Thursday, July 17, 2025

Something from ... Christian Life Resources about cohabitation before marriage

It has become commonplace for couples to move in together before they even consider marriage.  It is so common that even Christians have adopted this as a normal order of a relationship.  This is NOT what God has designed.  

In the letter to the Hebrews, the inspired writer states God's will: "Marriage is to be held in honor by all, and the marriage bed is to be kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers" *(Hebrews 13:4).  Jesus repeated God's design which was established back in the Garden of Eden: “Haven’t you read that from the beginning their Maker ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will be one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate" (Matthew 19:4-6).  We note that Jesus does not promote a move-in-and-try-it stage, but a union, that is, marriage.  Since this is God's design, it is good.  And within the union of marriage, sex is good.  Some translations even use the expression "pure" (e.g., NIV).  Any deviation from God's design is sin.

Cohabitation does not honor marriage or the marriage bed.  This deviation from God's word is not only sinful, it is also destructive.  God blesses those who honor his word.  People bring grief and a curse upon themselves for rebelling against God's word.  It does not matter how well-intentioned people are or how nice they are.  Cohabiting couples are sinning against God and his design for marriage.  And before anyone pleads about how committed they are in their live-in situation, I would ask, "If you are so committed, then why haven't you gotten married?"  That would proclaim before God and all the world how committed you are to each other.

The destructive nature of cohabitation was recently documented in an email from Christian Life Resources.  The statistics do not make any moral judgments about cohabitation (God's word does that); but they do show that cohabitation results in far more damage to families and children than most people would realize.  As a rule, it does not produce strong families.  

These statistics can be ignored to the detriment of children.  God's word can be ignored to the detriment of one's eternal well-being.  Take heed to the stats and to God's word.  Repent if it is necessary.  Reserve yourself for marriage if you are single.  Do not adopt worldly attitudes and behavior.  Jesus lived and died to pay for our sins and to set us apart from wickedness.  We rejoice in his gracious forgiveness, and we devote ourselves to his designs because they are good.

Here is something from Christian Life Resources:

The Plight of Harmed Children

Over the years, it seems that stories of neglected and abused children have increased. Some have suggested that the increasing numbers indicate better reporting. Others have argued that it represents a decline in the societal value of human life, particularly the value of children. Regardless of where you stand on that debate, the numbers are significantly alarming and provide valuable insight.


  • About 1 in 4 American children today are born to cohabiting parents. The number of cohabiting couples with children under 18 nearly tripled from 1.2 million (1996) to 3.1 million (2014). 
  • Children of cohabiting parents are three times more likely to experience the breakup of their family during their parents’ twenties than children born to married parents. Nearly half (about 50%) of parents cohabiting at the child’s birth break up within five years, compared to only 20% of married parents.
  • Children living with married parents are less likely to be abused/neglected. A CDC study found single-parent children had more than double the risk of being physically abused or neglected.
  • Children of single parents are twice as likely to have emotional and behavioral problems (8%) as those from two-parent households (4%).
  • Children in divorced homes were twice as likely to be absent from school for 11+ days in a year because of illness or injury, compared to children in two-parent homes (6% vs. 3%).
  • In Sweden, children raised by single parents were twice as likely to experience severe psychiatric disorders, suicide attempts, or alcohol addiction.
  • Children in married-couple households: 11% poverty rate. Children in cohabiting opposite-sex couple households: 47% poverty rate. Children in single-mother households: 48% poverty rate
  • Data from the Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect indicate that children living with biological cohabiting parents are over four times more likely to be physically, sexually, or emotionally abused than those living with married biological parents.
  • Children living with cohabiting biological parents show worse social, psychological, and educational results compared to those with married parents, even after controlling for race, income, and parental education. Outcomes include higher rates of drug use, depression, and school dropout.[1] 


Takeaway: While cohabitation may superficially resemble marriage, it does not provide the same level of safety, stability, or well-being for children as married-parent families. To put it another way, based solely on statistics and the understanding that children are needed to perpetuate the human race, it is in the best interest of children to be born into a traditional two-parent marriage rather than the alternatives.

[1] Source: https://tinyurl.com/yskupu92; https://tinyurl.com/yvxl2qdj

Update from Good Shepherd (July 17, 2025)

Greetings!

SUMMER SCHEDULE 

Divine Service is Sunday at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School & Adult Bible Classes resume in September.

