Month: October 2015
“IS THE MISSION DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE?” — October 18, 2015, Text: Mark 10:23-31
October 18, 2015 Text: Mark 10:23-31
Dear Friends in Christ,
Most of you will remember the TV program Mission: Impossible, and you young bucks in the congregation have become acquainted with it through the recent Tom Cruise movies. The TV program revolved around an agent originally named Dan Briggs and later replaced by Jim Phelps, receiving dangerous government assignments. The tagline you may remember at the beginning of each show was, “Your mission, Mr. Phelps, should you decide to accept it, is…” After listening to the rest of the message, the end of the tape would say, “This tape will self-destruct in five seconds.” The assignments, I suppose, seemed impossible. They were certainly difficult. By the end of the show the team of agents solved the cases and had done the “impossible.” Mission: Very Difficult just doesn’t have the same zing.
In our Gospel lesson Jesus talks about how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God. It is like a Mission: Impossible assignment. Not really impossible, but extremely difficult. In another scenario he uses the word impossible. So which one is it?
“IS THE MISSION DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE?”
The Holy Spirit begins our text, “Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ (v. 23) This amazes the disciples. They are assuming that wealth is a sign of God’s blessing and therefore man’s relationship with God. But riches can get in the way of our devotion to God. Riches can hinder our trust in God’s provision. Many of the rich and famous in our world live apart from God.
But then it appears to get worse as Jesus continues his teaching. “Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.’ And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible.’” (vs. 24b-27a) A man cannot put a camel through the eye of a needle. It’s hard enough to get a little piece of thread in there! Riches are a hindrance to the kingdom of God. It is impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom. But not just the rich. It is impossible for anyone to enter the kingdom of heaven on their own.
It is not just riches that get in the way of heaven. Many of God’s greatest gifts can become idols – parents, children, and spouses. How many people forego church because of their family members? How many leave a church where God’s Word is properly taught to join a church that errs in some doctrine because they want their kids to have a “better” youth group?
The truth is that no one can save himself. It is impossible. There are no exceptions. No matter what race, no matter how smart, no matter how rich, no matter how poor, no matter what age, no matter what gender. Man cannot do it even with a little help from God. It isn’t that man does his part and God does His. What mans brings to the table is the impossible. Man merely brings sin.
Man needs the God of the possible to do the impossible. “’Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.’” (vs. 26b-27)
Do you believe this? Can you fathom the impossible? Jesus took an impossible assignment and paid the price that was impossible for you to pay. He went to Calvary’s cross for my sin, your sin, and the sin of the whole world. In Jesus, God died for you. God can turn stony hearts of unbelief into faithful Christians. He can make a camel go through the eye of a needle. Your salvation and your conversion is all God’s doing. God doing the impossible.
Even though He has redeemed us and turned our hearts of stone into believing hearts, until we enter fully into the kingdom of God, the journey will be rough. Jesus calls us to our own Mission: Difficult as He calls us to pick up our cross and daily follow Him.
Contrary to modern day health, wealth, and prosperity preachers, your best life now might entail the cross. It might involve persecution for your faith. Our text says in the age to come we will have eternal life. In the meantime, we might lose family members over our faith. We are going to deal with temptations of wealth and security. We may be called to the public square to declare Jesus as Lord.
But hang on to this in the innermost parts of your being, no matter how difficult it might get the Mission: Impossible is Mission: Accomplished because Jesus has completed His mission for us. We are assured the victory in Christ because He did the Mission: Impossible.
Oh, by the way, this promise of God will not self-destruct in five seconds.
Amen
Bulletin Announcements – October 18, 2015
+ Bulletin Announcements +
October 18, 2015
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Mark 10:29-30: “Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” This is Jesus’ encouragement for every faithful disciple – let it encourage you today.
TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER. Mandy Kluender is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at mgkluender@hotmail.com or you may call her at (309) 838-9868.
FOOD COLLECTION: Beginning TODAY and continuing through Sunday, November 8th, we will have a food collection for Home Sweet Home Mission. Members of our congregation will deliver the food and serve a meal at the Mission on Saturday, November 14th.
REFORMATION SUNDAY: One week from today, October 25th, we will celebrate Reformation Sunday and have Holy Communion in both worship services. Also that morning Rob Hilbert from Lutheran Bible Translators will be here. He will talk to the Adult Bible Class/Sunday School during the Education Hour. He will also give a brief update on his family’s mission after each worship service. We will have a door Offering for the Hilbert’s after each worship service.
CHOIR PRACTICE HAS BEGUN: Choir is meeting every Wednesday from 7-8:00 p.m. and we always need more voices. If you would like to learn more about choir, contact Steve Parry at drparry68@outlook.com or (309) 533-5200. Come make a joyful noise until the Lord!
