Sunday, October 31, 2021

Sermon -- Reformation Sunday (October 31, 2021)

JEREMIAH 18:1-11

THE LORD RE-FORMS THE CHURCH.

 In the name + of Jesus.

     The prophet Jeremiah preached in Jerusalem in the years leading up to its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.  That destruction had been threatened already back in the days of Moses, some 900 years prior.  Moses had warned, “If you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. …The Lord will bring you and your king whom you set over you to a nation that neither you nor your fathers have known.  And there you shall serve other gods of wood and stone.  And you shall become a horror, a proverb, and a byword among all the peoples where the Lord will lead you away” (Deuteronomy 28:15,36-37).  The warning Moses issued is much longer, taking up most of Deuteronomy 28.  God’s warning was stern, vivid, and disturbing.

     Jeremiah was called to proclaim that warning and that curse against a nation who had turned away from the Lord.  The people of Jerusalem were convinced that they were fine.  They even had prophets who told them so.  But Jeremiah was charged to tell the people that their status as God’s chosen nation would not save them from judgment.  Calling themselves God’s chosen people did not excuse their sin.  Walking into God’s temple would not deliver them or their temple from destruction.  If your confession is one thing and your actions are another, you dishonor God’s name and despise his word.  Even the world mocks you for that.  But this is the way it was for most of the people in Judah and Jerusalem. God’s patience had run out.  Moses’ warning was soon to become reality.

     Jeremiah was given a visual illustration for the people of Jerusalem.  The Lord told him to go to the potter and watch him make a vessel on a spinning wheel.  As he spun the wheel and shaped the clay, it fell apart in his hand.  Rather than wad up the clay and throw it out, “he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do” (Jeremiah 18:4).  Now, if a potter has the right to do this with his clay, the Lord has the right to re-form his Church when it has been corrupted too.

     Therefore, Jeremiah spoke to the people of Judah and Jerusalem the word of the Lord: “If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.  Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: ‘Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you.  Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds’” (Jeremiah 18:9-11).  Sadly, these Israelites were so ensnared by their sins that they refused to repent.  They did not amend their ways.  Therefore, the judgment came, and the nation was uprooted.  

     There was some good news, however.  The Lord would re-form his Church.  Through judgment and captivity, God would refine his Church.  It would be re-formed into a remnant of people who would listen to the word of the Lord and who would order their lives according to it.  In this way, the Lord preserved the nation and, more importantly, the promise that the Messiah would come through them.

     On Reformation Sunday, we rejoice that the Lord re-forms his Church when it becomes corrupt.  The corruption which invades the Church is always the result of the same thing—people stop taking the word of the Lord to heart.  The problem may rest with the preachers or the people.  St. Paul warned Timothy, “The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).  The people will want preachers who do not expose sins and call them to repent.  And they will find preachers who are willing to tell them what they want to hear.  This is all hidden under the veneer that a loving and gracious God would not condemn anyone.  To preach that and to believe that is to ignore large portions of the Bible.  But even if we would not take God’s Law seriously, he surely does!  His Commandments are not negotiable, and his threats are not empty.

     In the days of Martin Luther, God was not portrayed as a loving and gracious God who poses no real threat.  He was portrayed as an angry judge before whom you had better do the works he demands or be damned.  The only hope given to the faithful was to run to the Church who would supply you with just enough grace to do a little better.  This was done for a price.  You could pay to have a special Mass spoken in your name to gain favor with God.  You didn’t even have to be there, as long as the money was given and the priest did the work.  If you wanted to be spared suffering after death, you could purchase an indulgence which excused you from years of torment in purgatory.  Eventually, the question was asked, “If the Pope has the authority to release people from purgatory, why doesn’t he do it for free?”[1]  Now, God’s word does not speak of purgatory.  Much less does God’s word tie salvation to monetary donations. 

     So, God re-formed his Church.  Rather than crumple the whole thing up and start over, the Lord was pleased to raise up people who did read the Scriptures and preach them.  Over the years, some of them were condemned for this—men such as John Wycliffe (1320’s–1384) from England and Jan Hus (1372–1415) from Bohemia.  God raised up more preachers like them, most notably Martin Luther (1483–1546).  What resulted from their Scriptural preaching was people turning to the Scriptures instead of the traditions of men.  It meant trusting in a Savior who paid for their sins instead of their own payments for Masses, pilgrimages, and indulgences.  It meant that troubled souls found peace.  But it also meant a loss of funding for the Pope’s projects.  That’s when the persecution really began. 

     After a few years, Martin Luther was one of the preachers who was brought before governors and kings to make the good confession.  For his confession, he was declared an outlaw.  But through preachers who read the word of God, took it seriously, and preached it faithfully, the Lord reformed a remnant of his Church who rejoiced in salvation freely given.  To them, Jesus was finally revealed as a loving Savior who accomplished everything for our forgiveness and salvation.  To them, comfort was given to fearful hearts and assurance was given for the day of Judgment.  And you, dear Christians, are the beneficiaries of such Reformers.  God, who was pleased to re-form his Church, has also been pleased to preserve that Gospel among us.

