Sermon -- Advent Vespers: Week 3 (December 18, 2019)

ISAIAH 40:9-11

ADVENT MESSAGES FROM ISAIAH:

Advent Points To A Person.

In the name + of Jesus.

     If you ask people about the special feelings that Christmas brings, you will hear a lot of common answers—even from people who have no interest in the church.  People will say Christmas brings peace, joy, and love.  You can find the words “Peace, Joy, and Love” stitched into hand towels or painted onto wall hangings.  I don't think anyone will fault you if you want to find peace, joy, and love at Christmas, or at any point in the year. 
     The problem, however, is that peace, joy, and love are pretty hard to locate.  For some,  peace, joy, and love are supposed to be found in a quiet, candle-lit, cozy setting.  For others, they are to be delivered by a raucous, chatter-filled party.  At least, that's how the advertisers say it's supposed to work, but rarely do our lives and homes match the ads.  Even if you can fabricate your moment of peace, joy, and love, the moment does not last.
     When Isaiah proclaimed his Advent message, he wanted sinners to know that peace, joy, and love can, indeed, be found.  In fact, they are not captured for a moment, but endure with you through all seasons, moods, and circumstances.  For Isaiah, peace, joy, and love are not abstract things.  Advent points to a person.  Peace, joy, and love are all found in Jesus.
     Peace, joy, and love tend to elude us because of sin and the consequences of sin.  Blessings are ripped away from us.  Regrets haunt us.  Fear cripples us.  When Isaiah declares, “Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him,” (Isaiah 40:10), this sounds like a threat.  If God comes with recompense, that sounds like God comes with revenge and that we are getting our comeuppance.
     It is understandable that we would feel this way.  Our own conscience testifies that we are not as good as we credit ourselves for.  While we knock ourselves out to create peace, joy, and love, we get annoyed by others who are trying to do the same thing.  We assume others are self-absorbed and rude.  We voice our judgment with an eye-roll, a groan, or even a low-toned-“I-hope-you-could-hear-that” comment.  But all we have done is demonstrate is our own self-absorbed priorities. 
     We fail to know or to care about the burdens others are carrying.  Who knows if that woman consumed with worry about her son who is deployed?  Or if that man is coping with his wife's Alzheimer's?  Or if that young lady is recovering from a miscarriage?  These people may be doing what they can just to get through the holidays.  We assume the worst of them, writing them off as annoying or rude.  If we fear God's judgment for this, it's because it is deserved.  Repent.
     Peace, joy, and love do not come naturally to sinners.  Nor can they be fabricated.  They must be given by God.  They are.  And they are not given in abstract, theoretical terms.  Advent points to a person.  Advent reminds us that a Savior comes not just to talk about blessings and healing and compassion, but to give them.
     Isaiah summons those who bear good news to raise up their voices and to declare to God's people, “Behold, the Lord GOD comes!” (Isaiah 40:10)  Since it is good news, the reward and recompense he brings is not judgment.  It is the opposite.  It is deliverance from judgment.  It is the pardoning of guilt.  It is the end of God's wrath upon sinners.  Once again, these things are not proclaimed out of thin air.  Advent points to a person.  Your God comes in the flesh to save you.  God's love is revealed in person. 
     All people recognize that love is best expressed in person.  You might get a letter from your beloved, scented with perfume or cologne.  Their smell makes you feel like they are closer, but it certainly does not replace that person.  A phone call is better, because you get to hear their voice.  If you Skype, you can even see their face.  But when that person walks through your door, you drop everything and wrap that person in a hug.  It is not that you loved your loved one less when they were away.  But love in person is much more real, tangible, and endearing.
     Therefore, God did not limit his love, his peace, and his joy to words that are preached or written.  Advent points to a person.  The Savior comes in the flesh to rescue sinners from God's wrath by taking that wrath in your place.  God's wrath is not theoretical, and therefore Jesus' crucifixion was not either.  Behold!  Your God comes to redeem sinners from their guilt by bleeding and dying as the sacrifice that pays for sins.  That payment does not happen in theory, but by God in the flesh.  God comes in the flesh to save sinners from death and renders the grave powerless by rending the tomb open in his resurrection.  Behold, the Lord GOD comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. (Isaiah 40:10)  His reward is the salvation he won by his life and death, and now he rewards you with his gifts.
     Advent points to a person.  Just as his salvation was earned by real and tangible ways, so he delivers his love, peace, and joy to you in tangible ways.  Yes, it comes by proclamation.  But he also attaches his word to water so that you are visibly, tangibly cleansed of all sin.  He attaches his word to bread and wine so that you literally taste and touch and smell and see that the Lord is good, and so that you ingest the body and blood which has paid for sins and has destroyed death.  Advent points to a person, and this person comes to you in real ways with love, peace, and joy.
     Advent points to a person whose love, peace, and joy continue through all seasons, moods, and circumstances.  Isaiah declared, “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11)  Jesus assures you, again and again, of divine love, peace, and joy.  He is the faithful shepherd who knows that you are weak and that your world is fragile.  It does not take much to bring us to tears, to become overwhelmed with stress, or to recoil at the bitterness that life makes us swallow.  This is why Jesus has come for you.  He has not only rescued you from the sin that produces death, but he also guides and carries you through the difficulties of life.  You may struggle against temptations, but his mercy endures through all of it.  You may lose many blessings in this world—wealth, reputation, and even friends.  But you never lose Jesus or his blessings.  He lives and reigns forever.  Therefore, his love remains constant.  His peace survives every disaster.  His joy sustains you even through grief. 
     Advent points to a person—a person who came to our world and knows that it is a gritty, cruel place.  But this person, Jesus, consoles you, strengthens you, and gives you a kingdom to look forward to which is everlasting peace, joy, and love.  But he does not make you wait to have these.  God is not disinterested in you; he loves you.  God is not angry with you; he has declared peace.  God does not leave you in doubt or grief; his promises produce joy. 
     Love, peace, and joy are not feelings to be fabricated; they are personified in Jesus.  Advent points to a real person who gives real blessings.

