Category: Sermon Page

Pentecost 20 (Proper 22), October 6, 2024

A Beautiful Design Text: Genesis 2:18–25 Other Lessons: Psalm 128; Hebrews 2:1–13 (14–18); Mark 10:2–16

Sermon Theme: God’s design for living makes good what was not good.

Sermon Goal: That hearers are strengthened in the conviction of God’s all-encompassing goodness for us and his creation.

Based on a sermon outline by Rev. Dr. Douglas L. Rutt as appearing in CPR.                                                        

Sermon: As impressive as human ingenuity and creativity is when it comes to great architecture, we see something immeasurably more magnificent and wondrous described for us in our reading from Genesis. Today’s Old Testament Reading tells us that God’s design is not just good; it’s perfect. His plan is a design that comes from his infinite wisdom, boundless love, and eternal goodness. God’s design is something that offers us hope in times of despair, direction when we’re lost and confused, and assurance when faced with uncertainty. Today, we’ll focus on ways in which God’s Design for Living Makes Good What Was Not Good.

God’s design for living provides for companionship (vv 18–24). There is a widespread epidemic of loneliness and isolation in our world today. Not good!

Despite the growing population and other ways of connecting, such as social media, people feel more alone than ever. The effects can be devastating for people, who can become depressed and discouraged. Perhaps you feel lonely or lack companionship. Even in church, sometimes, people are not connecting or developing meaningful relationships of trust and care. In God’s wisdom, he said, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (v 18). He provided the animals, who were good for man yet not the suitable partner God desired for him.  Adam needed the companionship God provided in the person of Eve, who was herself a marvelous “building” of God (see v 22) and who was bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh (v 23).

Each of them needed the special relationship and partnership in overseeing the creation that God gave them. There would be complementarity in how they would work together, each with his or her own weaknesses and strengths. The special relationship between man and woman God ordained is called marriage. It is not to be entered into lightly, and is to be for life (Mk 10:9). This is not to say that those who do not marry for different reasons are somehow deficient. Not to marry and to live in celibacy can be a godly choice for some, as the examples of the apostle Paul and our Lord Jesus himself demonstrate. But in God’s good design, it is beneficial and a blessing to enjoy loving and trusting relationships with others. God’s design for living provides for future generations (v 24). God’s desire is that there would be future generations, which are a blessing (Psalm 128).  It is out of God’s love that he desires more generations, as he has commanded, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28). God wants families to grow. He wants more people to share in his fellowship. Thus, “the two shall become one flesh” (Mk 10:8; cf v 24). The procreation of the human race is God’s design and good for human beings. The family unit is a blessing to provide for consistency of companionship. The family unit is a blessing to children to come so that they be raised in the Lord’s “nurture and admonition” (Eph 6:4 KJV). God’s design for living provides freedom from shame (v 25; Heb 2:17). At the end of our text, it says that Adam and Eve “were not ashamed.” What a blessing to be free of any reason to hide anything from someone else. To be without shame means that neither Adam nor Eve had anything to hide—no thought, no deed, no desire that would be injurious to the other.

Something happened to God’s good design when sin entered the world. That would be very soon—with devastating effects (Genesis 3)! With sin came shame, as humans realized that their thoughts are impure and their actions are corrupt. The sense of shame is an insidious, debilitating experience that can crush our spirit if not dealt with. It can lead to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, low self-esteem, anger, and feelings of emptiness. The effect of shame can be so intense that it can lead to self-destructive behavior such as addictions or even suicide. God’s design is that we not live with deep shame. There are many self-help strategies for “coping” with shame, but most only treat symptoms. Jesus Christ is the one who can truly remove our shame. He covers our shame with his righteousness (Rev 3:18). He endured the shame of the cross so that we need not suffer the devastating effects of shame (Heb 12:2).  When our shame is covered by the righteousness of Christ, we can live together in community and fellowship, in close relationship with our loved ones—both within marriage and in friendships and family relationships other than marriage—that provide for the companionship that is a part of God’s perfect design. The human ingenuity and creativity that God has given to us are truly marvelous things. We have seen so many scientific advances and beautiful designs that have been a part of the human experience on this planet, from the achievements of modern medicine to the creation of architectural wonders. Yet nothing compares to the goodness of God’s design for living. It is a design that provides for human companionship, for future generations to live in his fellowship, and it provides an antidote, in Jesus Christ, to the devastating, relationship-ruining effects of shame in our lives. God’s design is truly a good design for living. Amen.

