Envying the Evangelicals

Envying the Evangelicals I think that many of our problems in the Synod stem from envy. We envy the evangelicals. We see their numbers, their programs, and their popularity, and we envy them. We think, “They must be doing something right. If we want to grow and influence our culture, we need to be more like them.” And so, we stop stressing distinctly Lutheran beliefs, mimic evangelical outreach programs, trade Lutheran liturgy and tradition for evangelical practices, open the Lord’s Table to the unworthy and unprepared, and so on. For the past three or four years, my congregation has seen some growth. Some young evangelicals have left evangelicalism and have embraced Lutheranism. According to some Lutherans, this should not happen. Our congregation is doing everything wrong—heavy doctrine coming from the pulpit, reverent liturgy, closed communion, and so on. Why are these young adults leaving evangelicalism for Grandpa Walther’s church? Josh (23 yr. old) started wrestling with the Lord’s Supper in high school. He learned from his teacher, who happened to be a member of our congregation, that the church fathers did not regard the Sacrament as a symbol. At first, he tried to convince himself that this was only a small difference in doctrine. Then, his teacher convinced him that, if you are disagreeing with Jesus, you are sinning. Now, Josh is Lutheran. Josh started dating Allie (22) and bringing her to his new Lutheran church. Allie felt that her evangelical church was a roller-coaster of emotions. Now, she relishes in the stability and the certainty found in Lutheranism. Naomi (22) told me that her charismatic church focused on being spiritual—on what you feel and do. She loves that Lutherans actually talk about the Bible. She also thinks that large numbers are not necessarily a good thing. How can there be actual accountability, fellowship, or pastoral care in mega churches? Josie (20) became a Lutheran because she found the ancient traditions appealing. She discovered that the liturgy is mostly made of Scripture passages. She will memorize bits of the liturgy and chant them throughout her day. This helps her meditate on particular Bible verses in a way she couldn’t before. Austin (20) joined the Lutheran church and doesn’t understand why some Lutherans want to be more like evangelicals. “It’s just a fad,” he said. “The stuff that is popular now won’t last.” He has become a big advocate for the liturgy, because it is ancient, reliable, and reverent. Hadley (21) was turned off to her evangelical church in part because of the shallow things happening there. She told me that they set up a spray-on tattoo booth outside, so that you could get your tattoo before or after worship. Is this what the church is for? Hadley also warned me that, while evangelical churches are full of people, the people themselves are not spiritually healthy. Often they experience a faith crisis when their mood changes or when they commit a big sin. Evangelicals are full of doubt or they try not to think too deeply about biblical things lest they begin to doubt. Maybe we should stop envying the evangelicals. Maybe we should appreciate the priceless treasures that we possess. Maybe we should be unabashedly Lutheran and share these priceless treasures with our evangelical neighbors. In Christ, Pastor Alexander Lange Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church Albany, OR — I would add that it’s the Gospel that’s front and center – in the Liturgy, in the preaching, in the life. Evangelicals and evangelicalism have a misplaced Gospel They’ve largely misplaced the Gospel with something else. Many Lutherans also are looking for something else, not treasuring “the one thing needful.” But what can be more glorious than God’s grace in Jesus Christ to us sinners, which is eternal life? (i.e., Titus 3:4-7; Colossians 3:1-4) The answer – nothing! Lutherans have nothing to be ashamed about. We have every reason to rejoice in Christ, Who alone is our boast!

“The Father’s Gracious Will,” Matthew 11:25-30

 

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²⁵At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; ²⁶yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²⁷All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

²⁸Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV)

 

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

It is not to the wise and understanding in their own eyes, but to the little children, who believe the Son for Who He is – God in the flesh—the Second Person of the Holy Trinity—the Messiah promised of Old – the Savior of the world—to these God reveals Himself, through the Word, making known the works and Person of Jesus.

The wise and understanding in their own eyes close themselves off from God and His revelation of the Son through the Word.

By their own wisdom and understanding—that of Satan, the world, and their sinful flesh—they do not and cannot see the glory of God in Jesus Christ.

On the other hand, the little children, the babes in Christ, believers in the Word of our Lord; these take God at face value according to what He says.

They believe His works, rendering to God the things of God (Matthew 22:21).

