MLS Football vs. Merrill

Michigan Lutheran Seminary continues to have incredible success on both the JV and Varsity levels.  This past week, MLS played Merrill.  The JV hosted Merrill, and the Varsity went to face Merrill for their homecoming.  The game, however, was held at Saginaw Valley State University because Merrill is not able to use its field this season.

The JV was prepared for a nail-biter against a Merrill team which came in undefeated.  The first quarter ended scoreless, but MLS found their offense in the 2nd quarter, going into half time leading 35-0.  The final score was 42-0.

Below is a photo of Andrew throwing a 2 point conversion to classmate Zach Schaff (#18).

For the varsity contest, MLS and Merrill exchanged blows in the first half.  Merrill scored with about a minute left to take a 18-14 lead.  But MLS had a long return on the kickoff, and later put it in the end zone just before halftime giving MLS a 21-18 lead.

Then the skies opened and the rain poured down.  So did MLS and their offense.  The final score was 62-18. (that's not a typo.)

Below is a photo of Nathanael on an interception in the 4th quarter.

Sermon -- The Festival of St. Michael and All Angels (September 29, 2013)

LUKE 10:17-20 / REVELATION 12:7-12

REJOICE!  FOR THE ACCUSER HAS BEEN THROWN DOWN.

In the name + of Jesus.

      And there was a war in heaven. (Revelation 12:7)  That just sounds wrong.  When we speak of heaven, we think of bliss and peace and rest.  But instead we hear of a battle.  It was a fight for supremacy. 

     On the one hand, it was stupid.  Does Satan really think that he can overthrow the Lord?  Does Satan really believe that he can reign supreme?  God’s throne stands unchallenged.  It’s not that it shouldn’t be taken.  It can’t be taken.  There is no other God.  There can’t be any other God, no matter what any rival thinks.

     On the other hand, Satan does not believe that God should reign supreme.  Satan does believe that he can thwart God.  Satan is called the prince of this world.  He wants to be God.  He has no interest in giving up his reign. 

     And so, there was a war in heaven.  But the Lord employed his angelic creatures to cast out the demonic creatures.  The archangel, Michael, and his angels (were) fighting against the dragon.  And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.  And the great dragon was thrown down…  And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” (Revelation 12:7-10) 

     St. Michael and his angels are employed by God to serve the heirs of salvation, that is, you.  While there are a few times God records how the lives of his saints were spared by the intervention of the angels, the angels usually go about their work silently.  Yes, God’s angels watch over you.  They protect you, but they do not promote themselves to you.

     Of course, you do know the most obvious way the angels have thrown down the enemy who accuses God’s people.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them…and said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy…  For unto you is born this day…a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:9-11)  It is Jesus who overcomes the devil and takes away his claim on you.  And again, the angels appeared and said, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen.” (Luke 24:5-6)  It is Jesus who has paid for sin, conquered death, and crushed Satan underfoot.  The angels declare God’s love and Jesus’ victory.

     Therefore, rejoice!  For the accuser has been thrown down.  He does not own you or control you.  He can no longer accuse you or afflict you.  Jesus Christ has overruled every taunt and every accusation.  Your guilt has been taken away.  Your sins have been forgiven.  And your death is not to be feared.  For, the Lord Jesus has taken away its terror.  It can only hold you for a short time.  But “now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come.” (Revelation 12:7-10)  Your eternity is with God, and your heaven is secure.  There is no war, but only bliss and rest and peace.  For the devil and his demons have been thrown down, and there is no longer any place for them in heaven. (Revelation 12:8)

     The head-crushing blow of the ancient serpent took place when Jesus suffered, died, rose, and ascended into heaven.  There is no longer any question about Jesus’ reign.  And for that reason, there is no longer any question about your forgiveness or salvation.  If Jesus reigns, his word is supreme.  He declares that you are forgiven.  You are saved.  Your eternity will be glorious and joyous.  But the glory has not come for you just yet.