St. Michael and All Angels, September 29, 2024.

The Victory in Heaven
Brings Hope on Earth! Text: Revelation 12:7–12 Other Lessons: Daniel 10:10–14; 12:1–3; Psalm 91; Luke 10:17–20; Matthew 18:1–11

Sermon Theme: The victory in heaven brings hope on earth!

Sermon Goal: That hearers rejoice because Michael and all the other good angels have enforced the Christ’s victory against Satan and all other evil angels so that they can no longer come into God’s presence to accuse sinners. Based on a sermon by Dr. Charles A. Gieschen

Sermon: One of the greatest lies Satan has succeeding in having people believe is that he is a mythical figure depicted in Scripture and not a real being. If you don’t think Satan exists, he can work under the radar much more effectively. The Scriptures, however, reveal Satan for who he truly is! This is clear from Satan’s presence in the Garden of Eden as tempter of Adam and Eve to his presence in the desert tempting Jesus.  It is the work of Jesus in overcoming Satan and the forces of evil that comes to a climax in our reading from Revelation 12. There we heard of the work of God’s good angels, namely Michael and company, in bringing an end to the activity of Satan as the accuser who accuses sinners before our God day and night. Satan is depicted as a prosecuting attorney who argues against sinners before God. He accuses sinners of not being worthy of fellowship with God now and for eternity. The joyous message of this text is that this accuser of all mankind, Satan, is no longer in heaven to bring accusations against us. This text unveils this truth for us: The Victory in Heaven Brings Hope on Earth! Satan’s rebellion and removal from heaven is one of those mysteries of which God tells us very little in his Word. We do know that Satan led a substantial rebellion of angels after creation and before the fall of Adam and Eve. Revelation 12:4 indicates that up to a third of the angels listened to the temptation that Satan later used on Adam and Eve: “You will be like God.”  The scene is not a pretty one; the powerful angel Satan kept reminding God about the sins of mankind day and night! The one who deceived Adam and Eve continued to remind God of the ongoing pattern of sin in Adam’s descendants, including us. The good news trumpeted by our text is that this accusation activity of Satan is no longer effective due to his defeat in a great a war—cast out of heaven, thrown down to earth: “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (vv 7–9). No longer does Satan have his day in God’s court to bring accusations against us.  It appears, from first glance, that the source of this victory is the power of Michael and the other good angels of God, almost as if Satan and his angels were not as strong. Our text tells us how the martyred Christians overcame Satan and the rest of the evil angels: “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even to death” (v 11). If this is how these Christians overcame Satan, it is also how created angels overcame him.  The song of praise in our text puts credit where credit is due: “the blood of the Lamb.” This is an obvious reference to Jesus Christ as the unblemished, perfect sacrifice whose blood makes payment for all sins of mankind. The basis for Satan’s removal as the accuser before God is the blood of the Lamb. Satan can no longer accuse sinners because Christ paid the price of all sin and has taken his place before God as the Advocate of all sinners, interceding for us. John writes of this wonderful work in his first epistle: “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 Jn 2:1–2). The apostle Paul also tells us of Christ defending us before the Father: “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Rom 8:34). The source of this victory in heaven, then, is the blood of the Lamb. This victory in heaven brings us hope on earth. Satan’s destiny: “And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (20:10). We thank God for this victory in heaven, won by Christ on the cross and carried out by Michael and the angelic hosts. This victory fills our earthly struggles with hope as we press toward our heavenly goal. Surrounded and protected by these angels, we join their voices in praising the Lamb: “Worthy are you . . . for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth” (5:9–10). Amen.

Pentecost 18 (Proper 20), September 22, 2024
Faithfulness in Time of Betrayal
Text: Jeremiah 11:18–20
Other Lessons: Psalm 54; James 3:13–4:10; Mark 9:30–37

Sermon Theme: Let us commit our cause to the Lord God. Sermon Goal: That you would be encouraged to trust humbly in God’s resolution in the face of a world so filled with false teachings by false teachers and filled with hatred. Based on a sermon outline from Concordia Pulpit Resources by Rev. Dr. Douglas L. Rutt, Sermon: To what are you committed? What kinds of commitments have you made in life? What are some of the things that are most important to you? We as human beings often have causes to which we’re committed. It may be something small, or it may be something grandiose, even world-changing. It’s inspiring to hear about people who have made great sacrifices and overcome enormous obstacles for their cause.

