TEXT: John 8:31-36
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (ESV)
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
493 years has passed since Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Still today, there are some who still wonder what it means to be a Lutheran, most curiously, even among those who call themselves, “Lutheran.”
Not too long ago I met a man who had been a Missouri Synod-Lutheran his entire Life who complained that some Lutherans made the sign of the cross while speaking the invocation. He said, “Lutherans don’t do that!” Perhaps this Lutheran never read what Luther wrote in the Small Catechism on how to pray: Am Morgen, wenn du aufstehst, kannst du dich mit dem Zeichen des heiligen Kreuzes segnen und sagen: ”Im Namen des Vaters, des Sohnes und des Heiligen Geistes. Amen.“ (in the morning, when you rise, you shall bless yourself with the sign of the holy cross and say: “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.”) Luther had no problem with making the sign of the cross.
It would be good if every Lutheran would actually read some of what Luther said and did. Luther had many ideas. He wanted Bible stories painted on the church walls. He loved sanctuaries that were full of Christian art: paintings, statues and stain glassed windows. Luther celebrated Holy Communion every Sunday, and when he once spilled some wine from the common cup, he got down on the floor and licked it up, because for Luther it was the very blood of Christ. When it came to hospitality, Luther entertained friends and enemies alike. He dined with the pope’s officials and provided lodging for Carlstadt, a man who almost destroyed the Reformation by pillaging churches. Luther said things that many today would find outrageous or at least things we wouldn’t repeat in certain company. He made choice remarks about many people… calling them names and often referring to them as some barnyard animal. Luther enjoyed drinking the beer brewed by his wife, Katie. One of the beer steins that he regularly used had 3 levels corresponding to the 10 commandments, the Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer. Luther would scold his friend Melanchton because he could only drink down past the 10 commandments while Luther could reach the Lord’s Prayer without stopping.
Luther wrote much… hymns, liturgies, theological discourses, and letters to friends and family. His Christmas hymn “From Heaven Above” has 15 stanzas. He preached three different sermons every Sunday, lectured on the Bible every day at the university. You would be hard-pressed to think of a single theologian who has been more influential in Christianity, than Martin Luther.
What made Luther tick was neither his giant intellect nor his ability to work, work, work. Luther was a 16th Century disciple of the Lord, Jesus Christ, who had been blessed to have faith in Jesus’ words, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The saving truth that was at the very center of all Luther’s doctrine was this: That a man is justified before God by grace alone through faith alone on account of Christ alone without works. That was not simply Luther’s doctrine, but Christ’s truth given to Luther to proclaim. Luther rejoiced in the truth that a man could not contribute to his salvation…. Christ had done it all…. His perfect life…. His death…. His resurrection…. For Luther and for you.
Luther once defined a Christian this way: “A Christian is not someone who has no sin or feels no sin; he is someone to whom, because of his faith in Christ, God does not impute sin.” (Gal Commentary, pg. 133) Luther understood what Jesus said… “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
To be a child of God is to be someone whom God does not impute sin. Impute means “to charge with.” Like a charge card or debit card… you swipe a card and charge the debtt to your account. God does not impute your sin to you…. He does not charge you with your sin. Rather, by the gift of faith, God imputes sinners with all the holiness and righteousness of Jesus Christ and truly makes you, “disciples” and “children of God.” Your sin has been charged to Christ and has died with Him…. Drowned and buried in Holy Baptism.
Annual Reformation celebrations cause Lutherans to come face to face with Luther, the man and his doctrine. The truth about Luther often places us in a dilemma. We love to quote Luther when he talks about Jesus, but other aspects of Luther we’d rather not mention.
What does it mean to be a Lutheran? In the end, to be a Lutheran is more than commemorating Luther, or imitating everything Luther did. A Lutheran is not someone who has no sin or feels no sin; he is someone to whom, because of his faith in Christ, God does not impute sin. To be a Lutheran is to be a Christian saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. To be a Lutheran is not a choice or decision BUT only by grace.