     I suppose this could become a cause for pride, but it should not.  Remember, the Church was corrupted from within—from people who craved a different message and from pastors who were willing to give it.  Although Jeremiah had been a faithful prophet, he was not popular.  Jeremiah proclaimed, Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds” (Jeremiah 18:11); the people responded, That is hopeless!  So we will walk according to our own plans” (Jeremiah 18:12), and they found the preachers who emboldened them to do this.

     While it is true God re-forms his Church, it always begins with each of us individually.  We are grieved by every scandal which rocks the church and by every teacher who points people to themselves instead of to Jesus.  You may wish you could fix that.  But you can’t.  It is like people who want to change the world.  They can’t.  For example, you can’t make the whole world recycle, but you can make sure you do.  In the same way, many Christians are abandoning God’s word.  They take their direction from science, from popular ideas, or from their own feelings.  You can’t prevent that.  But you can be sure that you are listening to God’s word and applying it to your own life.  After all, you will not be judged for anyone but yourself.

     God’s word shows us the corruption and the warping of our own feelings, thoughts, and life.  Just as the clay could not fix itself, neither can we fix our sinful condition.  God must re-form us according to his good pleasure.  He does.  Jesus has rescued us from our corrupt and warped condition.  He has taken our sin and so was cursed for us.  He credits us with his innocence so that we are pleasing to God.  He puts to death the sinner in baptism, and he raises us up a new creation.  He takes those who were unwilling to listen and to do his will and converts us into those who are willing.  He changes us into noble vessels into whom he has poured his Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit transforms our minds and hearts.  He teaches us to love God’s word and guides us to reform our lives according to it.  St. Paul wrote, “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).  This is how God re-forms you, and it is how God re-forms his Church.

     This re-forming is a continual process.  We are never done.  As long as we are in this world, we will battle against temptations.  We can still be deceived by smooth-sounding words, especially when those words excuse us and our loved ones when we are straying from God’s word.  We are still vessels of clay on the potter’s wheel.  God must continue to work on us so that we do not revert to being warped and corrupted. 

    God re-forms his Church.  The work is always done by God’s word being rightly taught and confessed.  The Church that is faithful does not demonstrate it by how moral the people are, by how happy the people are, or by how successful the people are.  The Church that is faithful is the one who rightly teaches God’s word and rightly administers the sacraments.  If that is done, it may well produce people who are moral and happy.  God’s people may prosper, or they may not.  Jeremiah didn’t.  But morality, happiness, and prosperity don’t save anyone.  Only the word of God produces saving faith.  This is how God re-forms and reshapes us for our own good.  This is how God refines his Church so that it will never perish. 

     Rather than boast about retaining God’s pure word, as if we by our strength have done it, let us offer up our humble prayer instead: God, grant us to keep your word pure so that you may keep your people pure.

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


[1] "Why does not the pope empty purgatory, for the sake of holy love and of the dire need of the souls that are there, if he redeems an infinite number of souls for the sake of miserable money with which to build a Church? The former reasons would be most just; the latter is most trivial." (Thesis #82 of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, posted on October 31, 1517) 

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Update from Good Shepherd (October 28, 2021)

 Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE

Divine Services are at 10:00 AM on Sundays, in person and on Facebook Live. Share our services and invite friends to tune in.

Sunday School and Adult Bible Class are Sundays at 8:45 AM. 
          Our Adult Bible Class will study the book of Daniel.  The tentative schedule can be found here.

Bible Matters, a discussion group, meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  The schedule of discussion topics can be found here.  

CLICK HERE for a calendar of events and meetings.

NEW WEB SITE DESIGN!!!
Thanks to Lindsey Casmer who has redesigned our web page!  Check it out and have a look around.  Click here.

FOOD DRIVE FOR SEMINARY STUDENTS
          Every year, Good Shepherd participates in a food drive for the married students at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary from which we get our pastors.  Our donations help to ease their expenses (tuition, books, rent, insurance, etc...) as they study for the office of the holy ministry.  Non-perishable food items and toiletries can be dropped off at Good Shepherd before November 7.  Gifts of money also allow students to purchase perishable food items they need.

WELS LUTHERANS FOR LIFE ANNUAL MEETING
          The annual meeting for WELS Lutherans for Life will on Sunday, November 7 at 3:00 PM. We will meet at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (17810 Farmington Road, Livonia) in the multipurpose room. The speaker will be Rev. Robert Fleischmann, president of Christian Life Resources. Rev. Fleischmann will speak about current issues that relate to the sanctity of life, stretching from the womb to the tomb. He will give direction how we can uphold the sanctity of life, encourage faithful use of God’s gifts of medicine while avoiding procedures that violate God’s word, and offer comfort and encouragement to those who battle temptations or guilt in regard to these things. Light refreshments will be provided.

CALL FOR NAMES – SAINTS TRIUMPHAT
        Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life. Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1. Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the 3rd Sunday of End Times which focuses on Saints Triumphant.
        In addition to members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest, you may submit the names of your own loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 15, 2020 and November 14, 2021. When submitting these names, please included
            1. the name of the deceased
            2. your name
            3. how he/she was related to you
            4. the dates of his/her birth and death, if known
        All names given by to Thursday, November 11 will be submitted in the bulletin. Names may still be submitted as late as Sunday morning, but will not be printed in the bulletin.

