Seventh Sunday of Easter

I would be remiss if I did not begin this commemoration of Memorial Day by letting you know it is more than a holiday; it’s a sacred moment to reflect on the price of freedom. It reminds us of those who gave their lives in service to their country. We honor Sacrifice and Embrace purpose

It reminds us of those who gave their lives in service to their country — people who understood the cost of peace and bore it with courage. As believers, we can draw inspiration from their example and honor their memory with lives of purpose, sacrifice, and spiritual commitment. SACRIFICE IS THE FOUNDATION OF FREEDOM: As we reflect on those who gave their lives for our national freedom, may we never forget the One who gave His life for our eternal freedom. Jesus did not just speak of love—He demonstrated it on the cross. And now He invites us to love like Him.

Greater love has no one than this: not only that one would die for a friend—but that one would live every day for others, in Christ’s name. Let today be more than a moment of remembrance. Let it be a moment of rededication to living a life marked by sacrificial love—at home, in church, in our communities, and to the ends of the earth. This week, ask God: Who are you calling me to love more sacrificially? Where can I lay down comfort, pride, or time to lift someone else up? Then act—because love is not love until it moves.

Easter 6, May 25, 2025 Come, I Will Show You Text: Revelation 21:9–14, 21–27 Other Lessons: Acts 16:9–15; Psalm 67; John 16:23–33; John 5:1–9 Sermon Theme: Even as we still long for a full revelation, we welcome the invitation “Come, I will show you.” Sermon Goal: That you, eagerly long for heaven, so rejoice in Christ’s resurrection day to day that you steadfastly endure as you wait. Based on a sermon outline in CPR by Rev. Dr. Karl F. Fabrizius.

Sermon: Come, I Will Show You! In the days of Solomon, people came from the ends of the earth to see the riches and beauty of his kingdom. Yet we know that that kingdom was torn apart because of the unfaithfulness of the king and his people. We gaze at the large, beautiful church buildings in our cities that once were filled with Sunday worshipers, and perhaps we long for the good old days when the church was the center of activity for many. Today, those empty structures remind us that many have turned from their baptisms and the truth of Scripture, willingly adopting the practices and values of living together outside of marriage, of so-called gay marriage, the denial of male and female, and a lack of love for the unborn and the elderly. All this may cause us to despair, but today’s text gives us a vision of what the church truly is and will be when she is faithful to the Lord’s Word and his Holy Sacraments (Rev 21:9).

We Pray to the Father in Jesus’ Name! “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus has opened the way to the Father so that “whatever you ask of the Father” in Jesus’ name, “he will give it to you” (John 16:23). We pray, therefore, in the confidence that we will be heard and answered, that our “joy may be full” (John 16:24).

We pray because the Gospel has been preached to us and the Lord has opened our hearts to believe the Gospel (Acts 16:10, 14). We pray in the name of Jesus because we have been baptized into Him, as Lydia and her household were baptized (Acts 16:15). We have been healed, and we live and walk and pray in newness of life (John 5:8–9). For we stand upon the firm foundation “of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Rev. 21:14), and our temple is “the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb” (Rev. 21:22). This Sixth Sunday of Easter leads directly to Ascension Day this coming Thursday. Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “Now I am leaving the world and going to the Father” (Jn 16:28). He doesn’t invite us to come with him yet; that’s still in our future. But in our text today from Revelation, an angel does invite the apostle John to come and catch a glimpse of heaven. Wouldn’t we like to see? Even as We Still Long for a Full Revelation, We Welcome the Invitation “Come, I Will Show You.” Behold, the holy city, the Bride of the Lamb. John’s vision gives a glimpse of where we will live in heaven. It is a magnificent place (vv 11–14, 21)! It is a place of twelves and threes. But the holy city is really equated with the Bride (vv 2, 9–10), who isn’t a place, but is the church, God’s people living in heaven. The church is no place for the unclean (vv 8, 27). She is the Wife brought to Christ even as was the woman brought to the man (Gen 2:22–23).

We are being invited to see a vision of ourselves, washed clean by the Man who gave his life for his Bride (Eph 5:25–27; Rev 7:14). Behold, the temple. John sees that the city has no temple (v 22a). Perhaps surprising, given the long Old Testament history and imagery (Ezekiel 40–47).

But no temple is needed! The Lord God and the Lamb are the temple (v 22). The temple always symbolized God’s presence. In heaven, we will see Christ face to face. Our vision is God’s presence in the means of grace.

