Sermon for Holy Trinity Sunday: "The Greatest Spectacles" (Acts 2:14a, 22-36)

On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember the men and women of the armed forces who gave their lives to protect our freedom.

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]

Today is the 102nd running of what is known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” — the Indianapolis 500 mile race.

I know that everyone is not a fan of auto racing, but being from Indiana, auto racing just becomes a part of who we are. There is something about that roar of the 33 cars as they pass by at more than 200 miles-per-hour and that roar of the fans cheering on their favorite driver.

It is called the “Greatest Spectacle” because no one knows what to expect. The pole-sitter may not make it passed the first lap. The leading driver may take the white flag — for one lap to go — and not finish. This race is so unpredictable.

And, this is why people are so mesmerized by this race. This race is so hard to comprehend.

In a similar way, God could be called a spectacle, because He is hard to comprehend.

[The Greatest Spectacle]

Now, many of us wear eyeglasses – like myself. We wear eyeglasses to better comprehend the world around us. For everyone who has poor vision, is lost without glasses.

There may be the “Greatest Spectacle” in racing happening today in Indianapolis, but for those with poor vision, we need spectacles — glasses — to be able to see close or far things.

By wearing spectacles — glasses or contacts — we are able to see better. We can better understand the world around us. So, instead of bumping into things or not being able to see far away things, we are able to see what is right in front of us – because of these spectacles.

Today, the Christian Church is celebrating Holy Trinity Sunday. Today, we celebrate the one true God in its union in Trinity. 

Now, the Trinity can be a spectacle in itself. For outside of faith, the Trinity is hard to comprehend.

For this reason, our Triune God has given us the true “Greatest Spectacles” — the Creeds — which helps us better understand God. The Creeds are like magnifying glasses into the Triune God.

You see, the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds give us a short explanation of what is fully taught about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in God’s Written Word.

In fact, the reason the Creeds were written in the first place was so Christians could better understand God. The Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds were written short for a reason — so Christians could memorize the basics of the faith, since the printing press was still centuries away and most people could not read. 

Then some centuries later, the Athanasian Creed came on the scene, which further defined the Triune God.

[Peter Professes the Trinity]

In today’s second reading, Luke records Peter’s Pentecost sermon, in which Peter says, “[Jesus] being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” (Acts 2:33).

Here, Peter is saying what we profess today — Jesus has equality with God the Father. And more than that — God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are One God.

Now, the Trinity can be hard to comprehend, but that’s why God gave us the Greatest Spectacles — the Creeds — so that we could better understand Him.

For in the Trinity lie our only comfort, life and salvation. (FC-Epitome, 512.18)

As fallen creatures, we could never fully comprehend God, but the Creeds give us a glimpse into what God has done for us and for all of His creation.

You see, the Creeds summarize who God is and what He has done for the world: 

• Creating and preserving all things of out of Fatherly love.  
• Redeeming the world in the life, death, and resurrection of the Son — Jesus Christ. 
• And, calling and gathering believers into the Church by the Holy Spirit. 

Out of love, the Father sends the Son:

Jesus said: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…” (John 3:16a)

And out of love, the Father and Son together send the Holy Spirit:

Jesus said: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:13a)

The Holy Spirit brings us to Christ: 

For we cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ. For it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we have come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. (Paraphrasing Luther’s Third Article on the Creed)

And, the Holy Spirit shows us the Father’s love:

“That whoever believes in [Jesus] should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16b).

For it is the Holy Spirit who led Christ’s apostles — and the prophets before them — to document what God had done.

[The Creeds are a Gift from the Triune God]

Now, at the time of the Protestant Reformation, there were many reformers who wanted to throw out everything tied to the Roman Catholic Church. Some reformers got rid of singing, others instruments, and some wanted to scrap the liturgical history of the church altogether.

Then there was Martin Luther. He was a reformer, yet he was particular on what should remain and what should be scrapped.

Luther emphasized that it was not his intention to lead Christianity away from the ancient creeds, but rather to call it back to them.

He wrote: “This confession of faith we did not make or invent, neither did the fathers of the church before us.”

What Luther is saying is this: God gave us the Creeds as a gift. God gave us these spectacles — the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds — to better understand Him.

Yet, like eyeglasses, even with them on, we can never see perfectly, but it opens our eyes to the world. Or in this case, the Creeds open our eyes to what we can comprehend about the Triune God: The Father, who created the world; the Son, who redeemed the world; and the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies and renews the Church.

