Implanting the Word in You

Easter 5

May 14, 2017

James 1:16:21

Grace and mercy to you from God our Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Today’s text:

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruit of his creatures.  19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.  Thus far the text.

Let us pray:  Father of Lights, you are the giver of every good gift and every perfect gift, protect us from being deceived but rather receive with meekness Your implanted word so that our souls be saved and we may be a kind of first fruit among your creatures; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Savior.  Amen.

Now why would our Father tell us to put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness?  But this text is addressed to Christians.  To you and me.  So maybe there is something more than crude filthiness and rampant wickedness that headline your favorite news outlet.

Filthiness is a temptation that Christians experience.  Of course pornography and drug abuse should be put away.  But the temptation of filthiness is also among Christians who, having heard the Gospel, think they know it and stop listening to it.  A filthy comment might be, “I was confirmed in this church and therefore, even though I haven’t attended in years or decades, I am a member of this church.”  A filthy comment might be, “I know the catechism so I don’t need to hear the Gospel anymore.”  Or, “What do and Bible study and daily Bible readings and prayer have to do with me?  I know all that stuff already.”  

The temptation of filthiness is to set aside the Gospel to pursue wealth and pleasure.  The Holy Spirit names this filthiness.

Rampant wickedness is a temptation that Christians experience that is more subtle than just fist fights and theft, although Christians should put that type of behavior away as well.  But the temptation of rampant wickedness  is among Christians who are wearied of the social stigma of being a Christian.  You give up property or reputation for the sake of Christ and you are teased.  It hurts.  No one likes to be considered a fool.  Especially, when those who tease you have more and more property or a better and better reputation or get along in greater and greater comfort.

The temptation of rampant wickedness is to say, ‘I would rather go with the crowd than endure these trials.  The Holy Spirit names this rampant wickedness.

Good people fall away from Christ because of these two temptations.

Even while they call themselves good Christians they have given themselves over to the pursuit of wealth and pleasure and comfort.

The Word God implanted in them dies.  Life and salvation do not grow.

This is our repentance for this morning.  Put off all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted Word.

And then how do we protect ourselves in the midst of these temptations?

It is written:  16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  

So count your gifts.  It might sound cliche but count your blessings.  Do no be deceived!  Your gifts, your blessings, far outweigh any hardship you are enduring.

James distinguishes good gifts and perfect gift.

Good gifts are all the good things you have now.  I’m not going to focus on these but some of the good gifts you have are your mom and dad.  Not perfect but still good.  Your wife or husband.  Not perfect but good.  Your son or daughter; house and home; food and drink, clothing and shoes; land animals and all that you have.  They are not perfect.  But they are good gifts.  You don’t have to be a Christian to count your good gifts.  The Father of lights is the Giver of all good gifts.

Then there are the perfect gifts.  Perfect gifts are your by promise.  Perfect gifts are implanted in you by means of Word and Sacrament.  Perfect gifts are received by faith in Jesus Christ only.  

Perfect gifts are the holy Christian church triumphant, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection from the dead, and the life everlasting.

Do not be deceive.  Do not fall.

The whole book of James seems to be an encouragement to Christians to be patient to the extent that you do not allow yourselves to be upset if others injure you, especially those who despise God’s Word and even those who persecute the church.

For the Father has given you good and perfect gifts that far outweigh your difficulties.  You have many good gifts.  Count them.  You are promised many perfect gifts as well; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

The peace of God, which passes understanding, guard and keep you in Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Amen.

In A Little While

May 7, 2017

St. John 16:16-22

Let's be honest. There are lots and lots of people who live just fine without Jesus. They don't have to worry about dragging themselves out of bed on Sunday morning or putting any of their income in the plate or being bound by any rules or commandments. Their lives may not be extraordinarily awesome but they're not horrible either. They live just fine without any real notion of God or Jesus or sin or forgiveness or faith. And so, in order to attract those folks, churches often try to advertise the Gospel and Jesus and faith as something that will make their lives better. Offer them something more. Give them something exciting. And they might be interested for a bit. Come and check it out. But then they'll soon realize that religion is just one more thing to worry about and they can let it go. They did fine without Jesus and they'll do fine again without Him. Maybe. Until they die.

