Sermon Audio

Sermon Audio

When you look to see Jesus, who is it that you really see? Do you see the Baby born in Bethlehem who begins God’s divine plan of salvation; is it the naked, God-Man Who hangs dying on the Cross to forgive the sins of the world; or is it the triumphant Lamb of God risen three days later from the dead? Of course, all of these are pictures of Who Jesus really is!

In today’s gospel reading, we see another picture of Jesus – the celebrated “Son of David” to whom the people shout, “Hosanna,” Lord save us! Palm Sunday weekend is a wonderful time of celebration for the church; a celebrative time of rejoicing in the midst of our sober, somber, penitential Lenten reflection. In only a few days, we will once again observe the passion of our Savior. We will see His anguish in the Garden; watch Him arrested and dragged away by His enemies; hear Him being falsely accused; see Him viciously beaten and maliciously mocked by His captors; and watch Him, finally, be crucified for the forgiveness of our sins and the sins of the entire world. But for now, for today, there are Parades, and Palms and Praises – all a part of God’s divine design, the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan.

In the gospel reading, non-Jews (Greeks) came looking for Jesus. They really wanted to see Him so they approached Philip and then Andrew. But for what exactly were they looking?… A magician?… A performer?… A miracle worker? Jesus knew they needed to know the truth – that He was the Messiah sent by God to suffer and die for the forgiveness of sins; the sins of ALL people. In an illustrative way, He told them, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12: 24) In other words, He would come into His own glory – the purpose for which He had come – and would bring glory to His Heavenly Father by dying, being buried and rising again. His death brought life to countless others – to you and me, and multitudes more who have been given the gifts of faith, forgiveness and eternal life!

God is glorified and we are richly blessed through the power of the cross. When we look up to Jesus on the Cross and believe what God promised, we are forgiven, healed and saved!

Our privilege and joy is to serve Him who gave Himself for us! The Apostle Paul said, “And He [Jesus] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)

Jesus said, “Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be.” (John 12: 26) He was lifted up for us, so now we Lift Up the Cross for Him! We serve, follow and glorify Him in our worship and witness, in our giving and Christian living. How will the Holy Spirit work in you to “Lift High the Cross?” May God bring us closer to one another and help us to Lift High the Cross in our families, neighborhoods, with our friends and among our daily acquaintances!

See you in church on Good Friday (4:30 or 7 p.m.); Holy Saturday (6 p.m.) and Easter Sunday (6:30, 8:15 or 11 a.m.)

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

The Evangelist, Mark, records for us that Jesus was on His way up to Jerusalem when He was telling His disciples things that “astonished” them and “frightened” His other followers. He clearly and specifically revealed to them what was about to take place. “We are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles, who will mock Him and spit on Him, flog Him and kill Him. Three days later He will rise.” (Mark 10: 33-34)

This was not the first time He spoke “plainly” to them about His suffering, sacrifice and passion! (See also Mark 8:31 and following.)

But then, remarkably, as if they hadn’t heard a word He had just spoken about everything that He would be undergoing, James and John came to Him quietly asking not about what He might need, but wanting something for themselves! They asked Him to “write them a blank check!” They asked Him to grant anything they wanted, and what they wanted was the privilege of sitting in honor and power with Him in His glory.

Jesus in turn asked them if they were able to “drink the cup [of suffering] I drink or be baptized with the baptism [of suffering] I am baptized with?” (v. 38) They replied that they could, but they didn’t really know what they were asking nor did they know what sort of suffering they would eventually undergo for the sake of Christ and for the sake of the gospel! (Tradition tells us that John was eventually exiled to the island of Patmos for the rest of his life and James was beheaded because of his proclamation of the gospel.)

