Something from ... Luther's "The Bondage of the Will" (Entry #8)

INTRODUCTORY NOTES:  During the life of Martin Luther, Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus, was urged by Roman Catholic Church leaders to challenge Luther’s teachings and to condemn him.  Although Erasmus would rather have kept the peace in the Church, Erasmus was finally goaded into attacking Luther.  Erasmus intended to defend the official Roman Catholic teaching that God’s grace was needed to do the works by which man could then merit additional grace.  Luther’s response to Erasmus is known as The Bondage of the Will (De Servo Arbitrio).  Although Luther had published a myriad of writings in his career, he did not consider them worth preserving.  Luther regarded The Bondage of the Will as a rare exception to that rule.  In it, Luther writes at length that “free will” in spiritual matters is a lie, and that, if man actually has free will, then God loses such attributes as grace, omnipotence, and even his right to be God.

            The quotations from Luther in this blog post come from The Bondage of the Will translated by J. I. Packer and O. R. Johnston, Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, MI. © 1957.

            The following are thoughts concerning Luther’s arguments, urging us to LET GOD BE GOD.  Something from Luther’s The Bondage of the Will.

LET GOD BE GOD: Let God be omnipresent.

            God’s omnipresence could be rather unsettling for us.  If God is everywhere, then God sees everything.  There is no dark corner or enclosed room where I am able to get away with my own sinful lusts.  There is no private time which is just for me and not even God is included in it.  There is no escape from God’s watchful eye.

            If, however, God’s watchful eye is watching for my good, if God looks upon me with favor, if God is merciful to me, then there is no place I can go in which God’s mercy, grace, and love are removed from me.

            The attributes of God are either terrifying or comforting.  It just depends upon what kind of God we have.  In Christ, we find a God who loves and saves sinners.  We have a God who has adopted us into his family and makes us heirs of his heavenly kingdom.  We have a God who willingly took on flesh in order to live, to suffer, to bleed, to die, and then to conquer death for us.  That is the God who is with us always and everywhere.

            Something from Martin Luther to comfort us about our omnipresent God: “So the godly mind is not shocked to hear that God is in death or in hell; though either is more frightful and foul than a hole or a sewer.  Indeed, since Scripture testifies that God is everywhere and fills all things, a godly man does not just say that He is in these places; of necessity he learns and knows that He is there—unless we must suppose that, were I ever caught by a tyrant and thrown into a cell or a sewer (as has happened to many saints) I might not there call on God, nor believe that He was with me till I could get into some ornate church?” (page 88)

Sermon -- 13th Sunday after Pentecost (September 8, 2019)

HEBREWS 12:1-13

YOUR FATHER DISCIPLINES YOU FOR YOUR GOOD.

In the name + of Jesus.

