Sinner and Saint

Be Not Afraid

Pentecost 3, 2017

"Be Not Afraid"

Matthew 10:5a, 21-33

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

            A book that I have read many times in the past year begins like this: "Franklin could slide down a riverbank all by himself. He could count forwards and backwards. He could even zip zippers and button buttons. But Franklin was afraid of small, dark places and that was a problem because..." Franklin was a turtle. Franklin would go on to find other animals afraid of "silly" things. A duck was afraid of very deep water, a lion afraid of great loud noises, a bird afraid of flying high, and a polar bear afraid of freezing on icy, cold nights... He would eventually learn, with the help of his mother, that Franklin had something in common with each of these animals...they were all afraid of something.

          What is it that you fear? When I was little I was afraid of going into the basement of my house alone. My wife is terribly afraid of spiders. I cannot stand bats. There is much to be afraid of...some rational and some irrational. We fear sickness, disease, and cancer. We fear the toll these things take on our loved ones and our bodies. We fear losing loved ones to death and the future without them. We fear damnation...maybe not our own...but those we love that don't go to church or say that they don't have faith in God. We fear violence. We fear how all these things may impact our children now...or when they are older and have children of their own. We fear losing our children, hurting our children...or something happening to our children: kidnapping, bullying, sickness, or death.

          We fear Satan who scripture describes as our adversary who "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) We fear Satan's minions whom we read in Scripture possessing a man and who claimed the name "Legion, for we are many." (Mark 5:9)

          The truth is that Satan is powerful and we cannot defeat him on our own. The truth is that we are miserable sinners that have brought death into this world and our own lives. The truth is that all the things we fear...are of our own making as sinners. So yes we fear. We fear what we cannot control or change.

          It's hard not to fear when Scripture records the future as being like this: "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... When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next... It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they malign those of his household... those who kill the body." (Matthew 10:21-22a, 23, 25, 28)

          There are things to fear right here and now...and even more so in the future. It looks and sounds bleak. There will be much suffering and death. Hatred and violence will spread. Persecution will come. Things will get worse. Sin will ravage each of our families, friends, and neighbors. Sin, death, and the devil will look impossible to overcome.

          Be not afraid! Do not fear. Listen to our Lord's words: "The one who endures to the end will be saved...So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:22b, 26-32)

          Be not afraid. Christ has defeated sin, death, and the devil. Be not afraid for you have been purchased and redeemed by Christ. Be not afraid for you are worth more than any sparrow. You are God's treasured possession! He cares for you and loves. He protects you and saves you. He calls you by name and died for you.

          Be not afraid. Yes, there is much that will happen in this world due to sin. Be not afraid if you hurt and suffer have sickness disease or cancer...for God is the author and creator of life and gives you life for eternity. Be not afraid if there is warfare even among fathers and sons or fear that you have failed those you love for God our Heavenly Father gave up His Son to bring us life and immortality. Be not afraid of persecution for the riches of heaven are yours...instead share God's love with those who hate you.. Do not fear suffering and death in this life...because you have the promise of the life to come in heaven.

          So instead of fearing... Proclaim from the housetops and mountaintops. Proclaim the wonderful news of Jesus to all around you. Proclaim that Christ died to save sinners. Proclaim God's love for all people. Love your family...and friends...and neighbors...and even you enemies for "love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) Proclaim to everyone that victory and salvation are ours now and for eternity in Jesus. And have confidence and joy that "the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22b)

          "Be not afraid, be not alone I have come to take you home. Be not alone, be not ashamed I have called you by your name. Be not ashamed, lose not your sight My yoke is easy and My burden is light. I am strong enough to save, I am risen from the grave, I'm the promise, I'm the Lamb, I Am." (Lost & Found "Be not afraid")

          Be not afraid. Christ has risen from the dead. You are forgiven and saved. Heaven is yours for all 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.

You are His treasured possession

Pentecost 2, 2017

Exodus 19:2-8

"You are His treasured possession"

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

    What is your treasured possession? Think about that for a moment. It might be hard to choose just one. Some of my most treasured possessions are the statue of Christ my parents gave me that is in my office; an autographed Arnold Palmer golf ball that a neighbor gave me when I was younger; my fedora that I wear on special occasions; my wedding ring; my crucifix and red vestments that my father gave and placed upon me as I was ordained on Father's Day 12 years ago. I'm sure I could list more.