You know, Christians are often accused of only thinking about the afterlife so that they don't pay any attention to this life. But here's the thing: This life is full of sorrow. You can have a good life, a decent life, a more or less trouble free life but in the end, something is going to happen. If nothing else, you'll die. And nothing you've done in this life or tried to do will prevent it. Can stop it. Can beat it. So, yeah, Christians DO think about the life to come because there IS a life to come. We recognize, because our Lord has taught us by His Word, that in this life we will have sorrow. And as long as we can't see Jesus with out eyes, we're going to have sorrow and suffering. But the time will come when our sorrow turns to joy. When our sadness becomes gladness. When death and darkness and sin and gloom are no more and there is eternal life and the glory of Jesus and the saints around us and a new heaven and a new earth forever. Why SHOULDN'T we think about that? Ponder it? Long for it? It's what the Lord has promised us.

Consider Jesus' disciples with Him before His suffering and death. “I am going away and you will have sorrow but then your sorrow will be turned into joy.” Jesus is going to fulfill what He came to do. To suffer and die for sinners. To face the ultimate in sorrow and sadness and suffering. Then to rise again. They disciples, when they finally realized Jesus was alive, were full of joy. But then our Lord ascended and while there was still joy, there was much sorrow and suffering ahead. But Jesus promises that He will see them again and their sorrow will be turned into joy. It is this promise, that He will see them again, which keeps them from falling into despair when they face that sorrow. That is the promise that He will rise from the dead. It's also the promise He will return in glory. He fulfilled the first, so there's no reason to doubt the second. Our Lord WILL come again. And when He does, our sorrow will be turned into joy.

And you and I need to hear that promise. We need to be assured that this whole church thing is not some big waste of time! For that's what our sinful flesh concludes. The world around us seems to get along just fine without Jesus, why should I bother? What good does it do me? That's the “only here and now thinking” the devil wants you to have. But Christ has rescued you from such despair by telling you: He will come again and you will see Him and your sorrow will be turned into joy. Both Jeremiah in the book of Lamentations and Peter in his epistle tell us that suffering is a fact of being God's people. As long we trust in God, the devil and world and sinful flesh will be against us. And they will rejoice at our suffering and be glad to see it. It's hard to have such opposition. It would be easier to go with the flow and give up on Christ. So Christ Himself gives us His Word to strengthen us. “I will come again and you will see Me and your sorrow will be turned to joy.” This promise is true because He rose again. It's the first proof that Christ keeps His Word. But more than that, He's baptized you. Absolved you. Feeds you with His body and blood. Gives you His Word which is there to strengthen and comfort you and remind you of His promise that He will come back and that your sorrow will be turned into joy.

The world laughs at our weeping and lamenting. When we struggle with sin, the world laughs and calls us hypocrites. When we suffer wrong the world laughs at us and says, “How's turning the other cheek working for you?” When we suffer in our bodies and minds and offer up our pleas and prayers, the world laughs at us wondering to whom we're talking? When we die and mourn at death, the world laughs at us as fools for thinking the dead come back to life. But the time will come, dear Christians, when you will laugh and be full of joy and the world will weep and lament its judgment. It tried this once already with Jesus and He was alive three days later. It will try it with you but when Christ returns, He promises that your sorrow will be turned into joy. While the world laughs, cling to your Baptism and the body and blood of Jesus and His Word and there you will have the promises with which the Holy Spirit gives you strength to endure this sorrow until it is turned into joy.

