Decisions…decisions… our lives are filled with decisions. Each day we decide when to get out of bed, what to wear, what to eat, where we go, when to leave, how to get there and a host of other decisions.

Some decisions affect our lives more than others. A decision to spend $15 or $20 on a meal is far different from spending thousands of dollars on an automobile or house. A decision to take an aspirin for a headache is far different from undergoing major surgery. Some decisions are greater than others because some have more of an effect on the outcome of our future.

This weekend, God’s Word speaks to us about some MAJOR decisions that not only affect our lives on this earth, but our eternal future! In our Old Testament reading, Joshua (the leader after Moses died) called upon the Children of Israel to make a choice: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD!” (Joshua 24:15) Joshua clearly laid out that there are only two choices: either continue serving their sinful nature and the false gods of their day (rejecting the true God and salvation in Him alone), or they would forsake their sinful nature and serve the only true God. Joshua encouraged them and led the way by boldly proclaiming: “as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD!” (Joshua 24:15)

The same encouragement is given in the Epistle reading: Ephesians 5: “Live as children of light … Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness… Be very careful, then, how you live -not as unwise but as wise, (wise & unwise choices) making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil… Instead, be filled with the Spirit…”

And in our Gospel reading (the final verses in John 6) we are presented AGAIN with the only two choices concerning our spiritual lives, either Jesus’ way or our sinful way. This week we continue reading… Jesus declares: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” The confusion and offense at Jesus continued. This is not a matter of understanding, but of accepting – they understood clearly what Jesus was saying – but they heard it as scandalous words! Sounds like cannibalism – eating flesh… drinking blood… (Jesus says it six times in seven verses); certainly NOT kosher / definitely offensive to the natural man! These words from a mere man would be shocking and repulsive; but the point is that these words are not from a mere man – these are words of Jesus – the promises of God!

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”… From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus’ disciples were RIGHT – this IS a “hard teaching” / not hard to understand (it is very clear what Jesus is saying!) but hard to accept! And Jesus’ response to their complaint is just as hard. Jesus gives these people the “shock treatment” – to jolt them away from the mere materialism of this life (they were still only thinking of the bread and fish He had provided in abundance for the 5,000 just the day before, they had come seeking out Jesus for another “free meal”). But Jesus came to “feed” them and us with “the living bread from heaven. (with the promise) If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” (v.51)

On our own we can NEVER choose to accept these “hard teachings” of Jesus, and there is NO WAY of explaining away the scandal of Jesus’ words. Jesus’ message is “out of this world” – it is a Spirit-filled and life-giving Word. Apart from His Word there is no salvation, and apart from believing Him and in Him there is no salvation.

Therefore, we REJOICE in the same confession Peter speaks on behalf of all disciples of Jesus. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God.” Through God’s gift to us of saving faith through Baptism, His Word and the Lord’s Supper, these are NOT “hard sayings” for us – neither hard to understand nor hard to accept. Rather, these are our confession, our statement of faith, that God would affect every decision we make.

We believe it because Jesus says it / we boldly teach it to our children in our homes and through our church and Lutheran schools. With Joshua we proclaim: “as for me and my house / as for me and my church and school / we will serve the LORD!” Jesus IS the Living Bread for us. We are daily fed by His Word and regularly come at His gracious invitation to receive His true body and blood in, with and under the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. This guides and directs every decision in our lives – all to the glory and service of our Savior, Jesus Christ and for the invitation and inclusion of others in His Kingdom.

We pray that you will join us for Jesus’ life-giving Word and Sacraments this weekend as we gather again for worship and receiving His gracious blessings.

Pastor Myers

Sermon Audio

John 6:47-51 “(Jesus said) I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If a man eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

Many years ago there was a party of engineers who got lost in the jungles of South America. Though they had run out of food, they were able to satisfy their hunger with bright red berries, which grew everywhere in abundance. But when a search party found the men several weeks later, all were dead. No, the berries weren’t poisonous; they were just absolutely worthless as food. The men just gradually starved to death, with their stomachs full!

