Damn it, or Darn it?

It is always entertaining to me, when people attempt to change their language in "mid-speak", just because they realize they are in the presence of a pastor. (as if we don't slip occaisonally!) You hear some of the most bizarre words created on the fly. Usually it is something like shiiiiiioooouuut, or.. well never mind, you know how creative you all can get.

Recently, I heard such a utterance, as the person went from "damn it" to "darn it". I laughed as usual, but then thought about it - and realized that was, in fact, a pretty neat prayer, that replaces a pretty nasty curse.

You see, "damn it", is what they call an imperative sentence. It is not a request to be considered, but a call for immediate reaction. The person we are calling/demanding an immediate reaction from, is no less than the Creator of the Universe. We are asking God to let lose His wrath on that thing/person/event, without realizing the terrible thing we ask Him to do.

In replace of that, consider the phrase, "Darn it!" If I remember my olde english, darn is the word that is used for mending things. Socks seem to stick in my mind, as I picture some grandmotherly type lady, sitting by a roaring fire, with crochet needles, fixing the myriad of holes put in the socks by her over-active grandchildren.

To ask God to "darn it" then, is a plea for Him to get involved in your life, to fix that which is bothering us, or better yet, to fix us! Most of those things that cause us to reflect in frustration are not that serious, but for some reason, we take them to be. The jammed printer, the last minute phone call interuppting dinner, the battery on the car dead - do any of these really, long term effect us? No.

But we have a God who can see us through frustrations, who can cause us to grow in patience (don't ask how this is done - you may not like it) and more importantly, in faith. Faith being our trust in Him, to proivde us all that we need, forgiveness, eternal life, and the assurance that the frustating thing in front of us, cannot seperate us from His live in Christ (see Romans 8:28)

More than that, God was at work, "darning" our lives, nearly 2000 years ago. At the cross, the hole-filled lives that we have created, by our over-active sinful nature, was repaired. Our "socks"/lives, were made whole and useful again, by the Blood of Christ.

So yes, call out - loud and clear - DARN IT, LORD, and sit back in faith, knowing you have been darned, not damned.

Christmas, Walmart, and WIllow Creek

Recently, two stories made national news.

Two things in common, they were both about Christmas, and they both made people irate.

The first is Wal-mart's supposed directions to their employees, ordering them not to say. "Merry Christmas", to customers. A lot of national lashback, and denials, and changes of directions there. I guess a lot of believers shop at Wal-mart, while the atheists and agnostics and liberal episcopalians shop at Nordstroms.

The second article I received more emails on. That story concerned those mega-churches that have decided not to have "services" on Christmas Day. Seems a lot of people are up in arms, since these are, after all churches, and the celebration that particular day, is supposed to be about Jesus. To be honest, since these "mega-churches" are not in my denomination, I sort of passed it by, while preparing for a vespers service. Not my business, and my ravings won't get heard by Bill Hybels and other mega church pastors anyway.

The more I thought about it, the more I am glad with what we are doing. We aren't making a big changing or adapting the service on Sunday, Christmas Day. We are having a simple candlelight service, complete with kids playing piano and guitar while us older folk sing Christmas Carols, and hear the Gospel of Luke read. ( you know - the part in the Peanuts Christmas Carol). I don't want us to lose that which is in every Sunday Service, that Christ has come - for us. That God dwells among His people.

No need for fancy cantatas, for flying angels, for extra long sermons. No need for adding pressure to families already going nuts trying to find their pastor incredible presents ( just kidding). A time for reflection, a time for a bit of silence, a time to know the mercy and grace and peace of God.

A time to remember that the reason he came as a baby, was to die on the cross.

for us....

That is, of course, the best present of all.....

Speak Clearly

Jeremiah 26:1-6

2^nd last Sunday of the Church Year

† In the Name Jesus †

Grace and Peace from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ!

Don’t miss this communication

It was a cloudy ominous day for the people of Britain. The very weather seemed as depressed as they were. The fogs and clouds hung close to the ground, and visibility was so bad, even people walking past each other on the street barely could see each other.

All were depressed because 20 minutes before, a message was sent from the coast, two simple words. Wellington defeated. The hope of England, to stop a ruthless dictator named Bonaparte, the news declared was crushed. Most thought all of Europe was lost to this madman. The news spread quickly throughout London, and throughout the Thames River Valley.