To be “committed to a cause” is to be all in for the sake of that cause. In today’s Old Testament Reading, we get a touching look into the life of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah faced many obstacles in his ministry and often went to the Lord God to plead his case in the face of all the adversity he had to confront. That’s why he’s known as the weeping prophet. He was betrayed by his friends; he is surrounded by deceit and treachery. He cries out to the Lord in ways that remind us of Christ’s own betrayal, persecution, and suffering. And yet, he is committed to the cause to which God called him, to make known his Word to the people of Judah, to call Judah to repent of its apostasy and idolatry. In the face of many reasons to despair, Jeremiah clings to the rock of his salvation. Jeremiah was committed to the cause of showing the way to eternal life. Jeremiah is a powerful example to us as we navigate the trials and challenges of our own lives as the people of God. As Jeremiah committed his cause to the Lord, Let Us Commit Our Cause to the Lord God. The Lord God knows our plight (vv 18–19). Sometimes in life, as we face hardships, injustice, or persecution, we can conclude that God is absent, silent, or doesn’t care.  We wonder why we might need to face a certain challenge. Sometimes we might even feel betrayed by our own family or friends.  In the case of Jeremiah, it’s the Lord God who reveals to him the scheming and treachery of his friends. God knew of their scheming before Jeremiah did. In Jeremiah’s case, the Lord revealed the murderous plots to him directly.  God knows the challenges and troubles we face, even before we do. Sometimes we can experience the emotions that Jeremiah felt, like a lamb being led to slaughter. God cares about what happens in this world, and he invites us to bring our cares and concerns humbly to him, and he will deliver us (Ps 54:7).  The Lord God judges in righteousness (v 20a). The Lord God does care about what happens in the world and what is happening in our lives. Despite his troubles, Jeremiah proclaims that the Lord God is righteous and judges in righteousness. This means he judges in holiness and love. Sometimes it can look to us as if that’s not the case, when evildoers seem to prosper and good people do suffer. But the Lord God sees way beyond what we can see. This is even more true when we suffer for his name’s sake. The suffering we face because of our commitment to the Lord is something we can count on (Jn 16:1–4a). It seems we live in a world that is becoming angrier all the time. People often are blinded to the truth that is right before their very eyes. This is especially true when it comes to respecting the Lord God.                        The vengeance of the Lord is fair retribution for those who have fallen away from all that God had given them and who chased after other gods. Those other gods can be anything we put our trust in above all other things, and so we can fall into idolatry also.  The Lord God judges “the heart and the mind” (v 20). We may not be worshiping Baal or other spiritual beings, and by outward appearances we may not be plotting the murder of God’s prophet, but the Lord God judges the heart, our innermost thoughts and desires (1 Sam 16:7). Everyone falls short of what God demands. Nevertheless, the Lord also provided the way for our minds and hearts to be washed clean and seen as perfect in his sight. It is through a simple trust in the perfect life, atoning death, and victorious rising again of Jesus Christ.

     Just as Jeremiah faced hostility because he committed his cause to the Lord God, we also may—probably will—come up against opposition and hostility because of our commitment to the cause of the Gospel as we live out our faith in a world that seems increasingly to be in conflict with the Word of God. Just as Jeremiah committed his cause to the Lord God, knowing that God was his strength and shield, so we also can confidently and humbly commit ourselves to the cause of the Lord God, who would do so much, even give us his Son. In that way, we will see what Jeremiah called God’s vengeance. It is a fair justice that his Son took upon himself by his life, death, and resurrection for us and our salvation. And that is a cause worth committing ourselves to, knowing that God is faithful, just, loving, and caring, despite the obstacles we face in this life. Amen.

