Sinner and Saint

“Forgive and Forget”

Christmas 1, 2006

New Years Eve

Colossians 3:1-17

“Forgive and Forget”

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

            “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

Tonight there will be sung throughout the English speaking world a song that is more popular than anything we have sung this morning…it is the song Auld Lang Syne. What is humorous about this song is that in spite of its popularity it is aptly described by many as the song that nobody knows. Many people know some of the words but very few know the entire song. On top of that far fewer know that the song finds its origins in an old poet’s complaint of man’s ingratitude.

            Just so you all have an idea of what is being sung in the song “Auld Lang Syne” I will read it to you in a translated version…so that all of the old Scottish slang can be understood. [READ TRANSLATION]

            It would appear that this song is simply speaking about a friendship that has grown apart over the years and having one last hurrah together remembering the good times with a toast and drink. Sounds like New Year’s Eve Parties all right.

            This sinful world has seen relationships fall apart, we have seen friendships grow apart over the years…we have seen families divide, marriages broken, and hatred abound in the hearts of many. Christmas and New Years are a time when people lay aside their differences and usually treat each other with more love than usual. But it should not be temporary.  

            New Years Eve brings in January…the New Year. The word January has its meaning in the word door or portal from which a person may look both directions. New Year’s Eve…the night that we stand at this portal…this doorway into the new year… we join together in celebration of new beginnings… we look forward to a new start… and we even make new year’s resolutions. At the same time we look back at the past year and smile at the fun we had; at the joy we had…and try to say good bye to all the bad that happened.

            Yes, as we stand in the doorstep it may become hard to see past our record of imperfect endeavors, our lack of forgiving, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; our shortcomings and sins, all of which the blood of Christ must cover up. Yet we as Christians also look forward and see a bright future with promise and hope in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

            Sometimes it seems so easy to fall into the temptation that we can make it on our own…that when we have the chance to start over…to have a fresh start…we can do it without any help…without God. Year after year we come back to New Year’s Eve and stand at the doorway seeing the mistakes we have made, remembering the New Year’s resolutions that we made…and broke and again we look forward to a new start often making the same resolutions again.

            Its just so easy for us to say what we are going to do. Its so easy to stand at the beginning and plan things out perfectly. Its also easy to look at the past and know what we should have done. With all of this happening in our lives we begin to doubt God…and his love…and his plans for us. We seem to focus inward and trust solely in ourselves. Failure is lonely…living without forgiveness is lonely…living without friends and loved ones is very lonely…but living without Christ is living without hope. Yes, we worry if God loves us… or if He could ever forgive us.

            Saint Paul tells us in Colossians chapter three, shortly before our text, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

            The fact that you are now a child of God is proof of God's gracious will in Christ from all eternity. From eternity God has set you aside for a specific purpose. From eternity God has loved you in Christ Jesus. The Christian need not worry for no one can accuse them for they have been forgiven by God.

            Christmas…and New Years…is a time to focus on forgiveness. There are indeed times when others do things to us that they shouldn’t…there are times we do things to others that we shouldn’t. Far too often we hold grudges and fail to forgive others. Truly there is only one person that has been treated wrongly and has the right to hold back forgiveness. Christ had the greatest cause of complaint against us. Yet instead of holding back forgiveness and holding a grudge…Jesus died on the cross for you, me, and all those you hold a grudge against.

            As we come together this morning looking forward to celebrating a new beginning let us bring with us all of our sins bundled together on our shoulders. Let us come here to the foot of the cross and lay them at the feet of our Savior. As we come to Christ with our burdens that are heavy laden let us remember that Jesus takes them all upon himself. All of our sins have been taken away. Our Lord came to take all of our sins away so that we would be saved…free from sin and God’s wrath…and live with Him in paradise.