As Christians, we all have our callings and vocations to worry about. Taking care of children. Taking care of parents. Doing our jobs. Loving our neighbors. Being part of the body of Christ and this particular congregation. We work to do those things well now, in this life. But we DO think about what is to come. We think ahead because our Lord has promised that our sorrows are turned into joy. Just think about an expectant mother. She knows it's going to hurt to have that child. And when the child is born, it DOES hurt. But then suddenly that is all past and there she is, holding her newborn baby and rejoicing in that gift from God. That's how it is for us. We suffer. We sorrow. We know we'll endure such things. But then, when our crucified and risen Jesus appears again on the Last Day, that will all be forgotten in a moment as the joy and gladness of eternal life is given to us forever. The world doesn't get that and it never will but it's our hope and life and strength in this life. We know that it's true because Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Confirmation Day 2017

Our Savior Lutheran Church - LCMS 2611 Lucas Street Muscatine, IA 52761 www.oursaviormuscatine.org

Third Sunday of Easter - Confirmation Day - April 30, 2017

Grace and mercy to Krystol, Xander, C.J., Alex, and Crew on this your confirmation day, to your parents and grandparents, guests, visitors, and to the bad and the good gathered before God our Father this morning. Grace and mercy to your from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

It is written, Jesus says, "I AM the Good Shepherd".

Let us pray: Gracious Father, You sent your only begotten Son Jesus Christ to be our Good Shepherd. Thank you for Shepherding Krystol, Xander, C.J., Alex and Crew throughout their lives and to this day. Continue to Shepherd us with the Shepherd, the Good One, Jesus Christ so that we may be brought into Your fold and remain with You for eternity; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.

A quick announcement for your comfort. You are not the future of the Christ's church. Just like your parents and grandparents before you, you are not the future of Christ's church. No, the future of Christ's church is Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.

It is written, KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

This verse - by itself - says so much.

I AM - this is not simply identification, but Jesus revealing Himself as the I AM of the Burning Bush in Exodus 3. He is God, the Word Incarnate. The I AM sermons in John (unique to the Fourth Gospel) are special messages to us about Jesus and His relationship to the Father. Likewise, when Jesus said "I AM" to the frightened disciples when He walked on the water, He was not saying, "It's me," but "I AM God."

The Good Shepherd is also a special construction. Literally, it is "I AM the Shepherd the Good One." The word for good here is stronger in Greek – something like the noble One. In this combination it means:

• The Ultimate Shepherd, or

• The Unique Shepherd, or

• The Shepherd above all shepherds.

We have used the Good Shepherd so much in English that everyone knows what that means, and no hip translation can replace what is familiar to us through readings, paintings, and stained glass.

We see in religious art the Shepherd guiding His flock with His staff (Psalm 23) or holding a lamb in His Arms (Isaiah 40).

The second part of the verse defines what it means for Jesus to be the Good Shepherd - He gives His life for the sheep.

The preaching of the Gospel is the solemn proclamation of the Atonement, the shedding of blood, which was predicted as early as Genesis 3:15 and clearly taught in Isaiah 53. 

The message of the Atonement is simply this. Jesus died for the sins of the world. Krystol, Xander, C.J. Alex and Crew – you are part of the world, therefore Jesus has made atonement for your sins. This sermon plants and sustains faith in the hearts of those who listen attentively to it. Some scoff and do not listen. Others listen and believe for a short time. Others listen and remain in faith until they build idols in their hearts to worship - in place of God. The last group can disguise themselves within the visible church as believers, but their actions and decisions betray their lack of faith in Jesus Christ.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Christ Jesus brings sheep into the fold - you do not. If you teach the Gospel as it is, without watering it down or sugar-coating it, the elect sheep hear Jesus' voice and come to hear more. Why do people not come to hear Jesus? Because they hate Jesus. It is not more complicated than that.

Jesus never said the true Church would be large in size. Luther often mentioned, "The Gospel is thinly sown."

There is a hymn, which we just sang, entitled - Fear Not Little Flock - but notice, there is no hymn called "Fear Not, Mega-Flock."

To Krystol, Xander, C.J., Alex, and Crew: throughout your lives you will meet many false shepherds who will tell you what to do to grow the church. You will meet false shepherds who will tell to pitch your Small Catechism, pitch your hymnal, maybe even pitch your Holy Bible.

And yet, you are Baptized and you believe what you have been taught. Jesus is the future of His church. Listen to Him and do not be afraid.