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

Lutheran Satire -- Christmas hymns

Good hymns are to proclaim the promises of God and what God done to fulfill them.  Sadly, we often get distracted by sappy and sentimental melodies that tug at our emotions that the lyrics of the song get lost.  We are not very discriminating when it comes to the lyrics because the song is pretty.  So, while some hymns are beloved, they do not proclaim God's promises and works very well.

Lutheran Satire to the rescue to highlight this fault in our discernment.  Here, Pastor Hans Fiene illustrates the difference between Lutheran hymns and Anglican hymns (though not true all the way across the board).

One final note: The ribbing at the end regarding the accent suggests you are familiar with another of Lutheran Satire's videos: Horus Ruins Christmas.  You should watch that one too.

Enjoy!

Sermon -- 3rd Sunday of Advent (December 15, 2019)

MATTHEW 11:2-11

THE SAVIOR COMES: 

RECOGNIZE WHAT HE DOES.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11:2-3)  There has been an on-going debate about John's motives for sending his disciples to ask Jesus about his identity and his mission.  Was John trying to bolster the faith of his own disciples and direct them to Jesus because John knew he was about to die?  Or was John himself having doubts about his ministry, his life, and Jesus?
     Some insist that the prophet who pointed disciples to Jesus and declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) would not be plagued by doubts about Jesus' identity.  Or consider the fact that John had baptized Jesus, heard the Father declare from heaven, “This is my beloved Son,” and saw the Holy Spirit rest upon Jesus like a dove.  Could such a powerful testimony be forgotten by John?  Could John really doubt what he had seen and heard?  Some credit John with a faith that would not flinch in the face of persecution or martyrdom.  And perhaps John had such a great faith.
     Then again, perhaps not.  John preached a fiery message of judgment and repentance.  He declared that the coming of the Christ and the kingdom of heaven would also mean judgment on the wicked.  But Jesus was going about freely—healing diseases, teaching crowds, and gaining in popularity along the way.  It was certainly not the fire and brimstone John had warned about.  No doubt, John would have appreciated a conversation with Jesus to clarify some things.  But John was in prison.  He could not get to Jesus, and Jesus was not coming to him.  So John sent his disciples to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11:2-3)  
     Perhaps you have wondered in your heart, “How do I know this stuff is true?  How do I know that Jesus is really God, or the Savior?”  If you have ever had such doubts, you are not unique.  I am inclined to believe that John the Baptist had such doubts himself.  John was a great prophet, but he was not super-human.  He had emotions and weaknesses common to all mankind.  So, if the forerunner of the Christ who actually met Jesus could have some dark, scary trials of faith, you do not need to think that there is something wrong with you if you have had such doubts.  No one wants is to be a fool.  Others may think of us as fools, and that need not bother us.  What bothers us are our own struggles and doubts.  “What if we are wrong?”  That question plagues many Christians.  And if he was about to die for this, John the Baptist certainly wanted to be assured he had not been duped.
     John did the right thing; he took his concerns to Jesus.  “He sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”  And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.  And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Matthew 11:2-6)  We might think that Jesus' reply leaves something to be desired.  Why couldn't Jesus be more direct?  “Am I the Christ?  Well, YEAH!”  But Jesus did not do that.  You might also think that Jesus' answer, “Go and tell John what you hear and see,” was a little vague.  But John knew his Old Testament, and he knew the prophecy we had heard from Isaiah in our Old Testament lesson.  So, Jesus pointed John to the words and promises of God.  It is as if Jesus were saying, “John, the prophets long ago foretold what would happen when the Christ came.  John, those promises made centuries ago are being fulfilled right now.  God has been faithful to his word, and God is faithful to you.  Fear not, John; and blessed are you for not being deceived by your own bad experiences.  The kingdom of God has come.  All is right; all is well.”