Yet the message was incomplete, for some 10 minutes later, the fog parted, and the message was repeated, Wellington defeated the French at Waterloo. The incomplete message, which dashed the hopes of the heart of a nation, were soon relieved by the complete message. Victory belonged to the British, and the people of Europe were finally set free!

A story circulated about the District Attorney’s office. It seemed the man about to be tried for murder, had confessed to a national television reporter. One of the aids had walked by the interview room, and heard the accused exclaim loudly “I killed that kid”! The DA’s office seemed jubilant, for such a confession would seal a very difficult case to prove in court. Later that evening, when the actual interview was played on television, the full quote was heard, “There is no way in the world that I killed that kid”.

What a difference a complete message makes.

If we look briefly at the passage from the Old Testament this morning, there is an inherent danger of getting the message incomplete, of getting the message wrong. We have to have the complete message of scripture to completely understand it. Jeremiah had to deliver the message clearly, and completely. We today, still need to hear that message.

So let’s get to Jeremiah’s message:

Speak Clearly

Who is commanded

So people will repent!

Purpose – seen 1 Thessalonians

Jeremiah is directed by God to speak a message. To speak that message where the people of God are to gather, that they might hear it. They have come, in order to worship, to do their “duty” to God, in order that they might appease Him. Jeremiah is told to get the message out, in order that they might, that they just might listen, and having listened, they might repent. This is not the first time this message has been brought to the people of Israel, it is not even the first time for Jeremiah – a very similar message was given to them in chapter 7.

The hope, that in hearing the message of God, that they will really hear it. That for the moment, they will put aside thoughts of where to eat after church; that as they listen, the worries of last week, and the concerns of this week will not distract them. That they will not focus so much on trying to do that which they consider their duty as believers, but that they will hear the message of God.

A simple message really. A message that once heard, will cause repentance. That will cause the incredible blessing that Paul desires for the Thessalonians,

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, ¹³ so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

God wants people to listen, so that He can bless them. Yet so often, the distractions of sin, the distraction of the world that Satan so deftly uses, and our worries about life and death, pull us away from listening. We find ourselves wandering around in sin and despair, because we do not listen. All while God desires to pour out His love and grace, His forgiveness, His power, upon us. Does anyone really think that God wants to create evil and disaster to punish us for the evil we do?

He says speak clearly to my people, that they might come back…

Speak completely

Law and Gospel

Urgent message

In America today, I think we have become masters of disinformation. I am talking about politicians, for they have nothing on the rest of us. We have radio psychologists advising people not to share hard truths with others; we have people who want us to break the truth to them gently, or even politely. I have even heard that we should allow each of our friends a major character flaw, rather than encouraging them to grow out of it. We have classes in preaching that teach us to step quickly and quietly around the negative aspects of scripture, less we drive people away with “hell, fire and brimstone” preaching. We want our sin to be confronted, if it truly has to be, with a bit of Novocain or anesthesia, while reclining comfortably in a reclining chair.

This doesn’t seem to be a new problem. God tells Jeremiah – speak it ALL – don’t hold anything back. In Lutheran-speak – let the Law and the Gospel accurately be spoken. It is an urgent message, and it has always been one. Part of Jeremiah’s message includes that – that God continued to send to the people prophets with an urgent message. The urgent message that no one wanted to listen to.

It is a hard message, one very hard to get clear, and complete. It is the theme of Sunday School at this time, as Rich leads you in the study of Law and Gospel. To use God’s law, and the very real punishments that are associated with breaking it, not to drive people into the ground, but to drive people to the cross. To use the gospel to help those that are convicted by the law, to know the mercy of Christ Jesus, that His death rids us of the need for ours. Never are we to use the comfort of the gospel for those who see themselves as not in need of it. One pastor coined the phrase – afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. This is especially true when it comes to motivating people to do what God has called them to do, where the motivation should never be fear from the law, but a response to the gospel.

Then, when they are listening, comes the grace of God, in ways beyond our expectation, beyond our most incredible dreams. Then, they realize the incredible wrath of God was not meant for them, despite the very fact that we tend to head for it, like a paperclip is drawn to the magnet.

The interesting blessing/curse

Shiloh, God’s Spirit no longer dwells there

Ps 78:60

Jerusalem’s Curse, God killed there.