Palm Sunday

                                                      Palm Sunday 

Palm Sunday

April 9, 2017

John 12:1-9 The Triumphant Entry

Pastor Pautz

Grace and mercy to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Holy Scripture for this morning's sermon is from today's Gospel according to John. Let us hear a portion of that Scripture again. It is written in John 12:17-18.

17The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this miracle.

Thus far the text. Let us pray:

Creator Father, Your Son raised Lazarus from the dead and then entered Your holy city Jerusalem to die Lazarus' death and become the atoning sacrifice to save all sinners from death. Save us, O Father, by sending Your blessed Son, who comes in Your name, to give us His resurrected body and blood to us to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of our sins and so that our bodies may rise on the last day too, never to die again; in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem is connected to the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

Many people saw the resurrection of Lazarus. Four days after Lazarus died, Jesus showed up and wept for His friend. "Move the stone," Jesus said. Martha calmly but sincerely suggested otherwise, "It will stink." Jesus replied, "Did I, Jesus, not tell you that if you believe you would see the glory of God." So, they rolled away the stone. Jesus prayed. Then Jesus said, "Lazarus, come out."

And Lazarus come out of the grave.

And many witnessed Lazarus' resurrection.

And every eye-witness was talking and more than a few were plotting Jesus' death.

And then it was Palm Sunday. Six days before the Lord's Passover.

Jesus left Bethany to enter Jerusalem and Lazarus was with Jesus. The large crowd broke into two groups. One group walked with Jesus. The other group ran ahead to tell people that Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the dead and that both Jesus and Lazarus were coming to Jerusalem, so a third group formed and was waiting Jesus' arrival.

Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem is connected to the raising of Lazarus from the dead. But for the wrong reasons.

For Jesus knows the week that he is about to face. Jesus knows that is not riding in a king's triumph, but rather in a convicts final procession to the crucifixion. The crowds don't know it, the disciples don't know, but Jesus knows it: he is riding to his death.

But Lazarus is there. Jesus has power over death. And when someone has that much power...people want a peace of it. One group wants a king. Another group wants Jerusalem's glory years to return. Another group wants to see the mighty Romans paraded out of town. Other groups want Jesus dead.

You want something too. Something different than a dead and bloodied Jesus, I suppose. One group wants confirmation over with so they don't have to study the Holy Scriptures anymore. Another group wants more programs so more people can get involved so they can feel better about their unbelief. And everyone wants a better street view of our sanctuary as long as the design is their own and the price tag is for someone else. And yet it is your unbelief that does not want to hear that faith in a dead and bloodies Jesus is your hope for the life of your soul and body.

So, repent. Repent by the Law and believe by the Gospel. Repent by studying the Holy Scriptures and believe by asking God for mercy. Repent of attaching strings and demands to your offerings and believe that our Father is taking care of you. Repent of your plan to spend the congregation's offerings and believe that their use is for distributing Jesus by His means of Word and Sacrament.

Repent and believe that Jesus loves you without any strings attached or for any other purpose that to save your from your sins and give you life, without any merit or worthiness in you.

This Thursday, Jesus will tell you again how changed the Lord's Passover to the Lord's Supper so that death will pass over you and you will be freed from bondage to your sin. This gift will be received by faith.

This Friday, Jesus will tell you again how He suffered and died as your sin, so that you will never experience the horror of death even though one day you will die. This gift is received by faith.

This Saturday, too, is a special service. Jesus will tell you of His descent into Hell and how you are now already mostly resurrected from the dead. Your soul already experiences eternal life. Only your skin and bones need the renewal. This gift is received by faith.

Faith, not in crowds or selfish desires, but in the Annointed One who has power over death because He is the True God who took on your humanity into Himself and died as your sin. This is the week Jesus accomplished the atoning sacrifice for your sin. That atonement is finished.

Now, the delivery of that Good Friday atonement by the Holy Spirit's tools. Holy Baptism, Absolution, Holy Communion, Holy Gospel for the forgiveness of your sins. And where there is the forgiveness of sins, there is also salvation and eternal life; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.