this sermon was written and delivered by Deacon Don Harrell, back in September.  As I was about to post Deacon Jennings sermon (who preached this morning) I realized I never posted Don's.  It is a good thing for a pastor to be able to see two men develop in their ability in proclaiming Christ crucified, and know that they will deliver that message, when so delegated.

Easy Button....

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The young lady reaches over and removes the hat from the young man’s head (revealing his full head of hair) and places it on hers. They continue their conversation despite the distractions going on around them at the carnival booth they’re working and the 9 shots of Novocain the young man received earlier that morning.  She laughs at his jokes (which these days elicit  groans), smiles at him as he chats up those coming to the booth. His heart rate is around 180 and he doesn’t quite know how to react to her attention. After awhile, she says it’s time for her to go and starts to walk off. She’s thinking to herself “I’ve got his hat! He HAS to call me to get it back!” He realizes “She has my brother’s hat! I need to get that back or I’ll never hear the end of it from him!”  He runs over to her and she thinks to herself “He’s going to ask me out! …”I need my hat” he says. You can picture the disappointment on her face can’t you? It’s now obvious to just about everyone here what’s going on. But at the time, the young man had NO idea. The young lady eventually got her man, but that full head of hair has been gone for about a decade now. ....

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The Jews were also looking for their man. The Son of Man (uppercase S and upper case M). The one they pictured from Daniel 7: 13 “…and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came on like a son of man (lower case s and lower case m), and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” To the Jews, the Son of Man was the undefeatable world conqueror sent by God to put at their feet the “super powers” of those days, the Romans, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians and have them look up to Israel. They were so caught up in the image of the kingdoms of earth being subjected to them and a conquering king, in no way did they connect the Son of Man and a cross, even though many of Old Testament prophets gave them these signs. Micah told the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, Zechariah of His entering Jerusalem on a donkey and His betrayal for 30 pieces of silver. Isaiah foretold the miraculous birth and that He would preach the Good News to the poor and brokenhearted and David that the Messiah’s hands and feet would be pierced and the soldiers would cast lots for his things. An invincible leader of the armies of heaven? Yes. Some one who would die an accursed death for all? No. Even though many Old Testament prophecies are clear the Messiah would be a Savior for their sins.....

Are we any different today? Do we not look for signs, that “easy button”? Lord if you will just send me a husband/wife, give me that perfect job, find me that house and heal my family member. God fill the seats in the church and in our school and then I will know you are here with me.  Whether married or single, employed or not, whether the school ministry of Concordia stays open or not, isn’t God still with us? Does any of that change Christ’s work on the cross? We open our business sections to look at our stocks, turn on the T.V. or radio to listen to what’s happening in world. We turn everywhere except where God wants us to…the cross, the cross where the power and wisdom of God is revealed. But also where we are smacked right between the eyes with the fact that we can not save ourselves, we…can not…save…ourselves.  ....

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This concept of the cross was offensive to the Jews and it was beyond thought for the Greeks. The concept of God becoming a man and relating to man on his level was inconceivable. The thought of undeserved forgiveness freely given with open arms was ridiculous. Then to be put to death, willingly, as the worst criminal, on an instrument so crude and degrading and then being called Lord and Savior?! Absurdity! It contradicted all human logic and wisdom, all philosophy on being in control of one’s destiny. It was a show of complete weakness! No, the Greeks were wisdom seekers. They had to prove that they were wise enough, that they had all the answers. So the Greeks went about chasing philosophy after philosophy, going from religion to religion and from teacher to teacher. Just like the Greeks, we today want to find and have all the answers to gain the approval of God. If only I could memorize the Small and Large Catechism, the Book of Concord and the Athanasian Creed, I would be acceptable in the eyes of God. We are constantly and consistently searching for ways to keep control of our lives. “How-To” books fill our shelves. We look to Palm and Tarot card readers, and astrology.  We want that “easy button”. ....

