Funeral Sermon: "Immeasurable Riches of God's Grace" (Ephesians 2:1-10)

 

Kristin and Kelly, family and friends of JoLene:

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen!

[Intro]

JoLene was certainly blessed by God all throughout her life. You see, the Triune God – the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – always provided for all of JoLene’s needs of her body and soul. The Lord gave her faith at the waters of Holy Baptism, and it was the Lord who sustained that faith.

Today, JoLene is resting from her labors as she has been led by the Good Shepherd to the house of the Lord.

Throughout her earthly life, God blessed JoLene with various vocations. She was a mother to Kristin and Kelly. She was a grandmother and great-grandmother. She certainly cherished the time she had with her family and friends. God also blessed JoLene through her employment at Tonka Toys, 3M, Telex-Bosch and as a bartender.

She also enjoyed the company of others. She bowled league. She also enjoyed baking chocolate chip cookies and brownies and sharing them with her neighbors.

All throughout her life, God’s steadfast love for JoLene never ceased.

But for us here this afternoon, we are all experiencing loss. Any separation is a time of mourning. After all, death is not natural. Humanity was not created to die. But due to our first parents – Adam and Eve – we all die, because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). And, so we mourn. But, mourning is a good and godly work. You see, Jesus wept at the death of His friend Lazarus. Jesus wept because He loved His friend, so weeping and mourning the death of any loved one is a good work.

We Christians mourn because of the reality of death. We mourn because we were never intended to die and should live forever. But, we do not mourn as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We mourn, but our mourning is mixed with hope. Our tears are mixed with faith. Our sadness is mixed with joy.

[Amazing Grace]

We just sang what many call America’s national hymn. “Amazing Grace” has been recorded by pop and country stars such as Aretha Franklin, Alan Jackson, and one of JoLene’s favorite artists Elvis Presley. We often hear bagpipes playing the tune with a military band. This hymn most definitely has had an impact on people’s lives. In fact, there are entire books based on the history of this hymn.

Its writer, John Newton, experienced God’s grace during a storm at sea in 1748, as he converted to Christianity. His turnaround was certainly amazing, as he later became an Anglican pastor.

Then on January 1, 1773, the hymn was first sung to accompany his sermon. For several years, this hymn was not known to anyone outside that parish. Then in 1779 – six years later – “Amazing Grace” was published in a hymnbook known as the Olney Hymns, which was named after the town of his parish Olney, Buckinghamshire, England.

In just some short years later, “Amazing Grace” would enter American folk tradition and become a staple among American hymnals.

The hymn itself is a reflection on the overwhelming, undeserved grace of God that saved John Newton despite his sinfulness. You see, while he was out at sea that day, he was a slave trader. But through that storm, God brought him to faith. He was a “wretch,” and yet God saved him. Like the prodigal son, he was lost, but now has been found (Luke 15). Like the man to whom Jesus restored his sight, he was blind, but now he can see (John 9:25).

[Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus]

This is us, too! Through the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul wrote, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked … But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:1, 4-5).

Despite our trespasses and sins, God gives us grace! Through His suffering and death upon the cross, Jesus put upon Himself our sins, in order to save us from what we truly deserve, that is, eternal death in hell. There, Christ underwent the Great Exchange as He took our sins and in return gave us God’s grace unto those who trust in Him. So, through Christ alone “by grace [we] have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

This is truly amazing grace! Jesus affirms this grace as He said: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The hymn “Amazing Grace” celebrates the grace, mercy, and love of God. But there is something oddly missing in the lyrics, even though it is likely that our minds import it. Oddly enough, the hymn never explains the “amazing grace” and never says how God bestows His saving grace. Did you ever notice that? I know that it took me years to even notice that.

Thanks be to God that we have that answer in today’s Scripture readings! You see, “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:5). God bestows this saving grace through His Means of Grace: Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and in hearing God’s Word. Through these Means, God bestows His grace as He nourishes our faith. This is what God does for us throughout our life here on earth.

But what is JoLene experiencing now? Paul tells of that, too! Since, we have been saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, all who trust in Christ are “raised up with Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6-7).

For JoLene, she received faith in Christ through the waters of Holy Baptism as the Triune God adopted her as His own. At this washing, JoLene received God’s amazing grace – the forgiveness of sins achieved by Jesus on the cross for all mankind!

For all the faithful, upon death they enter the Church Triumphant in heaven. There, they sing because they are free from all pain and sorrow, since they are in the presence of the Good Shepherd. There, Jesus wipes away ever tear from their eyes as they hunger no more, neither thirst anymore (Revelation 7:15-17). For everyone in the Church Triumphant, they are completely satisfied!