          The summer schedule will run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. There will be no Sunday School or Adult Bible Class. Divine Services will be at 10:00 AM.
          If you will be away for the weekend, alternative local options include St. Paul's (17810 Farmington Road, Livonia) which offers a service on Thursdays at 6:30 PM; St. Peter's (1343 Penniman Ave., Plymouth) which offers a service on Mondays at 7:00 PM; and Peace (9415 Merriman Ave., Livonia) which offers a service on Mondays at 7:00 PM.
          If you are traveling, consult the WELS Church Locator to find a WELS church near your destination. You may want to call to confirm the worship time(s) as their schedule may change for the summer months.

CALENDAR: For a calendar of events and meetings, click here.

SUMMER SERMON SERIES
          On the Sundays in July and August, we will meditate on the Lord’s Prayer.  You can find the schedule here.

BBQ THURSDAYS
          We are looking for people who are willing to host an evening of summer fun and fellowship on Thursday evenings. While the host family provides burgers, hotdogs, or your preference, other members are encouraged to bring other dishes to round out the menu. Contact the host family to indicate how you can help.
          So far, we have the following hosts:
                    August 7 -- Family Food & Fun Night at Good Shepherd. (We will have a food truck and yard games.)
          Bring your own beverages.  You may also want to bring some lawn chairs for yourself.  Feel free to invite friends to these events!  

ROAD CONSTRUCTION
          Be aware that west-bound traffic on 9 Mile Road is closed between Haggerty and Meadowbrook. There is no known date for the end of this project.

          Update: Paving on west-bound 9 Mile Road continues.

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (July)

>    Here are some dates for upcoming events.  Please join us and invite friends to enjoy these events too.

          Family Fun Night with a Food Truck – August 7 (6:00 – 8:00 PM)
          Church Picnic -- Sunday, September 7 (place TBD)
          BBQ Thursdays – We are looking for some people to host an evening in your backyard with members of Good Shepherd. It is a relaxing evening among friends.

We welcome members to join us and to help plan these various events. Even if you take charge of one event, that will benefit us all.

>  We will be looking for more estimates to replace the windows in the chapel. 

Photos for our pictorial directory will be taken on four different Sundays after church.  The dates will be: August 10; August 24; September 7; and September 21.  A sign-up sheet has been posted at church for you to select a date.  We encourage all our members to take part in this to make our pictorial directory as useful as possible.

STEWARDSHIP & EVANGELISM MEETINGS
          We will be meeting after church on Sunday, July 27 to plan and organize events that will take place through the rest of 2025. If you can offer ideas or help out with any one of these events, please join us.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from  June 22, 2025: 
Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, June 22, 2025

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
          The pastor will be a little looser in observing formal office hours in the summer (usually, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon). During the summer months, it is more enjoyable to read outside than in the office, weather permitting. Call or text to confirm any meetings with the pastor (248-719-5218).

INTRODUCTION VIDEO FOR GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH
          Here is a video to introduce people to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi. Share it as much as you can.

DO YOU LIKE US?
          Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook. Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings. Be sure to share posts with friends.

SHARE THIS POST!
          We desire as many as possible to rejoice in the Gospel which we proclaim and confess. Share the information from our weekly email blast, links to our web page, and even to the pastor's blog to let others know that we have a space in our congregation for them!

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

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

 SUMMER SCHEDULE

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG
www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com 

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Sermon -- Summer Sermon Series: Lord's Prayer, 1st Petition (July 13, 2025)

LUKE 11:1-2

HALLOWED BE THY NAME.

In the name + of Jesus.

    When the Lord spoke to Moses, he made a strange statement.  He said, “I am the LORD.  I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name, the LORD, I was not known to them” (Exodus 6:2-3).  What makes this statement so strange is that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did know the name of the Lord.  They called upon his name and proclaimed it to others.  So, what did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob not know which Moses would see and know?  It was that the Lord would reveal himself to Moses and all Israel as the God who delivers his people.  Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob only received promises.  Moses and Israel would see God in action.  They would see the Lord’s judgment against his foes in the plagues of Egypt.  They would see the Lord’s gracious deliverance through the Passover, at the passage through the Red Sea, and at the destruction of Pharaoh’s army. 

     It is no surprise, then, that the Lord’s name was treated with great reverence by Moses and the people of Israel.  The Lord even gave a commandment about it.  He declared, “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not permit anyone who misuses his name to escape unpunished” (Exodus 20:7).  God’s name is to be regarded as holy.  His name is to be honored because God is to be honored. 

