do not keep the Commandments are sinning, even if it makes them happy.  When people sin against you and show no remorse, you want to strike back in revenge.  It is hard to turn the other cheek and to be merciful as God tells us to.  Humble obedience to God's word is hard, and we often fail at it.
     God calls you to be his faithful people.  He does not say that it will be easy; but he does promise that he will be with you.  Therefore, as you await the coming of the Lord, humbly submit yourself to the Commandments.  Order your life according to them, even when your sinful flesh so eagerly craves for carnal pleasures and an easy life.  Humbly submit yourself to the scorn of the world who despises God's word and those who believe it and follow it.  There will seldom feel like there is any reward for such humility.  But we follow him and trust that his word is good and that he does not lie to us.  God promises to be with you and to preserve you.  We faithfully wait for the coming of the Lord, knowing that the humble will be exalted on the Last Day.  For we also know that the only good we receive is from God's hand.
     The greatest good we receive came through the womb of the Virgin Mary.  She knew that it would be hard to be pregnant and give birth as a virgin, which no one would believe.  She did not even know Joseph would believe her when Gabriel told her what was about to happen to her.  Yet, she believed that everything God does is good, even when it is hard.  And she humbly submitted to his will and to his plans.  Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
     Therefore, Jesus Christ who is true God took on the flesh of his mother, Mary.  He became man for us to save mankind from all sins.  Where we have failed to live up to God's Law, Jesus satisfied God's demands by keeping it.  Where we have violated God's Commandments with our sins, Jesus satisfied God's wrath by suffering and dying under the curse of God's Law.  Jesus humbled himself perfectly to carry out all of God's plans and to fulfill God's will to save sinners.  It did not matter that it would be hard.  It did not even matter that it meant his death and damnation.  Jesus humbled himself for us in order to save us.  He is the Lord's servant.  He submitted to the will of his Father and let it all happen according to God's word.  He humbled himself so that, at the Last Day, we would be exalted to heavenly, eternal glory. 
     When Gabriel told Mary what her role would be in God's plans, it came with a promise.  The promise is not that it would be easy.  That promise was: “The Lord is with you. “ (Luke 1:28)  The Lord who was with her and who was conceived in her and was born of her—he went forth to save her … and you, too.  And this Savior has called you to be his own.  Whatever he says to you—whether it is a promise or instruction—is for your good.  Therefore, in humility, we respond with Mary, “I am the Lord's servant.  Let it be to me according to your word.”  And indeed, it is.  For you are the Lord's—humbly serving for his glory, and set apart for everlasting glory.

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

Jesus Cares Ministries -- Worship at the Cross

IT BEGINS TONIGHT!

WORSHIP AT THE CROSS

A service for People with Special Needs

Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church in Novi (9 Mile & Meadowbrook) is eager to meet and to serve people with special needs.  In conjunction with Jesus Cares Ministries, we are offering a monthly worship called Worship at the Cross.   Worship at the Cross is a 25 minute service which is tailored to the needs of its participants.  Volunteers will assist to ensure everyone feels comfortable and can take part to the best of their ability.  Following the service, we will enjoy a snack and an interactive project. 
Worship at the Cross will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM.
To register, go to this link: http://goodshepherdnovi.org/worship_at_the_cross/registration
        For questions and info, contact Pastor Thomas Schroeder at 248-349-0565 or at welsnovi@aol.com.