UNWRAPPED Sectional Presentation: Lions and Witches and Skeptics, Oh My!

The following pictures are taken from a presentation given at UNWRAPPED, the synod's recent conference on campus ministry. It was a joy and an honor to present one of the sectionals at the conference, especially since it pertained to one of my great joys of study, the intersection between literature and apologetics. After the presentation, several people asked about having a copy of the presentation. I was a little worried about the size of the file due to the many graphics the presentations contains. So this happened to be the easiest (and perhaps for my part laziest) format by which to make it accessible for a wider audience. I pray that this little presentation will take you there and back again to the cross and the Crucified One, the One to whom all good stories and happy endings point.

 

 

5 Simple Ways Every Christian Can Be an Evangelist

The following article was published in our most recent newsletter here at Redeemer, HB. Although some of the evangelism details are specific to Redeemer and our location, local examples from other congregations' immediate context could be easily inserted in place of the examples I have provided.

Welcome to Epiphany, the season that follows Christmas. But what does this mean? Usually when we hear the word, “epiphany,” we find ourselves saying, “I had an epiphany” or “the light went on” or “Eureka!” In a way this is fitting. Epiphany literally means to reveal or make known or manifest something or someone.

In this season, Christ, reveals and makes known his person and work; Jesus “epiphanies” himself for you and for the life of the world. This is clearly seen in one of the most iconic events of the season of Epiphany, the Magi’s visitation of the toddler, Jesus. For this reason, Epiphany is also known as Christmas for the gentiles. After all, the magi were from the East, known as Persia at the time. They were not children of Abraham in the flesh, but they became children of Abraham – and more importantly – children of God by faith in the Christ, and faith came by hearing the Word. And just as Christ revealed and came for the Magi, so too he comes to save all nations (see Revelation 7).

Matthew bookends his Gospel with a Word of hope and promise that salvation has come to the gentiles through Christ, the Savior of the nations. In the Epiphany of our Lord, we see a foreshadowing of Jesus’ words to his disciples before he ascends to the right hand of God:

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. As you are going, make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Thus, Epiphany is also a season where Church reflects and focuses on the mission of God and her calling in that mission: to faithfully proclaim, witness, declare, and defend the Gospel and to accompany that proclamation with works of mercy. In other words, Epiphany is a season for evangelism and outreach as Christ continues to reveal and make known – as he “epiphanies” – his death and resurrection for us and for all sinners.

This Epiphany season is the time for us as a congregation to be more intentional about mission and evangelism in our local area. It’s easy to send in a check to the far reaches of the globe or across the United States. And while this is important and necessary work we must be careful of not falling into an either / or trap, either foreign mission or local. The answer is both. Because we also have a mission field right in our backyard: the preschool, our music academy, bible studies, Gospel Seeds and other opportunities around Redeemer where the Gospel of Jesus – crucified for your sins – is clearly proclaimed and tangible mercy is given to those in need. For years Redeemer’s newsletter and bulletin have included the following words: “Clear Witness – Caring Service – Together.” Recently, our Synod has adopted a similar slogan: “Witness, Mercy, Life Together.” But if these words are just a slogan, then we ought not call ourselves Christians or a Church.

Here at Redeemer we do not lack opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus – Advent by Candlelight, Sunday Services, Weekly Bible studies, devotion booklets and a host of other resources. What we lack is action on those many treasures that our Lord has blessed us with. 

How will we reach out to our neighbor this season and this New Year?  How will each of us take personal responsibility to reach out to our neighbor in need? What message will your friends and neighbors hear when you invite them to church – that you’re simply doing it because you want a divine pat on the back or because you genuinely care about their spiritual welfare, that you simply want their wallets for a building program or because you actually care about them in body and soul?

During Epiphany, and all year round, Christ continues to richly bless this congregation with many gifts whereby we can reveal, make known and “epiphany” Christ’s salvation to our community, neighbors and friends. And the heart of the Epiphany season – and every season – is the Divine Service. Christ’s body and blood are the life-blood of the Church. Christ calls us to his altar, feeds, forgives and saves and then sends us out free and forgiven to serve the neighbor. And while we don’t always see what happens to those gospel seeds that are scattered upon our conversations, visitors and outreach events here at Redeemer, we know this: the Lord is faithful to his promise: “Lo, I am with you always to the end of the age.” 