     The word “God” is a pretty generic name.  All religions worship a god or gods.  The names for that deity vary.  But all people know there is a god.  God makes himself known through his creation.  This world did not come about by chance.  It is too orderly for that.  The intricacies of our bodies, the creativity of our minds, the beauty of forests, flowers, and sunsets, the variety of animals—all of these testify to a grand designer.  It shows that God is powerful, wise, and kind.  But it does not tell us who this God is.

     All people also know there is a God because of our consciences.  Your conscience testifies that there is a standard of right and wrong.  Someone set that standard, and your conscience tells you that you are accountable to him.  Why else would you feel guilty?  So, there is a God who is holy, just, and to whom we are accountable.  But once again, it does not tell us who that God is.  God must make himself known for us to know that.

     The Lord has made his name known to us in the Bible.  Through the prophets and the apostles, and especially through Jesus Christ, God reveals who he is.  God’s name includes everything about him—all his titles, what he is like, what he desires, and what he forbids. 

      When we pray, “Hallowed be thy name,” our prayer is not that we would make God’s name holy.  We do not make God’s name holy.  That would be like asking us to make the sun bright or to make fire hot.  The Lord is holy.  So is his name.  The point is not to make God’s name holy; the point is that we do nothing to desecrate or dishonor the name of the Lord.  It is to be cherished and praised and proclaimed.

     But we have dishonored God’s name by assigning to God our own agendas.  We exalt our preferences and our opinions.  We exalt our likes and dislikes, and assume that God shares them.  This allows us to condemn anyone who disagrees with us.  But to assign God’s name to our opinions and preferences is an assault on God’s name.  To support behavior we like or to condemn people for ideas we hate in God’s name is a gross misuse of God’s name.  The Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name like this.  We are worthy of God’s striking us down.

     But God has revealed himself as the God who saves.  Out of love for all people, the Lord sent his Son to save us from the judgment we have earned.  The Lord does not strike us down.  Instead, he struck down his only begotten Son in our place.  Jesus has provided a far greater deliverance than the Lord performed at the Red Sea.  Jesus did not merely deliver us from the terror of death; he delivered us from the torment of hell.  He did this by suffering that torment for us.  He received into himself the accusation for all our sins.   Then he put himself under the full judgment of the Father.  This has been revealed so that you know you have a loving Father who desires your salvation.  This is why we hold our Lord’s name in such high regard and treat it as holy.  For, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). 

     The Lord not only delivered you from your sin, he also put his name upon you.  You were baptized, “In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).  In your baptism, the Lord marked you as his very own.  You bear his name—the name which is above every other name, and the only name that saves.  Just as the Lord’s name is holy, so he has made you holy in his sight.  He has set you apart from sin, death, and the devil; and he has set you apart for a life of godly living.

     Jesus taught us to pray, “Hallowed be thy name.”  Since God’s name is holy, our prayer is that we keep it holy.  There are two ways in which God’s name could be dishonored and desecrated by us.  The first is based on how we live.  If we bear the name of God, then we are to act like God’s people.  We are to live according to his word.  If you were a reckless child, your parents disciplined you.  One reason is because you were wrong and they wanted to spare you of more serious consequences later in life.  But another reason is that your bad behavior sullied the family name.  If you were wicked, that was a reflection of your parents.  They made it clear that they expected better from you.

     Even atheists expect that.  If a Christian is obscene, a liar, an adulterer, a drunkard, a thief, and so on, the atheist will judge you for failing to be what you say you are.  The atheist may reject God’s standard (though he is not excused from it), but he expects that Christians will abide by it.  He will mock you and condemn you if you violate it.  And you will deserve it.  God’s name is sullied when God’s people are rebellious and rude and self-righteous.

     When this happens, you may be charged as a hypocrite.  A hypocrite pretends to be a Christian but does not repent of his sin.  A Christian, however, does not pretend he is not a sinner.  You freely confess your sins and out them off.  You call upon the name of the Lord for mercy and for forgiveness.  You can do this because you know that, for his name’s sake, the Lord forgives sinners.  For his name’s sake, the Lord is merciful and gracious.  For his name’s sake, the Lord will lead you in paths of righteousness.  This is why we praise the name of our Lord.  It is the only name by which we are saved, comforted, and strengthened for godly living.