     The first thing we ought to recognize as we consider this reading from Hebrews is that the writer refers to God as our Father.  He is God Almighty, but he summons us to call him our Father, as we do in the Lord's Prayer.  As a father, he loves you.  The Father sent Jesus to secure our place in his family.  The Father has sent his Holy Spirit to dwell in us to mark us as his children.  As St. Paul reminds us, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Galatians 3:26)  Therefore, you are sons; and he is your good and merciful Father in heaven.
     The Lord is also unchanging.  So, he is always your good and merciful Father in heaven, even when it does not seem like it.  There are many times when God's people wonder if God is paying attention to them, if he cares, or even if he is angry.  Those questions usually come up when we are enduring some kind of hardship or loss or pain.  We want to believe that God is good and merciful, but it is hard when we do not feel mercy or see good.  But even then, he remains your good and merciful Father.  It is like this: Is the sun always a bright light?  The answer is: Yes, the sun is always a bright light.  At midnight when it is pitch black, it doesn't seem like it.  But the sun is always a bright light; that is what the sun is even when we don't see it.  In the same way, your Father in heaven is good and merciful at all times.
     Since he is your Father, he does what fathers are tasked to do.  He provides.  He protects.  And he disciplines.  The writer to the Hebrews quotes the Proverbs: “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.  For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12:5-6; Proverbs 3:11-12)  When he disciplines, he does not seem good and merciful, because discipline hurts.  No one enjoys the pains of discipline.  Whether it is following a diet or exercise regimen or having someone correct your behavior, going through discipline is hard, even painful.  But proper discipline is always for your good, and your heavenly Father always disciplines for your good. 
     The problem is that the Lord's discipline often feels like punishment.  If the Lord has us endure pain or hardship or loss, we might wonder what we've done to deserve it.  We feel like God is punishing us is because of what we confess about our sin:  We are by nature sinful.  We have done what is evil and fail to do what is good.  For this we deserve God's punishment both now and in eternity.  So, when we suffer now, we might think it is the punishment we deserve now.  But that is not how your heavenly Father deals with you or feels about you.  God is not punishing you; God is not even angry with you. 
     All the punishment that we deserve because of our sin was taken by Jesus.  Jesus suffered horribly to deliver us from divine wrath and punishment.  The writer to the Hebrews says, “for the joy that was set before him (Jesus) endured the cross, despising the shame...” (Hebrews 12:2)  Jesus despised the same that was associated with the cross.  This includes his crucifixion and everything that led up to it.  Jesus knew that he would be betrayed, slandered, and wrongly condemned.  Jesus knew that he would be beaten, mocked, and flogged.  This is why he prayed fervently and sweat drops of blood in Gethsemane,  Nevertheless, he did not shrink back from death when he was given a crown of thorns, was stripped naked, and was nailed to the cross.  But the worst of it was that Jesus endured the curse and condemnation of his Father who was neither good nor merciful to him.  Jesus endured the punishment of God on behalf of every sinner for every sin.  He was not merely put to death for sins he did not commit, he was damned for them.  We confess, “I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity.”  But Jesus has taken all of it.  God exhausted his wrath upon Jesus.  Therefore, he is not looking to get even or have revenge on you.  If you are in Christ, you are delivered from all punishment.
     “For the joy that was set before him (Jesus) endured the cross, despising the shame...” (Hebrews 12:2)  His joy in saving you far outweighed any shame or pain that came from being crucified.  And he does not save you just to tolerate you.  He saves you to make you children of God and heirs of his kingdom.  He saves you not only from guilt, but even from death.  Just as Jesus rose from the dead to live and reign forever, so will you.  The Lord Jesus who is the Lord over death and the grave will raise you up with perfected bodies to dwell in an everlasting kingdom of peace, glory, and joy.
     And since you and I are not there yet, your Father disciplines you for your good.  He works in your life to keep you focused on his mercy and on the heavenly kingdom he has prepared for you.  God disciplines those he loves, and he disciplines you for your good.  It is for discipline that you have to endure.  God is treating you as sons.  … (Our earthly fathers) disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but (God) disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:7,10-11) 
     Earthly fathers and mothers properly discipline their children to correct their behavior and to prevent them from continuing in bad behavior.  If you don't discipline your children, bad behavior will lead to worse behavior.  I remember getting a number of spankings when I was a child, and I had earned all of them.  But even when my parents disciplined me, they did not stop loving me.  Because they loved me, they wanted to curb my bad behavior so I would not suffer worse for it later in life.  It is all the more true with your Father in heaven.  Parents, as well intentioned as they might be, may also let their anger or fear influence how they discipline.  But your Father is perfect in love.  He always disciplines you for your good, and he always remains good and merciful.
     The Father's discipline is often hard.  We don't like having our blessings taken away.  It is not fun having to endure sorrow and pain.  But when these hardships come, the Father is training you to not love this world.  Everything in it is passing away, no matter how much blessing and benefit we derive from it.  So, rather than having us love and trust in things which will pass away, our Father takes them away so we can't trust in them.  We are left with nothing but his word which will never pass away.  Now, as was said earlier, and as the Bible freely acknowledges, “for the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)  It may even seem like God is being cruel and merciless when he disciplines us this way.  But when such things happen, remember that God does not lie to you.  Your Father always loves you.  Your Father is always good and merciful.  And your Father always disciplines you for your good.
     As we continue in this Christian faith, we continue to struggle and strive toward our heavenly home.  The writer to the Hebrews describes it like an athletic contest.  He writes, “Let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us...” (Hebrews 12:1)  Every day, we need the discipline to fight against our own sinful flesh and against our own laziness.  We need the discipline to stand firm against temptations to abandon the faith and to exchange God's truth for whatever the world says is true and good today.  The only way we can continue in this daily struggle is by “looking to Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:2)  
     The world's truth is always changing; the word of our God, however, stands firm forever.  Your Father remains faithful in his love and mercy.  He reminds us that our present struggles do not compare with the glory that will be revealed in us.  The Lord assures us that, although we may lose blessings in this world, we never lose his mercy, his forgiveness, and his salvation.  And although the world's blessings may be pleasant, they are not permanent.  Your Father, however, remains your good and merciful Father in heaven.  He is always the God who saves, who redeems, and who loves you.  He has made you his dear children, and that status is not changed by hardship, pain, or sorrow. 
     Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet. (Hebrews 12:12-13)  For your Father is doing all things for your good—whether you think they are good or not.  And even if your blessings in this world last only a moment, so do your struggles and sorrows.  The word of our Lord, however, will never pass away.  Neither does his mercy.  Nor does your glorious inheritance.  God is always on your side to strengthen and sustain you in the faith until he brings you into your everlasting home.  Though he disciplines you, it is always for your good.  For, your Father in heaven is always good, and his mercy endures forever.

