Christmas Day Service

                                                         Christmas Day Service

Christmas Day Service

Matthew 1:18-25

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

It is written in Matthew chapter 1: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.Thus far the text.

Let us pray:  O God, You make us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  Grant that we joyfully receive Him this morning as our Redeemer; in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Sermon –  Promises of God and Faith

Everything that is good comes from God. We have plenty of opportunities to mess up what God gives us, but He still generously and patiently provides for us.

Most people will attribute various blessings to God. They see the wonders of Creation and also the special blessings of human life. God has provided and arranged an intricate combination of dependencies, which are worth dwelling on because each depends on the other. Our medicines came mostly from plants and herbs until WWII. Those herbs provide medical properties on one hand and on the other generally favor poor soil making the soil good for other plants. Some herbs will not grow in good soil.

Our miracle drug penicillin is bread mold, used for infections. It was not discovered by Fleming so much as re-discovered when the mold spores killed bacteria in his messy lab. How many lives have been saved since? Scientists took note and began sifting through molds and soils to find additional antibiotics.

Faith, Which Is Good, Comes from God

Faith is a universal quality, which changes thoughts and actions based upon the object of that faith. Some have faith in magic and the occult. Others have faith in science alone. Others believe in a tyrannical government like Stalinism. 

When Christians use the term faith, they mean faith in the Holy Trinity, especially faith in Jesus Christ - the human face and voice of God.

This faith does not come from intellectual pursuits or from making a decision. Those who imagine this are bound to fall into all kinds of errors. Anyone who thinks of faith in a distorted way with have a distorted faith. That distortion is why people promote the idea of selling people on Christianity or telling them they have to make a decision.

The Promises and blessings of God are the work of the Holy Spirit in the Word to plant faith in our hearts and to strengthen and nurture that faith.

Anyone who disparages faith in Christ is simply attacking the work of God in the Word. That is how Jesus identified His mission so many times in John's Gospel - the work of God. So the disciples asked, "What is our work?" And Jesus said, "To believe in Me."

Just as Creation shows us many dependencies, so the Scriptures show us passage after passage that relates to many other passages. In fact, they are all linked as one, but we need to study and remember them to see how vast this relationship is.

Hundreds of promises in the Old Testament show us fulfillment, but also many other relationships, such as among the 500 references to shepherds and shepherding, sheep, lambs, and so forth. How can we not think about the binding of Isaac and the ram substituted for him? A male sheep substituted for the first-born son. And then later, the blood of the lamb was put on the doorposts, and the spotless lamb was sacrificed for each Passover meal.

So people do not need more persuasion or more incentives (like popcorn and soda during church) but more Promises and Blessings of God.

The Easter Vigil strikes many as powerful. Most of that service consists of readings from the Old Testament leading up to the resurrection of Christ. The readings alone provided the awe, majesty, and power of Jesus rising from the dead.

Likewise, great hymns put these thoughts into a condensed form that we can appreciate as we sing them to ourselves or remember them during the week.

We should remember that every time we hear the word Gospel. The Book of Concord authors liked to say the Promises of God as another way to the Gospel.

God promises much:

God promises a Savior, God becoming man, having both natures, human and divine.

God promises forgiveness of sin through faith in Jesus.

In parables, God promises various blessings from remaining in the Means of Grace - fruits of the Spirit, bearing fruit, growth in those Gospel attributes: Galatians 5, John 15, Matthew 13.

God promises eternal life with the blessed Trinity and fellow believers.

God promises joy and peace on earth from the power of the Gospel in our lives; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen

The peace, which passes understanding, protect and keep your body and soul in the Christmas Child, Our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Titus 2:11-14

On this holy night, grace and mercy to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

It is written:  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.  Thus far the text.

Let us pray:  O God of grace, who gives salvation for the sake of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, grant us faith in Jesus and train us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions so that we may live self-controlled lives in this present age; in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

For the grace of God has appeared.  A long time before that first Christmas Eve, it is written in Nehemiah 4 that the Lord released His people from their Babylonian captivity and returned them to Jerusalem.  The Lord graced His people.  The Lord gave His people a good gift they did not deserve.  That is grace.

The Lord gave His people to rebuild the fortified wall around Jerusalem.  With one hand, the people built the wall.  With the other hand, they held as sword because many enemies wanted to stop both the building project and also the return of the Lord’s people.

The apostle Paul teaches the same to the Lord’s people in the New Testament (Titus 1:9).  He teaches pastors to use Holy Scripture as both bread to build up and sword to defend the Lord’s people.  Bread and weapon for feeding and resisting; in peace and in war.   With one hand, we must build, improve, teach and feed all Christians.  With the other hand, we must oppose the devil, expose false teachers, and resist the sin which infect the world and our own flesh.  For where Christians are not defended, the devil will soon destroy them.  The devil is bitterly opposed to God’s Word.  God granting His grace to us, let us so handle the Gospel that not only your souls be fed but also that you should put on that Gospel as armor and fight your enemies.