     “Hallowed be thy name.”  His name remains holy among us when we live according to his word, and when we teach his word faithfully.  “Whoever teaches and lives contrary to God’s word dishonors God’s name among us” (Luther’s Small Catechism: Lord’s Prayer).   Consider a crass example of a false teaching.  While I was channel surfing on the radio some years back, I caught the tail end of a religious broadcast.  Now, I understand that it costs money to broadcast a show like that, so I was not put off by the appeal for financial support.  However, the host of the show promised, “For every dollar you send in to support this show, God will give you that dollar back.”  Of course, God does not make any such promise.  But if someone believed that preacher’s word and he did not get his dollar back, he would conclude that God is a liar.  Or at least, that God’s preachers are swindlers.  If that is what people who preach God’s word are like, he will never listen to God’s word again. 

     “Hallowed be thy name.”  His name remains holy among us when we teach his word faithfully, “but whoever teaches … contrary to God’s word dishonors God’s name among us” (Luther’s Small Catechism: Lord’s Prayer).  False teachings are usually not that blatant.  The devil knows that blatant lies will be recognized, but subtle twisting can deceive because it sounds like the truth.  So, God’s word is distorted just a little bit. 

     Consider something so important as how a person is saved.  All Christians acknowledge that Jesus died to pay for sins, but many add their own works to Jesus’ work.  They say that you need to live a good life to be saved.  On the one hand, the Bible does, indeed, teach that we are to flee from sins and strive for godliness.  Those who don’t have a faith that is dead.  What St Paul wrote in today’s letter to the Galatians stands true.  But if your behavior is necessary for salvation, this puts the burden of salvation right back on you.  It destroys any comfort you can have and leaves you in perpetual doubt.  Who do you think wants you to doubt your place in the kingdom of God—the devil or Jesus?  The devil subtly twists God’s word.  While good works are God’s will for the Christian, it is not good works that save.  Jesus saves.  The good works follow, but they do not contribute.

     There are countless other examples of God’s word being distorted.  Our world insists that the Church needs to get with the times if it wants to stay relevant.  The way we are supposed to do that is to jettison parts of God’s word.  If we did, our congregation might build a nice name for itself among unbelievers.  But God’s name would be denied by us, and he would deny knowing our names. 

     But you have been set apart from that.  God has put his name on you.  God has put his word into your heart so that you believe it, cherish it, and confess it.  God has put his word into your hands so that you will not be deceived by those who teach different gods.  Before you depart from God’s house, he will put his name upon you in the benediction.  Why?  It is just as he promised the priests of Israel: “In this way they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:27).  

     The Lord has put his name upon you.  He is yours, and you are his.  As a child of God, you strive to be like Jesus.  As one who has been entrusted with God’s word, you want to devote yourself to it and confess it rightly.  As one whose name is written in the Book of Life, you cherish the God who marked you for salvation.  As one upon whom God has written his name, you praise and proclaim his name in all you say and do.  “Hallowed be thy name.  God’s name is certainly holy by itself, but we pray in this petition that we, too, may keep it holy” (Luther’s Small Catechism: Lord’s Prayer).  His holy ones rejoice in his holy name; for it is the only name that saves.

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

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Update from Good Shepherd (July 10, 2025)

Greetings!

SUMMER SCHEDULE 

Divine Service is Sunday at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School & Adult Bible Classes resume in September.

          The summer schedule will run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. There will be no Sunday School or Adult Bible Class. Divine Services will be at 10:00 AM.
          If you will be away for the weekend, alternative local options include St. Paul's (17810 Farmington Road, Livonia) which offers a service on Thursdays at 6:30 PM; St. Peter's (1343 Penniman Ave., Plymouth) which offers a service on Mondays at 7:00 PM; and Peace (9415 Merriman Ave., Livonia) which offers a service on Mondays at 7:00 PM.
          If you are traveling, consult the WELS Church Locator to find a WELS church near your destination. You may want to call to confirm the worship time(s) as their schedule may change for the summer months.

CALENDAR: For a calendar of events and meetings, click here.

SUMMER SERMON SERIES
          On the Sundays in July and August, we will meditate on the Lord’s Prayer.  You can find the schedule here.

BBQ THURSDAYS
          We are looking for people who are willing to host an evening of summer fun and fellowship on Thursday evenings. While the host family provides burgers, hotdogs, or your preference, other members are encouraged to bring other dishes to round out the menu. Contact the host family to indicate how you can help.
          So far, we have the following hosts:
                    July 10 -- Ken & Jen Reisig (arrive at 6:00 PM)
                    August 7 -- Family Food & Fun Night at Good Shepherd. (We will have a food truck and yard games.)
          Bring your own beverages.  You may also want to bring some lawn chairs for yourself.  Feel free to invite friends to these events!  

