Sermon Texts

May 10, 2020                                                                    Text:  Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60

Dear Friends in Christ,

            How many of you like movie previews?  They give brief snippets of scenes, which are supposed to give you an overview of the film.  These previews have grown over the years.  You can be 10 minutes late to the theatre and the previews are still playing.  Convenient I guess for the perpetually tardy.

            This morning our sermon text from Acts is the stoning of Stephen.  It is not the whole story.  For that you need to read all of Acts 6 and 7.  We just get pieces in our text.  We get scenes.  We have highlights from the film. 

            This story has it all.  Miraculous powers.  Murderous threats that get carried out.  Impassioned speech.  A Christian man willing to stand for his faith.  God is here, but what is He doing?  This morning, we are going to take a moment to meditate on,

“SCENES OF GOD AT WORK”

            As our focus on this story comes into view we see various ways that God is at work.  The disciples are collecting food for the needy and working and praying and laying their hands upon co-workers in the Kingdom.  Stephen is mentioned as “a man full of faith.”

            This scene could be right out of our congregation.  The Pastor preaches and prays and the congregants collect food for a local food pantry or do mission work in our community.  Even in the mundane God is there.

            The scene shifts to see God at work in marvelous ways.  The action is ramping up as Stephen gives a speech.  Again, only a part of his words are in our text.  It may be hard to go back to the first time you heard this story concerning Stephen but what did you think would happen?  Did you expect God, as some superhero, to swoop in and save Stephen from stoning?  Did you want the happy ending?

            God works in a way where the marvelous and the murderous are woven together with one another.  Luke wants us to know that God works wonders in the suffering of this world.

            Look carefully at the scene.  When Stephen is dragged out and stoned how is he positioned?  He falls to his knees.  Is he falling because of the stoning or is he kneeling in reverence to God?  The answer is yes to both.  You would think there would be a difference between being knocked to the ground with stones and kneeling in prayer.  But, according to Luke, sometimes they look the same.

            As Stephen is dying he cries out.  He is not screaming in pain.  He is saying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (7:60)  He breathes his last and falls asleep.  A moment that recalls Jesus’s words on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

            Even in this bloody scene with suffering and dying, God is still at work.  Because Jesus entered into our world and suffered and died to take away our sin, Stephen can ask that these misguided humans be forgiven.  Stephen knew that because of Jesus rising from the dead, sin and evil and death itself had been conquered.  He met death willingly – who follows in his train?

            What scene from your life has our Lord entered?  For all of us it is this temporary annoyance we’ve lived under for almost two months.  When things are out of our control, we get scared.  Stones are coming at us – do this, don ‘t do this, wear a mask, stay away from your church, go to a store, keep a distance, work from home, school work online, but in all of this hasn’t it driven us to our knees?  How many times in the last few months have you asked God for direction?  Have you gone to Him to know if you are doing the right thing?  Go out – stay home.  Have mini services at church or not worry about it?  Listen to the government or use your own common sense? 

            The thing to see in these scenes is that the Lord is there.  He has kept you safe.  He has kept many still working.  He has allowed the church to survive through your prayers and offerings.  You are nearing the end of your school year.  You have food and clothing and a hot water heater that works.  And you know from history that this is only temporary.  The scenes from Stephen’s life encourage you to see God at work in your world.

            Stephen wasn’t afraid.  He was “a man full of faith.”  He didn’t go looking to die, but he also didn’t shy away from the consequences of his words.  God was at work in the world of Stephen and we remember him to this day.

            God rules over all things and works in our world.  He created us, claimed us as His own in Baptism, calls us to serve him in our various vocations, and promises to raise us up to live with Him in the new creation.

            Will this scene we are living in have a happy ending for all of us?  I can’t give that assurance.  But know this – God is not distant from the world.  His promises of life and salvation endure until the end.  He works in the mundane and the marvelous and nothing – not even death – can separate us from His love and mercy.  I’ve enjoyed these scenes of God at work . . . how about you?            Amen.          