This is a most amazing thing: not according to human insight or speculation, not by power or might, not by coercion, but by grace alone—God’s goodness to the undeserving and unmeriting—does God give true and salvific knowledge of Him, insight into His goodwill, kindness to the wayward, eternal life to believe beyond sight, hope beyond what is seen of the temporary to trust in that which is everlasting.

St. Paul describes it his way.

“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:27-29 NKJ).

That God works this way and reveals Your Savior, not according to the ways of the world and men should not surprise or deter but turn you to His Word all the more.

“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” (Jas. 4:6 NKJ).

Jesus says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:12 NKJ).

All of this is to say that God’s thoughts and ways are different from our thoughts and ways, and our thoughts and ways are different from His.

So, St. Paul in his letter to the Romans writes, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor” (Rom. 11:33-34 NKJ).

Only according to the Word itself, even the Word incarnate, the Word made flesh, and not the world will you know and believe God according to Who He is—Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.

All else teaches what you must do, basing salvation and peace with God on you.

And whether such dependence on you be partial or entire, the result still, in some way, big or small, depends on you.

God, however, reveals in Holy Scripture that if anything depends on you for peace with God, forgiveness of sins, or His favor, it will not only by uncertain and unsure, but sure and certain that you do not have what God desires to give.

“By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9 NKJ).

“To him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:4-5 NKJ).

“To him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David (in the Psalms, Ps 32:1-2) also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: ^‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin’” (Rom. 4:4-8 NKJ).

Simply said, if salvation is in any part on you, it is not all on God and therefore, not of God.

In contrast, if salvation is dependent on God alone through Jesus, Who alone reveals the Father’s gracious will, such is certain to be of God.

Such revelation is not from the wise and understanding, but from God alone as made known by Him, now also to us, in Holy Scripture.

Here, we gladly humble ourselves before the Lord, not dictating to God how He is or should be, but rejoice in the working of God—His grace and mercy—according to what He reveals—the very things, the very Word and Work by which God gives certainty of everlasting peace with Him—only through His Son.

Jesus is more than example to follow.

Jesus is more than good teacher imparting knowledge.

Jesus Himself is Truth, the Way, the Life (John 14:6).

Jesus Himself makes known to you the Way to the Father, everlasting life, the truth of God.

Jesus is these.

In going to the cross in your stead, fulfilling God’s Law in place of you, suffering God’s wrath as your substitute for all that you deserved—you have God’s full and entire favor.

Note that these have nothing to do with what you’ve done or not done.

These have everything to do with what Jesus has done and does for you.

Thus, it is the Father’s gracious will, not that God’s revelation of His Son Jesus be to the wise and understanding, not to those who abide by the ways of the world, but to those who, humbling themselves before God, acknowledge themselves as undeserving, and simply believe according to the Word alone.

As God’s people walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7), they go according to what God says and not according to their own hearts.

The inclination to follow after our own thoughts and desires in the direction of what we want, even at times trying to convince ourselves that what we want is what God wants, contrary to God’s Word, this very inclination is what we contend against as God’s people, as expressed by Paul in today’s epistle,

“What I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do…For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice” (Rom. 7:15, 18-19 NKJ).

The answer to such a condition, however, is neither to deny it or to dismiss it, to give in or to give up…

The answer is Christ.

So writes Paul, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God– through Jesus Christ our Lord! ” (Rom. 7:24-25 NKJ).

Jesus alone saves.

Jesus alone delivers.

Jesus alone gives the peace passing all human understanding.

Such peace is certain because it is of Him who gives it.

So says our Lord, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28 NKJ).

True rest from battles within and without, the unrest of the day, the struggle and burden of sin, whether of our own or that of others—is the Lord of the Sabbath—the Lord of Rest Himself.

His yoke is easy.

His burden is light.

These are not as we might think.

His yoke, His burden, is gift given, not for the meriting of eternal reward, but that we find rest in Jesus alone—in Jesus Who is our true and everlasting Rest.

Because of Jesus, your sins are forgiven you—all of them.

Jesus shed blood cleanses you from all your sin.

None remain.

In this truth is true freedom, genuine and lasting liberty, which no one can take away, end, or limit.

The love of God in Jesus compels us.

Having God’s forgiveness means that Satan and our own conscience can no longer make due on their accusations, nor can their allegations stand.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God” (Rom. 8:32-34 NKJ).