What was true for their physical lives is even truer today in people’s spiritual lives. WHAT ARE THE RED BERRIES OF YOUR LIFE? It is quite easy to fill up our lives with work and overtime hours, hobbies and entertainment, recreation and even family activities. We can become so busy that there is no time for the Word of God in our daily, very busy lives. We may feel “full,” especially “stressed out,” and yet be spiritually starving to death even though our lives are so “full!”

Jesus seeks to rescue and feed us as He says: “I am the living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” (John 6:50-51)

But this goes beyond our understanding …beyond our human experience. It goes against our rational thinking. Notice how the Jews in Jesus’ day “began to grumble about Him… saying, ‘Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can He now say, ‘I came down from heaven?’” (v.41) Is this also why people today continue to doubt and refuse to believe? They were familiar with Jesus because they had heard about Him from Sunday School, VBS, church songs, etc. But it was only a passing acquaintance. They knew Him as they knew other “Bible heroes,” like Abraham, Moses and David; but they never truly knew Jesus / saving faith in Jesus / which involves much more time and a relationship.

Notice that when the Jews grumbled about Jesus’ teaching, Jesus didn’t say: “Here, I can prove to you that I really came down from heaven” – although He certainly could have, and then He could have done some wonderful sign to prove it. The use of logic or arguments will never “feed” a person with “The Bread of Life.” Instead, Jesus shows us how the Good News of the Gospel is the “power of God” – Jesus answered: “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him… It is written in the prophets; ‘They will be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to Me.” (v.44-45)

Jesus uses “eating bread” as a means of describing how this “Bread of Life” is given and received. He says, “I tell you the truth, he who believes has eternal life. I am the Bread of Life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the Bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” (v.47-51a)

Jesus spoke these words to some of the 5,000 people who had been fed from the little boy’s lunch of five small loaves and two fish. The next day they were hungry again. They wanted Jesus to be their “bread king” – NOT the “living bread from heaven” that He wants to give, but the “bread” / “things” of this world – to fill up their stomachs, NOW. They just wanted ONE PETITION in the Lord’s Prayer: “give us this day our daily bread” – “everything that belongs to the support and needs of the earthly body.” But Jesus gave us seven petitions in the Lord’s Prayer – only one which reminds us that our earthly “daily bread” comes from His gracious hand. The other six seek to “feed” us by His “holy name,” His “coming Kingdom,” His will and forgiveness; His power over temptations and the evil in our lives.

Every day Jesus offers us Himself, the Bread of Life, through His Holy Word. Don’t be like that group of men in the jungles of South America, filling up on the worthless “red berries” that this world offers. Instead, each day, “Take and Eat” of Jesus, the Real Food for life now and forever. Use a Portals of Prayer, or a devotional book / we are blessed with LOTS of TECHNOLOGY – something to guide you through a Bible reading and prayer. For Jesus promises that whoever “eats” of this “Bread of Life” – “he will live forever” – he passes unharmed through physical death and enters into eternal life in heaven. May Jesus, the Bread of Life, strengthen and preserve you (and me) in the true faith unto life everlasting.

Looking forward to “feasting” with you this weekend as we gather again to receive God’s Word and Sacraments together as a congregation.

