Sermon -- Wedding of Daniel Belanger & KImberly Storm (May 18, 2013)

OUTDO ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE.

ROMANS 12:10

Love one another with brotherly affection.

Outdo one another in showing honor.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Normally, I would not stand before a bride and groom on their wedding day and tell them that their marriage is to be a competition.  That is a recipe for disaster.  It is not hard to imagine what could go wrong with a marriage that is a matter of getting one’s way, winning arguments, and keeping score.  And since you both have sinful hearts, you would both find something appealing about winning at the expense of each other.  Selfishness is never satisfied.  While selfishness loves to take, it despises giving.  Everyone always wants more.  You are only happy as long as you get what you want.  And you will only be happy until you want something else.  Now, if you compete with each other in who can score more victories, eventually one or both of you are going to want to quit that game.  But marriage is not a game or a contest, and you are not rivals.

     Yet, the verse you chose speaks about a sort of competition.  Love one another with brotherly affection.  Outdo one another in showing honor. (Romans 12:10)  Both of you are pledging to devote yourselves to serving, loving, and honoring the other.  This is a noble goal, and it will serve your marriage well.  God gives a man and a woman to each other so that they will be a blessing for one another.

     When God had created all things, everything in the world was perfect.  He created the man, Adam; and since Adam was holy, Adam could have lived contently by himself.  But God knew that creation was not complete without a wife for the man.  So from the side of the groom, Adam, God made a bride for him.  Adam recognized the tremendous gift God had given him.  Filled with joy, Adam gave us the first poem in the history of mankind to celebrate the joy of finding a wife.

     Dan, to my knowledge, you are not a poet, but you would surely speak highly of the bride whom the Lord gives to you.  Kimberly, I don’t know that the sight of Dan makes you break out into song, but you surely are thankful for the husband God grants you.  You are each a blessing from God to each other.  You get to rejoice together in the good times, to encourage each other in tough times, and to comfort each other in sad times.  And since the person you are binding yourself to today is God’s gift to you, you will honor God by honoring one another.  Outdo one another in honor.  Outdo one another in love.

     The reality is, you will not be competing against each other in this.  You will be competing against your own sinful flesh in trying to love and honor each other.  Sinners have a warped definition of love.  Our love is usually given as long as the one whom we love makes us happy.  If you don’t make me happy, then I don’t need you, want you, or love you.  This is not love for anyone but oneself.  This is your sinful condition.  All people are born with it.  Kimberly, you have seen it at work already in 5 year olds.  It is no different in adults.  But if your love is limited to when your spouse makes you happy, things will get sour pretty fast.  You will start keeping track of who does more for the marriage, and you will always be convinced that the other one is coming up short.  But true love does not keep score.  Day after day, you will need to repent and to kill every desire to win, to control, and to conquer.

     Even though you are sinners, you are not without hope.  The verse you have chosen from Romans gives you a hint of what your hope will always be.  Love one another with brotherly affection. (Romans 12:10)  What is brotherly affection?  Scripture defines it as the love that Christians have for another.  So, what makes that kind of love so special?  Because it is drawn from the love that Jesus Christ has for us, his Church. 

     Jesus Christ is called the Groom, and the Church is his Bride.  As Eve received her life from the side of Adam, so the Church receives its life from the wounded side of Jesus Christ.  Everything that Jesus did was for the benefit of the Church, for the benefit of you.  He does not leave you to suffer the judgment you deserve for your selfish attitude, for failing to cherish his gifts, or for withholding love from your loved ones.  Jesus has taken that judgment for you.  He did not do this because you deserve this honor.  He did it simply because it is for your good.  You need his mercy, his forgiveness, and his salvation.  Therefore, Jesus secured it for you.  Jesus lived and died in order to redeem you from sin and death.

     Jesus has outdone everyone in love.  Love is not Jesus’ feeling toward you; it is his policy.  Even when you grieve him with your sins, Jesus does not despise or dismiss you.  For, he loves you.  Having bled and died for you, he forgives all your sins.  He wants you to be his for eternity.  Through holy baptism, he has put his name on you so that you would receive his gifts and be heirs of heaven.  This is the honor Jesus has bestowed on his Bride, the Church.  It is the honor he pours out on you.  In turn, the Church submits to Jesus to receive these good things from him.  The Church honors Jesus by observing his commands and by serving others.  This is how we show our love to him.