Pastor: Tim Weiser

Pentecost 16 (Proper 18), September 8, 2024
Reversing the Ramifications of Sin Text: Isaiah 35:4–7a
Other Lessons: Psalm 146; James 2:1–10, 14–18; Mark 7:(24–30) 31–37 Sermon Theme: Be strong, fear not! The Lord will come and save you, reversing the ramifications of sin.
Sermon Goal: That you not fear your afflictions but trust that the Lord will one day reverse all the ramifications of sin that he now asks you to endure with faith in Christ. Based on a sermon outline in Concordia Pulpit Resources by Rev. Stephen K. Preus.

Sermon: The Lord’s promise through Isaiah, did not fade. And God’s kingdom has not fallen. It stands. Forever. Because Christ Jesus fulfills this prophecy of the Lord’s prophet. And our text points to the greater hope of the new creation for all those who cling to the Lord Jesus and the ransom he gave on the cross. He will come in triumph to set creation free from Satan and the curse and give his people the redemption of their bodies (cf Rom 8:19–23). He says to all of you today: Be Strong, Fear Not! The Lord Will Come and Save You, Reversing the Ramifications of Sin. The feeble and the fainthearted need not fear their enemies. The Lord is coming with vengeance against his and his people’s enemies (v 4). It stands because Jesus came to destroy our spiritual and greatest enemy: the devil. The Son of God became flesh “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn 3:8). Jesus did this in our Gospel (Mk 7:29), in his temptation (Mt 4:1–11), and then on the cross for us all (Gen 3:15), rising victorious over sin, death, and the devil. This means Christ also came to destroy the sin, sickness, disease, deformities, and death that Satan has brought into this world. So, all who are a part of Christ’s kingdom, find your strength in him against his and your enemies, and fear not!  The Lord’s vengeance is recompense, a repaying for all the evil the enemies have done against God’s people (v 4). God used the nations of Assyria, Babylon, and others to humble and discipline his people. But he also repaid those nations for all the evil they did against God’s people (cf 2 Thess 1:6). The devil, who works evil through so many agencies in the world, might also appear to be winning, and God uses our setbacks and seeming defeats to discipline us. But the devil’s time is short (Rev 12:12). He has already been repaid in the crushing defeat of Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension. And recompense is finally and ultimately coming in the end when Christ returns and the devil is forever relegated to the prison prepared for him and his angels (Mt 25:41). The Lord’s goal in this vengeance and recompense is salvation for his people (v 4). The Lord is a God defined not by wrath but by love (1 Jn 4:8). While the immediate purpose of his coming for his Old Testament people was vengeance and recompense of the wicked, that had the decisive purpose of salvation for God’s people, delivering them from those enemies. The same is true spiritually speaking. Jesus’ attack of the devil, the stronger man against the strong man, was to save you and have you as his own so that you might “live under Him in His kingdom” (Small Catechism, Second Article). You need not seek vengeance (Rom 12:19) but can leave that to God. You can focus instead on the salvation he has already won for you and has in store for all who believe and are baptized into Christ. That salvation includes the truth that You need not fear because the ramifications of sin will be reversed (vv 5–6a). When Jesus came, “then” (vv 5, 6) God’s kingdom came to reverse sin’s ramifications.    When Jesus came, he healed bodies just as Isaiah said (cf Lk 7:22). The “eyes of the blind” were “opened” (cf Mt 20:29–34). The “ears of the deaf unstopped . . . and the tongue of the mute [sang] for joy” (cf Mk 7:34–35). The “lame man [leaped] like a deer” (cf Mt 9:6–7). Jesus showed himself to be the one who made all these appendages and could heal them, reversing the curse of this world. And what he did physically, he also did spiritually (Jn 9:39). The Gospel of Jesus Christ enlightened the eyes of the disciples’ hearts and those of many others who sat in darkness (Eph 1:18; Lk 1:79). He opened their lips so that their mouths declared his praise (Ps 51:15).     Now, through the Gospel proclaimed in church, the eyes of your heart are opened, you hear his promise of forgiveness, life, and salvation, you follow him and sing hymns of thanksgiving for his salvation. On the Last Day, you will experience this completely, both body and soul, in the kingdom of glory. All of sin’s ramifications will be reversed forever. The curse that now leads to being blind, deaf, lame, or mute will forever be lifted from God’s people in the resurrection. Find joy in your baptism, where God gave you the Spirit (Acts 2:38), for he “is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Eph 1:14). Amen.