But heaven is not the end. There is more to come! Although, JoLene’s body will be placed in a grave, one day, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:52) – that grave will be as empty as the grave of Jesus! This body buried will be the body raised on that glorious resurrection day!

So, in this life, the heavenly life, and our resurrection life, God continues to show us immeasurable riches of His grace and all by faith that He nourishes through His Son Jesus Christ. Amen!

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +

JoLene Horton's Obituary: https://hantge.com/obituaries/jolene-l-horton/

Funeral Sermon: "Certain Hope through the Good Shepherd" (Psalm 23)

 

Family and friends of Bob:

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen!

[Intro]

Throughout his life, Bob was blessed by God. He was blessed in his marriage to Helen. He was blessed with five children.

God also blessed Bob as he served his nation in the U.S. Army with the 58^th Infantry as a sergeant during the Korean War.

Through God’s blessings, He led him to become a big truck diesel mechanic at Arlington Cement Works for 35 years. All throughout his life, Bob was blessed by God. Today, Bob is resting from his labors.

But for us this afternoon, we are experiencing a loss. Any separation is a time of mourning. After all, death is not natural. Humanity was not created to die. But due to our first parents – Adam and Eve – we all die, because the wages of sin is death (Romans 8:23). And, so we mourn. But, mourning is a good and godly work. You see, Jesus wept at the death of His friend Lazarus. Jesus wept because He loved His friend, so weeping and mourning the death of any loved one is a good work.

But Christians mourn as those who have hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We mourn, but our mourning is mixed with hope. Our tears are mixed with faith. Our sadness is mixed with joy.

Through the Psalmist, God informs us about how He always provides our needs, our comfort, and our assurance. In a world that is full of distress and doubt, these words of Psalm 23 give us hope in three ways: that God leads us, that God is always present, and that God always provides.

[The Lord Leads]

“The Lord is my shepherd;
   I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
   He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
   He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:1-3).

In the first three verses of Psalm 23, we hear how the Good Shepherd leads us. The Good Shepherd cares for all the needs of His flock. In doing so, He cares for every human need: physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Under the care of the Good Shepherd, we shall not want. Now, this doesn’t mean that we will never have any desires. Rather, all of our needs are met. The Good Shepherd supplies the basics through His daily bread: food, drink, and protection.

Each day of our life and in the life to come God provides for us abundantly. He leads us to “lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2a) where we are free to rest. These green pastures are His Means of Grace – Word and Sacrament – where He provides us pasture and sustenance, so that we may be refreshed and strengthened.

The Good Shepherd also “restores [our] soul” (Psalm 23:3a). Christ tells us: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). You see, He restores our soul as He sacrifices His life for His sheep – you and me.

The Good Shepherd also leads us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. This path of righteousness is “the right path.” You see, Jesus will never lead us to a place of slaughter. He only leads us to eternal life and salvation. Along the way, He leads us along safe paths to heaven through His Word. He leads us to heaven, for the Good Shepherd is the only Way (John 14:6) to travel the righteous path.

[The Lord is Present]

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
   Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

Even in the most frightening situation in our life, the Good Shepherd is present. So, we can always be confident of God’s guiding presence.

Even in “the valley of the shadow of death,” the Good Shepherd is with us. He is always present with us. The Good Shepherd never sends His sheep into places He will not go. He is always with us in our lives.

[The Lord Provides Forever]

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
   Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
   and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:5-6).

These verses tell how the Good Shepherd always provides for His sheep.

He prepares a table before us. This shows how the Good Shepherd is hospitable to His sheep. The Good Shepherd not only gives us our daily bread – all the needs of our body, such as food, clothing and shelter – but He also gives us the gift of salvation that He won for us through His suffering and death upon the cross.

The “cup runneth over” is the grace that we have received by faith in Jesus Christ. For although we were dead in sin, He took on the death we deserve upon that cross, so that we would be made righteous by grace through faith in Him. For although we sin much in thought, word and deed, God’s grace is the cup that is always runneth over. So, when we repent and confess our sins, we are forgiven.

The Good Shepherd gives all who believe in Him this goodness and mercy all their lives.

[Dwelling in the House of the Lord Forever]

For everyone who dies in Christ, they experience the ending of Psalm 23: “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6b).

As soon as those who know the Good Shepherd enter heaven, they are no longer sinners, but only saints. So, while they are in the presence of the Good Shepherd, they “hunger no more, neither thirst anymore” (Revelation 7:16a). While in heaven, the Good Shepherd continues to provide.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is always with us! He leads us and He provides forever! Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

T SOLI DEO GLORIA T

Robert "Bob" Wagner's Obituary: https://hantge.com/obituaries/robert-bob-wagner/

Sermon for Epiphany 5: "Building Up the Body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 14:12b-20)

 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

[Intro: The Issue in Corinth]

The Corinthian church was a deeply troubled congregation. At the start of his letter, the Holy Spirit guides Paul into writing, “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers” (1 Corinthians 1:10-11).

One of the most troubling aspects of the church in Corinth was a sense of superiority on the part of some members of the church.

Typically, the distractions at the Corinthian church came from the worldliness outside the church. You see, the city of Corinth was a very large city with a population of nearly a million people. And like any large city then and now, comes many distractions. Added to this is the fact that Corinth was a port city. In fact, it had ports on each end of the city. Being a major port city, this brought commerce, but it also brought with it much sin.

Corinth was a city of wealth, a city of luxury, but what it was most known for was that it was a city of immorality. Corinth was a city well known for sexual immorality and drunkenness.

But Paul is not writing here about the distractions coming from the outside. Here, Paul is writing about the distractions that are coming from within the church in Corinth.

The issue here is that divisions are mounting within the church in Corinth as outsiders cannot understand what is being said – and many of the faithful at the church are also unable to understand.

Evidently, those who spoke in tongues were convinced that they were better than those who could not speak in tongues. They believed they had an increased value over the non-tongue speakers. Paul’s point is that if no person is able to interpret the tongues, then you are not building up the church. The speaking of tongues may be beneficial to the one speaking in tongues, but to everyone else, it just sounds like pure nonsense. If there is no interpretation, then the tongue speaking is worthless. It isn’t edifying the church. It isn’t building up the body of Christ.

In a similar way, often our sinful nature leads us to want more when it comes to the Sunday Divine Service. Sometimes, we focus on our feelings, instead of being satisfied in receiving the gifts that God gives us.

Today on this Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, the Triune God is leading us not to focus on ourselves, but instead on Jesus as He leads us in building up His Body, the Church.

[Understanding the Good News]

Back during the time of the Reformation, there was confusion within the church of the Holy Roman Empire – of what is now known as Germany. You see, throughout their daily life, they would speak German, but when they entered church, they would hear the Mass in Latin. Some understood parts of the service, but most people did not understand much at all. The issue here was understanding.

Martin Luther was also frustrated with this. So, as part of the Reformation, he created the Divine Service to be spoken in the language of the vernacular, the language of the people. With his reforms, the people spoke the liturgy in German, the people sung the hymns in German, the people heard the Scripture readings in German, and they heard the Scripture interpreted in the sermon in German. At last, these people could say “Amen” and know what they were agreeing to.

This is the issue at hand in Corinth, many within the church were saying “Amen,” but they didn’t know what they were agreeing to. With this being the case, the church in Corinth was not being built up.

Foundational to Paul’s whole discussion about tongues and worship in the church is that Christ is the head of the Church. Christ’s own head bore the crown of thorns in His passion. Christ’s own head bowed down in death – His atoning death on the cross. Christ’s own head was lifted up in His bodily resurrection. Christ’s own head received the crown of glory as He bodily ascended back to heaven.

Christ is now our head of all things in heaven and on earth. He is the head of His body, the Church, in a rule of grace, love, and forgiveness. This means that the Church is to live together and seek to build itself up as one caring and unified body.

This, we need to hear and understand! Even today, as we correspond using the English language, we still need someone to interpret God’s inerrant Word. There are times when we become distracted in the Divine Service, as we think about lunch, afternoon plans, or something catches our eyes or ears that end up distracting us. And even if we pay the closest attention, we may still not understand what we just heard spoken in the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons. This is why we have a time of interpretation, known as the sermon. In the sermon, we hear God’s Word interpreted through preaching.

Still, even then, our minds may wander, but when we have questions about God’s Word, we know who to ask – God’s called and ordained pastor.

But besides listening to the pastor, how do we build up the church? Well, instead of trying to impress people by how much we may know, try building each other up through teaching and catechesis. Through group Bible studies, we build each other up. Through attending the Divine Service faithfully together, we build each other up.

From this, the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to instruct others. We speak in a way that others can learn. Paul says to the Corinthian church and to us: “I want to speak of Christ and His sufferings, death, and resurrection for the salvation of souls, so they can hear this message.” So, when we instruct others on who Jesus is and why He matters, we become fishers of men. By sharing the love of Christ, we build up the church!

You see, it is through the good news of God’s truth that builds up the church. This is why Luther put together his Small and Large Catechisms, where he taught God’s six chief parts – The Ten Commandments, The Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, The Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Confession, and The Sacrament of the Altar. There, in the catechisms, Luther interprets what each Chief Part means, so all may know God’s Law and Gospel. And, with each section of the catechisms, Luther confirms God’s truth with an “Amen” by saying “This is most certainly true.”

There, Luther places Christ’s net, so that every follower of Christ would know the proper teachings of the one true Christian faith and be able to share God’s love with others.

Since we all have been bought and paid for by Christ, through His death and bodily resurrection, we ought to learn and take to heart all that God has done for us by bringing us peace. So, as His new creation, we strive to excel in building up the Church.

God teaches us to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

You see, God desires worship that enables “Amen.” God desires worship that catechizes the confused. God desires all divisions to cease. God desires that His Church be built up as the Body of Christ.

Paul raises some sharp questions not only about the practices of the Corinthian church, but also about the church’s life in any age. Unclear, confusing, or noncommunicative speech in the church fails to edify the church.

For us this day, we are to always recall that through Baptism, we “are the body of Christ, and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). In other words, Christ is our head, and we are His body, the Church.

As the Head, Christ leads us to forgive one another as He has forgiven us. Here, in the Divine Service, He shows His love for us through His Means of Grace – Word and Sacrament – as He strengthens our faith and forgives our sins. He leads us away from a self-centered life as we care for the needs of others. He, alone, unites us as His body as He builds us up! Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

T SOLI DEO GLORIA T

Funeral Sermon: "From the Valley to the Mountaintop to the Empty Tomb" (Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17)

 

Arlene, Allen and Danny, family and friends of Melvin:

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen!

[Intro]

All throughout Melvin’s life, the Triune God — the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit — provided for all of Melvin’s needs of his body and soul. The Lord gave him faith at the waters of Holy Baptism, and the Lord sustained that faith.

Today, Melvin is now resting from his labors. Today, Melvin is rejoicing in the presence of God, and he is waiting for the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting!

Throughout his life, Melvin was blessed by God. He was blessed to be husband and father. He was blessed to be a grandfather. Among these blessings, he cherished every moment he had with his children and grandchildren.

Even as his health declined, God continually provided Melvin strength for his faith through the forgiveness of his sins through Word and Sacrament while at Grand Meadows and at rehab at EdenBrook in Edina.

But for us here this morning, even though Melvin’s death was to be expected, we are all experiencing a loss. Any separation is a time of mourning. After all, death is not natural. Humanity was not created to die. But due to our first parents — Adam and Eve — we all die, because of the wages of sin is death. And, so we mourn. But, mourning is a good and godly work. You see, Jesus wept at the death of his friend Lazarus. Jesus wept because He loved his friend, so weeping and mourning the death of any loved one is a good work.

We Christians mourn because of the reality of death. We mourn because we were never intended to die and should live forever. But, we do not mourn as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We mourn, but our mourning is mixed with hope. Our tears are mixed with faith. Our sadness is mixed with joy in the LORD’s promises.

So, what are the LORD’s promises? Well, our Scripture readings this morning are just that! Psalm 23 portrays our life here on earth. Revelation 7 points to what Melvin is experiencing now: the life happening right now in heaven.

[Our Life Now]

Our whole life here on earth is lived under the shadow of our enemy, which is death. Certainly, our life has its joys and celebrations. Yet our life is also lived under a shadow, an overcast sky that won’t go away even as we celebrate and laugh. This shadow of death has been the sad reality we have lived in since the Fall into sin.

This journey through the valley of the shadow of death can seem like a lonely walk that ends in defeat. But, we who are in Christ have the Good Shepherd’s promise that we do not walk alone. With us walks the Shepherd who has trod this same path before us. This Shepherd is Jesus who stands beside us today in our grief to give us guidance and direction.

This Shepherd is who walked into the valley of the shadow of death. He left the brilliance of heaven, descended to earth, was conceived by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and took upon Himself our human flesh and became one of us, though without sin. His perfect life was a display of God’s merciful love and care for all people. He used His power to forgive sin and overcome death, disease, and the devil. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out demons. But all the while His ministry had one direction as He was led to the cross. There, the sinless Lamb of God was made to be sin for us — as He took upon Himself all of our sins. He died in our place as the atoning sacrifice and rose from the dead for our justification. Through His death and resurrection, the Good Shepherd brought us grace.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the One who walks through the valley with us. With Him by our side, He gives us rest in “green pastures” (Psalm 23:2a). With Him by our side, He raises us from death to life through “still waters” (Psalm 23:2b) of Baptism. With Him by our side, He “restoreth my soul” (Psalm 23:3a). With Him by our side, He leads us on the right path, because Jesus is the righteous path (Psalm 23:3b).

We are never alone as we travel in the valley of the shadow of death in our life now. The Lord Jesus has walked it before and He is walking it with us today and every day (Psalm 23:4).

[Heaven to Come]

From the valley of this life, we will one day come to the mountaintop. We heard of this mountaintop in Revelation 7. Upon this mountaintop, we see “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes” (Revelation 7:9).

So, who are these people “clothed in white robes”? Well, these are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation — that is, out of the sufferings of this life in the valley of the shadow of death. Among this multitude known as the Church Triumphant is Melvin. He and the faithful in heaven are standing before the throne, because their robes have been made white through the blood of the Lamb. This washing occurred in Baptism as they received the forgiveness of sins achieved by Jesus on the cross for all mankind. Jesus died in the valley, so that all by grace through faith in Him might live on the mountain.

Melvin is now arrayed in white among the faithful in heaven. He is there because he believed in Jesus as the only Savior from sin. Upon his death, Melvin came out of the valley of the shadow of death and is now singing on the mountain top.

They sing because they are free from all pain and sorrow, because in the presence of the Good Shepherd, sin has no more power over them. Cancer is destroyed. Dementia is destroyed. Jesus has wiped away every tear from their eyes as they hunger no more, neither thirst anymore. Melvin and all the saints arrayed in white are completely satisfied!

[The Resurrection on the Last Day]

Jesus connects both realities, of the now of Psalm 23 and the not yet of Revelation 7, in His Good Shepherd narrative of John 10.

Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep” … and “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, for they will listen to my voice” (John 10:7, 14-16).

You see, Jesus has removed any dividing wall. Through Jesus, all people are welcome in His flock!

The Shepherd says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Melvin listened to the Shepherd’s voice. We can join him! By grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, our destination is with the saints arrayed in white.

But there is more to come! It doesn’t end there! Today Melvin’s body will be placed in a grave, but one day — “in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:52) — that grave will be as empty as the grave of Jesus! This mortal body buried will be the body raised in immortality just as it was for Jesus! (1 Corinthians 15:53) This is our sure and certain hope! Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

T SOLI DEO GLORIA T

Melvin Raduenz's Obituary: https://hantge.com/obituaries/melvin-emil-otto-raduenz/

The Side of Truth

 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

 

“You don’t want to be on the wrong side of history.” This is an idiom that is often repeated these days. Or it can go this way, “You want to be on the right side of history.” Both ways have the same meaning, which is to persuade the person to follow the prevailing winds of the culture.

 

But what about being on the side of truth? Truth is never mentioned. Instead, truth is replaced by feelings, which is opinion. What about remaining loyal to the one true God?

 

In today’s secular world, the truth has been replaced by opinion. These days, immoral living is seen in a positive light, while moral living is not. What has happened?

 

The Pew Research Center in December 2021 released its findings from a study on religious affiliation in the United States. In the study[1], Pew found that the secularizing shifts in the United States are not going to slow down any time soon as it found that self-identifying Christians now outnumber religious “nones” by a ratio of a little more than two-to-one. Back in 2007, Pew found that Christians outnumbered “nones” by almost five-to-one.

 

As more and more people are no longer affiliated with Christianity, society’s change has become more secular. As America becomes more secular, the more the culture’s morality has deteriorated. And among practicing Christians, according to this Pew study, only 26 percent said they attend a religious service at least once a week.

 

Now, none of this is a shock. We all live in 2022. But, this is alarming. Where is truth to be found? God is truth. Jesus is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No person is saved from sin, death, and hell apart from Christ.

 

In the world we live in today, there is a search for truth, but this search does not include Jesus Christ. In a world without truth, we don’t know who we are. In a world without truth, grammar is destroyed in order to apply “my pronouns.” In a world without truth, nothing matters. This is a world of nihilism where nothing has meaning.

 

But we do matter! God says we matter! God created mankind in His image as He created us all male and female. He created us, because He loves us. He knitted us together in our mother’s wombs. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made by God and He never makes mistakes.

 

God not only created us, but He also redeemed us from the powers of sin, death, and Satan through Him becoming man as He suffered, died, and rose from the dead — for us! This is the truth! And we all need to hear this wonderful truth as much as we can, or else we could fall away.

 

We are being catechized every second of our lives. The only question is how are we being catechized? Are we being catechized by the secular world (with waiting with bated breath as daytime co-hosts discuss “hot topics,” with idolizing rose ceremonies, and joining TikTok challenges), which always ends in despair and nothingness. Or are we being catechized by the one true God, who gives us hope that is sure and certain. We certainly live in the secular world, but don’t let the secular world become your false idol of worship. Always remember that the secular world’s goal is to sway us away from truth.

 

Just like we matter to God, truth matters. It is so easy to give in to popular trends, but in the end truth prevails, because God prevails. God is truth.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Adelsen

---

[1] https://www.pewforum.org/2021/12/14/about-three-in-ten-u-s-adults-are-now-religiously-unaffiliated/

Sermon for Epiphany 3: "Fulfilled in Your Hearing" (Luke 4:16-30)

 

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

[Intro]

Imagine the son of the congregation coming home. Imagine how delighted everyone would be when the seminary graduate returns to his home congregation. Many in the congregation would recall this adult man as a child sitting with his parents in the pew, attending Sunday School and Youth Group.

As he enters the church building, he would be greeted with smiles, handshakes, and conversation: “How was seminary?” “What did you learn?”

This is likely how it would have been when Jesus returned to Nazareth – except He didn’t return from seminary, since He is God in human flesh. But He would have been greeted with smiles, pleasant conversation, and instead of handshakes, he would have been kissed on the cheek. You see, this was a great day for the synagogue in Nazareth, since their son of the congregation has returned to the place where he had been brought up.

And as it is custom for a seminarian or recent seminary graduate, a rabbi would also be invited to preach at his home congregation. And as the son of the congregation would preach, everyone in the pews would look in amazement at the man they once knew as a child. But for Jesus, He was returning to Nazareth as a renown rabbi, especially for His miracles, as His name had spread throughout Galilee and beyond. He – who left Nazareth as a man who did not appear out of the ordinary – returns as a recognized rabbi of divine truth.

Today on this Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Jesus returns to where He spent every Sabbath of His childhood and youth.

[That Day in Nazareth]

Now, it is certainly Jesus’ custom to go to a synagogue every Sabbath. He would maintain this custom throughout His life and travels. On this particular Sabbath, Jesus likely attends with family, friends, and neighbors to worship in His hometown synagogue.

Notice that Jesus does not seek to worship God in His own way, choosing to be somewhere else, but as God desires – in God’s house and on the Sabbath day. We might imagine that, being the Son of God, Jesus would not benefit from attending such a worship service. Yet, this is precisely what He does! He sees hearing His Word as precious!

During the service, Scripture is read and expounded by the leader of the synagogue or by a guest. On this day, Jesus is invited to read the appointed lectionary text and to address the congregation with words of instruction and admonition to them.

Now, we do not know if Jesus was asked in advance to do the reading. In fact, it was not necessary. A synagogue custom was to allow any visiting rabbi that honor.

So, on this particular Sabbath day, Jesus stood up to read. As He came forward, the attendant, known as a chazzan, gave Jesus the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah, likely because this is where the reading from the previous Sabbath left off.

Jesus then unrolled the scroll and scanned it to find where He would begin reading and spoke:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
   because he has anointed me
      to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
   and recovering of sight to the blind,
      to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19 from Isaiah 61:1-2a).

He then rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the chazzan and sat down. It may seem odd that Jesus would sit down, but this was the custom then as the rabbi would sit down to address the people.

Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on Him. Everyone was thinking, “What is our son of the congregation going to say?” They were all waiting in expectation.

Then Jesus began His sermon saying, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). Jesus certainly said more, but this was the bombshell of His sermon. This was the vocal pipe bomb they heard. These are the words that caught everyone’s attention. These are the words that remained in everyone’s mind: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

What does this mean? What is Jesus saying? What exactly was fulfilled in their hearing?

Jesus came this particular day in order to read Isaiah 61 and to declare that the messianic era of salvation has now begun in Him. By Him reading Isaiah 61, He is revealing who He truly is and what He is all about.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed me” (Luke 4:18). Does this sound familiar? Here, Jesus is referring to His Baptism by John in the Jordan River. With these words, Jesus fulfills how He has been publicly appointed as the Christ, the Messiah of the world, as the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove and how God the Father spoke from Heaven saying, “You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22a-b).

But wait, there’s more! Jesus continues from Isaiah 61 saying the Trinitarian plan of salvation is “to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:22c). The plan of salvation is to preach. You see, preaching is the most important thing Jesus does. Everything else Jesus does comes as a result of His preaching.