            Yes, tomorrow is a fresh start. Our fresh start is not one we need to live on our own. It is not a start of something that we want but cannot finish. Our fresh start is anew in Christ. Our fresh start is free from guilt for we have been forgiven. Our fresh start…is a time for us to start forgiving others and loving them. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

“The Light Has Come”

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

John 1:1-14

Isaiah 9:2-7

“The Light Has Come”

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

            How many of you know what today brings? You could answer Christmas, or the birth of Christ and those would be correct…but there is something else that happens today that is of interesting fact to Christmas. Earlier today I heard one of the Elders speak about this fact but I don’t know if he knew its importance to Christmas.

            Today marks the first day during winter that days begin to get longer and night begins to get shorter. This is a very important Christmas fact. Most people think that Christmas occurs at this time of year to counter a former pagan holiday and celebration and while that is part of the story…it is not the whole story.

            Christmas was chosen to be on December 25^th precisely because the light of day becomes longer because it is the day that Jesus the Light of the World came to earth. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2) “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:5)

            This world has seen the light of God’s love through the birth of Christ but does not understand it. Sure, the world loves to celebrate Christmas…at least the holiday part of it. People love exchanging gifts, being with family, and celebrating the birth of a sweet, innocent, cuddly, baby. The world, even if it doesn’t believe Jesus is God, loves the quaint story of the birth of Christ. The world just doesn’t get the point of Jesus birth. “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” (John 1: 10-11)

            Christmas, that wonderful time of year, has been made into the commercialized, secular, gift buying and giving, national, people get off from work….holiday. But you and I know that Christmas is about Christ. Christmas is about the wonderful news that Jesus is born…and the hope that the birth gives us.

            Yet Jesus was born for a very specific reason…a reason that isn’t so nice and cuddly… a reason that doesn’t seem joyful. Jesus was born in order to die…to die a very painful and horrific death…for a crime; a debt that he didn’t commit or owe. The truth is that Christ had to be born a human in order for His payment of our sin to be made. That side of the Christmas story isn’t popular, isn’t nice, isn’t joyous…now is it.

            Jesus did come to die for our sins: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)

            Now that is wonderful news…that is indeed the joyous news of Christmas! The manger that we all know and love finds its fulfillment in a less happy symbol of the cross. Jesus birth and crucifixion go hand and hand. Jesus had to be born to die for us…to die on the cross for us…that our sins would be forgiven. There could be no resurrection without Jesus birth. There would be no salvation without Jesus being born of the virgin Mary on that first Christmas day.

            Through Jesus our own days become brighter and more vibrant. Through Jesus our lives are filled with hope. Jesus, the reason for the season, is our joy! This gift given to us is a gift to be shared with all people…and we it’s messengers.

            “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

            Each of us has friends, neighbors, family, and loved ones that we care for so dearly this Christmas and throughout the year that do not know Jesus Christ as Lord; as the Light of the World. While there are times that we are quite dim lights as sinful Christians, we indeed have the light of Christ.

            This Christmas and every Christmas may the Lord use us that our light may shine before men…let it shine as Christ first loved us…let is shine out of love and concern for others. Our joy and comfort this Christmas and every day…is that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World…the light which darkness shall never overcome. Jesus lives and so shall you! God bless you this and every Christmas as you let your light shine before men with the joy and hope in the babe born in Bethlehemwho died on the cross for you and for all people. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

“Leap for Joy”

Christmas Eve Communion Service, 2006

Luke 1:39-45 [46-56]

“Leap for Joy”

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

            Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, was in her 60’s when she conceived. This is a remarkable event that would put her in the top 10 of mothers by age of recorded births. I cannot even come close to imagining the work and stress involved with being pregnant…least of all being pregnant at the age of 60 with the foretold prophet John after spending most of life unable to have children. Surely the news of conception made Elizabeth jump for joy! And yet, I’m sure that this joy was accompanied by stress, work, anxiety, and pain in the coming future.