Lutherans celebrate the Reformation because Jesus Christ is at the center of that celebration, not Luther…. Take away Jesus, and we’d all be better off staying home.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sermon - Trinity 21
TEXT: John 4:46-54
46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Jesus healed the son of an official of King Herod with His Word…. And ONLY His Word. It was the second sign (miracle) that Jesus had done in Cana. The first was turning water into wine at a wedding feast. Jesus had a reputation in Cana. He had a reputation of manifesting the glory of God…. that is, showing or demonstrating the honor and distinction that only God has.
The official Himself was not a resident of Cana but lived about 15 miles to the east, in Capernaum. His son was very ill and near death.
What a terrible thing that must’ve been for this father… for any father or mother. A sick child. Near death. We expect someone who is old to die… but not a child. Children are full of energy and life… death is supposed to be far way from them. Every parent thinks that he will out live his children. How helpless this father felt. Surely he had tried everything to bring health to his son…. But death only drew nearer.
The official had a simple prayer to the Lord Jesus: “Come with me, travel with me to Capernaum, it’s only a short trip from here. Please come with me. Jesus, come and heal my son.”
It was a simple prayer prayed in faith. The father believed that Jesus had the authority to heal his son. It was a simple faith…. a faith that was kindled in this man’s heart by grace. A faith that was given to him by hearing the Word of Christ. A faith that had its beginning not in his son’s need but by God Himself, even as the Scriptures say, “The Lord God is the beginning of faith.”
And even while this father believed that Jesus could heal his son, he expected that Jesus could do it only if He were to go to Capernaum. If Jesus were to Go to Capernaum, then He would be physically present at the bedside of his son. In Capernaum Jesus could touch His son or speak to his son. But in Cana, Jesus seemed too far away to manifest the glory of God. “No, Jesus…. Leave Cana, travel with me only 15 short miles so that my son will know the presence of God.”
But Jesus said, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” His words seem so cold and calloused. But the omniscient (all-knowing) Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. “No dear man, don’t get all caught up in signs and wonders. Don’t look for extravagant display of power… some abracadabra, circus sideshow… no not signs and wonders… but the Word. Trust My Word. In My Word, the glory of God is manifested.”
Words seem so powerless. Ever been to a doctor who walked into the room and said, “Get better” and then walked back out? You’d be upset if you got a bill for that kind of office visit! But the Word of God is like no other. The Word of God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it “out of nothing.” The Word of God fills the earth and accomplishes the purpose for which it was sent forth. The Word of God cannot be reduced to simply a wise man’s advice for living a prosperous life. The Word of Jesus is efficacious! That means, the God’s Word has the authority to DO whatever God wants it to DO. If the Word of God says “Your son will live” during the seventh hour of the day some 15 miles away from where your son is dying, then don’t doubt it but believe that your son will live!
And the son lived.
And the father who had heard the Word of God travelled back to his son. And as the father spoke the Word of Jesus to the rest of His household about Jesus, his faith was in action, and the Word of God that he repeated created more faith…. and all his household believed. Wow! The unstoppable faith-creating Word of God. It’s awesome.
So often, we do not believe that God’s word has any authority at all. Many Christians use the Word simply as some sort of emotional inspiration…. Sort of as a pep talk when things aren’t going so well. But that is so short-sighted. Imagine owning a screw driver and thinking that the only thing it was really useful for was opening a can of paint. Never mind that it can be used for many more useful things. The same is true of the Word of God. We forget that it is a gift from God that creates faith “out of nothing” in poor miserable blind and beggarly sinners…. Not only does it alone create faith, but it also keeps us in true faith. Without the Word of God there would be no Christians, no Church, no pastors, and no Sacraments. If God were to take away His Word we would have no hope, no salvation. If the Word of God had not come to each of you, imagine what you’d be. You’d be like the official’s son, even worse, you’d be dead. Dead in trespasses sins. With no knowledge of God. No hope of heaven.
That Word of God that healed that offical’s son some 2000 years ago is still a creative, unstoppable faith-creating Word of God today. When God’s Word is added to plain water, faith is kindled in the hearts of little sinful dying little babies. When God’s Word is added to bread and wine and placed into your mouth, you who are weak in faith and bruised and beaten by the club of sin are healed. That precious Word of God proclaimed for you to hear is the balm of Gilead and the ointment that has cured your sin-sick souls…. So that, you too shall live! Look around you and see all of you who are believers. See what WONDERS God’s Word has done… surely, His glory has been manifested among us!