Let me give you the most incredible example of the way in which God blesses those who listen, who hear the entire message. We see things in a different light, in view of our salvation, and the salvation of the world, for those that believe.

There is, at the end of our Old Testament reading, the wrath of God, that is promised if the people do not repent. The wrath is poured out, in two parts, and I will claim, that this wrath was already poured out.

The first is simple, it is saying that Jerusalem will be like a city called Shiloh, from the Israel’s past. It was there, that for a long time, the Arc of the Covenant was kept in the Tabernacle. The very presence of God dwelt there, among His people. Yet because of their sin, the temple was taken from that place, and captured by the Philistines. God’s gracious presence was taken from them, because of their sin.

The second is also very similar, that God will make Jerusalem the place where every nation of the world was cursed. Where every nation of the world was brought into judgment, and found wanting.

Sounds horrible, doesn’t it?

Yet for us, those who have been baptized into the people of God, the promise is incredible.

You see, these judgement already occurred, about 2000 years ago. It was then, that even as Christ died on the cross, the temple became meaningless, and forever will be. For in Christ’s death, we are united in Baptism, and our bodies become the temples of the Holy Spirit. He no longer resides in temples of Stone, but in the midst of His people throughout the world.

In the death of Christ on the cross, the world that rejects Him is ultimately cursed. For not all in those countries will reject the love of God, but the powers that come against God’s will are rendered helpless. Consider from Psalms 2,

¹ Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? ² The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, ³ "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us." ⁴ He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. ⁵ Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, ⁶ "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." Psalms 2:1-6 (ESV)

Yes, the nations of the world are cursed, and that in an utterly convincing manner, as sin, Satan, and Death are completely defeated, as Jesus becomes the name above all names, that they must all come and eventually proclaim as King.

For us, this is glorious news, for those who have listened and known that Jesus died for us, that we are united with Him in his death in Baptism, even as we shall be untied in His resurrection. For us who realize that our salvation is not depended on our doing “worship” but in hearing the good news that Christ has already died to save us from sin. It is then we praise, it is then we rejoice with all that we are.

It is then, that we know the piece that passes all understanding.

That is God’s peace, given to us, in Jesus Christ.

A True Manifest Destiny

Rom 3:19-28

Reformation Day 10/30

† In the Name of Jesus †

Grace and Peace to you, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Dream of a Nation

God’s Dream of His Nation

It was during the rapid expansion of the United States, from 1810 to 1840 that a Doctrine solely began to develop. It was first titled in 1840, and by 1880, it was an officially recognized position, by which men measured whether one was a true patriot.

The doctrine was half political, half theological. It was called the Doctrine of Manifest Destiny. In its original form, it stated that God’s favor was on the United States, as evidenced by the rapid expansion of its territories. At one point, the “doctrine” indicated that the USA would eventually rule all of the Northern Hemisphere, including the Caribbean Islands. The doctrine was based on three theories, according to a prominent historian:

The first based God’s favor on the “exceeding virtue” of the American people and their institutions.

The second inferred that because of our exceeding virtue, God gave the United States the Mission to spread these institutions, thereby recreating nations in the image of the United States.

The third point simply stated that this was God’s specific destiny for us, as revealed in the scriptures.

Though I would disagree with this Doctrine of Manifest Destiny for the United States, the three points can be used to show us a different destiny. A destiny based on virtue, a destiny that results in being remade in an image, a destiny God truly made manifest in scripture, clearly made manifest in today’s reading from the Letter to the Church in Rome.

Not our Virtue, but His

Virtue (Greek αρετη; Latin virtus) is the habitual, well-established, readiness or disposition of man's powers directing them to some goodness of act. A sense of ethical perfection, and the determination to maintain it. Not how I would describe a nation that while noble in many ways, also supported slavery, oppression of native Americans, and struggled with controlling the morality of its frontiers. I have often wondered whether the pastors of that day supported the idea of Manifest Destiny.

Surely, they realized, like Israel in the past, that their people were not truly virtuous. Like Israel of the past, worship of God often faded into the background, as they pursued that which they defined as important or necessary. They gave up the God who rescued them from Egypt, who provided them His presence. They traded Him for gods who would provide them with the trappings that gave the appearance of virtue, good harvests, physical pleasure, and many descendants.