Jesus is your certainty, your hope, your peace, your Rest—always!

God having us all things in Him, we then so come, for so does He continue to give—even in Word, water, bread and wine, for the salvation of your souls, rest from your labors before Him, relief from your burdens, confidence of His mercy. Amen.

 

Gracious God, our heavenly Father, Your mercy attends us all our days. Be our strength and support amid the wearisome changes of this world, and at life’s end grant us Your promised rest and the full joys of Your salvation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Collect of the Day, 5th Sunday after Pentecost)

 

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McDonald’s takeout with a Mark 9:23 sticker…

Picking up an order from the local McDonalds today, attached to the takeout order was this sticker.

Note that it’s a Bible verse.

McDonalds is known for fast food and branding.

It is not known for using Bible verses on drive thru bags.

Note the words on the sticker, especially the capitalized lettering—POSSIBLE and BELIEVES.

I can only assume that these reflect the (especially) American optimism that things will eventually get better, that all is possible because of believing (that things will get better).

They may, or they may not.

God doesn’t promise that “all will be well” in this life, no matter how much faith you have.

Believing (anything) does not mean that it will be so.

A wrong or misplaced belief does not at all mean that life will resume as it once was or that we will be the stronger for having struggled and endured through the challenge.

Belief is founded on something, whatever that something might be.

Faith has an object.

The McDonald’s sticker does not indicate what that object is, what that belief is in.

Does it mean that the object of believing is the “possibileness” of something? If so, such ground of faith is quite weak, taking a chance that something might be so with nothing but doubt and uncertainty to “back it up”.

Most probably do believe this way, or at least demonstrate that they do by what they say and how they live.

An ungrounded faith is such a faith that places hope in possibility, yet the “hoped for possibility” as determined by the one believing.

Such a belief is subjective and relativistic to the core.

Such is not the Christian faith.

The use of this sticker with the truncated Bible verse is a use of the Bible, likely a use for which many Christians will agree.

However, it is also misleading, by itself.

The Bible can be used in various ways, and most of them not according to its intended usage.

This McDonald’s sticker examples just one of those uses, which is not helpful.

Self-made religious belief helps no one.

For the Christian, these words are encouraging, but divorced from context, the text can be used according to anyone’s guess, including the Christian’s.

To keep from going off “the deep end” and misusing that which is good and wholesome, it’s necessary to exegete the text in its context, that is, according to its place in the biblical text.

Doing so, we will find that that “everything” is, most notably, not referring to believing what might be possible, but rather, believing that unto which the Lord has given promise, that thing which God makes “concrete” by what He says and not according to anything that we believe.

Here’s the full text…

“¹⁴ And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. ¹⁵ Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. ¹⁶ And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?” ¹⁷ Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. ¹⁸ “And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” ¹⁹ He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” ²⁰ Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. ²¹ So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. ²² “And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” ²³ Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” ²⁴ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” ²⁵ When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” ²⁶ Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.” (Mk. 9:14-27 NKJ)

Chronologically, this account immediately follows the coming down of Jesus with Peter, James, and John from the mountain where Jesus was transfigured before them (Mark 9:2).

The disciples other than Peter, James, and John, while not on the mountain, were not able to cast a demon out of man’s son (v18).

The father, speaking to Jesus, petitions Him saying, “…If you can do anything, have compassion and help us” (v22).

Jesus’ response to the father, “All things are possible to him who believes” (v23) has Jesus’ word as the referent.

Read what follows in the text, Mark 9:24-27!

Jesus does not say, “All things, whatever you believe, are possible.”

Jesus is saying, “All things are possible to him who believes (in) me” (review v22).

The Father is speaking to Jesus and Jesus is directly responding to the father’s request concerning his son, not “everything” or “anything” here, but that particular thing for which the Father is requesting, that Jesus help him and his son.

Even the use of those words, “everything” and “anything” have their context.

Also here.

Note especially the connection between “possible” and “believe,” not in the sense of “believing the possible,” but believing as Jesus is speaking about believing, that is, believing Him (and what He Himself says).

Thus, the father replies, “I believe. Help my unbelief” (v 24, The cry of every Christian!).

Such faith is not in a vacuum, self-derived, or founded on what is not promised, not worded, by God.

Jesus then “rebuked the unclean spirit” and the spirit “came out” (v25-26).

