tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46217058344059734072024-03-18T13:45:58.587-07:00E-nklingsOne nerdy pastor's
proclamation, examination, and defense of the Great Eucatastrophe.Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.comBlogger1008125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-47882267796063051032024-03-18T13:45:00.000-07:002024-03-18T13:45:08.051-07:00Sermon for Lent 5: "A Lenten Journey"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ 5<sup>th</sup> Sunday in Lent – March 17<sup>th</sup>, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:32-45<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fmR7ckXyluh4hPaB56Wxc8wod0vdY5sCXtgkwKulHvPjR4YdANy4_1cqoy1xeGDfgvyc7CBh9266AQyS8nApZUbriTsHEmrsp87BGsva6VeoohOYyRM7_Esc1ZZ1nFab7C2DnkZJi6-b8ByppS1uuehq0nUpqzYNgnBmJGMD0RyoTYaLHuxNH5tpMk4/s270/fi-cross-3353990796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="270" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fmR7ckXyluh4hPaB56Wxc8wod0vdY5sCXtgkwKulHvPjR4YdANy4_1cqoy1xeGDfgvyc7CBh9266AQyS8nApZUbriTsHEmrsp87BGsva6VeoohOYyRM7_Esc1ZZ1nFab7C2DnkZJi6-b8ByppS1uuehq0nUpqzYNgnBmJGMD0RyoTYaLHuxNH5tpMk4/w400-h400/fi-cross-3353990796.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. The Lenten season is a journey.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For the disciples it was a journey that began in fear, but ended in joy and boldness. But you wouldn’t know that by reading today’s Gospel from Mark 10. At this point on the Lenten road, all they can think about is the destination - Jerusalem. “Why go there, Jesus? Everyone wants you dead. Jerusalem is nothing but trouble.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">They’re so consumed with their own quest for about glory, greatness, and God’s kingdom that they misunderstand that God’s glory, greatness, and kingdom are found in the death of His Son.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lent is a journey for each of us too. And many of us, like the disciples, are afraid. Fear of the world we live in. Fear of the uncertainty of an election year. Fear of chaos in places like Haiti or the southern border. Fear of crime, disease and disasters around the world and in our neighborhoods and cities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And if the sinful world around us doesn’t cause us to pray, “Lord, have mercy,” then the fear of our own sinful flesh certainly does. On this Lenten road, we also carry the baggage of despair. Doubt. Built. Shame. Sorrow. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lent is a journey. Not an aimless wandering. Not an evening stroll down the beach. The road goes ever on to Good Friday. Jesus sets his face. There’s no delay. No time for site-seeing or recreation. Jesus must go.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus journeyed in life to serve you. Jesus journeyed to death to serve you. Lent is Jesus’ journey for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles;</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lent is a journey. But the disciples weren’t alone on the road. <i>Jesus was walking ahead of them</i>.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus was with his disciples – amazed and afraid though they were. He knew where the road was headed: his dying and rising; this would change them. Jesus went before them, as he goes before us, to carry our burdens of fear, guilt, and death to the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You are not alone either. Not in Lent. And not in your fear, sorrow, or despair, doubt, or death.<br />Jesus has gone ahead of you on the road. Jesus has gone there and back again, through the grave – yours and mine – to life. Jesus is with you, afraid and sinful though we are. His dying and rising changes you too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Like any journey, conversation breaks out along the way. James and John: <i>Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory</i>.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You have to appreciate just how awkward this conversation is. One moment Jesus describes his death in chilling detail, and the next James and John are chasing glory and greatness.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> They don’t get it. They think it’s a march to greatness, like the road to the Final Four. They think Jesus’ glory will finally be unleashed and God’s kingdom will be established in Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Of course, it’s easy to read the Gospels, knowing the end of the journey, and wag our fingers at James and John. “What’s with these guys? How thick can they be? Come, on James and John; yeah, come on; get with the program.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Guess who’s not wagging his finger in this story. Not Jesus. Sure he corrects them, but patiently. No, the accusatory fingers come from the other 10 disciples. They were indignant. Probably because James and John asked Jesus what they wanted to first.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">James and John, however, had no idea what they were asking Jesus. We’re not all that different. to our own blindness. So often, in our fears, we don’t know what to pray for as we ought. And even when we do, it’s still got our sinful handprints all over everything. Like James and John, our problem goes deeper.<br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">We want greatness. Glory. God’s kingdom. But we want it all on our own terms, not God’s. My will be done. My kingdom come. Our self-serving sinful nature wants nothing to do with the cross and everything our own greatness and glory. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You do not know what you are asking</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. Jesus tells his disciples. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized,”</span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus asks them. </span><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“We are,”</span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">. They still have no idea what they were saying or what Jesus was talking about. Jesus’ cup and baptism are his death. Jesus drinks the cup of God’s wrath and the poison of our sin, down to the last drop. Jesus’ cross is a baptism of judgment. Jesus is drowned in the flood of God’s wrath. Jesus is immersed in our sin and death.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The disciples <i>will</i> share in the cup and baptism of Jesus’ suffering and death. All but one will be martyred for the faith. Indeed, all who are called Christians share in the cup and baptism of Jesus’ suffering and death. But even here, Jesus’ words aren’t really about his disciples. It’s about his journey to the cross. A journey where we see God’s greatness and glory finally revealed for us in the most shocking and surprising places: the crucifixion of Jesus. Want to know what greatness looks like. Jesus points us to his cross, to his death. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">For whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.</span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus lives to serve you. Jesus dies to serve you. Jesus became the last one to make us the first in line. Jesus gave his life, to give you life.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is where Jesus leads us during our Lenten journey, just as he did the disciples. To Jerusalem for you. To the cross for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus journeyed in life to serve you. Jesus journeyed to death to serve you.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lent is Jesus’ journey for you. A journey he still makes for you this day. In this place. In his house. In his word. In his body and his blood. There is greatness and grace and forgiveness for all our delusions of grandeur all given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Here is sacred food for your journey in this life. And this season.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Lent leads us to Palm Sunday and shouts of <i>Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest.</i></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Palm Sunday leads us to Holy Thursday: <i>This cup that is poured out for you is the new testament in my blood which is shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins.</i></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Holy (Maundy) Thursday leads us to Jesus’ hour of glory - Good Friday. <i>It is finished.</i> Fulfilled. Accomplished. For you.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Good Friday leads us to Easter: to unrestrained rejoicing. Christ is risen for you.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">That’s the destination. But for now, the journey. And the road ahead. And the Lord Jesus is with you all the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-12804272840656204952024-03-13T14:20:00.000-07:002024-03-13T14:20:53.811-07:00Lent Midweek 4: "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ 4<sup>th</sup> Lenten Midweek – March 13<sup>th</sup>, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">4<sup>th</sup> Petition of the Lord’s Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtShQQYgR6YebNwP3OXHtgFtwcXvJkVAhbUyBPE7_y2p2IPhV6k-Cu-1YmP6T32lBaTMgQRNh49GCPDnPxS4imUCD6gTglSb1gudsDMSaoGwYrMwaewJRG34mD7SyEKAuG3uo2hxqkjaoagM9_W7rE623tVLJVPXCNJHPscGUtt2vXmj0n65Oca98MRh0/s735/3923e24ee36e7b070882bbd5f038918b-1473344924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="735" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtShQQYgR6YebNwP3OXHtgFtwcXvJkVAhbUyBPE7_y2p2IPhV6k-Cu-1YmP6T32lBaTMgQRNh49GCPDnPxS4imUCD6gTglSb1gudsDMSaoGwYrMwaewJRG34mD7SyEKAuG3uo2hxqkjaoagM9_W7rE623tVLJVPXCNJHPscGUtt2vXmj0n65Oca98MRh0/w400-h321/3923e24ee36e7b070882bbd5f038918b-1473344924.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior + Jesus Christ. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I want to begin by telling you a short story about the 4<sup>th</sup> petition. I have a dear friend named Kevin. College roommate. Went to seminary together. He’d probably hate that I’m talking about him in a sermon, but he’s in Kansas and we’re here. Well… back in college days (though he still does this), Kevin would go to Trader Joes, pick up a few bottles of 2-buck Chuck and drop them off for various friends and coworkers on campus. He’d bring back a summer sausage and share it with me and our roommates. He was always collecting lost, orphaned books and giving them a new home on my shelf. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You probably all know, or at least I hope you know, someone like Kevin. Someone who loves to give.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And that is what we find here in the 4<sup>th</sup> petition of the Lord’s Prayer. Right in the center of the Lord’s Prayer – the exact middle petition. We pray, <i>“Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread”.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And right there at the center of the Lord’s Prayer, in our prayer for daily bread, we also find the heart of God revealed for us. You see, God loves to give. It’s what he does. It’s who he is. God is the giver. God delights in giving. And when God gives, he gives graciously, abundantly. More than we deserve. More than we imagine. Always more. Just ask those crowds at the feeding of the 4,000 and at the 5,000 (plus many more). Or think back to the Exodus when the Lord told Moses…</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #323638; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">“I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day (</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Exod%2016%3A4/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #72abbf; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Exod 16:4</span></a><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #323638; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">). </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="body" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Luther reminds us of this in the catechism…<i>God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The eyes of all look to you,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and you give them their food in due season.<br />You open your hand;</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">you satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The 4<sup>th</sup> petition reminds us that God delights in giving. And all things are his to give. God is the giver of <i>all</i>things. Everything we have, from the hair or the hat on top of your head (to the air above your head), right down to your socks, shoes, or sandals (and even the ground underneath)…everything around you, every day, all we have, it’s all a gift from God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God delights in giving you daily bread. And he gives you daily bread in plain, ordinary, simple ways. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="body" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Luther teaches us about this in the catechism too. That daily bread is more than a loaf of sliced, multi-grain bread you buy or a sourdough you bake. <i>Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Don’t you love how down to earth Luther is. The 4<sup>th</sup> petition teaches us that the God who gives us daily bread does so in the earthly, ordinary, seemingly mundane, fleshly, physical, touchable, tangible, taste-able things. The God who delights in giving gives through means. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Take an ordinary peanut-butter jelly sandwich for example. Think about how many people and vocations and ordinary things God orchestrates to give you that delicious PBJ. The farmers and workers who plant and harvest the grain, the peanuts, and the fruit and all the other ingredients. Somewhere someone is making flour out of all that grain. Bakers make the bread. Some more folks make the jam and peanut butter, package it, load it onto a truck or train. Ship it to a distribution center, then to Safeway, Freddy’s, or wherever you shop. It’s unloaded. Shelves stocked. And then you, having gone about your many vocations with money in your account or wallet, walk into the store, buy it, take it home, and prepare it for a lunch or snack or picnic. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">All of that and more is happening, even without our prayer, but we pray “Give us this day our daily bread” that we would look from the gifts to the giver with wonder and thanks. To God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – who delights in giving daily bread. And who does it in earthly, ordinary ways. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God certainly could zap that loaf of bread (and all our daily needs) right onto our table and into our lives simply by saying the word, “let there be.” And yet, God chooses to give us this day our daily bread – and all that entails – through means. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But don’t think that this is beneath God. The God who delights to give you daily bread doesn’t do so in some kind of spiritual, disembodied way. He does it the way he’s always done it. Through means. Through stuff of his creation. “God never meant us to be purely spiritual creatures. He created us soul <i>and </i>body. No wonder he uses material things like bnread and wine to give us his forgiveness life and salvation. No wonder he uses water to wash away our sin. Words to give us his promises. We may think all of this rather crude and unspiritual. God does not: He invented eating. He likes matter. He created it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And he gives it all to you. <i>“Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread”.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This 4<sup>th</sup> petition is something like God’s way of saying…“You want spirituality? Ok. I’ll give it to you. Here’s a pair of socks. Shoes. A jacket. Underwear. Toilet paper. A pound of thick-cut bacon. Some fresh farm eggs.” And the gifts just keep coming.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God delights in giving daily bread. He gives you what you need graciously, abundantly, daily. He takes care of these things – these little things of daily bread – all because he has taken care of the big thing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The God who gives daily bread, also gave himself in the flesh. Here in his creation. In Jesus, God has plain, ordinary, skin and blood and bones. God has a certain eye color, hair color, height, weight, and sandal size. God delights in giving his life to save you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And here again, God takes the stuff of his creation – tap water, a thin wafer of bread, some wine – and he gives you all that he has. He empties the storehouse of his forgiveness and never runs out of grace and mercy for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And if God takes care of the big things. Do not fear. He gave you your daily bread yesterday. Today. And he’ll do it again tomorrow. All by his grace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Because God is the God who delights in giving you daily bread. He delights in giving it to you through means. And he delights to give you all his gifts of body and soul in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #323638; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”</span></i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #323638; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> (</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Philippians%204%3A19-20/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #72abbf; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Philippians 4:19-20</span></a><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #323638; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard and keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus to life everlasting. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-52939587083466959792024-03-06T14:49:00.000-08:002024-03-06T14:49:57.504-08:00Lent Midweek 3: "Thy Will Be Done"<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ 3<sup>rd</sup> Lenten Midweek Service – March 6<sup>th</sup>, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Luke 22:54-23:12<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">3<sup>rd</sup> Petition of the Lord’s Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkj3dtf4uJSWp6vfC3452ppxEu2p5if8-GtxDKHkrmdEVr9dkEmz9oo6szKnCM_oNXondQoU62yRFlVxLml28tEceFQZ_3ag2832YQX9gnfhbjrD03wp5e3WgTH9R3n_ed6X26Gm3BmT3NAcpByMtW3Tv70hYlNoYYZVmTkIIbqsMMAhD2uLsCvh0weo/s3785/jesus-in-garden-of-gethsemane--mosaic--detail--glorious-mysteries-chapel--upper-basilica-of-our-lady-of-rosary--lourdes--languedoc-roussillon-midi-pyrenees--france--19th-century-677110309-5a839ae9642dca003762cc49-247506697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2129" data-original-width="3785" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkj3dtf4uJSWp6vfC3452ppxEu2p5if8-GtxDKHkrmdEVr9dkEmz9oo6szKnCM_oNXondQoU62yRFlVxLml28tEceFQZ_3ag2832YQX9gnfhbjrD03wp5e3WgTH9R3n_ed6X26Gm3BmT3NAcpByMtW3Tv70hYlNoYYZVmTkIIbqsMMAhD2uLsCvh0weo/w400-h225/jesus-in-garden-of-gethsemane--mosaic--detail--glorious-mysteries-chapel--upper-basilica-of-our-lady-of-rosary--lourdes--languedoc-roussillon-midi-pyrenees--france--19th-century-677110309-5a839ae9642dca003762cc49-247506697.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior + Jesus Christ. Amen.</span></div></div></div><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">There are certain moments in life, in stories, and in Scripture when a warrior lets loose a war cry on the field of battle. William Wallace outnumbered by the English: “Freedom”! The U.S. Marines: “Oorah.” The Crusaders against the Turk: “Deus Vult” (God wills it). Aragorn before the Black Gate: “For Frodo!” Gideon and his 300 Israelites armed with torches and clay pots: “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A war cry steels your resolve. Strengthens your brothers in arms. Strikes terror into the hearts of your enemies. And holds you steadfast in a confession. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You may not have realized it, but every time you pray the Lord’s Prayer, there is a war cry that comes forth from your lips as well. You may say it with tears…with a whisper…with agony…when you are anxious or in a panic…or simply with joy. But whenever you pray the Lord’s prayer, you have stepped onto the battlefield, where Christ goes before us with his cross and passion and resurrection. Jesus, the Lord of hosts and the commander in chief of the heavenly armies, gives us this battle cry, this prayer. The 3<sup>rd</sup> petition of the Lord’s Prayer is the battle cry of the baptized against God’s enemies: the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">How is God’s will done? God’s will is done when he breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh, which do not want to hallow God’s name or let his kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His word and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">To say it again a different way…<i>God’s gracious will is done for you in Jesus’ crucifixion, where defeats sin, death, and the devil for you. God’s gracious will is done in Jesus’ resurrection, where he strengthens and keeps you and holds you steadfast.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">A lot of ink has been spilled writing about the will of God. But in truth, it’s rather simple. What is God’s will? God’s will is what he wants to do for you. It’s what God freely chooses to do for you because he loves you. And what he wants to do for you is to save you and set you free. To deliver us from our rebellious sinful flesh. To fight death to the death for you. To crush the dragon under his feet on the cross for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">That’s why the 3<sup>rd</sup> petition of the Lord’s Prayer is a battle cry; its an all-out assault against the hordes of hell, the world, and our sinful flesh. When we pray “Thy will be done” we are reminded that from the moment we are baptized we are at war. When Christ marked you with his cross, the devil marked you as his enemy. Since that day when Christ claimed you as his own with water, his Word, and his Spirit, the devil has been fighting like hell to get you to commit treason, rebel against God like Adam and Eve, turncoat, despair of victory, and rub the salt of your guilt and shame in your wounds. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The devil fights this way: fights dirty. Fights with lies and deceit and despair because he knows he’s defeated by Christ. He knows that since the day of your baptism you have been conscripted as soldiers of Christ crucified. It’s true, no strength of ours could match the devil’s might. But for you fights the valiant one, the crucified one, the suffering, dying, bleeding, laying down his life for you One. What we pray for in the 3<sup>rd</sup> petition, Jesus has done for you. Thy will be done, we pray. And Jesus says from his cross: <i>It is finished.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">So we take up the sword of God’s word in the 3<sup>rd</sup> petition, and we are hurl it into the hearts of our enemies: death, and the dragon. And for good reason. There’s a war going on. The Christian life is not about winning and success and living your best life now or thinking that now that you are a Christian all your troubles will be over. No. we live life under the cross. In the battle. At war. We don’t hear that often enough, but it’s true. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">To pray “Thy will be done” is to enter the fray. It is to meet the enemy without and within. You know this enemy well, so do I. It is our sinful flesh. Who’s very religious. Who loves to pray: “my will be done. I did it my way! It’s my life!” To pray “Thy will be done” is to pray against the very thing we love the most: ourselves, our selfish, self-centered, sinful will. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Thankfully, the answer to our prayer in this petition isn’t found within us. The answer to this petition is Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">If you want to know what God’s will is, don’t look to your feelings, or your strength, or your wisdom, or your anything. Look to Christ. Listen to his words. See him on the cross destroying death, defeating the devil, for you. See his empty tomb and battle scars of victory in his hands and his side for you. When you look at Scripture, God tells you exactly what his will is and how it is done. God’s will is Jesus. And God’s will is done in Jesus for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As with all the other parts of the Lord’s Prayer, what we pray for in this petition Jesus does for you. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus armed himself with the word of God and prayer. When you pray “Thy will be done” you never<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> pray alone. Jesus prays with you and for you:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And so it was…<span class="text"> the will of the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> <span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;"></span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">to crush him;</span></span> <span class="text">he has put him to grief. upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,</span> <span class="text">and with his wounds we are healed.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the garden. Before Pilate. Among the jeering crowds. With every agonizing footstep and stumble towards the cross. With his body on the tree. With his pierced hands stretched out. There is God’s good and gracious will being done for you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">That is why our Lord Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, gives us these words to pray, to cry out in the daily struggle and warfare of this fallen world: “Thy will be done.” He gives us these words to steel our resolve in his redemption. To strengthen us in his good and gracious will in Jesus’ cross and resurrection for you. to strike terror into the hearts of the enemy. To hold you steadfast in the confession and faith of Christ crucified. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When you pray this petition, you are part of the resistance. The Lord’s Prayer is a campaign in this conflict against sin, death, and the devil. The church is not just a place to meet friends. It’s not just a place to gather around food and fellowship. It’s not just a place to drink coffee and catch up. Don’t get me wrong. These are all good things when they flow from and lead back to Christ’s cross. And yet, when we pray the third petition, we see that Christ’s church is not a build-a-bear workshop where we make cute cuddly things. No, Christ’s church is a holy barracks where he arms you for the fight with the battle cry of the baptized against God’s enemies. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Here in this place God’s name is hallowed and so are you. Here God’s kingdom comes to you and for you in water and word, in Jesus’ body and blood. Here God’s good and gracious will is done for you. Here </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">While the battle rages on, we know the outcome, we know Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. And until that day, we wait. We watch. We pray. <i>Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus to life everlasting. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-87238954461258741772024-03-06T10:02:00.000-08:002024-03-06T10:04:19.397-08:00Lent Midweek 2: "Thy Kingdom Come"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ Lent Midweek 2 – February 28<sup>th</sup>, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Luke 22:24-30<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">2<sup>nd</sup> Petition of the Lord’s Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdJ24Jkp_JBXLZjSDKY86VlrN97bDOMXy1eLNgqCExt8uOrPABVRtzPM87m7_J5zRDkPyrJ0q0ujyYb0VVMbtPs1DIH3cuWQHx62PAYWKBKtTrpyhhUTzznbT9CQBhRInMb4b8vaxIbID94hEtvCALWJARCE5MXBRB22rtgajTXH2-9YDOQu7Ujh0-_EQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="377" data-original-width="735" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdJ24Jkp_JBXLZjSDKY86VlrN97bDOMXy1eLNgqCExt8uOrPABVRtzPM87m7_J5zRDkPyrJ0q0ujyYb0VVMbtPs1DIH3cuWQHx62PAYWKBKtTrpyhhUTzznbT9CQBhRInMb4b8vaxIbID94hEtvCALWJARCE5MXBRB22rtgajTXH2-9YDOQu7Ujh0-_EQ=w400-h205" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior + Jesus Christ. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We say the Lord’s Prayer so often that we forget just how odd the second petition is, how different those words are to what we experience. Thy Kingdom Come. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For Americans this is a peculiar part of the Lord’s Prayer. We don’t live in a kingdom. We don’t have a king. Americans threw the king’s tea into Boston Harbor. Fought the king’s armies. Traded the crown for a republic. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We tour castles on vacation. We watch movies about brave knights rescuing the princess. We read about Arthur and Aragorn and other great kings of history and story. The world of kings and kingdoms is the stuff of legends for us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">So when it comes to this part of the Lord’s Prayer, we might wonder what are we praying for here? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Think of it this way. What makes a kingdom a kingdom? It isn’t the land or a set of borders drawn on a map. It isn’t a place full of fields and mountains and streams. It isn’t all the king’s horses and all the king’s men. It isn’t even the laws or culture that makes a kingdom. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What makes a kingdom a kingdom? The law was the law because the king made a decree. The armies fought in the king’s name and by his command. The culture was the way of life because the king protected it. The borders were drawn on the map because the king ruled over it. What makes a kingdom a kingdom? The man with the crown. What makes a kingdom is the king.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And that is what we find at the heart and center of the second petition: a king and a kingdom. The Lord’s Prayer is a castle and the King who rules on the throne of this prayer is Christ Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But He is no ordinary king. He is not a self-serving king in name only, like Herod was. He is not a tyrant like Pharaoh and so many of the Roman emperors were. Not senile and jealous like King Saul at the end. No, Christ has all greatness comes in weakness. A king lying in a stable and laid in a manger. Christ who is almighty God takes on human flesh and weakness. Christ who is King of kings and Lord of lords is crucified under Pontius Pilate for you. Christ the King says to his arguing, confused, self-centered disciples… </span></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I am among you as the one who serves</span></i></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is totally unexpected for us…just as it was for the disciples. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When we hear the word “Kingdom” and we think knights, kings, emperors, castles, dungeons, and dragons. We hear the word kingdom and we think greatness. Great historical figures doing great things.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The disciples thought the same. Luke tells us that <i>A dispute arose among the disciples, </i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. </span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You can hear the lyrics of the Lion King song playing in their ears and ours… “Oh, I just can’t wait to be king!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">That’s the way our old sinful flesh thinks. We’d much rather pray this petition: “My kingdom come.” Within each of us there is found not a loyal subject but a tyrant. We want the power. The glory. The control. We want to be king of the hill. King of our lives. We want God’s kingdom to come on our own terms. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But all of that gets stripped away when we pray the Lord’s Prayer. Our old Adam is dethroned. It turns out that we’re not royals; we’re rebels. King nothings. Emperors without clothes sitting on an empire of dirt…and despair…and death. There’s only room for one King. The crucified King who came to save you on the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is why we pray the Lord’s Prayer. Why we pray “Thy Kingdom Come.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="body" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We don’t come to the kingdom of God…the Kingdom of God comes to you…because the King has come to save you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The King God foretold to David, whose throne would endure forever…wears a crown of thorns and is enthroned on the tree for you. The King that was promised by the angel, born of Mary, wrapped in swaddling cloths, and laid in a manger was also the King was crucified, died, and was wrapped in burial cloths and laid in the tomb for you. Here is the Kingdom…it comes in Jesus crucified. Here God’s power…hidden in weakness, suffering, and pain. Here is God’s glory…in the wounds and words of Jesus, the King and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Above his throne, the King of Calvary’s hill, the sign read… Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. Behold, your King. Crucified for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Remember…what makes the kingdom is the king. And a king is known by what he says and by what his hands do. The word of Christ the King save you. And the hands of Christ the King are the hands of a healer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When the king comes so does his kingdom. How does Christ’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus’ word and the Spirit…His grace and promise: those are the decrees and gifts Jesus the crucified and risen King gives you. Christ the King has issued his solemn decree: be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven. Christ the King has ended your rebellion, and instead of drawing his sword, yelling “off with your head,” he leads you beside still waters. He kneels you down and he knights you as loyal, faithful, subjects and heirs in by water and word. Christ the King calls us to his banqueting table. A feast for you in his royal hall. King’s bread where Christ is present for you. You drink from the King’s cup where his blood is poured out for you. You eat and drink his pardon and promise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What we pray for in this second petition, Jesus gives us in the second article of the Apostles’ Creed: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="body" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="body" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="body" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="body" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="body" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is most certainly true.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Long live the crucified and risen King. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus to life everlasting. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-32980920828353982432024-02-26T08:55:00.000-08:002024-02-26T08:55:20.813-08:00Sermon for Lent 2: "Who Is Jesus?"<p><br /> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ 2<sup>nd</sup> Sunday in Lent – February 25<sup>th</sup>, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Romans 5:1-11; Mark 8:27-38<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7L5WROw8WBp3sGz8LwBeH0ux_7yRJePdORAbpbaucCtPgUIwEglX0WVVORBYxiZeoMsuwJCr_mNC6frYgQmXTdkSyIPSid3y_bTC7yypvjZ6gBp9Q1y1aKd-5X-86jMw4YNH1XGaNWTgtd7ZFbPKOhycdrWjDTfW7FyvjZXDKmtL7O9wEgbg49JqVGig" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="306" data-original-width="845" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7L5WROw8WBp3sGz8LwBeH0ux_7yRJePdORAbpbaucCtPgUIwEglX0WVVORBYxiZeoMsuwJCr_mNC6frYgQmXTdkSyIPSid3y_bTC7yypvjZ6gBp9Q1y1aKd-5X-86jMw4YNH1XGaNWTgtd7ZFbPKOhycdrWjDTfW7FyvjZXDKmtL7O9wEgbg49JqVGig=w400-h145" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Back when late night television was comical and comedians could make jokes, Jay Leno had a segment called “the man on the street.” Someone from his show would interview random folks on the street: “Who was the first U.S. president? What are the three branches of government? What year was the Declaration of Independence written?” And so on. These bits were funny… more than a little frightening…yet revealing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In Today’s gospel reading Jesus isn’t on the streets of New York, but in the villages of Caesarea Philippi. A place where the locals confessed Caesar as lord. A place where Pan was worshiped in a pagan temple. Jesus didn’t have a camera crew following him around, but his disciples are with him, and thanks to Mark’s gospel, so are we. We get to tune into prime-time and hear Jesus conducting his own “man on the street interview” with his disciples. <i>“Who do people say that I am?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For Jesus, however, this question isn’t a matter of mere information…it’s a matter of life and death…how you answer Jesus’ question is the difference between a crazy rabbi who says some wild stuff or he is who really says he is: the Son of God in human flesh to rescue you in his crucifixion and resurrection. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus didn’t ask this for entertainment value either…but to drive us to his cross where he reveals his answer for you and for the world: Who is Jesus? He is your crucified, suffering, bleeding, dying, sin-bearing, hanging on the cross in our place, and rising out of his tomb three days later Savior. Who is Jesus? He is the Son of God in human flesh who came to save you by his cross and resurrection. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus asks his disciples…</span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Who do people say that I am?” </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And they gave the typical answers of their day; they had a good pulse on who the masses expected the Messiah to be:<i> “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”</i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What about today? Who do people in Milton, Puyallup, or Tacoma say Jesus is? Some say Jesus was a good, moral man or a mythical figure like the Easter bunny or Sasquatch. Some say he’s more like a cheerleader or a mascot. Some think of Jesus like a vending machine or a magic lamp. Still, others say, he’s a wise teacher or a guide.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You see the problem here, don’t you? All of those answers, and others like it, reveal more about the person answering the question than they reveal who Jesus is. But the problem goes deeper than that. Is that how Jesus reveals who he is? Is Jesus nothing more than a spiritual trainer telling us to work harder? Or a religious boy scout telling you to live better? Or a genie who will grant your wishes? Because if that’s all Jesus is we should all pack up our stuff and head home. That’s not good news. Not only that, if that’s all Jesus is, then we’re still in our sin. There’s still guilt and grief and shame to deal with. There’s still death. And none of those false Christs – none of our idols – are coming to rescue us. Unless you have Jesus the Son of God in human flesh come to save us undeserving sinners by his dying and rising again you have a fake, a phony, and a false Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Then Jesus gets personal. He turns to his disciples. Who do you (plural – yous guys) say that I am?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“You are the Christ.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Peter answered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It’s a good answer. A true answer. Jesus is the Christ. He is the anointed, chosen, long-expected Messiah. He is the Son of God from all eternity and the Son of Mary born in time. He is the Promised Seed foretold to Adam and Eve, to Abraham in Genesis 17, and to Isaac and Jacob and the prophets.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Why then, we wonder, in the very next breath Jesus <i>strictly charged them to tell no one about him.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Because they don’t yet understand what it means that Jesus is the Christ. Peter takes Jesus aside and tries to shut him up. The student rebukes the teacher. This is all backwards. This is why Jesus calls Peter, Satan. To remove Christ from the cross is the work of the devil. A suffering, bleeding, dying, crucified God is not the Messiah the disciples had in mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Like the crowds that follow Jesus, his own disciples had all sorts of opinions about what the Messiah would be like: a mighty warrior who would conquer the romans and a king who would restore an earthly kingdom…make Israel great. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">No, says Jesus. Yes, the Christ is a King…but his kingdom is not of the world. He wears a crown of thorns. But will be enthroned on a Roman cross; where it is written, “cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree.” His royal robes will be given in jest, then stripped from him, and gambled away.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Who is Jesus? Jesus tells his disciples, and us, exactly who he is. <i>He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.</i> And Jesus didn’t tell them all of this in a parable. Or a story. Or any number of metaphors in the Scripture. He said this plainly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Who is Jesus? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus tells us plainly too: </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Not only is this Jesus’ answer. This is how we answer this question when those around us ask as well. Christianity is not the story of a good, wise, moral teacher. It is the story of how a particular man, with a particular color eyes, a certain height and weight and hair color was put to death on a particular Roman cross one Friday afternoon…and he did it all for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is what it means when Jesus says “Take up your cross and follow me.” </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Your Christian life is not like the old story, <i>The Little Engine that Could</i>…”I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.” Cause we can’t and we won’t. But Christ will and does it all for you. Yes, even your life of love towards others. Christian life is the cross where Jesus died and rose for you. And where you die and rise with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">There is no Christian life apart from the cross. The cross is what it means that Jesus is the Christ. And the cross is what it means for you to be in Christ. For in the cross, there’s your life. That’s why the ultimate self-denial is not what we say or do or give up. The ultimate self-denial is a confession that we have nothing whatsoever to do with our salvation. That all we bring to the foot of the cross is our sin and death. And yet there, Jesus does everything for you. Gives everything for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Who is Jesus? Paul tells us in Romans 5: <span class="text"><i>while we were still weak, at the right time</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><span class="text"><i>Christ died for the ungodly.</i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i>God shows his love for us in that</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><span class="text"><i>while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></i></span><i><o:p></o:p></i></p><span id="en-ESV-28041"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Who is Jesus? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus tells us today as he told his disciples: </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Who is Jesus? Jesus’ answer…look to my cross, and nowhere else. That’s who I am for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">If you want to see God look to the one who suffered for you. To the one who was rejected for you. To the one who was killed for you. To the one who rose from the grave for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></span>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-2012862525911227852024-02-21T10:51:00.000-08:002024-02-21T10:51:17.028-08:00Lent Midweek 1: "Hallowed be Thy Name"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ 1st Lenten Midweek - February 21st, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">1st Petition of the Lord’s Prayer</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OjlX9ZutAS1zqCVavddaGQtEZg41vOkH9nUZkwvH1wFqjU4Nf3WIAse2GvzCKC28eFGnl6ic8LCy5MEGhMEr6LFqAWriJOHAJim3WOMf1cSAjBzHkD1O4p0AjBKQzlhzKXkEJK7GKu5O8Th2sR4LOK9azuE3RAaT4BSWZ52TnTejtjwaT1wMWD1GfzE/s800/at-the-name-of-jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="800" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OjlX9ZutAS1zqCVavddaGQtEZg41vOkH9nUZkwvH1wFqjU4Nf3WIAse2GvzCKC28eFGnl6ic8LCy5MEGhMEr6LFqAWriJOHAJim3WOMf1cSAjBzHkD1O4p0AjBKQzlhzKXkEJK7GKu5O8Th2sR4LOK9azuE3RAaT4BSWZ52TnTejtjwaT1wMWD1GfzE/w400-h210/at-the-name-of-jesus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A name does many things.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A name tag identifies you. Hello, my name is… In earlier days of the Christian faith you would receive your name on the day you were baptized. The same day you were given the name of the Trinity in water and word and promise. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A name communicates. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A name is a gift. It is given. Placed upon you. In Holy Baptism God gives you his name. He places his name upon you. You are his. You belong to him.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A name has meaning. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">There’s power and authority in a name…when you sign a will, buy a car, or a house. Or even when you sign for an Amazon package. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Your name can stand for something. Known for something. Your name is your reputation. As in the Lord’s name…<i>The Lord, the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.</i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Names are called upon and there is a presence that comes with a name. Like when children call out “Dad” “Mom.” and they come running to help.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Your name guarantees you have the money when you sign a check. A name comes with a promise. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">All of this - and more of course - is happening with God’s name. And when we pray in God’s name in the Lord’s Prayer: “Hallowed be Thy Name.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">If a name does many things, how much more is it true of God’s name. God’s name is a gift. God’s name identifies you: he claims you as his own and calls you by faith when he put his name upon you in your Baptism. God’s name has authority and power. That is why the Lord’s Prayer begins with God’s name… “Our Father…Hallowed be Thy Name”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Here in the 1st Petition God’s name is full of his promise for you. God’s name is his presence for you. And most of all…God’s name is a person. How do we know God’s name? Look at Jesus. You want to know God’s name and his promise, his presence, and his peace? Look to Christ. He is God’s name in the flesh for you. And through him, you are given God’s name.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It’s no accident that the Lord’s Prayer begins this way (and so do all good prayers) - by calling upon the Name of the Lord. We hear this all over the Psalms: </span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth </span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">(Psalm 124). Something similar happens every church service. God’s Triune name begins the service. God’s triune name blesses us as the service ends. And in between we sing, pray, praise, and give thanks in his name.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Your life before God begins the same way the Lord’s Prayer does. When we pray “Hallowed be Thy Name” we are remembering that the name we call upon in prayer, God’s holy name, is the same name that he gave you and placed His holy name upon you with tap water and his word of promise.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When the high priest in the Old Testament went into God’s presence in the holy of holies in the tabernacle, he wore a head piece which said: <i>holy to the Lord</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When we pray “Hallowed be Thy Name” …Those words take us back to the place where the Holy Trinity placed his saving name upon you. On your forehead. With water. With word. With his presence. His promise. When God spoke his word, washed you, and placed his name upon you, he made you a priest, and put a mark on your head that says: <i>holy to the Lord.</i> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God also leads you in His name. The Psalms speak this way: “</span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">He leads me in paths of righteousness</span></i><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">for his name's sake.”</span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> (Psalm 23)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">When we pray Hallowed be Thy Name, we are praying that God’s name would be kept holy among us also. Our words. Our words with each other. Our words with our neighbors. Our teaching of God’s words. That our life as his baptized holy people, especially in his church, in what we say and do, would be like the priests, clothed in garments as they entered the tabernacle: <i>holy to the Lord.</i> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“How is God’s name kept holy? God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven!”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When we pray “Hallowed be Thy Name” we are also praying against ourselves and our sinful flesh. This prayer is the opposite of what our sinful flesh loves to do. We love to make a name for ourselves. We love when our name is the center of attention. The problem is, unlike God’s name, our name isn’t holy in itself. And neither are our lives. A quick run through of the commandments reveals that we live contrary to God’s word and name all the time. We don’t fear, love, and trust in him above all things. We fail to call upon his name. We look for comfort rest anywhere else but God’s word and gifts. We don’t honor others in authority over us. We’re often angry and murder our brother in our hearts and minds and words. We are full of sinful lusts and selfish desires. We’re greedy. Liars. And never content. If we’re honest, we’d much rather pray this part of the Lord’s Prayer this way: “hallowed be <i>my</i> name.” </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is why the Lord’s Prayer begins with these words… “Hallowed be Thy Name” Because it is not our name that saves us. It is not our lives that make us holy to the Lord. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">You are saved in the name of Jesus. Jesus’ word gives you life. Jesus' life makes you holy to the Lord. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For all the times we’ve lived contrary to the name and word of God, Jesus lived a holy life for you. For all the times we have profaned the name of the Lord in thought, word, and deed…Jesus pardons you. Remember the name given by the angel to Joseph. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Mt. 1:21). Savior – That’s Jesus’ name. And that’s what he does for you.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In Jesus' holy resurrection, in Jesus’ holy word, water, body and blood you are holy to the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The 1st Petition of the Lord’s Prayer is God’s promise to you. You are holy in Christ. Hallowed by the holy blood of Jesus. Sanctified in the saving death of the Son of God. Pure and spotless in the Lamb who was slain for you. You are marked with the name of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And that’s the name that’s given to you. You are baptized in God’s holy name. You are saved in God’s holy name. You are given faith by God’s holy name. You are rescued and redeemed for the sake of God’s name. You are holied in God’s name. You pray in God’s name. And you live in God’s name.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Now the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus to life everlasting. Amen. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-2725645471450990592024-02-21T10:01:00.000-08:002024-02-21T10:01:40.311-08:00Sermon for Ash Wednesday: "Forgive Us"<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ Ash Wednesday – February 14<sup>th</sup>, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Joel 2:12-19; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10; Matthew 6:1-21<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkX6gAWKGcNAVbVjGkGYsPe4RNLPHLCG6DEdY0H-foknp1ij4UxqS0myde1h_FVaULZfqMWRZkXLmsq8pwoM3sP-ATujVo7T85-3Lw7ojTQxgthTF3ppG55a58I1WHrq9y3tDXW3MKx6jt-RrXx-d0PBqqFf8M-utqaTna27ZIq2VWW2vUBnKgXlIdN0/s1544/ash-wednesday-palms-465498009-e1581452275829-4275041786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1544" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkX6gAWKGcNAVbVjGkGYsPe4RNLPHLCG6DEdY0H-foknp1ij4UxqS0myde1h_FVaULZfqMWRZkXLmsq8pwoM3sP-ATujVo7T85-3Lw7ojTQxgthTF3ppG55a58I1WHrq9y3tDXW3MKx6jt-RrXx-d0PBqqFf8M-utqaTna27ZIq2VWW2vUBnKgXlIdN0/w400-h274/ash-wednesday-palms-465498009-e1581452275829-4275041786.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When you looked at the calendar today or in recent weeks, you probably did a double take. Wait…did I see that right? It’s February 14<sup>th</sup>. Valentine’s Day. But it’s also Ash Wednesday. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Now, at first these two days might seem like complete, polar opposites, an odd couple. A day of romance meets a season of repentance? What could a day of flowers, candy hearts, and love possibly have in common with ashes, Lent, and the passion of Christ? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In a word…forgiveness. Where there is love – not the Hallmark brand of love – but true, real, sacrificial love; where there is steadfast love, there is forgiveness. Where there is Ash Wednesday, there’s forgiveness. Like all of God’s gifts, these gifts – love and forgiveness – come to us through the cross of Christ. How do you know God loves you? Let me count the ways…three nails, a wooden cross, a crown of thorns, a pierced side, an empty tomb, a resurrected Jesus. How do you know God forgives you? Look to the cross and listen to his promise: Paul repeats it for us. Call it a Corinthian valentine card: </span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Forgiveness is the gift we pray for in the 5<sup>th</sup> petition of the Lord’s Prayer. That’s our catechism focus for today. We’ll spend the rest of the midweek Lenten services looking at the other petitions, or parts, of the Lord’s Prayer in the usual order in which we pray them. But today, on Ash Wednesday, we begin with the 5<sup>th</sup> petition…with forgiveness. It’s the perfect place to begin set out on our Lenten journey – a journey to Holy Week, a journey of repentance, and a journey of forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In Matthew’s gospel we hear these words in Jesus’ sermon on the mount. There he teaches us to pray. Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer – like all prayers, really – begins outside of us. In the Lord’s words. He speaks and we listen. He gives us the words. And we pray. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Without Jesus’ words our prayers are just a bad cover version of the Pharisees who pray to be seen and heard and noticed and patted on the back. Or else, they sound like pagan prayers. A big, steaming pile of empty phrases. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is why Jesus must teach us, as he taught his disciples, to pray. This is why he must give us the words to pray. This is why we pray the 5<sup>th</sup> petition. Dear Father in heaven, forgive us our trespasses. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Forgive us when we grow weak and weary. Forgive us when we stumble daily. Forgive us when fail and fall. Forgive us when we are selfish, self-centered, sinners. Forgive us when we give into temptation. Forgive us for all the times we have failed to forgive others. Forgive us for our lack of trust, for our trust in ourselves, for our desires and devices.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The truth is, “if God does not forgive us without stopping, we are lost.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And yet, we are not lost, because God forgives you without stopping. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The green trimmings fade; the Valentine roses withers. Cards get tossed away. But God’s steadfast love for you in Christ never ceases. God’s forgiveness to you in Jesus never ends. His mercies, and his forgiveness, are new every morning. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In that way, the season of Lent is a little bit like Baptism. God did something for you on the day of your baptism – he washed you; cleansed you; forgave you; adopted you; clothed you in Christ. But God still works in your baptism. He daily drowns your sin and daily raises you up. You die and rise in him. That’s what Lent does…it leads to Easter. Repentance leads to forgiveness. Death to life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Now don’t try and sneak in there and take credit for any of this. Repentance, just like forgiveness, is God’s work. God’s gift. God’s doing. God repents you. Turns you from your sin, to his forgiveness. That’s what the prophet Joel called Israel to do, and us too. To live in the Lord’s repentance and steadfast love. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Joel 2:13<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">How does God relent over disaster? How does he show us his steadfast love? He releases us from bondage. He sets us free from prison. He cancels our debt. He pays our ransom. He takes on our sin. He forgives. That is the kind of God you have in Jesus. A merciful. Gracious. Slow to anger. Abounding in steadfast love. Forgiving God. You may think you are a great sinner, and we all are, but Christ’s forgiveness is always greater. Always deeper and wider and higher.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">That is who God is. He forgives. He is the forgiver. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And in Jesus, that’s who you are too. <i>Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It’s that second part of the petition that we often find troubling isn’t it? Forgiving others. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">That’s why we pray this petition. That’s why forgiveness – like all the other parts of the Lord’s Prayer – is God’s work. God’s gift. God’s doing in your life. Christ’s gift of forgiveness flows downstream. From his hands, feet, and side…into your baptism, into the cup and the bread…into your life…and then, to others around you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">So when we pray the 5<sup>th</sup> petition we’re praying for our forgiveness. But we’re also praying, Father, help me forgive others. Help me forgive that grudge I’ve been holding on to. Help me forgive that hurt, that pain, that insult, that which seems unforgiveable in my eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And you know what our Lord says about all of that?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Father, forgive them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Though your sins were as scarlet, you shall be white as snow. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-71584117917971143932024-02-21T08:54:00.000-08:002024-02-21T10:09:55.863-08:00Sermon for Lent 1: "With the Wild Animals"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ Lent 1 – February 18<sup>th</sup>, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B: Genesis 22:1-18; James 1:12-28; Mark 1:9-15<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><img alt="Brooklyn Museum: European Art: Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness (Jésus tenté dans le désert)" class="detail__media__img-highres js-detail-img js-detail-img-high" height="214" src="https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn2.brooklynmuseum.org%2Fimages%2Fopencollection%2Fobjects%2Fsize4%2F00.159.51_PS1.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=3019ba5d44d51e4ae8bbdab6a959c4a4403ec8d80de969edadb75cc0cfb848f3&ipo=images" style="display: block; height: 483px; width: 721.68093385214px;" width="320" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Imagine you’re at a painting class about to illustrate a famous Bible story. With brush in hand and colors on your palette, your instructor gives you a few details of the story to include: paint a place with a man, a place of wild animals, a place of temptation, and a place where that man is thrown out into the wilderness. After some Bob Ross painting magic – some happy little trees, some happy little animals – and your illustration is done. What Bible story have you painted?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Your first sketch in mind is probably Genesis, the Garden of Eden, Adam , animals, and Satan as the serpent. And that certainly fits the details. Eden was the place of Adam (for a while, anyhow), a place of animals brought to Adam to be named, a place of temptation by Satan in the form of a serpent, and a place where Adam was thrown out into the wilderness. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But there is another Biblical story you could paint with those same details. It’s the story Mark paints for us in this morning’s Gospel reading. There’s a certain man in a certain place, a place of wild animals, a place of temptation, and a place where the man is thrown out into the wilderness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span>And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Compared to Matthew and Luke, Mark’s account of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness is short. Just two verses. And while Mark doesn’t have the detail the other gospels have, he does have a couple curious details Matthew and Luke don’t have. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Here in Mark, the Spirit doesn’t lead Jesus into the wilderness. He throws him out. He casts him out (think a fishing rod and line). The Spirit chucks Jesus out. Like the fish at Pike’s Place market, the Spirit yeets Jesus out into the wilderness. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And there in the wilderness Jesus is tempted for 40 days by Satan. 40 days takes us back to Israel in the wilderness for 40 years. Back to the wilderness testing. In that wilderness, Israel failed, fell into temptation, and was faithless. In this wilderness in Mark 1, Jesus succeeds where Israel failed. Jesus overcomes where Israel was overcome by temptation. Jesus is faithful where Israel was faithless.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But Mark goes further back than Israel in the wilderness. Mark goes all the way back to Genesis. <i>And he was with the wild animals.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is Mark’s way of telling us that the Creator is here in the flesh. The healing of all creation has come at last in Jesus the redeemer. There is a new creation beginning already in Jesus – as he overcomes temptation, as he makes all things new by his death, and as he rises again from the dead. The redemption that creation, and we along with it, have been waiting for, has arrived already in Jesus. Heaven and earth are together again in peace in Jesus. Jesus goes where the wild things are: to tame a fallen creation by rescuing, redeeming, and restoring you, and creation as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is not the first time we hear about the work of Jesus, the Messiah, surrounded by animals. We hear this at Christmas too. Isaiah foretells the ministry of the Messiah this way:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">6 </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,<br />and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and a little child shall lead them.<br /><b><sup>7 </sup></b>The cow and the bear shall graze;<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">their young shall lie down together;<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.<br /><b><sup>8 </sup></b>The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra,<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.<br /><b><sup>9 </sup></b>They shall not hurt or destroy<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">in all my holy mountain<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When Mark says that Jesus was with the wild animals…after his baptism…after his temptation. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus goes into the wilderness as a second Adam to undo everything that the first Adam, and we, have done</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus in the wilderness is a cover song of Genesis 2-3. Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness is a reboot of the temptation in the Garden. Jesus is Adam 2.0. He is the man in the wilderness. a place of temptation. A place of where the animals are. A place where he is thrown out. Only this time it’s different. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Adam was cast out of the Garden of Eden because he fell into temptation, gave into sin. Jesus is cast out into the wilderness to stand firm against temptation and overcome sin – and Satan. Adam was overcome by Satan’s lies in the garden. Jesus overcomes Satan’s lies in the wilderness. Adam was thrown out of Eden and the world – and we along with it – are thrown into a world of pain, sorrow, despair, guilt, shame, chaos, disorder, death. Jesus is thrown out into the wilderness…not cuddle with the woodland creatures like Snow White. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus goes into the wilderness as a second Adam to undo everything that the first Adam, and we, have done and fallen into. He goes into the wilderness to triumph over Satan (whose name and actions mean the adversary), for all the times sin, death, and Satan have triumphed over us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Where sin, death, and the devil brought disorder and death and despair, Jesus brings order, a new creation, rescue, redemption, and restoration. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For all the times we have been like Israel and Adam…faithless, fallen, failures…Jesus succeeds where we don’t. For all the times you feel alone in your sin, alone battling temptation, alone in despair or hopelessness, without strength, comfort, or lost…for you Jesus went into the wilderness. Jesus went into the wilderness for you. To find you in your lostness, your despair, at the bottom of your rope. He went out into the wilderness to join you in all the suffering that you go through. To be your strength when you are weak. Your hope when you despair. Your comfort when you grieve. Your innocence when you are guilty. Your honor when shame weighs you down. Your forgiveness when you fall into temptation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But the wilderness isn’t the only place Jesus goes for you, nor is it the last place he fights and defeats Satan. After three years of teaching and preaching, healing and casting out demons…he finds his way once again to a garden. Not Eden. Gethsemane. He prays. Salty, sweaty drops of blood drip from his forehead. And then he goes out into the wilderness again. Cast outside the city. Up a hill. To the hang on a tree for you. To bear the curse for you. To overcome Satan and death for you. To crush the serpent. To defeat our ancient foe, the dragon. To take a twisted, mangled bunch of thorns from Adam’s scorched earth upon his head to crown you with glory. To bring a new creation and overcome Satan by his death on a tree so that he who by a tree had overcome Adam and all of us, would finally be crushed underfoot. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The church fathers were on to something when they said that the cross of Christ is the key to paradise. Jesus was surrounded by wild animals at the cross: yelling out crucify him. Tempting him to come down. But he stayed there for you. All our failures…all the times we’ve fallen…all our faithlessness…it’s all undone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And from the tree of his cross, feeds you. He sets a table for you in the presence of your enemies. He gives you food of the new creation in the wilderness. He forgives you all the times you’ve fallen into temptation here at his table. Here is Manna from heaven. The Bread of life. His body. His flesh. His blood. Shed for you. Poured out into the cup for you. For the forgiveness of sins. Adam ate the fruit of the tree and died. Here, you eat the fruit of Jesus’ tree and live. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And here, once again, on this table made of wood from a tree, the gifts of Jesus from his tree are taken and eaten. And death is undone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The healing of all creation has come at last in Jesus the redeemer. In his body given for you. In his blood shed for you. Here you are delivered from evil and temptation. Here all things are made new for you died and rose again<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-74598924782231553742024-02-12T10:16:00.000-08:002024-02-12T10:16:05.298-08:00Sermon for Transfiguration of our Lord: "The Transfiguration Declaration"<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ Transfiguration of our Lord – February 11<sup>th</sup>, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B: 2 Kings 2:1-12; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6; Mark 9:2-9<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtqfg77ZjWjeAfS6gjMK93IZOh4zR15ggwfnlHAiF87bzxpAOioWXRLv0vlAotO3qDHo1mwMj84nxMCwjNYiBviVAgCvbZznuRSTcNzGiSBTnDfHGk8xvaQDsjbtuloaiM-wgo8i4WlfDS4p6N9-TwlNGk_5-s16uA6lNh5zJChzT5-TqtEz9p232mJE/s1200/transfiguration4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtqfg77ZjWjeAfS6gjMK93IZOh4zR15ggwfnlHAiF87bzxpAOioWXRLv0vlAotO3qDHo1mwMj84nxMCwjNYiBviVAgCvbZznuRSTcNzGiSBTnDfHGk8xvaQDsjbtuloaiM-wgo8i4WlfDS4p6N9-TwlNGk_5-s16uA6lNh5zJChzT5-TqtEz9p232mJE/w400-h210/transfiguration4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">There are certain moments in life where words are said that change you. Words that transform you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“I do.” “It’s a girl.” “It’s a boy.” “I forgive you.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Think for a moment of a time when someone’s words changed, or transformed you. Where you were transformed by what someone said. Think about what was said. About how those words changed or transformed you. And keep that idea in mind as we hear St. Mark’s account of Jesus’ transfiguration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When we think about Jesus’ transfiguration the first thing that comes to mind is the changing, the transfiguring, of Jesus’ appearance. And that’s an important part of the story. But there’s more. Not so much what is seen but what is heard. The most important thing at the transfiguration isn’t the eyes – though there’s plenty to see – but the ears. You could call the mountain of Jesus’ transfiguration the mountain of the Father’s declaration. God speaks. And when he speaks, he makes a promise and a declaration and good news: </span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is my beloved Son;</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">listen to him</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus’ transfiguration is a day of declaration of God’s promises to you in his Son Jesus. So that’s what we do. We find our Sabbath rest in Jesus’ word. We listen to Jesus. And in hearing Jesus word, we hear his promises and we are forgiven by his grace. We are changed as well… From guilt to pardon. From captivity to sin to freedom in Christ. From condemned to justified It’s all given to you by the Father’s declaration, in the beloved Son who is transfigured here on this mountain and will soon be crucified on another mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And after six days Jesus took with him</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">After six days. </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It might sound random. But this is not the first time God has done something after the sixth day. God spoke creation into being in 6 days, and on the 7<sup>th</sup> day rested – day of rest in his word. After six days Moses ascended Mt. Sinai where God spoke and delivered his word. On the 6<sup>th</sup> day of Holy Week, Good Friday, Jesus speaks a word of salvation and fulfilment from the cross: “it is finished.” When Mark begins the transfiguration account with “after six days”, it’s a signal that God is about to do something with his word.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What came first, however, was a sight to behold. </span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus was</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">transfigured before them,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24537"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one<sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-24537a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-24537a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mk+9&version=ESV#fen-ESV-24537a" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: black;">a</span></a>]</sup></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">on earth could bleach them.</span><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-24538"> </span></sup></b>And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.</i></span></span><span id="en-ESV-24539"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When Matthew, Luke, and here, Mark, record Jesus’ transfiguration, they all describe it a little different. It makes sense. How do you describe something like Jesus’ transfiguration? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Peter recognizes the glory of the moment: </span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“<i>Rabbi, it is good that we are here.</i>” He was right. It was good. It was glorious. And yet, the Father wanted us all to know that his glory comes not so much by what is seen, but by what is heard. Bright shining Jesus was not yet the climax of the story. God had something greater for his disciples. Remember, Jesus’ transfiguration isn’t only about what’s seen…it’s about what will be heard. It’s not a day for the eyes, but the ears.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">That’s the way Peter puts it later on in his epistle (2 Peter) when he recalls Jesus’ transfiguration he points us not only to what he and James and John saw that day…but to what they heard. To God’s word. In 2 Peter 1, he writes, “We were eyewitness of his majesty…we heard the voice from heaven…but you have something more sure: the prophetic word.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But before Peter turned into Bob the Builder there on Mt. Tabor, a cloud overshadowed the mountain. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The disciples attention – and ours – is drawn away from what is seen to what is heard. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is my beloved Son;</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">listen to him</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We’ve heard these words before. The Father said something similar at Jesus’ baptism. <i>You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased. </i>And we’ll hear something like this again at Jesus’ crucifixion, from a Roman centurion of all people: <i>Truly this man was the Son of God.</i> Jesus’ baptism. Transfiguration. And his crucifixion…all tied together with the word of promise. This is my beloved Son whose word is life, the transfigured, crucified, and risen one…His word is life for you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Martin Luther once commented that if you want to see God take your eyes and put them in your ears. Faith comes by hear and hearing by the word of Christ, Paul says. Jesus has been telling his disciples all along… </span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">the Son of Man must </span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;">suffer many things and </span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;">be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and </span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2;">after three days rise again.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is the word of God, the good news, the words of eternal life that Jesus speaks and accomplishes for you. Jesus transfiguration shows a change, but not for the disciples, not for us yet… that comes when Jesus is on the cross and walks out of the grave. And yet it is the same Lord and same word at work in both places. God’s word spoken at Jesus’ transfiguration calls us forward to the words Jesus speaks as he dies on the cross and rises again from the dead. And it is this word – the word of the cross that changes and transforms us…from sinners to saints, from fearful like the disciples to the gift of faith in Jesus, from dead in trespasses to justified in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The words spoken by God on the mountain of Jesus’ transfiguration point us to Jesus’ words spoken on the mountain of Calvary. There, <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Jesus hung on the cross. It was midday. The sun should’ve been shining. But it wasn’t. Darkness and cloud covered the mountain. Creation lost its light. Christ’s once gleaming clothes were gambled away with a roll of the dice. Jesus is naked, His body bruised and bloody, a piece of sport to the mockers who pass by. And once again, God speaks. He declares a word for you: <i>It is finished.</i>Your sin, your doubt, your death, your guilt, your shame – it’s all finished. Jesus gets the last word. It is the word of forgiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Back on the mountain of Jesus’ transfiguration, the Father said to Jesus, “This is my beloved Son.” And in Jesus, this word belongs to you as well. You are beloved. By word, water, and his promise, the Father says to you, “You are my beloved son and daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">He says this not on the basis of who we are, or what we’ve done…but because of who he is and what he has done for you in Jesus. It’s a change unlike any other and it’s all free and all for the sake of Christ who declares to you: I have rescued you. Redeemed you. Delivered you. And Justified you freely. I have forgiven you all your sins. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A blessed Transfiguration Sunday to each of you…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-67204350390431239182024-01-29T10:16:00.000-08:002024-01-29T10:16:57.990-08:00Sermon for Epiphany 4: "A War of Words"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">+ 4<sup>th</sup> Sunday after the Epiphany – January 28<sup>th</sup>, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Series B: Deuteronomy 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 8; Mark 1:21-28</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Milton, WA</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21pW9nqQXBij4uNF8tvXr84jrwvrB3iJ4jUvY6N_LWL0-yBFFztzH4TmeonwZWlfg7Xh9TDblUyw1RW4gUEf-y4RGk1-6xC8D3vr03IIJhx1q1UFQOdM4mAdwBd7Se-F6xcTStakI1MTBa_BG9vCbnkELp3cEfaV_tQolywFBwlvcUjLx_syrk6eTciY/s900/jesus-casts-out-the-demons-gospel-of-matthew-julius-schnoor-von-carolsfeld-1471895781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="900" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21pW9nqQXBij4uNF8tvXr84jrwvrB3iJ4jUvY6N_LWL0-yBFFztzH4TmeonwZWlfg7Xh9TDblUyw1RW4gUEf-y4RGk1-6xC8D3vr03IIJhx1q1UFQOdM4mAdwBd7Se-F6xcTStakI1MTBa_BG9vCbnkELp3cEfaV_tQolywFBwlvcUjLx_syrk6eTciY/s320/jesus-casts-out-the-demons-gospel-of-matthew-julius-schnoor-von-carolsfeld-1471895781.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">“Enemy occupied territory – that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage. When you go to church you are really listening in to the secret radio from our friends: that is why the enemy is so anxious to prevent us from going.” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. 46)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Although C.S. Lewis wrote those famous words back in 1941, they still ring true today. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">After all, we are at war. Not political, germ, or cyber warfare. St. Paul writes that… <i>we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age. </i>It is a war of words and a war of worlds. A war of God’s Word of truth versus the lies of Satan. A cosmic battle between good and evil. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">From the outset of Mark’s Gospel, this battle ensues. Jesus is led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, where He overcomes the devil in the opening salvo. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">And again, several verses later in Mark 1, Jesus is in Capernaum. In the synagogue. On the Sabbath day. Teaching with authority. The authority that is his from all eternity now revealed in his word and teaching and in casting out an unclean, evil spirit.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">This synagogue in Capernaum was a battleground. <i>Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. </i></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Knowing who is present in this synagogue, the unclean spirit dares to speak. H<i>e cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”</i></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Up until this point, the people hearing Jesus’ teaching have been amazed at his authority. Now, as the demon speaks, they find themselves on the front lines of a cosmic battle. It is a battle of words and of worlds. And at first it appears that the unclean spirit has the upper hand. A man is possessed. The unclean spirit speaks. Demanding Jesus leave him. Making a claim that this man and this synagogue belonged to the unclean spirits. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">So it seems for us in this world too, doesn’t it. So often we witness great evil in the world and see the wickedness of men; we see our own sinful thoughts, words, and deeds, and it sure looks like the darkness is too deep. The enemy is too strong. It’s tempting to think the devil has won. And if the battle were up to us, if we fought with our feeble strength and weapons, that would be true. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">But for us fights the valiant one. No sooner had the unclean spirit spoken, than Jesus unsheathed the sword of his own authoritative word. <i>Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”</i></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Jesus is more than a man from Nazareth. More than a teacher with authority. He is the cosmic Christ. This is His synagogue. These are His people. His rule is over all things, visible and invisible. His power is without equal. He has come into this world to fight against Satan and to defeat him. He will set free all the people Satan claims as his own.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Jesus tells the demon to “shut up and come out of him.” And he does. He doesn’t want unclean spirits preaching who He is. Even though what they say about him is true, it is truth in service of the Lie. Jesus is the Holy One of God, this is true. But He knows and the devil knows that this can be used in all the wrong ways by people who want to exploit Jesus for their own purposes and power. Jesus is the Holy One of God come to die. He is the Holy One of God come to do battle with Death and Sin and devil. He is the Holy One of God who not only drives the demons from people but who casts out the devil from this world. And gives you his victory over sin and death and the devil.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">And that is good news for us who find ourselves daily entrenched in this battle. The devil is still alive and well today, a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. He’s on a leash now and restrained, but that doesn’t mean he still can’t work great mischief. And the greatest mischief he can work is unbelief, doubt, despair. He’s the one who says, “I know who you are, and you can’t possibly be a Christian. I know who the Holy One of God is and you’re definitely not holy.”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">That’s the devil’s best work. He’s in the doubt business. He’ll use anything to create doubt – your reason, your conscience, sickness, adversity, evil. He’s like the kid who subversively starts fights on the playground and then runs to the principle to report all the fighting that’s going on. He loves to play games with your conscience, your inner critic, reminding you of how much of a religious failure you are. And it’s all largely true, just as it was true that Jesus is the Holy One of God. But in the devil’s mouth, even the truth becomes a lie.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Yes, it’s true; we are sinners. God’s Law tells us this clearly, and so that we don’t miss it, the Law even magnifies our sin. But that doesn’t mean you’re not holy. The devil hates paradox, by the way, and loves to make you decide. Which is it? A or B? Are you a sinner or a saint? Are you a child of Adam or of God? Come on, one or the other, you can’t be both, that’s nonsense. But remember, the devil is a liar.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The good news is “one little word can fell him.” In this morning’s text, the word is “shut up.” I know you parents want your kids to be polite and not say that, but the devil doesn’t deserve politeness. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">We are at war. And it’s a battle for your soul, your life, your faith. Christ has claimed you in Baptism, clothed you in the armor of God, and the devil hates that and will stop at nothing to drive you from Christ, keep you from His Word, get some distance between you and the Lord’s Supper, estrange you from the company of believers, isolate you in your feelings and guilt and shame. There is nothing more vulnerable to a wolf than an isolated, straying sheep.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. “Resist him,” Peter says. He is resistible. How? “Standing firm in the faith.” Not resting on your words and work, but on the solid rock of Jesus’ word and work. Jesus’ death and resurrection for you. Jesus’ forgiveness in his body and blood for you. Jesus’ word of forgiveness.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">“As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by His authority, I forgive you all of your sins.” </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">This is God’s great “shut up” to the devil, to your troubled conscience, to the Law that condemns you rightly for your sins. That is why we come to this place - an outpost of heaven on earth; a haven and a safe harbor in this war and a shelter in the storm – to hear God’s Word, pray, praise, give thanks, and eat and </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">drink Jesus’ body and blood. <o:p></o:p></span></p><h1 style="break-after: avoid; color: #2f5496; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></h1><h1 style="break-after: avoid; color: #2f5496; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: "I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!” (Luther)<o:p></o:p></span></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">And the next time you are troubled by the devil, by the world, by your own conscience and you begin to doubt your holiness in Christ, you just tell them all to shut up in the name of Jesus and go away.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Jesus Christ is Lord, the Holy One of God, and He says you are forgiven and holy and justified. That’s a Word you can count on. That’s a Word you can die with. That’s a Word with authority.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-35873759193771167632024-01-29T10:14:00.000-08:002024-01-29T10:14:12.180-08:00Sermon for Epiphany 3: "Good News"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany - January 21<sup>st</sup>, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-35; Mark 1:14-20</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUshjSrPEv9fCEC3F6q7Wsisb1_EpXQK5ivhJYhcW7TRBKcplj1xecBgUJrLh5J9AmALSSO1ZWmUaGjEBfSUOSeWME3br9AiElEi7oMBN2Rq6kpwFYRfnLP8YRL5e_mPPK4xiN6sKx1xz-YBErOMIvg_itZwJSL_ruknWn81UCX2ghiaIqAg0AavPD0o/s874/9826160-2003026735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="874" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUshjSrPEv9fCEC3F6q7Wsisb1_EpXQK5ivhJYhcW7TRBKcplj1xecBgUJrLh5J9AmALSSO1ZWmUaGjEBfSUOSeWME3br9AiElEi7oMBN2Rq6kpwFYRfnLP8YRL5e_mPPK4xiN6sKx1xz-YBErOMIvg_itZwJSL_ruknWn81UCX2ghiaIqAg0AavPD0o/w400-h225/9826160-2003026735.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">First moments are an important part of life. A child’s first words or their first steps. Your first job or first college acceptance letter. The first time you met your husband or wife. The tricky part about life’s first moments is that they often happen quickly, and then life goes on. No wonder so many parents watch with their phones and cameras at the ready for that moment their toddler takes his or her first steps. Sometimes we wish we could slow down the moment, make it last longer. Savor it. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Today’s Gospel reading from Mark 1 gives us a first moment in the life and ministry of Jesus as well. Jesus’ first sermon.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In Mark’s Gospel, not only is this Jesus’ first sermon…these are the first words Jesus speaks. Up until now the prophets have spoken. John the Baptist has spoken. God the Father has spoken at Jesus’ baptism. And now, Jesus speaks. He preaches. Blink and you might miss it. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Even though the disciples didn’t have smart phones or YouTube channels back in the day, they did have words. Mark recorded these words for us so we can slow down, take our time. Savor the words of our Savior. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The time is fulfilled</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">…What time? What fulfillment? What does Jesus mean? The appointed time, the long expected day, the right moment, as Paul says…<i>in the fullness of time God sent forth his Son to be born of a woman born under the Law to redeem us who were under the Law, that we would receive adoption as sons.</i>The time is fulfilled. And where there’s fulfillment, there’s a promise. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God’s word is many things, one of which is a promise that is full of many promises all at once. God promised Adam and Eve a child who would crush the serpent. God promised Abraham descendants more numerous than the stars. God promised Isaac the same thing…that through his offspring all nations on the earth would be blessed. Jacob, too, received this promise. Years and generations went by. Ruth and Boaz. Obed. Jesse. David. Solomon. Kings and prophets came and went but God’s promise remained. And finally, in the most unlikely places of all, the womb of the humble, poor Virgin Mary, God’s promise became a person. The King was clothed in humanity. And the Kingdom of God became flesh.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The kingdom of God isn’t so much a <i>what</i> or a <i>where</i>, as it is a <i>who</i>. Jesus is the king and the kingdom. He rules and reigns not by tyranny and coercion and deceit - like the rulers of this world - but in mercy, grace, and steadfast love. The kingdom of God is Jesus…and his kingdom is wherever he is. As Jesus was calling his disciples and teaching and preaching the kingdom of God was at hand, in their midst. Right there talking with them face to face. Teaching. Preaching. Healing. Casting out demons. Walking. Talking. Eating. Drinking. Sleeping. All the while making his way to his coronation and enthronement on the cross outside Jerusalem for you. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When Jesus says the kingdom of God is at hand, that his rule and reign is near…that was true then as he spoke it…but because it’s him speaking it, it is still true. Because of his life, death, and resurrection…his kingdom has no end. So his kingdom comes in his word, in his supper, in your baptism, in his church, in the forgiveness of sins. Why? Because the King is at hand. Jesus is here in his church, in your lives, in his word, in your baptism, in his supper, in the bread and wine you eat. Jesus is not absent. No. He promises. He is present. The Kingdom and the King are at hand. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is good news for us.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Which brings us back to the words of Jesus’ first sermon. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Repent and believe the Gospel. What do those words mean? We say them a lot, but have you ever slowed down to think about what they mean? Repent - to turn. To change your mind. You were going this way, now you go that way. Repentance is a return to God. And repentance begins with God. It’s his gift, his work, his doing. We wouldn’t repent of anything unless he gave us his Holy Spirit and worked that turning back to him within us, unless he repented us, unless he changes our hearts and minds. And the good news is he does. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And that’s what that word Gospel means. Good news. Paul says the <i>Gospel is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes</i>. What does Jesus mean when he says, repent and believe the Gospel? What is the good news he is bringing? Our first thought, hopefully, is something like this: “Jesus lived, died, and rose for me, to take away my sin and give eternal life with him in heaven.” </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is good. This is true. This is the gospel. This is good news. Although In the context of Mark 1, we are not there yet at the cross. Jesus is heading that way. And that good news of his death and resurrection for you and for the world is yours; it has been announced, it is announced here. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In Mark 1, Jesus is heading to towards his death and resurrection, and the good news that comes to us all because of it. But even before he gets there, there is good news, there is Gospel. He is the King and the kingdom and he is present. He is living sign that God’s promises were kept for you. Even though John was in prison at the beginning of this reading, even though the disciples didn't understand it all yet, even though we don’t always understand it, even though we have trials and suffering in this life just as they did…there is good news for you in Jesus.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Good News is his promise kept for you in Jesus. His Good News is that Jesus is the King and the Kingdom and he is at hand. Right here. Right now. Today. In his word. Right in the middle of whatever you’re going through – a good day or a bad day; a cold or something far more serious. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus is not far; he is near. He is with you. In the forgiveness you receive in his name. In your baptism. In the bread and wine of his supper. In your daily life. In all those times when it looks as if God will not keep his promises, or as if your life looks like the complete opposite of what you thought it would be. Remember Jesus’ first sermon. Remember Jesus’ promise. Remember the good news.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; live in repentance and faith. Hear his word. Fill your lives and ears with his promises. And believe in the gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Christ your king, his kingdom, and all his gifts are at hand. Rejoice and receive the good news.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-16739146752378563422024-01-16T15:45:00.000-08:002024-01-16T15:45:15.010-08:00Funeral Sermon for Natalie Walta: "The Artist"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">+ In Memoriam - Natalie Walta: July 11, 1936 - January 6, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Psalm 25; Job 19:21-27; Romans 8:31-39; John 14:1-6</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Milton, WA</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_GrafxcTRIZxoCG0MCK5M4G1BgoqUXvbP5ueKxbqq52Ep16eI_szjrvmybgiQfmL2KSCIDXEAnOFMq05dY6RUtK9yKXG2fWY2EVZ7-v-Qm4CkD1gN9j1X11vvHCS4C84nv5YQc8JH3z5g2pWOqtH2y66FaMwTY9pD7yGx3OUZBJG973_ZccMMY4hQCw/s700/Baptized-Into-His-Death-700x700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_GrafxcTRIZxoCG0MCK5M4G1BgoqUXvbP5ueKxbqq52Ep16eI_szjrvmybgiQfmL2KSCIDXEAnOFMq05dY6RUtK9yKXG2fWY2EVZ7-v-Qm4CkD1gN9j1X11vvHCS4C84nv5YQc8JH3z5g2pWOqtH2y66FaMwTY9pD7yGx3OUZBJG973_ZccMMY4hQCw/w400-h400/Baptized-Into-His-Death-700x700.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Every artist has his or her favorite medium with which to work. Some prefer to paint with watercolors, oil paints, or acrylics. Some carve and craft amazing pieces out of wood or metal. Some take a lump of clay and with little more than their hands, some water, a potter’s wheel, and their imagination, a work of art is formed. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I recently learned that our dear sister in Christ, Natalie Walta, was an artist. Her paintings had won awards. She attended the Art Institute at the University of Chicago. She taught the arts to little children at St. Paul’s Lutheran school. Yes, Natalie was an artist. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Natalie’s favorite medium, however, was not paint, wood, or clay…it was the loving kindness of Christ…that our Lord worked within her: creating faith, filling her with joy, and then, like a paint can that has been knocked over, that loving kindness of Christ spilled out into Natalie’s life and faith in Christ, and her life and love for others. She painted large brush strokes of kindness everywhere she went and with everyone she met. Why? Because as Paul says in Ephesians, she was saved by grace through faith in Christ…and she was God’s workmanship, his great work of art, created in Christ Jesus for good works.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">With the Psalmist, Natalie rejoiced in God’s gracious creation,<i> “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”<br /><br /></i>Yes, Natalie was an artist, made and formed by God, the great Artist himself. He gave her earthly life, but didn’t stop there. By his handiwork, from the outstretched arms of Christ on the cross and his glorified, nail-scarred hands of the resurrection, he reached down into the water to give her eternal life as well. There in that little church in Herrin, Illinois, our Lord who fearfully and wonderfully made Natalie, more wondrously made Natalie a new creation in Christ, clothed in Christ, baptized in Christ, rescued and redeemed in Christ.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Our Heavenly Father, after all, is a master artist, and his favorite medium to work with is his word and something of his creation: water, words, bread, wine.. For Natalie, as he does for all who are baptized, he worked his great saving work in water and word where he baptizes, rescues, and gives new life.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As Natalie’s life continued, so did God’s handiwork through her. Her artistry was never confined to the classroom or the canvas; it went into everything she did in life. When she was a teacher she taught her 4th graders and 1st graders the usual things - the ABCs, 123s, how to create works of art - and through it all, she taught them the lovingkindness of Christ, who put in his hands, not a brush or a pencil, but Roman nails that he would carve out of death and the grave, his great work of salvation for Natalie and for you.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When she became a minister’s wife - no easy task by the way - she was an artist, painting the loving kindness of Jesus into her conversations over Bible study, Senior Saints, or other activities. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When she and Arnold were raising a family, she was an artist, pouring out the loving kindness of Christ for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, forming and shaping them in the loving kindness of Christ</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In recent years, here at Beautiful Savior, Natalie’s artistry could be found in the kind words of a thoughtful, beautifully handwritten card, or a hand-stitched quilt. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Natalie approached life, the same way she approached art: with humility, joy, and the loving kindness of Christ. This is because Natalie found inspiration and joy not only on the canvas and at the pottery wheel, but most of all, in the promises of Jesus. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The kind of promises Paul declares to us in Romans 8: <i>that </i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span>nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Promises that our Lord gives in John 14: </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span>In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Promises like we hear in Job. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Oh that my words were written!</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Oh that they were inscribed in a book!</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Oh that with an iron pen and lead</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">they were engraved in the rock forever!</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For I know that my Redeemer lives,</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and at the last he will stand upon the earth.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And after my skin has been thus destroyed,</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">yet in my flesh I shall see God. </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This was where Natalie’s love of art and creativity came from, where her hope, joy, faith, and love all flowed out of…out of the loving kindness of Christ for her. Natalie knew that all of the gifts of this earthly life, and the gifts of eternal life in Christ were not found in the work and creativity of her hands, but in the work of Christ’s hands. Natalie’s faith rested not in her own artistry and love, but in the great and gracious work of Christ, who by his death and resurrection, brought his new creation to Natalie and to you.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Natalie also knew that while God’s work of salvation was won for her on the cross, he had one more masterpiece in mind: the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting. Natalie’s resurrection. Your resurrection. A real, bodily, physical raising of the dead on the last day. Natalie believed and confessed this mysterious, yet wonderful, comforting promise. That the Lord who knit her together in her mother’s womb would one day call her forth from her resting place in the ground and once again knit a glorified and risen, yet physical body from the grave. That the same Lord who formed Adam from the dust of the earth and breathed into him the breath of life, will raise us from the dust and ashes of our and breath into us the living breath of the new creation.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">That the same Lord who makes us, along with Natalie a new creation in baptism, will also make all things new when he raises our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body on the Last Day. That the great and gracious Artist, our Lord Jesus himself, will speak his creative, life-giving word as he did at the tomb of Lazarus: awake. Arise. Come forth. Behold, I make all things new.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Until that day when faith becomes sight, may the loving kindness of Christ, that filled Natalie’s creative hands, and faith and life with such joy, fill your hands, hearts, and lives with the same love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard and keep your hearts in Christ + Jesus to life everlasting. Amen. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-81030168497343442702024-01-15T13:50:00.000-08:002024-01-15T13:50:15.271-08:00Sermon for Epiphany 2: "God's Calling"<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <b>+ 2<sup>nd</sup> Sunday after Epiphany – January 14<sup>th</sup>, 2024 +</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Series B: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiZ3Fw7-yCCWWFynxC8X4OyqmBVuXd8Aq4MDSZUzcD7COwRiXfn-Sh4uc5MwnqSAdDo7i3k2eopepNegt9j_otF97Zyz92Z40oqpXclFJfpW4557GltWKWKi1tpupkOolREYCOetKCOMPMK6VeGAcQEpJqMkbjKV_AV4zi_p37zVLI0f0FgmtocybXUk/s1359/jesus-calls-philip-nathanael-ponderingsofafaithjourney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="1055" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiZ3Fw7-yCCWWFynxC8X4OyqmBVuXd8Aq4MDSZUzcD7COwRiXfn-Sh4uc5MwnqSAdDo7i3k2eopepNegt9j_otF97Zyz92Z40oqpXclFJfpW4557GltWKWKi1tpupkOolREYCOetKCOMPMK6VeGAcQEpJqMkbjKV_AV4zi_p37zVLI0f0FgmtocybXUk/w310-h400/jesus-calls-philip-nathanael-ponderingsofafaithjourney.jpg" width="310" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When you open the Scriptures you find out rather quickly that God is the God who calls. God finds his people by his grace. God calls his people by his grace. And his people follow by his grace. This pattern plays out over and over again throughout God’s Word.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">God found Abraham. God called Abraham. And Abraham left his home country – all by God’s grace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Moses, too, was found by God. God called Moses in the burning bush. And Moses followed God’s call to lead God’s people – again, all by God’s grace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Samuel the prophet, in this morning’s Old Testament reading was found by God as a young boy. God called Samuel. And by God’s grace, Samuel followed. <i>Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When we turn to the New Testament, we find the same pattern. God finds. God calls. God’s people follow – by his grace. John’s Gospel says it this way: <i>The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></i><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is how disciples are made. God finds them. God calls them. And they follow…all by God’s grace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is no hearing or following unless Jesus first speaks. There is no disciple unless the disciple making words are first heard. There is no faith without the Word preached and heard, no forgiveness without the Word, no holiness, no discipleship, apart from the discipling Word of Jesus. “Follow me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And by God’s grace that’s what happens. God calls his disciples. Jesus calls Philip. Andrew and Peter too. And Jesus calls Nathanael. A disciple is one who found by God, called by God and who follows where God leads. Disciples are Followers of Jesus. Followers by grace. Followers in faith. Followers with their feet, but also their ears. Jesus speaks, preaches, and teaches his word. Nathanael marveled that Jesus saw him sitting under the fig tree – to which Jesus responded. You will see greater things than these. What greater things? Jesus turning water into wine. Jesus healing a deaf man, a blind man. Jesus casting out demons. Jesus healing diseases. Jesus raising the dead. And then the greatest things of all: Jesus crucified, hanging dead on the cross. Jesus conquering the grave. Jesus alive again three days later. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Philip and Nathanael and the other disciples don’t know what all of this means yet. But when Jesus calls them this is where he is leading them. This is their calling – their vocation – as his disciples. God finds them. God calls them. They follow. They hear. Witness. And then they repeat the pattern. Jesus sends his disciples out to find the lost, to call them through the gospel, to tell them “come and see”. Come, follow Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This was the disciples’ unique vocation. That word, vocation, simply means “calling.” Abraham, Moses, Samuel, the prophets, the disciples, the apostles – they were all called by our Lord. Called by faith and then called into service. All given unique vocations by our Lord to hear his word and proclaim his word.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The same is true for each of you. Called by faith and called into service. Like Philip and Nathanael, we are called; given faith in Jesus. And in the same way: by grace; through his word. Jesus spoke to them – follow me – and they did. Jesus calls you as well – I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and you follow. God calls you to faith in His Son Jesus when you hear his word. For us, just as it was for the disciples – Jesus’ word creates the faith, gives us trust in him, and leads us to follow where he leads.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And where he leads is yet another calling, or vocation. To be sure, our callings in life are different. We are not apostles or disciples in the same way as Peter, Andrew, Philip or Nathanael. That was a unique office or vocation Jesus placed them in. But the same pattern is at work for you. God finds you by his grace. God calls you by grace through faith in Jesus. By God’s grace we follow where he leads. And God places you in vocations – callings in life – that are unique for you as well. And the beauty of those are that they are ordinary, everyday, vocations or callings. Father, mother, husband, wife, child, son, daughter. Student, teacher. Preachers and hearers. Mechanic, engineer, contractor. Police officer, nurse, soldier, sailor, airman, marine. The list goes on and is unique as each of you are. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Martin Luther called our many and various vocations in life the masks of God. In the home, church, and out in the world throughout the week your vocations are where God hides himself. And behind these vocation, God is hidden in your service to others as you go about your daily, ordinary callings in life. Just as others doing the same things, and in their vocations, are serving you. And God is behind all of this. And all of this is a blessing. And when you think of it that way, every good and God pleasing vocation is the Lord’s work. When you are washing the dishes, taking out the trash, or making lunches you are doing sacred work. When you are designing bridges, treating patients, or serving your country, you are doing a holy thing. When you are spoiling your grandkids, sitting with your spouse or friend at a doctor’s visit, or praying for a fellow brother or sister in Christ, you are doing the Lord’s work.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is how our Lord works. He finds. He calls. We follow and he works through us all by his grace. After all, God’s call to faith in Jesus is by faith alone, and yet, this faith is never alone. It is busy and active.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">God calls us to faith and then God calls us to serve. God justifies and saves. And God calls us to love and serve our neighbor. And it is in your vocations where you have the greatest opportunities to do what Philip did for Nathanael when he asked “can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Come and see.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is our vocation as followers of Jesus, as his disciples today, as his baptized people. It’s as simple as those three words Philip spoke to Nathanael: come and see. Come and see Jesus with me at church this Sunday. Come and see Jesus in bible study with me this week. Come and see Jesus in this devotion book; I want you to have it. Come and see Jesus. This too is our calling, our vocation. To point others to Jesus who finds and calls by his grace: follow me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It reminds me of an old hymn in our hymnal (826 if you want to look it up). The second verse goes like this:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you cannot speak like angels, If you cannot preach like Paul, You can tell the love of Jesus, You can say He died for all. If you cannot rouse the wicked With the judgment’s dread alarms, You can lead the little children To the Savior’s waiting arms.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">God’s blessings to each of you in your callings…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-67348013583701082732024-01-08T10:07:00.000-08:002024-01-08T10:07:57.033-08:00Sermon for The Baptism of Our Lord: "New Beginnings"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ The Baptism of Our Lord – January 7<sup>th</sup>, 2024 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B: Genesis 1:1-5; Romans 6:1-11; Mark 1:4-11<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6_XA-agHBTBN0j4p290eefinZNsDp80i3b3xibAGFEVyzDIGNKFPP0HpmhGBAx1ETQBbyOW21heftwDzHXiHe4588Yi2ZWcKFu2egiX1jsfSuQ4-FqmNpIu-k_dUkbSRodIrHH5n1sI3yebsBws9K88bxDhBgfPgTspGRAxgc-nw2rhwPSuiKcz7lDo/s1200/the_baptism_of_the_christ-2175302699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6_XA-agHBTBN0j4p290eefinZNsDp80i3b3xibAGFEVyzDIGNKFPP0HpmhGBAx1ETQBbyOW21heftwDzHXiHe4588Yi2ZWcKFu2egiX1jsfSuQ4-FqmNpIu-k_dUkbSRodIrHH5n1sI3yebsBws9K88bxDhBgfPgTspGRAxgc-nw2rhwPSuiKcz7lDo/w400-h210/the_baptism_of_the_christ-2175302699.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">If you’re like me, it’s nearly a week into 2024 and your head – and probably signature on official paperwork – is still stuck back in 2023. Even if we have trouble remembering what year it is…there is still this sense that with the new year comes a new beginning. There’s a fresh start. A clean slate. A chance for a do-over. A mulligan, for all you golfers – or mini-golfers out there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">There is a longing within us, a yearning, for a new beginning. And that ending we look for and never quite seem to find in this life, that is always just a little further outside of our grasp…we find it, or rather it finds us…in today’s Scripture readings for the Baptism of our Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Each of our readings today marks a beginning of something new. Genesis – creation. Mark’s Gospel and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, marked by his baptism in the Jordan. The beginning of your new life in Christ through your own baptism into his death and resurrection. Unlike our resolutions or best wishes for the new year, these beginnings are entirely up to God’s doing, and by his grace. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="chapter-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The opening words of Genesis says it all. </span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-2">The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.</span> And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.</span></span> <o:p></o:p></i><span id="en-ESV-4"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Creation dawns – not randomly or accidentally – but with a word. God says, “let there be light” and there is light. God speaks and light is created out of darkness. God’s word does what he says. Creation begins out of nothing. God brings order out of chaos. A new beginning by the breath of his almighty, creative word. And along with God’s voice at this new beginning of creation are a few other familiar gifts God gives throughout other new beginnings in the Bible: water, the Spirit, and light.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Fast forward to the Gospel of Mark, and this is no coincidence, the opening verses sound awful familiar. </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Mark’s gospel also marks a new beginning. John the Baptist announces it; he is the herald of the new beginning, of the dawn of the age of the Messiah. The people recognize this as a new beginning. They flock from all around Judea and Jerusalem, head out into the wilderness for a clean slate, a fresh start, a new beginning…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. <b><sup>5 </sup></b>And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is why we confess our sins and receive forgiveness in the absolution every Sunday. Like those crowds seeking John the Baptist, we long for and need the new beginning that comes with repentance and forgiveness of sins. And that is what God is doing here for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">John’s preaching is only part of the story, though isn’t it. <i>After me comes he who is mightier than I. </i>There is another, and far greater, new beginning that John is preparing us for. It all begins in the Jordan River. The same river that marked the beginning of Israel’s entrance into the promised land. The same river that marked the beginning of Elisha’s ministry after Elijah. Is now the river where the true Israel and the greater prophet – the Son of God in the flesh – now marks the beginning of his public ministry…where by his life, by his temptation, by his teaching and miracles, by his death and resurrection and ascension – where he will make all things new.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Do you hear the bells of Genesis ringing in the background? I hope so. It’s all there. Water. The Spirit. Light. And God’s voice declaring. The heavens that he created back in the beginning Genesis, are now opened as he sends forth and publicly confirms that his only begotten Son has come to renew not simply creation, but to make new creatures out of old, sinful sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve. To bring light out of the darkness of our sin. To bring order out of the chaos we’ve created. To bring life out of the grave we find ourselves in. to call forth faith out of nothing just as he did when he spoke and made creation out of nothing. Jesus came to make a new beginning for you. In the Father’s announcement that Jesus is the beloved Son, we hear a preview of what the Father declares of each of you through Jesus: you are my beloved son, and in my Son I am well pleased with you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But of course, Jesus’ Baptism is significant not only for him but also for you. Jesus stands in the Jordan River as a substitute. And it is a signal – that in him, through his life lived perfectly, life laid down sacrificially, his life raised up triumphantly – that he will make a new creation out of you as well. He does it the same way he did it in Genesis. Water. Spirit. Light. And his word.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="chapter-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-28057">We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.</span> For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.</span></span> <o:p></o:p></i><span id="en-ESV-28059"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We seem to forget that while Baptism is a joyful, blessed, and holy gift, and a new beginning…it is also an end. And a violent one at that! Paul says it is our death. Remember your catechism. <i>What does such baptizing with water indicate? It indicates that the Old Adam (our sinful flesh) in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">That new beginning we long for. That clean slate. That fresh start. You won’t find it in your hands, or anything you do or say. After all, resolutions quickly become regrets. Sin festers into guilt and shame. Chaos and death creep into our hearts, minds, thoughts, words, and actions faster than the ball dropping on new year’s eve. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">All of that, however – all of your sin, doubt, despair, death, all of your guilt, shame, and regret – it all drops dead in Jesus. And in Jesus you are given an everlasting, eternal, and gracious new beginning. Through water and his Spirit and his word be brings you new life. He brings you something better than a mulligan…he shows you mercy. He brings you something better than a do-over. He declares, “It is finished.” For you. Though your sins were like scarlet, you shall be white as snow. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Behold, I am making all things new. For you, you who are in Christ, you are a new creation; the old has gone, and behold the new has come. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-69587482480448035442024-01-02T09:42:00.000-08:002024-01-02T09:42:10.211-08:00Sermon for 1st Sunday after Christmas: "Waiting With Simeon"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ 1st Sunday of Christmas - 12.31.23 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDULZqOWSS7rvq5AcnD7nwkxEDUxbhgbGLE-TR2oFr5LKSad6usalUQIKg_MC0LxbTm56QhJNH5ev8uikQI0qWqY85qg6fKoCBCmS22XSkYZc8fYiU0yIzDn3HenyaHHA1KSNr_fPBEM8iqYWmFdAfrqAt6PDrlS0Dny8OCdpWsm9Sr9FERC_GoI35eRo/s1500/Simeon-1-1997691861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1500" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDULZqOWSS7rvq5AcnD7nwkxEDUxbhgbGLE-TR2oFr5LKSad6usalUQIKg_MC0LxbTm56QhJNH5ev8uikQI0qWqY85qg6fKoCBCmS22XSkYZc8fYiU0yIzDn3HenyaHHA1KSNr_fPBEM8iqYWmFdAfrqAt6PDrlS0Dny8OCdpWsm9Sr9FERC_GoI35eRo/w400-h241/Simeon-1-1997691861.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Anyone with children or grand-children has heard these words before…before Christmas, before a birthday, before something highly anticipated: I. Can’t. Wait.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But let’s not kid ourselves. Adults aren't much better. Amazon same-day shipping isn’t fast enough. The buffering bar keeps spinning while I’m streaming Netflix. And heaven forbid we get stuck at a red light. Yes, the great hymn writer, Tom Petty was right about us…the waiting is the hardest part.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In our day and age of fast-food, high-speed 5G networks, and instant access to the internet with a touch of our phones, we have lost the art of waiting. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And yet Scripture has a lot to say about waiting. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In Psalm 130 we hear…My soul waits for the Lord; my soul waits, and in his word I hope.<b><sup> </sup></b>My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. (Psalm 130:5-6)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Psalm 40: I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. (Psalm 40)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Psalm 27:14: Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Towards the end of his life Jacob cried out…I wait for your salvation O Lord. (Genesis 39)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">St. Paul echoes our anxious waiting as we and all creation groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:22-23)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Today on this 7th day of Christmas we find ourselves like Simeon. Waiting. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Simeon was waiting… Not twiddling-his-thumbs or yawning away the hours, but the kind of waiting that knows that, sooner or later, God will make good on his promise. And this was the Lord’s promise: before he saw death, he would see the Lord’s Christ. The Seed that Adam longed to see sprout. The Rest Noah longed for. The everlasting on David’s throne. The child born of a Virgin whom Isaiah prophesied. This One, Simeon cradled in his arms.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Simeon knew a thing or two about waiting. For…<i>The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Christ.</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Waiting…always comes before consolation. Noah and his family waited over a year to walk on the dry ground of a new creation. Israel waited over 40 years to finally cross the Jordan to the Promised Land. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Simeon is the Old Testament in one man, watching for the fulfillment and consolation of Israel. That’s the pattern. Waiting, then consolation. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Simeon is a wonderful picture of our life in this fallen, broken world. A life so often marked by waiting.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">What is that you find yourself waiting for this morning? What is it that you wait for in the New Year that is nearly upon us? Resolutions you are pondering? Goals for the year ahead? A new job? Better economy? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Perhaps you find yourself, like Simeon, waiting for consolation. A good report from those tests the doctor did before Christmas. Healing from a sudden or prolonged illness. Reconciliation from a strained or broken relationship with family or a friend. Waiting with someone in hospice care. Waiting for despair to lift, for an anxious heart to calm, for a moment of quietness in a busy, noisy world. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Whatever our waiting may look like - and it’s different for all of us - there’s one thing we all have in common. We’re terrible at waiting. Lord give me patience and give it to me right now! We’re impatient because we don’t trust. We don’t trust because we want things done our way and in our time. My kingdom come. My will be done. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Here’s the thing about waiting. We can wait in line for a new iPhone, but it’s going to be obsolete as soon as we get it in our hands. We might wait for a new movie or show…but it could just as well fail to live up to the hype. So often in this life what we wait for never comes. False gods - whether they’re outside or inside of us - always disappoint.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But in the Lord, your waiting is never in vain. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">So, how does God answer us in our waiting? The same way he did with Simeon: in the hidden lowliness of the cross. In the ordinary humility of a defenseless, tiny child – probably the last thing Simeon expected. All of God’s promises wrapped up in the human flesh of a 40 day old infant in his arms. Simeon’s consolation and ours is found in the Child of the Manger. Simeon’s redemption and ours is found in the redemption of this Man on the cross.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">God answered our waiting </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, <b><sup>5 </sup></b>to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God came to Simeon in his waiting, and he comes to you as you wait, with the same promise: consolation in the Christ child born for you. Comfort in the one who came to the temple at 40 days old, and again when he was 33 - there in Simeon’s arms, on the cross outside Jerusalem, in the word he speaks to you, in his body and blood poured out for you, in the water of your baptism, in the word of forgiveness - there is the one who answers our waiting with his word of consolation. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And so with Simeon we wait for the Lord. Knowing that in the Lord, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">the wait is over. Jesus is here. Our waiting and our consolation; our hope and our redemption; our life and our death. It’s all here for you in this Child of the Manger and the Man of the Cross, just as it was for Simeon. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Lord, now you are letting your servant<sup> </sup>depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples.”</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A blessed 7th day of Christmas and a happy New Year…</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 12pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-48251242168546286032023-12-25T15:48:00.000-08:002023-12-25T15:48:18.361-08:00Sermon for Christmas Day: "The Sacred Surprise"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day – December 25<sup>th</sup>, 2023 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-12; John 1:1-18<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iT58hP3NHzWT5855va4HQRSp5LVHbfN5NDGQ3Re01Ssy2QNIq-alpHQN36SeAEzRNMOtrCGMI1-g44RqdeCFZ7-g6x_tkFrsqSM-vbjZiU-CNe1uwRzzZkAeTF_diFcdwzxQP6EmrhNZUkuTofAfdcSd1u5UZjbjwx0H1DSNlt6I3IBaAr__Dps9uY8/s1440/IMG_1401.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iT58hP3NHzWT5855va4HQRSp5LVHbfN5NDGQ3Re01Ssy2QNIq-alpHQN36SeAEzRNMOtrCGMI1-g44RqdeCFZ7-g6x_tkFrsqSM-vbjZiU-CNe1uwRzzZkAeTF_diFcdwzxQP6EmrhNZUkuTofAfdcSd1u5UZjbjwx0H1DSNlt6I3IBaAr__Dps9uY8/w400-h400/IMG_1401.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Watching children at Christmas is a beautiful, exciting thing to witness. You see the delight on their faces when they wake you up early Christmas morning. You watch them peal back the layers of paper and tape as they discover the mystery that’s been hidden under the tree or around the house for weeks. You hear the surprise in their voices at something unexpected.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This Christmas morning, John’s gospel does something similar for us. Though John takes us deeper than presents under the tree. He tells us that the one who made the tree was also made man. He tells us of a gift that does not fall apart, fade, or fail…but was made flesh for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This morning, we sit together as God’s children, by the tree, around his table, and we unwrap the gifts God gives in his word and promise. <i>“In the beginning was the Word; and the word was with God and the Word was God.”</i> Layer by layer he unwraps the gift; he unboxes the mystery; he reveals a sacred, sublime, and surprising paradox:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We hear it so often that we forget just how unexpected and surprising of a gift this truly is. The eternal God is man to deliver man back to God. The infinite becomes incarnate. The Creator comes into his creation and takes on our humanity. He who is worthy of all honor comes in great humility to save you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">John takes us to the heart of Christmas, an ancient yet blessed paradox: the greatest gift the world has ever received arrived in obscurity, in a backwater town, in ancient Israel. The mighty God rested in the arms of his mother Mary. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And when you look at the whole Scripture story, God always seems to do things this way, the opposite of what we expect – or deserve. God so often baffles and bewilders us…so that we would always know that his salvation rests in his hands, not ours.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">So the prophet Isaiah preaches the holy God who inhabits eternity yet he comes and dwells with the humble and contrite. Elijah learns that the celestial conductor of wind and earthquake and fire comes before him in a gentle, still small voice. Micah foretells that the King of kings will arrive not in a castle, but in that little town of Bethlehem. Ponder the mystery, the joy, the sacred surprise of Christmas:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">For you…</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Man’s maker was made man, that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on his journey;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">that the Truth might be accused of false witness, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended on wood;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">that Strength might grow weak;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">that the Healer might be wounded;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">that Life might die.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">All of this he did for you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">How beautiful are the feet of him who bears good news, and is God’s good news in the flesh. In Christ God has feet that will walk upon water, that will gather the cursed dust of the earth, that will be wet with repentant tears, that will stumble and make their way through the city streets of Jerusalem, up a hill, and onto a cross. For the word became flesh for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In Christ, God has hands that remove sin’s stain, hands that bring healing, hands that are lifted up in blessing over bread and wine to give you his body and blood, hands that were lifted up on the tree for you. the word became flesh for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In Christ, God has eyes that see your suffering, your sorrow, your tears…eyes that were closed in death, but opened again in resurrection on the third day. The word became flesh for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Rejoice with John this day that <span style="letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">God is on earth, He is among men, not in the fire nor amid the sound of trumpets; not in the smoking mountain, or in the darkness, or in the terrible and roaring tempest giving the Law, but manifested in the flesh, the gentle and good One dwells with those He condescends to make His equals! God is in the flesh, not operating from a distance, as did the prophets, but through Him human nature, one with ours, He brings back all mankind to Himself.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;">Praise the Lord of the paradox. Rejoice in the surprise of all surprises. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span></p><p class="chapter-1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the beginning was</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the Word, and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the Word was with God, and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the Word was God.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-26036"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">2 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He was in the beginning with God.</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-26037"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">3 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-26038"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">4 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In him was life,<sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-26038a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26038a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jn+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26038a" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: #517e90;">a</span></a>]</sup></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the life was the light of men.</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-26039"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">5 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.</span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESV-26040"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">6 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">There was a man</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">sent from God, whose name was</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">John.</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-26041"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">7 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He came as a</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">witness, to bear witness about the light,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">that all might believe through him.</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-26042"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">8 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.</span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESV-26043"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">9 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-26044"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">10 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the world did not know him.</span><b><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span id="en-ESV-26045">11 </span></sup></b>He came to</i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">his own,<sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-26045b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26045b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jn+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26045b" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: #517e90;">b</span></a>]</sup></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">his own people<sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-26045c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26045c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jn+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26045c" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: #517e90;">c</span></a>]</sup></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">did not receive him.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-26046"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">12 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But to all who did receive him,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">who believed in his name,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">he gave the right</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">to become</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">children of God,</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-26047"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">13 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">who</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">were born,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">not of blood</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.