     The Savior comes: Recognize what he does.  He fulfills God's promises.  One of the promises that Isaiah had made was fulfilled only by Jesus.  Isaiah had declared,  “Behold, your God will come...  He will come and save you.  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened...” (Isaiah 35:4-5)  Even though prophets of old performed miracles, there are no miracles of the blind receiving sight.  God foretold it would happen, but it first happened when Jesus began preaching and healing.  And Jesus fulfilled all the promises foretold from the very beginning.  Now, what are the odds of all of these being fulfilled in one man?  Since God made the promises, very good.
     The Savior comes: Recognize what he does.  And blessed are you who are not offended by Jesus.  One of the reasons we face doubts is because this world does not work the way we think it should.  Every Sunday, the Prayer of the Day confesses that Jesus “lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.”  If Jesus lives and reigns over all—“King of kings and Lord of lords,” as the Bible declares—then why do we see and experience so many difficulties?  Why are there war and poverty on earth?  Why are there schisms and fighting in the church?  Why are Christians so familiar with sickness and sorrow?  Unlike John the Baptist, our problems don't rise to the level of imprisonment and execution, but that doesn't mean our problems don't hurt.  We have been brought into the kingdom of God, but it doesn't look or feel like it.  There is no fire and brimstone upon the enemies of Jesus and his Church.  There is no healing of bodies or cure of societal ills among God's people.  Shouldn't Jesus be doing something different, or have a better influence on the world, or even us?  We didn't get it wrong, did we?  The doubts nag at us.
     The Savior comes: Recognize what he does.  When John sent his disciples to Jesus with his difficult question, Jesus pointed John to the Scriptures.  And that is where Jesus will point you, as well.  Faith does not trust what we see and feel.  We see sin and death.  We feel disappointment, sorrow, and failure. But faith trusts what God says, not what we see and feel.  God's love is not measured by how well things are going.  God's love is revealed in how much Jesus suffered for you.
     The Savior comes: Recognize what he does.  He has declared, “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.  Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)  John knew the prophecies about Jesus, and he was the final prophet to prepare the way for the Lord.  But John never saw the fulfillment of Jesus' work as the Savior.  You who have been brought into the kingdom of God know all that Jesus fulfilled.  Jesus had foretold that he would be rejected and condemned, betrayed, crucified, and on the third day rise from the dead.  These are things that cannot be faked.  They would show either that Jesus was a liar, or that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel, and the Savior of the world.  All that was foretold both by the Scriptures and by Jesus, Jesus fulfilled.  No one has ever made such claims and then did exactly what he said he would do.  Jesus did.  Therefore, there is no one else to look for or to wait for.  Your Savior has come.  His resurrection from the dead removes all doubt.  Your sins are forgiven.  Death will be swallowed up by life.  And heaven is yours—where we will be delivered from the fire and brimstone John spoke of, where all ills will be cured, where all failures will be turned  into perfection, and where we will be delivered from every evil forevermore.
     The Savior comes: Recognize what he does.  He does all that the Father had sent him to do.  He fulfills every promise God has made regarding your salvation.  He overturns the curse of sin and will deliver us from all the effects of sin.  He removes all doubts about God's love for you and about your place in his kingdom.  He proclaims good news to you so that you will find comfort despite your hardships.  Jesus' good news cannot even be nullified by imprisonment, persecution, or martyrdom.  Though John the Baptist's life on earth would come to a violent end shortly after this, John's life in God's kingdom was intact and still goes on.
     The promises which consoled and sustained John serve the same purpose for you, too.   The Savior comes: Recognize what he does.  He speaks good news again and again so that you will not be left to doubt God's love when things go badly and so that you will remain focused, comforted, and confident of the peace Jesus brings to you and of the glory he will bring you to.