The father’s faith was not in just anything, not the possibility that things would be well, that his son would be okay because he so believed nebulously in faith in something.

The father’s faith was in Jesus, in His Word, in Him.

Thus, Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out.

The father’s faith was not, as the McDonald’s sticker might suggest, “faith in the possibility.”

Rather, the father’s faith was in Him who gives faith, not in a possibility of this or that, but in the certainty of Christ Jesus according to what He Himself says.

That would come to pass.

Thus, the “everything” in Mark 9 (and the “all things” of Matthew 19:26 | Mark 10:27 and the “nothing is impossible with God” of Luke 1:36-37) refers to what Jesus says here, explicitly and not just “anything,” except where there is the sure Word of the Lord. Amen.

 

 

“The Transfiguration of our Lord,” Matthew 17:1-9

¹And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ²And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. ³And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. ⁴And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁵He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” ⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. ⁷But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” ⁸And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

      ⁹And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

On the mount of transfiguration, to a select three, Jesus manifested Himself in all His glory

Flesh and blood no longer concealed Christ’s divinity, the truth that Jesus is God.  Though Christ’s humanity concealed His divine nature both before and after that mountain top experience until His glorious resurrection, the disciples saw a glimpse of what was under the veil.

To those three, Jesus revealed Himself as the Son of the living God in a real, tangible way.  They saw with their own eyes and heard with their own ears the glory and honor of God the Father and Christ, His beloved Son.

We do too.  God reveals Himself through His Holy Word and through His visible means called Sacraments.  By these do we see the God of heaven and earth working among us, planting and cultivating the seed of faith within our hearts, calling us to believe the Gospel, and strengthening the faith which God Himself has given.

It is as St. Peter says in what is our Epistle reading this day.  He spoke thus about his presence on the mount of transfiguration:

“We did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:16-18).

Peter was certainly there on the mount, just as the Scripture says, and just as He recounts in his second letter.  But then He speaks of a greater assurance than His experience on the mountain.

He speaks of the word, the prophetic word, the prophetic word which was confirmed, namely, what God had given—that word which had come to pass.

Of this word, Peter says, “You do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place” (2 Peter 2:19).

The Psalmist speaks a similar note where He writes, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).  So it is.

The Lord’s Word leads the way to go and lightens the path.

This is none other than to Christ, the Word made flesh, who dwelt among us (John 1:14).

Hearing Him is hearing God.

Looking to Him is seeing the glory of God, not condemning us for our sins, but saving us through crucifixion and cross.

In humility, Christ lived; but not in honor before men.

Through His Word and work alone will you see and know Christ for who He really is, not as only man suffering and dying, but as the almighty God, saving and delivering all who trust in Him.

God reveals Himself through the very means that He Himself gives.

It’s not for you to decide when, where, or how God manifests His glory.  This is in His hands.

If it be through a baby being born of a virgin, so be it.

If it be through a man “despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,” then it is (Isaiah 53:3).

If it be on a mountain to only three disciples, Christ speaking with Moses and Elijah, Old Testament prophets of the Lord Most High, so it is.

And if it be by means of Word with water, Word with bread and wine, and through Word preached, we recognize these as God’s works and give thanks.

Christ says, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:39-40).

By this reference to Jonah, the Lord shifts our gaze from seeking Him anywhere to where He promises to be—to Christ Himself.

Whether it be to the glory on the mountain or to the humbleness of the plains, Jesus Christ remains and always will be the One to whom you are to look.  He is your only salvation.

Just before the account of the Transfiguration, Jesus asked a question of His disciples.

He said, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (Matthew 16:13).

“So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:14-16).

Peter’s answer was right on.

From that time on, the Gospel says, “Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Matthew 16:21).

It is this same Christ who is your Savior.

 Jesus doesn’t save through power and might, but through obedience, suffering, and death.

It was not on the Mount of Transfiguration that Christ took away your sin.  It was on another Mount, Mount Calvary.

There, He crushed the serpent’s head and canceled out your sin, for good.

By His death, there is life.

Peter was right in declaring Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16).  But the Jesus promised in the Old Testament and fulfiller of the New is He who tasted death for all and slayed sin by shedding His own blood.

It seems too earthy of a thing that God become one of us, not as a figure of Greek mythology, but as it is in truth, God in the flesh, not for Himself, but for us who are by nature dead in our sins.