ROAD CONSTRUCTION
          Be aware that west-bound traffic on 9 Mile Road is closed between Haggerty and Meadowbrook. There is no known date for the end of this project.

          Update: Paving on west-bound 9 Mile Road continues.

OPEN FORUM HIGHLIGHTS (June)

>    The renovation of the kitchen at the church has been completed!  A few additional amenities are expected.  A portable coffee bar will likely be purchased in the near future.  Many thanks to Bob W., Ken D., Mark H., Jim D., Ken R., and probably others.

>   Our Evangelism & Stewardship Committees met to set up some tentative dates of interest:

            Family Fun Night with a Food Truck – August 7 (6:00 – 8:00 PM)

            BBQ Thursdays – We are looking for some people to host an evening in your backyard with members of Good Shepherd.  It is a relaxing evening among friends.

We welcome members to join us and to help plan these various events. Even if you take charge of one event, that will benefit us all.

>  Options to replace the windows in the chapel got one final look.  The windows, original since 1991, are single-paned and should be replaced with double-paned windows.  Regardless of any replacement for the windows, they will need to be re-caulked.  Action, based on feedback, will likely take place in July.    

>  We plan to replace the existing water fountain with a filling station.

>  Members are encouraged to invite and bring friends to church.  If someone is reluctant to come to church, the pastor is willing to meet people in a different setting to address any questions or concerns people have about church, the Bible, or other matters.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from  June 22, 2025: 
Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, June 22, 2025

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
          The pastor will be a little looser in observing formal office hours in the summer (usually, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon). During the summer months, it is more enjoyable to read outside than in the office, weather permitting. Call or text to confirm any meetings with the pastor (248-719-5218).

INTRODUCTION VIDEO FOR GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH
          Here is a video to introduce people to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi. Share it as much as you can.

DO YOU LIKE US?
          Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook. Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings. Be sure to share posts with friends.

SHARE THIS POST!
          We desire as many as possible to rejoice in the Gospel which we proclaim and confess. Share the information from our weekly email blast, links to our web page, and even to the pastor's blog to let others know that we have a space in our congregation for them!

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

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

 SUMMER SCHEDULE

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG
www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com 

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Something from ... Norman Nagel on sins against God

Our world does not deny that sins are real.  But the world does limit our sins only to what offends another person.  The world would reduce the Ten Commandments to "Do no harm."  That's fine as far as it goes.  I do not want to hurt or harm my neighbor.  But that commandment, "Do not harm," also allows my to have no concern for my neighbor.  I can ignore him.  And although I have done him no harm, neither have I done him any good.

The Bible does not begin with, "Love your neighbor as yourself."  This is the second commandment.  The first and greatest commandment is, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30).  The world ignores any accountability or responsibility to God.  What I do in the privacy of my house or when no one is watching will not harm my neighbor.  The world responds: "No witnesses?  No sins!"  But God sees and knows.  He knows all my secrets thoughts and motives.  And he holds my accountable for them.  

Rev. Norman Nagel discusses this accountability in a sermon on the Festival of the Holy Innocents.  The whole sermon is worthy of reading, but these paragraphs nicely summarize why my accountability to God as his creature matters.  (He does get to the Gospel promises later, so his sermon does not disappoint.)  Here is something from Norman Nagel:

            “We do not grow in stature by merely looking at Herod and saying what a wicked man he was.  For growth, first comes repentance, the recognition of our sins of putting ourselves first and the various ways we have of putting others second.  However, we have not yet seen the true horror of sin so long as we have only looked at the damage that sin causes between us.  The full and hideous enormity of sin is seen only when we recognize the damage that it does between us and God.  If sin is only what hurts my neighbor, it is not such a problem.  I, then, can do whatever I like, so long as I don’t injure others.  This is the level of morality of many with whom we associate.  This is, however, rank rebellion against God, for it excludes God, denies that He is Lord, dethrones God, and has us take over the role of God.  You can’t push almighty God around like that and get away with it.  When we try to overthrow God, it is not God who comes to grief.

            “The first fact about us is that we are creatures of God.  This is what God made us to be, and if we insist on being something else, we are not what God wants.  Therefore, we have coming to us the wrath and rejection of God.  This direct insult and exclusion of God is not unrelated to our sins against others; rather, it is the cause.  If I refuse to recognize myself as a creature of God, then, naturally, I also fail to recognize my neighbor as a creature of God.  Then I do not value and deal with my neighbor according to his or her connection with God but only according to the connection with me.  If my neighbor is not understood in connection with God, then he or she has value to me only as he or she is useful to me and I feel free to push him or her around to suit my convenience.