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

Farewell and God's blessings to Rev. Ismael & Mercedes Sialer

This afternoon, a number of WELS pastors and a few of their wives in the Detroit area met at Mi Pueblo restaurant in Detroit to say Farewell and God's blessings to Rev Ismael Sialer and to his wife, Mercedes.  Pastor and Mrs. Sialer had left Peru to come to America for some business venture.  In the process, Pastor Sialer ended up studying at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary to become a pastor.  He served at Palabra de Vida Lutheran Church in Detroit for about six years.  In that time, he made hundreds of contacts with people in the Hispanic community in the Mexicantown area of Detroit.  Along with his associate, Pastor Ryan Kolander, Pastor Sialer saw God bless his work tremendously at Palabra de Vida.

But now, Pastor Sialer is retiring, and he and his wife are returning to Peru.  Pastor Sialer has already spoken of plans to start new congregations once he gets there.  Godspeed and God's blessings to you, Pastor & Mrs. Sialer (pictured lower right).  We will likely not meet again until we see each other in heavenly glory (although Pastor Sialer did offer a place to stay if I ever go to Peru).

Update from Good Shepherd (December 12, 2019)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE

        Divine Services are Sundays at 10:00 AM.

        Sunday School is on Sundays at 8:45 AM.

        Adult Bible Class is on Sundays at 8:45 AM.

        Adult Bible Class will be working our way through the book of 2 Samuel.  We will consider how God worked in the life of David who foreshadows the Son of David.  NOTE: Wednesday classes are suspended until January 8.

CHRISTMAS OUTREACH
Postcards are available for you to give or to mail to people to invite them to our Christmas services.  You are also encouraged to share Facebook posts or send people to Good Shepherd's web page for information about our Christmas schedule.  Outreach is the job of all of us, and this good news of great joy which is meant for all people should be made known to all people.

Christmas cookie exchange 
On Sunday, December 15, members who are interested should bring 2 - 4 dozen Christmas cookies or baked goods. We will have plates available to choose a few dozen cookies so That you have a nice cookie assortment to take home and enjoy.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
Christmas poinsettias will be available to purchase and take home after the children’s Christmas service 12/22. Cost will be $10.  Donations can be given to Susan Shipe, Cathy Mowers, or place the money in an envelope in the offering plate marked “Poinsettia.”  There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Room.

ADVENT VESPERS
We prepare for the coming of the Savior with repentance as we prayerfully, quietly, and eagerly await our Savior.  Our Advent Vespers services focus on the promises made by God which have been fulfilled in the coming of our Savior.  This year's Advent theme is: Advent Messages from Isaiah.
     December 18 – Advent points to a person.  (Isaiah 40:9-11)
A supper will be served at 6:00 PM (free will offering).  Vespers begins at 7:00 PM.

DECEMBER SCHEDULE
        There will be a lot going on in December, so here is a glance at what the schedule is.  If any times or dates should change, you will be notified.  If you have any questions, call the church office.
December 15 Sunday School Christmas rehearsal  (11:30 AM – 1:00 PM; lunch provided)
December 18 Mid-Week Advent (Supper – 6:00 PM; Vespers – 7:00 PM)
December 21 Sunday School Christmas dress rehearsal  (9:00 - 10:30  AM)
December 22 Children's Christmas pageant – 10:00 AM
December 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – 7:00 PM
December 25 Christmas Day Festival Service – 10:00 AM

NOTES from Huron Valley Lutheran High School (HVL)

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

--- Christmas Concert - Dec 15 
       You are invited to join us for our annual Christmas concert on Sunday, December 15, at 3:00 PM in the HVL gymnasium.

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. 

DOOR OFFERING FOR A MISSIONARY

         Pastor Ismael Sialer is retiring December 31 after 6 1/2 years serving Palabra de Vida. He and  his wife Mercedes plan to move back to Peru.  Palabra de Vida is not really in a position to cover the expenses for this move, which are estimated to be about $4,500.  Members of Good Shepherd who are so moved may give a free will offering to show appreciation for his work and to help him with moving expenses. Contributions will be sent to Palabra de Vida after December 15.  Pastor & Mercedes Sialer will be leaving for Peru in January.

REDFORD PREGNANCY CARE CENTER
The Redford Pregnancy Care Center is eager to enjoy a greater participation with the WELS congregations who so graciously support this charitable work.  In the past, the role of the center was mostly to offer free pregnancy tests to concerned women, to give encouragement to cherish the child they were carrying so that they would carry their child to term and give birth, and to witness with the Gospel as much as possible.  With pregnancy tests so readily available from many sources, that kind of interaction doesn't happen much anymore.  The role of the center has become much more a source of support for the women who have given birth and now whose concern is caring for their children.  The Redford Pregnancy Care Center, therefore, is mainly a center for charitable aid to struggling mothers/families.  Of course, the encouragement to cherish life and witnessing with the Gospel remain a strong emphasis.
In order to continue our service to mothers and families, we think it is important to have our congregations aware and engaged in this ministry.  We hope to increase and improve the communications on our end so that you know the connections we are making with people.   And we hope that these connections will lead to people connecting with our congregations.  

For now, we are hoping to increase awareness by asking you to like our Facebook page.  Search for “The Pregnancy Care Center” and follow us for updates. 

BAD WEATHER POLICY FOR SERVICES AT GOOD SHEPHERD
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 cappella singing and/or spoken liturgy, but we will be here.
        Bible Classes and meetings may be canceled due to weather.  Check your email regarding announcements to see if any of those scheduled events is canceled.  If there is no email about it, it is not canceled.  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.

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

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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

Lutheran Satire -- Horus ruins Christmas

It is getting close to Christmas, and as sure as you can circle December 25 on your calendar, you can be just as sure that some people will tell you that your Christmas celebrations are pagan, or at least of pagan origins.  I could refer you to scholarly articles which debunk those claims, but why do that when you can get the same information in an entertaining video?

Lutheran Satire alleviates your concerns, addresses the claims, exposes their falsehood, and gives you a few laughs as well.  Enjoy!

Sermon -- 2nd Sunday in Advent (December 8, 2019)

MATTHEW 3:1-12

THE SAVIOR COMES: REPENT.

In the name + of Jesus.

     I don't know if you would ever want John the Baptist to be your pastor or not.  John was not a lot of laughs.  He had no time for small talk.  He was not subtle.  God sent him into the world to prepare the way for the Lord and to make his paths straight.  As Scripture records John's ministry, he did that very well.  In fact, it seems that he didn't do anything else.  John preached with blunt force and was unapologetically direct.  John the Baptist is like the coach who rarely gives you a compliment, but is quick to tell you what you are doing wrong.  If you are seeking praise, you will hate him.  If you recognize you need to be corrected, you will welcome his blunt words.  You might wish he were nicer, but you know he's not wrong.
     John's message was this: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2)  The reign of God was going to come upon earth.  You and I usually think in terms of us being taken up to heaven.  John the Baptist speaks in the exact opposite direction.  It is not that we will go up to God; it is that God will come down here to us!  And when John proclaims that the reign of God comes to us, he speaks in terms of judgment and even hellfire.  For this is what John says: “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees.  Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 3:10)  
     Our holy God wants to see holy people.  That is why he looks for good fruit and will destroy those in whom he does not find it.  The Psalms would have us ponder: “Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?  And who shall stand in his holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.  He will receive blessing from the LORD.” (Psalm 24:3-5)  If our hearts and hands are not clean, then our works will not be clean either.  This is why John calls us to repent before our holy God.
     If there is one thing that makes people uneasy about God, it is that he is holy.  God has no sin in himself, and does not tolerate sin in any other.  In order to make God seem less threatening, many churches have adapted their worship to be more pleasing to people.  It presents God as one who need not be feared.  No one kneels before him; God bends to the way man wants to approach him.  God is proclaimed as a guy who enjoys a good time like the rest of us.  There is no need to get too uptight about this God.  He's cool, and all.
     This is NOT the God whom John the Baptist proclaimed or whom Scripture reveals.  The prophet Moses hid his face from God.  The apostle Peter was terrified in the Lord's presence and begged him to go away.  The prophet Isaiah testified that he was a dead man in the presence of God.  St. John fell at the Lord's feet as though dead.  If that is how the prophets and apostles reacted before God, what do you make of the God who is chummy and entertaining?  John the Baptist's message to repent doesn't really fit there.  John told us what God coming to earth would bring: “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:12)  That which does not bear the fruit God is looking for will be cast away into the fire that never goes out.  The punishment is everlasting.  Therefore, John declares: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2)  
     John's most scathing remarks come at the expense of the religious leaders of his day.  The Pharisees were the rabbis who taught in all the synagogues in Judea and Galilee.  The Sadducees were the upper crust of Jerusalem who worked in the temple.  They were admired by the people, but they were not admired by John.  He says why: “You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.  And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” (Matthew 3:7-9)  John did not rebuke them because they were religious or clergy, as if that were bad.  John rebuked them because of what they trusted in.  They did not see any need to repent.  They did not sense any real need for a Savior.  They believed they had a good standing before God.  To tell them to repent was insulting to them.
     The Savior is coming: Repent.  It is not insulting for us to hear the call to repent.  For, you and I still have sins with which we are comfortable or sins which we are prone to.  We know that we should repent of these things, but repentance that remains theoretical is useless.  If a child tells his parents, “I know I should obey your rules,” but then disobeys anyway, his parents will not credit him saying, “Well, at least he knew what we wanted.”  Or tell your boss, “I will always show up to work on time,” and then don't.  You will not be praised for knowing his expectations if you don't do them.  Knowing you should do something and not doing it is both useless and insulting.  How much more when it is before the Lord!  “Lord, I know I should control my anger.  Lord, I know I shouldn't gossip.  I know I should pray and ponder God's word.”  This is not repentance at all.  Sins are to be rooted out and fought against.  And yes, that is a struggle; even a battle.  But this is life in the Church Militant.  We all are called to fight against sin as it brings wrath from God and harm to our neighbor.  Just as sin is not bad only in theory, so also we do not repent only in theory.
     The Savior comes: Repent!  John the Baptist tells us that God seeks true repentance when he says, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8)  If you know God is seeking this, you might recognize just how weak you are in it.  And this is precisely why even religious people still need a Savior.  You know that Jesus has come to deliver you from sin and judgment.  You know that Jesus took your sin and died under your judgment; and yet you still fall prey to sins and fear God's judgment.  You know that  in baptism the Lord set you apart from a curse and set you apart for a godly life.  And yet your godly life is still not what it could be and should be.  You know that Jesus rose from the dead and lives and reigns to assure you victory over Satan, the Accuser.  And yet, Satan still seduces you with temptations and then accuses you when you do what he tempted you to do. 
     Somehow, the mere knowledge of Jesus' sufferings, death, and resurrection is not enough.  And it isn't.  You are not saved by knowledge of facts; even the devil has that.  You are saved by faith, and faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)  Faith in the word of Christ means genuine repentance which despises sin, which takes God's promises to heart, and which seeks to do the good that God desires.  Faith means that God works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)  You are saved by faith in Jesus whose pierced hands and heart cleanse you from all wickedness and produce in you all that is good.  Therefore, if you abide in Christ and he abides in you, you bear much fruit. (John 15:5)
     The Savior comes: Repent!  The life of a Christian is one of continual repentance.  Satan will always tempt us.  The world with its ungodly attitudes will always urge us to join in its rebellion or at least to agree with them that it is good or funny.  Our own sinful flesh delights in its sins and gets lazy and tired in the fight against temptations.  We cannot stand on our own.  But we have a Savior.  He has ransomed you from the devil; the price he paid to set you free was his own sacred life.  He has set you apart from the world.  So if the world despises you or mocks you because you are different, it is because you are.  You do not go along with the likes of Pharisees or Sadducees who take pride in how good they are.  Nor do you follow the world which delights in drunkenness, lust, and greed.  You are saints living in a sinful world.  Jesus has even delivered you from yourself.  Jesus has made you a new creation which recognizes that love is devoted to the will of God and to the good of others, not to the glory of oneself. 
     The Savior comes.  The very fruits of repentance that God seeks in you Jesus produces in you.  Both repentance and good works are worked in you as you remain devoted to the word.  Jesus produces them in you as you partake of the body and blood which have redeemed you from sin and death.  If you want to be free from judgment and hellfire, then flee to the one who alone delivers you from them.  John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the one who takes away the sin of the world.  And Jesus delivers his salvation to you through word and sacrament.  This is where you find deliverance from judgment.  This is where God cleanses you and makes you fruitful.  This is how your Savior comes today.  And this is where the repentant find peace and hope.

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