Surely, their pastors realized that like the early church, their people, struggled with sin. Greed, lust, envy challenged them, as did putting the trust we are supposed to put in God, in ourselves. A great example, was in the time of Luther, as the church once again was teaching that man could save himself, by buying God’s forgiveness and his favor. Put bluntly, as Paul does in Romans, all have sinned, there are none who are virtuous. There were none then, there are none now. None can be justified, Paul says clearly, none can be judged righteous, based on their own work.

Their idea of Manifest Destiny therefore falls short. Yet there is a destiny, made manifest for us, that does rely on virtue, but not ours. The virtue of Jesus, the perfect, ethical , virtue-filled life that He lived, that He lives. The virtue, that Paul tells the Philippians, that caused him to serve, to die, and will result in every knee bowing down before him.

Not our Image, but His

The Propitiation

Just and Justifier

That leads us to the second point in the concept of Manifest destiny. The idea that the mission was to see our institutions spread, so that we could “redeem and remake” other nations in the image of ours. This concept still exists a bit today, as we attempt to take nations like Haiti, or Afghanistan, or Iraq and turn them into democracies, after they have dealt with dictators for decades. As if they could quickly make that transition. Please don’t misunderstand me, I think a republican democracy is a fine form of government, yet I also, as a student of history, know the problems one faces, that we still face today.

The Doctrine of Manifest Destiny would have us reproduce our nation, in those we have power and influence over. Yet would we not replicate our problems as well? For instance, is our system so perfect that there is truth in advertising, when it comes to those things we are asked to decide upon? Perhaps I am too cynical, but I think we need a better image to recreate people in.

The Historian is correct, the nations of this earth need to be created in the image of one who is virtuous. The image of Christ. Even as Paul tells the believers in Colossians,

⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3: (ESV

Even that image of Jesus, who is according to Paul the very Image of God.

That is a transformation that will make a difference, it is a transformation that occurs to us in Baptism, and is made more complete, as we continue to receive His grace, through encountering Him in His word, and I the Lord’s Supper. As we focus on what Christ does for us, even as Paul tells the Corinthians,

¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

We know, it is His virtue, not ours, and it is His image we need, as well as the world needs to be transformed into, yet we need to see this destiny worked out, how is it accomplished.

The reason our destiny is set is revealed, it is made manifest in our epistle reading. There in the reading, there is a big “Church” word. The word “propitiation”. It is a pretty technical term, going back to the Hebrew Temple worship. It is the word desribing the blood that was poured, once a year, on the mercy seat in the holy of Holies. It was the blood of the sacrifice, offered for the sins of the people.

The blood which covers the sin of the people, the blood of the sacrifice offered for our sins. The forgiveness, the actions of Christ that we receive as “for us” by faith. In the past, the blood of animals was poured out, on the altar, so that God would pass over the sins of His people. This is incredibly explained in Hebrews chapters 7-9, here is one explaination of that,

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) ¹² he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:11-12 (ESV)

Not a People’s Destiny, but His People’s

We become His People, His nation

Nothing can stop it….

In doing so, the man who was virtuous accomplished what we could not. He earned the pleasure of God, by completing His mission, to make us in His image. He did that through His blood.

He made, from all the peoples of the earth, a people. The destiny of those people, He determines, and no one can separate us from Him. Not a nation, not those who would get us to trust in our own works, rather than His work on our behalf.

That is what is seen, what is heard, His gospel. It is a gospel we share with our world, for the blood on the altar, guarantees our salvation, it guarantees His virtue, and His mission, to set our destiny, as the favored people. A destiny manifested in Christ, and His sacrifice.

To Him, be the honor, the power and the glory, now and forever more. AMEN!

Holiness

Holiness

Lev. 19:1-2,15-18,

10/23

† In Jesus Name †

Grace and peace, and holiness, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God, am Holy!

Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God, am Holy!

God calls us to live up to a standard, a standard called holiness.

There are days, to be honest, that I work hard on this concept, that I could say with Paul the Apostle,

¹² It's not that I've already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I can't consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don't look back, I lengthen my stride, and ¹⁴ I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 (GW)

Yet there are other days, I find it impossible to pursue this goal. As I wrote this sermon, and ripped it up, and wrote it again, I thought of all the preachers I knew of in history who could convince you that this is the life for you, that could inspire you, both with their words, and their lives. Men like John Chrysotom, or Francis of Assissi, or Martin Luther, or people you may not have heard of, like Francis Rossow, or JAO Preus, or William Cwirla.

