Sinner and Saint

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand

Epiphany 3, 2014

Matthew 4:17

“The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

 

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

 

            “The world is very evil, the times are waxing late; Be sober and keep vigil, The Judge is at the gate; The Judge that comes in mercy, The Judge that comes with might, To terminate the evil, To diadem the right.” (TLH 605)

          The world was very evil during the time of Christ as well. Our Gospel lesson takes place right after John the Baptist had been imprisoned by Herod. John had proclaimed “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) John baptized for the forgiveness of sins. He called wickedness sin…and sin evil. He called people to repentance. He was thrown into jail for it. He would die for proclaiming the truth of God’s Word.

          What John faced were sinful people. Many believed the message of John…were baptized…sought forgiveness…and received faith. Others questioned John’s call for repentance. Many claimed that they had already repented…why did they need to repent again? Others laughed at John and said that they didn’t need to repent.

          Doesn’t that sound like our world today. We give thanks for those that have been called to repentance and faith…and do believe in God. Yet many question why they need to repent again and again and again while others laugh at the notion of sin and a need for repentance. The world is very evil, just like it was back then.

          The call to repent is the message of the New Testament. John the Baptist proclaimed it in preparation of the coming Messiah. Here in our text, at the beginning of His ministry, Jesus preaches to the people: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) It is exactly the same phrase used by John; it is the exact same phrase Jesus would use once more when he told the 12 Disciples: go “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (Matthew 10:6-7)

          What is so important about this message? Why is it that John the Baptist preaches this message, Jesus preaches this message, and the 12 Disciples are told to preach this message? Repent. The people are told to repent. It is much more than just apologizing for something when you have been caught. True repentance is a change of heart; a change of attitude; a change of living. To repent means to do a complete 180 and turn from sinfulness to faith in Christ. True repentance is leaving sinfulness and by faith trusting completely in Jesus.

          That’s an important message to proclaim! That is a life or death message; eternal life in heaven or eternal damnation in hell. The message had to be proclaimed right away…there was no time to waste! The kingdom of heaven was at hand.

          Including today…what takes place in 80 days? Does anybody know? It’s not Easter…or Pentecost…it isn’t a Church holiday. It’s tax day. There are already many people that have finished their taxes. The closer we get to tax day…the more urgent it gets to finish your preparation and file your taxes. Why? We don’t want to pay any additional penalties…right? And yet many won’t get their taxes filed…and many will have stiff penalties to pay…and that happens even though we know the exact date and time the taxes are due.

          The kingdom of heaven is different. A better terminology would be to use the “reign of heaven is at hand.” God isn’t coming to earth to set up a kingdom…yet His reign is at hand. John the Baptist proclaimed that the reign of heaven was at hand…that is…the Messiah is coming and coming soon. Jesus proclaimed that the reign of heaven was at hand…that is…He was the Messiah and the reign had begun. Jesus told the Disciples to continue the message, “the reign of heaven is at hand.” They were to proclaim that Jesus was the Messiah and the reign has begun. We continue to proclaim to believers and unbelievers alike: “repent, for the kingdom [reign] of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)

          The reign of heaven has begun. Jesus has come, has died, has risen, and has ascended into heaven. The reign has begun…the kingdom is at hand…the beginning of the end has started…Judgment day is coming; it is coming soon. As the hymn I quoted earlier says, “The Judge is at the gate!” And unlike Tax Day…we don’t know the exact time when Jesus will return. So the message “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17) becomes even more important and urgent to proclaim.

          “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

          “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) Repent, for Christ has come, the end is near. Repent. Receive faith. For when our Lord returns there is no more time. Repent. Receive faith. For you don’t know the hour that the Lord will return…or when you will die. Repent before it’s too late.

          We get it. We are evil. We need to repent and have faith. But what is so great about this message? What is great…what is joyful…what gives us hope and chills down our back…is what God gives to the repentant. It is God who calls us to repentance. It is God that leads us to repentance. It is God who gives us faith.

          While God could certainly say “do this or else” God instead says repent, be baptized, receive the gift of faith, receive the gifts Jesus has won for you. God loves us so much that He has given us thousands of years to repent and receive faith. God loves us so much that He sent us a Savior…because we couldn’t believe on our own, repent on our own, or earn salvation on our own. God loves us so much that He calls us to repentance so that we would gain life and salvation in Christ Jesus.