But this is just the kind of God we have.

The popular spirituality of the day focuses on personal benefit and self-progress, self-desire and gratified fulfillment.

The spirituality of God directs to the Lord Jesus and His Word, recognizes and acknowledges sin and looks to God for mercy in Christ.

True spirituality attends to God’s revelation, to His Holy Word and there, in Christ, finds its dwelling place.

The Christian faith is a “revealed” religion.

It is not made up by man.

It is not a religion of how to get right with God.

It is not a religion that preaches positive thinking, self-help, or self-improvement.

The Christian faith is a religion with Jesus at the center:  Jesus receiving God’s justice and God forgiving the real sins of real sinners.

Here, man does not get right with God; Nor does man get a right relationship with God.

It is God who makes the move, taking from you what is inherently yours and giving you what you don’t deserve.  He takes your sin and death and gives you eternal life.

God reconciled you and the world to Himself through His Son on Calvary’s cross (2 Corinthians 5:19).  It is not you who do for God.  It is God who does for you.  Everything depends on Christ.  Take Him away, and you have nothing.

On the cross, Jesus died for sinners, none excluded.

This was the fulfillment of the words spoken through the Law and the Prophets.

Representative of them were the Moses and Elijah on Transfiguration’s mount.  These were the same saints of the Old Testament: Moses, the one who led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt (Exodus 13); and Elijah, the one through whom God also spoke, even raising a dead woman’s son (1 Kings 17:17-24) and later taken to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).

On the mountain called Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Words (Commandments), that the people of God live according to them.

On another mountain, Mount Carmel, God revealed Himself to be the true God, in contrast to the false prophets of the false god (god with a small ‘g’) Baal, by consuming a sacrifice with fire from heaven.  Thus, seeing this work of God, the people proclaimed, “The Lord, He is God!  The Lord, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:20-40).

On yet another mountain, the mount of transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus.

In Jesus, the words of Moses and Elijah find fulfillment.

Jesus Christ came, not to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17).

It is right to say that the Bible is all about Christ.

Though the Bible appear to many like just other book, there is Christ, revealing Himself as your Savior; not Christ against you, but Christ for you.

Christ for you in birth, Christ for you in Baptism, Christ for you in transfiguration, Christ for you in suffering and death, Christ for you in Resurrection and Ascension, Christ for you in His Second Coming.

Jesus’ words, “Rise, and have no fear” (Matthew 17:7), He also says now to you.

Though your sins trouble you, and though you are indeed a sinner in thought, word, and deed, those sins no longer condemn you.

 Before God—alone—you have everything to fear.

In Christ, you are not alone.  In Christ, you have nothing to fear.

Even as Jesus worked and spoke humbly in the flesh to His disciples before us, Jesus today still works humbly and lowly, in Word and in Sacrament, His glory hidden, revealed by Word.

The voice from heaven on the Mount, of Jesus, heard by the disciples Peter, James, and John, is also for you to hear.

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). Amen.

 

Heavenly Father, give me everlasting peace through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Calm all of my fears before You, for Jesus is my Savior. Give me boldness and sure confidence of Your mercies, always. Amen.

 

 

“Surety in Christ according to His Word”

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.  For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?  For what can a man give in return for his life?  For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38)

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

It is not of the Gospel to be unsure or uncertain of God’s grace and favor in Jesus Christ.  The grace of God in Christ, without a doubt, is of faith, according to the Lord’s Word.  In this, such faith is sure and will die a thousand deaths.

In a 1992 interview of Diane Sawyer with Billy Graham, speaking about his death, Graham had commented, “I don’t want them (people) to say big things about me because I don’t deserve them.”

He’s right, and such humility is encouraging, and true.

Graham continued and said, “I want to hear one person say something nice about me, and that’s the Lord. When I face Him, I want Him to say to me, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’”

These latter words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” are words from Holy Scripture (Matthew 25:21, 23; Luke 19:17), and in Christ, because of Christ, the Christian has the certainty that these words will certainly be said of him.

Yet, keeping this in mind, Graham continued by saying, “But I’m not sure I’m going to hear it, but that’s what I would like to hear.”(http://newsvideo.su/video/8349827)

I pray that his answer had changed since that 1992 interview.