Jesus continues, “He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18d-19). Here, Jesus says He was sent as God the Father’s first Apostle. As God the Father’s Apostle, He has come to release the captives. This means He has come to bring liberation from the bondage of sin, sickness, and Satan. At times, this liberation would involve physical healing, exorcism, and rebuking of destructive forces of nature. But ultimately, Jesus has come to forgive sins.

Here, Jesus is announcing that through Isaiah’s text that the Messiah is now present to complete the prophetic pattern of preaching and miracle working.

To all of this, Jesus says: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).

With this in their mind, the congregation looks intently at Jesus. At first, this is neither positive nor negative. They just “wonder” and “marvel” at the gracious words that were coming from His mouth. Maybe for a few seconds, the crowd saw Jesus as just an adult man, whom they never met. Then there is a surprised confusion. They came to the realization that they knew Jesus. They remembered Jesus as a boy. Many in the crowd began saying, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22)

Jesus, then knowing what was on everyone’s mind, then began speaking: “Doubtless you will quote Me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well” (Luke 4:23).

You see, Jesus’ fame had spread. He knew that this congregation would demand the types of miracles He had done in Capernaum. He knew they wanted Him to prove Himself as a miracle worker. But He did not come this day to ultimately do that, He came this day to do His most important task, which is preaching.

But they didn’t want to hear His preaching! They wanted to see miracles! They wanted to see with their very eyes of what had been reported of Jesus “through all the surrounding country” (Luke 4:14).

Jesus, who came to preach of who He is and what He is about, then says, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in His hometown” (Luke 4:24). He then continues speaking of how Elijah and Elisha were also rejected for preaching God’s truth to the people of Israel. So, God sent them to Gentiles, like the widow of Zarephath and to the leper Naaman.

Even nearly 2,000 years later, people still despise preaching and His Word. Each Sunday many people do not want to be invited by God to rest and reflect on His Word and receive His forgiveness through His Means of Grace in order to strengthen their faith in Him.

At the same time, many come and do not like what was preached, because it does not scratch their “itching ears” (2 Timothy 4:3). Instead of hearing about God’s Law and how they have sinned against God and their neighbor through their thoughts, words, and actions, many would rather hear and be affirmed on how good they are. They don’t want God’s forgiveness. They only want to be affirmed that they are a good person without hearing anything about Jesus.

Today, pastors are to be faithful to God and His Word by preaching, teaching, and giving the Sacrament. In doing so, sometimes pastors in order to be faithful to Christ will suffer when preaching the truth.

Back nearly 2,000 years ago, after Jesus preached that He is the Promised One who has come to liberate the people from demons, sickness, sin, and death through Him forgiving sins – and that He has come as the Messiah to the Gentiles too – all in the synagogue were filled with wrath! The mood changed. Instead of seeing Jesus as the son of the congregation, they are extremely offended. “How can Joseph’s son claim to be the Messiah?” “This imposter came from down the street, not from heaven!” “How dare He claim to be God!” “Only God can forgive sins!” “We are God’s chosen people, not the Gentiles!”

What they fail to consider is that Jesus is – in fact – the very Son of God. He is the fulfillment of God’s promises, just as He said. This will be the same conclusion that Caiaphas and the other Jewish leaders will use to justify Jesus’ crucifixion. It’s just too much to believe that this ordinary hometown Jewish Man is the very Son of God.

These people asked for a miracle. They demanded a miracle! Filled with wrath, they rose up and drove Jesus out of Nazareth and brought Him to the brow of the hill, so they could throw him down the cliff in order to kill Him.

Steeped in their sin, only violence was their response to the truth Jesus has preached to them. “But passing through their midst, He went away” (Luke 4:30). There is the miracle! Jesus eludes the crowd and they don’t fulfill the evil in their hearts.

But others will accomplish it, but only at the time appointed by God. The Jewish leaders will eventually crucify Jesus despite their own custom of providing liberty to a captive at Passover. A captive will go free, but Jesus goes to the executioner.

“They all cried out together, ‘Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas – a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. … They kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify Him!” (Luke 23:18-19, 21).

In the end, evil will fail to triumph over Him. Jesus will triumph over evil when He is raised from the dead!

[Today]

On that day in Nazareth, Jesus came to announce to His home congregation that He is the Messiah – the Christ – who has been sent to Teach and be the Miracle Worker. As He stood reading God’s Word, He is the One who inspired Isaiah to write those very words. He is the Word made flesh reading His very own Word!

What happened in Nazareth that day is still happening now! Jesus came to teach and to be a miracle worker! Today! Right now! This has been brought to your fulfillment to your ears that Jesus is the Messiah through His Word! The people then asked for a miracle. Here, we witness miracles with Baptisms, with God’s absolution, and in turning mere bread and wine into Christ’s very Body and Blood as those who commune see, touch, and taste the forgiveness Christ won for you on the cross!

Today, in this place, Jesus proclaims good news to all who are poor in spirit. Here, “the Spirit of the Lord” is upon us, to release us from the oppression of our sin and guilt. Here, Jesus offers “recovering of sight” for spiritual blindness, so all might see Him clearly as their Savior, whose forgiveness sets them free from fear and death. You see, today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing! Amen!

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

T SOLI DEO GLORIA T

Funeral Sermon: "The Lord Provides" (Psalm 23)

Family and friends of Craig:

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen!

[Intro]

Throughout his life, Craig was blessed by God. He was blessed with a daughter, Brianna. He was blessed with grandchildren. He was blessed as he created lasting memories with them. According to Brianna, he enjoyed trying out new restaurants when traveling with his grandchildren to the Cities. He cherished every moment he had with his daughter and grandchildren. As Craig was himself a giver, all throughout his life, he was always being cared for by the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Through the Psalmist, God informs us about how He always provides our needs, our comfort, and our assurance. In a world that is full of distress and doubt, these words of Psalm 23 give us hope in three ways: that God leads us, that God is always present, and that God always provides.

[The Lord Leads]

“The Lord is my shepherd;
   I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
   He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
   He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:1-3).

In the first three verses of Psalm 23, we hear how the Good Shepherd leads us. The Good Shepherd cares for all the needs of His flock. In doing so, He cares for every human need: physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Under the care of the Good Shepherd, we shall not want. Now, this doesn’t mean that we will never have any desires. Rather, all of our needs are met. The Good Shepherd supplies the basics through His daily bread: food, drink, and protection.

Each day of our life and in the life to come God provides for us abundantly. He leads us to “lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2a) where we are free to rest. These green pastures are His Means of Grace – Word and Sacrament – where He provides us pasture and sustenance, so that we may be refreshed and strengthened.

The Good Shepherd also “restores [our] soul” (Psalm 23:3a). Christ tells us: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). You see, He restores our soul as He sacrifices His life for His sheep – you and me.

The Good Shepherd also leads us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. This path of righteousness is “the right path.” You see, Jesus will never lead us to a place of slaughter. He leads us to eternal life and salvation. Along the way, He leads us along safe paths to heaven through His Word. He leads us to heaven, for the Good Shepherd is the only Way (John 14:6) to travel the righteous path.

[The Lord is Present]

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
   Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

Even in the most frightening situation in our life, the Good Shepherd is present. So, we can always be confident of God’s guiding presence.

Even in “the valley of the shadow of death,” the Good Shepherd is with us. He is always present with us. The Good Shepherd never sends His sheep into places He will not go. He is always with us in our lives.

[The Lord Provides Forever]

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
   Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
   and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:5-6).

These verses tell how the Good Shepherd always provides for His sheep.

He prepares a table before us. This shows how the Good Shepherd is hospitable to His sheep. The Good Shepherd not only gives us our daily bread – all the needs of our body, such as food, clothing and shelter – but He also gives us the gift of salvation that He won for us through His suffering and death upon the cross.

The “cup runneth over” is the grace that we have received by faith in Jesus Christ. For although we were dead in sin, He took on the death we deserve upon that cross, so that we would be made righteous by grace through faith in Him. For although we sin much in thought, word and deed, God’s grace is the cup that is always runneth over. So, when we repent and confess our sins, we are forgiven.

The Good Shepherd gives all who believe in Him this goodness and mercy all their lives.

[Dwelling in the House of the Lord Forever]

For everyone who dies in Christ, they experience the ending of Psalm 23: “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6b).

As soon as those who know the Good Shepherd enter heaven, they are no longer sinners, but only saints. So, while they are in the presence of the Good Shepherd, they “hunger no more, neither thirst anymore” (Revelation 7:16a). While in heaven, the Good Shepherd continues to provide.

Yet, for us here this evening, we are experiencing sorrow and grief. We experience grief, because death separates us from our loved ones. We grieve because death is not our friend. Death is in fact our enemy! But we ought not to grieve like others do who have no hope, because Jesus has conquered the power of death on our behalf and because He lives, all in Christ also live!

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is always with us! He leads us and He provides forever! Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

T SOLI DEO GLORIA T 

Craig Giese's Obituary: https://hantge.com/obituaries/craig-h-giese/