     As pleasing as it is to hear that St. Michael and his angels have thrown down the accuser, and as comforting as it is to hear that Jesus lives and reigns forever, we are alerted to the reality of life in the Church Militant.  “Rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them!  But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 12:10)

     And there is a war in heaven, that is, in the heavenly realms.  The Church is militant, and the battle rages.  But be sure that you do not mistake your enemy.  You might think that your enemy is a thief or a murderer or a slanderer or a terrorist.  Granted, these things can make life difficult.  They can do some real damage.  But these are not the real enemy.

     And there is a war in heaven.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)  Thieves can take your things.  Slanderers can take your good name.  Terrorists can take your security.  Murderers can take your life.  But none of them can take your salvation.

     There is a war in the heavenly realms.  Your enemy is still the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  He will not concede that he is defeated.  He still exalts himself as the prince of this world.  He still has no interest in giving up his reign.  He fights hard and he fights dirty.  If he cannot be God, he will play God.  He wants to deceive you with hollow promises.  He lures unsuspecting souls into his trap.  He has no mercy because he does not care.  He has come down in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short. (Revelation 12:12)  He still tempts, still taunts, and still accuses.  He wants you to despair so that you are consumed by your sins and give up on your Savior.

     There is a war in the heavenly realms.  And though you cannot defeat the enemy, your Savior has!  Rejoice!  For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.  And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:10-11)  Your victory remains where it always has been.  Jesus does not tell you to make plans to go out and to conquer and to fix the world.  Instead, seek refuge in the Savior who has already won the victory.  “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)  The victory comes through the blood of Jesus Christ which atones for your sins and purifies you.  The victory is heard in the word of the Lord which overrules every accusation of Satan.

     And that is why the Church gathers week after week around the altar to receive the Lord’s Supper.  St. Michael and his archangels are here.  We join with them and with all the company of heaven to laud and magnify the name of our Savior.  The Lamb of God is here.  He who takes away the sin of the world comes here again today to have mercy upon us and to grant us peace.  Here the blood of Jesus Christ is given to take away sins and deliver from death and the devil.  Here, Satan is cast down.  His accusations melt in the presence of God, and the word of forgiveness and salvation stand.

     Rejoice!  For the accuser has been thrown down.  He lies crushed under Jesus’ feet.  And though people may rage against you and you may feel the fury of the devil, do not fear.  Jesus promises, “Nothing shall hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)  Salvation belongs to our God.  All authority has been given to Jesus, even authority to raise the dead to eternal life.  He commands his angels to watch over you.  He sends his ministers to absolve you.  He himself has won your salvation.  And therefore, he declares peace.

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

Bible Gem (Ezekiel 20:44)

It is impossible to say that one Bible verse is more divine than another, but some strike us in more vivid ways than others do.  Here is one from my Bible reading this morning:

"And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the LORD." (Ezekiel 20:44)

This verses highlights the glory of God -- that he is faithful to his promises and that he upholds the glory of his name.  He is our merciful Redeemer, our gracious Savior, and our Comforter.  He does not redeem, save, or comfort because of our deeds; they are corrupt and deserve judgment.  Rather, all he does is for the sake of his name, of his very being, which loves and forgives sinners.

Therefore, we will stand at the judgment as those who are holy and blameless.  For we have been baptized into his name.  We are marked with his name.  At every benediction, the Lord puts his name on us again to bless us.  We are his, and we will be judged as his.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.  And blessed are those who are marked by his name and judged for his name's sake.

Sermon -- 18th Sunday after Pentecost (September 22, 2013)

LUKE 16:1-13

THE LORD WILL SETTLE YOUR ACCOUNT.

In the name + of Jesus.