LITURGY SUNDAY
          Liturgy Sunday has been rescheduled to November 21.  This service will offer commentary to explain the rationale behind each part of our service.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
         Feel free to share the videos.  For other services, do a search for "Good Shepherd Novi."  The service from Sunday, October 24 is here: Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service - October 24, 2021 - YouTube
         Bulletins for services can be downloaded from here (scroll down): 

PART-TIME SECRETARY NEEDED
          Lisa Haase has recently accepted a position for the Novi School District and will begin her new position on November 1. This results in a need for a part-time secretary for Good Shepherd. Details for the job are posted on the church bulletin board. Lisa has also produced a detailed list of duties (some have been updated over the past year or so). If you are interested, you may consult Lisa and/or the sheet on the bulletin board.
          We are beginning our search among our own members first, and then will expand our search if needed. If you are interested, please speak with Pastor Schroeder welsnovi@aol.com or (248-719-5218).

OFFICE HOURS
          Office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon.
          The pastor will be in his office unless a meeting has been scheduled elsewhere (consult the weekly schedule). The pastor is also available by appointment. Call or text (248-719-5218). You may also email (welsnovi@aol.com), but the response may be slower.

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
==============================
REGULAR SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM (also on Facebook Live )

Sunday School and Adult Bible Class are on Sundays at 8:45 AM. 
Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Something from ... Martin Luther on recognizing the words of Jesus

In an Easter sermon, Dr. Luther spoke of Jesus' resurrection appearance to his disciples.  At first, they were terrified by his appearing.  They were acutely aware of their sins, particularly of abandoning Jesus when he was arrested.  When Jesus appeared, they expected wrath.  Their guilty consciences had condemned them already.  Why wouldn't Jesus?

Instead, Jesus came and spoke words of peace to them.  He showed them his hands and side, which were the evidence of sins paid for.  Jesus did not come breathing fire, but proclaiming forgiveness and peace to troubled hearts, fearful minds, and condemning consciences.

The devil tries to mimic Jesus.  However, the devil reverses Jesus' words and works.  Jesus' ultimate goal is to bring comfort to the troubled sinner.  Sometimes, Jesus has to trouble that sinner first to make him aware of his sin and his need for a Savior.  The devil, on the other hand, comforts sinners in their sinful condition.  He speaks words of peace to them so that they will remain comforted in their sins and, therefore, will not repent of them.  On the other hand, the devil taunts those who are Christians.  He speaks no words of comfort, but convicts and condemns people so that they forget Jesus and despair over their guilt.

The sinner who is comfortable needs words of warning and condemnation so that he will not remain in his sin.  When Jesus does this, he seems like a vicious and cruel God.  The devil, on the other hand, seems friendly and loving because his words to the one who embraces his sin is so sweet and encouraging.

But the sinner who is troubled needs words of comfort, assurance, and hope so that he will not remain vexed by his sin.  Jesus is pleased to come with his, "Peace be with you," to these sinners.  The devil buries them in greater guilt; for he wants them to perish.

It is essential that we know the difference so that we are neither robbed of comfort nor strengthened in sin.  Here is Luther:

"(The devil) takes pleasure in deceiving us under the appearance and name of Christ.  He always wants to be God's ape and imitate what he sees Him do.  Now God's way of dealing with us is that he first frightens those who are not yet frightened, so that in additional naturally fearful hearts are always horrified at His words and works because of the timidity of their nature.  However, He again soon comforts those who are now frightened and speaks to them in a friendly way.  The devil certainly imitates this and also comes under the name and words of Christ, but with both false comfort and false frightening.  He turns both upside down, so that he makes those who are in need of comfort frightened and despondent and, on the other hand, comforts and strengthens those who should fear and be frightened with God's wrath." (Martin Luther, sermon on Luke 24:36-47, preached on April 11, 1531.  Pages 80-81.  Luther's Works: American Edition, Vol. 77.  Church Postil III.  Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, MO.  (c) 2014)

A GOD-LIVED LIFE: Prayer

             We are in a series of sermons with a Stewardship emphasis. Stewardship, ultimately, is about our entire life. We use what God gives us to his glory and for the good of our neighbor. Over the next few months, we will consider the various ways we use the gifts God gives us as is God-pleasing.

          Each week, I will be sending out an email to further encourage what we pondered on the first Sunday of that month. In this way, the thoughts do not perish by that Sunday evening, but each one can give intentional consideration how he or she may put into practice what was proclaimed as a God-pleasing way to serve him.

          For the month of October, we continue to consider what it means to have A Life of Being a Disciple.

A GOD-LIVED LIFE: A LIFE OF BEING A DISCIPLE

Week #4      Prayer

            God the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, gives you a standing invitation: “Call upon me in the day of distress.  I will deliver you, and you will honor me” (Psalm 50:15). 

            The Lord Jesus Christ, conqueror of death and the grave who lives and reigns over all things, gives you a faithful promise: “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be made complete” (John 16:23-24).

            Of course, to pray in Jesus’ name is not a blank check to get whatever you want.  Every prayer includes this petition, whether spoken or not: “Your will be done.”  God’s will is always done, and we pray that it be done among us also.  We can pray for whatever we want, but we also know that our good and merciful Father in heaven, who is all-wise, will only give us what is good for us.  Sometimes that means withholding what we ask for because he has better things in mind. 

