Sermon Text Mar 17, 2019 — Where To Go
March 17, 2019 Text: Luke 13:31-35
Dear Friends in Christ,
Have you ever had someone tell you “where to go?” I don’t mean the directions you get from the local gas station or the GPS that keeps telling you to turn around so it can recompute your route. I mean someone telling you “where to go” as in a not so friendly manner. Maybe it was a co-worker telling you “where to go” when you felt they weren’t doing their part of a project. Could it be a son or daughter who didn’t appreciate your advice and they told you “where to go.” How about a spouse who didn’t like your tone of voice and they suggested “where to go” which ended up being the couch or the basement for the night.
Don’t take this the wrong way but I am going to tell you “where to go” this morning. I pray I do it in a Law/Gospel way and if this makes you feel any better, I am using the words of Jesus in our text to get the point across. Lord and Savior please tell us this morning . . .
“WHERE TO GO”
Our text seems to begin with some care and concern. Can it be? Pharisees? “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” (v. 1) They are telling Jesus “where to go” and it is not Jerusalem. Let’s not be duped this morning. The Pharisees weren’t concerned about Jesus’ welfare as much as they were tired of Jesus’ being there. Jesus was gathering a large following on their turf…and they didn’t like it, so they are going to tell Him where to go.
It is just like the world to not want Jesus around. Herod even wants to end His life. Amazing how someone so perfect can stir such hatred. But we see it around us. Jesus please leave the school and the marketplace and the courts and the government and we, the worldly wise will tell you and your followers “where to go.” Where do they want us? In our homes, with our mouths shut. Or gathered in our churches with a social gospel. They don’t want God’s Word or to hear what Jesus the Savior has to say.
Jesus is going to speak in spite of this as He does in our text. “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.” (v. 2) Let’s not degrade the Savior into some wimp who is just all about acceptance. He calls out Herod for who he is – deceitful, sly, tricky, a psychopath. Herod will be one of the engineers telling Jesus where to go.
The thing is Jesus knows where He is going. In our text He must be on His way because He still has miraculous work to do. But He will return. He must die in Jerusalem. Jesus knows where He has to go to get us to where we need to go. The Pharisees took Jesus’ talk of a “third day” seriously because you may remember they posted a guard at Jesus’ tomb until the 3rd day.
Where to go? Where to go? Everyone is always looking where to go for answers. They are right here. In our sin, the devil would like to escort us down the path of “where to go.” That is someone we don’t want to follow…it might get a little hot. Jesus instead would like to have us go to quiet waters and golden streets. He made it possible when He returned to Jerusalem. He knew He was in a long line of prophets that had been killed and would be killed in Jerusalem. His death and resurrection would open up for us the “New Jerusalem.”
Out of the billions of people on this planet Jesus gathered you and me together as a hen gathers her brood. We are His. And somehow, regardless of what’s going on in your life this morning – somehow, if you’re really thinking about it – His gathering you under His wings has to make a difference as you live in world that doesn’t want Jesus.
As those saved by the cross do we just stand there admiring it as a work of art? No. We depart because the Lord wants to tell us “where to go.” “Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Mt. 28:19) “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) Christianity is not a stagnant faith. It is a moving faith. A faith on the move in our actions and words. The next time you want to tell someone “where to go” point him or her to the cross or to the Bible or to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
See, I told you it would not be so bad. Where to go? You know and I know now let’s tell the unbelieving world “where to go”. Then when we get there let’s look for them on the path laid down by Jesus our Savior.
Amen.
Bulletin Announcements
March 17, 2019
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Philippians 3:19 – “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” St. Paul does not want us to set our minds on earthly things, for they are passing away. This is similar to what Jesus says about storing up treasures on earth rather than storing them in heaven. Our heart tends to go where we put our treasure. This is why God commands us to live generously; not to spoil our fun but to help train us in keeping our priorities straight and our minds off earthly things.
FAITH IN ACTION OF BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL: One ride, one visit, one Senior at a time. Need a ride? Want to volunteer? Need more information? Call (309) 827-7780; or email: office@bnfia.org or contact Barry Hamlin at (309) 750-9424.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).
THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.
MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP under the theme: “Let My People Go”, will continue this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. This week’s sermon: “Stop Trying and Start Trusting”. Trusting in your Church Council to feed you they have an array of palatable delights that you may digest starting at 5:30 p.m. The free will Offering for the evening will go to Seminary Student Joseph Schlie and family.
FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT IN MARCH is this coming Friday, March 22nd at 6:30 p.m. The title of the movie is “RISEN”. “RISEN” is the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection as told through the eyes of a non-believer. Clavius, a powerful Roman military tribune and his aide, Lucius are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem. Join us for another great movie, good food and wonderful fellowship this coming Friday, March 22nd at 6:30 p.m. in the church basement.
NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the APRIL NEWSLETTER. Any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted via email to goodshepherdblm @frontier.com, via mail, hand-delivered, or you may call (309) 662-8905 or (309) 838-1552. Thank you!
“Walk For Life”: Pastor and Toni make their annual trek in the Living Alternatives – Pregnancy Resource Center’s Annual “Walk For Life”. The walk will be held at Christ Church, PCA in Normal on Saturday, April 13th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. If you would like to walk, please see Pastor who has the forms. Also, please speak with Pastor if you would like to support the Lueck’s. Thank you.
FROM THE OFFICE: It’s time for the Annual Renewal of Lutheran Witness. Emails are going out to those who currently have a subscription. If anyone who is not currently receiving the Lutheran Witness is interested, please contact either Janet or Sandy in the office before the end of March and we will gladly add your name to the list. The cost is only $15.96 for the entire year; July 2019 through June 2020. (The June/July issue is combined so there are 11 issues.)
THE LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS, “People Of The Passion” are available on the table in the narthex. Pick up your free copy today.
FROM THE OFFICE: It’s time for the annual update of the Church Directory Listing. On the table in the narthex there are two lists, one with only phone numbers and email addresses; and also one with home addresses included. Please check the listings and make any changes necessary. We hope to have a new Church Directory for you by the first Sunday in April. Thank you for your help.
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2019 we have two separate sign-ups: Donut Pick-up and Coffee Set-up. We would like to encourage you to sign-up for one or the other. You may also sign-up for both if you wish. The sign-up sheet is by the door by the north stairwell.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Death Doesn’t End the Story” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from John 11. Some accept death as the end, others, as a new beginning. Jesus turned death into a sign that points us to the Author of Life. The speaker will be Reverend Dr. Michael Zeigler. Hear his 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.
FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE: If you miss church, please be reminded that copies of the previous week’s sermon are available on the table in the narthex. Also, the sermon will be available on our web site at www.goodshepherdblm.org. Thank you.
PRAYER CIRCLE: 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 cell phone# is (309) 532-2582. The Prayer Request box is on the table in the narthex for any written requests.