Sinner and Saint

Promise Fulfilled

1^st Sunday in Advent, 2015

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. One of my greatest joys as a Pastor is watching little children learning the parts of the liturgy, prayers, creeds, and hymns as they hear them. What a wonderful reminder of why to have your children in church. Often we don’t think they are listening or paying attention…but they are.

          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 anyway…without regard to those 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, to go to Church more often if even at all, work harder, lose weight, quit drinking or smoking. All too many of these people make promises they never intended to keep. How sad it is that people know who God is and where to find Him when they are in need…and how quickly they forget what God has done for them when things are better. We certainly wouldn’t be taken advantage like that more than once.

          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.” (Jeremiah 33:14) 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 blessed Abraham and gave him 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. The believed that God would do all that He promised.

          When was the last time we had enough snow to shut everything down? The kind of snow that causes trees to fall and the power to fail? I'm sure some of you remember when it could take days and sometimes weeks to restore power. Leonard and Fred...i'm sure you remember those long and hard days of working to restore that 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 ComEd makes accurate estimates or not…but we hold them to the time they tell us. We often wonder why we haven’t gotten our power back 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. We expect them to do all that they promised. Yet on the other hand, 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?

          Maybe you have asked or know someone that asks: “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.” (Jeremiah 33:15-16) God promised the Israelites and all sinners throughout the world; each of 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 the King; the birth of our Savior. God’s promise 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.

Forever

Christ the King Sunday, 2015

Isaiah 51:4-6

“Forever”

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

 

        You’re very likely to have seen a variation of this commercial on television…and your likely to see this commercial during the Advent and Christmas season: A handsome man looking at a beautiful woman. He takes her by the hand and casually slips her a gold necklace with glittering and sparkling diamonds. It is his expression of deepest love to her. And were told, “A diamond is forever" or "Every kiss begins with Kay."

        For all practical purposes a diamond will most likely outlast each one of us; its hardness will inscribe the hardest of metals and it’s used to drill through the most impenetrable rock! But is a diamond forever? Forever is a very, very long time! God tells us through the prophet Isaiah that “the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies” (Isaiah 51:6) Even diamonds will eventually be destroyed. No matter what the commercial says…diamonds are not forever.

        But wait there’s more. God’s salvation offers something that a diamond can’t…it offers something truly eternal. Though the heavens vanish like smoke and the earth wears out like a garment, God’s salvation is forever…literally forever! We know this because God promises it…and God will not fail!

        God seeks your attention right now. “Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation.” (Isaiah 51:4) God is alerting us to something wonderful…something that will give us great hope and joy. It is the wonderful news that “[God’s] righteousness draws near speedily, [His] salvation is on the way.” (Isaiah 51:5) While salvation has been won on the cross…we still wait for the full enjoyment of God’s salvation. When Christ comes again at the end of time and the dead in Christ are raised for eternal life then the full enjoyment of salvation will be ours. Salvation is ours both now…and forevermore…that is certainly joyous news!

        Salvation is yours. That is God’s good news for you! It is God’s good news for all people. “My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.” (Isaiah 51:5) Islands and nations…God’s wonderful news of salvation is for all people even for those who are isolated, scattered, and far-off; for all who are looking for refuge and hope. People of all nations…near and far… are yearning for God to satisfy their needs, help them in their troubles, and save them from their sins. Christians round the world are waiting in hope for the return of Christ; the return of the Savior; the return of the King of Kings. We wait in hope; we yearn for His return because we long for salvation; for heaven; for a reuniting with our Lord and all the saints. We yearn for our Lord’s return for we are tired from warfare; we are tired of struggling with sickness, disease and heartache; we are tired of battling  sin, death, and Satan.

        God’s salvation is won for all people…around the world…not just Christians around the world…ALL PEOPLE! Yes, that means you and your neighbor. Who is your neighbor? Confirmands…? It is everyone around you…friends and families…those you don’t like…and even your enemies. We may laugh when we hear of an eight-year-old writing a letter to God: “Dear God, I can’t wait to get to heaven because I know Sarah won’t be there! Sincerely, Mark.” But in our hearts there are people whom we would love to see excluded from heaven. There are so called Christians that like to think God only loves them. There are so called Christians that like to protest funerals claiming that God judged those being mourned. They even wave signs that say things like "God hates fags!" No. God loves homosexuals. God loves adulterers and murderers. God loves sinners even as he hates and condemns the sins all people commit. When it comes to people whom God loves and Christ died for...God knows of no such distinction between sinners and their sins. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) And Peter reminds us, “[God] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

        God’s eternal salvation is for all people…and that salvation is offered by God alone. God alone won salvation. God knows that others offer false salvation. God knows that many would withhold salvation. Only God knows who is faithful or faithless. This is why God alone is judge. This is why we should trust God and His Word alone!