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

Update from Good Shepherd -- September 5, 2019

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE RESUMES        Sunday School & Adult Bible Class are Sundays at 8:45 AM.
        Divine Services are Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Adult Bible Class will be working our way through the books of 1 & 2 Samuel, seeing how God continued to preserve his plan of salvation.  We will give special attention to the prophet Samuel and to the kings, Saul and David.

CHURCH PICNIC

          Our Church Picnic will take place shortly after the service.  You are welcome to come to church in rather casual dress on September 8.  Following the service, we will fire up the grills to cook burgers and hot dogs.  Meat, buns, condiments, and beverages will be provided by the church.  Members are asked to bring a dish to share.  A Sign Up Genius will soon be publicized to determine what kinds of additional dishes people are bringing (no need to have 10 dozen cookies and no side dishes) and to RSVP.  We plan on having games and activities to allow our members to enjoy each others' company and to get to know each other better.  All are welcome, including any guests who happen to be with us (whom you are encouraged to bring along).

          There is a Sign Up Genius for the church picnic.  You can find it here: 
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D48A4A82EABFD0-church/17772940
          In addition, we will acknowledge the completion of our mortgage payments for Good Shepherd with a mortgage burning ceremony, also on September 8.

A BIBLE CLASS ALTERNATIVE????

Some have stated that Sunday morning's 8:45 AM Adult Bible Class is too early.  Since Adult Bible Class is important (it offers fellow Christians to discuss matters important to the Christian faith, presents opportunities for mutual encouragement, and strengthens our fellowship), I am entertaining the idea of offering Adult Bible Class on Wednesday evening in addition to Sunday morning.  It would be the same as Sunday's Bible class, but repeated on Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM.

The question now is not, “Is this a good idea?”  The question to be answered is this: “Who is committed to coming on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM?”  Before this Adult Bible Class is put on the calendar, I need to k now if anyone will be attending it.  (NOTE: As of this writing, only two have expressed interest.)

Please respond to welsnovi@aol.com or text (248) 719-5218 and indicate, “I will be there.”  Also, include your name as this will allow me to know how many to expect.  This evening class offers an opportunity to invite your friends who might think that Sunday mornings at 8:45 AM are way too early.

Finally, this will not effect our Sunday schedule (Sunday School and Adult Bible Class).  These still meet at 8:45 AM on Sundays.

BIBLE BASICS CLASS to begin on Monday, September 9

Bible Basics Class is a class for the benefit of all from those who are curious about the Christian faith to those who want to be further grounded in Biblical teachings.  The class is designed to cover...

  ... the basics of Christianity for those who desire to learn more.  

  ... what Lutherans believe, teach, and confess about the word of God.  

  ... what God considers “good enough” for us to get to heaven.

  ... how we can know who God really is.