            But our prayers are important.  God speaks to us in his word; we speak to God through our prayers.  This dialogue is essential in our faith.  The Father speaks to his children; the children respond to their Father.  The children call upon their Father for every good thing and for aid in every evil thing; the Father is honored when we demonstrate our faith in him and is delighted to provide for, to protect, and to console his children.

            How to pray?  Here are some helpful thoughts.

1)      Pray for whatever you want.  Be bold, and trust that whatever God does is the right thing.

2)     Be persistent.  If you have children, you know how they can pester you continually with their requests.  We are God’s children, and he wants us to appeal to him persistently—not because he needs to be worn down, but because he is disciplining us to call upon him fervently.

3)     Trust his promises and hold him to them.  This is not disrespectful; it is faithful.  God is honored when we take him at his word and hold him to his word.

4)     Let the Scriptures inform your prayers.  The point of our prayers is not to coax God into thinking like us.  By our faithful reading of the Scriptures, we learn to think like God.  If you pray the Psalms, God’s answer to them will always be “Yes!”, for God is always in agreement with is own word.

5)     Pray out loud.  I don’t know if the devil can read our thoughts, but he certainly can hear our words.  Prayers vex the devil and drive him away.

6)     Pray with your family.  Gather requests and intercessions.  This models for your children that prayers matter and teaches them to do it too.  It also binds the family together better.

7)     Pray without ceasing.  This includes setting aside time for intentional prayers where your time is dedicated to calling upon the Lord.  It also includes brief, quick prayers spoken throughout the day for people and circumstances that come to mind.  “Lord, have mercy upon ____,” can be uttered often throughout each day, and God will be pleased to hear it.


Sunday, October 24, 2021

Sermon -- 22nd Sunday after Pentecost (October 24, 2021)

ISAIAH 53:10-12

MY SAVIOR PAID THE DEBT I OWE.

 In the name + of Jesus.

     St. Matthew’s version of the Lord’s Prayer says: “Forgive us our debts,   as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).  The word “debts” acknowledges that we something to others.  Our first reaction might be, “I don’t owe anyone anything.  I don’t owe you an answer for the way I live my life.  I don’t owe you an apology for my opinions.  I don’t owe you a minute of my time.  I don’t owe you my attention, my affection, or my energy.  I don’t owe you because you don’t own me.” 

     Oddly enough, we also believe that other people owe us.  Other people owe us respect, the benefit of the doubt, good service, and a rapid response to our text messages.  We become easily upset when we are not given what we think we are owed, and we still think that we don’t owe anyone else anything.  That degree of self-centeredness is strong enough to have a gravitation pull!

     What do you owe to God?  In fact, everything.  Psalm 24 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).  The Lord does, in fact, own you; you are his creation.  And to everything in the world, God freely and continually provides all things.  From Psalm 145: “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.  You open your hand; you satisfy the desires of every living thing” (Psalm 145:15-16).  At the very least, you owe the Lord recognition for what he does.  And God does not give these blessings as a reward for good behavior.  Jesus declared, “He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). 

     God does none of this because he owes us.  As Martin Luther explained, “All this he does because he is my good and merciful Father in heaven and not because I have earned or deserved it.  For all of this I ought to thank and praise, to serve and obey him.  This is most certainly true” (Explanation to the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed).  In other words, we owe God thanks, praise, service, and obedience.  In fact, it is not only owed, it is commanded.  And when our life on earth—a gift of God—is assessed, the Lord will judge us for how we served him—if we gave him the honor and obedience he was owed or if we lived as if we owed him nothing.

     It is no wonder Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts.”  We are indebted to the Lord for every time we have sinned against him.  For, we did not give him what he was owed.  What’s more, the Lord also tells us that we owe our fellow man love, service, generosity, and forgiveness.  St. Paul wrote to the Christians at Rome, Owe no one anything, except to love each other” (Romans 13:8).  When you withhold your love from your neighbor, you sin against him, and you become his debtor.  For, you do not give him what you owe him.  You owe him better than that.

     But that is not the way it works in the kingdom of God.  Jesus told his apostles, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43-45).  These are not just pretty words.  Jesus lived up to this.  He generously and freely gave to others what they needed.  All those miracles of healing were done out of mercy and solely for the good of those he healed.  Their diseases and frailties are the consequences of the sin that has corrupted the whole world.  It is a small part of what we confess, “I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity.”  Sufferings and problems are the result of being a sinner in a sinful world.  Nevertheless, Jesus brought healing and relief to people who were indebted to him. 

     The Son of Man served people by delivering them from the temporal consequences of their sin.  And he is far more merciful than that.  Jesus has served you and all mankind by delivering you from the eternal consequences of your sin.  He who is greatest of all made himself the servant of all.  His chief act of service is to do what he said he would do: “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:44-45). 

     Now, if a ransom is needed, then a price has to be paid.  Jesus has, indeed, paid the price.  My Savior paid the debt I owe.  The prophet Isaiah foretold that this was God’s divine plan from long ago.  He wrote, “It was the will of the LORD to crush him” (Isaiah 53:10).  First, Isaiah said it was God’s will to crush his Son.  God the Father is not a vindictive God who likes to smite people.  He is a loving Father who desires you to be saved.  To do it, he offered up his own Son in your place. 