     It was perhaps the most gut-wrenching thing the manager could have heard.  The boss-man had summoned him and said, “What is this I hear about you?  Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.” (Luke 16:2)

     Oh, there’s a lot that the manager could have been thinking.  What had the master heard?  What could the manager still hide?  Could he blame someone else?  Could he convince his master that it was all a pack of lies?  But it wasn’t.  He offered no excuses.  He didn’t even fight it.  He was a bad manager. 
     He quickly called his master’s debtors in, scrambling to put together some kind of ledger to present to his master.  He didn’t even know who owed what!  Surely he had been dodging this bullet for quite some time.  The time had finally come for his performance review.  He had to give an account.  He was a bad manager.  He was guilty.  He deserved to be fired. 
     Dear Christians, you understand that you, too, are managers, don’t you?  There is nothing you have that is actually yours.  The earth is the LORD’s and … those who dwell therein. (Psalm 24:1)  You see?  It is not just that your stuff is on loan from God.  Even YOU are the Lord’s.  You entered this world because God was pleased to bring you in, and you will depart from this world just as empty handed as when you entered it.
     Everything you are and everything you have is a gift from God.  He entrusts his wealth to you.  He is very interested in how you are using it.  And you ought to know that the day will come when he will call to you account for how you have used his gifts.  Have you used God’s gifts to honor him with them or do you live as if God has no right to his gifts?  Have you used your wealth to bless your fellowman in his need, or do you hoard your gifts and pile up more than you need?  Have you taken care of God’s gifts to you, such as your life and your body, or do you give yourself over to gluttony, intoxication, and sloth?  Do you recognize that all your possessions are temporary and will fail, or is your life wrapped up in maintaining and accumulating wealth as if it were eternal?  We have all been poor managers of God’s gifts.  The day will come when the Lord will say, “What is this I hear about you?”  And the Lord will settle accounts with you.
      Like the crooked manager, you and I have also been unfaithful with what God has given us.  Like the crooked manager, we would also do well not to come up with excuses why this is not so grievous or damnable.  We are subject to judgment.  The charges against us are valid.  It is pointless and foolish to try to bargain with God in these matters.  He knows all, so there is no point in hiding or whitewashing anything.
     The dishonest manager did not waste any time.  He knew that his days were numbered.  He knew that his time was short.  There was nothing he could do about his past.  That was done.  But he took great measures to watch out for his future.  He had no strength for hard labor.  He refused to become a beggar and entrust himself to the kindness of strangers.  While he still had time, he made friends with his master’s debtors.  You can accuse him of being even more dishonest.  But just as diligence had not been his goal earlier, neither was honesty his goal now.  His goal was simple: “I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.” (Luke 16:4)  The dishonest manager had put all his energies into making sure that his future would be secure.  And for that, the master commended him.
     Now, here is the lesson for you: The Lord will settle your account.  He will summon you to answer for yourself.  But what is past is past.  And most of what is past cannot be fixed.  The sins have been committed.  The damage has been done, and the losses cannot be reclaimed.  Rather than defend it, repent.  And rather than fixate on the past, your concern should be about the future.  The Lord will settle your account, and that is where you should put your attention.
     Your future, however, is not going to be determined by your record.  The Lord settles your account for you.  Jesus has come on your behalf.  He settles everything.  The Father assessed his Son several times in the Gospels, and every time, Jesus was declared to be God’s beloved.  Since God can only love and approve that which is holy, we know that Jesus was holy.  He was a faithful servant in God’s household, perfectly carrying out all of the duties assigned to him. 
     Jesus settled your account for you.  He did not ask how much you owed before he took on your debt.  He has covered your past with his blood.  The debt is paid.  You owe your master nothing.  Jesus spent himself completely in order to win your place in eternal dwellings.  And he sums up your account with his word from Mt. Calvary: “It is finished.” (John 19:30)  That word was used by merchants in the marketplace when customers completed their final payment.  The debt was wiped out, and the merchant declared, “It is finished!  Paid in full!”  That is Jesus’ assessment for you from the cross.  He life was spent.  His blood was spilled.  Your debt is done.  “Paid in full!  It is finished!”
     What’s more, Jesus is the steward who squanders his Father’s mercy.  He is not stingy.  He does not merely cover what has been past.  He goes on to cover your faults and failings tomorrow, too.  He continues to pour out mercy, as if he will never run out.  And do you know what?  He never does.  This is not an excuse for you to abuse his mercy, any more than you are encouraged to abuse his other gifts.  But he assures you that you are safe in his care.  There is not going to come a day when the Father says you have reached your quota of mercy and that you are done. 
     In the parable, the master did not come back to correct the manager’s forgiveness.  And in the same way, the heavenly Father will not come back and tell you that Jesus’ forgiveness was too generous or unjust.  There is not going to be a day when you hear, “You know, on second thought, that was really bad.  I can’t forgive that.”  Jesus has settled your account.  The debt is paid.  Sins are covered.  It is settled. 
     Dear Christians, your money will fail.  Your gifts will wear out.  The Lord will call you out of this world, and you will depart with nothing in your hands and nothing to you name – nothing except a Savior who has paid the price and gives you eternal dwellings.  That is all that matters.  Therefore, be shrewd, and recognize the only thing that has eternal value.  Devote yourself to your Lord Jesus Christ.  Flee to him for his gifts of mercy and forgiveness.  So do not fear your judgment.  Jesus has covered every debt.  The Lord has settled your account, and it is settled.