May 3, 2020                                                                                        Text:  John 10:1-10

Dear Friends in Christ,

            When I was a young shaver we would often visit family friends who had Holstein milk cows.  It was always fun to watch them being milked.  The front of the barn, where we entered had a door sliced in the middle.  This way the bottom could be closed to keep the cows in the barn while the top door could be open when a nice cool breeze was needed. 

            I wasn’t as afraid of cows as I was of dogs but I always kept my eye on where the cow was going when I was in the barn.  One time a cow was coming right toward me and I thought there was no time to open the door so thinking quickly I jumped up and climbed out the half door.  There would be no Lueck/Holstein confrontation this day.

            Today in our Gospel lesson Jesus calls Himself the “door.”  How many times do we want to climb right over that door because of our lack of trust?  As scared sheep do we ever hide behind a door?  Today is Good Shepherd Sunday . . . the Lord is taking you by the hand . . . let’s find out together . . .

“WHAT’S BEHIND THE DOOR?”

            Have you ever been anxious or nervous to enter a door?  A hospital room with a loved one inside?  A closed door from your teenager you just had a spat with?

A spouse who’s slammed door spoke volumes?  The first time you ever went to a funeral home?  The boss who wants to talk with you in their office?  Going into your mom’s bedroom shortly after she died?  I’ve been there.  So have you.

            Why are some places so hard to enter?  Because we feel we go in alone.  Instead of entering with the Good Shepherd, who is the door, we wrap ourselves in our own insecurities.  We hear other voices.  We let the thief and the robber have their way with our mind.  We think our salvation and our life and our success are based on us improving our lives on our own.  You make yourself the door.  You are actually the one who, by what you do and what you don’t do, determines if you are in the sheep pen or not.  You are the door through which you get into heaven.

            Today in our Gospel we hear the word “sheep” six times.  But we are not just anyone’s sheep.  We are the Lord’s sheep.  You have heard His voice.  You here in the sanctuary, you are sheep.  You watching online, you are sheep.  You are each uniquely loved, particularly cared for, and led out to pasture by Him.  He calls you by name.  At the baptismal font through water and the Word the Lord tagged you as his sheep.

            Your Lord Jesus is not just behind the door – He is the door.  He is the way into the sheep pen.  He is the way out to green pasture.  He is the way to life, not just life in this world, but life eternal.

            The Good Shepherd has given His life for you and me.  Jesus went to the cross as the slaughtered sheep in our place.  The false shepherds of the day run and jump over the door to the sheep pen and when the wolves come they devour the sheep.  “I am not going to sacrifice myself for these silly sheep.”

            If the thief is behind the door – watch out.  The only thing you will find behind that door is death. 

            Our door – our Good Shepherd – died for all the times you try to make yourself the door.  He rose again on the third day to overcome your fear and anxiety.  Entering through this Door gives you life forever and ever.  Jesus goes before you to protect and guide you.  He meets your enemies head-on and defeats them for you.

            What’s behind the door?  You know by now, don’t you?  Our Good Shepherd – Jesus Christ.  This Sunday we celebrate that Jesus is our Shepherd, the Door through whom we have life and have it abundantly.

                                                                                    Amen.     

April 26, 2020                                                                                 Text:  Luke 24:13-35

Dear Friends in Christ,

            This next week is an exciting time for 4^th year seminary students.  They receive their first calls into the ministry.  Unfortunately, it will not be done in person.  I was in their shoes 29 years ago.  Where am I going?  What church is getting this goofy Pastor who looks fifteen years old?  It not only affected me, but Toni as well.  We were engaged to be married.  She sat with my parents and most everyone in the chapel had their Rand McNally Atlas with them.  Wahoo, Nebraska?   Deer Lodge, Montana?  I stood up, crossed the altar area and heard this that will probably never leave my brain – Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Littlefield, Texas.  I finally knew where Toni and I would be starting our life together.

            The two first-century disciples in our text knew they were going to Emmaus.  They knew the way.  Problem was, they didn’t know God’s way.  That was a problem, just as it often is for us.  So this morning, let’s . . .