     When the Bible teaches about this substitutionary atonement—Jesus suffers and dies in your place—atheists like to accuse God of divine child abuse.  But this implies that Jesus did not want to suffer for you.  The whole Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are united in the cause of your salvation.  Our Triune God is the Savior God, and my Savior paid the debt I owe.  The Lord did not do this out of a sense of obligation.  It is his will and his delight to save sinners, even at great cost to himself.  The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life.  My Savior paid the debt I owe.

     The fact that salvation comes at a price also highlights that there was a debt we owed God for our sins.  So, Isaiah wrote, “His soul makes an offering for guilt…” (Isaiah 53:10).  The guilt offering in the Old Testament was more than the slaughter of an animal.  In addition to the sacrifice, there was a payment made to the one who was sinned against.  This is what the Lord said: If he has sinned and has realized his guilt and will restore what he took by robbery or what he got by oppression or the deposit that was committed to him or the lost thing that he found or anything about which he has sworn falsely, he shall restore it in full and shall add a fifth to it, and give it to him to whom it belongs on the day he realizes his guilt” (Leviticus 6:4-5).  If someone stole your cell phone, would you say, “It’s okay.  I forgive you.  You can keep it”?  No, you would demand it back.  And if the thief is repentant of his sin, he would return it willingly.  In the Old Testament, the man not only had to restore what he stole, he also had to compensate you by adding 20% of the value to what he stole.

     Now, when you steal from God’s infinite majesty and give his glory to something else, what is fair compensation for that?  And if you cannot pay the back your debt to God for one sin, how could you pay back what you owe him for all your disobedience?  Fear not, dear Christians.  You can confess, “My Savior paid the debt I owe!”  For, the Lord has made his own soul, his very life, the guilt offering for you.

     My Savior paid the debt I owe.  Jesus has made himself your guilt offering.  Yes, he is slain on your behalf, but he also is the full price of restitution for your debt.  The holy Son of God gave himself up on behalf of sinful mankind.  The eternal Son of God offered himself up on behalf of all people of all time.  The immortal Son of God laid down his life so that you can live forever.  The Son of Man gave his life as a ransom for you.  Your debt has been paid in full.  The cost has been covered, and you are now free.  It has pleased God to do this for you.  It was the will of God to crush him—not because he owed it to you, but because his love for you is boundless. 

     My Savior paid the debt I owe, and he adds the extra value to his guilt offering.  Isaiah declared what God would do: “When his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied” (Isaiah 53:10-11).  If he sees his offspring, he cannot remain a slain offering.  If his days shall be prolonged, then death cannot have the last word.  If the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand, then he shall live and his kingdom shall be firmly established.  If he shall see and be satisfied, he shall see the salvation of those for whom he died.

     My Savior paid the debt I owe, and he has even added value to it.  Your debt is cancelled; therefore, you have escaped the fires of hell.  But Jesus’ guilt offering comes with the added value of the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.  Jesus’ resurrection from the dead means that he owns death and the grave.  They are subservient to Jesus.  And since you now belong to Jesus through your baptism into his name, you also gain the victory over death and the grave. 

     My Savior paid the debt I owe.  Isaiah declared: “By his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.  Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong” (Isaiah 53:11-12).  Jesus won the victory over sin, death, and Satan.  You are the spoils of war.  Jesus lives as the conqueror; therefore, sin, death, and the devil cannot snatch you away from him.  When you are feeling guilty or ashamed because of your sins, remember the word of the Lord.  “Whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart” (1 John 3:20).  When the chill of death seems to be coming upon you, remember the promise of Jesus Christ: “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).  When the devil produces in you doubt about your worthiness, ask him this: If God is for us, who can be against us?  …Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?  It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:31,33). 

     The Son of Man has come to serve, and his humble service means your glorious salvation.  We owe everything to him, but it is such joy to give it because he so freely gives us all we need, and he gives us what is for our good.  It is no burden to thank and praise, to serve and obey the Lord.  Nor do we need to be threatened to love our neighbor.  If God loves him, so do we.  And we are free to love and to serve without fear; for God’s wrath has been put aside.  Our debt has been paid.  Our future has been secured. 

     Therefore, we praise our Lord with bold confidence: “My Savior paid the debt I owe and for my life was smitten.  Within the Book of Life I know my name has now been written.  I will not doubt, for I am free; and Satan cannot threaten me.  There is no condemnation” (“The Day Is Surely Drawing Near,” CW 207:5).

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

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Hymn Notes: Fight Songs of the Church

While we will not be singing the hymn "The Day Is Surely Drawing Near" this coming Sunday (October 24), one stanza certainly ties in nicely to the ideas from Isaiah 53:10-12.  Jesus is our guilt offering.  That is more than just a blood sacrifice, like a whole burnt offering.  With the guilt offering, there is also a form of restitution.  A debt was paid off in addition to the sin being atoned for.  What was stolen was returned in full and 20% if its value was included in its return.

While we will not sing this stanza this week, it is coming up on November 14.  It is a fantastic fight song against sin, death, and the devil, and it should be sung with derision toward our enemies who have been conquered by Jesus.