Graham’s statement, “I’m not sure I’m going to hear” those words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” convey, not sure faith in the Lord’s promises, but rather, wavering confidence and doubt, which is not of faith.

 

Certainty of faith does not come from what “we” think or what we “want,” but alone from God’s grace in Christ according to God’s revealed Word.  By this, Christians know God’s love in Christ, are sure of heaven, and are certain of God’s favor.

In the Formula of Concord, it is stated, “6. We believe, teach, and confess that many weaknesses and defects cling to the true believers and truly regenerate, even up to the day they are buried [1 John 1:8]. Still, they must not on that account doubt either their righteousness, which has been credited to them through faith, or the salvation of their souls. They must regard it as certain that for Christ’s sake, according to the promise and ‹immovable› Word of the Holy Gospel, they have a gracious God. (McCain, The Lutheran Confessions, Formula of Concord, Epitome, III. The Righteousness of Faith, 481).

Why had Graham voiced uncertainty with regard to what God would say of him in that interview when such a promise of God is made in Christ?

Graham seemed to be sure of being unsure.

A theology like this centers on something other than Christ and His Word, despite their uses and references.  Because of this, the conclusion is not the hope that the Bible gives, but whatever the person engenders, which can and will not be assertive before God of God’s undeserved forgiveness and His unmerited kindness.

Yet, God gives certainty.  This is the fruit of God-given faith.

It is therefore necessary to make distinctions between that which is, and that which is not, of God.

Not all get Jesus right and have full confidence in Him, because not all abide by the Word alone concerning Christ the Savior and His salvation.

When Peter said of Jesus, “You are the Christ,” he was of course stating the truth, the truth that he hadn’t come up with himself, but the truth that had been revealed to Him by the heavenly Father.  Not one of disciples could come to this confession of the Christ on his own.  And no one can come to faith in Christ on his own.

It is for this reason that Jesus had said in St. Matthew’s Gospel, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17).

Flesh and blood cannot make out who Jesus is on its own, for “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Man, by himself, cannot know God as He is.  He knows that there is a God, but he does not know, nor can he know, who that God is unless God reveal Himself.

This is why St. Paul can say in another place that “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

It was by means of Jesus’ Word that Peter confessed Jesus to be the Christ, because the Word of Jesus is the Word of the Father in Heaven.  To hear Jesus is to hear the Father.

To dismiss Jesus’ Word is to reject God’s Word.

To want a Christ apart from the Word is to have a different Jesus.  That’s where Peter went wrong in our text.

Peter wanted a Savior who wouldn’t suffer, who wouldn’t be rejected, who wouldn’t be killed.

Apart from God’s revelation, we, like Peter, want our own kind of god and savior.

Apart from the Bible, man makes his own god.  As a result, he makes his own Jesus, not one who suffers and dies, but one who abides by the will of sinful man and follows the dictates of own heart.

The Jesus of one’s own making does not save.  He is an extension of man’s own wickedness.

The Jesus of Scripture is not this way.  The Jesus of the Bible is not He who would be rebuked by Peter for telling the truth.  The Jesus of the Bible is He who would rebuke Peter and who rebukes all who would have their own Jesus and their own god and not the one of the Bible.

There is no other Jesus than the one who was bloodied by the scourging, who wore the crown of thorns, who suffered miserably, and who died so ingloriously.

There is no other Jesus who conquered sin and death by means of His own death.  There is no other Jesus who humbled Himself as man in flesh and blood, though He Himself is One with Father (Philippians 2:8; John 10:30).

There is no other Jesus than He who was sent of God, who was rejected by men and still is rejected by men who don’t want to hear, because they refuse to believe what He says that they may have life and peace with God.

Just as there is no other Jesus than He who gave Himself for you and even He who gives Himself to you by means of His Word and body and blood in the Lord’s Supper for the forgiveness of your sins, so there is no other life of the Christian than coming after Jesus, denying self, taking up the cross, and following Him.

All who would go their own way bear the name of Christian in name only.

This is the easier way, for “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14 NKJ).

The way of the Christian is different.

With Paul, the Christian also confesses, “What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3:7-10).