Holiness is a challenge, and it was for them as well.

Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

I long for you to know two things, one, that holiness is possible for you, for God designed you to be holy. Secondly, that of all the ways one could live, holiness is by far, the best way to go.

You hear the word, “holy one”, and you think of prophets wandering around in the desert, or Theresa in Calcutta. You think of those mystical meditative folk, who spend long hours in prayer and the study of God’s word That stuff is important, we should spend our lives in prayer and study, but that is not holiness.

We see holiness described in the Bible, and especially here today in our Old Testament lesson, in terms of relationships. It is described in the words of the Gospel, loving God with all of you, and loving your neighbor as yourself.

Hear again the command,

Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God, am Holy!

A little bit of math, if A=B – then B must equal A. In other words, if we need to understand how we are to live holy, we can look at Jesus, because He is Holy. In the Old Testament reading today, we see a standards for such holiness. I think, if we use those standards to understand how Jesus is Holy, we shall understand as well, that we are Holy.

No Injustice/unrighteousness in court

Our reading said,

Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God, am Holy!

Then it says,

¹⁵ "'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. Leviticus 19:15 (NIV

How many people in here like cheering for the little guy? Do you ever notice how in some elections, one group strives to be seen this way? The unions declare Arnold is the big, bad guy, the guy backed by Big Business. Arnold turns around and accuses them of being a group which demands control over the nurses, teachers, and public employees the unions are supposed to represent, but do not represent fairly. Both groups try to play the pity card, and both do it well enough to confuse most people.

Others stand in awe of the famous, the successful, their heroes. Look at the people who hung around the Michael Jackson court case, they declared his innocence, they shouted it wherever they could, not necessarily based on evidence, but because such a gifted songwriter could not be guilty of what he was accused of. Maybe he was, I do not know, but I do know, that I did not hear the evidence.

If we are to be Holy, we must consider Jesus’ example. Among his followers, there were poor people; there were a couple at least who were wealthy. There were those who were pro-government, like Matthew the tax collector, and rebels like Simon the zealot. Jesus didn’t pick people on their social standing or wealth. His salvation doesn’t depend on whether you are listed in the 50 best dressed people. But it also doesn’t mean the poor and those that lack are automatically “holier” than those who are rich.

Each Jesus will judge fairly. He will just them righteously. Not based on their worldly value, but whether or not, they are holy, even as He is holy. On whether or not they have faith, in His work, which makes us holy.

No slander

Don’t stand by and let him get beat up either

The next standard is a tougher one, for to live holy, we are

not go about spreading slander among your people. "'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.

Another version says we are not to be tale-bearers. Can you see Jesus, our standard for holiness, going around spreading rumours, or even gossiping about Peter or John? Or maybe telling the apostles, hey I knew that guy Moses, he was a real idiot at times.

Reminds me of the 8^th commandment, and its explanation,

We should not give false testimony about our neighbor. This means we should fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.

This is the kind of holy life that Christ did. Consider that, despite knowing everything about us, 1 John 2 says He is our advocate before the Father! He is tasked with defending us, with speaking well about us, of increasing our reputation.

Jesus, in all of His holiness, makes it possible for us to be declared Holy, by Him. He will not betray us, and hand us over to hell and eternal punishment. Instead, in order to defend us who are guilty of sin, He died, that our sins would die with Him. That is what happens in our baptism, according to Romans 6. We and our sins, are untied with His death, even as we, without our sins, are united with His resurrection.

In order to speak well of us, Jesus suffered and died. Because He did that, we take on His holiness.

No hatred, your neighbor, but reason with him

Don’t hold a grudge but love

The last standard,

Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God, am Holy!

¹⁷ "'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. ¹⁸ "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Could Jesus seek revenge? Does God have the right to hate us? What is so amazing to me, is that Jesus doesn’t seek revenge on all those who have wrecked his creation, those who have taken advantage of the blessings they have been given. He doesn’t bear a grudge against us, His people. Instead, He died to forgive us.