    For many treasured possessions are things that aren't necessarily valuable. They are often gifts that are given and handed down. Grandpa's old pipe. Grandma's costume jewelry. An old pin that Dad wore. Mom's wedding band and engagement ring. Old framed pictures. Other treasured possessions are things that we bought or were bought for us that we always wanted... a classic hot rod, expensive purse or jewelry, a doll, baseball card, dirt bike...etc.

    Then I came upon this definition of a treasured possession: "Treasured possessions are the things that always make the cut. They might be the things that are the most scuffed, broken, old and distressed, but they'll always find a home inside your new place. They're not just the things that you'd rescue from a burning building; they're the things that you'd burn for."

    What are your treasured possessions. As much as I treasure many of the things I listed...and would like to save them from a fire...I'm not so certain that I would run back into a fire and burn for them. If that is the case... maybe I'm looking at what my treasured possessions are in the wrong way. Because the only things I would burn for... aren't things at all... they are my children and my wife. They are the people whom I love. I can't replace them!

    But we don't talk about people in this way. We don't talk about people being a possession. The closest I have talked about people in this way...is when I have pre-marital counseling sessions and we do an exercise where we are "selling" the fiancée like a house. We go and list all the great attributes of the fiancee. He's hardworking, handsome, loving, clever, and funny. She's beautiful, a great cook, loving, supportive, smart. Those are wonderful qualities. But just like any house... there are always some things or areas that need to be spruced up. He's messy, stubborn, has a bad temper at times, can be self-centered. She nags, can't cook like her mother, is over bearing. When we thought or dreamed of our dream husband or wife... we certainly weren't dreaming of a messy, bad cooking, over-bearing, stubborn, self centered person. Surely if we focused on the negatives... we wouldn't ever think of a person as being a treasured possession!

    But what about God? Because God does speak about people as being His treasured possession. "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine." (Exodus 19:5) There are four other times in the Old Testament when God called His people His "treasured possession."

    So how do we stack up? Are we worthy of being a treasured possession? Are we worth running into a burning building to save? Would we make a good bride for Christ? Scripture says this: "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) "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 31:31-32)

    Those words are damning and haunting. We are described as unrighteous, wicked, worthless, deceiving, foul mouthed, hurtful, and adulterous. And we are. We are like this to each other. We are like this toward God. Sin hurts. Sin kills. Sin destroys. And we have all sinned.

    But God still loves us despite our wickedness. God still calls us His treasured possession. God values us so much that He would run into the fire to save us. God loves us so much He would go through hell to save you. "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) "If you call on [God] as [your] Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1:17-19) "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

    Dear brothers and sisters in Christ: You are God's treasured possession. You were purchased at the price of Jesus' very own death. You are so loved that God the Father gave up His Son...to save you! You belong to Christ.

    And in Christ God sees us as perfect: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27)

    In Christ you have been made perfect. In Christ you have been made a child of God the Father. You are God's treasured possession...treasured beyond anything else in all creation. And He has given you a gift to treasure...that we haven't talked about yet. The gift of faith. Treasure that gift. Treasure your faith. For out of faith...comes love for one another. Out of faith comes forgiveness towards one another. Out of faith flow wonderful blessings. And by faith we may share the love of God with those around us.

    What is your treasured possession? I treasure my children and wife; my friends and family. I treasure the opportunities I have to share my faith with them. And considering the day this happens to be... I treasure the faith my heavenly Father gave me and I treasure the faith that God allowed me to share with my sons...and the faith they received as they were baptized.

    Treasure your faith. Treasure your loved ones. Treasure your enemies. Treasure life. For God treasures all people and loves them. God gave His Son to death out of love for you and all the world. You are each His treasured possession. 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 loves! Despite Wickedness

Trinity Sunday, 2017

Acts 2:14a, 22-36

“God loves! Despite Wickedness”

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

          Today we celebrate Trinity Sunday with the good and proper confession of our faith in the Athanasian Creed. This creed was written as the proper understanding, defense, and confession of the true faith in the Holy Trinity. It was written against the Arian heresy. Unfortunately there are many today that reject the divinity of Jesus. Sadly there are those that don’t like to use the Athanasian Creed, even just once a year, because of its length and because many don’t see the need to use it.

          The rejection of Jesus divinity isn’t new to us today and it wasn’t new at the time of the Arian heresy. Listen to these words from our text. “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” (Acts 2:22-23) “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36)

          Jesus was crucified because the Pharisees, Sadducees, teachers of the law, and the people of Israel denied that Jesus was the Messiah, the very Son of God. God sent the people Angels to proclaim the birth of Immanuel “God with us.” God sent a prophet, John the Baptist, to prepare the way for the Lord. Miracles of all kinds were performed for all to see by Jesus so that the people would know and believe that He was the Messiah. From the very beginning God proclaimed that a Savior would be born. Over and over again the Prophets of old bore witness to Jesus…that he would be born of a virgin, born in the lineage of David, born in the city of Bethlehem, that He would perform miracles; that He would suffer and die. But the people, these sinful people, rejected God, His Word, the Prophets, and Jesus Himself.

          Each and every one of these people were enemies of God. Those that reject Jesus today are enemies of God as well. But before we get on our high horse and point fingers…know this. Each and every one of you and myself are enemies of God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment." (Isaiah 64:6) Original sin causes each and every one of us to be enemies of God. In fact, every time we go and sin we reject Jesus and are enemies of God. Sin is the rejection of Jesus; it is the rejection of the Holy Trinity. When we put anything above God…we reject God. When we use God’s name in vain we reject God. When we forget the Sabbath day and fail to keep it holy we reject God. When we lie, steal, murder, covet, bear false witness, commit adultery, or dishonor our parents…we reject God. There isn’t a day that goes by that we do not sin…and thus reject Jesus. Each and every time we sin…we show ourselves to be enemies of God.

          But there is joyful news. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ (Acts 2:34-35) Here Peter quotes King David as David makes mention of the Father and His victorious Son. The Son is placed at the right hand of God the Father. God the Father makes all His enemies a footstool. 

          Those listening to Peter felt their guilt. They knew themselves to be Jesus' enemies. They felt the weight of their sin. You and I, as sinners, are also enemies of Jesus. To make enemies a footstool is an ancient figure of speech picturing the conqueror placing his foot on the neck of the conquered. All of Jesus’ enemies have been defeated. Sin, death, and Satan have been defeated.

          But where is the good news of this verse…if we are enemies of God…and His foot is across our neck…surely we shall perish! In the death and resurrection of Christ David’s prophecy was fulfilled. While this prophecy shows the defeat of Jesus’ enemies…it is a wonderful comfort to all believers in Christ. But how?

          William Faulkner, famous American writer, once said "You don’t love because: you love despite; not for the virtues, but despite the faults." This is the type of love parents have for children. This definition is for toddlers...but I'm sure you parents can relate to children of all kinds of ages... "Toddler (noun): Emotionally unstable pint-sized dictator with the uncanny ability to know exactly how far to push you towards utter insanity before reverting to a loveable creature." They drive you to the point of insanity and then at just the right time... say or do something so sweet it melts your heart...if only for a moment. My parents... my siblings...my wife...my children love me...Dear Pastor Dietrich...despite the dumb mistakes I have made. God loves each and every one of us despite our wickedness.

          For “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, [enemies of God] Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10)

          Christ Jesus died for all people…even His enemies. Christ died for us! That is the love of our Heavenly Father. That is the love of Christ Jesus. That is the love given to us in the gift of faith through the Holy Spirit. God loves us...even when we are unstable keg sized dictators that would drive anyone to utter insanity. God the Father loves us His dear toddlers (child). We see God's love at the cross. We see God's love in the joy he has over our repentance. We see God's love as it is reflected in our love for Him and others. We see God's love as he accepts our righteous deeds (described as tattered rags or a polluted stinky garment). 

          Jesus died for you…that your sins would be forgiven…that you would be given faith through the work of the Holy Spirit. You are no longer enemies of God but are now children of God. For you have been given the Holy Spirit in the waters of Holy Baptism and God’s very Word proclaimed. Christ is victorious and so are we. Heaven is ours.

          In jubilant song let us ever rejoice singing: “Christ, to Thee, with God the Father, And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving And unending praises be, Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory Evermore and evermore.” (TLH 98 “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”) To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit be the glory alone. 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.

Listen Carefully

Pentecost, 2017

Acts 2:1-21

"Listen Carefully"

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

            Have you ever had the opportunity to watch three year olds play t-ball? It is both frustrating and comedic at the same time. I love baseball. I love watching baseball. I played high school baseball. I would love to coach baseball...although I'm not sure I could coach three year olds... As I watch my son, Aaron, playing t-ball for the first time... I laugh...and I get frustrated. Run to first base. Watch the batter. Get the ball. Throw to first base. Pay attention. These expressions come out as I see him...sitting... throwing his glove up in the air... looking the opposite direction... or doing who knows what.

          Three year olds are easily distracted. But I'm not going to kid myself...so are older children and even adults. One of the biggest distractions...smart phones! Have you ever stopped and watched how distracted people are? Or...if you're like me... has your wife ever told you to top looking at your phone. At a restaurant... at the dinner table... in the car... at the movie theatre... at a baseball game. So many people are looking at their phones more than the people around them. It's such a problem that theatres  have announcements to silence and turn off your phone. It can even be dangerous. I brought this sign as a visual reminder as to why you should pay attention at the ball game. Far worse... texting and driving.  

          So what do we say or hear...alot... Heads Up! Focus! Pay Attention! Hark! Hear Ye Hear Ye! Listen Closely!

          "And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine." (Acts 2:2-13)

          The sound of a mighty wind from heaven, tongues of fire, foreign languages spoken...these sights and sounds got the people's attention. They were amazed and astonished...but they didn't understand what was going on or what it all meant. Others became distracted by the doubt of scoffers that mocked the Apostles as being drunk. Don't pay any attention. Nothing to see here... keep moving... just some tipsy local yokels.

          You would think that the sight of tongues of fire and the sound of a mighty wind would have kept their focus on the Apostles...but apparently they were easily distracted by the scoffers. Distracted enough that Peter rose with the others and loudly said: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'" (Acts 2:14-21)

          Heads Up! Focus! Pay Attention! Hark! Hear Ye Hear Ye! Listen Closely! What is going on is the fulfillment of prophecy. What is going on is the promise of Jesus to send the Holy Spirit fulfilled. What is going on is important! Pay attention. Listen Closely! Don't get distracted! Don't get distracted by the scoffers trying to keep you from hearing God's Word. Don't get distracted by the flames of fire or the sound of the mighty wind. Don't get hung up on hearing your native tongue being spoken by these men who never learned it before... instead pay attention to the message.

          That same advice needs to be heard in our time as well. Pay Attention! Listen Carefully! Don't get distracted by the lusts of this world...the desire to sleep in on Sunday or use Sunday as your funday away from Church. Don't get distracted by scoffers trying to lead you away from God's Word. Don't get distracted by the glitz and glitter; the sights and sounds. What's important isn't having the newest and craziest worship ideas. What's important isn't even the person standing at the front of the Church. What's important is God's Word. Pay attention to the message. Listen to what is being said. Be in Scripture and know the truth of God's Word.

          And what is this all important message? What is this Word that is worth more than sleep or having fun. What is the message that is more important than the person delivering it? It is the very last sentence of our text. "Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21)

          This message stands the test of time. This message is all about God and His promise to us. Everyone who calls on the name of Jesus by faith shall be saved! That is God's loving promise to each of you. Call upon Jesus and you shall be saved. No matter what this world throws at you. No matter the problems you incur; sickness, disease, financial ruin, homelessness... call upon Jesus and you shall be saved. For Jesus died and rose for you. Jesus took your sins upon himself and carried them to the cross. Jesus took the wrath of God that we deserved upon His shoulders. And that same Jesus gave us His very name as we were baptized making us children of God and heirs of life eternal.

          Call upon Jesus. Cast all your anxieties upon Him. For he cares for you and loves you. He will give you rest. Your sins are forgiven. Heaven is yours. You are saved. 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.