        “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies.” (Isaiah 51:6) The heavens and the earth: even though these are splendid, and we tie our hopes and dreams to what we can see and touch, hear, taste, and smell, these wear out like a garment. It hurts me to say this but even a favorite T-shirt must eventually be thrown into the garbage. As beautiful as our world is…and God’s creation is very beautiful…because of sin it will be destroyed; because it has been corrupted it will not last. This world is temporary…your home is in heaven and the new creation.

        We may fill our hours with activities and our lives with fun…we may meet many challenges and soar to great heights…we may be successful in this life; have riches and fame…but no matter who you are, what you have accomplished, where you live, or what you have or don’t have…Isaiah reminds us that all the “inhabitants [of the earth] die like flies.” (Isaiah 51:6). We must often be reminded “do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin 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)

        While the treasures of this world will not last…God’s gift of salvation will last forever. A dream vacation may last days or even weeks. A Honeymoon may last, God willing, till death do us part. Diamonds may last for thousands upon thousands of years. But the salvation Christ won for us lasts forever. For salvation is not tied to this world. Salvation is secured by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation is yours in Christ now! It has been given to you through the Holy Waters of Baptism.

        God’s call to listen is a call to look to him and away from all the false hopes that the world offers. It is a call to seek his eternal salvation, to yearn for it more than we do food, friendship, and financial gain. While none of us can claim to do this perfectly, it is precisely for this reason that God’s salvation is so precious and pure. It is his righteousness that will not fail. It is his salvation that will last forever. He calls us to receive what he has provided…in the body and blood of Christ given and shed for you. Come, this day, receive the gift of forgiveness; receive the gift of strength to overcome this world. Come, receive the guarantee of your salvation: Christ Jesus your Lord. 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.

The End

Pentecost 25, 2015

Mark 13:1-13

"The End"

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

            There are two little words that I read to my son when I put him to bed at night that I'm never quite sure how he will respond. They are the words "the end." When he is tired and ready to sleep those words mark the moment that he can snuggle up against my chest, rock, and fall asleep. But when He isn't ready to go to bed...those words are met with a cry of "no daddy." He doesn't want the book...or the reading of stories...or the day to be over.

          That is how life is. There are days that we don't want to end...and there are days we can't wait to have end. With the tragedy of terrorism in Paris we are reminded of the latter. It is a day we wish would have never happened. It is a day we wish would just end. It is a horrific reminder of the day we suffered on September 11, 2001 as the twin towers in NYC came crashing down. On these kinds of days...we pray, "Come quickly Lord Jesus" and hope that our Lord would say to all this suffering and wickedness: "The End."

          The end that the world wants...is a world of peace. All kinds of people love to hear the message of God giving us peace that passes all understanding or the wonderful prospect of a world that turns all swords into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4). Wouldn't it be great if all people would drop their guns...and knives...swords...and bombs...and every other weapon. That truly would be great! It would be a wonderful Utopia. But that will not happen in this sinful and wicked world. So much for Jesus being the Prince of Peace... that must have been too good to be true... just look at this world and the evil that goes on.

          God's Word certainly speaks about peace...God's peace! Not our peace. Our peace allows everyone to do what they like...sinful or not...as long as it doesn't personally hurt us. Our peace is defined by our own wants and desires. Our peace tolerates and even loves sin. That is not God's peace. That is not what God promises. God's peace is found in the murder and resurrection of His Son. God's peace is found in Jesus. God's peace is beyond our understanding.

          Listen to the warning Jesus has for this world. "And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” (Mark 13:1-2) "And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Mark 13:5-13)

          Those words aren't a promise of peace nor are they peaceful. They are a warning of what will come...they are words that sound very much like the world we live in. Jesus spoke these words in Jerusalem. Shortly after Jesus' death Jerusalem was sacked by Rome. The temple was destroyed once and for all. Buildings were thrown down. Wars were taking place. There were famines and earthquakes. Families fought with one another. Many were led astray.

          Yes, these words sound like they were spoken of in our own generation. We have seen great buildings  thrown down...as the twin towers plummeted killing countless people. There are wars and rumors of war all around us. There are earthquakes and famines. Families are torn apart. Christians are mocked and persecuted. Many are led astray.

          So where is that peace that we want...more so...where is that peace that we need? That peace is found solely in Christ. That peace is found in this place where Jesus promises to be. The peace that we need is found in God's Word and Jesus' body and blood. The peace that we need is found in the forgiveness of sins. The peace that we need is found in one of the ugliest torture devices in the world...it is found in the cross.

          Christ Jesus knows the problems that we endure and the wickedness of this world. Jesus knows our sorrows and pains. Jesus knows our every need. He knows the peace that we and the world so desperately need. In the face of the heartache and pain we endure our Lord tells us: "in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation [suffering. pain. troubles. distress]. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

          Christ has overcome the world. Christ has overcome sickness and death, tragedy and heartbreak, suffering, pain, and tribulation. He overcame all of these things on the cross for you where He took your sin upon himself.