He does rebuke us, He does let us know that sin is a sin. But he showed His great love for us, Romans tells us, that while we were his enemies, He died to make us Holy. He died to set us free. I love the last verse of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, “As He died to make men holy, let us live to make man free” He does that, He died to make us holy, and still lives, freeing us from the bondages of sin and death. Jesus, through our uniting with Him, through His cleansing, not only has made us pure, but Holy, enabling us to set others, bound as we were, free to be holy as well.

You see, our holiness isn’t dependent on us, it is His holiness we have been given. It is ours to be, and to pass on to those who yet do not know Jesus. Look to Jesus, the one Hebrews says is the author and perfector of our faith. Trust in him, and look to Him often, for it is there we are transformed into His likeness.

My friends, you are called to live holy lives, but not on your own strength. Jesus gives you that strength, He created you to be holy, and in giving His life for you, makes you Holy. You are called, you were created, to live a holy life in peace with your God, and in peace with your neighbor.

A peace that surpasses all understanding, the peace of God given to us in Christ Jesus.

Holiness

Lev. 19:1-2,15-18,

10/23

† In Jesus Name †

Grace and peace, and holiness, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God, am Holy!

Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God, am Holy!

God calls us to live up to a standard, a standard called holiness.

There are days, to be honest, that I work hard on this concept, that I could say with Paul the Apostle,

¹² It's not that I've already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I can't consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don't look back, I lengthen my stride, and ¹⁴ I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 (GW)

Yet there are other days, I find it impossible to pursue this goal. As I wrote this sermon, and ripped it up, and wrote it again, I thought of all the preachers I knew of in history who could convince you that this is the life for you, that could inspire you, both with their words, and their lives. Men like John Chrysotom, or Francis of Assissi, or Martin Luther, or people you may not have heard of, like Francis Rossow, or JAO Preus, or William Cwirla.

Holiness is a challenge, and it was for them as well.

Be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

I long for you to know two things, one, that holiness is possible for you, for God designed you to be holy. Secondly, that of all the ways one could live, holiness is by far, the best way to go.

You hear the word, “holy one”, and you think of prophets wandering around in the desert, or Theresa in Calcutta. You think of those mystical meditative folk, who spend long hours in prayer and the study of God’s word That stuff is important, we should spend our lives in prayer and study, but that is not holiness.

We see holiness described in the Bible, and especially here today in our Old Testament lesson, in terms of relationships. It is described in the words of the Gospel, loving God with all of you, and loving your neighbor as yourself.

Hear again the command,

Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God, am Holy!

A little bit of math, if A=B – then B must equal A. In other words, if we need to understand how we are to live holy, we can look at Jesus, because He is Holy. In the Old Testament reading today, we see a standards for such holiness. I think, if we use those standards to understand how Jesus is Holy, we shall understand as well, that we are Holy.

No Injustice/unrighteousness in court

Our reading said,

Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God, am Holy!

Then it says,

¹⁵ "'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly. Leviticus 19:15 (NIV

How many people in here like cheering for the little guy? Do you ever notice how in some elections, one group strives to be seen this way? The unions declare Arnold is the big, bad guy, the guy backed by Big Business. Arnold turns around and accuses them of being a group which demands control over the nurses, teachers, and public employees the unions are supposed to represent, but do not represent fairly. Both groups try to play the pity card, and both do it well enough to confuse most people.

Others stand in awe of the famous, the successful, their heroes. Look at the people who hung around the Michael Jackson court case, they declared his innocence, they shouted it wherever they could, not necessarily based on evidence, but because such a gifted songwriter could not be guilty of what he was accused of. Maybe he was, I do not know, but I do know, that I did not hear the evidence.

If we are to be Holy, we must consider Jesus’ example. Among his followers, there were poor people; there were a couple at least who were wealthy. There were those who were pro-government, like Matthew the tax collector, and rebels like Simon the zealot. Jesus didn’t pick people on their social standing or wealth. His salvation doesn’t depend on whether you are listed in the 50 best dressed people. But it also doesn’t mean the poor and those that lack are automatically “holier” than those who are rich.

Each Jesus will judge fairly. He will just them righteously. Not based on their worldly value, but whether or not, they are holy, even as He is holy. On whether or not they have faith, in His work, which makes us holy.

No slander

Don’t stand by and let him get beat up either

The next standard is a tougher one, for to live holy, we are

not go about spreading slander among your people. "'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD.