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

MLS Football vs. St. Louis

After a successful week against Saginaw Valley Lutheran (JV and Varsity both won), MLS took on St. Louis.  The JV played host at MLS and won handily, 34-0.  All points were scored in the first half and the second half was marked by turnovers and missed assignments.  Nevertheless, the defense managed to keep St. Louis out of the end zone.

Here is one photo from the game vs. St. Louis.  This was Andrew's picture-perfect TD pass to Casey Williams.

Friday night had the MLS varsity travelling to St. Louis.  (I really like their stadium's setting next to a stream and into the side of a hill.  Cool!) 

 

The varsity had everything go right for them and was winning 35-0 at the end of the first quarter.  Things settled down after that and MLS went on to capture a 52-14 win.

Nathanael had a GREAT night with an INT, and on offense 4 catches for 94 yards and a TD.  His one catch in the 3rd quarter fell short of the goal line by 2 yards, but was a spectacular stretched-out, diving catch (and that's not just a proud dad talking either).

Here is a photo of Nathanael's catch.  I would like to take credit for artistic license, but it is just blurry.  Hopefully, it still displays how good a catch it was.

Chapel Devotion at Huron Valley Lutheran High School (September 17, 2013)

HEBREWS 13:7,17

COME AND LISTEN, ALL YOU WHO FEAR GOD.

Respect Your Christian Leaders.
(Chapel at Huron Valley Lutheran High School; Westland, MI)

            Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you.  As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.

            Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable to you. (HCSB)

            Why do you go to church?  Why do you read your Bible?