No, don’t look for signs and wonders. Hear the Word of God and believe.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Jesus healed the son of an official of King Herod with His Word…. And ONLY His Word. It was the second sign (miracle) that Jesus had done in Cana. The first was turning water into wine at a wedding feast. Jesus had a reputation in Cana. He had a reputation of manifesting the glory of God…. that is, showing or demonstrating the honor and distinction that only God has.
The official Himself was not a resident of Cana but lived about 15 miles to the east, in Capernaum. His son was very ill and near death.
What a terrible thing that must’ve been for this father… for any father or mother. A sick child. Near death. We expect someone who is old to die… but not a child. Children are full of energy and life… death is supposed to be far way from them. Every parent thinks that he will out live his children. How helpless this father felt. Surely he had tried everything to bring health to his son…. But death only drew nearer.
The official had a simple prayer to the Lord Jesus: “Come with me, travel with me to Capernaum, it’s only a short trip from here. Please come with me. Jesus, come and heal my son.”
It was a simple prayer prayed in faith. The father believed that Jesus had the authority to heal his son. It was a simple faith…. a faith that was kindled in this man’s heart by grace. A faith that was given to him by hearing the Word of Christ. A faith that had its beginning not in his son’s need but by God Himself, even as the Scriptures say, “The Lord God is the beginning of faith.”
And even while this father believed that Jesus could heal his son, he expected that Jesus could do it only if He were to go to Capernaum. If Jesus were to Go to Capernaum, then He would be physically present at the bedside of his son. In Capernaum Jesus could touch His son or speak to his son. But in Cana, Jesus seemed too far away to manifest the glory of God. “No, Jesus…. Leave Cana, travel with me only 15 short miles so that my son will know the presence of God.”
But Jesus said, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” His words seem so cold and calloused. But the omniscient (all-knowing) Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. “No dear man, don’t get all caught up in signs and wonders. Don’t look for extravagant display of power… some abracadabra, circus sideshow… no not signs and wonders… but the Word. Trust My Word. In My Word, the glory of God is manifested.”
Words seem so powerless. Ever been to a doctor who walked into the room and said, “Get better” and then walked back out? You’d be upset if you got a bill for that kind of office visit! But the Word of God is like no other. The Word of God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it “out of nothing.” The Word of God fills the earth and accomplishes the purpose for which it was sent forth. The Word of God cannot be reduced to simply a wise man’s advice for living a prosperous life. The Word of Jesus is efficacious! That means, the God’s Word has the authority to DO whatever God wants it to DO. If the Word of God says “Your son will live” during the seventh hour of the day some 15 miles away from where your son is dying, then don’t doubt it but believe that your son will live!
And the son lived.
And the father who had heard the Word of God travelled back to his son. And as the father spoke the Word of Jesus to the rest of His household about Jesus, his faith was in action, and the Word of God that he repeated created more faith…. and all his household believed. Wow! The unstoppable faith-creating Word of God. It’s awesome.
So often, we do not believe that God’s word has any authority at all. Many Christians use the Word simply as some sort of emotional inspiration…. Sort of as a pep talk when things aren’t going so well. But that is so short-sighted. Imagine owning a screw driver and thinking that the only thing it was really useful for was opening a can of paint. Never mind that it can be used for many more useful things. The same is true of the Word of God. We forget that it is a gift from God that creates faith “out of nothing” in poor miserable blind and beggarly sinners…. Not only does it alone create faith, but it also keeps us in true faith. Without the Word of God there would be no Christians, no Church, no pastors, and no Sacraments. If God were to take away His Word we would have no hope, no salvation. If the Word of God had not come to each of you, imagine what you’d be. You’d be like the official’s son, even worse, you’d be dead. Dead in trespasses sins. With no knowledge of God. No hope of heaven.
