Third Sunday in Advent

Third Sunday in Advent

Third Sunday in Advent

December 17, 2017

Title:  Jesus is the Mystery of God.

Grace and mercy to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

It is written in 1 Corinthians 4 1This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.  Thus far the text.

Let us pray: Gracious Father, Your Son Jesus Christ, is the mystery of God whom You have made known to us in Your Holy Scriptures.  Grant us faithfulness to Your Word; in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Saint Paul is preaching these Words to the church gathered in Corinth.  It sounds a bit abrasive to us.  Saint Paul is telling the congregation how they regard him as their pastor.  The Corinthians were divided.  In the midst of many divisions, some followed Paul; but some followed Apollos, some followed Peter, some claimed to follow no man but Christ.

Saint Paul admonishes the Corinthian church, This is how one should regard (me and Apollos and Peter), as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.   

Paul says, regard us as servants of Christ.  Do not regard us as great leaders but rather regard us as fellow Christians saved by grace through faith in Jesus just as you are.

Paul also says, regard us as stewards of the mysteries of God.  

Think of stewards like this: the apostles and pastors are given a “power of attorney”.  They are responsible to distribute God’s gifts; according to God’s direction; according to His written Word.  

Think of the mysteries of God like this:  Jesus is the mystery of God who is received by faith.

Paul, Apollos, and Cephas were equally stewards of the mysteries of God.

The same is true for you.  Beginning with Pastor … and up to Pastor Saunders and even me, the Lord has granted you public stewards of the mysteries of God among the saints gathered at Our Savior Lutheran in Muscatine.  They all had the same responsibility: distribute the gifts of God our Father to you.

What is required of stewards?  It is required that they are found trustworthy to what is written in the Holy Scriptures.  They are to believe in Jesus Christ.  But for you, they are to preach and teach and pray and baptize and absolve and commune you regularly.  At the end of many years and decades of trustworthy stewardship, the Lord will commend the steward, saying well done my good and faithful steward.  This is true even if the church does not give a commendation because all they see is shrinking attendance, too many requests for repentance and faith, too little attention to boards and councils and conventions.

I am sometimes asked how this applies to the rest of the church.  The Lord has given you your own sphere of stewardship.  Your sphere includes your mom and dad, your husband or wife, your son or daughter, your employer or employee.  How do you exercise your responsibilities; your stewardship?  Like a pastor, look at what is written.  You have the Ten Commandments.  You are to believe in Jesus Christ.  You are to pray for yourself and others in Jesus name.  Attend the Divine Service.  This is true.  But your stewardship for others is to honor your father and mother.  If mom or dad is not asking you to sin against Jesus then do what they say even if you don’t want to.  This is your stewardship; your responsibility.  Students, do the homework your teacher assigns you whether you like it or not.  This is your stewardship.  Husbands and wives, love and cherish each other.  If your spouse is not asking you to sin against Jesus then do what she says even if you don’t want to.  This is your stewardship; your responsibility.  At the end of many years and decades of trustworthy stewardship, the Lord will commend you, saying well done my good and faithful steward.  Whether your stewardship is as a pastor of the mysteries of God in a little congregation or a bricklayer for a large company, as Christian stewards we are thoroughly furnished unto all good works through the study of Holy Scripture (which) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16-17 KJV).

You will be found trustworthy because God our Father has sent His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ who did the good work of laying down His life and picking it back up again to fulfill the Ten Commandments and bear your sins and iniquities.

Jesus is the Mystery of God our Father.  I can neither explain this mystery nor will I try.  But, as far a Jesus is revealed in the Holy Scriptures this mystery I will proclaim.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

The peace of God, which passes understanding, guard and keep your body and soul in Jesus Christ, who is the Mystery of God our Father.  Amen.

Christmas according to Isaiah

Christmas according to Isaiah

Christmas according to Isaiah

Part 2: Servant of Yahweh - Isaiah 42:1-9

Midweek Advent Service

Grace and mercy to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

It is written in Isaiah chapter 42, Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon him: He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for His law.  Thus far the text.

Let us pray:  O Lord,  No nation, including Israel, is Your Servant.  No individual within any nation is Your Servant.  Your Servant is Jesus born of the virgin on Christmas morning.  Grant us You Holy Spirit to hear of this Christmas according to Your prophet Isaiah; in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Behold My Servant

There are two kinds of servants.  A worldly servant and the Lord’s Servant

On the one hand, a servant labors for his master.  Here the master has a burden to carry but he places that burden on his servants, employees, slaves for them to carry.  The master receives the benefit of their work.  This is a common understanding of servant even in religion.  The people work for the god. The god receives the benefit of the people’s work.  The people then remain in good standing with that god.  