Pastor Myers

Sermon Audio

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for Me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On Him, God the Father has placed His seal of approval”… Then Jesus declared, “I am the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”

Bread – how many kinds of bread can you think of? – White, wheat, rye, raisin, etc. Throughout human history, bread has been one of man’s basic foods. Because of this, Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” From Luther’s Small Catechism, we learn that “Daily bread includes food, drink, house, home, field, cattle, money, goods, a pious spouse, pious children, pious and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, honor, good friends, faithful neighbors and the like.” All these are a part of the “food that spoils.” Jesus wants to feed us with more than the “manna” of this world. He clearly tells us, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.” (v.35)

Jesus gives this invitation in response to a very worldly crowd, made up from some of the 5,000 men + that Jesus had taught and fed just the day before! This had made quite an impact (wouldn’t it also today?). Since Jesus knew that this crowd intended to make Him their “bread king” – “free food” every day – Jesus had dismissed the people, sent His disciples in a boat across the Sea of Galilee, and had withdrawn to a mountain by Himself to pray. In the verses just before our text, (last week’s Gospel) we read how Jesus walked across the Sea of Galilee, joining His disciples in the boat, and arriving with them on the other side.

Now it was the next day and the crowd couldn’t find Jesus, so they too got into the boats and went across to Capernaum. Jesus allowed the crowd to “find Him” so that He could give them “more than manna” by teaching them.

Jesus knew why they came. He said, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for Me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” They saw Jesus as Someone who would make their physical lives easier; so they came seeking more food for their stomachs. (Are we any different? What prompts most of our prayers?)

I marvel at the great loving patience of Jesus! It is hard to be loving and patient when you know that people are trying to take advantage of you! By all rights, Jesus should have refused to have anything more to do with this self-centered, ungrateful, demanding crowd. They challenged Jesus: “What miraculous sign then will You give that we may see it and believe? What will You do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” (v.30-31) By all rights, Jesus should have refused to have anything more to do with them. What they deserved was a sharp reprimand! But Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He came to feed us with the “true bread from heaven.” Jesus came, not to turn people away, but to give Himself, the Bread of Life, much more than mere manna!

People today still spend the majority of their time and energy seeking only the “manna” of this life – “the food that spoils.” We live in a very affluent but empty society; we are stuffed but not satisfied. We seek to satisfy our immediate wants with the materialism of money, sex and pleasure, but to our great dissatisfaction they are quickly gone. It’s no wonder that so many people in our world find no meaning or satisfaction in life – with a “diet” of only the passing things of this world, they are spiritually starving – missing the “real food that endures to eternal life.”

Jesus taught the people (and us!), “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (v.27) The people still didn’t understand, so they asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” (v.28) It is obvious that they totally missed it, for Jesus teaches us to turn away from our sinful, selfish ways and turn only toward what HE has done and continues to do. Jesus teaches, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.” (v.28-29) To Believe is to Receive – as we confess in the meaning of the 3rd article of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ… but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” God, the Holy Spirit DOES THE WORK of not only “making us alive when we were dead in our trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:5), but also KEEPS us spiritually fed and growing in the true faith through Jesus Christ.

Just as physical bread (food) energizes our body for work and service – so also, in the greatest way, Jesus – the Bread of Life – feeds us / energizes us for work and service in His kingdom.

Jesus assures us: “I Am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.” (v.35) Jesus DAILY FILLS us / FULFILLS us with “the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man (gives) so generously.” (v.27) May this “Bread of Life” strengthen and energize us for a life of service as Jesus also “feeds” others through our word and witness – until life everlasting. Amen.

This is the first of a 3-part trilogy from John 6. Join us this weekend for Jesus’ words to us of the “heavenly food” that fed Elijah so he could go 40 days on that meal, and the Bread of Life that feeds us to eternal life!

See you this weekend – and blessings this week!
Pastor Myers

Sermon Audio

As first century Jews the disciples were very familiar with the Old Testament (OT) Scriptures. In the OT, the “sea,” especially in its boiling rage, is frequently portrayed as the place of fearful chaos and destruction. The sea is often viewed as the dwelling place of sea monsters, like the great Leviathan which terrorizes the human race.

Job chapter 41 uses the Leviathan as a dramatic symbolic representation of the power of evil in the world. “Can anyone tame the Leviathan or conquer the evil in the world? Who can tame the storms of the sea and the monstrous Leviathan who lives in it? That is, who can control the chaos of this world and the evil that rises from it?” Psalm 74 answers that question for us. “But You, O God, are my king from of old; You bring salvation upon the earth. It was You who split open the sea by Your power; You broke the heads of the monster in the waters. It was You who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.”

Jesus comes to them walking on the water. This is not just a man walking on the water. That would be impressive enough, sure. But…

• This is God showing them that He has come to tread underfoot all the sin and evil of the world.
• This is God coming to crush the head of the Leviathan under His feet.
• This is God fulfilling what He told Satan about the Messiah in the Garden of Eden when He said in Genesis 3:15, “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

In a sense, Jesus is showing His disciples here, now, that He has arrived, the head crushing has begun. And now Satan, that great Leviathan is like a fish out of water, flopping around on the bottom of the boat. His end is assured, but still for a little while, he is going to flail and flap about seeking to do what damage he can, as he painfully gasps for his last few breathes.

So, we need not fear the Leviathan—yes, it is true . . . This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will. (But) He can harm us none. He’s judged, the deed is done; one little word can fell him.

We know who Jesus is—He is God in the flesh, victorious over all sin and evil. He walks with us every day to give us His divine support, encouragement and perseverance. Remember, wherever the path of life may take you, whatever storms you may encounter, you never walk alone. Jesus walks with you, now and forever. Amen.

Pastor John Tape

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Each of the four Evangelists records the events in today’s Gospel reading. Be sure to take time to read these accounts in Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9 and John 6!

At the outset of Mark 6, we read that Jesus had given His disciples power and authority and sent them out to the surrounding towns and villages in order to preach repentance, anoint and heal the sick, and cast out demons. Now the disciples returned from their missionary journey and the people followed them back to Jesus. The crowd so pressed on Jesus and His disciples that He called the disciples to “withdraw privately to a solitary place.” (Mark 6: 31) Jesus knew the power and importance of prayer and He wanted to commune with His Heavenly Father. He needed to be refreshed, fortified and strengthened for the ministry challenges He would be facing. And He wanted time, alone, with His disciples in order to prepare them for the gospel ministry they would be undertaking in His name and by His power.

The people saw Jesus and His disciples depart and watched where they were going. A few at a time, then by the dozens and hundreds and, finally, by the thousands they came to Jesus. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them… He was “touched to the core” because “they were like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mark 6: 34) Jesus shared the Father’s love; preached to them about the Kingdom of God; and healed their sick.

The hours sped by and evening approached. His disciples urged Him to send the crowds away so the people could find food for themselves in the neighboring towns and villages. Instead, Jesus told the disciples to feed the people, but they protested – “We don’t have anything to feed them and wouldn’t be able to find anything because we are in a remote place! We don’t have the money to buy enough for everyone to have even a bite of food!” They told Him what they didn’t have, but Jesus asked them what they did have.

They found and brought to Him five pieces of bread and two fish. Jesus took the meager offering, lifted it to heaven, prayed with thanks and gave it back to the twelve disciples telling them, in turn, to distribute it to the people. They did so, and when everyone had eaten (5,000 men – not including women and children), the same disciples picked up twelve baskets full of “leftovers!” (Some scholars think that 15,000 or more may have been fed – enough people to fill either Wichita’s downtown Intrust Bank Arena or all the venues in the Century II building!)

This fabulous miracle of Jesus showed His compassion, power, and ability to completely supply the needs of the people. Most importantly, it showed Him to be the true Bread of Life sent by our Heavenly Father!

In our world today, we face nearly overwhelming human need and, like Jesus’ disciples, we have a tendency to tell God what we can’t do rather than believing what He can do through us! We must guard against our own sin – the sin of unbelief (that God cannot provide for our needs and the needs of others); the sin of greed (not helping those in need with the resources that God has already given to us); the sin of “uncompassionate hearts” (not caring about the human need we see all around us). Jesus, our Bread of Life, forgives our sin and calls us to bring to Him what He has given to us – our time, talents and treasure. When we place them in His hands, He is able to miraculously multiply them in order to accomplish His purpose and will through us. We are Blessed to be a Blessing!

God does miraculous things through us when we faithfully obey Christ’s command, accept His call to serve, and place ourselves and our offerings in His almighty hands!

See you in church!

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Snow

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Mark 6:26-27 “(King Herod) was greatly distressed, but because of his oath and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her (Herodias’ dancing daughter). So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head on a platter…”

What kind of a rating would today’s Gospel reading (Mark 6:14-29) receive if it were made into a movie? “The Passion of the Christ” was Rated R – wouldn’t this story also be rated R? We read today from the Gospel of Mark of the tragic death of John, the Baptizer – a gory and terrible story, but A MOST IMPORTANT LESSON for us, as John knew the real danger; he “kept his head” spiritually and faithfully to God’s Word – even though he “lost his head” physically because of the foolishness and misuse of political power of unrepentant sinners. John was bold in speaking the truth of God’s Word, even when it was not “politically correct” and when it was dangerous to his well-being! John spoke out condemning the adultery of Herod and his brother’s wife, Herodias – (Mark 6:19-20) “Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.” (God’s Word was having an effect on Herod! But sadly, not enough to change him.) John knew the real danger – Herod and Herodias certainly did not!

Herodias seized the chance – Herod’s foolish promise when her daughter danced for Herod and his guests / and Herod’s concern of what his guests would think – led Herod to compound his sinfulness by ordering John beheaded – all because John spoke the truth of God’s Word. (What about today: with the rejection of God’s clear Word on morality in our nation; with the recent ungodly and immoral decision of same-sex marriages; legality of abortion and life issues; threat of loss of job if Jesus’ name is proclaimed; the demand for tolerance in all things – what might we expect if we are not “politically correct” at work, at public forums, in every area of our lives? What is the real danger?)

John did not fear Herod, the religious leaders, nor the consequences of speaking the truth. He most certainly did not want to die, but that did not prevent him from speaking the Truth of God’s Word. Jesus tells us, too, (Matthew 10:28) “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

John knew the real danger; he “kept his head” spiritually and faithfully to God’s Word – even though he “lost his head” physically. How interesting, as the Apostle Paul wrote to young Pastor Timothy, (and God’s Word to us especially in our day!) 2 Timothy 4:1 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: [2]  Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; (when it’s popular and accepted, but especially when it isn’t popular nor accepted) correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. [3]  For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4]  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. [5]  But you, keep your head in all situations…”

Rev. Harry Emerson Fosdick, a preacher many years ago, told of a woman who heartily shouted “Amen!” in agreement to every sin he was preaching against. But when he came to the sin of gossip, she stomped out of the church, saying, “Now he’s stopped preaching and gone to meddling!”

We must never soften any controversial Words of God (although that is certainly the easier, most popular way.) Many today think it is “meddling” to speak out against living together before marriage; against the homosexual lifestyle; against abortion; gambling; drunkeness and in the church against “open Communion” and the differences between church denominations.

God, in His grace, gives us both Law and Gospel. The purpose of the Law is to point out the Real Danger of sin and the need for change because God knows what is best for us and for our society. And until the Law does it’s work of pointing out sin and God’s wrath if we continue in sin; there is no message of forgiveness in the Gospel – only condemnation. But it is God’s desire that we repent and turn from our sin.

A woman was threatened with being evicted because she was six months behind on her payments. Other bills had accumulated. Her utilities had been turned off. The sheriff was due to move her out. There was a knock at her door, but the woman refused to answer it. The knocking persisted for a while, but finally it stopped. The next day, the sheriff came and forced open the door. “Ma’am,” he said, “you should have opened your door yesterday. Your neighbors collected enough money to pay your bills and came to give it to you. When you didn’t answer, the landlord said he couldn’t wait any longer.” (Hanson, Mk.6:7-13, 7/21/85)

Whenever the truth of God’s Word is told, especially the Law, pointing out the real danger of living contrary to God’s will, God is knocking at the door. Although He could easily “force the door open,” He never does. He tells us, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and He with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) Jesus invites us to “eat with Him”, to BE FED daily with His Word and to be fed “often” with His true body and true blood, in the Lord’s Supper for the forgiveness of sins and strengthening of faith. He invites us in order that we might “know the truth and be set free by the truth” (John 8:32); and in our everyday lives, to boldly speak the truth of God’s Word with our words and our actions in our world that needs to know about Jesus!

It is no surprise, for God’s Word tells us: “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

God set aside John to speak the TRUTH of God’s Word to those who didn’t want to hear it; and God equips and sends out you and me – not to be popular (there will always be those who do NOT want to hear God’s Word) but to be faithful proclaimers – for the sake of the salvation of others – proclaiming the truth of God’s Word, both Law and Gospel as God does His mighty work of rescuing and saving people through His Word from the Real Danger: as James ends his letter: “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)

God’s blessings and safety from “the real danger” of living apart from Jesus, His Word and Sacraments.

See you in worship this weekend!
Pastor Myers

Sermon Audio

In Ezekiel, Chapter 1, we read the strange and mysterious vision which God gives to His Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel. Toward the end of the chapter, he sees a vision of the heavenly, sapphire throne of God, and hears the voice of God calling him into his own prophetic ministry. Ezekiel reported that God “said to me, ‘Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.’ As He spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.” (Ezekiel 2:1-2)

In the words of our text, God’s tells Ezekiel to courageously proclaim His holy Word and will to “a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against Me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn.” (Ezekiel 2:3-4)

We see the hardship of working with such rebellious, obstinate, and stubborn people reflected in the difficult ministries of the prophets who preceded Ezekiel. (Ezekiel’s ministry dates from around 600 B.C.) 150 years before Ezekiel was Isaiah (c. 750 B.C.); 150 years earlier than that was Elijah (c. 900 B.C.); and 700 years before that was Moses (c. 1600 B.C.). Each of these men faced the task of speaking God’s Word of Law (His commands and expectations) and Gospel (the good news of His love, forgiveness, mercy and grace) to people who were unwilling to listen.

From our very first parents, Adam and Eve, who ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, human beings have always been rebellious! “I want what I want, and I want it now!” From that time until now, we, too, have needed a prophet from God who will speak to us… to you and to me! And in His great love and mercy, our Heavenly Father has sent us such a prophet – THE prophet, the spokesman of God; Jesus – God Himself among us! He came to substitute His sinlessness for our sinfulness; His obedience for our disobedience; His death to give us eternal life.

He now calls us, who have received this new life in Christ, to rise up, be filled with His Spirit and to proclaim His Word of Truth to the rebellious, obstinate, and stubborn people who live with us and all around us. This is the call and ministry He gives to Holy Cross congregation and to each of us, individually, as children of God.

This last week’s tragic U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing homosexual marriage in all 50 states, shows us that we live at a time of rebellious people who “want what we want, and we want it right now, no matter what God says!” The High Court has, on numerous previous occasions, overstepped its authority and contradicted God’s Word. (Dred Scott in 1857; Roe vs. Wade in 1973; and now this latest case!)

Jesus commanded His followers to obey civil authority (Mark 12) as instituted by God, while recognizing that God’s authority over us reigns supreme. Peter and John, who were persecuted by the Sanhedrin for preaching the truth in the name of Jesus, finally replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)

So, when the Civil authorities set themselves in conflict with the authority of God, we must Fearlessly Stand for Truth – as did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were commanded to fall down and worship an image of gold set up by King Nebuchadnezzar. They “replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’” (Daniel 3:16-18)

Today, our risen Lord Jesus calls us, who have received this new life, to rise up, be filled with His Spirit and to proclaim His Word of Truth to the rebellious, obstinate, and stubborn people who live with us and all around us. As we hold firmly to His Word, we do not have to be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them. (Ezekiel 2:6) Rather we Fearlessly Stand for Truth! This is the call and ministry He gives to Holy Cross congregation and to each of us, individually, as children of God. God help us and bless us!

See you in church THIS weekend!

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

Hints from the books of Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians tell us that there was great human need on the part of the Christians in the Church of Jerusalem. Natural disaster (famine) and human persecution necessitated a “first century fundraising effort” to alleviate the suffering of these dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Apparently, a collection had begun, about a year before today’s text was written, but the effort had waned and needed to be “revitalized” by Paul’s letter to the Corinthian Church. Similar collections were being gathered in Galatia, Asia, Achaia and Macedonia.

As an encouragement to the Corinthians, Paul pointed to the truly remarkable outpouring of the Macedonians! “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.” (2 Corinthians 8: 2-4) Though they, themselves, were severely tried by their own circumstances, the grace of God – and the recognition that everything they had came from His gracious hand – inspired the Macedonians to give themselves completely to the Lord, to Paul and to Joyful Christian Living and Giving!

Paul complemented the Corinthians on excelling in every way… in their faith, speech, knowledge and in earnest, love for God, for Paul and for the work of ministry. Now, he was challenging them, also, to excel by giving their offerings to the glory of God, and to support their brothers and sisters in their moment of desperate need! The Macedonians had done just exactly that. Now it was time for the Corinthians to “put it all in.”

We have a similar example of incredible, gospel-motivated faith in the poor woman who gave herself – and all that she had (two small coins) – to her Lord through her offering. (See Mark 12: 41 and Luke 21: 1) We see the perfect example, of course, in our Savior… “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8: 9)

Though we may feel ourselves pressed and afflicted by vocational, financial, physical, relational or emotional trials, they need not become spiritual roadblocks which keep us from Joyful Christian Living and Giving! They Macedonians gave by the grace of God. How about you? Do you “withhold” because you see your glass as “half empty?”

Paul did not command the Corinthians, nor do we command you! We simply “want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.” (2 Corinthians 8:8) By the grace of God, we are called to give ourselves completely to the Lord, to the ministry of the gospel and to Joyful Christian Living and Giving! May you know this privilege and great JOY in Jesus!

See you in church THIS weekend!

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Snow

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Galatians 4:6: “And because you are sons (no longer slaves), God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’”

Luke 11:13: “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

It’s dangerous to preach on Father’s Day weekend (the same as Mother’s Day) [Not necessarily that a shooter will come in – as happened in Charleston, South Carolina this past Thursday]… but there are many who desire to be a father or a mother, but for a number of reasons do not have children or are separated from their children. This can be a very hard time of year for many. In addition, although all of us had a biological father, for too many in our world, some fathers were not godly fathers as God intends; but they were / are abusive, absent and extremely sinful, exactly opposite to what God intends!

Rev. Ken Klaus, Lutheran Hour speaker, told of some letters he received from listeners after preaching a father’s day sermon. One wrote: “Let’s not speak about fathers when Father’s Day rolls around. My father’s message to me was, ‘Son, you’re a loser, you’re always going to be a loser.’” Rev. Klaus writes: “Today the father is dead, and the boy has grown into a driven man. He works 24/7; he is angry, his temper is short when anyone questions his judgment. He knows he is making unreasonable demands on his wife and children. He has trouble at work. He knows all these things, but he seems unable to escape the haunting, ugly words of his father that ‘he will always be a loser.’”

Another lady wrote, “I and my sister were sexually abused by our father from the time we were about ten. I don’t like Father’s Day… and I still have a difficult time praying, ‘Our Father who art in heaven.'”