That Word of God that healed that offical’s son some 2000 years ago is still a creative, unstoppable faith-creating Word of God today. When God’s Word is added to plain water, faith is kindled in the hearts of little sinful dying little babies. When God’s Word is added to bread and wine and placed into your mouth, you who are weak in faith and bruised and beaten by the club of sin are healed. That precious Word of God proclaimed for you to hear is the balm of Gilead and the ointment that has cured your sin-sick souls…. So that, you too shall live! Look around you and see all of you who are believers. See what WONDERS God’s Word has done… surely, His glory has been manifested among us!
No, don’t look for signs and wonders. Hear the Word of God and believe.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Sermon - Trinity 20
Matthew 22:1-14And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’ 5 But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.11 “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.” ESV
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
A wedding feast… that’s what Jesus says the kingdom of Heaven is like. For a king to kill one fattened calf or a single ox would have been quite a celebration. But this king was a generous king. Many oxen AND many fat calves were prepared. This was the feast of feasts. The king had done the ALL work… and he offered to give it away as a GIFT… free of charge… it was a feast so lavish that no one…. Absolutely no one could even begin to reimburse the king. Imagine a banquet given by the most wealthy man in the entire world, who has sacrificed all that he had…. EVERYTHING…. To give His guests a luxurious feast.
Every last penny had been put into the banquet, then the king sent his servants saying, “Come to the wedding feast! You’re invited! I’ve chosen you by name. Please come be my guest. I’ve prepared everything for you. This is no pitch in. All the food you could ever want will be there.”
BUT EVEN MORE…. The parable should be understood this way. This banquet was a banquet with eternal consequences. Not only would this banquet be a banquet that would provide enough food for the noon meal, but even more. Wedding feasts in 1st Century Judaism would have lasted several days. But the implication of this banquet was much more than that. It was a feast that would last longer than the typical banquet… this banquet was so extravagant that the king was offering them a banquet that would never end. In effect, what the king offered them, was a life without having to work to put a single piece of bread on the table for the rest of their lives! The King would provide for all their wants…. Forever and ever!
It was this kind of wedding feast to which some paid no attention. They didn’t care. They were okay with working for their food. Others thought there were more important things to do. Some had farming to do…. The harvest had to come first. Never mind that the king offered them an opportunity to never have to harvest again. Some were too caught up in the joys of this world. They didn’t want any free hand-outs from a King. They wanted to earn their own living and find their own way. Others became angry that the King would be so generous to offer them a different life. They became so angry that they mistreated the King’s servants and even killed them.
So the King considered them unworthy and offered His eternal banquet to others. Many received the gift with joy and celebration. Those who were poor and neglected came to the banquet and feasted.
But don’t miss the point of this parable. This King is God the Father, Maker of Heaven and earth. And while the Father is certainly the generous Giver of food and drink, clothing and shoes, house and home, wife and children, and every other good thing, the Gift of the Kingdom of Heaven is more than these. The gift of the Kingdom of Heaven is the Son Himself… Jesus Christ. Jesus has earned the Feast for you through His innocent sufferings and death.
Jesus once said, “My Body is real food and my Blood is real Drink. I am the Living Bread come down from Heaven. If a man eats my Body and drinks my Blood He will live forever.” Jesus is the Feast.
But just as some turn up their noses to what Mom puts on the table and says, “I don’t like peas and carrots and broccoli” or whatever it is people complain about. So, there are those who say, “I don’t care for Jesus and His forgiveness and salvation. I’d rather have something else.” But there is no room for these picky eaters in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The real food in the Kingdom of heaven is the Word and Sacraments. This how Jesus comes to you. Christ’s Word and Sacraments is the only eternal food. This is God’s good food for you. Food that will last forever. Food that gives eternal life…. Food that makes you healthy and strong. God’s Holy Word is the Bread that has come down from Heaven so that you who feed on it will live forever. Jesus’ Body and Blood is the food of immortality that if a man should eat of eat, He will live forever.
One man in the parable, tried to find a seat at the banquet table without His wedding garment. He is like those who despise God’s Means of Grace. Like those who want to come into the Kingdom another way without hearing the Word of Christ and without their baptismal robe. But the Father will NOT stand for those who think their way into the kingdom of Heaven is better than God’s way. For those who want to earn their way into heaven, God says they will be cast into darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Today God’s kingdom come to you again. Inviting you to hear His Word, which has the authority to create the faith which believes the invitation. Today, His mercy calls you to eat and drink His Body and Blood at this altar so that you might have a foretaste of the Feast to come.