  ... what God desires for all mankind.

Whether you are a Bible scholar or barely know what a Bible is, this class is for you.  There is no cost.  All materials are provided.  Come with questions.  Come with friends.  Come and learn what God wants you to know.

Our Bible Basics Class will be on Mondays, 7:00-8:30 PM.  

        Members of Good Shepherd, you can already start thinking about whom you would bring to this class.  Talk to them about it and attend with them.  For more information or details, please speak with Pastor Schroeder.

PRIVATE CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
On Saturday, September 7, 9:00-11:00 AM, Pastor Schroeder will be in his office and available for Private Confession & Absolution.  No appointment will be necessary.  If you are grieved or haunted by particular sins and desire to hear your Savior's word of forgiveness, this is for you.  Pastor Schroeder will walk through the rite since it is unfamiliar to most.  As the name suggests, the confession remains private.  It is made to Christ.  Likewise, the forgiveness is Christ's through the mouth of his minister.
         Private Confession & Absolution is always available by appointment.

NOTES from Huron Valley Lutheran High School (HVL)

Upcoming Events:

Sept 7            HVL Golf Outing

Sept 19-21     HVL Rummage Sale

HVL Golf Outing - The annual HVL golf outing will be held at the Fox Hills Golf Course on Saturday, Sept 7th.  Register at www.hvlhs.org.

Join HVL’s Mailing List - Go to HVLHS.org and click on “Sign up for Newsletter” or call or email the school office at mail@hvlhs.org to be added.

OFFICE HOURS
        Regular office hours at Good Shepherd will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. While there may be some flexibility to this schedule, we will try to keep it as regular as possible. 

DO YOU LIKE US?

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

God bless you.

In Christ,

Pastor Schroeder

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

SUNDAY SCHOOL -- Sundays at 8:45 AM.
ADULT BIBLE CLASS -- Sundays at 8:45 AM.

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 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

Private Confession and Absolution -- Saturday, September 7 (9:00-11:00 AM)

Private Confession and Absolution

Saturday, September 7, 9:00-11:00 AM

When Lutherans hear someone speak of Private Confession and Absolution, the response is usually a knee-jerk, "That's Roman Catholic!"  Though that may be a common perception, the perception is because either it was taught wrongly or understood wrongly.  Consider what the Lutheran Confessions teach about Private Confession and Absolution.

Our churches teach that private Absolution should be retained in the churches, although listing all sins is not necessary for Confession.  For, according to the Psalm, it is impossible.  "Who can discern his errors?" (Psalm 19:12) -- Augsburg Confession, Article XI

What is Confession?
     Answer: Confession has two parts: the one is that we confess our sins; the other is that we receive Absolution, or forgiveness, from the confessor, as from God Himself, and in no way doubt, but firmly believe that our sins are forgiven before God in heaven by this.
What sins should we confess?
     Answer: Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even of those that we do not know, as we do in the Lord's Prayer.  But before the confessor we should confess only those sins that we know and feel in our hearts. -- Luther's Small Catechism, Part V

These are basic confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  They are catholic, insofar as they are Christian.  But they are not Roman, insofar as the penitent is not obligated to orally confess every sin in order to be forgiven of it and insofar as one's forgiveness is not dependent upon some action on the part of the penitent.  The forgiveness is based on Jesus' sufferings and death for the penitent who has been baptized into his name.

Since the practice of Private Confession and Absolution is a Lutheran practice, it would be good for Lutherans to practice it.  It is good for the penitent who is grieved by a particular sin to confess it so that he can hear Christ say through the mouth of his minister: "I forgive you."  It would be good for the one who is burdened to be relieved of his burden by Holy Absolution.  It would be good for this practice, though foreign to many in my corner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to be restored.  And so it will be.

Private Confession and Absolution has always been available to all members by appointment.  (I am guessing that has been a pretty good secret.)  In order for this practice to be restored and perhaps put to better use, there will be dates on the calendar set aside for anyone who would like to drop in and make use of this means of grace.  These will be set up about 4 times per year.  Private Confession and Absolution will still be available by appointment in addition to these scheduled times.