             Elizabeth was six months pregnant, no doubt more than ready for John to be born, and answers her door to find a relative, Scripture does not specify of what relation, standing there waiting to be let in. One could imagine the awkwardness of the moment when someone unexpected, that has traveled a great distance to see you, shows up at the door. As if Elizabeth didn’t have enough to worry about…in walks Mary who just learned of her own pregnancy.

             What would the reaction by from Elizabeth? Certainly Elizabeth was unaware that Mary was going to give birth to the Messiah; they didn’t have phones back then and Mary came to see her right after the Angels told her of the wonderful news that she would be the mother of her Lord.

             Before we go any further…let me ask the mothers out there…how would you feel to have some distant relative came knocking on your door in the midst of your pregnancy? Now, for the guys out there…imagine the look on your wives faces when you inform them that all the buddies are coming over to have a beer and watch the game. The look you probably get…isn’t one you want to ever get! There are many different reactions, no doubt, that you could have. One might feel overjoyed that someone would travel at great length to come see you, one might wonder why they didn’t send word that they were coming, one might be horrified at the state of the house to have someone come in.

            With all the different ways Elizbaeth could have reacted…we get a bit of a surprise. “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

             Maybe I’m just cynical…but that isn’t how I would imagine anyone greeting an unexpected guest! Yet this is a response given by faith; a response prompted by the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth and the pre-born John show us the proper response we should have when we come face to face with our Lord…we should leap for joy.

            Out text shows us, more then that, the work of the Holy Spirit in both an adult and in a child still in his mother’s womb. Both Elizabeth and John were filled with the Holy Spirit…they were filled with faith…and both responded with faith by being joyful!

            Yet, you and I, we have faith as well…but do we rejoice… do we leap for joy when our Lord is near? Too often we live our lives as if God had no idea what was going on…and was never around. Yet we love to have God around…only when we need him and expect him…we don’t like it when God comes “unannounced” or when we don’t invite him to be around. We want God to help us out of desperate situations…but we don’t want God to see us when we are doing bad things. We want God to bring us our wants but don’t want God to see us misusing his gifts. We want there to be a Church but we don’t want to be forced to go.

            Christmas is about God coming when nobody was expecting…Christmas is about God giving us the greatest gift of all…His own Son Jesus Christ. Christmas is about Christ. We love Christmas time…the singing, getting together, exchanging gifts, feasting on great meals, and all the joy that is shared. For many, its even a great time to be in Church! But for too many…Church & God have nothing to do with Christmas and the holiday season.

            The gift of Christ…like so many years ago…is truly rejoiced by the few. Yet the gift of Jesus…the gift of faith as well…wasn’t promised to perfect people…but to sinners like you and me. Jesus is the gift for all people…a gift that should make everyone leap for joy.

            Church is the place where God promises to be to give us so many blessings. Church is a place where everyone is welcome because it is a place for sinners. Church is a place where God comes to us no matter who we are to give us the greatest gift of all! Church is where we “leap for joy” in response to the wonderful gifts of God.

As we gather here this morning/evening to receive the gifts of Jesus in his own body and blood shed for you on the cross…receive this gift with joy. Share the joy that you have with others this day and every day… for this is a gift that not only keeps on giving…but lasts for eternity. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

“Rejoice”

3^rd Sunday in Advent, 2006

Zephaniah 3:14-20

“Rejoice”

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

            The capital destroyed, thousands of people taken into captivity, famine, unrest, slavery. One could only imagine what this would be like and we certainly hope this never takes place in the world. Yet all of these things indeed took place almost 600 years before the birth of Christ. This event would be called Babylonian Captivity or Babylonian Exile.

            In 597 B.C. the Temple of Jerusalem was partially destroyed and ransacked. 10,000 Israelites were forced into captivity; among them were Israel’s most prominent citizens; professionals, priests, craftsmen, and the wealthy. The rest were allowed to stay until 587 B.C. when a Jewish uprising led to the total destruction of the temple and the captivity of many more Israelites. Again in 582 B.C. a third captivity occurred.

