Starting March 1st, 2020 Good Shepherd Lutheran will have Worship with Holy Communion at 9:00 am every Sunday. Brief fellowship time will follow the worship and Bible Study/Sunday School will begin at 10:15 am.
February 9, 2020 Text: Matthew 5:13-20
Dear Friends in Christ,
What color of light to do you like? We have some orange and blue lights in our basement. I love to sit there with just them on. What kind of white light do you like? Do you like soft white or bright white? Do you prefer fluorescent or incandescent? Some LED’s look blue. Some lights can’t even be made any more.
Aren’t we thankful that our Lord doesn’t run an efficiency test on us? “You are the light of the world.” Have you shined lately compared to the energy God is investing in you? That may take you aback a little bit but today’s lesson is good news because as always it is about Him – Jesus, and not us. It is our Lord that allows us to be about . . .
“LIGHT LIVING”
One of God’s first commands when creating our world was, “Let there be light.” The sun and moon are still doing their jobs, but there is something they can’t do. When people are going the wrong way we say we hope they see the light. Only God can provide a way out of the darkness.
If a room is dark we can flip a switch or open the shades or light a candle or carry a flashlight. To pierce the darkness of sin and unbelief there is only one solution. God turning on the light so that we trust in Jesus. Jesus is the light of the world.
Jesus changes us. In baptism, we are taken out of the kingdom of darkness. Ephesians 5:8 says, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are the light of the world. Walk as children of light.”
Sin loves darkness. Why do so many cities use light to cut down on crime? The light can keep some bad behavior from happening. Jesus had a different plan to drive our darkness. The world did not receive Jesus. The powers of darkness in the world were working to snuff out Jesus. By Good Friday, it looked like they had succeeded. His lifeless body was laid in a cold, dark tomb. There were no windows in that tomb. But in the bright light of Easter, Jesus threw open the door of grave and death. He has opened wide the doors and windows to our graves as well. He promises that we will live even though we die. Our dwelling place will be in the light of His heaven forever.
Forever may still be a ways off for many of us. Light living means living now in the light of Jesus. Light living means living out what we really are: forgiven children of God. Our lives are designed to have a tremendous impact on the world.
As followers of Jesus we do not just believe differently, we live differently. “You are the light of the world” is both a blessing and a responsibility. It is easy to complain about the world and indulge in hand-wringing about where we are as a society. Jesus could have done that during His time. What He did is that one by one He brought people out of the darkness into the light. Not just the blind, but the palsied and the sinful and the misguided and those who wanted Him destroyed. He was that light that they could relate to and He changed lives. His love and grace and mercy and resurrection shone a great light on the darkness of the world.
We are the Lord’s instruments. We have light to give to others because of what Christ has given us. We talked about this text in my Pastor’s conference this week and one thing we noted is that it doesn’t matter how bright the light it can still make a difference. We don’t have brilliant insights or miraculous powers but changing our baby’s diaper shines light. Helping a neighbor shovel a driveway shines light. Bringing our children to church and having devotions with them shines light. Holding your temper shines light. Showing calm in the midst of turmoil shines light. Forgiving a sister or brother shines light. Not yelling when we spill something in the kitchen shines light. Not blaming others or excusing our behavior shines light.
The light of Christ shines in the life of the ordinary Christian. The Spirit of God is moving us, and Christ is dwelling in us. We can be extraordinary husbands and wives and parents, remarkable neighbors and employees, powerful citizens and friends. Living light can be you and me.
Light bulbs come in all different kinds, and Christians do, too, but whatever your shape or color, because of Jesus, you are the light of the world and will dwell in eternal light.
May someone this week, or this day, see the light of Jesus in your Light Living and give thanks to God.
Amen.
Birthdays
| Charles Nottingham | 2/3 |
| Betty Bier | 2/4 |
| Emily Field | 2/4 |
| Ryan Hitch | 2/6 |
| Cruz Kleiboeker | 2/7 |
| Toni Lueck | 2/7 |
| Jennifer Parry | 2/7 |
| Justin McNeely | 2/9 |
| Herb Renken | 2/10 |
| Mollie Hitch | 2/12 |
| Cassandra Fortney | 2/17 |
| Nicole Galante | 2/17 |
| Luanne Huth | 2/23 |
| Lucas Schempp | 2/28 |
Baptismal Birthdays
| Cruz Kleiboeker | 2/3 |
| Mary McEleney | 2/4 |
| Cannon Kleiboeker | 2/6 |
| Brian Hitch | 2/8 |
| Nicholas Hitch | 2/8 |
| Greg McNeely | 2/9 |
| Tanner Hitch | 2/10 |
| Matthew Culp | 2/14 |
| Robert Hanner | 2/17 |
| Georgia Boriack | 2/18 |
| Kaitlin Culp | 2/19 |
| Travis Henson | 2/20 |
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Sometime during the last week of December 2019 someone in our house decided to have cauliflower for supper. This odorous, vile food stunk up our house. Something had to be done. A plan had to be executed. Noses and eyes were at stake. What to do?
The one female in our home had purchased a candle for the holidays. The scent – cocoa cream. Ahh…the aroma. The sweetest smell of any candle I have had the pleasure of breathing into my nostrils. It was time to act. The cauliflower smell was spreading and we could not let it reach the neighbors!
I took the candle around the house and the cleansing was beginning. We live in a bi-level home and the stench had made its way to our entryway. I placed the candle on the floor of our entryway and I just sat there on the stairs staring at the flame. The fragrance of the air in our home was starting to change.