The other disciples became aware of James and John’s request and a quarrel broke out among them about who was the greatest; who deserved the positions of greatest honor. Jesus finally “stepped in” to settle the dispute by explaining that “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (vs. 43-44)

We can’t imagine that in the face of His impending suffering and death the disciples only cared about which of them might be considered “first, greatest or best!” Yet, today, even though we know Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection for us – we still live as if we want to be first, best and greatest! What we do (and what we fail to do for others) demonstrates the sin of putting ourselves first. This sin of “Me first,” creeps into our marriages, our relationships and into our schools and workplaces. Jesus died to forgive us for this sin, and He gives Himself as our example and model. He cared for the “last and the least.” He loved and healed those who were physically, mentally and emotionally broken. He, ultimately, died for the sins of the whole world – yours and mine – even our sins of selfishness, pride and the craving to be “first, best and greatest!”

Forgiven in Christ, we can find true greatness, joy, peace, contentment and fulfillment by being “The Greatest of all Servants!” Look in Life at Holy Cross, today, to find many ways that you can volunteer to joyfully serve the Savior and those around you! You are Blessed to be a Blessing! You don’t have to do everything, but God is calling you to do something! What is it? May God give you joy and satisfaction in serving Him through serving those around you!

See you in church this weekend!

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

What is the first aid for a snake bite? In the old Western movies, the hero cut an “x” across the punctures and sucked out the venom with his mouth. This is a definite – “don’t try this at home” or anywhere! Although they sell “snake bite kits,” the first aid for snake bites is a) stay calm; b) call 911 / get to the hospital; c) immobilize the area bitten; d) apply bandage (but not a tourniquet)…As many sources as I looked at, I didn’t see one that said: “Look to a bronze snake on a pole!”

That’s what is so surprising in this weekend’s Old Testament reading from Numbers 21. God had been miraculously caring for His people in the desert for 38 years – almost to the end of their 40 year “sentence” because of their refusal to believe Joshua and Caleb when God first wanted to lead them into the Promised Land of Canaan. Instead, they wanted “their own way” and God said “okay, have it your way.” God “sentenced” them to wander around in the Wilderness for 40 years. Yet, in His mercy, God provided “free groceries” every morning for 40 years, in the form of manna, for well over a million people!   But this next generation was just as sinful and rebellious. They too “grew impatient… they spoke against God and against Moses.” In effect they said: “We are sick and tired of waking up every morning and all of our lives finding the same old free groceries that have kept us alive in this desert wilderness, delivered to our door! We want something different!” So, God answered their prayer – instead of “free groceries,” “the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.” (Numbers 21:6)

God’s purpose of consequences and punishment for sinful rebellion IS ALWAYS to lead His people BACK TO HIMSELF through repentance. So when the people confessed to Moses: “We have sinned… Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us… The LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a snake and put it on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.’ So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.” (Numbers 21:7-9)

Now, of course it wasn’t the bronze snake on the pole – but God – who healed them. The bronze snake was merely a symbol – a FOCAL POINT for the sinful people to look away from everything else, to the one place of healing and life which God had established.

In today’s Gospel reading, when Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, Jesus POINTED Nicodemus to the FOCAL POINT for sinful people to LOOK AWAY FROM EVERYTHING ELSE, to the ONE PLACE of healing and life. Jesus told Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15

Isn’t it ironic? The bronze serpent on the pole in the wilderness looked like the source of death – but God made it the “cure” for physical life! Jesus’ suffering and dying on the cross looked like the source of defeat, the end of our Savior Jesus, but God made it the only “cure” / the only “means” of eternal life for all people! Looking up to Jesus, His cross and resurrection, gives eternal life to “everyone who believes.”

But “looking up to the cross” is much more than MERELY looking at the symbol of the cross; wearing the cross as jewelry. We read in 2 Kings 18, (500 years after “Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness”), that Israel had been “burning incense” to the bronze snake! King Hezekiah put an end to such “superstitious foolishness.” He “broke the bronze snake into pieces”! (v.4) It was NOT the bronze snake, it is NOT the cross, to which we are to look up to for life!