</span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESV-26048"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">14 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the Word</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">became flesh and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">dwelt among us,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son<sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-26048d" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-26048d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jn+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26048d" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote d"><span style="color: #517e90;">d</span></a>]</sup></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">from the Father, full of</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">grace and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">truth.</span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; letter-spacing: 0.3pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A blessed Christmas day to each of you…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-33008809756024093452023-12-25T15:42:00.000-08:002023-12-25T15:42:06.529-08:00Sermon for Christmas Midnight: "The Battle of Bethlehem"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ The Nativity of Our Lord – Christmas Eve – December 24<sup>th</sup>, 2023 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B: Isaiah 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJ-zLqHeceh54Z9TmAL1egkhsdCp8N-9aeBvwEAR6j8ci2-Hl0fWUUOx3cxEUJjqq4gJPbdFa994PG8l6mdc-FSiAGnIErX8miWq0ix3_pb80gsmaef_UeOGGPlkT_frIALuj8MifGtfND-QsZYUOlzvCGLXlYOnin_ZcwyYBU3ziLoZBzxaM4HZUreo/s960/IMG_1399.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJ-zLqHeceh54Z9TmAL1egkhsdCp8N-9aeBvwEAR6j8ci2-Hl0fWUUOx3cxEUJjqq4gJPbdFa994PG8l6mdc-FSiAGnIErX8miWq0ix3_pb80gsmaef_UeOGGPlkT_frIALuj8MifGtfND-QsZYUOlzvCGLXlYOnin_ZcwyYBU3ziLoZBzxaM4HZUreo/w400-h225/IMG_1399.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bill Murray’s Christmas movie, <i>Scrooged</i>, begins with a fictional movie trailer for a Christmas special, <i>“The Night the Reindeer Died.”</i> The whole scene is intentionally over the top. It’s beyond ludicrous speed. Mrs. Claus opens an armory. Santa shoulder a M-16. Lee Majors even shows up with a gatling gun.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Absurd?…absolutely. And yet… there’s a grain of truth hidden in all of that ridiculousness. That first Christmas may or may not have been a silent night…but it certainly was a violent night.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When we think of Christmas we think of milk and cookies, of peace on earth, and good will toward men. But we do well to remember that Christmas is a declaration of war. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beneath the swaddled clothes and straw of the manger, a cosmic battle is raging. In Bethlehem, though unseen by human eyes, hell and heaven battled over us. For there in the feeding trough rests the one who has come to set us free from sin, from our ancient foe, the dragon, and from death.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“From God’s viewpoint—and Satan’s—Christmas signals far more than the birth of a baby; it was an invasion, the decisive advance in the great struggle for the cosmos.” (Philip Yancey).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Isaiah foretold the battle of Bethlehem ages ago. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For the yoke of his burden,<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and the staff for his shoulder,<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the rod of his oppressor,<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">you have broken as on the day of Midian. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and every garment rolled in blood<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">will be burned as fuel for the fire.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">That’s battle language. Like Gideon of old and the armies of Midian, Christ, our Greater Gideon is preparing for war. To break the brokenness of sin and death and the devil. The Messiah is on a mission. It’s a covert operation though. The Creator becomes a creature. The King of kings kicks his infant legs. The Lord of lords is born a little child. God marshals his glory and strength and power and wraps it in Humility. Humanity. The word made flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /><i>For to us a child is born,<br /></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">to us a son is given</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Christmas is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us to take part in a great campaign of sabotage. Christ was born in enemy territory. In the womb of Mary he snuck behind the enemy’s lines into this fallen world. Christ the king has come to claim his rightful throne and rescue you, his beloved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Bethlehem is his beachhead. The stable is a sanctuary…but also a fortress. In the manger the Almighty God musters himself for battle. The Lord of hosts is armored in swaddling clothes. When infant Jesus draws his first breath, the depths of hell trembled. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It all began in Bethlehem. Heaven and hell contended on that holy night. Christ was born into a violent, ungodly world – a world where power and wickedness ruled with a clenched, iron fist. It would seem that not much has changed…that the war drums of sin and death roll on. Our world is broken and so are we. Daily, we fall. We lose the fight. We are overrun and outflanked by temptation, guilt, shame, sin and the lies of the ancient foe, the dragon. His fiery breath breathes out lies and we believe him: give up…all is lost…there’s no one here to rescue you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Christmas is a reminder that this is but the last gasp of a dying, defeated enemy. Christmas marks the genesis of war, a war to set you free. Christ has invaded our world. Hell and sin and death quake and shutter at his birth. For the people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. On you, who live in the land of deep darkness, on you the light of the world shines this night.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It is certainly true that Christ is born to bring salvation. To atone for your sins. To rescue us from death. To bring us into God’s family through adoption by grace. And yet he does all these things by conquering sin and death on the cross, where he himself is conquered. But as a victim he wins the victory. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Over the hills of Bethlehem, the angel announced the good news. A shout of victory that echoes throughout history.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. <b><sup>11 </sup></b>For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The angel armies advance and welcome their commander in chief with a war cry that fills the night skies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”<sup>[</sup></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The shepherds rally to the banner of their newborn King. The captain of our salvation is born to save you. The Liberator has set you free from sin and death. Christ has come to conquer the serpent and reigns forever. And in Christ there is peace. Goodwill. There is joy. In Christ you are also provisioned. He provides the training for your life in the battle that rages and yet is already won. </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><b><sup>12 </sup></b>training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">So tonight…come to the victory feast at his table. Rejoice! Eat his body. Drink his blood. And be merry, for your sins are forgiven. Rejoice! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Christ came. He saw. He conquered sin and death and the serpent for you. Christ is born and evil is vanquished. Christ is born and the darkness is scattered. Christ is born and your life is in Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Merry Christmas! The ancient foe is dead. Christ is born for you. And his victory has set you free.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A blessed Christmas to each of you…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-48981868714131648532023-12-25T15:39:00.000-08:002023-12-25T15:39:05.171-08:00Sermon for Lessons and Carols: "Christmas Drama"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ Christmas Eve: Service of Lessons and Carols – December 24<sup>th</sup>, 2023 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Genesis 3:8-15; 17-19; Genesis 22:15-19; Isaiah 9:2-7; Isaiah 11:1-9; Luke 1:26-38; Luke 2:1-7; Luke 2:8-20; Matthew 2:1-12; John 1:1-14<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEyLGRyvBv3JmMyC3UgSPLBThz_HmfLmSNSrcFg8jLK7E_2bzc0FWpqNkv3vRzm-QNVw7Ww3nEoGgd9SWEfb060xaSaBut-004M55WtpEEasYxEI4zbl6FlJKpgFkjwkO7thWIJB-Ed3vSC6wVHxT2IOj6RFkl332k3SJUDmAr-lb5LnRHnec4fvIYRA/s900/IMG_1405.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="900" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEyLGRyvBv3JmMyC3UgSPLBThz_HmfLmSNSrcFg8jLK7E_2bzc0FWpqNkv3vRzm-QNVw7Ww3nEoGgd9SWEfb060xaSaBut-004M55WtpEEasYxEI4zbl6FlJKpgFkjwkO7thWIJB-Ed3vSC6wVHxT2IOj6RFkl332k3SJUDmAr-lb5LnRHnec4fvIYRA/w400-h308/IMG_1405.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Growing up our family would often spend Christmas with my grandparents in rural Missouri. One year I remember all of us loading up in the car and heading out on the winding country roads to their congregation, little Mt. Hulda Lutheran Church, where the church hosted an annual living nativity. As you drove off the blacktop and onto the gravel road that led to the church you saw the Christmas story unfold. Scene after scene, you felt like you were part of the divine drama of Christ’s birth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Tonight, in Scripture and in song we are doing something similar. We witness the divine drama of Christ’s birth unfold, scene by scene, from the opening act in Genesis on down to the final act in the gospels. Tonight, on Christmas Eve, we retell and rejoice in the greatest drama ever staged. Tonight, we remember that the birth of Christ is the best of both worlds: Christmas is exciting, beautiful, dramatic…and it is true, historical, and real. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is why the 20<sup>th</sup> century Christian author, Dorothy Sayers, was fond of saying that, “The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man – and the dogma is the drama.” (Letters to a Diminished Church, p. 1). Christian teaching – especially at Christmas – far from being dull or drab or boring – is exciting, joyful, and dramatic. Action packed. What could be more joyful and dramatic than the Son of God coming down, taking on our human flesh, being born of a lowly maiden, laid to rest in a feeding trough, wrapped in linen cloths all so that he could save you? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Unlike Shakespeare’s plays, the divine drama of Jesus’ birth, the story of salvation, isn’t a man-made story, but the story of how God became man to save you. Unlike fairytales created by our imagination, the story of Christmas did not happen in never-never land, or in a galaxy far, far away, or once upon a time. It happened in the days of Caesar Augustus, and when Quirinius was governor of Syria. A little town of Bethlehem became center stage for the greatest story ever told. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><b><sup>5 </sup></b>to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=lk+2&version=ESV#fen-ESV-24970b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: #517e90;">b</span></a>]</sup> who was with child.<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><b><sup>6 </sup></b>And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><b><sup>7 </sup></b>And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Tonight as we hear the Scriptures the divine drama unfolds. Tonight as we celebrate our Lord’s birth we celebrate the greatest drama ever staged. The true story of Jesus’ birth to save you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Our story begins where many stories end, in tragedy. Just three chapters in, the curtain had hardly been raised for long it seems and disaster struck. The creation God declared very good turned very bad. The villain came in the form of a serpent and tempted Adam and Eve to follow his directions instead of God’s. And the man God formed from the dust of the earth spat in his face in rebellion. Then came the curse. Sin. Death. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">By the sweat of your face<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">you shall eat bread,<br />till you return to the ground,<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">for out of it you were taken;<br />for you are dust,<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and to dust you shall return.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And yet tragedy would not be the final word of this opening act in Scripture. No. God would make sure of that. God planted a seed of hope in the destruction of Eden. A promise. A child would be born of a woman. A child who would crush the serpent. A hero who would defeat the villain once and for all.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As the divine drama unfolds God gives an encore performance of his promise to Adam and Eve. In another great act of salvation, God promises Abraham that all the nations on the earth will be blessed through one of his offspring. Although Isaac is a promised son, he is not yet the promised son. Isaac is spared so that the promised son, the Son of God, would be born to be the sacrifice for all. On Moriah, God provided a ram for the sacrifice instead of Isaac. This was a dress rehearsal for another mountain and another beloved Son. On Mt. Calvary, God would finally provide the sacrifice all the Old Testament sacrifices pointed towards, the Son of God in human flesh. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As time went on, the Acts of God’s divine drama of salvation continued to unfold. Isaiah captures the drama beautifully, with words of comfort and joy:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For to us a child is born,<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">to us a son is given;<br />and the government shall be upon<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is+9&version=ESV#fen-ESV-17836d" title="See footnote d"><span style="color: #517e90;">d</span></a>]</sup> his shoulder,<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and his name shall be called<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is+9&version=ESV#fen-ESV-17836e" title="See footnote e"><span style="color: #517e90;">e</span></a>]</sup><br />Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,<br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">After Isaiah God’s prophets come and go, enter stage right, exit stage left. The kings rise and fall. Israel went there and back again, from exile back home. And all the while, throughout the years, God was in the details, like a set crew behind the scenes preparing for the final act to arrive, for opening night, when, wonder of all wonders, the author himself would step foot onto the stage. When the divine playwright would write himself into the script, when the Creator of the divine drama became a creature…when God became man and entered our story and history.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It happens not in the royal halls or auditoriums of Jerusalem, but in a little amphitheater in the hills outside of Bethlehem, to lowly shepherds watching their flock by night. The angel sets the scene with glorious good news…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the people.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24976"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">11 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">unto you is born this day in</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the city of David</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">a Savior, who is</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Christ</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the Lord.</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24977"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">12 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24978"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">13 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And suddenly there was with the angel</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,</span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="line" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0in; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESV-24979"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">14 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Glory to God</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">in the highest,</span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and on earth</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">peace</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">among those with whom he is pleased!”</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is the greatest drama ever staged. God comes in humility to save us from our pride. The sinless for the sinner. The innocent for the guilty. The Son of God comes to save us sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. God comes in lowliness of the manger and dies lifted up on the lowly cross to save us from death and the grave. God becomes a child so that you would become children of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Tonight, the divine drama is not only the story of Jesus’ birth. It is your story too. Christmas is the dramatic and exciting and comforting story of your salvation, for it is true. You are part of the Christmas story because that first Christmas, Christ Jesus set foot on the stage, he entered history in a dramatic, humble, yet glorious way…as God in the flesh to save you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Tonight, our story that began in tragedy, ends in joy. The curtain closes on our sin and death. God’s final act begins in Bethlehem and ends in Jerusalem…from his newborn manger to new life won for us on the cross. The drama of history that began with death, now through Jesus’ birth and death, is the true story of life now and forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Tonight, like little children in a Christmas pageant, our Lord invites us to join the prophets, angels and shepherds, in hearing, singing, and sharing the joyous dramatic good news:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">unto you is born this day in</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the city of David</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">a Savior, who is</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Christ</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the Lord.</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Glory to God</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">in the highest,</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and on earth</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">peace</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">among those with whom he is pleased!”</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">A blessed Christmas to each of you…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-31713964913399871262023-12-25T15:30:00.000-08:002023-12-25T15:30:31.058-08:00Sermon for Advent 4: "Not Alone"<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ 4<sup>th</sup> Sunday in Advent – December 24<sup>th</sup>, 2023 +</span></b></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7RNrLAAirhh7v0feWTAn8sH4hzpDO4QcnspCdDVAktRyIH3y-U7j4ECLb4Rwa8VPXfyIPJDgqMll28XsZH0N9bS-rWk_dSOQmtDyd4szYLver3yuUZ3Qh6-NHeIzAwthUdHUO6ka99TUHizlXFa5f7zzwd1lVWlZnbgdc6ZFRsjdRCEZjQqYQZ_zlQc/s1200/IMG_1404.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7RNrLAAirhh7v0feWTAn8sH4hzpDO4QcnspCdDVAktRyIH3y-U7j4ECLb4Rwa8VPXfyIPJDgqMll28XsZH0N9bS-rWk_dSOQmtDyd4szYLver3yuUZ3Qh6-NHeIzAwthUdHUO6ka99TUHizlXFa5f7zzwd1lVWlZnbgdc6ZFRsjdRCEZjQqYQZ_zlQc/w400-h400/IMG_1404.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">December is usually the time of the year where you sit down and watch one (or more) of your favorite Christmas movies. You pick out your Christmas tree with the Griswold family. Maybe you huddle by the fire with Bob Cratchit in <i>A Christmas Carol</i>. Whatever you do, just be careful not to shoor your eye out, kid. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">One of my personal favorites is <i>Home Alone</i>. 9-year old Kevin McAllister makes a foolish wish that comes true: to make his family disappear. He wanted to be alone. But after the fun of running the house was over, after the cheese pizza was gone, and after successfully defending his home from two criminals, he realized that being home alone at Christmas wasn’t as good as he thought it would be. He missed his mom and dad, his annoying cousins, even his older brother Buzz. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Kevin felt what many of us feel in one way or another during the holiday season: that creeping, heavy, lost sense of being alone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And yet, today’s Gospel reading is a reminder that God works in the lives of his people. He does not leave us alone. He does not give us our foolish wishes. He does something greater and better. He joins us in our loneliness in a real and personal way…in the womb of the Virgin Mary. In your flesh. True God, yet true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary…for you, to enter our lonely, lost, broken lives, and to find us, forgive us, and assure us that you are never alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the sixth month the angel</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Nazareth,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24912"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">27 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">to a virgin betrothed<sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-24912b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-24912b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=lk+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-24912b" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: #517e90;">b</span></a>]</sup></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">to a man whose name was Joseph,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24913"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">28 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And he came to her and said, “Greetings,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">O favored one,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the Lord is with you!”<sup data-fn="#fen-ESV-24913c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-24913c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=lk+1&version=ESV#fen-ESV-24913c" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #954f72; min-width: 0px;" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: #517e90;">c</span></a>]</sup></span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24914"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">29 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24915"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">30 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">you have found favor with God.</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24916"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">31 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And behold,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">you shall call his name Jesus.</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Luke doesn’t tell us, but I imagine that one of the many things Mary felt in the days after Gabriel announced to her that she would be the Mother of God, the God-bearer, and that her Son would be the Son of the Most High, that she would feel alone. An unwed, probably teenage, and definitely poor mother. Imagine how people would stare (with their eyes and point with their fingers) and whisper (did you hear about Mary…just look at her) or just walk away when she walked near. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I imagine for one reason or another, we’ve been there before, you might even be feeling that way this morning. Alone. It might be the loneliness of loss. The empty chair at the dinner table. The missing uncle, aunt or grandparent in the family photo. You might even be in a crowded room full of friends and family but still wonder if anyone notices if you’re there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Then there’s the loneliness of guilt and shame; the haunting sins and regrets of the past. The hurtful words we can’t take back. The text message we can’t delete. The addictions and desires that we war against daily; all the ways we’ve tried to drown, or numb, or scroll the pain away. This is what sin does. It isolates us. Separates us from one another. And most of all, from our Lord. At the heart of our sinfulness is a foolish wish: a wish to be alone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But God does not and will not leave you alone. How do I know this? Because he did not leave Mary alone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">who was called barren.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24922"><span class="text"><b><i><sup style="font-size: 1.2rem;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">37 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">nothing will be impossible with God.”</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24923"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">God didn’t leave Mary alone. God gave Mary her cousin Elizabeth, who was in a unique position to be with her in her loneliness. Remember that the same angel Gabriel who visited Mary had also visited Zechariah and announced the miraculous birth of John the Baptist. God gave Mary and Elizabeth to be a community to one another, a little preview of what the church is to be: bearing one another’s burdens, sharing in the joys of the good news of the Savior who was in Mary’s womb as they met and talked in the months after Gabriel’s visit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But God didn’t stop there. He gave Mary something more. He gave her his word. How will all of this happen? Not because of Mary, but because of the Lord’s word. For <i>Nothing will be impossible with God. </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And along with his word God did what seemed impossible. The Virgin conceived and bore a son. God entered our lonely, lost lives of sin and death. God did not leave Mary alone and he will not leave you alone either. For the one who is conceived in her, born from her, and swaddled in her arms is the same Son who is born that one day he would die on a cross. Alone. Lost in our sin. All for you. The same Son of God who is born of Mary is also the Son of God who is crucified under Pontius Pilate, who has taken the loneliness of our guilt and shame, who has buried all our foolish words and wishes in his tomb, who entered the darkness of our addictions, temptations, sin, and death itself and taken it all away. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And through this Son of God and Son of Mary we hear those comforting words: You are not alone. Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God in Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes upon you and creates and sustains faith and trust in the God who promises never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. The miracle of faith and trust that God gave to Mary, he gives to you as well. And the God who gave Elizabeth to Mary gives us all the gift of a holy community, the body of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Here we are called to bear one another’s burdens. To pray for one another. To pick up the phone or send a card. To remind our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ: you are not alone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When you’re going through it, that feeling of being alone seems like it will never end. But the angel’s words to Mary are also God’s words to us. Gabriel declares to Mary and to us that there is only one thing that has no end. And it’s not our sin, death, or despair. It’s not our loneliness or lostness. The one thing that has no end, that never ends. That is with you always. Is the grace and joy that comes in Jesus who will reign over the house of his father David, and over you forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-55521240405118836622023-12-19T11:36:00.000-08:002023-12-19T11:37:46.079-08:00In Memoriam: Mark Zurschmiede: "Fear Not"<p> <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ In Memoriam – Mark Zurschmiede +</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">December 9th, 2023</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Isaiah 41:8-13; 1 John 5:1-12; John 6:35-40<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLlB8dN9wfs0n8X7czhaTBUS6zHeh5EbjzI8r6rEOF4u9VXJzeOBjCu2bX4s5SMsVb38nTFXDIiky5R3dplfMG9qlojXRNCZwTa5M3V_PrlfhvZPNfgdiDwg2WlbnCqrQA8_f1ApYgNmzIcXIMFS1uI3sC6xVUDQQxGLxFkD2sieO54fYn1G8ahI0sTs/s1200/9577646_0-1135933919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLlB8dN9wfs0n8X7czhaTBUS6zHeh5EbjzI8r6rEOF4u9VXJzeOBjCu2bX4s5SMsVb38nTFXDIiky5R3dplfMG9qlojXRNCZwTa5M3V_PrlfhvZPNfgdiDwg2WlbnCqrQA8_f1ApYgNmzIcXIMFS1uI3sC6xVUDQQxGLxFkD2sieO54fYn1G8ahI0sTs/w400-h210/9577646_0-1135933919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Fear not, for I am with you;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">be not dismayed, for I am your God;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /><span class="text">I will strengthen you, I will help you,</span><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I will uphold you with</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">my righteous right hand.</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0in; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESV-18463"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The prophet Isaiah zeroes in on one of our most basic, common fears. Of being alone. That doesn’t mean that we don’t all value time to ourselves, and for each of us that varies. Some of us are more extroverted, some more introverted. The kind of loneliness Isaiah points to is different; it’s that feeling of being totally Isolated. No one to help in time of need. No one to turn to. Nowhere to find comfort. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When God called the prophet Isaiah to speak these words to his people Israel, he was preparing them for the days when they would be captured by the Babylonian empire, taken from their homeland, and sent off into exile. They would be alone because of their enemies. And alone because of their sin. They would feel isolated. Abandoned. Without hope. So God sent them his word through his prophet Isaiah. God sent his word to remind Israel that they were not alone. That God was with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Fear not, for I am with you;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">be not dismayed, for I am your God;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /><span class="text">I will strengthen you, I will help you,</span><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I will uphold you with</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">my righteous right hand.</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0in; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESV-18463"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Sin and death and grief often have a similar effect on us as well, leaving us feeling alone, or abandoned, or without hope. Grief can feel like a dark room without doors or windows. Death can seem like an unbeatable enemy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is why so God is constantly speaking his word of comfort throughout the Bible. So that throughout our life, just as he did in the lives of is people, just as he did for Mark, we would continue to hear his promise. </span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Fear not, for I am with you;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">be not dismayed, for I am your God;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /><span class="text">I will strengthen you, I will help you,</span><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I will uphold you with</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">my righteous right hand.</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0in; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESV-18463"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Today, as he did for Abraham, God promises… </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Behold,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span>am<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span>with<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span>you<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">and will keep<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span>you<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">wherever<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span>you<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">go</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Today, as he did for Israel in the Exodus, God reminds you, you are not abandoned or alone. ‘</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span>am<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span></span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">, and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>I<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">will bring<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span>you<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span>I<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">will deliver<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span>you<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">from slavery to them, and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span>I<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">will redeem<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span>you<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></span>with<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">an outstretched arm and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span>with<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">great acts of judgment.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Today, as he did for his disciples, he does for you. Jesus promises and gives hope, even in the midst of grief; he gives you life, even as we mourn Mark’s death. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is what our Lord did throughout Mark’s life as well. On the day he was baptized, water was poured over his head. The word of God was spoken and declared over Mark. The sign of the cross was made on his forehead and over his heart. And the Lord spoke. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">fear not, for I am with you;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">be not dismayed, for I am your God;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /><span class="text">I will strengthen you, I will help you,</span><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I will uphold you with</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">my righteous right hand.</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0in; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESV-18463"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When Mark went through confirmation class and as he confessed his faith there and throughout his life, the Lord was with him. Mark’s life – and your life – is in Jesus the Son of God. When you feel helpless or hopeless…Fear not. You are not alone. Christ the crucified and risen one is with you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As Mark worked at Boeing, spent time with family, went to church, went about his daily, ordinary tasks of life…the Lord was with him. Even in death, the Lord was with Mark.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">All of this is true because of what our Lord Jesus did for Mark and for you. Mark is with Jesus now and for all eternity – just as all believers in Christ are and will be – because when Jesus was on the cross, he was there for Mark and for you. When Jesus lived perfectly and kept the Father’s word and obeyed his will, he did that for Mark and for you. When Jesus was crucified, he was abandoned and left alone to bear our sin, to die in our place, and to be forsaken, so that Mark, and you, and me would never be alone, never be abandoned and never be without hope. Our Lord Jesus was crucified and risen so that whenever we do feel that way, whenever sin and death and grief cause us to feel alone, Christ’s word and promise would break into the darkness and declare a word of comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="line" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">fear not, for I am with you;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">be not dismayed, for I am your God;</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /><span class="text">I will strengthen you, I will help you,</span><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I will uphold you with</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">my righteous right hand.</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0in; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESV-18463"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is the faith that Mark lived in, confessed, died in, and will rise again in. Because of Christ, death the last enemy does not get the last word. Jesus does. Jesus conquered the grave for Mark and for you so that you will never be abandoned or left alone. So that you will be with Christ forever. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus was buried in the tomb and rose again so that one day, when he returns, Christ will raise Mark and all of us, from our graves with his righteous right hand. He will strengthen us again in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. He will speak his word and call us forth from our graves. Fear not. For I am with you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Fear not. I am the one who helps you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Fear not. I am with you always. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-10050463426104179132023-12-18T10:28:00.000-08:002023-12-18T10:28:07.179-08:00Sermon for Advent 3: "John in the Dock"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ Advent 3 – December 17<sup>th</sup>, 2023 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XtBgb4nZBEsN_rh13hJzBfiEY5QqgIQWpmT0lGjbWoHmsBdcAZTn503_k29I5xi7ZZ03bywvNRFx4I_a-FspfHo5HNzZWIi0ecrMzPO-v0IDc3VAgeOvH3fPU3ZwUKmuvNpoZdbL4kVDpigmKBrP0tagOLX3qDRlZdcuigJHDG8f-XtXUgP_p7tfCSc/s2560/saint-john-the-baptist-jesus-scaled-2249261612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XtBgb4nZBEsN_rh13hJzBfiEY5QqgIQWpmT0lGjbWoHmsBdcAZTn503_k29I5xi7ZZ03bywvNRFx4I_a-FspfHo5HNzZWIi0ecrMzPO-v0IDc3VAgeOvH3fPU3ZwUKmuvNpoZdbL4kVDpigmKBrP0tagOLX3qDRlZdcuigJHDG8f-XtXUgP_p7tfCSc/w400-h266/saint-john-the-baptist-jesus-scaled-2249261612.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“All rise. The Superior Court of the Jordan River Valley is now in session. The honorable LORD, judge of heaven and earth presiding.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“The priests and Levites of Jerusalem versus John the Baptist, aka the Voice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Will the prosecuting attorney please call their first witness to the stand?”</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Yes, your honor.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“We call John the Baptist to the stand.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Please stand. Place your left hand on the scroll. Raise your right hand. Do you promise that the testimony you shall give in the case before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“I do.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.<b><sup> </sup></b>He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">To get to Christmas and Jesus, we go through John. Notice that he never seeks the spotlight. He is not the light. He is a witness to the light. John is a mirror. Jesus is the Light. John is the moon. Jesus is the Sun. John is the index finger. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John is the voice. Jesus is the Word made flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">John confesses Jesus, not himself. That’s why John is always a bit of an enigma. And his appearance certainly doesn’t help. John the ultimate hipster was uncool before it was cool to be uncool; he wore only custom made camel-skin clothing, ate local, non-GMO, grass-fed, organic, range-free locusts, and fair trade, cage-free wild honey. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">John’s strange look is accompanied by an even stranger message. Who does this guy think he is, telling us to prepare, repent, and make straight the way of the Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Who are you?”</span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> the Pharisees inquire. The wilderness becomes a courtroom. John is in the dock. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">John is a witness. A witness has one job: tell the truth about the person or event to which they are testifying. John declares that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one, the long-expected Savior. The wilderness is ripe with messianic expectation, even if those expectations are misplaced and the Messiah is misunderstood. So, John confesses: <i>I am not the Christ</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">What then? Are you Elijah?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Though Jesus later would teach us that John came in the spirit of Elijah, preparing the way of the Lord, John bears witness again: <i>I am not.</i></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Are you the prophet? </span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Are you the prophet greater than even Moses, foretold in Deuteronomy 18?<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">No.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Who are you? </span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">We have TPS reports to fill out. Headquarters is waiting. We need to know. <i>What do you say about yourself?<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”</span></i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">That’s what John is. The voice. The messenger. John is a faithful witness. John prepares the way of the Lord. The Lord whom Isaiah said would be born of a Virgin and the root of Jesse. The Lord who is the righteous branch of David’s family tree and the Suffering Servant. The Lord who will preach good news, heal, and set the captives free. For John, the defense never rests. To the very moment his head is on a platter he’s pointing people to Christ. Even in death he is a faithful witness to Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">John comes to us this Advent as he came that first Advent. In the wilderness, a dark place without Christ our light. That’s where John begins our advent preparation, in the wilderness…in the darkness. John calls us to confess with him. Confess that we are captive to sin and imprisoned by death. Confess that we have not honored the Lord’s name as we should, that our worship and prayers have faltered, that our love for God and others has failed, that our thoughts and desires are soiled with sin. Confess that we love to deny who we are as God’s baptized children. John calls us to confess and repent…and rejoice. For your Light is coming.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">John’s witness to Jesus prepares us to witness His advent. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">So, John draws us out into the wilderness where your only life is where there is water. Jesus makes his way straight through the font to you. Your Baptism is Jesus’ advent. Your Holy Baptism is also Jesus’ witness to you. Your Baptism testifies that you are buried and raised with Jesus. Your life is hidden with Christ in water, and His word: You are forgiven. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Christ the Light shines in your Baptism. The darkness of sin is banished and washed away by Jesus. No camels’ hair clothing for you. No, you’re clothed with the garments of salvation. Robed in Christ’s righteousness. Adorned as his pure, holy, and spotless bride.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">John’s confession is also our confession. Who are you? Are you a child of Adam left to die in the wilderness?</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">No. I am baptized into Christ. Are you a voice crying out alone in the darkness of death? </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">No, I am baptized into Christ. What do you say about yourself? I am baptized into Christ.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">In this life, the church is like John. We are witnesses to the Light. We confess Christ, not ourselves. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">We are witnesses. We point to Jesus. We witness to Jesus when we support our preschool and care for one another with the love of Christ. We witness to Christ when we visit our friends, families, and members when they are in need. We witness to Jesus when we invite our friends and neighbors to church and bible study. We witness to Jesus when we share the witness of John in the lives of others: <i>Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world</i>, for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">And like John, the defense never rests. Confession is how we live in Advent. We confess the Creed. We confess and receive the Sacrament. We confess our faith as we sing. We seek to teach his word faithfully; to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. For we do not know when the court will adjourn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">But we do know the verdict. <i>For you have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. Jesus intercedes for you. Jesus is your mediator.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Satan may be our accuser, but all of his evidence – and let’s face it, there’s plenty against us – it’s all thrown out of court. Christ the judge declares all of it inadmissible. Satan can accuse you no more. In Christ there is no condemnation. For the blood of Jesus covers all your sins. Jesus denies himself, and takes up your cross. Christ your judge steps down from his chair and takes your place. He allows the gavel to fall on himself instead of you. Christ the judge becomes your advocate. The innocent for the guilty so that the guilty would be made innocent. Jesus assumes the punishment for all your offenses. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">And yet He lives for you. Case closed. Court adjourned. You are free in Jesus. Rejoice! Go your way and bear witness to the Light.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-67025223367939440912023-12-11T14:26:00.000-08:002023-12-11T14:26:29.995-08:00Sermon for Advent 2: "Advent Redirection"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ Advent 2 – December 10<sup>th</sup>, 2023 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B: Isaiah 40:1-11; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_ff2oyzwmwPBKJMX6W1yHWZ-uCOXFuWBAgirN69tpH9espUQFbUG6vK2-OKGbc9ix1Sft9z59QC5xD-MB1xbmfETD52mr83SPNZy-2fZGrLVsKvlHK3ANOaQimg0Ucji7_R1VT3T12_BKeQBS4vvejoX-iIJ6iT7u7IF0y0qAjx5ZF-ud0DG9ow-0hE/s2560/isenheim-cut-scaled-1441177438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1749" data-original-width="2560" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_ff2oyzwmwPBKJMX6W1yHWZ-uCOXFuWBAgirN69tpH9espUQFbUG6vK2-OKGbc9ix1Sft9z59QC5xD-MB1xbmfETD52mr83SPNZy-2fZGrLVsKvlHK3ANOaQimg0Ucji7_R1VT3T12_BKeQBS4vvejoX-iIJ6iT7u7IF0y0qAjx5ZF-ud0DG9ow-0hE/w400-h274/isenheim-cut-scaled-1441177438.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Between 1997 and 2008, the Detroit Red Wings hockey team won four Stanley Cup championships. One of the keys to their offense was a well-known play in hockey, the redirection. Centerman Tomas Holmstrom, would park himself in front of the opposing goalie and wait for a rocket of a slap shot from Defenseman Niklas Lidstrom. The puck would be deflected by the guy in front of the goalie, and with skilled redirection from the shaft or blade of the stick, the puck ended up in the back of the net.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Now, you’re probably thinking, great story, but what does hockey have to do with Advent and John the Baptist? In a word, redirection. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Notice how Mark’s Gospel begins. </span><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif;">The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It’s not really Mark’s gospel, it’s Jesus’ gospel; it’s about him. Mark is simply the messenger. He redirects us right away to Jesus, the Son of God and the good news he brings. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">So too with John. He is the last of the Old Testament prophets and the first of the New Testament preachers. He is the herald and messenger that Isaiah and Malachi and the prophets would arrive on the scene to announce the arrival of the Messiah. John is the one sent to preach to all who came to be baptized by him and redirect their hearts and minds and ears to Jesus. John is the warmup act preparing us for the headlining band at the show. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">John is the arm and hand stretched out to announce that Jesus the Advent king and savior is here.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">John is the finger pointing you to Jesus who has come with good news<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">John is the voice proclaiming a message of preparation, of confession of sin and forgiveness of sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And he preached, saying,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24220"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">John’s first words in Mark reveal that John is a master at redirection. He deflects the attention; he takes our eyes and ears off of him and onto Christ. Even though all of Judea and Jerusalem were going out to see and hear John in the wilderness, John redirects all who hear him away from himself and back to Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is why we hear from John the Baptist so much in Advent. John’s preaching is a reminder that we focus on ourselves far too often. John redirects us away from our self, away from our selfishness, and away from our sin. Christ must increase; I must decrease. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">John also redirects another way. The people went out into the wilderness confessing their sin. So do we. To confess our sin is say what God says about our sin is true; to say the same thing God says. To say Amen. It’s true. I have sinned in thought, word, and deed. I have not loved the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind…I have not loved my neighbor as myself. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But then, like a blazing slap shot from the blue line, John breaks into the play and redirects us. Through John’s preaching God turns our ears, eyes, hearts and minds to Jesus. And when John turns, redirects us towards Jesus we see that he has not come to judge but to be judged in your place. Jesus has not come to punish, but to pardon you. Jesus has not come to rub your face in all your sin and guilt, but to redeem you from it. To redirect you forever away from sin, selfishness, and death, and points you to Jesus who is your savior, who set you free, liberates you, and forgives you in his death and resurrection. He is the one who is mightier than John and you and I. But he is also merciful.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br />How does he do it? In an ordinary, yet extraordinary gift. God’s Word and water and the Holy Spirit. </span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I have baptized you with water, but</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">John’s baptism in the wilderness was good. It forgave sin, the gospels tell us. But it was only a preparation for something greater, just like John himself. The Baptism Jesus gives not only forgives sin; he does more. He dies, rises, ascends, and then pours out the Holy Spirit as he promised. Again, by word and water. He gives the Holy Spirit. He makes you a child of God. He adopts you by grace. Baptism is your promise from God himself that you are already prepared for Christ’s coming because you are washed, baptized, cleansed, forgiven. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And when you do sin, our Lord redirects you back to the promises he gave you by his Word, water, and the Holy Spirit. You are his new creation. You belong to him. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and it is he who, this Advent and every day until Christ returns, continually redirects you back to your forgiveness and life in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-49035733737265045212023-12-04T10:07:00.000-08:002023-12-04T10:07:52.223-08:00Sermon for Advent 1: "Making An Entrance"<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ 1<sup>st</sup> Sunday in Advent – December 3<sup>rd</sup>, 2023 +</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series B: Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 11:1-10<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpvDQn82aQyvsm14WOi0ogP17Frb8rXu68z1trtGmAChxHWHEFV0gHpXbjVuVXjyaZ0a-o0UtNsD8yRq0in25aEwbG_6VnXd_jmkPOKWmakqQV-Y-cdNTCxekonxP3D6kIf062j9VuprYVSD4QaJw2hO2D8lDwatFdyu6sukeFg9Hh5vKESeluo1RgqI/s900/christ-entering-jerusalem-1520024741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpvDQn82aQyvsm14WOi0ogP17Frb8rXu68z1trtGmAChxHWHEFV0gHpXbjVuVXjyaZ0a-o0UtNsD8yRq0in25aEwbG_6VnXd_jmkPOKWmakqQV-Y-cdNTCxekonxP3D6kIf062j9VuprYVSD4QaJw2hO2D8lDwatFdyu6sukeFg9Hh5vKESeluo1RgqI/w400-h266/christ-entering-jerusalem-1520024741.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Whenever our family goes to a baseball game, one of the things we enjoy – besides the game itself of course – is listening to and making comments about the players’ walk-up songs. We even play a little game debating the finer points of what makes a good walk-up song and what song we would choose if we were the ones approaching the plate. A Taylor Swift song? Johnny Cash? Guns N Roses? Kidzbop? Kenny Chesney? It’s a small, but important detail…it’s about making an entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Today on this first Sunday in Advent the church is making an entrance into a new church year, a new season. Advent begins. Christmas is approaching. We’re longing for and praying for Christ’s promised return. And what’s our walk-up music for this first Sunday? How do we make an entrance into this Advent season? We hear it in today’s Gospel reading from Mark 11: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it.