As I sat there I thought about fire. It is one of God’s creation’s that is both a blessing and a curse. We use fire every worship service to remind us of the light of Christ. Christmas Eve is always special with everyone holding a lighted candle and singing Christmas hymns. Fire can warm us around a campfire, cook our food and a fireplace can accent a room and give us a warm, cozy feeling.
But fire can also ravage and cause destruction. We see wildfires in our country and around the world. If you’ve ever watched a home or building burn you know how quickly fire can turn lives upside down. Fire can cover up crimes. The biggest serial arsonist in the United States was a Lutheran who was turned in by his family in the Seattle area. He had a sick fascination with fire.
In God’s Holy Word, the word “fire” is used throughout the Old and New Testament. Fire is consuming and devouring and kindled against. Fire is associated with hell and is unquenchable. There is even a “lake of fire” in the Book of Revelation.
In Scripture fire is also noted positively. Numerous times God was in the flames when He talked with people. “A pillar of fire” led the Israelites through the night. The Holy Spirit and fire are synonymous. Jude writes, “save others by snatching them out of the fire.” That is what our Lord does for us. He suffered the fires of hell on our behalf.
I thought of it this way that night on the stairs. The Lord Jesus took away the stench (sorry cauliflower lovers) and the fire of destruction and left us with a bouquet of cocoa cream candles. Breathe it in!
In Christ, Pastor
Elder and Usher schedule
| Feb 2 | Nick Hitch, Steve Parry | Paul Gerike | Brian Dirks, Mike Huth |
| Feb 9 | Gene Fuller, Richard Ross | Craig Culp | Greg McNeely, Karson Lueck, Will McNeely |
| Feb 16 | Barry Hamlin, Mike Field, Nathan Kluender | Karson Lueck | Brian Hoop, Theron Noth |
| Feb 23 | Paul Gerike, Steve Parry | Randy Reinhardt | Bob Love, Brian Dirks, Karson Lueck |
| Feb 26 Ash Wednesday | 7PM | Randy Reinhardt | Barry Hamlin, Bob Love, Nathan Kluender |
Acolyte Schedule
| Feb 2 | None Needed | None Needed |
| Feb 9 | Pastor/Elder | Matt Williamson |
| Feb 16 | Clayton Piper | Pastor/Elder |
| Feb 23 | Pastor/Elder | Justin McNeely |
| Feb 26 Ash Wednesday 7PM | Luke Piper |
January 26, 2020 Text: Matthew 4:12-25
Dear Friends in Christ,
What’s in a kingdom? That is a question we are going to answer today. Christians may have a little different distinction on what a kingdom is, especially if they know their Bible, but the word kingdom does not always bring forth good thoughts.
Go back to the Dark Ages, when kings ruled many kingdoms. The common man and woman had no voice in their government and many times no freedom. They lived at the whim of their rulers. It was like living in a dictatorship. Wouldn’t that be bad news?
For us, with Jesus as our King, and living in the kingdom of heaven that can’t really be bad news, can it? This morning, let’s consider . . .
“WHAT’S IN A KINGDOM?”
When Jesus begins preaching and says in our text, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” this is good news. The Jews had a hard time with His words because they were living under an awful kingdom led by King Herod. Herod had just put John the Baptist in prison and soon would have his head.
This is typical of many kingdoms. Power corrupts. Kings take advantage of their subjects. Kings can use and abuse and even execute their victims just to derive some sick pleasure.
On top of that, even in the best of circumstances, kings can restrict the freedom of their people. Israel’s kings would levy taxes and make laws when they felt like it. A king’s word is final. There may be advisors but that is all they are. People must be willing to do what the king asks. Absolute loyalty is required.
We rebel against that. We all want to be our own kings. We all have our little fiefdoms, places and people we want to control. We don’t even want the best King – God Himself – to rule over us. His royal law describes life at its happiest and most harmonious, but we would rather go our sinful way and latch on to what looks good and what feels good. We want control of our destiny. We live in a democracy politically and we want that in our spiritual lives.
What’s In A Kingdom? In the kingdom of heaven something that is very, very good. The kingdom of heaven is set apart in every way from the bad kingdoms. Jesus didn’t reign for the glory or pleasure. He didn’t come to sit on a cushy throne in Jerusalem or Rome. He came to the backwaters of Galilee.
Jesus came to bring light to those in darkness. During the European Dark Ages, those people were literally in the dark with the feudal system. Everyone was serving for the benefit of a higher lord. At the top of the pyramid was the king. Unlike those kings, Jesus came that the lowest of people, like those in Galilee, might see God in His true light, as a loving Father.
Jesus does call us to service, like he did the disciples in our text, but serving Him is an honor that leads to eternal glory. Behind the “Follow me” was Gospel, Good News, because Christ was saying, “I have chosen you to be with me, to be mine.” Jesus uses His almighty, kingly power not to subdue us, but to conquer our enemies – diseases, demons, and death.
Isn’t this better than being our own kings? The kingdom of heaven is ruled by grace – God gives that which we don’t deserve. Let’s be honest, we stink at being our own kings. Our self-rule just leads to empty lives of broken relationships, climbing and not reaching, exacerbating our problems. We reach a dead end when we control our own eternity. Thankfully we don’t need to. Jesus fulfilled the law for us His followers and He purchased for us real freedom by His death on the cross.
What’s In A Kingdom? A lot more than you thought. But what a blessing this kingdom is. This kingdom, we now live in, is truly heaven!
Amen.