          Repent. Stop sinning. Stop the train heading recklessly to damnation in hell. Stop throwing your life away. Turn to Christ. Receive the gifts He has won for you: Salvation, forgiveness, life, and heaven. Receive the gift of being a son and daughter of the King.

          Repent. Receive faith. The kingdom of heaven is at hand…and you are sons and daughters of the King. Repent and receive forgiveness in the very body and blood of Christ this day. Repent…and receive the riches of heaven; life eternal with all the saints in paradise. 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.

Behold, the Lamb of God

Epiphany 2, 2014

John 1:29-42a

“Behold, the Lamb of God”

 

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

  

            There are those that teach and believe that the world is getting better…that people are getting better…societies are getting better…life is getting better. I am not one that believes that. I don’t believe that because the world has not changed in the fact that we are all sinful. Since Adam and Eve first sinned the world has been corrupted; people have been corrupted. Each of us has been born sinful…born into the darkness of sin.

          We are “in the dark.” Our condition is much worse than being without physical light. It cannot be penetrated by spotlights or laser beams. It is the darkness that Jesus describes when He says, “If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23)

          The only fitting comparison to our condition is what astronomers have termed a “black hole.” Their theory suggest that deep in space there are collapsed stars so dense and with such strong gravitational pull that they literally swallow up everything—planets, moons, and stars. They all disappear into this dark abyss, and not even light can escape.

          Such a black hole is right here, as the Lord says, within us. It’s the black hole of our sin. It’s the darkness of death itself. Pointing to the heart of our problem, the psalmist cries: “Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.” (Psalm 107:10-11)

          This is our condition. We are all poor miserable sinners. We confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We are all wretched people deserving nothing but God’s wrath; eternal damnation in hell. We covet things that are not ours. We lust after other’s husbands and wives, we speak ill and tell rumors about others…especially those whom we don’t like, we steal from others, commit adultery in our hearts and in our lives. We ignore those that live together before marriage…look at porn on the internet…go to strip clubs…or watch lewd movies. We murder others by our words and thoughts. We disobey our parents and others that God has placed over us. We make excuses for not going to Church…or not liking a sermon…or teaching…that comes from God’s Word. We curse and swear and use all kinds of foul language. Each time we sin we put other false gods before the true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

          So yes, we are wretched sinners that deserve damnation. We are no better than Hitler, Bin Laden, Jim Jones or any other person whom society deems the worst of people. As Scripture records “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:10-18)

          Even John the Baptist; the forerunner of Christ admits “I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:33-34) Without God’s gift of the Holy Spirit no one would know God; no one would have faith, no one would be saved. Instead we would all be slaves. As our Lord says, “everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34) Scripture also tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and that “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)

          All that is left for us…on our own…is misery. It is OUR sin and OUR guilt…that deserve damnation. We have no one to blame but ourselves. Sure we may try to ignore our sin and guilt…we may try to forget what we have done or what we deserve…we may try to justify our actions. But the misery continues. Our sin continues. The guilt continues. Our punishment draws closer. Because of our sin…we suffer…we hurt…we get depressed…and we are ridden with guilt for what we have done. We cry out with Saint Paul, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24)

          But there is hope. There is something that brings us joy in this dark world. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Jesus is the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. Jesus has come to take away your sin. He has taken your sin to the cross. The wickedness of your sin has been forgiven. Your guilt has been taken as well. No longer are you a filthy wretched sinner. You are God’s beloved child. Jesus not only took your sins to the cross, He also took the wrath of God you deserved upon His shoulders.

          My brothers and sisters in Christ, “behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) The Lamb of God is here. He is found in this place. He is found upon the altar. We behold the lamb of God every time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. In Communion we see the Lamb of God who takes away your very sin. What comfort it is to receive Jesus in with and under the bread and wine. What comfort it is to receive strength and forgiveness in that meal.

          “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). It is because Jesus is in with and under the bread and wine that we should want to take Communion as often as possible. It is because it gives us strength to overcome this dark world that we should want to take Communion as often as possible. It is because our sins are forgiven that we should want to take Communion as often as possible.