             The destruction of the temple, the mass exile of Israelites, famine, and suffering were a great shock to the Jewish people. It may be very hard to imagine today what it must have meant back then; the closest comparison would be the forced slavery of Africans in the early years of our own country.

            In those days normative Judaism meant living with the constant presence of God, which was always accessible at the Temple. Miracles occurred daily and could be witnessed by anyone. God was with his people and watched over them. But then prophets began foretelling of great destruction and captivity. Everything they knew to be normal would be taken or destroyed.

             The prophet Zephaniah prophesied that Jerusalem and Judah shall be destroyed and the people carried away because of their wicked life, devoid of repentance. The people had abandoned their commitment to the Lord and abused God’s gifts. Yet in the midst of all of this talk destruction, of sin, of un-repentance Zephaniah foretells of God’s grace. “Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!”

             One could only imagine the people after all of this destruction looking at the words of Zephaniah wondering if this could be true. Today, we do not live with forced exile; we have not had our capital or churches leveled. Yet we do have warfare; we do have bloodshed. In our own country there are murders by the minute, abortions by the second, hatred, abuse of God’s gifts, and many other abominations against our God.

            Not only do we see the suffering that sinful people cause we see the effects of sin on the innocent; we see deaths of loved ones on a all too regular basis, we see friends deal with illness, we have neighbors living in poverty, we have families split by divorce. Even Christmas it seems cannot mask the problems that we have in our lives.

            In the midst of all this I say to you “Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem.”

            But with all we just said how can we be so cheerful; how can we show so much love, how can we be glad with all our problems? Whether it is Christmas or not…the problems aren’t going away and they aren’t getting better…why rejoice?

            Yesterday, I was at the funeral service of Shirley Jany; the wife of my Vicarage Supervisor Rev. Lee Jany. We know death all too well and have felt shattered by losses of many loved ones these past months. This is indeed our question…how and why should we rejoice…this being the holidays or not…this being Christmas or not.

            The words of Zephaniah again speak to us as he spoke to the Israelites: “The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." "The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you. At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you; I will rescue the lame and gather those who have been scattered. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes," says the LORD.”

             We rejoice that our Lord, born of a virgin, came to earth to bear our sins. Jesus has taken our punishment away by bearing it himself. Jesus has defeated sin, death, and the devil; he has defeated our enemies. While we are burdened with so much heartache do not let it get you down, for our King in heaven has saved us from our sin. Rejoice; rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion. Shout daughter of Jerusalem for your King comes to you righteous and having salvation. Your King comes to take his servants home with him. Rejoice in the love that our Father has lavished upon us…love so strong and powerful that he gave up His son that we may be forgiven.     

             We rejoice this Christmas and every day that we are alive for the good and gracious gifts that God gives to us. While we will continue to have difficult days as long as we live in this sinful world we rejoice in the knowledge and promise that God gave to us in His Son Jesus Christ…the promise to forgive our sins, to remember them no more, and to take us home as His dear children.

            Rejoice my brothers and sisters in Christ…Christmas is coming…and we have received the gift of life and salvation…we have been given Jesus. Rejoice! Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

“Are you prepared to meet Jesus?”

Advent Mid-week 2, 2006

Matthew 21:1-9

Luke 1:26-37

“Are you prepared to meet Jesus?”

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

            If Christmas came tomorrow would you be prepared? For many of us there are presents that need to be wrapped…and bought. There are groceries that need to be bought, clothes to pack, there’s a lot of things that still need to be done. For many people Christmas is about procrastinating. Yet sometimes we need our back to the wall in order to get things done.

            Christmas comes the same time each and every year and yet so many people put off preparation till the last minute. Of course it’s not just Christmas. Students put off studying or doing homework until the last minute. Many people put off paying taxes until the last moment. Very often we run out of a certain food before we go to replenish our cupboards. People procrastinate daily.