"The Day Is Surely Drawing Near" is hymn 207 in Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal (c) 1993, written by Bartholomaus Ringwaldt (1532-1599).  Here is stanza 5:

My Savior paid the debt I owe
    And for my life was smitten;
Within the Book of Life I know
   My name has now been written.
I will not doubt, for I am free,
   And Satan cannot threaten me;
There is no condemnation!

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Update from Good Shepherd (October 21, 2021)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE

Divine Services are at 10:00 AM on Sundays, in person and on Facebook Live. Share our services and invite friends to tune in.

Sunday School and Adult Bible Class are Sundays at 8:45 AM. 
          Our Adult Bible Class will study the book of Daniel.  The tentative schedule can be found here.

Bible Matters, a discussion group, meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  The schedule of discussion topics can be found here.  

CLICK HERE for a calendar of events and meetings.

NEW WEB SITE DESIGN!!!
Thanks to Lindsey Casmer who has redesigned our web page!  Check it out and have a look around.  Click here.

LITURGY SUNDAY
          Liturgy Sunday has been postponed to a future date.  With a recent COVID exposure by the pastor, the upcoming Sunday schedule (October 24) is detailed here.

REFORMATION CELEBRATION
          On Sunday, October 24, a celebration of the Lutheran Reformation will be held at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Westland.  It will include Vespers, a meal, and a presentation on a facet of the Lutheran Reformation.  Details can be found here.

OFFICE HOURS
          Office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon.
          The pastor will be in his office unless a meeting has been scheduled elsewhere (consult the weekly schedule). The pastor is also available by appointment. Call or text (248-719-5218). You may also email (welsnovi@aol.com), but the response may be slower.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
         Feel free to share the videos.  For other services, do a search for "Good Shepherd Novi."  The service from Sunday, October 17 is here: Good Shepherd Novi - Divine Service - October 17, 2021 - YouTube
         Bulletins for services can be downloaded from here (scroll down): 

PART-TIME SECRETARY NEEDED
          Lisa Haase has recently accepted a position for the Novi School District and will begin her new position on November 1. This results in a need for a part-time secretary for Good Shepherd. Details for the job are posted on the church bulletin board. Lisa has also produced a detailed list of duties (some have been updated over the past year or so). If you are interested, you may consult Lisa and/or the sheet on the bulletin board.
          We are beginning our search among our own members first, and then will expand our search if needed. If you are interested, please speak with Pastor Schroeder welsnovi@aol.com or (248-719-5218).

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
==============================
REGULAR SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM (also on Facebook Live )

Sunday School and Adult Bible Class are on Sundays at 8:45 AM. 
Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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

COVID exposure and Sunday, October 24

Greetings in the name of our Savior,

Earlier, I sent an email out that Laura was experiencing the symptoms for COVID. Her test came back positive, which was not a surprise. Her most pronounced symptom right now is fatigue, so she is getting as much rest as she can.

Since I have been exposed, we are taking proper precautions in order to avoid infecting as many as possible. Based on conversations with the Church Council, the schedule for Sunday is as follows. Scheduling beyond Sunday will be determined later.

Sunday School will meet at 8:45 AM.

Adult Bible Class will meet at 8:45 AM. I will not be present, but will provide a self-study which covers a portion of the Bible and allows for conversation among participants.

Divine Service will be at 10:00 AM.

I will preside over the service but will remain as far from the congregation as possible. We will not have Holy Communion, so there will not be close contact at the altar. I will remain in the sacristy prior to the service and will return there following the service so that I do not interact with anyone.

Catechism Class will be 3:00-4:30 PM via Zoom. I will send out the links later.

Currently, I am not experiencing any symptoms of COVID, and I am keeping my distance from Laura. For this reason and because I have been vaccinated, it was deemed safe for me to lead the service. If you feel it is safest for you to stay away, follow our worship on our Facebook Live stream. (Search for Good Shepherd Lutheran Novi on Facebook and you should find us.)

In the event that I come down with COVID symptoms before Sunday, I will stay away from church altogether and the elders will lead the service, following The Service of the Word (page 38).

This information should enable you to make your plans accordingly for the Sunday service. B
y keeping you aware of our procedures, we are trying to avoid upsetting anyone. If anything should change, you will be notified. If you have questions or concerns, you are welcome to voice them at welsnovi@aol.com or to any of our Church Council officers.

God bless and keep you.

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Things that make me go ARRRRGGGGHHHH -- Shepherd

This is a public service announcement for whomever it may concern.  Please note the difference in the following words:

SHEPARD -- Shepard Smith is an anchor on CNBC.  Alan Shepard was an astronaut who was the first American in space and later walked on the moon.

SHEPPARD -- Sheppard is an indie pop band from Australia.  Sheppard is also the name of a software company which makes games to help children with learning.  Their stuff looks pretty cool, actually.

SHEPHERD -- One who tends a flock of sheep; a sheep-herder.  

Jesus declared, "I am the Good Shepherd."  Thus, the name of our congregation is Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church.

This is a common mistake I am hoping to make less common.  Thank you for your time and attention.