[Pew Study]

Now, even with the Creeds readily available today, there are those who do not want to use those spectacles to understand God better.

According to the Pew Research Center, 80 percent of Americans say they believe in God, however only 56 percent surveyed said they believe in God “as described in the Bible.” And digging deeper, most who believed in God “as described in the Bible” said that they don’t regularly read or study the Bible and often they know very little about God.

This may lead them into placing their own reason over what God’s Word says. This may lead them into believing wrongly about who God is.

So, in not knowing the one true God in Trinity, they create a false god in their mind. Maybe a god who cheers you on no matter what you do – good or bad. 

This may sound familiar.

You see, beginning with our first parents — Adam and Eve — all humanity has rebelled against God and has fallen into the darkness, which is sin, death and the power of the devil. As fallen creatures, we wanted it our way – rather than God’s way.

[The Void without God]

Recently, we have seen a rash of school shootings. 

You may wonder where is God in all this turmoil? You may ask yourself, why won’t God stop this.

At the same time, it appears to me that the news media and politicians are trying to push or pull the American people into one camp or another – pro-gun or anti-gun.

Others bring up mental health, which I believe is closer to the real issue.

For me, I believe this gun violence is related to morality – knowing good from evil, right from wrong. 

So, where is God in all of this? He is there. He is listening to our prayers. He is with us and with those facing these terrible times. God is there in every good and bad situation.

Now, I believe the increase in shootings has a correlation to belief in the Triune God.

You see, as the Triune God has been pushed aside in today’s culture, there has opened a void. And, sadly, I believe that much of that void has been filled with Satan and his minions who are pushing immoral living in television, movies, books, magazines and video games.

Now, there is a lot to the saying, “You are what you eat.” In this case, “We are what we watch and read.” Slowly, through the media, we become desensitized to the evil around us.

So, instead of praying to the Triune God for help and guidance, we find ways on fixing the problem ourselves.

But, for us who know God, we know that we are fallen creatures. We know we need to be rescued.

[Our Baptismal Promise]

So, on this Holy Trinity Sunday, we remember what God has done for us – once and for all time – out of His love.

God the Father sent His only Son into the world to become man and to redeem and save each and every one of us by His death and resurrection. 

Then God the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit so that we would have faith and come to Jesus, who is the world’s only source of hope, life, and salvation.

And, faith comes by hearing. Our faith in Jesus Christ officially began in us at our baptism, when we heard the pastor speak over us, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” — the name of God — as water was poured on our head.

In our baptism, we have God’s own pledge and promise that He has forgiven our sins and delivered us from sin, death and the devil. So, if you are ever in any time of doubt or temptation, we can always remember that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

And whenever we see someone in need of God’s love, we can tell them about God’s love for you and me.

We also rightly remember our baptism when we live in repentance and faith in the Triune God, who made us His beloved children.

And, we also remember our baptism at each Divine Service with the Trinitarian Invocation. So each time you hear: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”, you should remember that we have received victory over sin, victory over death and victory over the devil. And, we have received forgiveness of sins, salvation and life everlasting through Christ’s sacrifice for us.

For all that has been done for us, we give thanks to the one true God – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We give Him thanks for giving us a glimpse into Him, through the spectacles of the Creeds, which show us God and His love for us.

This is our Creed. This is our faith. This is our trust. This is most certainly true. 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

Sermon for Easter 6: "True Friendship" (John 15:9-17)

 

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

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! {He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!}

 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

[Intro]

You’ve got a friend in me. You’ve got a friend in me.

You’ve got troubles, we’ll I’ve got ‘em too.

There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.

We stick together and see it through.

You’ve got a friend in me. You’ve got a friend in me.[1]

Those are some of the lyrics of the title song from “Toy Story”.

As you may be aware, this children’s movie is all about the friendship bond between a boy and his toys and the toys, themselves.

·        What a joy it is to have friendships.

·        Friends stick together no matter what.

·        Friends tell each other what is on their minds.

·        Friends tell each other when we make mistakes.

·        Friends share secrets with each other.

·        Friends defend each other.

But, the ultimate friend is one who lays down his life for you.

[No Greater Love]

Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13).

You see, everyone who abides in Jesus – who follows His commands and instructions – is His friend.

As Jesus said, “Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (John 15:9b-10).

We became friends of Jesus when He laid down His life for us as he was nailed to that wooden cross. You see, Christ’s death is the highest expression of love.

Through Christ’s death and resurrection, He brought us to Him. He brought us to God the Father.

In response to Christ’s love in making us justified with God the Father, we follow Christ’s commands and instructions, because of His love.

Now, this obedience is not what makes us friends with Jesus. This is not about good works, since everything good has already been accomplished through Jesus. This obedience is what characterizes you as His friend.

[Friendships]

For us today, when we think of friends, we may think that the friendship goes both ways. Like, I’ll help you and you’ll help me.

Well, this isn’t how it goes with Jesus. Friends of Jesus cannot turn around and say that Jesus will be their friend only if Jesus approves of all that they do.

And, there are those who would claim that Jesus would approve of how they live, even if it is forbidden by God’s Word – they think, “I don’t have a problem with this, so Jesus must be ok with it.”

They think of themselves as making the decision for God. As if, God needs any help.

Despite our weakness to sin, Jesus still loves His creation. But, He is not happy when His name is invoked for approval of sin – approval of saying I’m right and you’re wrong, God.

True friends of Jesus are obedient to Him and to His Word.

We are obedient to Jesus by reading and proclaiming His Word for “reproof, for correction, for improvement” in our lives (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible was written by God so “that by patience and by the encouragement of Scripture we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

You see, Scripture gives us teaching for no other purpose than to point us to Jesus, to admonish us to repent, to encourage godliness, to strengthen our faith and assure us of our salvation.[2]

Through God’s Word, we know that we are conquerors over sin, death and the power of the devil, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection from the grave.

[Born of God]

We became Christ’s friends when we were “born of God” and we continue to be Christ’s friends “when we love God and obey his commandments” (1 John 5:1a, 2).

We were born of God when Jesus chose us when we were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit with the water and the Word.

We continue to be Christ’s friends through our study of God’s Word. You see, each time we are in the Word, God reminds us of His friendship with us.

We continue to be Christ’s friends when we worship Him each week, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, at the Divine Service.

Through the Holy Spirit’s work in bringing us to faith, we became fellow conquerors because of Christ’s eternal victory. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Sola Fide: Faith Alone. You see, by grace through faith, we are saved through Jesus.

Our faith in Jesus is the “dividing line” between us and the sinful world.

We have hope.

The world only has despair.

The sinful world wants everyone to obey their own sinful desires. This is Satan’s doing. He does not want us to be content with what we have and how we live. Nothing is ever good enough.

Now – for us Christians – Jesus says we are His friends when we obey his instructions. And in obeying His instructions – which are not a burden – He freely gives us all that we need: forgiveness of sins, salvation and life everlasting.

In response to Christ’s friendship with us, we “go and bear fruit” (John 15:16) in our words and actions to spread the good news of Christ. In bearing fruit, we are pruned by God the Father through His Word to bear more fruit and are kept in the one true faith.

Now, you can choose to not be Christ’s friend by not following His commands. But, this only brings loneliness as you cut yourself from the vine of Christ.

And, even if you do choose to go away from Christ and His promises, He is there waiting for you with open arms offering forgiveness when you repent of your sins. This is true friendship!

Only through faith alone in Christ alone, the victory is ours!

Martin Luther once wrote, “Victory must happen through faith in Christ. For what could this fragile Vessel accomplish against Satan, the god of the world? But the true God is greater! He always triumphs in us through Christ…. To be born of God is to believe in Jesus Christ. He who believes in Christ is now a warrior. For we are still engaged in the battle itself and are about to be victorious. God has placed us in the midst of wolves, in the kingdom of the devil. As weapons, He has given us His Word and Spirit, and He tells us to do battle and to conduct ourselves as bold warriors under Him Himself as our Prince while He Himself looks on and is also victorious.” (AE 30:311)

[Jesus Chose You!]

We are victorious over sin, death and the devil – not because of anything that we have personally accomplished.

We are victorious because God chose us. Christ – who came by water and blood – chose you and me!

Now, none of us here today are here because we chose to be here. We are here because God called us here. God invited us here today to partake of His blessings.

As Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I (Jesus) chose you.” (John 15:16)

Since Jesus chose you and me to be His friends, we can now pray directly to God the Father through Jesus to ask Him for all our needs of body and soul.

Since we are His friends, Christ personally forgives you of all your sins when you ask for forgiveness.

Since we are His friends, Christ strengthens our weak faith in His Holy Supper.

Jesus accomplished everything for us, so that we would understand love and thus love one another. This is true friendship!

We are truly blessed to have a friend who will never leave us nor forsake us. This friend is named Jesus.

You’ve got a friend in Jesus. We’ve got troubles with sin, but Jesus has died and rose for you. And there isn’t anything Jesus would do for you – you who abide in Him. 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

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[1] Randy Newman, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story, 1995.

[2] Kolb-Wengert, “The Book of Concord: Formula of Concord (Solid Declaration)”, 643.

Sermon for Easter 4: "The Shepherd and the Sheep" (John 10:11-18)

 

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

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! {He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!}

 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

[Hey, Sheep!]

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (John 10:14).

Some time ago, a seminary professor visited two of his students who lived on a farm.

While there, the students’ father asked the professor if he would like to help call the sheep. The professor enthusiastically agreed.

“Go ahead,” the father asked. “Call them in.”

“What do you say?” the professor asked.

“I just say, ‘Hey, sheep! Come on in!’”

This sounds pretty easy, the professor thought. So, he began calling for the sheep, “Hey, sheep! Come on in!”

Not one sheep moved. He tried again and again. “Hey, sheep! Come on in!” No change. Not one sheep even twitched an ear.

Then the father smiled and said to the professor, “Have you ever read, ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me’?” Then raising his voice slightly, the father said, “Hey, sheep! Come on in!” Then all 25 sheep turned and walked toward them.

You see, the shepherd establishes a relationship with his sheep. The shepherd knows his sheep and his sheep know him.

[The Good Shepherd]

In today’s gospel reading, our Lord Jesus Christ says, “I am the good shepherd.” Now, what does it mean to be the good shepherd? Well, in today’s world, the word “good” has changed. Today, most people understand “good” to be suitable or pleasant and implies that it could be better. What Jesus is saying here is the historic or traditional understanding of “good”, which means that He is the best or greatest shepherd. That is what He is saying.

And take notice to what Jesus is saying. He isn’t saying that He is a good shepherd. He is saying that He is the good shepherd.

And as the Good Shepherd, He knows His sheep.

In our First Reading, Luke — with the help of the Holy Spirit — writes, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Christ is the Good Shepherd. He alone is the only way to salvation by grace through faith in Him. Outside of the Good Shepherd, there is no hope for salvation.

By being the Good Shepherd, Jesus is saying that He is the only one “who lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11b). No other shepherd does that. No other shepherd is willing to die for His flock. This is what makes Him good.

[The Hired Hand]

Now, as sheep, we are prone to wander. We may even find ourselves following another shepherd, because we are attracted to teachers who preach what we want to hear.

Jesus said: “He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep” (John 10:12-13).

Jesus knows the sinful desires of men. Here Jesus is reminding everyone that the hired hand is not a shepherd.

Now, the hired hand is not totally wicked — unlike the wolf, who is wicked — but he is simply more committed to his own well-being than to the well-being of the sheep. He wants to be liked and does things that get the approval of the sheep.

Instead of preaching Law and Gospel, the hired hand may preach the “prosperity gospel” – which is all about your life now and refuses to mention that death is the result of sin and that Jesus has won salvation, life everlasting and forgiveness of sin to all who believe in Him. “Prosperity preachers” forget to realize that when we die, we can’t take our worldly possessions to heaven.

Or, the hired hand may preach gospel reductionism – or gospel only sermons – which refuses to mention the Law of God and why the Gospel truly matters.

Both of these “gospels” have no good news at all. They are all about the present and refuse to look at the future. For without the distinction of Law and Gospel, the sheep don’t know what to think and how to live as forgiven Christians.

As Martin Luther wrote[1], “(Hired hands) are never true shepherds who, in preaching, have their own popularity, profit and advantage in view. They are surely hirelings; for they seek their own advantage, even when they dispense the true doctrine and Word of God.”

You see, since the hired hand cares nothing for the sheep, they are “fair weather fans” of Christ. The hired hand retracts and denies the Word of God. Then when the wolf comes — who is Satan — he flees and lets the wolf destroy the sheep. 

So, in order to preserve the sheep, there must be pure teaching and God-pleasing unity in the Church. This is to done by the pastor – Christ’s under-shepherd – who presents pure, beneficial teaching correctly, and at the same time striking down false teachings, and he is there for Christ’s sheep, whether at church, a shut-in call, a hospital visit, or a prison visit. And, of course, the sheep should tell the under-shepherd when the pastor is needed, since we aren’t all-knowing like the Good Shepherd. For Christ’s under-shepherds are to pasture and feed the sheep and ward off the wolves.[2]

For this is why under-shepherds preach Law and Gospel, which afflicts the comfortable and comforts the afflicted. We preach Law and Gospel to keep Christ’s sheep safe from the wolf — the devil — who would enjoy to devour each of us. 

You see, the devil seeks divisions. He also seeks compromise. But for Christ, He wants none of that. For Jesus says: “There will be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16b). 

As one flock that follows one Shepherd, we are to be loyal to our Lord Jesus Christ. We look at ourselves and guide other Christians into following right teaching and tell others in love who are faltering on how to get back to the flock of Christ.

[The Sheep]

As Christians, we are Christ’s sheep. He purchased us at our baptism when we were born again with the water and His Word. We are also united to Christ through His body and blood for which He gives us in His Supper, which forgives our sins and strengthens our faith. In being one flock, this is why we examine ourselves to be in agreement with Christ’s body and blood and to the teachings of His Church.

Christ also tells us that He knows His flock and His flock knows Him: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (John 10:14).

As His sheep, we listen when the Good Shepherd speaks, much like that father on the farm who calls his sheep and they listen and follow their shepherd.

We listen to Christ when He speaks, because His Words spring forgiveness of sins, salvation and life everlasting. You see, at His crucifixion on Good Friday, Jesus laid down His life for the sheep — His fallen people, both Jew and Gentile. Through His death, He purchased us at a price. But that wasn’t the end. And how were we purchased?

Jesus answers that: “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again” (John 10:17).

We know we were purchased and redeemed by Jesus, because He rose from the dead! Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

“By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16).

Our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life as an atoning sacrifice for His sheep — all of us. Through His death and resurrection, He gives us life. He gives us hope. He gives us joy. 

As John writes in his epistle, as followers of Christ, we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters in the faith to preserve the truth of Christ.

So, like Jesus, we lay down our lives that our brothers and sisters might be saved.

This is exactly what Stephen, Peter, Paul and countless others have done. They died for the truth of Christ. They did not bend or change Christ’s teachings. For it is never loving to bend to the world’s desires in hopes of being liked by the world and leave the flock to the wolves.

As Christ died and rose for His flock to grant us forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. We, too, are to be aware at all times when God’s Word is threatened by the wolf. That is why we are to be in God’s Word and repent of our sins by asking God the Father for forgiveness.

Through Christ alone, our hearts and minds are comforted, because He is the one and only Good Shepherd, and not only that, He is also the very Lamb of God who has taken away the sin of the world for those who believe in Him.

By God’s grace, we have been given forgiveness, life and salvation through the Good Shepherd – who has laid down His life for you, the sheep. 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

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[1] Luther: “A Sermon on the Good Shepherd”, Church Postil, 1523.

[2] Book of Concord: The Formula of Concord (Solid Declaration), 529-530.

Sermon for Easter 2: "Light in Darkness" (1 John 1:1-2:2)

 

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

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! {He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!}

 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

 

[Don’t Look at Me, God]

 

A little girl discovered the secret to making mud one day, which she called “warm chocolate.”

 

After her grandmother cleaned up the mess, she told her granddaughter not to make any more chocolate.

 

The little girl soon resumed making her chocolate, saying sweetly, “Don’t look at me, Nana. Ok?”

 

Nana agreed.

 

So, she continued to work the mud, but three times she said, “Don’t look at me, Nana. Ok?”

 

Thus the tender soul of a little child shows us how necessary it is that we be unobserved in our wrong.

 

You see, anytime we choose to do wrong or to withhold doing right, we choose hiding as well. It may be that our most common prayer is simply this: Don’t look at me, God. Ok?

 

This was the very first prayer spoken after The Fall. God came to walk in the Garden to be with Adam and Eve and said, “Where are you?”

 

Adam answered, “I heard you in the Garden, and I was afraid, so I hid.”

 

Whenever we know we are doing something wrong, we do like to hide. We don’t want to be seen. Yet, God always knows.

 

[Walking in the Darkness]

 

In today’s epistle, John the Evangelist – with the help of the Holy Spirit – wrote about walking in the darkness and walking in the light.

 

John wrote: “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 John 1:6).

 

Now, we’ve all heard the sayings: Talk the talk, walk the walk, and practice what you preach.

 

This is what John is writing about. You see, the “walk” reveals the truthfulness of one’s claims and confession.

 

To walk in darkness is to live in sin and death. This is choosing death rather than life.

 

So, are you walking in darkness?

 

We are living in a world full of darkness: Shootings, stabbings, rape, stealing, and this list goes on. This is exactly what the Prince of Darkness likes. He is in favor of conflict, doubt, fear and quick response. He doesn’t want us to have rational thoughts. He doesn’t want us to think. All he wants is a reaction that causes more conflict.

 

So, could we have fellowship with Jesus while we walk in darkness?

 

No! But, we see this all the time. This is a problem that most of us have and it’s called hypocrisy. This is most easily seen in public life – such as politicians, who claim to be Christians, yet they vote or speak against Biblical truth.

 

So, if we say that we have fellowship with Jesus, yet walk in darkness, we are the living-dead in this sin-sick world and the consequences of this are dire indeed – eternal damnation in the darkness of hell.

 

And yes, Hell – is – real. If you aren’t aware of what I am referring to – it was reported last week that Pope Francis said that hell “does not exist.”[1] Now, the Vatican quickly rebutted this. Frankly, I don’t care what the pope says, but his words do have influence – even if he said it or not.

 

In fact, our Lord Jesus Christ is quite clear – hell exists for those who have turned against God.

 

The world of darkness is focused today on catchphrases, such as “Co-exist” and “being inclusive.” Sadly, this has even found inroads within many Christian church bodies.

 

For thousands of years, the entire Christian Church was in full agreement on morality – knowing right from wrong – but in the past 30 years, there has been a shift toward the darkness. But, why? – To be liked by the world – darkness, itself.

 

These denominations have changed morality without any evidence from God’s Written Word found in the Scriptures. Many denominations have fallen into the darkness of the world by saying that homosexual marriage is God pleasing, changing one’s gender is God pleasing, saying that murdering a child in the womb is God pleasing, assisted suicide is God pleasing, and cohabitation is God pleasing.

 

The thing is – they never consulted God with these changes. Instead, they are following the darkness of the world. They think they are eliminating sin, but God is quite clear on what is sin and His Word never changes, even if in our sinful minds we believe it has.

 

So they are saying: Don’t look at me, God. Ok?

 

[Walking in the Light]

 

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

 

Every time we confess the one true Christian faith in the Nicene Creed, we confess that, “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God…”

 

You see, God is light. In John’s day, light was associated with excellence, purity, integrity, happiness, holiness, and wisdom. This is Jesus Christ.

·        He is excellent.

·        He is pure.

·        He is trustworthy.

·        He is happiness.

·        He is holiness.

·        He is wisdom.

 

Within all the darkness of the world, Jesus is the light shining in the darkness.

 

When we walk in the light, we live openly and honestly, without covering up our behavior. Now, it is impossible to become perfectionists when it comes to avoiding sin. We have a sinful condition –we are all by nature sinful and unclean – so we confess our sins to God our Father and ask Him for forgiveness.

 

You see, as children of the light, we live according to Jesus. We know that in this dark world, there is light by grace through faith in Jesus Christ – our Lord and Savior.

 

As Christians, we know that God is the only authentic and reliable source of life, hope and blessing – and not just for a select few – but for all people!

 

The promise of the gospel is for all people! Therefore, Christ commanded preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins in His name to all nations, because the Lord does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance. Our Triune God is calling to all walking in darkness to repent and walk in the light of Christ.

 

As walkers of the light, we have fellowship with one another and we know that the blood of Jesus – shed on the cross – cleanses us from our sin, because Christ is Risen! {He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!}

 

As sinners in need of a savior, Jesus suffered, died and rose to grant us forgiveness. For it is only His blood,

only His offering of Himself on the cross,

only His suffering and death that has the power to save –

·        the power to cover

·        the power to cleanse

·        the power to blot out every sin.

 

To sustain faith, Jesus instituted “the new testament in His blood,” given and shed for the forgiveness of sins. In the Sacrament of the Altar, He grants us to drink His blood, which redeems, purchases, and wins from all sins, from death, and from the power of the Prince of Darkness himself – the devil. This Sacrament strengthens and preserves all believers in both body and soul to life everlasting.

 

All of this was accomplished not with silver or gold, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death. And how do we know this to be true? Because Christ did not remain in the grave! Alleluia! Christ is Risen! {He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!}

 

As John writes in his gospel, “These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). 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

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[1] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/03/29/did-pope-francis-say-there-no-hell-not-quite-vatican-insists/470442002/