On the Eve of Christ’s birth, the apostle Paul is teaching the young pastor Titus to preach on one topic always; Jesus Christ is that one topic.  

For the grace of God has appeared.  How has the grace of God appeared?  The apostles preached the birth of Christ around the world.  They preached a message that was directed to the whole world; every nation; every town; every street; every time and place including Muscatine, Iowa.  Previous to Christ’s resurrection the grace of God appeared only in the Holy Land.  The grace of God was no revealed to all nations; only one.  There were no Old Testament missionaries.   Before that first Christmas, Jesus Christ lived only in Jerusalem in the Most Holy Place of the temple.  Before Christ’s resurrection, the grace of God was unrevealed.  But after His ascension, the Babe of Bethlehem gave His Holy Spirit to men.  

For the grace of God has appeared.  The meaning is this: Jesus Christ did not come to dwell on earth for His own advantage; but for our good.  Jesus Christ did not keep His goodness or His grace to Himself.  

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Philippians 4:4–7      

December 24, 2017

Grace and mercy to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ this fourth Sunday in Advent.  (Amen)

It is written in Philippians: 4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your moderation be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.  Thus far the text.

Let us pray: Creator Father, who gives everlasting joy all who believe in Jesus, grant that we be known to treat others better than ourselves; in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

This morning we conclude the Advent season; the mini-Lent in which we prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of a baby who is the Lord.

To conclude this season, the words written to the Philippians describe what our conduct should now be like toward our Father, who art in heaven and also our conduct toward the people around us.

First, our conduct toward God our Father.  We respond with joy.  Our Father is the giver of joy.  Not necessarily happiness but joy.  Young children are filled with happiness on Christmas morning.  Presents.  Paper. A pile of happiness to fill us up.  But as the hours and days pass, happiness ebbs away.  We look toward the next happy event.  Unlike happiness, you start with no joy. But the giver of joy, our Father who art in heaven, gives you some joy.  Joy does not go away.  It accumulates.  Slowly, over time, you are filled with joy.  You become overjoyed and then your Father gives you even more joy.

God our Father gave you His only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Jesus should not perish but have everlasting life.  That is a gift.  Our Father has given you life in abundance.  Life that is everlasting.  And no one can snatch you from our Father’s gracious hand.  Our response is not just happiness that can ebb away but rather abundant joy.  Joy is believing again that our Father loves you.  Joy is believing that you will rise even though you die.  Joy is waking up on Christmas morning and seeing a pile of people God has given you.  Our Father gave you parents who gave you life.  Our Father may have given you a husband or wife to share your life.  Our Father may have given you children and blessed is the man that has his quiver full of children (Ps. 127:5 KJV).

Therefore, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Our conduct before the Lord is joy.

Second, our conduct toward mankind.  Overflowing with joy how should you treat the people around you?  The public reading of this verse said, Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.  That’s good.  Treat your people fairly.  That’s good.  Another good word (besides reasonableness) is moderation.  Treat your people with moderation.

We are a people that have rights, don’t we?  We are a people that are naturally compelled to stand up for our rights, aren’t we?

What would people think if you did not protect your rights but gave them up to help people? What would people think if you did not stand up for your rights but rather let other have the benefit that rightly belongs to you?

That’s right.  Nothing bad would happen.  There is no law against giving up your rights, is there.  That’s right.  There is no law against giving up your rights just as there is no law preventing you from overflowing with joy before the Lord.

Ahh, but I hear an objection.

But, but, but evil people will take advantage of us.

Ok, but let us take a second look at what the Lord says to see what we missed:

First:  4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Ok, we got that.

Second: 5Let your moderation be known to everyone.  Ok, we got that too.

But now, we see what we missed.  It is written:  The Lord is at hand.   

This Lord is the Immanuel we heard about on Wednesday.  The prophet Isaiah declared, The virgin shall conceive and bear a Son.  His name shall be Immanuel which means, “God with us.”  Or for us this morning “The Lord is at hand.”

The Lord is more powerful than evil people who might take advantage of you.

You believe this Lord keeps His promise to take care of you always.  If you don’t believe that then you found your repentance for this morning.

You treat you people with moderation because you are overflowing with joy.  If you don’t treat your people with moderation then you have found your repentance for this morning.

So repent and believe the Lord.  You can give up your rights to help the people around you from time to time for their benefit.  Your joy overflows because your sins are forgiven, your salvation is promised, and your eternal life began at baptism when you first believed.  

On this final Sunday in Advent, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your moderation be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

The peace of God, which passes understanding; will protect you and keep you in Jesus Christ the Lord who is at hand.  Amen.

Christmas according to Isaiah - Part 3

Christmas according to Isaiah

Christmas according to Isaiah - part 3

Advent Midweek 3

Part 3: Yahweh in Person

Isaiah 7:10-14

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

It is written in Isaiah chapter 7:10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” 13 And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  Thus far the text.