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

All of this may seem overwhelming. But do not be afraid; sharing the Gospel with someone is this simple: “Jesus died for you on the cross.” And by the Lord’s Word and Spirit we share the Good News one person, one invitation, one word of comfort at a time. Some plant, others water, but God gives the growth.

So, here is short list of 5 simple ways that every Christian can be an evangelist. It’s not exhaustive, but it’s a start.

1.       Attend Divine Service, receive the Lord’s Supper frequently, and attend Bible study regularly.  Evangelism begins in the congregation and then outward to our families and then our neighbors. If we aren’t fed and nourished the study of God’s Word how can we begin to tell our neighbor why they should be fed and nourished? If we don’t know what we believe, what are we going to share with those who don’t believe in Christ? Through his Word, Christ is teaching us to know what we believe and why we believe it so we can give a reason for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15).

2.      Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to church or bible study or one of our primary evangelism events, such as our Saturday morning seminars and studies or midweek services. Even though an invitation isn’t the gospel per se, it points our neighbors in the right direction. We see this in the New Testament repeatedly: “Sir, we would see Jesus” (John 12:21) and Andrew’s famous, “Come and see” (John 1:39). Invitations are easy; the worst people can say is no…and they just might say yes! Here are just a few upcoming events and ongoing activities worthy of an invitation: Christmas services – December 24^th at 5:00, 7:30 and 11:00 pm; December 25^th at 10:00 am. The Music Academy, led by Pat Anderson, is a great way to share the joy of music and the gospel with our community. Ask her for more information. And the preschool can always use your word of mouth support spreading the word to families with children. Whatever the occasion is and whomever you are talking to, the personal contact and relationships we have in our everyday lives are where the best evangelism takes place. Your vocation is your mission field.

3.      Greet a visitor on Sunday morning or any other time you see a new face around Redeemer. Before talking with the people you know and love, greet the unknown in Christ. This isn’t the job of the ushers alone; it belongs to everyone. Look for the visitors in the pews and on the patio. No need to carry on a long conversation – unless it turns into that. We have a habit of being too cliquey. Visitors notice when we go out of our way to say good morning and welcome them to church. It’s as simple as this: “It’s great to see you here; thank you for coming. We hope to see you again.”

4.      Pass out a devotion book or any number of useful resources at church along onto your neighbors or un-churched friends. We hand out the Portals of Prayer as well as the Higher Things devotion booklets regularly. These are easy, non-threatening ways to share a comforting word with your neighbors. Are any of your friends grieving the death of loved ones or suffering illness or other issues of body and soul? The information cart, as well as your pastors, has a wealth of information ready to share with others in need suitable any of life’s situations.

5.      Get involved. You can start by talking to Wayne Anderson, the Board of Evangelism (BOE) or your elders and pastors. The BOE is already hard at work in our neighborhoods and community. But the harvest is plenty and the workers are few. If you’re interested in evangelism there are endless ways to use the gifts God has given you to share the Good News with others. And just in case nothing comes to mind immediately, here are some specific areas the BOE could use your help in with:

a.      Visitor follow up - help send cards or make phone calls to visitors we receive for services and other events.

b.      Visitor welcome packets - help assemble these so that we have something to hand out to our guests, telling them what Redeemer believes, teaches and confesses.

c.       Preparing visitor mugs – that’s right, we “mug” our visitors. A coffee cup with a few pieces of information inside is a great conversation starter. We need help making more of these and getting them out on the information cart and into visitor’s hands.

d.      Join us for Gospel Seeds – this is a simple way to get to know our neighbor’s needs and come together as a congregation to act with mercy in addressing those needs.

e.      Talk with Seminarian Jim Toma – he is beginning to work with the Hispanic community in our area. He could use your help. Talk to him and find out how you can help.

A blessed Epiphany season to you all as we go forth by the grace of God - fed in His Supper, comforted in His Word and saved by the Epiphany of His Son, Christ our Lord – to Clear Witness and Caring Service, Together.