            “Facts, however, are not changed by denying them.  No matter how much I may deny it and act contrary to it, I cannot ever change the fact that I am my father’s son.  It is the same with the fact that I am God’s creature and that my neighbors are God’s creatures also.  If I damage someone in his or her health, welfare, or fulfillment, I am damaging a piece of God’s workmanship, God’s creature.  God meant that person for something, and if I injure him or her, I am working against God.” (pp 326-327.  Norman Nagel.  Selected Sermons of Normal Nagel: From Valparaiso to St. Louis.  Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, MO. © 2004)

Monday, July 7, 2025

Sermon -- Funeral for David Rumics (July 7, 2025)

Christian Funeral for
+ David John Rumics +
May 12, 1946 – June 19, 2025

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

DAVID RUMICS HAD AN INDESTRUCTABLE HOPE.

In the name + of Jesus.

    David Rumics had a positive attitude and a good sense of humor, but he did not live under the illusion that life is always good.  He was grateful for his many blessings, but he also endured his share of hardships.  When he had to deal with heart surgery some years ago, and again, when diminished health had him walking with a walker or a cane, he endured the realities of an imperfect world.  Worse, when Jon died from cancer, Diane, you and David both had to endure the pains of watching him suffer and then bidding farewell.  So, David knew his share of grief.  Despite the grief, David always had hope.

     Grief comes from what sin has brought into the world.  Whether it is a failed relationship, struggles with health, bouts of doubt or guilt, or the finality of death, it all comes because we are sinners living in a sinful world.  Some griefs are the result of our own sins; other griefs come because of the sinful world we live in.  Sin not only produces grief, it brings death.  David was a sinner in a sinful world.  We are all sinners; therefore, we are all marked for death.

     Hope, on the other hand, comes from outside of us.  It has to if it is going to endure.  Hope that is based on our wishes can be easily destroyed.  You can hope for the best in life, but that is a wish—and such hopes are often dashed.  Hope that comes from the Lord, however, will never be dashed.  In fact, hope that comes from God is indestructible.  David Rumics had an indestructible hope; and so do you.

     St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica who had feared that those who died in the faith lost out on the glories that we hope for.  This misunderstanding produced a great deal of grief for those who mourned for their dead.  St. Paul corrected their beliefs and gave them an indestructible hope.  He wrote, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope.  Indeed, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).  Although grief comes because of sin and death, the hope that we have remains.  Hope from the Lord cannot be destroyed, even by death.

     David Rumics was baptized into this indestructible hope when he was a little boy.  Through baptism, God made a covenant with him.  It was a one-sided covenant.  God made the promise; David received its benefit—the hope of everlasting life.  David’s life as a child of God began then, and it continued through his whole life.  From going to St. Joseph Catholic High School, to attending Lutheran churches with his wife and children, even to partaking in the Lord’s Supper at Good Shepherd on the Sunday before he died, David was sustained and strengthened in the Christian faith.  In fact, David’s life as a child of God has not ended, and it never will.  David Rumics had an indestructible hope, and not even death can end it.

     This is the hope that comforts you through your grief.  St. Paul did not suggest that Christians will not grieve.  He said that you do not need to “grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  Your hope remains.  It is indestructible because it is based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are historical events, not fanciful stories.  That is why your hope is not wishful thinking.  We don’t imagine that David has gone to some nebulous “better place.”  He has gone to be with Jesus—the Savior into whom he as baptized; the Savior who suffered to take away the sins which would have condemned him; the Savior who died and bore God’s curse for him; the Savior who overcame death and now holds the power over the grave.  The Savior who came for David Rumics has taken him to be with him in heavenly glory.

     We hope for even more because Jesus promises even more.  Today, we have the remains of a body.  That seems pretty final—ashes to ashes, dust to dust.  But St. Paul declares that this body which has been reduced to ashes will be raised.  This is the Christian hope: “The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).  The Savior who possesses power over death and the grave will raise up all the dead.  Those who believe and are baptized will be saved—raised from the dead with perfected bodies, minds, and hearts.  This is what David Rumics hoped for.  This is what we still wait for because this is what Jesus has promised.  And just as the Lord has been faithful in all his promises, so he will be faithful in this one.  Death will meet its end.  Grief will turn to joy.  David will live—body and soul, risen and restored by Jesus.  Frailty will turn into glory.  Hope will be fulfilled because this hope is indestructible.