“LET GOD SHOW US HIS WAY”

            These Emmaus disciples are found despondent and going the wrong way.  Easter was happening in Jerusalem, but they were leaving the city in a sad state.  They had just seen the death of Jesus but they didn’t know where to go, what to think, what to do.  They knew how to physically get to Emmaus, but in a sense, they had lost their way.

            So Jesus joins them, but recognizing Him escapes them.  It’s not an eye problem they suffer from.  Jesus has miraculously kept them from knowing him.  Their problem:  they didn’t understand God’s purpose.  They did not know which way God was going.  They didn’t trust that God’s way was working.  The events of the crucifixion gave them a feeling of defeat.

            Don’t we also miss where the Lord is taking us?  We tend to focus on the negatives of life.  99 people may tell us what a great job we did, but we let the one critical comment linger in our head.  Why do we do that?  Sinful people –even our family – surround us and we love to point out their faults.  Why do we do that?  I sense we are all at a tipping point because we can’t plan for the future.  Do I get the haircut appointment?  Will I get into my dentist by the end of the year?  Worship, O I miss my church family!  It’s tough.  We all hurt.

            Why do we do that?  We are sinful.  We forget God’s purpose for us – God’s way.  God values you, let go of your insecurity.  We focus so much on this world but this is not our home.  We forget that the gates of hell cannot overcome the Church of Jesus Christ.  When we focus so much on the negatives and that our plans are not working out the way they should, we may start to think God is going the wrong way.  Has our Savior lost His way?  Hey, you are going the wrong direction!  Except, He isn’t.

            God has always been going the right way – His way.  What is God’s way?  He explained the Old Testament Scriptures to these men.  The Lord always uses His written Word to show us His way.  Jesus showed that the whole Bible points to His death and resurrection.  His suffering and death were God’s way of salvation for us.  This was no defeat, this is glory.  This was God’s way of cleansing us of our sin.  He forgives our negativity and our lack of trust and heading off in the wrong direction.  God has cleared the way for our eternal salvation.

            God is guiding our way.  Let Him show you the way.  Yes, we have ups and downs.  The downs are never God losing His way, but rather God’s strengthening of us.  All the negatives are just sidetracks we see – or think we see – on the road to heaven.  You and I have stories of positive happenings this last month, look around because they are there.  More people are checking in on church services online.  Families have had more together time.  Less people have gotten sick than originally projected.  Traffic is lighter.  Toilet paper can be found!

            God will show the way for our future.  Christ got the disciples turned around to go God’s way.  They recognized him because He opened their eyes.  “Sure enough, it’s just as he said.  God has been in control.”  They run the seven miles back to Jerusalem to tell the others that Jesus has risen.  “We just talked with Him.  Wow, what a day we have had!”

            God also controls our way and our future.  Jesus is alive we tell others.  Scripture has been fulfilled we tell others.  All who believe in Him have eternal life we tell others.  Let’s use that 7-mile analogy.  Imagine the difference we can make in the lives of those within a 7-mile radius of our church.  God shows us the way and then leads us to share His way.

            God’s way is to redeem all people by Jesus’ death and resurrection.  God’s way is to have you and me spread that news.  Because of our Lord we know where we are going, even while we are still on the way.

                                                                                    Amen.     

April 19, 2020                                                                                   Text:  John 20:19-31

Dear Friends in Christ,

            “Google, why did we get snow in the middle of April?”  “Hey, Siri, how far should I social distance?”  “Alexa, please make a tee time for May 1^st, because I’m playing golf!”  The human voice has new power.  We talk to a machine . . . well, I don’t . . . but some of you do and it talks back.  This is straight out of “Buck Rogers in the 25^th Century” except it’s the 20^th century and here in our lives today.

            God created the voice to have power.  Do you remember the movie “March of the Penguins” narrated by Morgan Freeman from a few years back?  There was a scene with thousands of penguins, but the couples knew each other by their voices.  Amazing I remember thinking. 

            Easter is, among other things, about . . .