Jesus and His Gifts: UNWRAPPED Conference Reflections

There aren't a whole lot of reasons this Southern Californian can think of to head off to St. Louis, MO for a few days in early January. But there is at least one good reason: UNWRAPPED. And apparently I wasn't the only one who thought it was a good reason. There were over 80 colleges and universities represented, roughly 400 attendees (students, campus pastors, laity and pastors), gathered together because they share a common interest in the welfare and spread of campus ministry across the synod.

We've all heard the statistics. We know students fall away from the faith in staggering numbers during their college years. We know college campuses are a mission field. We know there’s great opportunity and great need for robust confessional Lutheranism on our campuses. We know we need to defend the faith with clear, evidential apologetics. Or do we? If you didn't know it before Unwrapped, you do now.

It’s no secret that a number of campus ministries have come under threat the last several years. And I pray that this conference would further strengthen the resolve of districts and congregations throughout the synod in pledging their financial and prayerful support to the continuance and expansion of campus ministry in order to prevent further disasters.

With all the doom and gloom statistics you hear about, this conference couldn't have been timelier. There is also a great deal of rejoicing to be had. The LCMS Office of National Mission did an outstanding job in planning this conference. A few of the people involved in planning that I talked to said they never expected this to go off as well as it did. 

President Harrison and Bart Day both reiterated their unwavering support for campus ministry; Harrison even got a standing ovation from college kids of all people. The conference planning committee showed what a synod can do when we work together and dare to be Lutheran. The speakers – especially Craig Parton – were fantastic, great topics and well informed presenters. And the LCMS campus ministry staff, as well as all who participated in the conference (far too many names to thank) ensured that in a few days' time, campus ministry in the synod would not become another fatal statistic.

This synod wide conference, the first of its kind in far too long, also lived up to its name: Unwrapped. But what exactly was unwrapped? The question isn't what, but whom? Who was unwrapped? Christ Crucified and his gifts. From the sectional to the plenary presentations, inside the chapel and around the coffee pots, this singular message was unwrapped with joy, like a kid on Christmas morning: “Jesus died for sinners…and you qualify.”

Now, when it comes to defending the Christian faith, I’m an evidentialist. Show me the evidence, the reason for the hope that is within you. Tell me what you believe and why…and it better be more than subjective feelings. So, here’s some hard, tangible evidence in support of a great conference.

The plenary speaker, Craig Parton was outstanding. Having studied apologetics under the same teacher, Rod Rosenbladt it was refreshing to sit and listen to a thoroughly reasonable defense of the faith from a Lutheran who knows his Scripture, his catechism and isn’t afraid of confessing the historic Lutheran faith. You can get a lot of the same content in his presentations from his books, The Defense Never Rests and Religion On Trial. But if you ever have the chance to listen to him speak publicly, travel whatever distance you have to, even in January, to go and listen. It’s well worth the time.

The sectional presentations also allowed for a variety of topics. It was a joy and an honor to speak on the intersection of two of my favorite topics: literature and apologetics. The only downside, of course, was that there were too many good choices and not enough time for the topics. I guess that means we'll have to have another conference. And that's a good problem to have. In many ways, it was like being back at seminary again, soaking up as much knowledge and information as I could in a short amount of time. Lastly, a side note, perhaps this conference will encourage both seminaries to include a genuine approach to Lutheran apologetics into their curriculum, something that is desperately needed.

And while the substance was marvelously rich, intellectually demanding and insightful, there is also something to be said for the aesthetics of an event. At times it felt like a Lutheran family reunion and a glimpse of worshiping with angels and archangels. And the daily prayer offices showcased the best of Lutheran liturgy and hymnody for a segment of the population that is all too often pigeon-holed into the contemporary Christian music scene. Well, that myth was busted. I heard over 400 people – most of whom were students – chanting psalms, singing hymns and liturgy and doing it with gusto, both in and outside the walls of Francis Xavier College Church. So much for youthful stereotypes. They devoured the historic orthodox Lutheran faith in word and song and it was a sight to see and hear. And of all places, we sat in a Roman Catholic parish as the Gospel, along with our voices, was unwrapped adding substance to the beautiful architectural form we sat beneath (and it was an outstanding display of architectural apologetics). It certainly got the attention and admiration of Sister Ruth.