It is anticipated that Private Confession and Absolution will roughly follow this regular schedule.
     The Saturday before or on Epiphany (Epiphany is always January 6)
     The Saturday before Palm Sunday
     The Saturday after Labor Day weekend
     The Saturday after Thanksgiving weekend (should coincide with the 1st Saturday in Advent)

The next scheduled date and time for Private Confession and Absolution will be Saturday, September 7, 9:00-11:00 AM.  Appointments are not necessary.  You need only drop in.  All participation is voluntary, as Absolution cannot be forced upon anyone.

Of course, this will be new to pretty much any member who decides to make use of it.  If you happen to come in, the pastor will walk through the rite with you and explain the various parts of it, especially including the "private" part, namely, that this confession is to Christ and, therefore, remains his business alone.  The pastor will not report any confession or even the names of those who come for confession.  Finally, the point of this is not for a pastor to learn everyone's dirty, little secrets.  (His life is easier if he remains ignorant.  But God's people do not call a pastor to be ignorant; they call him to absolve in the name of Jesus.)  The point is for the guilty and the grieved to find relief and receive forgiveness, or absolution.

Something from ... Luther's "The Bondage of the Will" (Entry #7)

INTRODUCTORY NOTES:  During the life of Martin Luther, Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus, was urged by Roman Catholic Church leaders to challenge Luther’s teachings and to condemn him.  Although Erasmus would rather have kept the peace in the Church, Erasmus was finally goaded into attacking Luther.  Erasmus intended to defend the official Roman Catholic teaching that God’s grace was needed to do the works by which man could then merit additional grace.  Luther’s response to Erasmus is known as The Bondage of the Will (De Servo Arbitrio).  Although Luther had published a myriad of writings in his career, he did not consider them worth preserving.  Luther regarded The Bondage of the Will as a rare exception to that rule.  In it, Luther writes at length that “free will” in spiritual matters is a lie, and that, if man actually has free will, then God loses such attributes as grace, omnipotence, and even his right to be God.

            The quotations from Luther in this blog post come from The Bondage of the Will translated by J. I. Packer and O. R. Johnston, Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, MI. © 1957.

            The following are thoughts concerning Luther’s arguments, urging us to LET GOD BE GOD.  Something from Luther’s The Bondage of the Will.

Let God be our teacher.

            Christian pastors are grieved when the people they serve fall away from the Church.  The Christian laity are also grieved when they see their churches decreasing in attendance.  The reasons for this are not always godly.  For example, the lack of members attending on Sundays will likely mean that the offerings will also be lacking.  This is not, however, a good reason to be grieved.  Jesus did not die for our offerings.  Jesus came to save sinners.  When those who have been saved begin to drift away from the Church or abandon it altogether, it grieves Jesus.  It also grieves those who bear his name.
            One solution that is offered to retain members is to steer clear of the biblical teachings which our society at large finds distasteful or deplorable.  The argument goes this way: "As long as they believe in Jesus, let's not worry about the other teachings which would drive them away."  However, we have no right to edit God's word or to dismiss portions of it.  And it is rebellion against God's word when we refuse to teach, preach, and confess all that God teaches.  To be ashamed of God's word, especially when it is done to find common ground with a sinful world, results in a fiery judgment.
            That said, parts of God's word will always be considered distasteful and deplorable to our sinful world.  Nevertheless, we are duty bound to teach, preach, and confess them.  If God has given his word to us, it is good and it is for our good.  Our sinful flesh may hate it.  But the problem is with our sinful flesh, not with a good and gracious God.  Our sinful world will continue to change its mind concerning what is distasteful and deplorable.  God's word shall endure forever.  Therefore, faithful pastors and Christians will continue to teach, preach, and confess what God says.  We let God be God, and we let God teach us as he deems good, right, and salutary.  Something from Luther states this sentiment:
            “As I said above, what may be found in or proved by the sacred writings is both plain and wholesome, and so may safely be published, learned and known—and, indeed, should be.  So your statement, that some things should not be exposed to everyone's hearing, if made with reference to the contents of Scripture, is false....” (page 86)

Bible Basics Class to begin -- Monday, September 9 (7:00-8:30 PM)

Ever wondered????