Have you heard about or seen (maybe pics on internet) the 19-story cross located on I- 40 at Groom, Texas. Steve Thomas and his wife, Bobby, wanted to do something to express their devotion to Jesus Christ, so, sparing no expense, they built this huge Cross.  It stands 190 feet (19 stories) in the air.  It took 100 welders 8 months to construct. It weighs 1,250 tons and is encircled by 14 bronze statues depicting the Stations of the Cross.  They say, on a clear day, you can see it from 20 miles away.

Will seeing this Cross and being impressed by its sheer size and scope lead to lives that reflect the presence of the living Christ, or will most simply stop, take pictures and go on as they often do when they see other monuments like the Washington monument or the statue of Abraham Lincoln?

Anyone can build a statue or hang a picture of Jesus.  Jesus Christ is no bronze serpent on a pole.  He’s the crucified and risen Lord, and He calls us to live in relationship with Him day by day.  To lift high the Cross of Jesus is to walk with Him, serve others in His name, and glorify Him as Lord of all creation.

Jesus, was not only “lifted up” on the cross, He was also “lifted up”/ “resurrected” on Easter; and 40 days later, “lifted up” at the Ascension. And now, in addition to these Words from His Holy Word, Jesus continues to “lift us up” through the other Means of Grace:

• Holy Baptism in which God’s Word reminds us: “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death (the cross)? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:3-4)
• The Lord’s Supper in which God’s Word reminds us: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)

And as we are “lifted up,” this makes a difference in our lives. In today’s second reading from Ephesians 2, we know that we are “saved by grace through faith, not from ourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” This gives us direction, meaning and purpose in life: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) By grace, through faith we are “lifted up” to a life lived “higher” than sin and selfishness – a life of willing service, that God prepared in advance for us to do. May Jesus Christ and His cross be lifted high as God continues to work in and through our lives. Amen.

Pastor Dan Myers

Sermon Audio

Jesus had just recently begun His earthly ministry. John the Baptist testified that Jesus was “the Word made flesh… the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1) Jesus called His first disciples (Andrew, Peter, Philip and Nathanael) and performed His first miracle by changing water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee (John 2). Soon afterward He went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, the remembrance of how God mercifully spared the life of all the firstborn of the Israelites who believed in God and who sacrificed a perfect, year-old lamb, painting its blood on the doorposts of their homes so that the Angel of Death would pass over their homes and graciously spare their lives. (Exodus 11 and 12)

When Jesus arrived at the temple, “He found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So He made a whip of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.” (John 2: 14-15)

He not only upset their tables – He also upset their commerce, their businesses and their whole system of sacrifice! They, defiantly, questioned, “What miraculous sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do all this?” (John 2: 18) He responded in a way that no one understood at the time (until after His resurrection from the dead). “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’” (John 2: 19) He was speaking about the “temple of His own body” – they would falsely accuse, torture and kill Him. Then in three days, by His own power and authority, He would rise from the dead for the forgiveness of the sins of all people, of all time, everywhere! In the days to follow (and throughout the rest of the days of His earthly ministry), He showed His divine power and God’s love by healing, forgiving and raising the dead. “While He was is Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs He was doing and believed in His name.” (John 2: 23)

As John said of Him, He IS the Light of the World; He is the Lamb of God Whose Perfect Sacrifice takes away the sins of the World – including yours and mine!

Lent takes us to the cross, where Jesus made the final, ultimate sacrifice, laying down His life to redeem the world. The organized system of animal sacrifice would come to an end; Jesus was clearing the temple for His sacrifice, the fulfillment of the old system.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross drives out from our hearts and lives all the sin that bogs us down and keeps us from living in ways that honor and uphold the commandments of God. Part of Jesus’ ministry is to clean house; it is the sin that still clings to our hearts that He wants to forcefully cast out. We desperately need this, and He freely fulfills our greatest need through the Means of Grace.

Through His Perfect Sacrifice, the Victorious Lamb of God gives us forgiveness, life, freedom and JOY!

See you in church this weekend and this Wednesday, March 18 at 9:30 a.m. or 7:00 p.m.!

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

It was certainly NOT what Peter and the disciples expected! “Jesus spoke plainly… that the Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again.” (v:32, 31) Do these words shock and upset us, or are they too familiar to us? How do we react to someone near and dear to us telling us they MUST “suffer, be rejected and be killed?”

This week was the 10^th anniversary of the arrest of the man who called himself BTK. For 30 years he had eluded and mocked the police, following each of the ten premeditated murders – he boasted that he (BTK) “bound, tortured and killed” his victims!

This is what Jesus was telling His beloved disciples MUST happen to Him – and not by a serial murderer – but by their religious leaders–“the elders, chief priests & teachers of the law!”   Therefore, it isn’t surprising that Peter “took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him?” That’s what Peter thought friends were for, to “straighten them out” when they “start believing some radical ideas!” – And that’s exactly why JESUS straightened out His friend, Peter!

Again, Jesus “spoke plainly, ‘Get behind Me, Satan!’ (as this time Satan was speaking the temptation through Peter), you do not have in mind the things of God, (you do not expect the things of God) but the things of men.” (v.33) The “things of men” have no room for suffering, sacrifice, service and especially not death!

“Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: ‘If anyone would come after Me (be My disciple), he must (Note: D.T.K.) Deny himself, Take up his cross and Keep on following Me.” (v.34)
When the disciples had “left all and followed Jesus,” they had not “bargained” for such things as suffering, rejection, and certainly NOT “taking up a cross!” They were more interested in miracles of water into wine and storms being calmed; healings of lepers, crippled, sick and blind people; the great popularity of 5,000 men plus women and children flocking to hear Jesus! They wanted to follow a powerful Jesus who would fulfill their dream of overthrowing the political system of their day; sitting at His right and left hand, in a new earthly kingdom!

What do we expect today? There’s definitely a stark contrast:

• Our permissive, commercialized society says “indulge yourself”–Jesus plainly says, “deny yourself.”
• Our selfish nature says “avoid pain at whatever cost”–Jesus demands, “take up your cross.”
• We so easily “do our own thing” / follow the latest fad–Jesus says, “keep on following Me.”

When things go wrong in our lives, we don’t understand. Like Peter, we may “rebuke” God, asking, “What did I do to deserve this?” / “Why is God doing this to me?” God, in His Word, tells us plainly, “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” (Romans 5:3b-5) To rebel against suffering is to rebel against the possibility that it may be God’s way of bringing about something very good for us!

Thank God that Jesus did not rebel against suffering, but “at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)

Are these mere words, like Peter’s boast on Maundy Thursday, “Though they all fall away, I will not.” (Mark 14:29) and the subsequent denial three times in the courtyard of the High Priest? Peter was “ashamed” of being associated with Jesus! And Jesus plainly says, “If anyone is ashamed of Me and My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (v.38)

Who among us is not guilty (at times) of “being ashamed” to be associated with Jesus and His Word? We know all too well that openly obeying and confessing Jesus and His Commandments is not welcomed in this world. Speak up in defense of a person being slandered or defamed and watch how the group shuts you out! Speak out against couples living together before marriage; against pornography and violence; against gay rights; abortion on demand; capital punishment; gambling – any of the other issues where God’s Word demands “denying self,” and don’t expect agreement, nor applause! Who among us is not guilty of “being ashamed” of “preaching and God’s Word” – a judgmental attitude toward preaching; skipping worship, communion and Bible Class; not taking time for family and private devotions at home, not inviting neighbors and friends to worship, fearing what they might think or say.

A Christian woman underwent a radical mastectomy. The doctors thought they had removed all the cancer, but it spread to other critical areas. When her friends visited her in her final stay in the hospital, they lamented that such a youthful, healthy-looking woman should suffer so much. This Christian woman witnessed: “Jesus has suffered and died for me, but He also rose again from the dead. His suffering ended in resurrection, and by God’s grace, so will mine!” This Christian woman knew what to expect – the resurrection! Oh, what a blessing to live in the TRUTH of the resurrection! Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection had transformed her suffering into victory! What did she expect? What she already had – resurrection in Jesus!

Peter and the disciples didn’t hear everything that Jesus said: “Jesus spoke plainly… that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again.” (v:32, 31)   We read it also in today’s Epistle reading: Romans 5: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Yes, peace and the blessed hope in the midst of suffering as “God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”

Isn’t it interesting what Jesus says to Peter, and then to all of us: “GET BEHIND ME… you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (v.33) – and in speaking to all His disciples, Jesus says, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and (keep on FOLLOWING) Me.” For Peter, and for you and me, as Jesus’ disciples, we dare NEVER “get in front of Jesus” – trying to “lead Jesus” – although that is our natural instinct – but properly “keep on following Jesus.” And like Peter after the resurrection and empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we too are daily empowered to “deny self, take up our cross and follow Jesus” in a life of service.

See you in worship this Wednesday for mid-week Lenten worship and next weekend for more of God’s gracious blessings so freely given!

Pastor Myers

Sermon Audio

The Apostle James– under the inspiration of God and from his own experience – knew that life is filled with challenges, obstacles, hardships and trials. In giving encouragement to all believers in Christ, he wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1: 3-5)

Many other New Testament writers also encouraged their readers to grow from “spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity.” (See Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:2; the writer of Hebrews 5: 12; and Peter in 1 Peter 2: 2 – each moving followers of Jesus to grow from “spiritual milk to solid food.”)

Facing trials of many kinds, and persevering though them, bring about spiritual growth and maturity. You and I do face trials of many kinds in our lives – psychological (worries, fears and uncertainties); financial (paychecks, layoffs, stock market ups and downs, retirement questions); relational (among husbands/wives, parents/children, siblings, and hard relationships at work); and theological (persecution and even the threat of death to those who love and follow Jesus).

Despite these trials, we have the assurance from God, Himself, “Blessed is the [child of God] who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1: 12) It is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring us to faith in Jesus as our only Savior from sin, death and the power of the devil. The Spirit continues to keep us in this saving grace and faith.

In today’s scripture readings, we are reminded that trials come in two forms – testing which comes from God in order to strengthen our faith, and temptations from the devil with which the devil intends to kill and destroy us. In the Old Testament reading from Genesis 22, Abraham is severely tested by being called to sacrifice his one and only son, Isaac. But just before he does so, the Angel of the Lord stops him and commends him for his faith and faithfulness in obeying God’s command. The gospel reading (Mark 1) mentions the account of Jesus being sorely tempted in the wilderness by the devil. Yet through the Word of God, Jesus triumphs over every wicked temptation of the devil!

James promises us that in His great love for us, God never tempts us. James warns us that “each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15)

It is only through the “good and perfect gift… from the Father of heavenly lights” that we receive forgiveness, His mercy and the promise of eternal life. What hope, promise and joy is ours, that we can be “Tested Without Toppling” because “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.” (James 1: 18)

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

The Transfiguration of Our Lord – Feb. 14 & 15, 2015

“Do you notice anything different?”  How do you react when someone asks you this question? If you’re like me it’s often a mild panic! I begin to search frantically, hoping to discover what I had obviously missed!  Sometimes it becomes obvious that a tooth is missing from that big grin of the 1st grader; or it’s a new hair style or coloring; or a special engagement ring on the young lady’s finger; or something else. Whatever it might be, the person asks the question to guarantee that it is “a noticeable change.” I must admit, I don’t always “notice” the change!

This is the last Sunday after the Epiphany and we celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord. Today’s Gospel reading records for us “the noticeable change” the three disciples saw in Jesus; and in today’s second reading (our text) we are reminded of “the noticeable change” that God works in us through growing faith in Jesus Christ.

Would those around us say there is a “noticeable change” in us?  More than just growing taller or other physical changes, would they see “a noticeable change”–a Godly difference in our attitude and the way we live our lives?  God’s Word to us today says: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) 

“Being transformed” – what does it mean? It means that when it comes to our relationship with God, we’re not satisfied with just maintaining the status quo. We’re not content to continue year after year, with the same ideas, attitudes, and habits that we’ve always had. On the contrary, we believe God wants to change us, that He has the power to change us, and that He is changing us. Yes, it’s true that God accepts us completely, just as we are. But it’s also true that He isn’t willing to leave us just as we are. He wants to change us, through and through, top to bottom. He wants us to “reflect the Lord’s glory.”

That process began at our infant baptism or the day when the Holy Spirit worked through God’s Word so that we first trusted in Christ, and it will continue throughout our lives.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)  Again Paul writes: “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy . . . being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 1:4-6)

Transformation is what the Christian life is all about. It is what God intends for every believer: that we keep learning, and keep growing. We are all works in progress. As Paul wrote even of himself: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me… I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

But we don’t like change!  The changes God wants to make in our lives are good ones. We know that. The problem is that even when we recognize our need for change, we are reluctant to actually make the change.

Positive change is not automatic. It’s not a matter of God doing everything while we just go along for the ride. Nor is it a matter of us taking matters into our own hands and doing it all ourselves. It’s God working the change in us and through us.

God’s Word tells us: “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

Now, when we see the words “work” and “salvation” in the same sentence, warning lights start to flash, because we know that we are saved by grace, and not by works. Yet God’s Word puts them together. Be certain that this is not saying that we need to earn forgiveness, or merit a right standing with God. We are changed; we are brought to life spiritually; we are made righteous and holy in God’s sight solely by what Christ completed for us. However, that’s not the end. The instant we come to faith, it’s the beginning of a “new life,” called “sanctification:” the lifelong process of transformation that God intends for each of us. And that phase does involve our work. We have to labor, and strive, and persevere; and while we are exerting our wills and acting, God is working in us to will and to act. But we can sabotage it. We can ignore God’s call; we can turn a deaf ear to His voice. And often, to our detriment, we choose to resist.

This transfiguration of Jesus was given for the benefit and change of the disciples; and it is recorded in the Gospel accounts also for you and for me! It was during this time that God allowed the disciples a glimpse of Jesus’ divine glory, that we once again hear the voice of the Father saying: “This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!” (v.7) We read them again today in preparation for our celebration of the sacred season of Lent, beginning this week, with Ash Wednesday.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, the disciples saw with their eyes “the noticeable physical change” in Jesus. But the overwhelming emotional experience was not enough.  That’s why “as they were coming down the mountain Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” (v.9) The disciples needed to listen to Jesus much more before they could make sense out of what they had just seen and experienced! The REAL GLORY of Jesus is in His death and resurrection, as the disciples learned after being filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (50 days after Easter!)  Prior to Pentecost, God’s Word tells us that the disciples were huddled together in fear “behind locked doors” (John 20:19, 26).  Like frightened children they were in hiding; like CHAMELEONS they wanted to “blend in” with the surroundings. But on Pentecost we see these same disciples transformed – “transfigured” – from fear-filled chameleons to fearless, bold witnesses through whom God worked to bring the new life and light of the Gospel to the world!

The same is true for you and me! As baptized Christians, and through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit HAS come into our lives.  Especially in Baptism, God the Father also SAYS, “You are My son / daughter… Listen to Jesus.”  But our natural tendency like these first disciples is to keep our “Christianity” within these safe walls; to be “chameleon Christians,” blending in with our surroundings rather than displaying “a noticeable change.”  That’s why God’s Word DIRECTS us: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but BE TRANSFORMED (transfigured) by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

What a great joy again today to have Jesus present with us now, in His Word and His Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper!  He blesses us so that not only is He present as we “listen to Him” in His Word, but we literally RECEIVE Him as He says, “Take eat, this is My body… take drink, this is My blood,  given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins.”

Please join us this Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, to be “transformed” by hearing Jesus’ Word and receiving His true body and blood.  And join us every weekend as Jesus gives His blessings!

To God be the glory as we are being transformed by the power of Jesus Christ living and working in us.

In Jesus’ name.  Amen.
Pastor Myers

Sermon Audio