The way of the Christian is the life of the cross.  It is the way of death, not only of Christ’s death, but of one’s own—dying to sin, crucifying the sinful flesh and desires and lusts which war against the soul, and seeking help and salvation in Christ alone, casting aside lady reason and man pride; having nothing to give but only everything to be given on account of the real Jesus who suffered and died; the real Jesus then, and the real Jesus now, whose Gospel word is life, lasting life.  Amen.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, aid me in putting to death my sinful flesh, denying myself, taking up my cross, and following Jesus according to His Word. Amen.

Certainty in Christ!

 

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.

Psalm 119:89

What blessed and eternal comfort the child of God has in God’s own Word!  You see this according to faith, not according to sight, for you live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).  But what kind of faith? The faith that believes that anything is possible? The faith that believes you can do anything you set your mind to?  The faith which blindly trusts that all things will work out the way we hope them to?

Such description of faith is not that description of faith revealed by God in His Word.  The Christian faith is not “blind.”  It trusts in God’s promises.  Such faith does not trust in worldly expectations or self expectations, but only on the mercies of God in Christ.  Such faith does not believe that anything is possible by oneself or by putting one’s mind to something.  It rests on God’s unchangeable and unconditional grace, revealed in Christ.  Also, such faith does not rest on false or misguided hopes, for its foundation is God’s Holy and faithful Word.

Such faith as the Christian faith rests squarely on the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  And this Gospel is nothing but certain and sure, and not at all because I believe it.  The Christian faith rests upon God and His Son.  He makes it sure.  I do not add anything at all to it, but simply believe it.  This, after all, is what Christians do.  They confess Christ and believe His Word.  And they are sure that God’s Word “abides forever.”

 

Luther

“Christ and His side are weak, and the Gospel is a foolish proclamation.  On the other hand, the kingdom of the world and the devil, its prince, are strong; in addition, the wisdom of the flesh is very impressive.  But this is our consolation, that the devil with his members cannot accomplish what he wishes.  He may trouble many persons, but he cannot destroy the Gospel of Christ.  The truth may be endangered, but it cannot perish.  It is attacked, but it cannot be conquered; for ‘the Word of the Lord abides forever” (Luther’s Lectures on Galatians, LW 26, p54).

Prayer: Gracious Father, forgive me for doubting Your promises and Your undeserved mercy.  Help me at all times to trust in Your Word and be ever sure of Your abundant grace and mercy in Christ.  Amen.

The Word of God is not Bound!

Here, with these few words, St. Paul encourages his son Timothy to take courage, to endure hardship, to keep doing what God has called him to do.

For even though Paul himself is in chains and bound, God’s Word is not bound.

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4)

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul had told Timothy to Remain in Ephesus, that he commandsome that they teach no other doctrine.

2Tim2.1-13, Pentecost 20, 2010C.pdf

Certainty in Christ!

Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me

Galatians 1:1-2

Certainty is a blessed thing.  St. John writes, “If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God” (1 John 3:21).  Such confidence before God you find in Jesus, not in yourself.  Of course, some exist who try to find surety in themselves or in other things other than God’s Son.  And for a time, that surety may remain, but then it is soon taken away in a blink of eye, a fleeting thought, always temporary and not lasting.

Confidence in self or man-made things, teachings, activities, etc. do not give lasting confidence before God.  But the work and word of Christ do give such confidence, such hope—the hope that cannot be ungiven or undone, for Jesus Christ died and is alive forevermore (Revelation 1:18).  The word and Word of Christ cannot be undone.  It is already.  And it’s for you.

Nothing surpasses the certainty of God’s favor in Christ Jesus.

So St. Paul writes, “What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:7-11).

Such certainty Paul had because of Jesus.  Such certainty also do you have—in Jesus.

And such certainty does the Lord give by means of His  faithfully preached Word, that you also continue in such certainty—that you continue in Christ.  Amen.

Luther

Therefore let the preacher of the Gospel be sure that his calling is from God.  It is perfectly proper that he should follow Paul’s example and exalt this calling of his, so that he may gain credence and authority among the people.  To glory this way is not vain but necessary; for he does not glory in himself but in the king who has sent him and whose authority he seeks to have honored and elevated. (Luther’s Lectures on Galatians, LW 26, p16)

Prayer: Dear Lord, bless our pastor with faithfulness to Your Holy Word, and give us ears to hear, that we, too, would have such confidence as You Yourself give in Your Word, and have such certainty of your favor and kindness toward us on account of Jesus Your Son.  Amen.