The Lord’s Servant is entirely different.  The Lord’s Servant is God.  This true God does not burden His people.  Rather, His people are to place their burdens upon the Lord’s Servant who is God.  God will work to carry the burdens for the people.  The people benefit.

Isaiah, when he is speaking of the Servant of the Lord, is speaking of the coming Jesus.  But to grasp Christmas according to Isaiah we need to step back to what was already written and in the hands of Isaiah.  The Book of Exodus.  Exodus records the battle of the servants.  

On the one hand, Pharaoh was a god-like figure in Egypt.  His most important duty as the god of Egypt was to hold a religious ceremony every morning and evening to control the rising and the setting of the sun.  Pharaoh’s servants/slaves were all the people in Egypt, even the Hebrews served at the pleasure of Pharaoh.

On the other hand, Moses was not a god but spoke the Word of the Lord’s Servant to Pharaoh.  The message to Pharaoh was, “Let My people go.”  The Lord’s Servant wanted His people to conduct a religious ceremony at Mt. Sinai every morning and evening too.  Except, the purpose of the religious ceremony was not to control the rising or setting of the sun or to control anything else in creation.  The ceremony was a means for the people to cast their burdens on the Lord’s Servant. The work of the Lord’s Servant was to carry away the burdens of the people.  

Jesus is the Lord’s Servant at Mt. Sinai.  Jesus is serving His people.  Jesus is carrying the burden of sin for the people.  Jesus is the Servant of the Lord.

The Divine Service is the religious ceremony that God gave at Mt. Sinai.  The Divine Service was first enacted as written in Leviticus chapter 9.  The Divine Service is the Word and Sacraments given as a means for the people to unburden themselves of sin and iniquity.

Jesus is the Servant of the Lord in Moses’ Day.

Jesus is the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah’s Day.  Isaiah is promising that the Servant of the Lord who let His people out of Egypt is the Servant of the Lord who will be born of a virgin on Christmas morning.

Our Father delights in Jesus THE Servant of the Lord.

The Holy Spirit is upon Jesus THE Servant of the Lord.

Jesus, THE Servant of the Lord, will carry the sins of Israel and all nations upon His shoulders and atone for the sins of many by His death.  Jesus serves you buy dying the death you deserve so that you may burden Him with you sins, and iniquities, and debts to your heavenly Father.

Now the Father delights in You because you unburden yourselves upon Jesus by repentance and faith in Jesus the bearer of your sin.

Jesus did not cry rather He serves you to save you.

Jesus did not refuse to be lifted up on the cross rather He serves you to save you.

Jesus did not cause His voice to be heard in the street but He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is silent, so Jesus opened not his mouth. (Isa. 53:7 KJV)

This is Christmas according to Isaiah - Jesus is the Servant of the Lord.  He does not serve you as if you were His master telling Him what to do.  Jesus is not your slave.  Rather, Jesus serves you according to His Father’s will.  And what is our Father’s good and gracious will?  It is this: that Jesus breaks and hinders every evil and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die.  This is His good and gracious will. (Small Catechism).

Your faith may be weak this Advent season.  But hear this according to Isaiah: 3 A bruised reed shall Jesus not break, and the smoking flax shall Jesus not quench … Jesus shall not fail nor be discouraged.   

And 700 years after Isaiah prophesied, the last prophet - John the Baptist - solemnly declared, Behold the Lamb of God, who carries away the burden of your sin (Jn. 1:29 KJV); in the name of the Father of the Son of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Second Sunday in Advent

                  Second Sunday in Advent

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Second Sunday in Advent

December 10, 2017

Title:  Jesus Christ is Our Hope & Our Harmony

Grace and mercy to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

It is written in Romans 15: 4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. Thus far the text.

Let us pray: O Lord, You word is written for our instruction that we might have hope in You and harmony among each other.  Grant us this hope and harmony; in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction

Adam never read the Bible about his fall into sin.  The account of Adam & Eve was written by Moses centuries later.  What is written about Adam and Eve is written for our instruction.

Noah never read the Bible about a worldwide flood and the ark he build.  The account was written later for our instruction.