     This is the brotherly love you get to demonstrate for one another.  Outdo one another in love, in honor, in serving one another, and in seeking the good of the other.  Dan, you get to love Kimberly, exalt her, provide for her, and protect her.  All that you do is for her well-being.  And Kimberly, you get to submit to Dan, meaning that you get to receive his name, his honor, his protection, his wealth, and all that is his to give.  You receive good things from him, and you honor him by doing so.  Outdo one another in love.

     The husband is God’s gift to the wife.  The wife is God’s gift to the husband.  Each is for the good of the other.  You get to honor each other more than anyone else.  You get to serve each other more than anyone else.  And when you sin against the other, you get to forgive because you will need each other’s mercy.  It is all just as Jesus Christ does to love his Bride, the Church.  And it is all just as the Church does to honor Jesus Christ. 

     Outdo one another in love.  In this way, you will find joy in the spouse God has given you.  And in this way, you will honor God who has given you to one another.  In this way, you will reflect the love that Jesus has and shows you.

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

Track Meets

Last weekend, we had a bunch of our kids involved in track meets.  Caleb and Philip had just the one at Huron Valley Lutheran High School.  Here are some of their photos.

 

 

After that, we headed up north to finally catch one of Faith's and Nathanael's track meets.  Apparently, they have both been having a very good year.  They have both done well at the 110 meter hurdles.  Less favorite is the 300 meter hurdles, but that is what we got to see because we got up there late.  Anyway, it was the last time Faith would ever run that race.  She was not nearly as broken up by that as she was by the end of basketball season.

Anyway, here are a few photos of Faith and Nathanael (gray sleeves), taken on a bitter, cold, and windy day at Akron-Fairgrove High School.

Sermon -- Ascension, transferred (May 12, 2013)

LUKE 24:44-53

AND LIFTING UP HIS HANDS, JESUS BLESSED THEM.

In the name + of Jesus.

M:       Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

Cong:  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

     In the Temple, the priests daily made sacrifices for the people.  A priest would enter the Holy Place every morning and evening and serve before the altar of incense.  After the sacrifice was complete, the priest would leave the holy place.  He would stand on the steps of the temple, extend his hands, and bestow the Lord’s blessing upon the Lord’s people.  You would be familiar with this blessing.  The priest declared, “The LORD bless you and keep you.  The LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.  The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)  And with that blessing came God’s promise: “So shall (the priests) put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:27)

     Our Lord Jesus Christ had also completed his work of sacrificing.  His sacrifice, of course, was himself.  The Lamb of God had been slain for the sins of the world.  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!” sing the hosts of heaven.  Emphasis on “was.”  He is no longer slain.  As foretold, Jesus completed all that had been written about him in Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.  (Jesus) said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.” (Luke 24:46-47)  Jesus fulfilled all that was written about him in the Scriptures. 

     Christ is risen.  His sacrifice is complete and perfect.  He has taken away your sin.  He has conquered death and vanquished hell.  He has rendered the devil powerless.  Jesus Christ lives and reigns forever.  And so, when he raises his hands and bestows his blessings, he does not merely wish blessings upon you.  He actually bestows what he has won for you.  As he has done for Mansour this morning, so also for you who have been baptized, Jesus has put his name on you.  You are his; and his blessings—ALL his blessings—are yours!

     Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.  While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. (Luke 24:50-51)  Lifting up his hands, Jesus blessed them.  He had completed his saving works, and so he ascended into heaven.  While you might get the idea that Jesus’ ascension into heaven means that he is kicking back in heaven and has nothing to do with you anymore, that is not true.  “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” (Apostles’ Creed)  That means Jesus lives and reigns and continues to bestow his blessings upon you.

     One of the reasons that Jesus’ ascension probably does not receive as much attention as it should is because we forget who Jesus is.  You hear that Jesus has ascended to the throne of God and rules over all things, and it is generally met with a yawn.  God reigns over all things.  Not really a surprise, is it?  But Jesus Christ is also true man.  He was born in the flesh.  He lived and died in the flesh.  When Jesus rose from the grave, he did not shed his humanity.  The man, Jesus Christ, ascended into heaven.  Your flesh and blood brother has all authority over all things.  God the Father seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (Ephesians 1:20-21)  If Jesus Christ reigns, then the one who rules over the universe is man.