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It was pointed out that in last week’s children sermon I couldn’t focus on the crucifix around my neck but only on this empty cross. Why? I was asked. “Because His work is done.” I replied. “Is it really?” came the response. “Do you no longer sin?”  Do you no longer have the need for the saving grace of God found in the work of the cross? Yes and yes. But I also know this. All the answers are here at the foot of the cross, where we are reminded that His broken body and His shed blood have won life and salvation, where we have been freed from the guilt, punishment and power of sin through the suffering and death of Christ. This is that easy button, “given and shed for you.” ....

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. ....

Concordia Lutheran Church....

Pentecost 13, August 30, 2009....

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Make them Known….....

Deut 4:1-2, 6-9....

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 † In the Name of Jesus, the Messiah †....

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May the grace, the mercy and the peace of God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ fill your life, your children’s lives, their children’s lives….....

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It wasn’t quite a miracle, but it indeed it was a remarkable occurrence.  Men, from age forty-four to fifti-ish, gathered on a softball field in Buena Park yesterday, coming from all over Southern California. They played three complete slow-pitch softball games, plus ate a healthy meal of carne asada, before the third game.  What makes it a miracle was that, at least through the second inning of their third game, no ambulances were needed.....

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OK pastor – what does that have to do with today’s readings, and with our dedicating our teachers to what our Old Testament passage describes as ....

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Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children…....

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While I didn’t play, I did show up for the lunch, and got to watch a classmate blast a home-run.  Rick is one of the small group pastors at the largest church in southern California.  Doug, who was the catcher, is the senior pastor of a church in Duarte, and there were other pastors there as well.  Another guy, Gordon from Riverside, was a guest here a few months back.  What the men had in common – we all came from the same high school youth group.  Some were in high school in the late seventies, and were later volunteers when Rick and I were there in the eighties.....

As we ate lunch, we laughed over some of our past – and the fact that if our youth and youth workers pull some of the stunts we attempted…well, better to not go there.  But we also talked about what had worked, and how some of our training in the scriptures and in ministry in high school and after was some of the best training we have ever had.  ....

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Why it worked? Even with all our idiosyncricies, those who worked with us, did exactly that…. The made it known to us…....

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As I look at my past, and realize how Jon and Scotty, Doug and Gordon, the Spriggs brothers and so many others made it known to me, I urge you Tammie, and all the teachers, and everyone here…. Make them known to your children and your children’s children…....

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Make what known…....

            The things written in stone....

            The things you have seen?....

            ....

The question is what do we make known ?  If you read some commentators, they focus in the words statutes, the things of God, written in stone, and the rules, or actually, the rulings and judgments.  They talk about the fact that the Lord has the Law – the very description of the way in which we are to behave.  And people, when they hear the law – hear the “Thou shall not’s”.  If that is all there is to the law, then it will forever condemn us, for no one is able to keep it – completely.....

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But the law is more than just doing or not doing certain behaviors or doing certain others.  What is written in stone is not just the behaviors – hear the beginning, Exodus 20:1 I am YHWH, your God, who brought you out of Egypt, the place of your slavery.  It all starts with God, and the relationship He chose to have, with the people He would save, and call His. ....

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It is of vital importance to realize that this is one of those places, where LORD is spelled all in capitals, and is written because the Hebrew isn’t the word for Lord, but is the very sacred name of God.  The Israelites would not write the name of God, nor pronounce, but simply know – L-O-R-D – there it is!  It is the same there in verse 2 and verse 4, where you see the word LORD. ....

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In context, it is not just the statutes and rules that are to be made known – look at verse 9,  it is the things that the Israelites had seen – the very hand of God at work, delivering them from their captivity, and providing for them. ....

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 What needs to be made known – the very care of God in establishing us as His people, delivering us from sin.  The work He has done, not just in rescuing 2 million people from Egypt; but also His work, rescuing us, from our being caught up by sin and the power of satan, and the fear of death.....

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Not just what He delivered us from – but what He delivered us to.. a relationship with Him, and all His people.....

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Why Make them Known?....

            You may forget them ....

            The people need to hear them....

            Because they prove God’s presence?....