          In a world where we are constantly buffeted by sin and Satan; in a world where we are surrounded by unbelief, in lives that struggle with sinfulness, guilt, and despair….we have Jesus. We have Jesus who comes to us in His body and blood. He gives us the very best: Himself…that we would have life in Him.

            What a wonderful message we have been given: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) The Lamb of God has taken away the sin of the world. You are forgiven. What a wonderful message we have been given to share. 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.

Where is He found?

Christmas 2, 2014

Luke 2:40-52

“Where is He found?”

 

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

 

            Growing up my parents took us to church. That makes a lot of sense…after all my dad is a Pastor. What I mean is this. Growing up my parents took us to church. It was a given. We weren’t asked if we wanted to go to church. We all went to church. I remember one Sunday waking up…LATE! The house was silent. I checked bedrooms, the living room, the kitchen, and nobody was home. What happened? Why didn’t they wake me up…or make sure I was up? How could they leave me home? These were certainly not typical questions coming from a teenager. I didn’t know what to do with myself. There was no way for me to get to church…and yet I felt lost being home…alone…with nothing to do. When my parents came home…I actually yelled at them for NOT taking me to church. Their reason…was that my mom thought I sounded sick when she tried to wake me up…so they made the decision to let me sleep so that I felt better. Looking back on the event…I’m not mad at my parents for their decision. What I believe though is that this was a defining moment in my life. Where was I supposed to be on Sunday morning? My conclusion was church; it was to be in God my Father’s House.

          “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:41-52)

          What happened? How did Mary and Joseph forget Jesus? It was a simple mistake. Mary and Joseph weren’t traveling alone. Scripture records that Jesus had other siblings and it is likely that they were also born and traveling with the family. Mary and Joseph were also traveling with a larger group of relatives, friends, and acquaintances together. They simply thought Jesus was with this large group even though he wasn’t right next to them traveling.

          What is remarkable is that after rushing back to Jerusalem, searching for this child…that Mary and Joseph found him in the temple. Jesus wasn’t with other children his own age. He wasn’t just living it up and enjoying what the big city had to offer. He wasn’t begging…or causing a ruckus. He was in the temple. He was there discussing God’s Word with the teachers. He was impressing them with His knowledge.

          Where was Jesus found? Where did he make it a habit to be? “And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” (Luke 2:49) “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.” (Luke 4:16) Even though Jesus is “greater than the temple” (Matthew 12:6) He still makes it his habit to be in the synagogue…to be in the temple…to be worshipping God on the Sabbath. Jesus made it His habit to be in Church. It was a habit…it was something he did and kept on doing. It was a place he went to regularly. In fact…in a quick search I found over 30 verses in the Bible that speak about Jesus not only being found in the temple and synagogue but healing and teaching there.

          But why was Jesus there? He is God…He doesn’t need to worship Himself. He doesn’t need forgiveness. So why was He there? He went there for many reasons. Jesus kept the commandment to “remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Exodus 20:8). Jesus went there because it is His Father’s house; it is the place God promised to be. Jesus went there to teach and preach the truth of God’s Word. He went there to cleanse the temple. He went there to heal His people. He went there to receive strength. He went there…because ultimately…it is the place where He was and continues to be found.

          Where do we go to find Jesus? Many like to find Jesus in nature. Others like to find Jesus wherever they happen to be…in their home, car, hotel room, etc. While Jesus is everywhere…He is God after all…there is one place He promises to be. Always! For us! In His house; the Church. Where God’s Word is preached correctly. Where the Sacraments are administered rightly. There is the Church. And there is Jesus! It is Jesus that forgives us. It is Jesus who is found in the proclamation of Scripture. It is Jesus who feeds us His very body and blood. It is Jesus who gives us strength. It happens here!

          Remember what you were taught from the catechism about confession of sins. “I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.” (p.29 of Luther’s Small Catechism CPH 2005) Remember what John records in his Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  (John 1:1-3, 14) Remember what we sing right before the Gospel lesson is read in Lutheran Worship: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) Remember what we sing following the reception of Jesus body and blood in with and under the bread and wine. “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)

          As Simeon saw the Christ…so have we in this place. Jesus is found here in His Church. May the Holy Spirit continue to lead us, guide us, and carry us to this place…that we may see Jesus; be fed and nourished, strengthened, and forgiven by Him. Jesus is here…He is here for you! Always. 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.