A GOD-LIVED LIFE: Family Devotions

            We are in a series of sermons with a Stewardship emphasis. Stewardship, ultimately, is about our entire life. We use what God gives us to his glory and for the good of our neighbor. Over the next few months, we will consider the various ways we use the gifts God gives us as is God-pleasing.

          Each week, I will be sending out an email to further encourage what we pondered on the first Sunday of that month. In this way, the thoughts do not perish by that Sunday evening, but each one can give intentional consideration how he or she may put into practice what was proclaimed as a God-pleasing way to serve him.

          For the month of October, we continue to consider what it means to have A Life of Being a Disciple.

A GOD-LIVED LIFE: A LIFE OF BEING A DISCIPLE

Week #3      Family Devotions

            Shortly before the Israelites were to enter the Promised Land, Moses proclaimed this word of the Lord to them: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.   You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.   You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). 

            Some Jews have taken these words literally.  They post on their doors a little block of wood with these verses in them.  It is called a mezuzah, and it is supposed to be a reminder of God’s word.  I am curious if anyone knows the verses in it or even pays attention to it anymore.  That is a danger we also can face.  We may let familiarity with God’s word become a reason to not give it much thought outside of Sundays.  The danger is that we can think of our faith being limited to what we do on Sunday rather than something we live all week long.

            God wants families to talk about his word.  It applies to our lives constantly.  We daily struggle with temptations, and we often fall into sin.  We not only need admonition so that we resist sin and temptation, but especially so that we remember our God is a loving and gracious God who has set us apart from a dying world for a higher purpose and a glorious future.

            To aid in discussing God’s word, there are many devotional books to use.  You can read through parts of Luther’s Small Catechism.  You may also use the Bible itself, reading a brief section of Scripture and then talking about it.  You can talk about the sermon from Sunday.  That’s the best children’s lesson of all, because it teaches your children that what they heard on Sunday morning still matters at home.  Parents, then, reinforce the faith of their children.

            Family devotions can take place whenever you choose.  Perhaps the most convenient and beneficial is to do them right after supper.  Sit down and eat as a family.  Discuss what is going on in your lives.  Following the meal, have a brief devotion.  (It does not need to be a church service.)  All of these tighten the bonds of your family and will bring great blessings to your home—which is exactly what God desires you to have.

Sunday, October 17, 2021

Sermon -- 21st Sunday after Pentecost (October 17, 2021)

MARK 10:17-27

WITH GOD, SALVATION IS NOT MERELY POSSIBLE, IT IS CERTAIN.

In the name + of Jesus.

     A man of great wealth came to Jesus as he was leaving town.  This rich man ran to Jesus with his concern.  Now, rich people don’t run; a rich person has people run for him.  And it is more than that.  “A man ran up and knelt before him” (Mark 10:17).  If he fell on his knees before Jesus, he must have been afraid and panicked.  He did not waste any time getting to what was on his mind, and he seemed to think that Jesus had the answer to alleviate his fears.  In fact, it was an important question: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life” (Mark 10:17)?

     I wonder what happened in this man’s life that he found the matter so urgent?  People might wonder at times about what it takes to get into eternal life, but it usually doesn’t produce such anxiety.  Something traumatic must have happened.  Perhaps his father had just died.  Perhaps he had been sick.  In any case, he knew that something was not right in his life.  Ironically, he was also convinced that he was in good shape.

     Jesus pointed him to God’s word for the answer.  Where else could we turn for the answer to this all-important question?  God is the one who sets the standard for good and evil.  God has entrusted all judgment to the Son.  So, who better than Jesus to give the answer?  Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good?  No one is good except God alone.  You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother’” (Mark 10:18-19).  Jesus’ answer had two parts.  In the second part, he had the man measure himself up to God’s standard.  What does God demand of you?  If you have done this, you will live.  If you have not, you will perish.  So, which have you done—the good or the evil?  And in case this man got stuck, the first part of Jesus’ answer was this: “No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18).

     The rich man, however, did not quite get it.  He replied, Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth” (Mark 10:20).  He insisted he was a good man.  To be fair, I suspect most people would have agreed.  When we talk about who is good or who is bad, we usually limit it to how people behave or to how they treat us.  They usually have to be really bad for us to call them bad.  Rapists are bad.  Murderers are bad.  Human traffickers are bad.  But most people are not rapists, murderers, or human traffickers.  So, we conclude that most people are good because most people don’t go to jail.  Some people are not criminals but are jerks.  If they act that way toward us, then we call them bad.  But what if a man is a brain surgeon and is a jerk?  Then we have to decide which is greater, his boorish behavior or the good he does.  It depends if he operated on a loved one or is at a cocktail party and won’t shut up.  This is a self-centered way to judge good and bad.

     However, there is only one who is good—God.  He sets the standard for good and evil.  The Bible proclaims this sentence upon us all: “There is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22-23).  More accurately, we continue to fall short of the glory of God.  No one is good in the sight of God because no one has done the good God demands.  Like the rich young man, we may have convinced ourselves that we have kept the Commandments.  You may not have murdered someone, but how many people do you wish were dead or would at least suffer?  You may not have cheated on your spouse, but have you fantasized about bedding down with another or ogled pictures on your computer?  You may not have robbed a store, but have you cheated your employer by milking the clock?  You may not have committed perjury, but have you delighted in gossip because you wanted to believe the worst about someone?  And on it goes.  Like the rich man, your outward behavior might suggest you are good.  But the Commandments show that your heart was evil all along.  Repent.

