Sinner and Saint

A New Covenant

Lent 5, 2009

Jeremiah 31:31-34

“A New Covenant”

 

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

 

“Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.” (Exodus 19:3-8)

These words, recorded in Exodus 19, tell us of the covenant between Israel and God. God had saved the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and was promising to make them a great and special nation…God’s own nation as long as they obeyed Him. As we heard the people replied “we will do everything the Lord has said.” The covenant was made. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses and the people by God. Both God and the Israelites promised to keep the covenant. The covenant was solemnized by the blood of an unblemished lamb. The people of Israel were bound to their promise.

“The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, " declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:31-32)

As we know something terribly wrong took place. The covenant had been broken. For 860 years God had been faithful to His people. God had given his people food to eat, a new home, a powerful kingdom, kings as they had desired, faithful prophets, military victory after military victory. He forgave the people when they had fallen away and blessed them for their faith. As God remained faithful all those years…the nation of Israel had not. The people complained about the food they were given (Manna and Quail in the desert), as soon as Moses went up the mountain to get the 10 Commandments which followed their promise to obey God, the people made a golden calf to worship. Their kings, as we have learned in our Lenten midweek sermon series, went from bad to worse to horrible. The people rejected God and turned to idol worship and trust in self. The Kings led the people to believing they could make it on their own. They trusted in man rather than God. Finally enough was enough. Israel had broken their promise thus breaking the covenant and they would be destroyed and exiled to Babylon.

One of the most amazing phenomena of our day is a revived faith in humanity. “In an atmosphere of brooding fatalism, his heart flushed empty of confidence, man reminds himself that there are tremendous, unused virtues slumbering within the human race which may yet prove man’s salvation.” (Joel H. Nederhood) Some people maintain this optimism today in the face of all the facts and lessons of Genghis Khan, who slaughtered thousands in his sweeps across Asia; in spite of a Tamerlane, who piled 90,000 heads outside a city gate in 1215; in spite of Hitler, Mussolini, Eichmann, Bin Laden, and heinous atrocities in recent conflicts, there are still those who cheerfully say: “I still believe in man!”  “I still believe that we can do anything.” There are many who put their trust in self and man rather than God.

As Christians we are God’s chosen people…a royal nation! But by Old Testament standards we would stand with the nation of Israel in breaking the covenant with God. While God has given us blessing after blessing we fail as His people too. Like the nation of Israel we fail at proclaiming Jesus to all those around us. We complain at what God gives us, we put our trust in ourselves, we make possessions and creation itself our god. When we look at the 10 commandments we must admit that we have broken them all…each and every one of them. Because of man’s sinfulness the old covenant was broken…but God didn’t leave us in a state of desperation, loneliness, and fear. God made a new covenant.

“This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34)

The new covenant, the covenant that God has made with us brings comfort and joy to our sinful hearts. This new covenant has been solemnized in the blood of the Lamb of God Christ Jesus our Lord. While we are very often unfaithful Jesus was faithful unto death on the cross for us. The new covenant will never be broken! The new covenant is a fountain of forgiveness that never ceases to flow. God continues to forgive us over and over again and remembers our sins no more. We are made perfect through the blood of Christ. Through Christ we are never in doubt because we have been joined by baptism in to His death and Resurrection. Through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts we are kept in God’s ways.

The new covenant will never be broken because Jesus was perfectly faithful for us. Now God’s law is written in our hearts by faith. By faith we are God’s children. God is our God and we are His people. By faith we see the work of God in our lives. We see His perfect will for us, His deliverance, His forgiveness, and His blessings. We truly KNOW God by faith…each and every one of us from the baptized infant to the patriarchs of the faith. By the faith God has given us we are able to lovingly share the wonderful news of a Savior to the world…to our brothers, sisters, and neighbors. We share our knowledge of Christ.