Come, eat and drink! The feast has been prepared for you!
In Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
A wedding feast… that’s what Jesus says the kingdom of Heaven is like. For a king to kill one fattened calf or a single ox would have been quite a celebration. But this king was a generous king. Many oxen AND many fat calves were prepared. This was the feast of feasts. The king had done the ALL work… and he offered to give it away as a GIFT… free of charge… it was a feast so lavish that no one…. Absolutely no one could even begin to reimburse the king. Imagine a banquet given by the most wealthy man in the entire world, who has sacrificed all that he had…. EVERYTHING…. To give His guests a luxurious feast.
Every last penny had been put into the banquet, then the king sent his servants saying, “Come to the wedding feast! You’re invited! I’ve chosen you by name. Please come be my guest. I’ve prepared everything for you. This is no pitch in. All the food you could ever want will be there.”
BUT EVEN MORE…. The parable should be understood this way. This banquet was a banquet with eternal consequences. Not only would this banquet be a banquet that would provide enough food for the noon meal, but even more. Wedding feasts in 1st Century Judaism would have lasted several days. But the implication of this banquet was much more than that. It was a feast that would last longer than the typical banquet… this banquet was so extravagant that the king was offering them a banquet that would never end. In effect, what the king offered them, was a life without having to work to put a single piece of bread on the table for the rest of their lives! The King would provide for all their wants…. Forever and ever!
It was this kind of wedding feast to which some paid no attention. They didn’t care. They were okay with working for their food. Others thought there were more important things to do. Some had farming to do…. The harvest had to come first. Never mind that the king offered them an opportunity to never have to harvest again. Some were too caught up in the joys of this world. They didn’t want any free hand-outs from a King. They wanted to earn their own living and find their own way. Others became angry that the King would be so generous to offer them a different life. They became so angry that they mistreated the King’s servants and even killed them.
So the King considered them unworthy and offered His eternal banquet to others. Many received the gift with joy and celebration. Those who were poor and neglected came to the banquet and feasted.
But don’t miss the point of this parable. This King is God the Father, Maker of Heaven and earth. And while the Father is certainly the generous Giver of food and drink, clothing and shoes, house and home, wife and children, and every other good thing, the Gift of the Kingdom of Heaven is more than these. The gift of the Kingdom of Heaven is the Son Himself… Jesus Christ. Jesus has earned the Feast for you through His innocent sufferings and death.
Jesus once said, “My Body is real food and my Blood is real Drink. I am the Living Bread come down from Heaven. If a man eats my Body and drinks my Blood He will live forever.” Jesus is the Feast.
But just as some turn up their noses to what Mom puts on the table and says, “I don’t like peas and carrots and broccoli” or whatever it is people complain about. So, there are those who say, “I don’t care for Jesus and His forgiveness and salvation. I’d rather have something else.” But there is no room for these picky eaters in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The real food in the Kingdom of heaven is the Word and Sacraments. This how Jesus comes to you. Christ’s Word and Sacraments is the only eternal food. This is God’s good food for you. Food that will last forever. Food that gives eternal life…. Food that makes you healthy and strong. God’s Holy Word is the Bread that has come down from Heaven so that you who feed on it will live forever. Jesus’ Body and Blood is the food of immortality that if a man should eat of eat, He will live forever.
One man in the parable, tried to find a seat at the banquet table without His wedding garment. He is like those who despise God’s Means of Grace. Like those who want to come into the Kingdom another way without hearing the Word of Christ and without their baptismal robe. But the Father will NOT stand for those who think their way into the kingdom of Heaven is better than God’s way. For those who want to earn their way into heaven, God says they will be cast into darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Today God’s kingdom come to you again. Inviting you to hear His Word, which has the authority to create the faith which believes the invitation. Today, His mercy calls you to eat and drink His Body and Blood at this altar so that you might have a foretaste of the Feast to come.
Come, eat and drink! The feast has been prepared for you!
In Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
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