Even those of us who have been blessed with loving, caring earthly fathers, and all of us who desire to be loving, caring earthly fathers, have sinned often and disappointed our wife and children. We are not the fathers that God would have us to be. (Lord, have mercy!)

For this reason, it’s not hard to understand what Jesus is saying in today’s Gospel –“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children…” This is probably NOT the message you expected to hear on Father’s Day – “though you are evil” – but 1) it is true; and 2), it emphasizes the Good News from God’s Word in the “how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13)

So, on this Father’s Day weekend, as we pray God’s blessings on all earthly fathers, (especially praying for God’s revealed truth that changes lives for those who remain caught in the lies and sinfulness of their earthly fathers) we rejoice in the “how much more” of our loving relationship with God, Who is our perfect, loving, heavenly Father.

As Jesus teaches us to pray: “Our Father, who art in heaven;” what do you think when you pray, “Our Father?” Hopefully it’s not the image of an abusive father; nor on the other hand, that it is just some words SO familiar that it has NO meaning. Jesus invites us to KNOW our heavenly Father completely as a little child loves, trusts and feels secure in their earthly, loving father – inviting us to use the intimate: “Abba, Father.”

Jesus often shocked the Jews of His day. One of the ways was addressing God, the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, as “Father”; and especially as “Abba, Father!”

Before Adam and Eve fell into sin, they “walked and talked with their “Abba, Father.” But after sin came into the world – they were afraid and hid from God; they knew guilt and shame. Because of sin, God sent the Flood; He scattered the nations at the Tower of Babel; Moses was to remove his sandals at the burning bush where God revealed His name as “I AM Who I AM,” God was the All-powerful Rescuer out of Egypt / Who demanded obedience and threatened curses when disobedient. At Mt. Sinai, amidst storm cloud, lightning, thunder, smoke and fire, God said, “I, the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me…” (Exodus 20:5) He was the God who “sat enthroned between the cherubim” on the ark of the covenant, in the Holy of Holies (in the Tabernacle and the Temple) where the High Priest could enter only once a year on the Day of Atonement! Throughout the Old Testament, God was thought of as the unapproachable/ far off / Almighty Creator and Ruler and Judge.

Many still see God, the Father, in this same way – “far off” / “disconnected” / the Rule-giver; Some One to be feared. Even those of us in the church–what kind of relationship do we have with God, our heavenly Father? How many of us regularly think of our relationship with God as “Abba” the way a small child does? Or, in our daily lives, do we see Him as far removed / disconnected from our every activity? Do we see Him as the Accountant, keeping records of our “good” and “bad”.

We know and boldly confess the correct doctrine: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth…” We pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven…” BUT DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR LIVES?  The devil also knows the doctrine. He also knows that doctrinal affirmations, as important as they are, don’t make children. How much more our heavenly Father wants to “create a clean heart and renew a right spirit” within us, giving us the Holy Spirit and all the divine daily and eternal gifts!

Thanks be to God that He tells us (Galatians 4:4-7) “When the time had fully come, God (our heavenly Father) sent His Son (Jesus), born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!

As we see and experience earthly fathers loving and caring for their children, HOW MUCH MORE our Heavenly Father LOVES and CARES for us!

Brothers and sisters, the Holy Spirit, working in us again today and every day, works in our hearts through Jesus, to re-examine our relationship with God, our heavenly Father, to know and receive the gracious blessings of living

• not only as “confessing-with-our-lips Christians,”
• not only as trying-to-please-God as obedient disciples,
• but as dear children of God, who delight in the daily living of the “HOW MUCH MORE” that God graciously gives to all of His dear children – so that we think and live in a way that cries out to God – “Abba, Father.”

God’s blessings this week as we live in the wonderful care of our Father, and as we gather again this next weekend to continue to receive His precious gifts and grow in our relationship with our “Abba, Father” with our sisters and brothers in Christ.

Pastor Myers

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