Another version says we are not to be tale-bearers. Can you see Jesus, our standard for holiness, going around spreading rumours, or even gossiping about Peter or John? Or maybe telling the apostles, hey I knew that guy Moses, he was a real idiot at times.

Reminds me of the 8^th commandment, and its explanation,

We should not give false testimony about our neighbor. This means we should fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.

This is the kind of holy life that Christ did. Consider that, despite knowing everything about us, 1 John 2 says He is our advocate before the Father! He is tasked with defending us, with speaking well about us, of increasing our reputation.

Jesus, in all of His holiness, makes it possible for us to be declared Holy, by Him. He will not betray us, and hand us over to hell and eternal punishment. Instead, in order to defend us who are guilty of sin, He died, that our sins would die with Him. That is what happens in our baptism, according to Romans 6. We and our sins, are untied with His death, even as we, without our sins, are united with His resurrection.

In order to speak well of us, Jesus suffered and died. Because He did that, we take on His holiness.

No hatred, your neighbor, but reason with him

Don’t hold a grudge but love

The last standard,

Be Holy, because I, the Lord your God, am Holy!

¹⁷ "'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. ¹⁸ "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Could Jesus seek revenge? Does God have the right to hate us? What is so amazing to me, is that Jesus doesn’t seek revenge on all those who have wrecked his creation, those who have taken advantage of the blessings they have been given. He doesn’t bear a grudge against us, His people. Instead, He died to forgive us.

He does rebuke us, He does let us know that sin is a sin. But he showed His great love for us, Romans tells us, that while we were his enemies, He died to make us Holy. He died to set us free. I love the last verse of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, “As He died to make men holy, let us live to make man free” He does that, He died to make us holy, and still lives, freeing us from the bondages of sin and death. Jesus, through our uniting with Him, through His cleansing, not only has made us pure, but Holy, enabling us to set others, bound as we were, free to be holy as well.

You see, our holiness isn’t dependent on us, it is His holiness we have been given. It is ours to be, and to pass on to those who yet do not know Jesus. Look to Jesus, the one Hebrews says is the author and perfector of our faith. Trust in him, and look to Him often, for it is there we are transformed into His likeness.

My friends, you are called to live holy lives, but not on your own strength. Jesus gives you that strength, He created you to be holy, and in giving His life for you, makes you Holy. You are called, you were created, to live a holy life in peace with your God, and in peace with your neighbor.

A peace that surpasses all understanding, the peace of God given to us in Christ Jesus.

Reasonable and Content

Reasonable and Content

Phil 4:4-13 - Is 25:6-9 & Matt 22:1-14

In Jesus’ Name †

The irony of reasonableness/gentleness

The nature of being anxious/anxiety driven

1^st part of Luther Quote about breaking wind - So how do we overcome it?

To you, my friends in Christ, may the grace and peace of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ Abound!

As I was studying our reading from Philippians today, I got, well a little confused and more than a little frustrated. You see, the title of my sermon, “reasonable and content” is based on the translation of the Bible I use for my personal devotion. The translation we use here does not use the word reasonable; it uses the word gentle instead. It not only messes up the sermon title, but there is a bit of a difference between the two words. One Greek translation tool I looked at said,

The word is difficult to translate into English. It is translated by others as gentleness, forbearance, reasonableness, consideration, agreeableness, courtesy, patience, and softness. (PWS-NT)

So all of a sudden, I am torn, which is it? Gentle, or Logical? How do I present the difference, do I rip up my sermon? Change the title of the sermon? Reprint the bulletin? I start checking all my translations of the Bible, as if by a pseudo-democratic practice I could establish which is the better translation. Ironically, and in great frustration and anxiety, I moved on to the next verse,

do not be anxious about anything!

Here I was, anxious about the very passage that says – don’t be! Eventually, I would find the common ground that enabled me to see how reasonable, gentle and patient all contain the same thought, as we wait to see how Jesus deals with our situation. If, after all, Jesus can deal with all of our sin, can He not deal with the rest of our lives? If so, what stands in the way of rejoicing in Him?

As we look at this passage this day then, we are going to see why being reasonable and content makes sense. Why, knowing what Jesus has done for us, we can know the joy and peace that surpasses all understanding.

Be reasonable

Find your delight in the Lord!