            Most people are interested in religion.  Many have ideas, but how can we know for sure what is right?  The Bible has the answers people crave.  If you have ever wondered what God says about mankind, about how we can be sure of eternal life, or other topics, this class is for you.  Long-time Christians will also benefit from a refresher on these things.

BIBLE BASICS CLASS will begin on Monday, September 9.  Classes will be 7:00 – 8:30 PM.

The schedule for this class is:

9/  9   God's Plan of Salvation
9/16  God Created a Beautiful Universe.
9/16  Why is the World So Crazy?
9/30   How did Jesus Save the World?
10/  7 The End is Coming!
10/14 Why do We Need the Bible?
10/21 God Works through Holy Baptism.
10/28 God Works through Holy Communion.
11/  4 God Gathers His Church.
11/11 A Conversation with God.
11/18 Our Spiritual Heartbeat
11/25 Love the Lord your God
12/  2 Love your Neighbor – Part 1
12/  9 Love your Neighbor – Part 2
12/16 Take Good Care

NOTE: Depending upon how many questions or discussions we have with the material, we may be able to complete more than one lesson in a session.
Taking the class does not obligate you to join our congregation.  If you simply want to gain knowledge of the Bible, this class is for you.  There is no cost.  All materials are provided.  Come with questions.  Come with friends.  Come and learn what God wants you to know.
Call (248-349-0565) or e-mail (welsnovi@aol.com) to register for this class. 

Sermon -- 12th Sunday after Pentecost (September 1, 2019)

GENESIS 15:1-6

FAITH TAKES GOD AT HIS WORD.

In the name + of Jesus.

     The letter to the Hebrews defines faith this way:  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)  This description of faith leads people to conclude that Christians are delusional people, as if we believe in made up things.  Archie Bunker once described faith this way: “Faith is believing something so ridiculous that no one in his right mind would believe it's true!” (Quotation found in “Taking Truth Next Door,” by David Faust, p 140)  But faith is not merely wishful thinking.
     Ironically, people do often find solace in wishful thinking.  When someone is going through hard times, you might hear someone say, “Don't fret.  Things will get better.”   But how do you know things will get better?  On what do you base this assertion?  It is a nice idea, but these sentiments are wishful thinking.  The Christian faith is not wishful thinking.  We have an assurance of things hoped for because God promises them.  These promises were backed by Jesus.  Jesus declared the Scriptures to be the very word of God.  The sign he gave to claim his authority was that he would be crucified and then rise from the dead on the third day.  He did exactly that.  This is no fairy tale or myth.  It is a historical fact verified by the preaching, ink, and blood of the apostles.  Jesus gives us a promise which gives us our hope.  His death and resurrection make us sure of these things.  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)  Faith takes God at his word.
     Our Old Testament lesson focuses on the faith of Abraham.  It says: “(Abraham) believed the LORD.” (Genesis 15:6)  A little background helps us to understand why this is remarkable.  When Abraham was 75 years old and his wife Sarah was 65, God called Abraham to leave his home and his homeland and to go to a land God would show him.  Abraham took God at his word.  Abraham headed out in a direction, but did not know his destination.  A few years later, Abraham settled in Canaan.
     God spoke to Abraham again and swore that he would give to Abraham and his offspring the land of Canaan as his possession.  Abraham had no offspring.  He lived in tents, not in a city.  There was no evidence that Abraham would become a nation or possess all the land.  Still, Abraham took God at his word. 
     Abraham had a nephew, Lot, who had moved to Sodom.  Lot was taken captive with the citizens of Sodom, Gomorrah, and other towns.  Abraham rescued all the people from their captors.  When the King of Sodom gave Abraham permission to keep the booty he had rightfully won, Abraham refused.  He stated, “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” (Genesis 14:22-23)  Abraham denied riches that were rightfully his, and he lived in the open fields without protection against future invaders.  It looked and felt like a hard life.  Nevertheless, Abraham believed the LORD. (Genesis 15:6)  Faith takes God at his word, even when the evidence says we should not.
     God appeared to Abraham again, right after the rescue of Lot and the meeting with the King of Sodom.  After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” (Genesis 15:1)  God told Abraham not to worry about threats from enemies or lack of wealth from kings.  God would be his shield.  He would defend Abraham and protect his life.  For God had promised Abraham that he and his descendants would possess the land of Canaan.  More than that, God had promised to bring the Savior through Abraham's son.  God would defend and protect that promise.  Abraham could trust that, and he did.  In addition, the wealth of kings and kingdoms did not matter.  Kings die.  Kingdoms rise and fall.  But the Lord would be Abraham's reward.  He establishes a kingdom that endures forever.  Abraham believed the LORD.  It did not matter if the evidence suggested differently.  Faith takes God at his word.
      Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for.... (Hebrews 11:1)  We may hope that God will do a lot of different things for us.  Certainly we can pray for all of them.  But in order to have assurance of what we hope for, God actually has to promise it.  Sadly, many Christians have abandoned the Christian faith.  They claim that God failed them.  They were convinced that God would do what they hoped for—that he would resolve problems, that he would cure diseases, that he would eliminate debt, and that he would deliver a loved one from death.  And when it did not happen, they concluded that the Christian faith is a disappointing lie.  The problem is not that God failed on his promises; the problem is that people hold God to promises he did not make.  We have no assurance that God will do something he has not promised to do.  Our wishes are not the same as God's word, no matter how badly we want our wishes to come true.
     In order for us to be assured of the things hoped for, we need to know the things that are promised.  Abraham had a very specific promise from God.  (The LORD) brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5)  All the evidence told Abraham that this would not happen.  Nevertheless, Abraham believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)  Abraham believed the word of the Lord, because faith takes God at his word.  Our faith is not based on what we see.  Our assurance is not based on what we feel.  Our hope is based on the words and promises of God.  Faith takes God at his word.
     Why?  Because God has proved himself faithful.  God loves you.  Now, many will say that God loves us and even assume that God forgives our sins.  But if you don't know why God does this, this is wishful thinking too.  God does not overlook sins, which is what most people assume.  Others assume that their sins aren't sins or that their sins are not serious.  Again, that is wishful thinking.  It is based on nothing.
     To have hope, comfort, and peace, you have to be sure of what you hope for.  And your assurance is this: God demonstrated his love in sending his Son, Jesus, to redeem sinners.  Jesus does not overlook sins; he pays for them.  Jesus came to make himself a sin offering for you.  He told his disciples several times before the fact that he would go to Jerusalem, be put to death, and then rise from the dead on the third day.  And he did exactly that.  Jesus' sufferings and death are the payment for your sins.  Jesus' resurrection is the proof that his payment is both complete and acceptable to God.  Therefore, you are forgiven—not because you want to be.  That is wishful thinking.  That is faith based on nothing.  You are forgiven because Jesus has taken away your sin, conquered death, and lives and reigns to guarantee your salvation.  That is God's authoritative word, based in historic fact.
     Faith takes God at his word.  (Abraham) believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)  By faith, Abraham was saved.  That does not mean his life all of a sudden got easy.  He still faced challenges, and the evidence of his life still gave him reason to wonder if God was really going to keep his word.  But God's promises stood.  And they stand for you, too.  God's promises give you a hope you can be sure of.  The Lord has eliminated the debt of your sin; you are forgiven.  The Lord has overcome your enemies of sin, death, and the devil; they cannot harm you.  The Lord will eventually bring you perfect healing of every ailment; there is no pain or sickness in heavenly glory.  And you will finally be delivered from death; for we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting.  Meanwhile, even with the hardships you face in this life, you have this promise: We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.... (Romans 8:28)  It may not always be clear how things are for your good.  What God has in mind may not match your idea of what “good” looks like.  But God has made the promise.  You can be sure of it; for faith takes God at his word.
     These are not cross-your-fingers, make-a-wish dreams.  This is the Christian hope—proclaimed by God, backed by a crucified and risen Savior, and sealed in your baptism.  Faith takes God at his word, and holds him to it.  Such faith saves you and accounts you as righteous before God.  It is a hope you can be sure of, and whoever hopes in Jesus will never be put to shame.

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