            To know how to act?  How to serve others?  How to live well?
            You don’t have to go to church for that.  Even pagans know how to behave.  Many godless people are still nice people.  And those who do not believe in Jesus still believe that it is honorable to put in an honest day’s work, to contribute time and money to charities, and to help their neighbors when they have need.  They do not need to go to church to know that these things are right and good.  So you don’t need to go to church for that reason either.  And you don’t even need a Bible to know that these are good things.
            Why do you need a pastor?
            To offer advice?  Dr. Phil can do that.
            To give you some encouragement?  A coach or a parent can do that.
            We like to think that churches and pastors are unique because they give us moral guidance and sound advice and loving admonition.  And though pastors generally do that, so do others.  That is not what makes your church different from the world or your pastor different from a mentor or a psychologist.
            So why do you need a pastor?  Why does he deserve honor and obedience from you?
            You will find your answer in the liturgy.  In The Lutheran Hymnal (that’s the old hymnal that your teachers grew up with), the pastor spoke these words Sunday after Sunday: “…and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you in the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.”
            Whenever our Lord revealed himself to his people, he always veiled himself and hid his glory.  That was especially true of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is God who hid himself in flesh and blood.  In humility he spoke, acted, served, suffered, and died.  This is where God revealed his saving mercy to the world.  And this flesh and blood God has called flesh and blood, weak and frail men to be his ministers to proclaim, deliver, and dispense that divine mercy in his stead and by his command.
            Your pastor was called by your congregation to stand, to speak, to listen, and to act in the stead of Christ.  He is there to dispense God’s mercy and forgiveness.  He is Christ’s mouth who calls you to repent and calls you to put all your trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation.  He is Christ’s hands who pours water on those being baptized.  He is Christ’s ears who hears your confession and Christ’s mouth who proclaims absolution upon you.  He is Christ’s hands who administers the body and blood of Christ to the penitent.  You will not get that from any coach or mentor or from Dr. Phil.  But your pastor has been given to you for just this purpose.  He stands in the stead of Christ to distribute the gifts of Christ.
            That is why the writer to the Hebrews urges you to obey your leaders who speak the word of God to you. 
            Once again, you may get the idea that obeying your leaders means being good, being nice, and behaving yourself.  But you do not need your pastor for that.  As we already considered, even atheists can do these things.  Yes, your pastor wants you to live a godly life and he will encourage that.  But you obey your pastor best by doing this one thing: coming to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness in the word and sacraments.
            Your pastor will not be surprised that you sin.  He knows that you are a sinner.  (He is a sinner who has his own sins to confess, too.)  Your pastor knows you need forgiveness, comfort, and salvation.  And that is why he is grieved if you are not flocking to the Divine Service.  He is gravely concerned for you, as he must give an account for his watch over you.  And he is gravely concerned for your salvation if you are not making word and sacrament your highest priority.  And he is gravely concerned if you are not gravely concerned about your own salvation.  And he will tell you so.
            It is not profitable if you despise your pastor’s office; for he stands in the stead of Christ.  It is not profitable if you ignore your pastor’s preaching; for he proclaims the word of Christ.  And it is not profitable to you if you neglect preaching and his word.  You’ve memorized that: “We should regard it as holy and gladly hear and learn it.” (Luther’s explanation of the 3^rd Commandment)  That’s because your salvation is found there.
            You will always have temptations and other struggles.  You will also fall into temptation and be grieved by these struggles.  Your pastor will not be surprised at that.  He, too, is flesh and blood.  He knows what it is to be a sinner.  But he has been given to you to point you your Savior, Jesus Christ and to absolve you in his name.

It brings great joy to the pastor to see the people in his charge coming to hear God’s word, to confess their sins, to receive absolution, and to partake in the Lord’s Supper.  He speaks and acts in the stead of Christ to dispense God’s forgiveness and deliver his salvation.  These things are most profitable to you.  They bring everlasting joy to you who receive them.  It brings great joy to your pastor to deliver them to you.  And Jesus and the angels in heaven rejoice too.

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

A Pastoral Concern: Where did you go on Sunday?

This past Sunday we celebrated another Divine Service.  We used the Common Service (version from Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal, the official WELS hymnal). 

So this is where the Common Service took us:

To our baptism. 
          ("In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.")
To our place in this world. 
          ("Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.")
To Christmas and the angelic choir. 
          ("Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will toward men.")
To the Prophets. 
          ("A reading from the book of Exodus, the 2nd book of Moses.")
To the Apostles.
           ("A reading from St. Paul's first letter to Timothy.")
To the mouth of Jesus.
           ("The gospel for today....")
To the generations of Christians who have gone before us.  
          ("We believe in one God....")
To the prayers of King David. 
          ("Create in me a clean heart, O God.")
To the throne of God. 
           ("Our Father, who art in heaven....")
To the glories of heaven and the angelic choirs there.  
          ("Holy, holy, holy Lord God of heavenly hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory.")
To Palm Sunday. 
          ("Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest!  Blessed is he, blessed is he, 
          blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!")
To Good Friday. 
          ("Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.")
To Easter Sunday. 
          (Christ is here--not symbolically, but really.  He comes to us in the sacrament 
          and gives victory over sin and death.)
To the eternal banquet of heaven together with all the saints there.  
          ("Take and eat; the body of Christ.  Take and drink; the blood of Christ.  For you.")
Toward the grave, but now without fear. 
          ("Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace, according to your word...")
To the blessing of being marked as God's own. 
          ("The Lord bless you and keep you....")

There is no question that the historic liturgy continues to serve as a blessing for the Lord's Church.  It repeats the live and promises of Jesus and assures God's people that they will receive good things on that Sunday (especially when the sermon misses the mark or is just plain bad). 

Why would anyone want "something better"?  What IS better than this?
The Lord is good to his people, and the historic, western liturgy highlights that and repeats it every week.