            “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

             Now I don’t know about you…but I’m not sure if anyone is ever prepared to meet an angel. Mary, a young woman no older than 15 was already engaged to be married and now has an angel appear out of nowhere telling her that she is going to have a baby. One might suppose that Mary would be shocked beyond belief; she certainly had good reason to be.

            "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" Mary uses plain reason to question the angel. Indeed, Mary was a virgin and what would take place would be the miracle of Jesus being born of a virgin. “The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

            Mary, who had no warning of this happening had a very strong faith in God and knew that nothing is impossible with God. This shocked young woman spoke with such conviction “"I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Mary spoke with humility knowing that God’s will would be done. Mary also knew that others would accuse her of many things, that her own fiancée might even break off the marriage. But Mary knew that God would take care of her no matter what the world might do. Mary’s faith was prepared for God’s plan.

            Over thirty years later, Jesus was entering Jerusalem. Jesus was in his third year of his ministry. “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

             These people knew Jesus, they praised Jesus, and yet call him only a prophet. These people had seen the marvelous works of God in the flesh. They received countless blessings and had seen many miracles that only God could do. They praised Jesus with all their soul. It would seem that their faith was strong…but these same crowds would only days latter yell all the louder “Crucify Him!”

            As we prepare for Christmas and Jesus 2^nd coming we must look at how prepared we are. If Christmas becomes just a holiday when we give each other gifts, hope for the best presents, and celebrate Santa then we are no more prepared then the crowds in our text. Many people will tell you that Christmas is all about giving, but that isn’t necessarily right. Christmas is about God giving His Son to us and it is about us receiving our Lord by faith.

            Are you prepared for Jesus to come again? As long as you have faith you are. As we prepare for Christmas we remember that Jesus is the only reason for the Season. Jesus is the first and greatest gift. Yet God gives us even more gifts and blessings. God gives us the gift of fellowship with one another, the gift of His Word and Sacraments. Within these gifts we are given faith and forgiveness.

            All of these gifts that God gives to you…that you need for eternity are all right here in this place. Yet we so often forget about these gifts, we often take these gifts for-granted, we often keep these gifts to ourselves.

            Christmas is about giving…let us by faith share the wonderful news of Jesus birth to all those around us. If no other gifts are exchanged this Christmas then Jesus love for all people then we are being faithful servants…and are preparing for Jesus to come.

            We have seen Jesus and look forward to His coming again. As Simeon spoke after seeing the Christ, as we sing after receiving our Lord’s body and blood, let us also sing in our daily lives as we remember our newborn King: “Lord now let your servant depart in peace according to your Word for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people. A Light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.”

             Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all. For Jesus came into the world in order to pay a debt that he didn’t owe, because we had a debt we couldn’t pay. God’s blessings on this and every day as we remember God’s gift of love. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

“CHRISTmas Fact”

Advent 2, 2006

Luke 3:1-14 (15-20)

“CHRISTmas Fact”

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

            Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, Annas, and Caiphas; some of the most famous people at the time of Jesus. These names may seem somewhat familiar with us…maybe a bit more if we are speaking of Jesus Crucifixion and Easter. But we are not speaking of Easter right now but of Advent…of preparation for the coming of Jesus birth. This might seem like a strange way for St. Luke to introduce John the Baptist but it isn’t really.

            From the time of Luke to this very day, the authority of Scripture has been questioned by Christians claiming the Bible was written by biased, sinful, sexist men to atheists that believe the Bible is a book of tales with no truth at all. For this reason Luke begins by giving us Historical fact in the same manner that History books were written in the same time period. Not only does Luke give us prominent Political figures but also lists two Ecclesiastical figures in Annas and Caiphas. Luke points to history to show that he is written the truth, to date when these things took place, to quiet the critics, and to strengthen the believer’s faith in God’s Word. The Christian faith is rooted in Historical Fact.