     Back in the 1960’s, David Rumics got to meet a nice girl at a McDonald’s in Benton Harbor.  They were united in Christ in 1967.  Diane, I am willing to bet you would like to have another 58 years with David.  Or at least just one more camping trip.  April, I am sure you would like to have another 50-some years with your father, too.  Anyone who knew him would like just a little more time to share a joke, have one more conversation, or enjoy a tasty meal together. 

     You can set your hopes higher.  For this is what the Lord promises to all who believe in Jesus and are baptized into his name: “We will always be with the Lord.  Therefore, encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).  This is your indestructible hope: You will get David Rumics back—not for 50 more years, but forever.  It is not wishful thinking.  It is not a nebulous “better place.”  The Lord Jesus will gather into Paradise all who are his.  We will be with the Lord who created us, redeemed us, and set us apart for the resurrection to everlasting glory.  Death may bring grief, but Jesus, who rules over death, encourages you with this indestructible hope.  Death, on the other hand, will be destroyed.  Those who mourn will be comforted.  The dead in Christ will live.  And your hope will be fulfilled.

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

Sunday, July 6, 2025

Sermon -- Summer Sermon Series: Lord's Prayer, Address (July 6, 2025)

LUKE 11:1-2

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN.

In the name + of Jesus.

    To my knowledge, every religion in the world has prayer.  That is no surprise.  Prayer is an act of worship in which we call upon God for hope, for help, and for healing.  We pray because we recognize our limitations.  We do not have the power to create our own blessings or to fix our problems.  We are compelled to call on a power greater than ourselves for aid. 

     Consider the prayer in Psalm 123: “To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!  Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.  Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt.  Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.”  This prayer was uttered by a person who had no power or hope to change anything.  So, he called upon the Lord to hear him.

     All people call upon their god or gods to help them.  But that does not mean that the Lord, the only true God, acknowledges every prayer that is uttered.  In the days of Elijah, the people of Israel hemmed and hawed over whom they would honor as God.  They wavered between the Lord and the Canaanite fertility god.  Elijah confronted the people, insisting that there is one God.  Whom would they serve—the Lord or Baal?  Again, the people hemmed and hawed.  They would side with whoever gave them what they wanted.

     Elijah proposed a showdown.  He told the prophets of Baal to build an altar and to pray to Baal to consume it with fire.  He would do the same with the Lord.  He said, “‘You call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.’” And all the people answered, “‘It is well spoken’” (1 Kings 18:24).  The prophets of Baal prayed frantically to their god.  They danced around their altar all day.  They even slashed themselves with knives to provoke some sympathetic response.  But no one answered because Baal is not real. 

     Now, you cannot deny the sincerity, the passion, or the dedication by the prophets of Baal.  They were completely invested in their prayers.  But the Lord is not moved by sincerity, posture, or passion.  The prophet Isaiah tells us why: “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).  Sin hides God’s face so that he does not hear prayers, no matter how religious they appear.  This is why God does not honor the prayers of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and others.  They deny Jesus Christ.  They reject the one who delivers people from sin.  As a result, their iniquities remain; their separation from God remains.  The Father does not recognize them or their prayers.

     Are we any better?  No!  Even when we have unlimited access to the heavenly throne, you and I have dishonored the Lord with hearts that are faster to criticize him than to call upon him.  Consider how you have responded to God’s promises and goodness.  Do your prayers give thanks to the Lord for his generous gifts, or are they a continual list of what you want next?  Do you quickly take matters to your Father in prayer, or is he a last resort?  When God’s answer does not match your request, do you cast blame?  Do you question his compassion, saying, “If God really cares, he would have done such and such”?  Do you tell people that you will pray for them, only to have that promise amount to happy words with no prayers offered?  Our prayers do not honor the Father the way they should.  Repent.

     As a perfectly obedient son, Jesus prayed often, and often for great lengths of time.  God the Father was pleased with his Son.  He heard his prayers and provided strength and comfort.  Once when Jesus concluded his prayers, “one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples’” (Luke 11:1).  Jesus could have said, “Why should the Father listen to your prayers?”  Now, that would have been cruel, but it would not necessarily have been wrong.  Why should God honor the prayers of those who dishonor him?  But Jesus did not come to keep sinners separated from God; he came to bring them into God’s family.  So, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray.  He began by teaching us to address the Lord as “our Father.” 