     Jesus wanted to show this rich man that he was not as good as he thought.  His fear, love, and trust were in his wealth.  Jesus loved this man.  He was not trying to stick it to him, but to get him to recognize his need for a Savior.  So Jesus told him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”  Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions (Mark 10:21-22).  The rich man had a god that he prized above all.  He loved his goods.  He would not give them up, not even for eternal life.  I don’t know if this man ever did come to faith Jesus.  If not, he went to his grave.  And then he had neither his wealth nor eternal life.

     Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”  And the disciples were amazed at his words (Mark 10:23-24).  As if this were not disturbing enough, Jesus doubled down.  He declared that salvation is even harder than that.  Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:24-25). 

     I am sure Jesus’ disciples believed that salvation was possible for them, even probable.  They had done so much for Jesus!  Suddenly, they were just as panicked as that rich man who came to Jesus.  They were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible…” (Mark 10:26-27).  This is precisely what Jesus wants us to know.  The disciples thought that they had done something that the rich man had not.  They had left their businesses and homes to follow Jesus.  But Jesus’ words had them very concerned.  If it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for people to be saved, what hope is there?  With man, it is impossible.  Who can do the works God commands?  Whose heart is pure and wholly devoted to God?  Then who can be saved?

     With God, salvation is not merely possible, it is certain.  The fact is you cannot save yourself.  If you are to be saved, someone else must save you.  “With man it is impossible, but not with God.  For all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27).  It should not have to be said, but perhaps it must.  People use this verse, “All things are possible with God,” to refer to just about anything—to landing a job, to beating cancer, to winning a championship.  While it is true that God can do anything, it is not true that you can do whatever you want because with God it is possible.  Not everyone wins a gold medal or gets the lead role.  “With God all things are possible” is true, but that does not mean all things are promised or guaranteed.  This verse refers to our salvation which is far more important than riches, awards, or feats of strength. 

     With God, salvation is not merely possible, it is certain.  That is because Jesus has done all the work to save you.  He saved you from your failings against the Commandments by keeping them for you.  Although the whole world belongs to him, he neither coveted nor took anyone’s possessions.  Although the priests and politicians were corrupt, he did not slander them.  Although he accepted the company of prostitutes and sinners, he did not engage in sin with them.  Jesus has done all things in purity and perfection.  For there is only one who is good—God who came in the flesh.  With Jesus, keeping the Commandments was not merely possible, but certain.

     The rich man would not give up his wealth for the kingdom of God.  He discovered that he could not do what he was told to do.  Neither do we.  But Jesus gave up everything for you.  He left the glory and majesty of heaven to come to earth as a man.  He took the form of a servant—submitting to the Commandments of God, submitting himself to the laws of government, and even enduring the wicked schemes of those who thought they were powerful.  Jesus submitted to betrayal and to beatings, to slander and spitting, to the scourging of the Romans and to the scandal of the cross.  Jesus gave up all he possessed and he has given it to the poor in spirit—to you.  The holiness you need to stand before God, Jesus gave to you.  The clean conscience you need to dwell in peace, Jesus has given to you.  The place in the kingdom of God that you and I do not deserve, Jesus has secured for you.  With God, salvation is not merely possible, it is certain.

     Still, it is hard.  It is hard for us to give up the blessings God has given us.  Sometimes it is hard even to give up the sins we like.  Those must be cast away.  Like the rich man, our attraction to this world is strong.  How foolish!  Do we really think our sins benefit us more than what God is pleased to give us?  If God has been pleased to give us blessings here and now, do we think that the blessings to come will be lacking in quality or quantity?  Are the temporary riches of earth to be preferred to the eternal riches of heaven—riches he is pleased to give us already in the word and sacraments?  Whatever earthly blessings God gives us now—no matter how beloved or beneficial they are to us—they will be lost.  Even if we keep them until the day we die, we will die and they will be useless.  And if God should choose to take away the possessions he gives us before we die, never forget that God still possesses us!  Whatever we lose in this world, we do not lose the Savior whose promises are certain, guaranteed, and everlasting.

     With God, salvation is not merely possible, it is certain.  The question asked by the rich man is important.  It has eternal implications.  But his question also betrayed a common misunderstanding: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life” (Mark 10:17)?  What do you have to do to inherit something?  Nothing.  You can’t do anything to inherit something.  Someone must include you in his will, which is his choice, not yours.  Then he has to die so that his possessions are given to you.  That is exactly what Jesus did.  He put your name in the Book of Life so that you will be saved.  He died and has made you heirs of eternal life.  He does the work of saving you and of sustaining you in the faith.  He gave up everything to have you as his possession, and he gives you everything you need for this life and the next. 

     God’s love for you is not merely possible; it is certain.  God’s forgiveness of your sins is not merely possible; it is certain.  The resurrection of the dead is not merely possible; it is certain.  And your place in heavenly glory is not merely possible; it is certain.  For, Jesus is risen.  He lives and reigns to guarantee all his promises.  He has gone to prepare a place for you, and he will come again so that your place will be with him.

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