            If we were to look at God’s Word, through a historical apologetic, we would be able to prove that the Bible is true. Some might say it isn’t important that all these things in the Bible are historically accurate. Others may ask how this is possible. The Bible indeed is historically accurate and must be. The Virgin Birth, Crucifixion, and Resurrection must have occurred in history or they wouldn’t count for anything! In order for us to really be saved these events really had to happen.

            So then how can this be proved to really have taken place? This was the question of the Apologetics Conference that Alicia and I attended this past summer in Strasbourg. I will of course give you a very brief description…or I may end up preaching for days and let’s face it…your only going to put up listening to me for a certain period of time.

             The Bible is indeed true because Jesus promised to rise from the dead and Jesus did rise from the dead. Jesus did what he said he would do. We know this because of all the witnesses that were present. The apostles testify to these events…and they do so in a very honest way. Remember that some, like the ELCA, acknowledge that the Bible speaks against homosexuality and women pastors but defend it by saying that the Apostles were sexist in their writings…yet the Apostles wrote that it was the women that first saw Jesus arisen. We also see that the Gospel writers wrote down their own shortcomings…people that lie or embellish the truth go on to embellish themselves but not so for the Apostles.

            It is also interesting that while the Apostles were preaching this message to the World, and even quote the hundreds of people that saw Jesus after he rose, that the Pharisees, the Chief Priests and Jewish leaders never said anything to the contrary of this event taking place! The New Testament was written by witnesses that gave proof, gave first hand eye-witness accounts, and did not lie or embellish the facts.

            So the Bible is accurate and truthful about the Resurrection. For the Bible to be true it must all be true. If one thing is false then the rest of Scripture will crumble along with it. If the Virgin Birth isn’t true none of it is. If Jesus wasn’t really Crucified the rest is a made up lie. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead…then he didn’t do what he said he would do and we would all be lost. The same goes for all of Scripture which includes the Six day twenty four hour Creation, the Flood, and the Parting of the Sea.

            Luke has shown us the facts; given us proof of reliability…and then gives us an important message regarding John the Baptist…the person that Isaiah foretold “A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 40:3-5)

             "He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." Many Christians interpret this verse (verse 3) and verse 16 [“I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”] as being two different baptisms.

            John preached “Repent and be baptized to have your sins forgiven.” Luther would say of this passage and others that “Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is life and salvation.” Luther also recorded that John was issued this command: “to baptize with water for repentance and for the forgiveness of sin, which was to be accorded all men through Christ” (LW 22:172) John preached law to show people their sins but he also preached clear Gospel. Lutherans stand alone in their understanding of baptism as a true means of grace.

            In Luke 7:30 [“But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.”] Jesus calls John’s baptism the gracious plan of God. Ephesians 4:4 speaks of “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” That is repeated by the Nicene Creed: “I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” St. John tells us in his Gospel that John the Baptist and Jesus’ disciples baptized side by side. John’s baptism, a true means of grace, looked forward to the complete fulfillment by Christ and was for all nations.

             John is Jesus’ humble forerunner, doing only that which he was told to do. He does not say that his baptism was not effective. The difference was in the person doing the baptism…not the efficacy of the baptism.

            Every baptism, whether performed by the Baptist, his disciples, Jesus’ disciples, on Pentecost, or any time after, even up to the baptisms on the year 2007 and beyond—every baptism is effective only because Jesus bestows the Holy Spirit and fire. “Fire” is the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins. As we sing in the hymn “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord!” verse 3: “Thou holy Fire, Comfort true, Grant us the will Thy work to do and in Thy service to abide; Let trials turn us not aside. Lord, by Thy power prepare each heart and to our weakness strength impart that bravely here we may contend, thro’ life and death to Thee, our Lord, ascend. Halelujah! Halelujah!”