Jesus never read the New Testament.  He gave the words to be written to His evangelists and apostles who wrote but the New Testament was written after Jesus’ death and resurrection for our instruction.

How are you instructed?   You are instructed by the Lord through (the) endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures.

You are instructed every time you hear the Holy Scriptures.  You are instructed every Sunday through the public readings and preaching and Bible study.  You are instructed every time you hear the Words of Institution which explains what you are about to eat and drink and why the Lord wants you to eat and drink and what it is that you publicly declare each time you eat and drink.  You are instructed every Weekday reading of Bible.  Your instructor is the Holy Spirit who has bound His work to the Lord’s Holy Bible.

You endure week after week because the Lord is the Lord of endurance.

You are encouraged week after week because the Lord is the Lord of encouragement.

This advent season, hear the Voice of your Savior in what is Written for your instruction.

Today, the Lord is promising you two gifts.  The first gift is hope.

The common dictionary defines hope as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.  Hope is defined as a feeling of certainty; a feeling of trust.  

How is this hope received?  

Hope is received through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures.

Do you doubt the Lord’s no in His good Law?  Do you doubt the Lord’s yes in His good Gospel? Do you doubt that the Lord does not hold your sins against for Christ’s sake?  Well, tis the season of Advent to repent of this doubt that so easily entangles and hear the Scripture again.  Cast your doubt upon Jesus and believe that Jesus is the Christ.  Cast your doubt upon Jesus and put your faith in His death and resurrection to save you.  Hear again the encouragement Jesus gives you in His Scripture.  Hear again the encouragement He has for you in those same Scriptures.  Remain hearing Jesus and He will grant you hope in Jesus through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures.  For this is the work of God; that you believe in Jesus (John 6:29).

The second gift for you today is harmony with one another.

How is harmony with one another received?  

Harmony with one another is received through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures.

Do you doubt divisions in Christianity can be healed?  Do you doubt family conflicts about faith in Jesus have no end?  Well, tis the season of Advent to repent of this doubt that so easily entangles and hear the Scripture again.  Hear again the encouragement Jesus gives you in His Scripture.  Hear again the encouragement He has for you in those same Scriptures.  Remain hearing Jesus and He will grant you harmony with one another through (that) endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures.  For this is the work of God; that you believe in Jesus (John 6:29).

Faith in Jesus is the source for both your hope in the Lord and harmony with your neighbors.

The apostle Paul blesses His hearers, saying 5May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This issue of harmony was important to the Lutheran Reformers.  They did not want to give up their hope in Christ for the purpose of harmony.  But they did want to live in harmony within the church of the past, present, and future.  They wrote a book called the Book of Harmony.  You know it better by its Latinized name: The Book of Concord.

They wrote:  [16] We take no pleasure in discord (disharmony), nor are we unaware of our danger, the extent of which is evident from the bitter hatred inflaming the opponents. But we cannot surrender truth that is so clear and necessary for the (hope of the) church.

We believe, therefore, that we must endure difficulties and dangers for the glory of Christ and the good of the church. We trust that God approves our dutiful action, and we hope that posterity (the future generations of Christians) will judge us more equitably...

(Finally), we pray that Christ will help his afflicted and scattered churches and restore them to a godly and lasting concord (harmony).  

Do you hear their desire for concord; for harmony?

Our Savior Lutheran Church is one of about 6,000 churches that desires harmony in Christ with other Christians.  Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.  Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne.  The Concordia Universities.  All of them teach what the Lord has written for our instruction.  The day they lose hope in what is written will be a sad day for harmony among church bodies near and far.

Our Savior Lutheran Church is you.  People instructed in what is written.  People who believe in Jesus.  You have hope in Christ.  You have harmony among one another because you are in Christ.

I encourage you to continue to endure and find encouragement in the Scriptures.  This is how your hope in Christ and your harmony among one another will remain.

Finally, it is written: welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.  I am proud of all of you.  You have a reputation in the community as a warm and welcoming congregation.  People stop in for service.  They go away amazed at how kind you are to them.  Not every Christian congregation has this reputation.  Why you?  I am convinced it is because you continue to endure and find encouragement in the Scriptures; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Christmas according to Isaiah - Part 1

Christmas according to Isaiah

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Advent Midweek 1

Christmas according to Isaiah

Part 1: The Ideal Davidic King

Isaiah 9:1-7

Grace and mercy to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Welcome to the first Midweek Advent Service.  Christmas according to the Prophet Isaiah is the theme for this year’s midweek Advent Services.  Isaiah lived 700 years before Jesus was born.  Yet, Isaiah prophesied about Jesus’ coming.  Tonight the focus is on a the new King Jesus and His kingdom.