“THE POWER OF THE VOICE”

            We see the church at its worst this morning.  The disciples are all hunkered down in their fear.  Instead of letting their faith control their thoughts and actions, they are scared little rabbits hiding from the big, bad wolf.

            In steps the voice of the Lord.  “Peace be with you.”  Before these men can apologize for their behavior these last few days Jesus speaks to them.  He gives them the gift of His peace and joy.

            Now they are starting to understand all those things he had told them.  Jesus has taken away the separation between them and God.  They have been reconciled.  The same scene is repeated a week later when Thomas joins them.  The disciples tell him what had happened but he wouldn’t believe their story.  He had to see.

            Do you notice one thing that stands out?  They are still behind locked doors.  Trust can be a difficult thing, can’t it?  Jesus had told them He would be sending them out and that the Holy Spirit was upon them, but still they had their creeping doubts.  Didn’t it occur to one of them to unlock the door?  Jesus is here.  The Savior in our midst.  Sins forgiven.  A promise of forgiveness given to us.

            Where are we today?  Figuratively, many are behind locked doors or closed doors or at the very least quarantined doors.  Our fear is not the unbelievers or the authorities.  Our fear is the same as the disciples – trust.  The unknown can do this to even those with the greatest faith.  It happened to eleven men who spent day and night with their Savior.  They saw the miracles, heard the sermons, attended His Bible classes and yet they hole up in their homes as people with no hope.

            What about you?  Where is your level of trust this morning?  If you put it all on the earthly authorities you are going to be in sad shape.  Are you ready to unlock the door, come out and live?  Then through the Holy Spirit put your trust in the Lord.  He stands in your homes this day and in this church and says, “Peace be with you…Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 

            “Peace, your sin is forgiven.”  Jesus then adds, “Do not fear the world.  I have overcome the world.  Peace be with you.”  His Word, in the Savior’s voice, comes to us today with the same power as it came to those first disciples and to Thomas in those days after Easter.  “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (v. 31)

            Jesus spoke His peace to you in your baptism.  He speaks His peace to you at the Lord’s Table.  His word of peace gets you out of bed and from behind your couch and wherever else you have been hiding these last few weeks.  Sure, it would be nice to be Rip Van Winkle and take a month-long siesta and then be able to go wherever you want.  It doesn’t quite work that way.  That is why we need the Lord’s peace.  It is trust in Him that gets us back in the game.

            The Lord tells each of us, “get off the bench, I’m sending you in.”  We don’t go with bat and glove.  We go with the Holy Spirit.  We go with the keys of the kingdom.  We are sent to the world to be His voice of peace.  I pray you have been able to be that to your friends and neighbors.  They’ve been watching how you have handled yourself during this blip in our comfortable lives.  Have you lived the peace of the Lord?  Have you allowed His voice to be the voice above every other voice?  Are you living the hope of better days?

            Come on out, the Risen Lord is before you.  Modern voices are nice but nothing compared to the eternal voice that tells you and I to leave behind our fear, our sin, our sickness, and even death itself as we hear His Word one more time:  “Peace be with you.”

                                    Amen.     

April 12, 2020 – Easter                                                              Text:  Colossians 3:1-4

Dear Friends in Christ,

            We are in the midst of an evil, satanic pandemic – a disease prevalent over much of the world.  We must change our habits and attitudes, because the death is real and staggering.  Over 9 million deaths are predicted this year in China alone.  Most expect at least 700,000 deaths from this pandemic in the United States.  It is estimated 25 million deaths this year could occur worldwide that are not even reported.  The tragedy is unthinkable.  Coronavirus?  Hardly.  These deaths are purposely caused by the sin of abortion.

            As I read those statistics almost all of you heard coronavirus.  It’s everywhere.  On our lips.  In the news.  It’s part of commercials and phone calls and e-mails.  We hear about it at home.  We hear about it from our workplaces.  We know six feet distance and washing hands better than 2 + 2.  The word of the year is together.  See how many times you hear that in a 24-hour period.  Alone together.  Really?