          Dear brothers and sisters in Christ this life is full of problems. It is full of sin. When things get tough, when you have anxiety over your life and the problems that are too much to bare...come to the place Christ promises to be. Come to God's house where He gives you His peace. Come to the Lord's table where Jesus forgives your sins and gives you the strength to overcome this sinful world in His very body and blood.

          God gives us His peace now. In this place. In His Son. God gives us heaven on earth as we come to this place to receive His gifts surrounded by all the saints and the angels of heaven. God gives us His peace as He promises life eternal where the Prince of Peace shall rule for eternity. God gives us His peace now as we look forward to the life to come with Him and all the saints where there will be no more pain or suffering, trials or tribulations, or death.

          Dear child of God...why do we come to this place each week? We come because Jesus promises to be here. We come because Jesus promises to forgive our sins here. We come because Jesus gives us His strength here. We come because we are lifted to heaven in this place. We come because we believe without doubt these words: "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” (Genesis 28:17) 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.

God Provides

Pentecost 24, 2015

1 Kings 17:8-16 & Mark 12:38-44

"God Provides"

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

 

            Last week in our Bible Study after church we read and discussed the Biblical account of Cain and Able. They both gave offerings to God. Cain brought fruits of the soil and Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. God looked with favor on Able's offering but not Cain's offering. Cain was jealous and in anger killed his brother Able.

          The truth is that God did not need either offering. The reason God looked with favor on one offering and not the other...was a heart issue. Able gave the best to God out of love and faith in the promised Savior. Cain gave to meet a requirement and lacked faith in God's promises.

          "And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)

          This text is about a heart issue! Yes, the wealthy gave much in offerings. The Pharisees made sure they were seen giving their tithe to the Temple. But they all had much to give. They didn't give out of love for God. They gave to be seen and praised for their giving. But the poor widow...she gave out of love; she gave from the heart; she gave all that she had! There was no money left...nothing. She gave God the best she had and put Him first rather than keeping something for herself...to buy a morsel of bread. She risked starvation out of love for God. How do we compare?

          What a text to have in preparation for next Sunday's Voter's Meeting. What a text to have as we know that we will certainly be having a lengthy discussion about our Congregation's finances. What a text to have in consideration to our being -$17,000.00 on the year compared to our budget. I cannot use the word hate (it is a severely harsh word) so I will say this: "I severely dislike" preaching about the Congregations finances...about stewardship; for two reasons: 1) I am the biggest expense when it comes to these finances. 2) I am just as guilty of not giving all I can to the work of God's Church.

          But our text speaks to these issues! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ...we all could give more. We could all learn from Able...and the widow in our text. Listen again to God's Word.

          "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” And she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” (1 Kings 17:9-12)

          Elijah was on the run. The King of Israel and his men were searching for Elijah to kill him. God sends him to a widow. He asks the widow for food and drink. The widow only had enough flour for one final meal with her son. They had nothing else. Just enough for one meal...and this man asked for that! What gall it must take to ask someone so desperately poor to give all they had left! But this was no ordinary man. This was the Prophet of God. Elijah knew to trust in God.

          "And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’” And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah." (1 Kings 17:13-16)

           God will provide. God provided for Elijah. God provided for the widow and her household. God provides. God provides for all of our needs and even provides many of our wants. God provides by giving us talents and the ability to work. God provides by giving us opportunities to use our gifts. God provides by giving seed to plant, rain and sunshine to grow, and a harvest to rejoice in. And I don't just mean the harvest of grain...but the harvest of men and women, young and old, family and friends.

          God provides all that we have. He gives us food to eat, a house and home, family and friends. God provides...He provides through His people; through you and me. Stewardship is a heart issue. It's a love issue. It's a faith issue. Stewardship is about giving money but it's much more than that... it's about giving time; it's about praying, it's about volunteering, it's about lending an ear to listen, it's about giving a helping hand, it's about giving a hug and loving others...even doing so for your enemy.

          The truth is that Stewardship isn't about you keeping the Church going. It's about God keeping both you and the Church going through His gifts and blessings. What a wonderful privilege it is that God uses you to do His work. What a joy it is to share the love of Christ with our treasures, time, and talents! What a blessing it is to have others that love us so much that they do everything to help us in our time of need. That love; the love that comes from faith, is a beautiful reflection of God's love for us in Christ Jesus.

          Stewardship. It's a heart issue. It's a faith issue. It's about giving out of love all that we can because we know that God will always provide! God gives us the very best. He provides His Son to die that we would be saved and have everlasting life. He gives us faith in the waters of baptism. He feeds and sustains us each day; this very day...through His Word and Jesus' very body and blood. God truly provides for us! And He provides through us. You, dear brothers and sisters, are a blessing to this Church; to one another; to me; and to the world around you. You are a blessing of love and mercy through Jesus Christ. 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.

Communion of Saints

All Saints Day, 2015

Revelation 7:9-17

“Communion of Saints”

 

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

 

            Today we celebrate the Feast of All Saints’ Day. It is a special day. It is a sacred day. It is a wonderful day filled with hope. But what is All Saints’ Day really about. It can be quite confusing. The night before All Saints’ Day was once called All Hallows Eve…and now called Halloween. It is a night when scores of children dress up in costume…from angels, devils, monsters, and ghosts…to super heroes, princesses, firefighters, and police officers…maybe even a few dressed up like a pastor! But what does that have to do with All Saints’ Day? In reality…not much.

          All Saints' Day is one of the great festivals of the liturgical year.  This is a day on which we who still struggle with temptation, sin, and all the hardships and tragedies of this world find hope and joy in the lives of the saints.  We look to the faithful men and women of the Bible and praise God for their examples.  We also commemorate the Christians who lived throughout history, some well known to us, but the vast majority known only to the Lord.  And we especially remember the saints we have known personally, love dearly and miss. 

            On All Saints' Day, we thank God for the faithful departed, those who were called to be with the Lord in recent years, particularly in the last year.  Above all, we thank God on All Saints' Day not only for the faithfulness of the saints, but most especially for His faithfulness to the saints.  This festival reminds us that our heavenly Father is gracious and full of loving kindness, that He sent His Son to die for the sins of all.  It is only by the blood of Jesus Christ that we are made saints in the sight of God.

            As we give thanks to God for making us saints through the blood of Christ we also give thanks to our Lord for calling our loved ones that have died in the faith to be with Him in paradise. While we continue to struggle with sin, sickness, disease, and troubles…they do not. While we are in a world of sin they now live in heaven. As we think about those we love who have died…we are bound to miss them. While I still get tears thinking about my grandparents…and friends…and neighbors…and members of this congregation that have died…I still have hope and joy. I have hope and joy even in the midst of tears because of the Communion of Saints.

            Remember the words you have spoken many times through the years in the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting.” But what is the Communion of Saints? Where is the Communion of Saints?

            The true Church…both in heaven and on earth…is the communion of saints. All true believers make up the communion of saints. All of our loved ones that have died in the faith…as well as all true believers in this place make up the communion…or even better…the congregation of saints as Luther refers to it in his Large Catechism.

            The Communion of Saints is found in God’s house: the Church. The Communion of Saints are all of God’s people gathered around Jesus in worship. In worship God allows us to share in the paradise of heaven with all our loved ones that have died in the faith.

            You see, in Divine worship we are lifted up to heaven by God to worship our Lord. We worship the same Lord at the same time with the faithful departed. It is a blessing and a comfort to know that in worship…in Church…we are with our faithful loved ones. This we confess in the Apostles Creed. We are reminded again in the Divine Service of this truth as the Pastor concludes the Proper Preface with the words: “Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Thy glorious name, evermore praising Thee and saying…” The congregation in heaven and on earth  lift up their voices as one in singing the Sanctus.

            The Sanctus comes directly from Isaiah chapter 6. “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:1-5)

            We sing the song of the angels…right before we, like the prophet Isaiah, see God in the body and blood of Christ. This is also why we sing the words of Simeon following the reception of Jesus’ body and blood. “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 God promised…Simeon did not die until he saw Christ. Now in the Lord’s Supper we have seen Christ and may depart in peace…having worshiped around the same Christ Jesus as our loved ones in heaven worship around…after eating our Lord’s flesh and drinking His blood.

            “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen. Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-14)

            Just as the Israelites were taught to worship God…by going to the temple…by sacrificing and receiving God’s absolution through the priests…by hearing God’s Word…and then being blessed by Aaron with God’s own name…so we continue to worship this day…as we come before God confessing our sins and receiving absolution…hearing God’s Word…and partaking the final sacrifice of Christ Jesus as we eat and drink the body and blood of Christ. Then we…as the departed saints in heaven do this very moment…approach the throne of God and worship him. For they washed their robes in the blood of the lamb…they have been baptized into Christ, fed God’s Word, and been forgiven with Jesus very body and blood. And so have we.

            The comfort of the Communion of Saints…is that in worship we are with all of our loved ones that have died in the faith…worshiping around the same Jesus Christ…singing the very same words that are sung by the angels and saints in heaven. This form of worship that we do…it isn’t just old fashioned…it’s not outdated…it is a reflection of the worship the saints of old were taught in Scripture…and a reflection of worship in heaven. What a joy. What a comfort that is. We worship Jesus…just like our loved ones did in years gone by; just like our loved ones do this very moment. 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.