It is written in Isaiah 9: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.  (Isa. 9:1-7 ESV)  Thus far the text.

Let us pray: Almighty Father, Your prophet Isaiah proclaimed the coming of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever should believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life in Your government; Your kingdom.  Grant an increase of Your government this Advent season and uphold us through faith in Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Listening to Isaiah you wouldn’t know that the country of Israel was at peace with its neighboring countries Assyria and Egypt.

Listening to the prophet Isaiah you wouldn’t even guess that the country of Israel in 700 B.C. was richer and stronger on the world scene that it ever had been in its previous history.

What would you hear listening to Isaiah in 700 B.C.?

You would hear that the Lord God was preparing Assyria to invade Israel and enslave all the people.  You would hear death and destruction proclaimed from the mouth of Isaiah when the king, the priests, and other the other prophets were proclaiming ‘Peace! Peace!  The Lord God is on your side.  All is well.’  When all was not well.

What else would you hear listening to Isaiah in 700 B.C.?

You would hear about the first Christmas; a Christmas that was 700 years in the future.

You would hear about the coming gift of God’s own Son.  For to you a child is born, to you a son is given.  This Child will be the head of a new government of peace; a new kingdom without strife.  This Child will stand against the tyrants of affliction, darkness, and the shadow of death.  The greatest of these tyrants are not physical but spiritual.  The most oppressive tyrants are the Law, sin, and death.

And the government shall be upon his shoulder.  The Child is the head of a new government.  You are that new government.  The Child carries you upon His shoulder.

The world’s kings are carried by the king’s people.  For example, Caesar sits on a throne is lifted up on poles.  His servants carry Caesar on their shoulders from place to place.  Another example, the U.S. President sits in a bullet proof limo.  His servants drive him  from place to place.  

Therefore, there is a difference between the manner of ruling in the kingdom of the world and in that of the kingdom of the coming Christ Child. In the kingdom of the world the prince or king alone is free, all others are servants. But in the kingdom of the coming Christ Child, Christ alone is a servant, and you, by faith in this Christ, are free.

This is Christmas according to Isaiah.

What kind of gift is this coming Christ Child?

Isaiah says the Child’s name is called Wonderful.  

He is too Wonderful to grasp by our own reason and strength that we might receive Him.  He is received by faith alone.  We believe life, glory, righteousness, and peace. On the other hand we feel death, shame, sin, and trouble.

Isaiah says this Child’s name is called Counselor.

This Counsel is His written Word.  When we fall short in matters of faith, we have His Counsel in a written text that He promises is living and active; strong to save in times of trouble.  The Holy Spirit is promised to accompany this Counsel.  The Holy Spirit is promised to give what you are counseled to have.  The Holy Spirit is promised to accomplish for you what is written.

Isaiah says this Child’s name is called Mighty God.

The coming Child gives strength to triumph through the Word and Holy Spirit.  Through the Holy Word, the coming Child both preserves all His own and overthrows all His enemies; even though it might look different according to our experience.

Isaiah says this Child’s name is called Everlasting Father.  

The coming Child is not a tyrant.  He never will be a tyrant.  He loves His children always.  This beyond doubt the most delightful government.

Finally, Isaiah says this Child’s name is called Prince of Peace.

In the kingdom of Christ there is grace, comfort, forgiveness of sins, joy, peace. He does not deal with the sinner in sternness, but as a gentle father. Faith in the Coming Christ Child is justification, and peace follows justification. This peace is not only peace of mind but also good health of the body.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom.

King David’s reign over the Jews was physical, but the coming Christ Child has now begun the spiritual reign over the people which will last forever. What is Old Testament Isaiah saying?  He is saying there will be a resurrection of the dead.

Isaiah is saying the coming Christ Child will establish His government (you) and to uphold His government (you) with justice and with righteousness.

In the language of our small catechism, justice is the Law of God which condemns and righteousness is the Gospel of God which forgives breaking the Law.

In the government of the coming Christ Child the ungodly are condemned whereas the godly are justified, saved, and set free from sin and death. A government in which mercy flourishes.

700 years later, “the angel said to (a few shepherds tending their flocks at night saying), “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11); in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

The peace of God, which passes understanding, will guard and protect you in body and soul through Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Amen.