            Do you see how tied to this world we are?  We are anxious about the job.  We are nervous about the elderly relative.  We worry about the economy.  We wonder when will it be over?  These last three weeks, let’s be honest, where has your focus been? – on the things of earth or on the things above?  The Lord knows we need this text for today.  Let’s get some perspective. 

            I am going to put my college French to use.  Today is our denouement – we are going to wrap up a series of events.  In Lent our sermon series has been on the Seven Deadly? Sins.  We are going to find closure and give hope.  With all that is happening in our lives . . .

“WHY ON EARTH SHOULD WE FOCUS ON HEAVEN?”

            Paul begins to give us a clearer perspective as he writes, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (v. 1-2)

            We have had a lot of earth plantings lately.  Who should I hug?  Do I go get groceries?  I had to go to the hospital this past Monday.  It took a few phone calls and checking me at the door, but I was let in.  Where am I?  Oz?  Willie Wonka’s Chocolate factory?  It was a little eerie.  Very few rooms occupied.  No one in the halls.  I don’t get nervous going to hospitals.  Why be apprehensive?  Visit made.  Hands held through latex gloves.  A minister doing his job, ministering.  A blessed day.

            A few facts.  Of those who get the virus 95% are still breathing.  In the latest round of the flu 7.1% died.  To be an epidemic you need 7.3%.  Do you see how we are so in tune with the things of earth?  I watch or listen to very little news because my mind doesn’t need distractions.  I do my job as a Pastor better without the clutter in my cranium.  How many are in despair, afraid, anxious, isolated, and alone because of their ties to earth?  Will anyone even notice if I’m gone?

            Enough about our current world.  Today Is Easter.  He is Risen!  The world to come looks pretty inviting, does it not?  Paul again from our text, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (v. 3-4)

            We died with Christ and we have been raised with Christ.  Our Lord and Savior paid the price for those times we clench our fist so hard to grasp this world.  He spilled His blood so that we can be washed clean of our mind on earthly things.  He went into the depths of hell for us so that we could be saved from everlasting torment.  He who created the ground, was buried in our place.  He was raised today so that we might also rise and conquer sin and death.

            Because Jesus died and rose our life is with Christ.  To be in Christ means to be more than willing to abandon all other things, including the sinful cravings of the heart.  In fact, as Christian people we want to set aside the sinful cravings of the heart not just because God commands it, but because of our connection to Jesus Christ.  He is our motivation.  “Why on earth should I focus on heaven?”

            W.H. Wente wrote, we are saints “set aside from an evil and wicked world as God’s possession, awakened to faith in Christ, receiving forgiveness of sins in daily repentance, and living a new life in the Spirit.  In this new life the Christian virtues develop.”  In all of the deadly sins we have talked about these last seven weeks there is a Christian virtue counterbalance.  For greed its charity.  With sloth its diligence.  In anger we need patience.  Instead of envy a heart of gratitude.  No more gluttony just temperance.  We overcome lust with chastity.  The death of pride comes with our humility.  The sins tie us to earth.  The virtues connect us to heaven.  We might add compassion, kindness, gentleness and forgiveness.  Holy Spirit please help us!

            St. Augustine sometime after his conversion was walking down the street and noticed a former mistress walking toward him.  After seeing her, he turned around to walk in the opposite direction.  Surprised, the woman cried, “Augustine, it is I.”  But continuing on his way Augustine cried back, “Yes, but it is not I!”

            Why on earth should our focus be on heaven?  Because our heavenly life is forever.  We will appear with Christ in glory.  No more masks, no more anxiety, no more distancing.  We will not be alone together.  We will be together together – around the throne of the Lamb in his Kingdom.  Brothers and sisters, until we can worship and fellowship as one body of Christ, keep the focus on heaven.  The Lord is there.  His love is so great that He gave His Son for you and me.  That Son rose, and ascended to the right hand of the Father.  Look up – keep looking up.  A Blessed Easter!

                        Amen.        