            As John has prepared the way for the Lord through baptism, we too have been prepared for our Lord’s second coming through baptism as well. You have been given faith and God has strengthened it through Scripture, Jesus’ body and blood. Have comfort in the CHRISTmas fact! For Jesus was born of a virgin in order to suffer on the cross and be raised by the Father that we might have life! Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.

"Promise Fulfilled"

1^st Sunday in Advent, 2006

Jeremiah 33:14-16

“Promise Fulfilled”

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

            Children have an astounding talent of remembering. They remember all kinds of small details, they remember things they hear from others, they remember bad words we wish we never said in front of them, they remember things that we promise. So often children remember things we wish they didn’t and things we never thought they would.

            As a child…I seemed to remember every promise my parents would make to me…or at least every promise I thought they made with me. Whenever my parents didn’t give me what was promised…I would have a fit and remind them. Many times they had not forgotten…but were making me wait and other times they did indeed forget. This they had a habit of calling “Some-timers” disease. This is a disease I despised and now seem to suffer from…especially with my loving wife.

            Very often we get upset with ourselves and others when a promise is broken. We also seem to hold on to broken promises to bring up in the future when we are angry, sad, or just being ornery. We learn from broken promises that we should never make a promise we can’t keep. But we seem to go ahead and promise away…without regards to who may remember, be hurt, or be offended. We don’t learn from our mistakes…at least not very well. Indeed we make many promises we can’t keep…and some that we never intend to keep.

            Imagine, if you will, the number of promises that people make to God. I cannot tell you how heart wrenching it is to see a person down on their knees begging God for help; promising God to be a better person, go to Church, work harder, lose weight, quit drinking or smoking… the list goes on and on. All too many of these people make promises they never intended to keep.

            Yet God, regardless of what we do, makes promises to us…promises that He keeps. “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.” God kept that promise and all promises he ever made. He gave Elizabeth a son, Simeon saw his Lord before he died, the Israelites were brought out of slavery and eventually were given the Promised Land, God gave Abraham many sons.

             The prophets knew that God always kept His promises and would end their prayers to God “as you promised.” The prophets did this not because they doubted the Lord would remember but for comfort and assurance. These words show the prophets faith in that they believed and relied on God’s promises.

            I’m sure each of you has seen in your own way the effects of our ice storm we incurred a couple days ago. Thousands upon thousands are without power. As you now know our sister Church in Chestnut along with the entire community is without power. No doubt many have called the power company asking how long it will be until their power is restored. I’m not sure if Ameren makes promises anymore or even gives much of an estimate…but we hold them to the time they tell us. We often wonder why we haven’t gotten our power back yet when others have. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to be one of the power workers climbing poles, re-wiring communities, and staying up all night working in freezing weather.

What happens when people don’t get their power back when it was promised? Surely many people will call them complaining, yelling, and cursing in disgust. Yet, we sinful people, doubt God’s promises to us. We treat God even worse then people that are unable to fulfill every promise. How do we go on to treat God when we don’t get what we want? When we don’t get things that God never promised us. How often do we instead ignore all the blessings God has given us especially the wonderful gifts he has promised and fulfilled.

So what has God ever promised to me…and kept…that is so good? “In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.” God promised the Israelites and all sinners throughout the world; us, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.

St. Paul reminds the earliest Christians and all believers of God’s fulfilled promises in Acts 13:16-23: “Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do. From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.”

We are assured that God keeps His promises in the birth of Jesus. We are assured of God’s promises in Jesus’ death on the cross. We are assured of God’s promises and love for us in Jesus’ resurrection. God has promised us a Savior and has kept his promises to us.

As you go on to celebrate with friends and loved ones remember that Jesus is the only reason for the season. Share the love of God with all those around you; share the wonderful news that God has indeed kept his promise to us. There is no Christmas without Christ. Jesus was born in order to die for you that you may live with him. God bless each of you this Advent season as we look forward in joyous celebration to the birth of Jesus; the birth of a King; the birth of our Savior. God’s promise is fulfilled. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen.