Advent 1-St. Luke 21:25-36

‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.’ (Psalm 19:14) Amen.

In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

‘“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.”’ (V. 34)

The United States Health Service recently issued a statement about worry. They concluded that worry has the power to weaken and shorten life. Part of this report reads as follows: “So far as is known, no bird ever tried to build more nests than its neighbor. No fox ever fretted because it had only one hole in which to hide. No squirrel ever died of anxiety, lest it should not lay by enough for two winters instead of one. No dog every lost any sleep over the fact that it had not enough bones laid aside for the declining years.”

Worry wreaks havoc for you and me. It makes us ineffective. We are unable to get done what we need to do. If we are weighed down by worry, we cannot get done what needs to be done for the long pull.[1]

To be weighed down by dissipation carries with it that idea of worry. It also carries the idea of the nausea that follows a debauch. If you have been out drinking and carousing, like it was in the days of Noah (Genesis 6), you are not able to watch and listen for the return of the King. So then, if you are not watching, the return of Jesus will come upon you like a “thief in the night” or “like an armed man” (2 Peter 3:10; Revalation 16:15, cf. Proverbs 6:11). Jesus is warning us not to be surprised because of failure as a watchman.

‘“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves”’ (V. 25)

Jesus’ first words in our lesson carry with them the same idea. We must be careful in our watching. There is a great roar of sound. It is like the waves of the sea. It is like a freight train passing close by. While the train passes, no one can speak. You can no longer hear anyone speaking or coming upon you. You may be surprised because of the din of sound. Our lives are the same. Throughout our lives the cares of this life are like the roar of that train. It might be commerce in general. It may be the stock market. It may be grain prices. Whatever the roar is, it has the power to distract us from our watching. If we are found giving attention to these distractions, we will be found wanting at the return of the King.

At this time of the end, many will fall away from religion. This will bring about a darkening unbelief, which will even cause bright faith to seem diminished!

At that time, at the end when Christ will return, the vices of the flesh will obstruct the heavenly light. We will no longer be able to see it, as we are generally able. In persecution, whether it may be physical, as we hear about our brothers and sisters in the faith as it happens to them around the world. In persecution, it may be mental, as generally happens for you and me, love of life alone is what shuts out the light of God. When this happens, this is when you allow the devil to have his way with you. When you forget to cling to Jesus, when you forget to care for your neighbor and not yourself, then, you shut out the light of God.[2]

‘“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”’ (V. 27-8)

So, rather than shutting out the light of God, do not let “your lamps go out,” do not keep “your loins ungirded,” but “be ready,” for “you do not know the hour when our Lord is coming.” (St. Matthew 24:42, 44; St. Luke 12:35) This will be the great and terrible day of the Lord. What will be the joy or rejoicing for you and me then in this day? Well, we are those who cling steadfastly to the words of Jesus. We trust that He is the One, the Curse[3] for us, as Galatians three speaks of (V. 13), who will come and rescue us out of our sins. Everlasting life is yours. In spite of the many around us who will in that day fall away and perish, the Holy Spirit has promised to be with us and create and sustain faith in each of us. That is your confidence.

When these signs begin to occur, lift up your head and pay attention. It is then that you will know that Christ is to return. We are forever with the Psalmist: ‘Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the king of glory may come in.’ (Psalm 24:9) Luke is here referring us to the lifting up of your soul. Jesus is then telling your soul to raise up your head and see your redemption drawing near.

Looking up, this is the final action of the Second Coming. This lifting up is a glorious hope for you and me. Even as you and I pray for those around us and those in our life, who do not yet believe, we look forward to this time with glorious hope. We rejoice that even if the coming of the King comes before we die we have the most glorious hope of all. For after all, at that time we will be made glorious. He will transform all things for the better. At this time, when you raise your head, you will be clothed with incorruption by the gift of God in Christ.[4]

‘And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”’ (Vv. 29-31)

Yes, a week or two back we heard a similar parable being told to us in Mark’s gospel. Yet, think again about this sentence. What happens for all of us when we begin to see the first leaf buds on the trees? Those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder likely would rejoice. After all, this is a disorder under which the sufferer is depressed through the winter months because of the lack of sunlight.

Even those of us who have no physical health needs which would cause us to be glad at the coming of spring or summer, even we will rejoice. All of us, no matter whether we enjoy the winter months or not, we are glad to finally see a sign telling us of the coming of summer. In the same way, we will rejoice when we see these things Jesus speaks of happening.

“Finally,” we say, “the end is in sight!” The sun will finally shine and there will be long lazy days where we can lie out in the sun at the lake again. There may not be fig trees here around us in Minnesota, but each of you knows the sign you look for.

In other words, the things we have been considering, that is, adversity and unbelief are signs that the consummation of the Kingdom of God is at hand. This is not like the beginning of the gospels. Then, Jesus came preaching ‘“Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.”’ (St. Mark 1:14-15) This is still the undercurrent of Jesus message. However, now, at the end of Jesus’ ministry, He is telling us that wars, famine, earthquakes and epidemics would arise in various places. This would occur to such an extent that many would fear new destructive agencies would come upon us. Jesus tells us that this will come so that you and I would not be gripped by this new fear. Jesus forewarned that adversity would increase in these last times.[5]

What else did your Savior tell you? He promised that you have been clothed with incorruption (1 Corinthians 15:55ff.). You have now already put on the white robe of Christ’s righteousness. Even in the midst of this adversity and unbelief, you and I, we who believe are made God’s righteousness in Christ. We already each of us, right this minute, possess all the gifts of everlasting life. We are already clothed in Christ’s righteousness even in the midst of all the terror and dreadful human suffering.

In the middle of all of this, you and I are blind Bartimaeus. We are the beggar sitting by the side of the road as our Savior passes us by crying aloud, ‘“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”’ (St. Mark 10:47) Jesus will. Jesus has.

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

[1] Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations, CPH, pp. 213-4 entry #1008.
[2] Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture New Testament volume III p. 322. St. Ambrose Exposition of the Gospel of Luke 10.36-37.
[3] Ibid, pp. 323-4. The Didache 16.1-7.
[4] Ibid, p. 324. St. Cyril of Alexandria Commentary on Luke, Homily 139.
[5] ACCS NT vol. III p. 325. Cyprian On Mortality 2.

+Funeral Sermon for Marion S.-St. John 3:1-18+

‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.’ (Psalm 19:14) Amen.

In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’ (V. 16)

This was Marion’s faith. She trusted her Savior, that He had come to rescue her from her sins. This is your faith. You also, as a Christian, trust your Savior. You trust that He has come to rescue you, just as he did for her.

The only difference is, you and I reside still in this vale of tears. Marion has gone on to the blessed halls of heaven.

During her married life, Marion was a homemaker. She enjoyed the tasks that come with such a position. Marion enjoyed caring for her family. This meant for her the work of cooking and keeping the household up and running. This also involved her caring for three boys. Marion expressed her faith to all three of these boys by bringing them to church and Sunday school. She also brought her children to confirmation class that they would learn the faith, growing to be strong men of faith.

Marion raised her boys in this fashion, with her husband, that they would continue their family’s tradition of continuing in the faith of their fathers, by passing that faith on to their own children. Marion also did this by sharing her faith in her later years with the rest of the family. Marion was as well thankful for the loving care she received, as she grew older.

Because of the trust that Marion had in her beloved Savior, she was able to enjoy her life. She was not a victim of worry over all things. She was not held captive by the devil with her sins hanging over her. She could tell the devil if he tried to so torment her, “No devil, I do not belong to you. I now belong to the living God of heaven, I have been redeemed by Jesus Christ!” Marion was free. She was free to live her life free from fear. Marion was free to listen to do mundane things such as listen to the radio or play cards with her friends and family or read an enjoyable Western book.

So also are you and I. We are also free. We also have been redeemed by Jesus Christ. We can say the same thing to any devil that tries to torment us with guilt over our sins. The name of the living God of heaven has been written one each of us who trust on the mercy of God because of Christ.

So, even as we mourn that we no longer have Marion with us any longer, we also rejoice. We rejoice because she no longer suffers. We rejoice because we will see her again. When we who trust on the mercy of God through Jesus die, we will join her before the throne of God and the Lamb, Jesus Christ. We will then forever rejoice at the greatest thanksgiving feast, singing hymns of praise to our God.

‘The steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children’ (Ps. 103:17).

Marion trusted in the Savior who was lifted up on a cross. He has been lifted up to be a sign to all of us that we may look and be saved. Jesus is a sign for Marion and for you and me. He was lifted up to pay the price of death (Rom. 3) we should have to pay. Without faith given to us by the Holy Spirit (SC II: 3rd), we do pay that price. Praise the Lord, that like Marion, we will not have to pay that price. We are not condemned. We trust in the ‘his only Son … [so we] have eternal life.’ (V. 16)

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

Thanksgiving Eve/Day-Philippians 4:6-20

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Ps. 19:14) Amen.

‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.’ (V. 6)

What is it that Paul means to tell us here? Well, as we know, we are to have that peace which passes all understanding, as the next verse tells us. We are not to worry. But you do worry don’t you. There are perhaps not a few of us who are worried that the Thanksgiving dinner will not go as planned. Whether it is the behavior of the guests or how the food will turn out, it often does not even matter how many times our house has been the place.

Any one of us could have hosted Thanksgiving dinner for decades. Yet, each year, we are right there with Martha. You are ‘bothered by many things’ (St. Luke 10:41). That is, you are anxious or of a “divided mind”. We are this way perhaps for a variety of reasons. This may be true in spite of knowing what Peter writes for our comfort: ‘All your worry cast on him, seeing that he is taking care of you’ (Ep. 1, 5:7).

What St. Paul tells us here is complex, yet it bears upon us this fall, as always. We, as we usually do, need to know this again and again.

Paul is telling you and me not only to give thanks when things go well. He is also stating that we are to give thanks even when life is not going our way. Even when the circumstances of our life are those which seem to us to be the most grievous. This is above all when we do not shrink from petitioning our heavenly Father. Even when God does not appear to be listening or answering our prayer, we continue to petition. We let the actual things asked for, ever and ever made known to God.

After all, in what better hands can any trouble of ours rest than in God’s hands? These words of Paul not only tell us to continually petition our God in our need, they also contain for you and me the assurance that in spite of appearances, God will attend to your need, to whatever we ask.

Through your faith in Christ Jesus this prayer and petition of yours will naturally be accompanied by thanksgiving or “eucharistias”. As Christians, our thankful heart is thus a joyful heart. We are always asking God for more. Without thankfulness for what God has already given to us and done for us, how then can you or I do ask? Thanksgiving comes from a heart that has a strong affection for God.[1]

‘Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’ (Vv. 11-13)

It is in these verses here that the Apostle helps we his hearers to understand the words about thankfulness in all circumstances. In these words it is clear that what Paul is saying about himself has not always been the case. He has not always been content in all circumstance. Paul has learned as you also do in your Christian life, that the Lord is always at hand.

This praying in every circumstance, that is in success and failure, for good fortune and during bad fortune, we thank God for all of this because our God will care for us no matter what comes our way. We give thanks in all these things, even when God does not seem to be paying attention and when life goes poorly, we always give thanks because of what we have been blessed with in the past. Knowing this, we can continue to thank God for what we will receive in the future.[2] ‘Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, … O you who hears prayer, to you shall all flesh come. When iniquities prevail against me’ (Ps. 65:1-3).

We rejoice in all these things. When our efforts fail, when we experience bad fortune in our daily life or occupation knowing that God still cares for us. He has promised us this. Our Father has promised never to leave us even at the worst times of our lives (Heb. 13:5, 6). This thankfulness in everything, not for everything, but in everything, is possible because of your faith in Jesus. This is for the forgiveness of your sins, salvation from sin death and the devil and everlasting life, which is yours now through Baptism (SC IV). This is what marks you and me and each Christian as those who are truly thankful.

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

[1] Commentary on the New Testament, Lenski Hendrikson, pp. 877-8.
[2] NPNF 1st 13:246-249; see also, ACCS NT vol. VIII St. John Chrysostom Homily on Philippians 15.4.4.7 p. 282.

In Memoriam

Today is the death date for that mid-twentieth century apologist for the Christian faith, C.S. Lewis. Though Lewis is probably more well known for his fantasy series, the Chronicles of Narnia, which includes "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Those of us who grew up in the U.S.A. are more aware of the famous death of John F. Kennedy which also occurred on this date. An even less famous death which also occurred on this date, all in 1963, is Aldus Huxley. Huxley was a social commentator and believed in oriental pantheism. He also wrote the book, "A Brave New World".

A fascinating book imagining what these three men might say to each other if they had a round table discussion after death.

Lutheranism by county-(U.S.A.)

For all you readers out there, you might find this interesting. This is a map of the U.S. that goes county by county telling where the Lutherans are. As you can tell, for some mad reason, we all settled in the barren, frozen tundra up here in Minnesota and the Dakotas.

You will note however that this map does not distinguish between the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations in this country. This map does not include any smaller church bodies that do exist in this country. Though, it is interesting because regardless of the Lutheran group, the big four are primarily centered in the upper midwest.

The Last Sunday of the Church Year-St. Mark 13:32-37

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,+ and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

‘“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.’ (Vv. 32, 33)

Do you all remember the tale of Chicken Little? The most memorable line from that story is the chicken crying to all he met: “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” Well, what actually happened? A piece of the ceiling had fallen and landed on his head. So, instead of looking at the evidence around him, he went off on a fool’s errand saying that the sky is falling.

Did anyone believe Chicken Little? No. No one took him at his word.

If we are paying attention, we hear such proclamation all the time. Some group or other regularly declares that the end of the world is at hand. Lately, it has been a fascination that some media have had with the date 2012. The story goes that this is when the Mayan calendar ends and so it must be the end of the world. Well, if an actual Mayan is consulted, we find out that the end of the world has nothing to do with the prophecy of theirs taken out of its context.

And, for the past century or more, each of us can probably think of multiple examples of the same thing. Some group, usually religious, going around essentially doing as Chicken Little did. They tell all the rest of us that the sky is falling. Well, the appointed end date comes and goes with nothing happening and we all move on.

Yet, we remain awake. We do not fall in with such crowds; we are on our guard against such things, as Jesus warns us here. We know that if the angels in heaven and even the Son are not privy to when the end will come and the Son, Jesus, will return, then none of us humans here on earth are going to figure such things out either.

In fact, we as Christians have no need. As I stated last week, the end will be a terrible time. You and I will certainly be able to state just such a thing if we remain alive to see it occur. Yet, for us as Christians, this is not all there is. We are also comforted by this event Jesus is teaching us about because then our current tribulation will come to an end. We know that from Jesus’ own words.

‘“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.’ (Vv. 32, 33)

We in our human-ness do not need to know. It is as is said in the military some times, “This is on a need to know basis and you do not need to know”. You and I are on a need to know basis when it comes to such things as the end of the age and the return of the King. We do not need to know. This knowledge is not helpful for us. This does not serve to increase faith among the faithful. This is a reason we are told what we are told in the revelation of our God in the Scriptures. We are given the knowledge we need in order that we might be rescued out of our sinfulness, granted forgiveness of sins and everlasting life in heaven. This is why the Bible reveals what it reveals and not other things we would like to know.

Those who claim to know when Jesus will return grab for themselves knowledge that is not given for them to know. This is what the holy writers mean when they say such things as ‘The Lord your God tries you that he may know’, that is, that you may be known in your blessing of faith. (Deut. 13:3)

So, in this way, you and I make ourselves ready spiritually on a daily basis. We begin our day as the Catechism teaches, with the Creed and Lord’s Prayer, we follow a series of daily devotions, and we confess our sins in our prayers or in the general confession as we did to begin today’s service. This is what Jesus means by stating, “Be ready!” here. He is telling you to be spiritually ready. After all, we all generally are asleep for the four watches of the night mentioned in these verses.

‘It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning.’ (V. 34, 35)

You do not know the day or hour of your Savior’s return, but you do not need to. You daily make yourself ready as the doorkeeper of Jesus’ parable; you daily confess your sins.

We are left in ignorance because it is better for the strengthening of our faith. This is so because if you or I or any other knew the day and hour of Jesus’ return would we really remain vigilant? No. We likely would not remain in our faith. After all, why would we then need to, if we knew when Jesus was coming then we could simply repent fast before he returned. So goes such faulty logic.

The reality is, there is no such cheap grace on offer. True, there are deathbed conversions. This is not due to the dying remaining an unbeliever with the intent of repenting at the end. Instead, such conversions occur when there is genuine repentance and a faith in the mercy of God through Jesus.

We would all, in our in born sinfulness, fall victim to such thinking if we knew the return of our Savior. We would go about, eating, drinking, and being merry (Genesis 6). Tomorrow would in this case be sufficient for repentance. As it is, we do not know when Jesus will return so we are forced to remain vigilant. We are forced to remain awake and alert. It was the same with the doorkeeper. He did not know when his master would return so it was necessary for him to remain steadfastly alert.

‘“Away,” he cries, “with dull repose,
The sleep of death and sinful sloth;
With hearts now sober, just and pure,
Keep watch, for I am very near.”’[1]

With the hymn, we pray that our heavenly Father will send His Holy Spirit to keep us in the true faith unto life everlasting. After all, if we are not watching, if we are not praying; then our former good deeds will not matter. They then will be useless to us for we will have gone astray from the true faith. Jesus is using this parable to guide us to the proper path.

Jesus is teaching you and me and each of us as Christians, that we remain ever vigilant strong in the faith. We are looking for the return of our King. We are looking for Jesus to come for us on the clouds with great glory. As St. Jude tells us: ‘But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.’ (St. Jude 20-21) I encourage you to take this small book as homework for the week. Go home and read Jude’s twenty-five verses; they are very encouraging and very timely still for our own age.

The message of Jude is the same as Jesus: Stay awake!

After all, when Jesus returns it will be too late. When Jesus came the first time, it was in obscurity, as we will soon hear once again. When He comes this final time the entire world will see. Those who are His servants, that is the ones who saw Him at His first advent. At the second terrifying advent, all will see. Those who believe, we who are Jesus’ servants, but also those who have not believed, the good and the bad, we will all see Jesus come again on the clouds.

When Jesus came in obscurity, He came to be judged. As such, He was silent at His trial. He will not be silent when He returns. He will then come to judge. ‘They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.’ (Ps. 14:3) With the words of the Psalmist ringing in our ears, if there is any who will listen, Jesus is not silent.

Praise the Lord that this coming of our King will not be only terrifying for you and me. We are those who, in Christ, keep the Law of the Lord. We are those servants who have heard. We are blind Bartimaeus. We are those crying out, ‘“Lord, have mercy upon me!”’ (St. Mk. 10:47) Praise the Lord that the return of our King is a longed for event among us here.

So, we do as Jesus teaches us, ‘"And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”’ (V. 37) In the faith given by the Holy Spirit, you do remain awake. (SC II: 3rd)

In Jesus’+ Name. Amen.

[1] ACCS NT vol. II p. 196. Prudentius A Hymn for Cock-Crow.

News from the ELCA

The ELCA is beginning to lose congregations. To read more, see Dr. Veith's good post on this subject and the accompanying comments. We all need to continue to pray for our brothers and sisters within this and other erring church bodies. They need Jesus' healing, forgiving power now more than ever.