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In verse 9, the advice to take care, to keep/guard your soul diligently, and to make these things known is based on some critical why’s – why’s also noted in the epistle reading from Ephesians 6.  ....

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It’s simple really, lose focus of what God has done in your life, and it will be harder to see what He is doing right now, and even harder to trust in what He will do.  If you forget that which God has promised, to be our God, our YHWH – the IAM, then you become easy prey for the devil, and the spiritual warfare that occurs.  Look at those weapons – each is what gives us faith!  Without such a focus on God, and knowing His promises and faithfulness, doubts will sneak in.  Guilt and shame, for sins long since paid for, will arise, and cause our hope diminish.  Don’t be distracted from the promises of God counting, His ruling that were are righteous because of the blood of Christ, shed on the cross, covers all our sin.....

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As we begin to understand that God’s statutes are not just His laws but the relationship they define, that His rules including the ruling that His people are cleansed by Him, in the waters of Baptism, through the power of the word, we begin to understand the reaction of the world, which is prophesied in verse 6.  They don’t marvel just at the guidelines of behavior, other peoples have such. But hear again why they marvel,....

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⁷For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? ....

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It isn’t just the codes of behavior – it is the fact that we have a God, not made of wood or stone, not bought with cash, or credit; whose presence isn’t tied to our intrinsic value and past performance.  Instead we have a God who will rescue us from our own captivity, from our own brokenness, from moral bankruptcy or condescending self-righteousness.  Who then having redeemed us, and restored us, calls us His people, and gives us the opportunity to call upon Him, using His personal name, knowing He is near.....

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That is what the peoples of the world marvel at, when they really begin to see God at work in us. It is what Paul tells the people of God, gathered in Colossae, ....

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God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. 28 We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. 29 That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me. Col 1:27 (MSG)....

May we, by God’s grace work hard at this as well, to make this known – that God has been, and is at work in our lives, in the lives of our children, and will be in our children’s children.  ....

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Working in us through His grace and mercy, bringing us into the incomparable peace of God our father, peace which guards us, hearts and minds, as we are in Christ Jesus.....

AMEN?....

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Concordia Lutheran Church....

11^th Week of Pentecost- August 15, 2009....

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“Do You Want to…”....

John 6:51-69 and Joshua 24:14-18....

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† IHS †....

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{My dear friends}, grace and peace has been poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. ....

 (Eph 1:3 Message mod.)....

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A Question, and a similar call....

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In the gospel reading today, a question is asked, one similar to the decision Joshua asks the people of God to make in the reading from the Old Testament.  Both are nice to read, because there, it is not us being asked.  It is not us squirming between two options, the one we know we need to make, and the one that is more convenient to make.....

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But what if they were asked of us today, and a decision was called for, could we honestly face ourselves?  ....

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What would happen if I like Joshua, were to demand that you choose to serve, gods of the past, or gods of our present world, or admit and serve the God that we know is good?  Are you ready to stop choosing to sin, stop chasing after the false gods of this age, and to get serious about your faith?....

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Or what if you were asked by God, Do you want to go away as well? Or are you ready to embrace the great mysteries of our faith, and be shepherded by God into places that could lead to death, or worse, to being mocked for believing that which is scandalous, and perhaps from the world’s view, silly?  I mean, do we really comprehend the depth of what it means for God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to be not just the source for life, but the source and meaning of that life?....

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Do we really want to take 10 minutes, and look into what it means, to be in a covenant relationship with God?  Are we willing to be honest, to look at our lives, and consider the depth of our commitment to God?  To look, not just at Sunday between nine and noon, but to look at Monday morning at eleven, sitting in the doctor’s office?  Are we ready to look at 2 a.m., when our sleep Is broken by the worry’s of life?  What about Friday night between 7 and midnight for those under 40, or you know 9:30 for the rest of us?....

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Do our lives testify to a desire that answers those questions as the apostles and Israel did?  If not, are we willing to renew the relationship, as God would demand, and yes, welcome?....

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The Parties....

            Whose asking?....