Pray – in so many ways – but pray Eph 3:16

Dwell on these things - instead

Be reasonable. One Greek dictionary defines it this way: a humble, patient steadfastness that is able to submit to injustice, disgrace, and maltreatment without hatred, trusting in God despite it all! (rogers and rogers LEKGNT)

You want to know how to rejoice in the Lord? Or as another translation puts it, to delight in Him? We’ll get there in a minute, but one of clues to the fact that we are delighting in Him, is that people will see our reasonableness. We will not be anxious for events to occur, or for a hard situation or time to end. Instead, we will have that reasonableness, we will trust that God will work everything out in His time, and satisfied with that, we will know the joy of being in the presence of our Lord.

That is why entrust Him with our cares, and concerns, as Paul directs

in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

This to me is incredible, we have a God, who so loves us, that He would have us give Him all those things that cause us anxiety, those things we dwell on, when all alone, those things that distract us from Him. A great is example is the Lord’s Prayer. There Jesus tells us to ask the Father to deal with those things that cause us anxiety. Concern for our daily food and needs we lay upon Him. We ask Him to relieve us of our guilt, as well as resentment we have toward others. Then we ask that temptation and evil have no access to us, and that we are delivered from them! Knowing that God will deliver us from these anxiety ridden concerns, Jesus teaches us to ask, and know the prayer is answered.

No wonder Paul describes this to the church in Ephesus as,

And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, ¹⁸ you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! ¹⁹ Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17b -19 (MSG)

So do it, take you prayers, your requests – for you, for your friends, for your family, and ask them of God. Know His love, and that He will deal with them for the best. Did He not already do that, in saving you from sin, from Satan, and from eternal death?

If we are able to lay those burdens on God, and trust that He will take care of them, what is left to dwell on, but that which Paul describes in verse 8:

⁸ let your minds be filled with everything that is true, everything that is honourable, everything that is upright and pure, everything that we love and admire—with whatever is good and praiseworthy. Philippians 4: 8 (NJB)

Sounds like a description of Jesus to me, and of those He calls His own

Be content

Situations? Vary – Rollercoaster

Christ Doesn’t!

The Secret! – Do it through Him!

Finish Luther’s Quote

Luke 10 –

You’re the wedding guest off the street

The next step then, is to be content. Yet we struggle with being content. For many of us, life seems to be a roller-coaster, whose speed is ever increasing. We want to take control, to run our lives, we have a problem trusting God.

Isn’t that the original temptation in the garden? That Adam and Eve were offered to take matters into their own hands, and betray their trust in God? You want knowledge, satan will say – here it is. You want power to control your destiny? Sure – here it is too. Of course, that knowledge and power, used in rebellion from God’s love and plan for you, does allow only one thing – to steer your life away from Him.

Friends, the situations in your life will vary. Satan will try to use the bad times, and the good times. His goal is to distract you from delighting in Jesus, to being filled with the joy of knowing His love. To forget about what He has done for you in saving you, and from what He promises. But even though life may never seem the same – or even be constant in its changing, Jesus will never change. His work for you, done at the cross, and at the Father’s side in heaven – that does not change! His promises, they will not change. So delight in a Lord, Rejoice in His love for you! Live your life in view of His love and mercy!

That is the secret!

Listen again to Paul’s words,

¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹² 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.

The key through all this is simple, verse 13

¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

When Jesus sent out the disciples on a very victorious evangelistic trip – they came back with stories of “their” ministry. They had preached the word, and people responded, they healed people, delivered people from demons. Yet, Jesus words were – don’t rejoice in all that – but rejoice that your names are written in the book Life!

That is it – delight in Jesus, and in His saving you from your sin, from eternal death, from the schemes of Satan. That you are the children of God, declared to be righteous, because of Jesus death, for you.

As this sermon winds down, look at the parable in the gospel. We are the people brought in off the streets, to witness the incredible wedding, to share in the feast. We are the people the King determined to share this moment with, we are the ones that share in the feast. Someday in heaven, that feast will happen, as the church, the bride of Christ, is presented to our Lord Jesus. The feast we shall share in a moment, is but a reflection of that great feast.

So rejoice, knowing you are part of this feast, and that one as well.

And rejoice in our Lord, Delight in Jesus, knowing the peace of His Father, which surpasses all understanding, yours without any anxiety! AMEN!