Really knowing the Lord is knowing His excellent way of salvation. Really knowing the Lord is knowing by your own experience His pardoning grace. Through Jesus you are forgiven. You have received this forgiveness in your baptism. You have received this forgiveness this very morning. You have received forgiveness in Jesus body and blood. By faith we know our Savior Jesus Christ. We know His love. We know His forgiveness. We know the Victory has been won. 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.

Our Father's House

Lent 3, 2009

John 2:13-22

“Our Father’s House”

 

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

 

 

            One of the first questions I have heard by non-members that have contacted the church for a wedding service is “how much does it cost?” There was a couple here in Clinton calling to find out our rate compared to the rates of the other churches in town. Though they were surprised that we didn’t charge for weddings they didn’t like the idea of marriage counseling or desire to join our congregation. Is it really that surprising for a church to not charge for the services of the congregation? I thought we had gotten away from the awful practice of the church seemingly selling God’s gifts. I thought we were done with the idea that “when coin in coffer rings a soul from purgatory springs.”

            In Jesus time the main worship at the Temple in Jerusalem was centered around the Passover. During the Passover hundreds of thousands of Jews would journey to the temple to make a sacrifice for their sins. Each family was responsible for bringing an animal to be sacrificed.

            “When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.” (John 2:13-14)

            The temple sat on a high place above most of the city of Jerusalem. There were many steps you would walk up to get to the gates you would pass through to get to the courtyards surrounding the temple. These courtyards had been turned into a market when Jesus went to the temple. There were merchants selling various animals…doves (which were the cheapest), sheep (mid-priced), and cattle (expensive) that could be bought for the sacrifice. Most people wouldn’t travel hundreds of miles with animal to sacrifice…so most would buy them in Jerusalem. The merchants were required to add a tax to the merchandise to pay the temple leaders. But before you could do that you were required to have the right kind of money. No worries…for there were money changers, our modern currency exchange, right there to help you. They too, of course, charged to change your money. Everything was there…but at a price…a price that was exorbitant to the poor, high for the “middle class,” and a waste for the wealthy as they tried to “one up” each other with the expense of their sacrifice.

            It’s one thing to collect offering and donations that are “free will” and given from the heart to fund the church and its mission…it is another to be setting prices, taxing, and making money at the expense of the people.

            Sadly today, many churches resemble the temple in Jerusaelm. I know of a church in Arizona that operates a bookstore and coffee shop on site 7 days a week. There is nothing wrong with going to buy music, books, bibles, clothing, and jewelry…but at a church? There is nothing wrong with getting a good cup of Joe, some hot chocolate, a breakfast sandwich or burger…but at church?

            I could even point out a church I was looking at that is located in California that charges for weddings…and I do mean charge! This church proclaims to invite you to worship with them saying “You are always welcome to this congregational of open hearts, open minds and open doors” right before informing you that the cheapest you could hold a wedding at their church was $1,125.00. That didn’t include the Pastor, counseling, an organist, organ usage fee, audio recording, or soloist. If you wanted all of that it would be just over $2,000. Two thousand dollars and you don’t have the reception planned yet. Is the church a business or the place where God comes to serve you?

            How sad it is to see the Church being overcome as just another business with a good marketing plan. But we do the same thing in our lives with God’s “other” temple. “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

            Truly we turn God’s temple into a marketplace of sin! We lust for money and power and do all we can to get it. We desire all the best “toys” of this world and waste money on our desires. Through our mouths God’s temple utters words of cursing, hate, and abuse.  We try to fill our hearts with working and playing as we lie, cheat, and steal. We hurt and abuse others without regard as we think of ourselves first. Instead of our temples; our very lives being lived for Christ…they are lived for self. Our temples are filled with sin and in need of a Savior.

            “So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!” (John 2:15-16)

            God is indeed angry with what we have done with our lives and bodies which are God’s temple. God is indeed angry when the Church turns into a business with a marketing ploy. God is indignant over sin and will indeed punish it! All of us have turned the temples of our bodies into a market place and need to ask for God’s forgiveness.