</span><span id="en-ESV-24642"> And many</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span id="en-ESV-24643"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And those who went before and those who followed were shouting,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Hosanna!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord<b><sup> </sup></b>Blessed is</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the coming</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">kingdom of</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">our father</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">David!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Hosanna</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">in the highest!”</span></i></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0in; min-width: 0px;"><span id="en-ESV-24645"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Mark 11 is Jesus’ walk-up song to holy week, to his Thursday night Passover with his disciples, to the giving of the Lord’s Supper, to his betrayal, to his trial, beatings, and mockery he will endure, to his crucifixion, death, and burial. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We’re used to hearing this Gospel reading on Palm Sunday as we enter into Holy Week. So at first it might seem like an odd thing to be hearing – what with all the lights and sounds of Christmas already around us everywhere. Why are we hearing about holy week when it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas? There’s a good reason for it. In Advent we look backwards and forwards and we look around at the present. We look backwards and rejoice that Jesus made an entrance into our fallen world, that he came in the flesh to save us. To paraphrase an old saying, He came, He saw, he conquered death and sin on the cross for you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">We also look forward to Jesus’ second coming, his advent in glory on the Last Day. We long to see and hear the final walkup song of angels and trumpets and our Lord’s return. And while we wait, we look around at the present. Jesus comes to us, making an entrance into our lives and ears, hearts and minds by his holy word, by his holy supper, by gathering us together as his people around his gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Because of all this, Advent is a season of preparation. Like John the Baptist standing in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord, so too, the Advent season prepares us for Jesus to make an entrance now with his word and sacraments, and when he comes again in glory; he prepares us with humility, yet hope; with patience, yet trust in his promise; he calls us to repentance but also to rejoice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Yes, even in Advent we join the Palm Sunday crowds in singing Jesus’ walk-up song, as he makes his entrance still for us in his body and blood in the bread and wine. We sing those very same words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">“Hosanna!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord<b><sup> </sup></b>Blessed is</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the coming</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">kingdom of</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">our father</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">David!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Hosanna</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">in the highest!”</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">This song the crowds are singing is an ancient song. It is the walk-up song the prophets have been singing for centuries, preparing the way for the Messiah to make his entrance. Zechariah and Isaiah and God’s people sang it over the years of longing and expectation. Hosanna. Lord, save us. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Hosanna is our Advent song too. This is the prayer of Advent, the prayer of our lives: Hosanna. Lord, save us. Too long have we sat in darkness. Too often have we entered into sin, and given into our own selfishness, and self-serving ways. The prophet Isaiah is right about us. </span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 5pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">in our sins we have been a long time, and shall we be saved?</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <br /><span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-18892">We have all become like one who is unclean,</span></span><br /></span></i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 5pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /><span class="text">We all fade like a leaf,</span> <span class="text">and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.</span></span></i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The truth is, we don’t deserve to enter into our Lord’s presence, and yet in his mercy, in his grace and lovingkindness, what does our Lord do? Jesus makes an entrance. He cues up the Old Testament walk-up song of salvation as he steps up to the plate, as he journeys to the cross for you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Hosanna!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord<b><sup> </sup></b>Blessed is</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the coming</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">kingdom of</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">our father</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">David!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Hosanna</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">in the highest!”</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus entered Jerusalem for you. He entered the upper room and broke the bread and poured the wine for you, declaring that this is his body and his blood for your forgiveness. And then to make sure of your eternal entrance into his kingdom he walked out of Jerusalem for you and entered into death in your place; he entered the tomb for you. And he rose again three days later for you. And so today, in Advent, and every day until Jesus returns, we enter into God’s house where Jesus enters our own lives with his word, water, body and blood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For all the times you cry out, Lord, save us. Lord, have mercy; for all the times we’ve failed to cry out for mercy – our Lord Jesus made his Advent entrance in the manger and on the cross to save you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus hears our Advent cry for mercy. He hears our Hosanna, Lord, save us. He hears. He remembers. And when he remembers, he acts. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Jesus enters into our lives of loneliness, pain, suffering, guilt, sin, and death, and he takes it all upon himself, and he speaks a word that enters our hearts and minds: his word of forgiveness and peace and joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">That is what he was doing when he entered Jerusalem back in Mark 11: entering Jerusalem to save you. This what he will do again when he returns in glory; he will make an entrance in glory so you will enter the new Jerusalem and join in the marriage supper of the Lamb. And this is what our Lord does for us today and every day as enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Hosanna!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Blessed is are you who come in the name of the Lord<b><sup> </sup></b>Blessed is</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the coming</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">kingdom of</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">our father</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">David!</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Hosanna</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">in the highest!”</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-92137240961113919062023-11-27T10:02:00.000-08:002023-11-27T10:02:18.048-08:00Sermon for the Last Sunday of the Church Year: "Sheep and Goats"<p> <b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">+ Last Sunday of the Church Year - November 26, 2023+</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Series A: Ezekiel 34:11-24, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Matthew 25:31-46<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Milton, WA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmerWBdIFpayIIKNVcKm3ocSkRENSUVzsAnPCXWPVqW5l87fFHeod2Kjyinza2NVFrGRNsq32rtdAvFsD4qt6hLpMWpTuiS5LMhyphenhyphenXRiPwQT10Dh71JQkJxBxKgyZUFn8bl3cNeWOwop62EkaCVCio_Ljg7CGyXS-czs9p0cCJyVlT_SlsUOjW_TeEDNIU/s1200/Life-of-Christ-Jy-The-Sheep-and-the-Goats-280524782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmerWBdIFpayIIKNVcKm3ocSkRENSUVzsAnPCXWPVqW5l87fFHeod2Kjyinza2NVFrGRNsq32rtdAvFsD4qt6hLpMWpTuiS5LMhyphenhyphenXRiPwQT10Dh71JQkJxBxKgyZUFn8bl3cNeWOwop62EkaCVCio_Ljg7CGyXS-czs9p0cCJyVlT_SlsUOjW_TeEDNIU/w400-h200/Life-of-Christ-Jy-The-Sheep-and-the-Goats-280524782.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Anytime you’re on social media you’ll see these links to click…take this quiz and find out what Disney princess you are, or what Marvel superhero you are like. We do the same thing when we read stories or watch movies…we find a way to imagine ourselves in the story. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">When we hear Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats, as we did today on this Last Sunday of the Church year, I would guess many of us have that question in mind. We try and find ourselves in this parable of Jesus. Where am I in this story? Who am I, a sheep or a goat?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">We’ve been hearing and singing about the Last Day these past several Sundays. We know that we’ve been living in the last days since Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection for us. We know his return is promised in Scripture. We confess in the Creed that we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Still we hear Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25 and we wonder. Who am I? So let’s take a closer look at Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats and see what our Lord has to say.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">then he will sit on his glorious throne.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><b><i><sup><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">32 </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Before him</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">will be gathered</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">all the nations<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Before we even get to the separation or the judgment, there’s the resurrection of the body. It’s quite the scene Jesus paints here. The dead are raised. The living have put on immortality. One of my pastor friends served at a church that had a cemetery, and he would often say, if I am alive when Christ returns I hope I’m sitting right here on the steps overlooking the cemetery as the saints rise from the dead. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Last Day, Jesus says, is a day of revealing. And first he reveals who he is. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He’s not simply the Savior of some but the Savior of the world. He is not simply the Good Shepherd of a select few but of the inclusive many. In His flesh, He embodies all, just as Adam embodied all into disobedience and death. When Adam fell, we all fell, and were born fallen in Adam’s fall. But Christ in His humanity is the second Adam, Adam 2.0, Adam set right before God. In the first Adam, you die, in the second Adam you live. In the first Adam you are condemned, in the second Adam you are justified and forgiven.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Then comes the separation. But notice something important. Jesus separates the sheep and the goats not on the basis of what they have done or not done, but rather who or what they are, sheep or goats.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">The sheep are called “the righteous.” Counted. Reckoned. Declared. Covered in the righteousness blood of Christ the Passover Lamb. They’re placed on Jesus’ right, the place of honor. And their works are judged, it’s true. But they’re not judged by their works – but by Jesus’ works - his perfect life, his perfect death. The talk about works comes <i>after </i>the separation. First, Jesus blesses. “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Then there’s another surprise. Jesus reveals that he was hidden all along in the lives of his people. The phone call to a brother or sister in Christ who was sick, the clothing you gave, the food you brought when there was a death or illness in the family. Small, hidden, ordinary things…but that’s where Jesus hides himself. “I was hungry and you fed me; thirsty and you gave me drink; a stranger and you welcomed me; naked and clothed me; sick and you visited me; in prison and you came to me.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">The sheep are astonished. “When Lord? When did we see you hungry, thirsty, naked or in prison?” They had no idea that Jesus was hidden in the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the prisoner. “As you did these things for the least of these my brothers you did it to me.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Again, it’s not about <i>what</i> they do but <i>who </i>they are. They simply did what needed to be done. Sheep don’t count what they’ve done. They don’t need to. Jesus has already counted them righteous, blessed by what he has done for them<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Then there are the goats. Those on Jesus’ left. No inheritance. No blessing. Only dismissal. <i>“Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”</i> Notice that hell isn’t made for you or any human being; it’s for the devil and his minions. God’s will is that all would be saved in Jesus, that goats become sheep through the Lamb. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">The goats are surprised as well, but for a different reason. They were keeping track of all their good deeds. They are as ignorant of their sin as the sheep were of their good works. When confronted with their sin they do the faithless thing - try to justify themselves. “When did we see you hungry, thirsty, naked, a stranger, and did not help you? If we had only known we could have kept a record.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">This is why, in his book The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis says that in the end, there are those who say to God, Thy will be done – as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer. And there are also those to whom God says, thy will be done. Those who wanted nothing to do with Jesus the Shepherd get not what they deserve but what they desire. Ok, have it your way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">So we come again to the question of the day. Who am I? When we look at ourselves in the revealing light of God’s Law, all we see is the face of a stinking, stubborn goat staring right back at us. Apart from Christ, outside of Jesus, that’s who we were. Lost and condemned creatures. Poor miserable sinners. Natural born goats.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">But there’s another way to see yourself, to answer that question, who am I? It’s true that in Adam we are all goats, but in Christ you are made sheep. Dead in Adam. Alive in Christ. You are covered by the blood of the Lamb. After all, sheep don’t follow themselves; they look to their Shepherd. In Christ you are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his loving, pierced hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">When Jesus tells this parable, remember that He who is the King and the Judge is also your Good Shepherd. <i>“Behold I, I myself will search for my flock and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so I will seek out my sheep and I will rescue them…” <o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">What kind of shepherd thinks that the life of his sheep is more important than his own? What kind of shepherd, to save his sheep from being devoured, would throw his body between the sheep and the wolf? What kind of shepherd loves the least of his brothers so much that he would hang hungry, starved and naked as a prisoner in our sin and death?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, there is only one who has done all this for you, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away your sin. All of it. As he prayed to the Father in Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion, his sacrifice for you, he prayed, “Thy Will be done.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> “I am your Good Shepherd,” Jesus says “I know my sheep by name and I lead them out. For you who are hungry, I will feed you with my own body; take, eat. For you who are thirsty, I have thirsted on the cross; take drink, this is my blood poured out with forgiveness on your sin parched lips. Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you before the foundation of the world. You are no longer strangers here. You are no longer a goat. You have been set free from that pen. Your naked guilt is covered by pure Lamb’s wool, dipped in blood. And all that was once was scarlet is now white as snow.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Who am I? Who are you? Christ our Lord tells you exactly who you are. </span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Come, you</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">who are blessed by my Father,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">inherit</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">the kingdom</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">prepared for you</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">from the foundation of the world.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> You are his declared righteous, redeemed, rescued sheep. You are baptized and embraced forever in the arms of Jesus. That’s who you are now and forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4621705834405973407.post-65342565108068975512023-11-20T10:01:00.000-08:002023-11-20T10:01:49.987-08:00Sermon for Pentecost 25: "The Parable of the Generous Master"<p> <b style="font-family: Georgia;">+ 25<sup>th</sup> Sunday after Pentecost – November 19<sup>th</sup>, 2023 +</b></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Series A: Zephaniah 1:7-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Beautiful Savior Lutheran</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Milton, WA</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSV0d8qSEiygv43mHeCoX7nirpufzRnJRzCKVndNCD-cz6K8tsB6HYXYiXZ8PyhyphenhyphenAIsYoL23EcWhBqFqRlazR5R-VNWgRyf8zyxh2NeajdePlwUyrqsSc3CNHzDUB3KcYZVGN98ioP31eghrVy8oRXu11f9yhfhBYPbMZ4ehHS-xyhMESAsNU4iLbfE2g/s1288/267424.b-2288166943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1288" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSV0d8qSEiygv43mHeCoX7nirpufzRnJRzCKVndNCD-cz6K8tsB6HYXYiXZ8PyhyphenhyphenAIsYoL23EcWhBqFqRlazR5R-VNWgRyf8zyxh2NeajdePlwUyrqsSc3CNHzDUB3KcYZVGN98ioP31eghrVy8oRXu11f9yhfhBYPbMZ4ehHS-xyhMESAsNU4iLbfE2g/w400-h310/267424.b-2288166943.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Before you pick up a new book or choose a show to watch, one of the first questions that often comes to mind is, “what’s this story about?”</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We ask the same question when it comes to hearing and reading Jesus’ parables. What is this about?</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Today as we hear another parable of Jesus from Matthew 25 that question is, no doubt, in our minds once again. If you only read the heading in your bible or skimmed the parable you might think it was about talents or coins. When you look at the other parables and teaching of Jesus in Matthew 24 and 25 you might think this is a parable about the end times, and it certainly is that. But mostly, like almost all of the parables, this story is about the Master. It’s about Jesus. It’s a story that reveals the kind of God he is…not a God we need fear in terror of judgment when he returns in glory, but one who is gracious, giving, trusting, and faithful. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">What is this story about? It’s a story that reveals the kind of God you have in Christ Jesus. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Jesus begins the parable this way… There was a rich master who entrusted his wealth to three servants. To one five, to another two, and to a third one. They’re called talents…a word we use for something else (skill, ability, etc.). But in the parable, think of it as a coin or something similar. A talent was about 20 years’ wages. No small amount. But notice how the Master gives, he does so personally…to each according to his ability. And then, the master goes away. The first two servants double the amount given to them. But the third one dug a hole in the ground and hid it.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 15px;">After a long while, Jesus goes on, the master returns to settle accounts. In Jesus’ parables, this is often the way he speaks about The Last Day. The day when the books are opened and the accounts are settled. The two who turned a profit are praised with a hearty “Well done” and get to share in the joy of their Master. The third is condemned to outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">A quick reading of the parable makes it sound like this story is about God’s concern with the servant who has not invested God’s money. The first two servants invested His gifts. They brought Him both His money and a good return. The third servant buried God’s gifts and, therefore, has nothing more to share with God than what God originally gave him. “Here, you have what is yours” (verse 25). At first, we might read this and come away thinking that the parable reveals God to be a hard taskmaster about nothing more than profits and returns.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Yet, upon closer reading, that is not what this story is about. Investments and returns are considered something “little” to God (verses 21 and 23). God graciously gives these servants more and invites them to share in His joy. </p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">In the kingdom of God, the main character of the story isn’t you or me, it’s Christ. And in the kingdom of God, the story rests not on our works but Christ’s. In the kingdom of God, Jesus draws our attention to the kind of God he is. </p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">And that’s the source of conflict in Jesus’ parable. Pay close attention to how the third servant views his master. Why is he judged in the story? It’s not so much about what he did or didn’t do, but about how he saw or thought about his master…about the kind of God he thought the master was.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">Listen to what he says, <i>“Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ </i></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This last servant sees the master as many see God: one who is hard, demanding, ungracious, and needs to be placated and feared. This third servant’s issue is that He doesn’t think God is good and the giver of gifts. This is why the third servant is called wicked, because he does not know the master rightly. In other words, he is wicked because he thinks of the master (God) not as good and gracious and giving, but as cruel and demanding. To him, God is not a giver, but a taker, a hard, cruel taskmaster. He makes demands but offers no help.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">But this is not what the story is about. This is not the kind of God Jesus reveals, in this parable, or in his life and ministry. When you look at the opening of the parable, what kind of master do you see? Is the master harsh or demanding? Reaping where he did not sow? No. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">The parable reveals that God, the master, is just the opposite of that. He is good, gracious, generous and trusting. God gives various gifts to His servants, and He does so because He trusts they are able to use them. Jesus’ parable reveals a loving relationship of a God who gives and trusts us to use what he gives. The Master – Jesus – delights in giving. And the joy of the master is even seen in giving more. That’s his character. That’s who he is. </p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px;">When we approach this parable wondering - am I the servant he gave 5 talents to, or 2, or 1? Have I buried his gifts and possessions he’s given me? – we’ve approached the parable asking the wrong questions. It’s not a story about who you are as much as it is about who the Master is, and then who you are in relationship to him. This story is about Jesus our Master.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Remember the question that we began with. What is this story about? It’s a story that reveals the kind of God you have in Christ Jesus. In Jesus, you do not have the kind of God the third servant thought of, one who is cruel, hard, demanding. Rather, in Jesus, you have the God who is good and gracious and generous with his gifts to you. He gives you life and salvation in Jesus. He gives you gifts, abilities, the wealth of daily bread and the many and various abilities he gives to each of you, trusting you to use it for your good and the good of those around you. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Do we fail at those callings in life? Yes. Do we always live up to our Father’s trust? No. But your faith rests not on what you have done or left undone, but on what Jesus has done for you. Your faith, like the faith of the first two servants, rests not on your coin and what you’ve done with it, but on the faithfulness of your Master Jesus. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">You are, as St. Paul says, not children of the darkness, but children of light. You are children of the day. You are beloved, baptized, redeemed, and forgiven. You belong to Jesus, the good and gracious and merciful Master. You are his servants, each with your own God-given gifts. Your God is Jesus. Your God is good and gracious and kind. You have the God who took a fisherman and made him a disciple. You have the God who took a tax collector and made him a Gospel writer. You have the God who took all our sin and failures and unfaithfulness and all our fears, doubts, worries, and death itself and he made all of that his own, making saints out of sinners. You have the God who was crucified for you, dead and buried for you. You have the God who was judged in your place so that when he comes again to judge the living and the dead, the verdict he gives you is the same he gave to the servants: “come, enter into the joy of your master.” You have the God <i>who has destined you not for wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as you live in these last days. As you wait for Christ’s return. As you use the gifts God has given and entrusted to you, this is the kind of God you have…the God who holds you in his goodness and grace in Christ Jesus. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>Pastor Samwise Praetorius (Samuel Schuldheisz)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08050850641141213958noreply@blogger.com0