So, despite what you may have read in mission development magazines and journal articles, our youth and college students love the historic liturgy and hymns of the church. It challenges them, communicates the depths of Scripture’s truth to them both objectively and subjectively in a way that the CCM fads never can and they ate it up. After all, that’s what college kids are good at, knowing and devouring good food when they see it, or in this case, hear it. Our college campuses and students are hungry for the solid food of the Scriptures, the Book of Concord and the song of the Church. Some don’t even know how starving they really are. Our churches should be dining halls where the best Lutheran stuff is always on the menu and Jesus is the host, waiter and meal.

That’s why every Christian should care about campus ministry, no matter what your congregation’s demographics. Quite simply, the future of our church body is walking around college campuses all over this country. Your future congregation president is facing tough questions about the historicity of the Gospels from his college professor. Your daughter’s or granddaughter’s future school teacher is getting fed a steady diet of secular, humanist drivel every day she goes to class. The examples could go on.

Because sooner or later, these college students will graduate. Some of these young Lutheran men will go to seminary and some of these young women will become deaconesses. And many more will not; but they’ll go to work in law enforcement, or as engineers, business men and women, doctors, scientists, professors, coaches and the like. And one day, if they haven't already, they’ll become members at our churches, elders, vice presidents, trustees, and treasurers. This is why campus ministry matters. As good as it was to have Jesus and his saving gifts unwrapped for us in St. Louis, it’s even better to unwrap those same gifts on college campuses across the country, in the pews of our town and gown churches and on the sidewalks and public areas of our communities.

I don’t think it’s too much of an overstatement to say that the fate of Lutheranism in America is largely dependent upon the state of Lutheranism in and around our college campuses across the country. As campus ministry goes, so goes the synod.

And in St. Louis at the Unwrapped Conference, the synod – it’s leadership, its laity and pastors – showed that there is an overwhelming amount of support, concern, and love for campus ministry. And this is good evidence that the LCMS isn’t simply talking about witness, mercy and life together – those aren’t just nouns and slogans, they’re verbs. And they’re ready to be unwrapped throughout our church body for our college students and for all who care about them. The conference concluded with Office of National Mission unveiling it’s LCMS campus ministry initiative - LCMS U. And that means we’re headed in the right direction. Back to campus and our congregation having unwrapped the gifts Christ has given us.

After all, the Reformation began on a college campus. Martin Luther was a campus pastor. And today, the reformation continues on college campuses. Even if your congregation is far removed from a college campus, chances are there are college students in your pews or in the lives of our members. Today we continue to work together to ensure that the Reformation lives on, for this generation and the next.

Next time this conference comes around, chances are, I’ll make my way there even if it’s cold outside. And I hope you do too. Case closed…or, perhaps I should simply say, unwrapped.

A Sermon for the Name and Circumcision of Jesus: "A Knife, The Name, and a New Year"

The Circumcision and Name of Jesus – December 31^st, 2009

Redeemer Lutheran, HB

Text: Luke 2:21

Theme: The Name of the Lord Saves and His Blood Forgives.

“A Knife, The Name and A New Year”

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

In the eyes of the world it’s New Year’s Eve.  We count down the final minutes and seconds of 2009.  The world will celebrate 2010 by lighting fireworks, proposing toasts and offering accolades to old acquaintances.  Now there’s nothing wrong with New Year’s parties or midnight traditions.  But the Church has a better reason to gather on this day.  In the eyes of the Church, the New Year’s day of the Church Year already came on the first Sunday in Advent.  In the eyes of the Church today we celebrate the circumcision and naming of Jesus.

In the Hebrew way of keeping time, the 8^th day after Jesus’ birth began today after sunset.  According to the Law of Moses and the God’s covenant for Abraham: Every 8 day old male among shall be circumcised as a sign of the covenant between the Lord and Abraham.

Therefore, the Gospel according to Luke for tonight reads, “At the end of 8 days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.”

For Jesus, there was no age of accountability.  From the day He was born, our sinful curse weighed heavily upon Him who had no sin.  Every stage of life, He lived for us.  Every letter of the Law He fulfilled for us, including this one: without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.  It might seem inappropriate or coarse to talk about circumcision at church – don’t worry – we’ll save the PG-13 material for an adult Bible study.

The hymn stanza in your bulletin teaches us well:

O sacred day when first was poured

The blood of our redeeming Lord,

O blessed day, when first began

His sufferings for sinful man!

Forgiveness is a bloody business.  There’s no avoiding that.  For Jesus, there’s no avoiding our punishment for sins.  No avoiding pain, suffering, or Calvary’s cruelty.  This is what He came to do – to shed His blood, to save, to die, to rise.  This is who He is, our Savior. 

Those scribbly lines on your bulletin cover are letters: Yeshua in the Hebrew, Joshua in the Old Testament, Jesus in the New.  As the angel told Joseph, you shall call His Name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.  The Savior is as the Savior does.  The Lord (Yahweh) Saves.

By the Law’s knife, He sheds His forgiving blood. By His Divine Name He saves and blesses – even as a New Year is upon us. The Name of the Lord saves and His blood forgives.

His is no ordinary name.  He is no ordinary child.  The Fullness of deity dwells bodily in this child born of Mary.  The Divine Name is given to a man because this man is also divine.  This is what we confess in the Creed: He was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary.  And then comes the sweetest sentence of all – He was made man.  Pleased as Man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel.

He didn’t need to take a name quiz on Facebook.  Mary and Joseph didn’t need to look through a list of cute Hebrew baby names in the check-out line at the local Bethlehem market.  The Lord sends His messengers to declare His Name.  Here God names Himself, as He did in the days of Moses, so that He might give His name to man.

When His Name is present, God is present.  This is why the second commandment is no joke.  It’s more than simply blurting out, “O my God” in a moment of surprise or texting “omg” to a friend.  The Divine Name is a saving gift.  And like any gift it can be abused and misused, not just taken in vain, but also taken for granted.

The Second Commandment: You shall not misuse the Name of the Lord your God.  What does this mean?  We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use Satanic arts, lie or deceive by His Name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise and give thanks. 

            And there’s the rub against our old sinful nature that does not want to hallow God’s Name.  Our old sinful nature loves, even boasts of exalting our own name for the sake of our own name.  The Law not only ask us: “Have you taken the Lord’s Name in vain today?” It also asks, “Have you called upon your heavenly Father with delight?  Have you used holy words or holy names thoughtlessly?  Have you sworn carelessly or falsely?  Have you kept your vows – vows of baptism, of confirmation, of church membership, of marriage?  Have you received the gifts of God’s name faithfully?  Have you listened to and read God’s Word diligently.

            Now is not the time for New Year’s resolutions, but for New Year’s repentance.  To confess before our gracious Heavenly Father that we have misused His Name in thought, Word and deed.  To confess that His name and only His Name will save.  To remember that His name is Jesus and He saves us from our sins, even the ones against His Name.

            When the Name of God is used God Himself is present.  This is why sermons end and begin in the Name of Jesus or God’s Triune Name.  This is why it’s called Divine Service – In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  From Invocation to Benediction, God’s Name is present; God is present doing what He does best: saving, forgiving, and giving His Name hidden in the ordinary gifts of Words, Water, Bread and Wine.

            When the water is poured and the sign of the cross is made this Divine Name is placed upon you; you have a new name by the power of His Word.  In your baptism the Name of the Lord Saves.

            The words of absolution are announced, not in the name of the pastor, but “in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins” – sins of lying, deceiving, misusing and abusing God’s name – it’s forgiven by His Name through forgiveness of His blood, given and shed for your for the forgiveness of sins.

            The Name of the Lord Saves and His blood forgives.  By His Name you have been given access to the Holy of Holies, where the priests of old trembled to enter.  Now, in the Name of Jesus you are washed in baptism, declared forgiven in absolution, fed and nourished in His supper.  All that you were – sinful, lost in darkness and rebellion – He took to the cross for you so that all that He has – His Salvation, His eternal forgiveness and life – might be yours.

            In the eyes of the world this might just be another New Year’s Eve.  But in the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is the night where His Name is given and God Himself is present for you.

In the Name of Jesus + Amen.