April 5, 2020 – Palm Sunday                                                          Text:  John 12:12-19

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Do you remember when you were young, especially those teenage years when you were sure that everyone was watching your every move?  You were always concerned about your image.  What do my friends think?  What does that cute boy or girl think of me?  My hair, my clothes, my body . . . oh my!

            Then what happens to most all of us?  We grow up.  We find out that people weren’t staring at us the whole time.  Some didn’t even care what we looked like.  The bubble was burst and that teen angst blew away.

            That doesn’t mean that vainglory doesn’t still continue.  For celebrities image is everything.  Whether they are the richest or the most beautiful or have the most talent doesn’t really matter.  What does matter is what the public thinks of them.  Can they get attention on the red carpet and on magazine covers and on late night talk shows?  Glory that’s purely vain.  Vainglory.  It is empty.  Why is it considered a deadly sin?  Because it is all about . . .

“MY GLORY”

            Who doesn’t want to be #1?  Who doesn’t want a little adoration?  You?  Me?  Of course we do.  We want to be recognized as the smartest, the political smarty-pants, the one with the most Facebook friends, the greatest kids.  We want adoration for praying the most often, being the busiest, having the best looking lawn, being a whizz at crossword puzzles or always being so darn nice to people.  Please give me a trophy for the best hair, the greatest body, our wonderful house or the way my charity outdoes your charity. 

            Who are you?  If you define yourself by what others think of you then you are in the throes of vainglory.  Don’t misunderstand please.  We should receive good feedback from others – appreciative words and encouragement – we all need that.  It is especially important to give this to our children.  Our approval and verbal uplifts give to young people love and security and confidence.

            The problem is when it becomes vain.  Something we deserve.  Many of you know the Carly Simon song with this line, “You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you.”  In an ironic twist many did think the song was about them.  She said in an interview it was a plethora of men she had known or dated.  When we start to think that everything is about us then it is a problem.  God gets pushed out of the picture or we leave Him hanging on some long forgotten wall.

            Now we come to Jesus on Palm Sunday?  A parade for Me?  Cloaks and palms and shouts of adoration – Hosanna!  Does Jesus look for the nearest camera so he can say, “Blessings you little ones, thanks for the parade, I have come here today to tell you that I am going to make Jerusalem great again.”  Is it about Him?

            If any had a reason for that line of thinking it was our precious Savior.  Gather the press I would like to tell them how I fed 5,000.  Can Time magazine do a cover story on my work with the demon-possessed man?  “Who does this guy think He is, He acts as if He can walk on water.”  “Oh, right, I do that too.  Come to the lake later and I’ll do a free demonstration.”

            Jesus didn’t do any of that.  In most of these situations, He just left.  He didn’t dance in the end zone.  He didn’t tweet about His exploits.  He didn’t even have his 12 press agents work on press releases. 

            Jesus could treat Palm Sunday like another shining moment, but He didn’t.  Why?  He knew that some of the very same people throwing a parade today would be screaming in unison for His death by Friday. 

            Jesus didn’t stop to do interviews or give some grand speech.  He rode on.  He rode on to die.  He didn’t care about vainglory.  He wasn’t about my glory – He cared about true glory.  True glory doesn’t come from a people lined street.  It comes from the Father in heaven.

            What Jesus sees ahead of Him is His heavenly Father on His throne waiting for Him.  He sees ahead of Him the giving of His life to save the world.  The glory Jesus seeks is the glory of God in heaven.  “Well done, My Son!’

            Now what about you?  Jesus paid for your sin of vainglory.  Instead of thinking about what others think of us in this world we should think on this question.   Almighty God and Father, maker of heaven and earth, “What does HE think of me?”  God has given Jesus for you and for me that we may believe in Him and be baptized into Him and may stand before our Father and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

            Is there any greater glory than that?  Remember when you receive praise for some talent that it all comes from the hand of God.  Is that how you share it with the world?  When complimented by someone, do you point to Jesus?  Do you put the glory into the proper hands?  Brothers and sisters won’t it be wonderful when the parade ends and we step into the glory of the world to come.  There He is, our Father on His throne – smiling in all His glory.

                                                                                    Amen.