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I wonder if who asks us to make the decision to choose, or who asks us if we are going to leave makes the difference.  I mean, were I to ask you, I imagine most of you would, like I would should another pastor ask me, respond with an enthusiastic yes!  Of course I would recognize God is good, and that all other gods are worthless!  And would I ever leave God behind, and go after something less demanding, less challenging, easier to understand?  Like the apostle Peter, I would hastily reply – No, I would never ever, ever, ever leave you Lord!....

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But what if we were face to face with God, and it was Him asking us to commit to a relationship with Him, a relationship that had some level of accountability, some demand for interaction, some demand for transparent intimacy, basically, that we would be faithful to Him, and grow in our love and service?....

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Would you answer the almighty, all knowing, all powerful God with such fervor, with such assurance?  Would you tell Him, that you are ready to trust Him, to the point that whatever He desired to do with you, wherever He led you in the world, you were ready to follow, without any doubt?....

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If you answered in positively, how do you deal with the times where, you didn’t uphold your part of the deal?....

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The Need for Renewal....

            There was sin....

            There will be temptation....

            Renewal?....

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If you are like me, the times I have tried to respond to God, by my own strength or wisdom, are numerous.  The times were my emotions drove me to my knees, to enthusiastically commit my way to God, or to confess him in front of others. So many times I thought that my faithfulness would move mountains, if God would only let me have the power, and then get out of my way!  The only problem is, that most of the time,  okay, all the time, my good intentions were not support by my actions, and left me open to failure, sometimes spectacularly so.....

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Just like the Israelites in Joshua’s day, and like Peter in the Gospel, I had two problems.  The sins of the past, and the temptations of the future.  Remember, by the time the book of Joshua started, the people of God had wandered about in the desert for forty years, because they struggled with being faithful to the pledge they made at Mount Sinai, when they were marked as God’s people, with the blood of the sacrifice that would cover their sin.  After Joshua leads them into God’s Holy Land, the place He set apart for them to celebrate in His presence as He provided for them, they would be tempted time and time again. So often, they would choose to do what was right in their eyes, or in the eyes of their neighbors who chased false Gods. ....

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Peter was no different.  A loud and often wrong man, his intention to serve God was not well-tempered.  I mean, Peter had the nerve to tell Jesus that Jesus didn’t need to die for us!  He fell for the temptation to fight to defend Jesus in the garden, slicing off a guys ear, ( I think he was actually trying to behead him…)....

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I sometimes wonder why God puts up with our failures, especially for those of us who swear we love Him?  There are days, I will admit, that I sometimes wish He wouldn’t.  Why not just be done with us, for the failures can sometimes crush us, or we harden ourselves to them, tired of having to ask for forgiveness again and again. ....

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In theology-speak, we need to renew the covenant.  We need to do what Joshua calls on Israel to do, and what the apostles realize they need – to understand and see the covenant a-new – to hear again the incredible promises of God, for those He has called, or to use John’s words, granted the right to come into His presence, to be quickened, given life, by the Holy Spirit. ....

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The Promise....

            10 phrases about life....

            Generated, ....

            Not just Bios, but Zoe....

            So come…....

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We need to realize that God hasn’t removed us from His people – the promise that He gave us in our baptism hasn’t disappeared because of our stumbling around in sin, and sometimes unfaithful.  AM I excusing our behavior?  No, absolutely not.  ....

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I am pointing you to this altar – where God’s faithfulness is demonstrated as He is your host, and the very nourishment you need, to see the covenant as if it was brand new.  Your sins forgiven, as Thomas a Kempis noted, He calls us to this feast, broken sinners who will be made whole, people who struggle with what is right, and need God’s love and care, and receive it.....

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Ten times in the gospel, it notes that our life is found in Christ.  We are promised to live forever, should we be nourished by God.  We are told His flesh is the bread that is the life of the world.  Without being sustained by His body and Blood, there is no life in us, and we are not promised to be raised on the last day. ....

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In the Bible, there are two words for life  - the first is bios, where we get biology from.  The almost physical, mechanical fact that we are alive. Blood flows throughout the body. Zoe is far different – it is cognitive, conscious, life of existing, the kind of life that has meaning and definition.  That is the life that is given, that is generated, begotten in us by the very work of God in our baptism.  The kind of life that enters into a relationship, and is capable of finding incredible joy, and incredible pain, in the midst of those relationships – especially the relationship we were together created to have – with God.....

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And yes, like any relationship, sin can mar it, and cause pain, and even doubt, and a sense that it is broken.  It is because of this, we need to be re-assured, and find the covenant and its promises renewed.....

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This is the place of covenant renewal – but it is not so much that we re-pledge our faith, or re-commit, as much as the place where we are renewed, the place where we are strengthened, reminding and sustained by the very Body and Blood which was given and shed for us. Renewed that we might again cry out again in praise and wonder; realizing that God is our God, who has renewed the covenant.  That, because of the covenant, He can be our soul desire; it is His faithfulness that sustains it, and calls us back, and strengthens us.  Peter said it – where else is there to go, you have the words of life.....

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I would end this sermon, by reading the quote of A Kempis again.  Hear the words, let them stick to your heart and mind…....

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COME to Me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.⁴³ The bread which I will give is My Flesh, for the life of the world.⁴⁴ Take you and eat: this is My Body, which shall be delivered for you. Do this for the commemoration of Me.⁴⁵ He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me, and I in him.⁴⁶ The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”....

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THESE are all Your words, O Christ, eternal Truth, though they were not all spoken at one time nor written together in one place. And because they are Yours and true, I must accept them all with faith and gratitude. They are Yours and You have spoken them; they are mine also because You have spoken them for my salvation. Gladly I accept them from Your lips that they may be the more deeply impressed in my heart.....

Words of such tenderness, so full of sweetness and love, encourage me; but my sins frighten me and an unclean conscience thunders at me when approaching such great mysteries as these. The sweetness of Your words invites me, but the multitude of my vices oppresses me.....

You command me to approach You confidently if I wish to have part with You, and to receive the food of immortality if I desire to obtain life and glory everlasting.....

“Come to me,” You say, “all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you.”⁴⁸....

Oh, how sweet and kind to the ear of the sinner is the word by which You, my Lord God, invite the poor and needy to receive Your most holy Body! Who am I, Lord, that I should presume to approach You? Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain You, and yet You say: “Come, all of you, to Me.”....

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Come, and know that there is an incredible peace, between you and your God.  The peace which passes all understanding, and guards you, heart and mind, as you are in Christ Jesus!....

AMEN?....

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Concordia Lutheran Church....

Pentecost 8, July 26, 2009....

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Recognition is only the Beginning....

Mark 6:45-56....

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† In the Name of Jesus, Son and Savior †....

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Dear Saints, may Christ so dwell in your hearts through faith, that being rooted and grounded in love, you have the strength to comprehend the breadth and length, the height and depth of the love of God our Father!....

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Confusion....

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Perhaps I expect more of apostles and disciples in scripture, because, well, they are in scripture.  But to be honest – they confuse me.  Something in me wants them to be perfect in their faith, but so often, they do something that causes me to wonder about how dense they were, and how weak their faith was.  Today’s gospel passage is one of those times. ....

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Sure, it was a long day.  I mean, they had to throw together a small meal for 18,000 people, using only 2 fish and 5 tortillas.   It’s not like they had the food network or Gordon Ramsey off stage with their kitchen staff.  Well, actually, that’s the point - who they didn’t and did have with them.  They then, very obediently get into a boat – and start for the other side of the lake with the winds and surf fighting them all the way.....

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Listen to their reaction, as they spot Jesus, along the way….....

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But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits. Mk 6:49 (MSG)....

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Compare that to the reaction of the crowd – who didn’t witness the miracle of the feeding of thousands, when they recognize Jesus…....

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As soon as they got out of the boat, word got around fast. 55 People ran this way and that, bringing their sick on stretchers to where they heard he was. Mk 6:54 (MSG)....

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Which group sounds more like they understand they are in the presence of the God whom we praised a moment ago, with words that only begin to describe Him?  Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise?  The guys crying in fear in the boat, or the crowds running about – nearly out of control – but bringing all of those that need God’s care to Him?....

Which would you rather be?  Be careful in answering… better- be honest in answering....

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Recognition....

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Let’s start with the crowds, listen again to their reaction of finding Christ coming ashore.....

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They beached the boat at Gennesaret and tied up at the landing. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, word got around fast. 55 People ran this way and that, bringing their sick on stretchers to where they heard he was. Mk 6:53 (MSG)....

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It is interesting that we don’t have to wonder where Jesus will land, we know were He will be – with us.  For when He gathers us into His presence, whether 2 or 3 or 100, He has promised to be here.  It’s the place where He has put His name – not on the building, but on us – His people, in our baptism. ....

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Would that we were running this way and that – bringing all those we know, who need the ministry of Jesus in their lives, would that we were as energetic!  For we have access to the God who places the rainbows in the sky, the depth, the breadth, the height and the width of His love for us, is best seen in the arms stretched out on the cross of Christ. ....

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The funny thing is – these people recognized Jesus as God – they knew He had come.  They weren’t the theologians, or the professor’s of Mosaic Law.  Here was a man that performed miracles, and taught with authority about God, and His Kingdom.  They didn’t know about the cross yet, or about the resurrection – they simply know that this Jesus is the best hope that the people they love have, to live a real life. ....

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I found it interesting they brought these hurting, sick, friends even into the marketplace – something prohibited in the culture of that day, less their illness be contagious or that they be embarrassed by it.....

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They brought their friends, trusting in God to provide, and He did, as He always does. ....

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Identification....

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Hours before, in a stress-filled, boat, the men exhausted from a long day serving God’s people also would see Christ. Their reaction is a bit… different.  Hear it again, ....

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But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits. Mk 6:49 (MSG)....

I get so confused by these guys – I mean – shouldn’t they expect that Jesus will do something miraculous and meet up with them?  Shouldn’t they have enough faith now, to stop the storm and the wind? Shouldn’t they be more like the Lord that they follow?....

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Why are the scared out of their wits, at the sight of Jesus?....

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If Jesus suddenly appeared, right here before you, in all His glory, in all His power, would you react the same way as the apostles did?....

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I think I see in us, more of the disciples in the boat, then the people at the shore.  And I think, it is appropriate.....

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You see, we don’t just need a God who gives us everything we need, though He does.  We need a God whose presence startles us, and indeed can terrify us when we see Him do that which is miraculous – who is willing to walk up to us, and get in the boat, and calm the storms in our lives, and the storms of our lives. ....

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We need a God bigger than us, more powerful than us, who is immortal and wise, who is blessed and glorious and the Ancient of Days, who is might and victorious, and all of those great attributes of the Father which we praise…....

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And we need Jesus, here, present, with love and care pouring out in our lives overflowing.  And yet, no less glorious, no less wise, no less powerful, no less righteous, and no less loving. ....

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Take Heart!!! ....

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I set you up with the comparison, for both reactions to the presence of God are right, in their time.  There are days when we realize that we need to be out, gathering the people that need to be here, with us, gathered into His presence – that God can bring them to faith and healing, as they learn alongside us the breadth and depth, the height and width of God’s love – seen in His word, consumed as we eat of His body and drink of His blood in His supper.....

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I really like the translation used for Jesus reaction to the panicking, fear-filled disciples.  “Jesus was quick to comfort them: "Courage! It's me. Don't be afraid." Mk 6:50 (MSG)  That word courage is often translated – “be of good cheer”, or “take heart”.  The word is used to describe the sense of confidence and strength that comes from knowing you can handle what is going on around you.....

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For the disciples, and for us, that courage to embrace life and its challenges comes from knowing we walk in God’s presence, that we are led by the Holy Spirit, and that He will never forsake us. It is not our own reason or strength, but that which we find in knowing we are His – washed and redeemed and that He will finish the work He began is us. ....

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It is the confidence that brings us into worship – noting that we belong here, as He has marked us as His in our baptism.  It is the confidence that Jesus tells us in John 16:33 overcomes any tribulation, because HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD. ....

It is the confidence that causes us to be drawn to the throne of grace, here to receive His true Body and Blood, shed that we may have an everlasting relationship, and that our sins would never get in the way.  It is the courage we draw – not from ourselves but from His presence.....

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It is realizing we are in the presence of a great and mighty God, and that we are here, because He has gathered us and gotten into this boat with us, and cleansed us that we can be His people. ....

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And that, to be honest, should leave us amazed, and in awe, and besides ourselves, for it is God who died for us, who calls us to His side, saying, “It is I”....

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And may the depth, and the breadth, the height and the width of that love, shown in the great faithfulness of Christ Jesus, And may the blessing Paul prayed for the church families in Ephesus be yours as well – ....

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16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. ....

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Amen?....

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Concordia Lutheran Church....

Pentecost 6, July 12, 2009....

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Perplexed and yet…glad?....

Mark 6:14-29 (ESV)....

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 † In the Name of Jesus, Son and Savior †....

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May the gift of God’s love, the gift of His peace, and the gift of His mercy cause you to celebrate with great pleasure at His feast of victory…....

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The Haunting Paradox....

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The king sat alone in his study, reading the reports about a young upstart religious fanatic and his followers.  Not another one, he thought to himself, as he began to read the reports.  Preaching the Kingdom of God is at hand?  Healing people supposedly?  Calling for repentance of sins, as if we were common gentiles?  Thank God they are up here in Galilee, and not down at the Jordan river, otherwise it sounds just like John…....

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Back in the reports he reads that some are calling him another John, or maybe this is Elijah, or another of the prophets, the real prophets who spoke not just of the future, but as if they spoke for God. ....

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Slowly, as he reads about this new troublemaker, he begins to wonder... Could this be John?  Could John have been the one Isaiah talked of, who would rise from the dead?  The thought begins to dominate his mind, he pulls up another report from the fortresses to the south, but his mind returns to John, and the possibility that this Jesus, from the same family – could he be… no.  ....

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All concentration gone, the troubled king goes and looks out the window of his massive fortress, and wonders about the prophet, not the one in the reports, but, dare he say it?  The prophet who was as close as any friend, a man whose advice was about what was right, and Godly, and not expedient or popular…....

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And as Herod gazes out that window, he remembers the odd prophet who would push his patience to the limit, yet whose presence and words of God’s care, somehow brought a different spirit to these halls of power, a spirit of gladness…....

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Until that day….. that horrible day…that horrid feast, the horrid gruesome day of death......

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Could this new prophet be John?  Is He like John?         ....

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A Relationship with a Prophet....

            Treasured – not the usual yes man....

            Called to be better…....

            But doesn’t he know – that’s impossible even for a king....

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Have you ever had a friendship that went beyond common understanding?  I am not sure that friendship can be used to describe the relationship between Herod and John, and yet, perhaps it was even more.  We know that Herod protected John, the word for keep is that strange word that means guard AND treasure, and in this case, Herod kept him so that he could listen to him.....

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Herod feared him, perhaps because John was the one who told Herod what Herod knew, but didn’t want to hear.  John’s behavior was so consistent that there was nothing Herod could find him guilty of – for it say Herod knew was righteous – without guilt – and holy – set apart by God for a purpose.  Yet for John, his knew his primary purpose was complete – he had prepared the way for Jesus, who he told the people was the One God had promised.  The one who would suffer, lamblike – to take away the sins of the world.....

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The conversations of John and Herod, are perhaps best lost to us, but one can put together that which was a primary topic of discussion; Herod’s marriage to his sister in law.  By Roman law, the marriage was legitimate; Herod’s brother divorced her according to standards acceptable to even the Jewish leaders.  But hardly anytime went by, before Herod married her, leading some to believe the divorce was done that Herod could marry her, a matter of convenience more than anything else.....