            Jesus is here to drive the sinfulness out of the temple that is your body. Jesus is here to cleanse you. Through Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; through the washing away of our old Adam and the eating and drinking of Jesus’ very body and blood Christ cleans out your temple and makes it holy. The Holy Spirit makes his dwelling in you!

            Thanks be to God for his forgiveness. Thanks be to God that salvation is free for all. The payment for our sins was paid by Jesus death on the cross. Salvation is yours by grace…there is no payment that Jesus charges. Grace is given freely out of God’s love for you. God’s love for you is amazing and the proof of that love is the cross, the nail marks, and the Resurrection. Jesus has risen and you are saved. Amen.

 

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

My will be done

Lent 2, 2009

Mark 8:31-38

“My will be done”

 

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

 

            One of the hardest things in the world to believe, understand, and accept for non-Christians and often us Christians is God dying for all sins. Very often non-believers like much of what they hear from the Bible…but they just can’t accept Jesus dying for their sins. It is hard to understand why for many of us. It might be that non-believers reject the idea that they do something wrong. They might disagree that they need a Savior. They even might think that if they had done something wrong…than they can take care of it themselves. Regardless of the reason there is no doubt why Paul wrote to the Corinthians “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.” (1 Corinthians 1:22-23)

            It shouldn’t surprise us that many have issues with a Savior dying for them when the Disciples had the same problem.“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.” (Mark 8:31-32)

            In less than a year after Jesus spoke these words about His coming death…Jesus would in fact be crucified. The time had come when Jesus spoke openly about what needed to take place; namely His suffering and death at the hands of the Jewish leaders. Peter was offended. Peter rebuked…corrected Jesus words. Peter didn’t want Jesus to die…he needed Jesus…the world needed Jesus…especially the Jews.

            The Jewish nation was looking for the Messiah in all the wrong places. The people were looking for a King to lead them and instead they found a carpenter’s son that refused to fight. The people were looking for a military commander to defeat the Romans and instead they found a man that said they should keep on paying their taxes to Caesar. The people looked for the Messiah on their own terms. The Disciples were no different. They too were looking for an earthly Savior…someone that would be with them and lead them to salvation. Peter didn’t want to hear anything about Jesus suffering and dying. Peter and the Disciples wanted a Savior…but on their own terms.

            Wouldn’t it be nice if it were “my will be done” in the Lord’s Prayer. Even without saying those words that is often what we mean. We want Jesus on our own terms. We want to be Christians…on our own terms. The world would be fine with a Jesus that performed miracles, helped others, and even ruled us all in peace. The world is fine with miracle workers…but not with a God that dies because of our sins.  Our sinful will is to take credit for the good in our life and question God for the bad. Instead of acknowledging sin we make reasons to justify our actions. When things don’t go our way we rebuke God like Peter rebuked Jesus. But Jesus has the final word.

           “But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Mark 8:33)

            Satan had already tempted Jesus offering Jesus this world and all it has if Jesus would bow down and worship him. How often we fall into this sin. We love the riches of this world. We glory in our possessions; our homes, our cars, our boats, our jobs, our status in society. We glory in our power. We glory in things that do not last. Satan promises us all the world has…but he cannot and never will be able to keep that promise. When Peter rebuked the need for Jesus to suffer and die…thinking he knew a better way…thinking that Jesus could stay and rule…he was offering Jesus the riches of this world, like Satan, instead of the suffering and death He would take upon himself so that we would be saved.

            “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38)

            Jesus knows the thoughts of the disciples and the rest of the people. Jesus knew that they didn’t really understand what was going on…that Jesus had to suffer and die. Faith in Jesus isn’t about having everything you want in this world. Faith in Jesus isn’t about life being easy. In reality it is often the opposite. This life is indeed full of hardships and pain.

            My brothers and sisters in Christ; even though it’s not possible: what good is having all the riches of this world? It’s great having the biggest house…but what happens when it burns down, gets foreclosed, or damaged by storms? It’s great having the nicest car…but what happens when it gets old, rusty, and damaged in an accident? What’s great about having wealth when it’s lost in the stock market? Most importantly…what’s great about any of the riches in this world…that do not last…especially when you die? The riches of this world cannot be taken with you after death. What good are these riches when they cost you salvation?