     He is your Father not only because he has created you, but especially because he has redeemed you.  The Father’s love is made known by sending his only begotten Son to reconcile you to the Father and to bring you into his family.  Even while Jesus was suffering under God’s wrath for sins he did not commit, Jesus’ prayers were perfect.  In pure love and immeasurable compassion, Jesus prayed for those who were crucifying him: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).  Jesus prayed for the salvation of sinners.  Then, to secure that salvation, Jesus died as a sin offering for you. 

     In bearing your sins, Jesus was forsaken by the Father.  He cried out the lament of Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1; Mark 15:34).  Isaiah told us why: “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).  Sin had separated Jesus from his Father.  The Father turned a deaf ear to Jesus’ prayer for relief.  Jesus drank the cup of the Father’s wrath down to its dregs.  By his perfect sacrificial death, Jesus removed your sins from you.  And if your sins have been taken away, then nothing separates you from the Father anymore. 

     This is why Jesus teaches you to pray, “Our Father.”  For, you have been adopted into God’s family through your baptism.  For, this is what the Lord says: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  Indeed, as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27).  So, the Father does not see your sins; he sees the righteousness of Jesus covering you.  And while he remains the all-powerful, all-glorious, and all-supreme God, we do not need to fear him.  St. Paul wrote, “All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father’” (Romans 8:14-15)!  Abba is a term that is used by a child who calls to his father.  It is a term of familial affection.  The child does not live in terror of his father.  He recognizes that his father is there to provide, to protect, and to preserve him.  So, he runs to his father with joy.  He is excited to see him and talk to him.  When he is afraid or hurt, he will seek refuge in his father’s arms.  He does this because he loves and trusts his father.

     Parents love their children and want to do what is best for them.  When you were little, you took all your concerns to your parents.  That was the right thing to do, and your parents wanted you to do that.  They wanted to do what was best for you and to give you what you needed to thrive.  But parents have limitations.  They are limited in knowledge.  They make their decisions based on the information they have, but they cannot know the future.  Circumstances can change, making some decisions seem foolish.  How often have we said, “If I had known that would happen, I would have done something else”?  Likewise, parents are limited in power.  They might want to fix the problem.  If the problem is beyond their abilities, they will call upon doctors, mechanics, or therapists.  But parents can only do so much.  This frustrates parents and children alike. 

     God the Father, however, has no limitations.  Psalm 115 teaches us, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3).  God can do whatever he wants.  He is not limited by knowledge.  God knows all things.  No circumstance will ever take God by surprise so that he would wish he would have made a better decision.  God is not limited by wisdom.  His plans are perfectly crafted for your eternal good.  God is not limited by love.  Everything your Father in heaven does is for your good.  God is not limited by power or resources.  If he can command the wind and the waves, if he can annually provide food for billions, if he can raise the dead, then there is nothing beyond his ability to help you.  This is why the Bible summons you, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).  Your Father not only cares, he can do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine.

     In his explanation of this first phrase of the Lord’s Prayer, Martin Luther wrote, “God tenderly invites us to believe that he is our true Father and that we are his true children, so that we may pray to him as boldly and confidently as dear children ask their dear father” (Luther’s Small Catechism; Lord’s Prayer).  Children are bold in asking their parents for anything.  In the same way, you can ask your heavenly Father for anything.  You can boldly ask for the impossible.  And you do not annoy him when you ask for the insignificant.  He is not a distant God who is disinterested in you.  You do not have to pester him until he finally gives in.  He is your Father.  He delights in hearing your prayers.  He glories in being the Father who provides, protects, and preserves you.

     Our Father in heaven can do whatever he wants to supply your need.  But understand this: While God can do whatever he wants, that does not mean he will do whatever we want.  Our goals are often short-term goals.  “Take away my pain.  Resolve my financial struggles.  Fix my marriage.  Help my child get along with the neighbors.”  These are all good reasons to pray.  But our Father’s goal for us is always long-term.  His goal is that we enjoy our eternity in his kingdom.  So, he may have us struggle, endure, or battle for the short-term if this is what serves our ultimate good.  But if he chooses to discipline us through suffering or endurance, he will also grant us strength when we call upon him.  And he will be with us through it all. 

     It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places call upon our Father in heaven.  He is the giver of every good and perfect gift.  He is the omnipotent, omniscient, loving, and merciful God who works all things for our eternal good.  He is the God who sent his Son to save sinners, and who sent his Holy Spirit to bring you into his family.  He is your dear Father.  You are his dear children.  Your prayers are pleasing and important to him, for Jesus Christ has made you pleasing and important to him.

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