THREADS OF GRACE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY – INITIAL MEETING: We invite all who are interested in helping with our new Prayer Shawl Ministry to attend an initial meeting in the Conference Room at the church on Thursday, October 29th, at 7:00 p.m. Ann Hammond and Laura Kessler will be explaining the mission of the group; how you may help; and if anyone desires instruction in knitting or crocheting. Both Ann and Laura are willing to teach. If you are currently working on a project, please bring your work with you to the meeting and knit or crochet as we talk! At the meeting we will explain where the donation bins will be placed, as well as where the Prayer Shawls are going. We will present a flyer (designed by Isabella Kessler) that will be placed with each Prayer Shawl. We hope you will join us!
DEAR CHURCH FAMILY: As everyone is aware, Laura Kessler’s health issues continue with mounting medical costs. The Kessler family is requesting your help as you are able. A Go-Fund-Me Site has been setup for those who wish to assist and this can be done anonymously. The site is: www.gofundme.com/laurasjourney with the goals and specifics detailed. Thank you. The Kessler Family
PORTALS OF PRAYER: The October-December 2015 Portals of Prayer are available on the bookrack in the narthex. Pick up your free copy today.
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell. We need an individual/family to sign-up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee. If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled. We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Reformation Freedom, Reformation Faith” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Romans 1:16-17. People have asked and even sacrificed their lives so that we could come to know the joy of God’s forgiving love for us in Jesus. The speaker will be Reverend Gregory Seltz. Hear this Sunday’s message on the Lutheran Hour on WGN (720) at 6:00 a.m.; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tune in! You can also listen to The Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org.
PRAYER CHAIN: If you have a prayer request please submit them by email to Mary Anne Kirchner at makirchner@yahoo.com or you may phone a Prayer Request to Mary Anne; her home # is (309) 661-6522; her cell phone# is (309) 532-2582. The Prayer Request box is on the table in the narthex for any written requests.
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Bulletin Announcements – October 11, 2015
† Bulletin Announcements †
October 11, 2015
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Hebrews 3:18-19: “And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” Unbelief leads to disobedience – that is, every sin expresses the opposite of faith. True and living faith guides us into the Lord’s way and the Lord’s plan. And when we fall into sin it’s because we are not trusting the Lord’s goodness and provision.
THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying “Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today”.
TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, the lesson recalls the account of “Moses and the Burning Bush.” Just as God had Moses remove the sandals from his feet, God in Christ removes our sins from us, making us fit to approach God and stand in His presence. Discuss, “Who makes us holy before God? What did Moses have to do, and why, in order to be in God’s presence?”
TODAY will be our monthly Door Offering for Seminarian Bradley Ferch. Bradley is in his fourth year of study at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
PASTOR’S SCHEULE: Pastor Lueck will be out of the office this Monday—Wednesday afternoon attending the Central Illinois District Pastor’s Conference. The Conference is in town so if you have an emergency, please call him on his cell phone (309) 838-0306. If pastor survives the seminary grudge match basketball game on Monday evening he will be winded and sore but propped up behind his desk on Wednesday afternoon.
NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER. Mandy Kluender is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at mgkluender@hotmail.com or you may call her at (309) 838-9868.
FOOD COLLECTION: Beginning next Sunday, October 18th and continuing through Sunday, November 8th, we will have a food collection for Home Sweet Home Mission. Members of our congregation will deliver the food and serve a meal at the Mission on Saturday, November 14th.
REFORMATION SUNDAY: Two weeks from today, October 25th, we will celebrate Reformation Sunday and have Holy Communion in both worship services. Also that morning Rob Hilbert from Lutheran Bible Translators will be here. He will talk to the Adult Bible Class/Sunday School during the Education Hour. He will also give a brief update on his family’s mission after each worship service. We will have a door Offering for the Hilbert’s after each worship service.
PORTALS OF PRAYER: The October-December 2015 Portals of Prayer are available on the bookrack in the narthex. Pick up your free copy today.
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell. We need an individual/family to sign-up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee. If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled. We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Someone Up There Must Like Me” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Mark 10:23-31. Faith in Jesus means you can live knowing that Someone “up there” really, really loves you. The speaker will be Reverend Gregory Seltz. Hear this Sunday’s message on the Lutheran Hour on WGN (720) at 6:00 a.m.; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tune in! You can also listen to The Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org.
PRAYER CHAIN: If you have a prayer request please submit them by email to Mary Anne Kirchner at makirchner@yahoo.com or you may phone a Prayer Request to Mary Anne; her home # is (309) 661-6522; her cell phone# is (309) 532-2582. The Prayer Request box is on the table in the narthex for any written requests.