           “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

            Be comforted people of God. God will provide all that you need. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:28-31)

            Fear not! God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. God provides all that we need in this world and the next, most importantly, life in Jesus through faith. God’s will is for His beloved children to be saved and have life with Him in heaven forever. God’s will was accomplished as Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead. Our comfort is in knowing that God’s will has been accomplished. The victory has already been won for you. You were purchased by the blood of Christ and you belong to Him for all eternity. The riches of heaven itself are yours and they will never be destroyed. 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.

Conquerors

Lent 1, 2009

“Conquerors”

Genesis 22:1-18

Romans 8:31-39

 

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

 

 

            Have you ever noticed how many rules there are in life? Maybe you’ve noticed how many laws there are in the Bible other then the Ten Commandments…say most of the book of Leviticus. Sometimes it seems like God wants too much from us. Its sometimes easy for us to start listing all of the things we do that God asks… He wants us to go to church every Sunday; he wants us to forgive everyone for stuff they do to us; he wants us to give money to the church, the poor, and all kinds of other charities. He wants us to give up things we like and like to do. We shouldn’t speed; we shouldn’t drink too much; we shouldn’t have sex outside of marriage; we shouldn’t use bad words…oh the list seems to go on and on. Too many things to list them all…so much expected of us.

Yet God has asked what seems to be even more…out of His servant Abraham. “Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.  Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."  Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.  When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.” (Genesis 22:1-10)

Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only son to God. You could imagine the pain in Abraham’s bosom…to sacrifice his own son. I am sure he didn’t want to do it…I’m sure he wished there was another way. I’m sure it broke his heart in two thinking about losing his child…even if it was as a sacrifice to God. Yet, Abraham’s faith was strong…he knew that he must obey God and that everything God did was for the better of his people. Abraham was willing to give up his son to God…and was moments away from slaying Isaac. I’m sure you’ll agree…we couldn’t do that…we wouldn’t have the faith of Abraham to give up our son as a sacrifice.

“But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." (Genesis 22:11-14)

Surely Abraham welled up in tears of joy at what happened…his son would live. God had surely shown mercy to his servants…and even provided a ram as the sacrifice. Truly…this is the origin of the term “scape-goat” for the ram was sacrificed for the sins of the people.

But sometimes it doesn’t seem like God comes in the nick of time for us. There are often times that we pray to God for help…and it doesn’t seem like he answers. Natural disasters strike with devastation. There are murderers that take the lives of innocent people. There are terrorists that strike bystanders. We lose our jobs, our homes, and even our loved ones without warning. It truly seems that we are, as St. Paul describes in the Epistle, sheep to be slaughtered. Yes, at these times we wonder if God loves us or if there truly is a God out there…we feel all alone.

A tourist in New York took the trip to the top of the Empire State Building.As he was looking down from that view to the people on the sidewalks, they looked like ants running around. He said, “I imagine this is the way the people of the earth look to God.” But that’s not right! God doesn’t look down from a high pinnacle and watch people struggle and suffer. He Himself came down to them in the person of His Son Jesus Christ and went the way of the cross to help them.

Yes, our Father in heaven knows our pain, our sorrow, our loss. It was our Father in heaven that gave his only son to be the scape-goat of our sins. When it comes to all the heartache in this world; all the sin; all the sorrow; all the death and disease we should quickly take note of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans: “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39)

            These words of Paul are words of comfort…they are words that are inspirational. A poem that many of us know…also catches the thought of Paul. The poem is called Footprints in the Sand.

“One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you [once I was baptized into your name], you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.” (Carolyn Carty)

Truly our heavenly Father, who sent his only son to die for you…out of love…for you…,is always watching over you. Yes, our Lord and Savior carries us often in this life…he carries us from our baptism to our death and brings us home to heaven. No matter what happens in this life; no matter what you go through…no matter what you may have done… nothing will be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

 

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