Let us pray: Creator Father, through Your prophet Isaiah, You promised the virgin birth of Your Son Jesus Christ.  Angels announced the arrival of that birth seven centuries later.  Grant us ears to hear and hearts to receive the temporal and eternal blessing you give by grace through faith; in the name Jesus.  (Amen).

Ahaz was the king of Israel. Isaiah was the prophet of the Lord.

Ahaz was twenty years old when he succeeded his father Jotham to the throne of Judea. Ahaz was a weak and idolatrous king. Ahaz even offered one of his sons as a sacrifice to the pagan god named Moloch.

That was the heart of the problem.  

On the one hand, when the Lord commanded no sacrifices of any kind be made to other gods, King Ahaz did the opposite.  He sacrificed to other gods.  On the other hand, when the Lord commanded prayer and remembrance of the Sabbath by keeping it holy, King Ahaz again did the opposite.  He did not pray.  He did not remember the Sabbath.

This doing the opposite what the Lord says is called putting the Lord your God to the test.

It is written in for our instruction this evening that Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.”

The Lord is commanding King Ahaz to ask for a sign.  Give Me a sign.  Any sign.  And I will do it.  Again, what does King Ahaz do?  But Ahaz puts on his most religious and humble face and said to the Lord:  “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.”  What a bunch of baloney.  When the Lord commands you to do something, then do it.

Every once in awhile, I meet a church member around town that hasn’t been to church in awhile.  Maybe at the gas station.  Maybe at a sporting event.  They see me and promise they will be in church next Sunday.  As if they’re making a confession of sin.  No, they just feel caught.  They feel the accusation of the law.  So they promise to be in church the next Sunday.  Without fail, two things happen.  First, they show up the next Sunday still apologizing.  Second, it will be a month of Sundays before they return.  If they ever return.

The Lord has commanded you to go to church.  So go.  Otherwise, as His child, you are putting the Lord your God to the test.  

The Lord has not commanded you to act all pious and religious at a gas station or football game when you see a pastor or your faithful aunt or a faithful grandpa.  Rather, on those occasions, fill up your gas tank and go about your errands.  Enjoy the football game.  Otherwise, you are putting the Lord your God to the test.

The Lord doesn’t like to be tested.  He told the Devil just that when the devil commanded Jesus to jump off the pinnacle of the temple.  Be gone Satan.

So also here with King Ahaz.  

And (the prophet Isaiah) said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also?  Is it too little for you to weary your prophet or your pastor or your mom that you would also weary the Lord with you false religiosity?  Repent of your baloney and believe the Lord.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.  He already has to do the work of your salvation.  The Lord already must die for you.  So, when He commands the bad king Ahaz to dream up a sign as to how the Lord will come to His people (anything, just pick something) imagine the Lord’s frustration.  The Lord even has to dream up and predict how He is to come to dwell with His people.  And He does...

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Okay.  Beyond our imagination.

The Hebrew word for virgin is almay.  It means a young woman of marrying age who is not married; who is not engaged; who has only just reached child bearing age; who has not known a man.  

Seven hundred years after Isaiah, the angel Gabriel appeared before just such a virgin; an almay.  Her name was Mary.  Mary conceived.  

How can a virgin conceive?  Even Mary asked Gabriel, How will this be, since I am a virgin (Lk. 1:34 ESV)?  The angel Gabriel answered saying, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; The Word of God was spoken by the angel.  The Holy Spirit is inseparable from the Word of God  The Holy Spirit is the power of God.  That Word of God was spoken into the ear of Mary.  Mary conceived.  This is a miracle second only to the resurrection.

According to Isaiah’s prophecy, we confess that we believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our LORD, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.

What does that mean?  It means we believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father in eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my LORD.

This Child is God.  This Child is Man.  This Child is one person who is fully God and fully man.

Therefore the child to be born will be called holy-- the Son of God (Lk. 1:35 ESV).

Or, according to Isaiah, the child will be called Immanuel, that is God with us.

The sign is a pregnant virgin.

The gift is Immanuel, God Himself, dwelling with us on the this earth even now.

Immanuel is not given to you the way He was given to Isaiah.  The pre-incarnated Jesus appeared to Isaiah and gave Isaiah the words to speak to Ahaz.

Immanuel is not given to you the way He was given to Mary.  The incarnate Jesus was conceived and born of Mary that first Christmas.  Mary nursed Immanuel; raised Him as He grew in favor before God and man.  Mary watched Immanuel speak and die on the cross.

Immanuel is given to you the way He is now promised.  You hear His voice whenever the Word of God is taught in its purity.  You eat and drink His body and blood as often as the sacrament is rightly administered to you.

God is still with you.

Thanks to God for Christmas according to Isaiah.

Thanks be to God for His Son, our Savior.  Believe in Jesus.  Received the forgiveness of your sins, salvation, and eternal life; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

The peace of God, which passes understanding and which the angels proclaimed to the shepherds that first Christmas, protect you and keep you in Immanuel, our Savior.  Amen.