     If you find it hard to believe that man rules heaven and earth, it is because you are familiar with the hearts and minds of men.  You have seen man’s wickedness by observing how awful people are when they speak to one another or about one another, in the shameful way people use one another, in the jealous way we look at one another, and in the callous way we think of one another.  That wickedness rears its ugly, vicious head especially when men receive power and authority.  Men use power to crush enemies and destroy rivals.  You yourself get frustrated because you do not have the power or authority to get what you want—whether better behaved children, better pay, or a better parking space.  So if a man has been given all authority in heaven and earth, you tremble at the thought of how it will be used.  And it is probably because you know how you would use it.

     If you think evil of other people, it is because the same evil dwells within your own heart.  You know what it is to be petty and bitter.  You smugly look down on others, and then you are offended when others snub you.  You know just how wicked people can be, because you have seen it in yourself.  Your guilt bears witness against you.  Jesus reigns with an iron scepter, and you should be crushed by it.  Repent!

     But Jesus does not lift up his hands to wage war.  Lifting up his hands, he blesses you.  Jesus took on your human nature in order to bind himself to you.  For, the Lord does not despise mankind whom he has created.  Therefore, he became man to redeem it.  Jesus lived a holy life as man in order to fulfill the Commandments.  Though he had no sin of his own, he bound himself to your sin.  He bore your sin and guilt.  He lifted up his hands in blessing at the cross to pay for them there.  His gruesome death is for your highest good, for the forgiveness of your sins.

     On the third day, Jesus was raised from the grave.  He did not shed his humanity in his resurrection.  The flesh and blood he became he has redeemed.  In flesh and blood, he rose from the grave to show you that you, too, shall rise from the grave in your body.  Having set you free from sin and death, Jesus will raise you up glorious and incorruptible.  Lifting up his hands, he blesses you with this victory.

     Forty days after Jesus rose from the dust of the earth, Jesus ascended into the glories of heaven.  The flesh and blood, gloriously risen Savior entered the very presence of God.  Again, Jesus did this for you.  He shall exalt you to be what God had always created you to be—holy children of God who will dwell in the presence of the Lord forever.  The man, Jesus Christ, has paved the way.  If this man stands in the presence of holy God, you can be sure that you who are mankind shall dwell there, too.  For through baptism, you have been washed in his blood.  You have been marked in his name.  He lifts up his hands and bestows his blessings of forgiveness and salvation upon you.  Jesus Christ has exalted you to the status of children of the Most High God.  And he will exalt you even more to the eternal dwellings of heaven.

     Until that day, you still bear your status as God’s redeemed.  Christ has put his name on you to bless you and so that you will be little christs before the world.  Your whole life bears witnesses that Jesus is at work in you.  You are confessors of Jesus’ salvation.  You are evidence of God’s mercy.  You bear the name of Jesus Christ, and you bear the glad tidings of eternal life.  You get to speak of repentance and forgiveness because these have been given to you.  You get to reflect the light of Christ to show love to others, with the gracious words you get to speak to others, and in the prayers you offer up to others. 

     …And lifting up his hands he blessed them.  While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. (Luke 24:50-51)  Though Jesus has ascended to heaven, he has not abandoned you.  He lives and reigns at the right hand of God.  In other words, where God is at work to save, there Jesus is at work to bless.  Though his word, through the sacraments, and through his ministers, Jesus is at work.  There, he puts his name on you.  There, he lifts up his hands.  There, he blesses you.

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

Ascension Day Prayer

Lord Jesus, King of glory, on this day you ascended far above the heavens and at God’s right hand you rule the nations.  Leave us not alone, we pray, but grant us the Spirit of truth that at your command and by your power we may be your witnesses in all the world; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.


We recognize two things on Ascension Day -- Jesus' actual ascension into heaven, and that he is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  God's right hand is where he reveals his deliverance and salvation.  Where his word and sacraments are, there God is at work to save.

Jesus' ascension also encourages us to look heavenward.  It is from there that Jesus will return to take us out of this world of sorrow and all of its evils and problems.  While it is not easy or fun to endure frustrations and pains in this world, they do teach us to long for the world to come which will be much better by far.  Therefore, we live in this world for as long as our Lord is pleased, and we look for the life of the world to come when we will be forever free from sin, sorrow, pain, and death. 

Jesus ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us there.  By his word and sacraments, he prepares us for that place.

Every Sunday Communion -- a Lutheran Confession

The link below goes to a thoughtful, well-written article about the Lutheran Confessions and the confession Lutherans make by observing the every Sunday celebration of the Lord's Supper.  It is not a terribly long article, but if you need the Cliff's Notes version of it, here it is:

Every Sunday Communion:
     It is salutary.
     It is wise.
     It is Lutheran.

Now, read the article:
http://gottesdienstonline.blogspot.com/2013/05/in-our-churches-mass-is-celebrated.html

 

Sermon -- 6th Sunday of Easter (May 5, 2013)

JOHN 14:23-29

OUR HELP IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.

In the name + of Jesus.

M:       Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

Cong:  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

     The Psalms teach us to pray, “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)  Unfortunately, words can have various shades of meaning.  When someone confesses that the Lord is our “help,” that person might consider the Lord to be on the level of a thyroid pill.  It might balance things out, but you can still pretty much get by without him.  He is only to be used in times of grave danger or difficulty.

     But that is not the case.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is much more than a knee brace or a pair of corrective lenses.  He does not give crutches to the lame or even sessions of physical therapy.  He tells the lame man, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” (John 5:8)  He gives sight to the blind.  He makes the deaf hear.  He loosens the tongue of the mute.  He drives the demons out of the man who is possessed.  He raises the dead.  He does not teach you, “Apart from me, things can get pretty rough.”  He says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, emphasis added)  Our Help is in the name of the Lord.  He is the Helper who saves those who are hopelessly lost. 

     In our Gospel, Jesus was speaking to his disciples during Maundy Thursday.  He was preparing them for the fact that he would not be with them much longer—not just for the next few hours, but for the rest of their lives.  He was taken from them by crucifixion, and he was restored to them by his resurrection.  For forty days, Jesus came to his apostles and taught them about the kingdom of God.  But after that time, Jesus ascended into heaven.  They would not see him again.  It would have been easy for the apostles to think—and for you to draw the same conclusion—that, if Jesus is gone, then his promises are at best iffy.  For many people, Jesus is “out of sight, out of mind.”

     The apostles had heard Jesus’ teachings.  They learned his promises.  But once Jesus ascended, would they remember them?  And if they would be Jesus’ witnesses to the world, would they get their message right and keep it straight?  Therefore, Jesus told the apostles, “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:25-26)  The apostles were not on their own.  Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to teach them, to remind them, and to guide them in recording Jesus’ words and promises.       

     You may hear that people are not interested in religion and that it is best not to talk about it.  That is untrue.  Even atheists are interested in religion, even if it is expressed by their vehemence against Jesus.  The problem is not that people don’t care about God; the problem is who they think God is.  Just this past week, NBA player, Jason Collins, announced that he is a gay man.  The response to his announcement was predictable.  For the most part, he was celebrated by athletes, celebrities, and politicians.  However, when ESPN reporter, Chris Broussard, was asked what he thought about the announcement, he said that Mr. Collins is violating God’s word.  He also stated that any violation of God’s word is sin, and that people should repent of their sins.  Broussard was right.  Every infraction against God’s word is sin.  All sin is damnable.  Every sinner must repent.  Unfortunately, because of whatever pressured he faced, it was not Collins but Broussard who has since repented of his statement.  God’s word was rejected.  Sin has been upheld.  And those who take their stand with God are vilified.

     You need not stop the presses to learn that Mr. Collins is a sinner.  You are one, too.  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  The response to sin, however, is where the real story is.  And sadly, it was no surprise—because sinners always turn to themselves to be their own authority for ethics, for morals, and for judgment.  We long to be our own gods.  Satan still convinces sinners, “Don’t listen to what God has to say.  He does not really love you.  Listen to your own voice.  Do what pleases you; for that is best for you.”  And we, too, try to find comfort in our opinions.  We assume that God always agrees with us.  Our actions are always righteous, or at least justifiable.  And when we have pangs of guilt, we turn to our friends because we count on them to excuse us for our sins and to assure us that we are right when we do what is wrong.  This is no help to you at all.