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John’s words to Herod answered it in a way that left no doubt in Herod’s mind – it isn’t lawful – actually it isn’t supposed to be that you have your brother’s wife.  God’s standard – Herod – the spirit of the law at the very core.  Even if by some interpretation the letter of the law was followed, it seems obvious the spirit of it was not, and sin took the place of righteousness.....

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It is rare for us to be confronted by the truth about our actions, and most of us don’t take to it well.  Most of us would like to be surrounded by those people who like us, and overlook our sins and errors in life.  It takes courage to be honest, it takes courage to hear that which is honest.  To be honest to a king, who is protecting you, at probably great cost – from his wife, seems a great challenge.  And yet, that is what John did, and perhaps that is the reason Herod knows of John’s righteousness and that he perhaps was set apart to this very task in his last days of life.....

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Would that we too, heard the law with gladness, despite it trying us…despite it stripping us bare of our own defenses, and our own justifications, our own pointing fingers at others.  ....

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A Feast that didn’t Prophet....

            A moment of weakness....

            An oath, and peer pressure....

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As we return to Herod, as he stares out the window – afraid that John has risen, and yet perhaps afraid he hasn’t.  One can imagine his thoughts drifting back to the feast, with all the best people – the most famous, the military leaders, and the most powerful, gathered to honor him! And his daughter, his precious daughter, entertaining them by dancing incredibly! ....

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And then his promise – let me honor your work, and then, as she runs back from mom, the unbelievable request!  Such a horrid, ugly, vicious request from such a young woman?  The pressure – for he had vowed to do whatever she asked, vowed before God – the God that spoke through John!   And all these men, whom heard him promise anything!  How does one who thinks himself honorable, honor his pledge to ....

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The guilt, as Herod remembers that horrid day, begins to smother him.  The guilt whelms up as he remembers the executioner return, with the prophets head on a platter.  ....

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Leaders like Herod really aren’t any different than the rest of us, when it comes to sin.  Like Paul in Romans 7, we find ourselves caught, doing that which we don’t want to do.  Or those things we know we should do, we cannot muster the courage or the strength to accomplish at times.  I believe it is one of the reasons scripture continually encourages us to pray for those in power and authority, rather than always mock and curse them.....

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How many times have we looked back at our past, with regret, and guilt, and shame?  How many times have we wanted just a few more minutes, a chance to redeem the past?....

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A different prophet… a different feast… a different dance…....

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After another feast, Herod will finally meet this other prophet, the young man about whom the rumors multiplied.  Herod wasn’t at that feast, but Luke tells about the meeting…....

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Lk 23:8 (NJB) Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but without getting any reply. 10 Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, vigorously pressing their accusations. 11 Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate. 12 And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day. ....

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Like the other feast, the young man speaking for God would be executed. And there would be rumors of his resurrection as well.  But those rumors would not just be rumors but the fact of the greatest miracles to ever benefit mankind. ....

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If Herod was able to consider those rumors, and speak again to Jesus, he would have found the rest his soul needed.  The paradox of being perplexed and yet glad at the words of God’s messenger would diminish, as he would begin to realize the all encompassing healing that is found because Christ was victorious.....

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The body was given to be nailed to the cross – bearing all of the sin, and all of the shame, and all of the guilt of mankind.  The blood poured out, that we would be cleansed from all of it, every person who cries out to God – answered in the sound of Christ’s words – It is finished.  (Pause)....

That’s one of the biggest differences – for John was sent to preach the law – look, you’re a sinner – you need to repent, and to be prepared to look to the Savior God is sending.  Christ came, that all those looking to repent, convicted by their own sin, would know God’s mercy.....

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John couldn’t die for Herod’s sin, he died because of it.  Jesus would die, for Herod’s sin, and for mine, and for yours.....

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For while the feast prior to John’s execution promised death, the feast prior to Jesus’ execution, this feast of victory, promises life and grace, and peace.....

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So in a moment come, and celebrate the feast of Christ’s victory for you, and rejoice in the peace that His resurrection proclaims is yours – the peace of God, which surpasses all reason and logic, and guards your hearts and minds, safe in Christ Jesus.....

AMEN?....