We see Christ present on the unshakable foundation of the Scriptures. Through the Sacraments we see the portals that draw us into the Divine. Behold, the Light that has come into the world. Again, John sees no sun because the glory of God and the Lamb, the lamp, give light (v 23). From the beginning it was really this way. A Word gave light even before the sun was created (Gen 1:3, 14). That Word was the eternal Son (Jn 1:1–3). Now the Light has come in the flesh in the beauty of the incarnation (Jn 1:14; 8:12). That Light had to be extinguished for a time (Lk 23:44–45a). But Easter dawn showed we live in a new day. In heaven, John sees, the Lamb is the only light. We will see Christ’s shining face always (v 25). His light will be the glory of kings and people of every nation (vv 24, 26).

If you’re a baseball fan and you’ve ever been to Dyersville, Iowa, to walk out on that Field of Dreams, well, it’s a moving experience. James Earl Jones says, “It reminds us of all that once was good. And it could be again.” Maybe good, but still of this fallen world. The vision John gives us is above that. And it will be. And it will be ours. Amen.

Easter 4, May 11, 2025 The Good Shepherding Continues Text: Acts 20:17–35. Other Lessons: Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9–17; John  10:22–30 Sermon Theme: The Good Shepherd continues to shepherd his sheep. Sermon Goal: That you trust Jesus, your Good Shepherd, to shepherd you continually through your pastor and to use all of them, his sheep, to reach and care for others. Based on a sermon outline in Concordia Pulpit Resources by Rev. Dominic J. Rivkin.

Sermon: Paul was bidding farewell to the pastors of the church in Ephesus. He’d established the church and for three years shepherded it, but now it would see his face no more, and he was deeply concerned for what would follow. It’s Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, established us as his church, but since he ascended back to heaven, we haven’t seen his face. And what’s happened in this world since must cause us deep concern. In our text, though, Paul continues to care for the Ephesian church through the pastors he’s leaving behind, and Paul is only doing what he’d learned from his Lord. We don’t see Jesus here shepherding us, but, through pastors he calls and through his people he equips, The Good Shepherd Continues to Shepherd His Sheep.

The Good Shepherd, who made us his own, continues to gather his sheep. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, sacrificed himself to save us, lost, wandering sheep. He obtained us with his own blood (v 28d). For he is also the Lamb of sacrifice (Rev 7:14, 17). Jesus called Paul to gather countless new sheep of the Good Shepherd (vv 17–21). Paul had evangelized the Ephesian church.

The word that won souls was Jesus’ saving work. Jesus continues to call pastors, such as the Ephesian elders, to gather new sheep of the Good Shepherd. Part of every pastor’s job is to tell nonmembers, “Jesus loves you, died for you, gives you heaven!” Not just “house to house”—but that may be. Jesus calls every believer to gather new sheep of the Good Shepherd. You all have friends, coworkers Pastor doesn’t see. The Good Shepherd shed his blood for them too. The Good Shepherd, who brought us to the truth, continues to protect his sheep. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, protected his own from anyone who would snatch them out of the Father’s hand (Jn 10:27–28; 17:12). He taught the truth that saves: his cross (Jn 14:6). He protects from all false teachers (Jn 10:24–26). Jesus called Paul to protect the Good Shepherd’s sheep from wolves (vv 28–32). Paul’s letters warned against false doctrine.

Now he warns the Ephesian pastors to be ready. Jesus continues to call pastors, such as the Ephesian elders, to protect the Good Shepherd’s sheep from today’s false teachers. The wolves have surely come! (Give examples.) Jesus protects you through your pastor’s teaching. Jesus calls every believer both to be vigilant and to protect those of the Good Shepherd’s sheep he places in our care. He guards you as you study his Word faithfully. He guards your families through your teaching.

The Good Shepherd, who cared only for us, continues to nurture his sheep. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was always self-giving, serving our every need. He healed, fed, guided, never serving himself. He surely followed his own words (v 35b). Jesus called Paul to labor selflessly in nurturing the Good Shepherd’s sheep (vv 22–24, 33–35). Paul set the example of selfless service. The congregation was to follow in selfless care. Jesus continues to call pastors, such as the Ephesian elders, to provide spiritual and physical care for the Good Shepherd’s sheep.

Here, too, pastors set the tone for caring. Other workers, like deaconesses, may carry on. Jesus calls every believer to nurture the Good Shepherd’s sheep our congregations can touch. This begins for us in our homes. And then we support our congregation’s work. All this that we do, all that we pastors do, in our various Christian callings as sheep, as shepherds, is because the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, has shepherded us, “the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (v 28d). In fact, all that we do as Christians is truly a continuation of the Good Shepherd’s shepherding. That will never cease! We’ll even celebrate it when we join those who have come “out of the great tribulation . . . [and] have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14). Amen.