     You will not find peace in defying the Lord.  It will not matter if your neighbor is guilty, too.  It will not matter if your co-worker is worse.  It will not matter if the whole world feels it is right.  Sinners presume that they have the right to speak for God.  Sinners often feel that God needs correction.  This is blasphemous.  Refusing to heed God’s word is rebellion.  The Holy Spirit reveals this so that you will not try to find solace in your excuses or peace in your friends telling you that you are fine.  Do not confuse your friends’ praise of you with God’s assessment of you.  You have turned a deaf ear to God’s word.  You have not obeyed.  You are guilty, and you are accountable.  Your sin does not produce peace, but punishment.  You’ve earned your death.  You are hopelessly lost.  Repent.

     Our help is in the name of the Lord.  He comes to save those who are hopelessly lost.  He has given his words and promises to the apostles so that they could write them down for you to read, learn, and take them to heart.  They are given so that you would know Jesus provides complete salvation for you.  Yes, your sins deserve death and damnation.  But Jesus has taken the cup of God’s wrath and has drained it down to its dregs for you.  His crucifixion pays for your sins.  It does not merely help you on your way; it saves you completely.  And Jesus’ resurrection shows you that his innocent death is the full price for you to receive a place in Paradise.  Jesus does not merely help you to see the way.  He IS the way.  Jesus fought your enemies of sin, death, and the devil for you.  Jesus conquered them for you.  And he gives you the spoils—forgiveness for your sins, victory over the grave, and life everlasting.

     Our help is in the name of the Lord.  He provides the only peace that will last.  Therefore, take Jesus’ words to heart: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)  Jesus gives you a peace that stands against every foe, every battle, every weakness, and every fear.  It is the peace of knowing that Jesus forgives your sins.  It is the peace of knowing that you are not condemned for your weaknesses.  It is the peace of knowing that you are God’s beloved even when you despise yourself.  It is the peace of knowing that heaven awaits when this world is filled with pain.  It is the peace of knowing that, when people desert you, criticize you, or vilify you, God’s judgment is the only one that matters. 

     Our help is in the name of the Lord.  Your salvation and your peace remain in Christ; therefore, your salvation and your peace remain constant—in times of joy or sorrow, in times of celebration or trouble, in times of persecution, destruction, or death.  The word of the Lord endures forever.  The Holy Spirit does not forsake you.  God’s promises do not wobble.

     Our help is in the name of the Lord.  Therefore, you will never be severed from his heavenly peace.  Jesus has sent you his Holy Spirit through the very words he had given to the prophets and the apostles.  This is where God imparts life and faith and salvation to you.  The Holy Spirit who taught reminded the apostles of all that Jesus had said and done teaches you that Jesus saves you.  The Helper reminds you that Jesus says you are his own.  You are not helpless.  You are not even in danger.  You are sealed with the Holy Spirit through your baptism.  Our help is in the name of the Lord, and so we are saved. 

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

Prayer of the Church -- 6th Sunday of Easter

Father of lights, every good and perfect gift comes from you.  Inspire us to think those things that are true and long for those things that are good, that we may always make our petitions according to your gracious will; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Once again, the Church prays that God would transform her mind and heart so that they would be more like that of Christ.  And once again, this is God's work.

This prayer expresses our desire to "think those things that are true."  Truth is not something that is influenced or adjusted according to popularity.  Truth always stands, regardless of place or time.  Truth is what our Lord reveals to us in the Scriptures.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but God's truth never will.  It may not be popular.  It may be rejected and denied.  But it will not fail.  May God always direct our minds to his word so that our lives will be lived according to it.

We also pray that God would teach us to "long for those things that are good."  Again, God sets the definition of "good."  We are poor judges of what is good.  We let our flesh tell us what is good.  Our flesh would have us believe that "good" is limited to what is good for me.  But what is good for me is often at the expense of someone else.  My neighbor would not think it is good at all, because he had to suffer or to pay for my good.  Good is what God determines, for God is good.  And as our loving, heavenly Father, we can be sure that whatever he gives to us (whether we view it as good or bad) is always what is good for us.  It may cause us to well up with praise and thanksgiving, or it may drive us to our knees in pain and frustration.  Whatever our Father gives us is ultimately driving us to Jesus for our salvation.  That is always good.

When our Lord teaches us to think and to desire what is true and good, we will pray for exactly what the Father desires for us.  Even if our prayer boils down to, "Father, you know best.  Give me what I truly need, for I know that will be good", this is a prayer that would please our God.  And he will always say "yes" to these prayers.