One of the most comforting and memorable images portrayed throughout the Old and New Testament Scriptures is the picture of the loving and protecting Shepherd and His faithful, following flock. The beautiful words of the 23^rd Psalm come to mind, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…”  And in chapter 10 of his gospel – the Good Shepherd Chapter – John, the Evangelist, records the words of Jesus, about Himself, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (v. 11) and again, “I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me… and I lay down My life for the sheep.” (John 10:14) Jesus was predicting that the time would come when He would take our place; give Himself up; and die sacrificially for the forgiveness of our sins and the sins of all time, of all people, all over the world!

Our text tells us that in the winter “Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade” when the Jews were celebrating Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. (Almost exactly 100 years before the events of our text, the Jews had rededicated the temple after its desecration by the Greeks and legend says that a very small quantity of temple oil burned miraculously long, until new oil could be consecrated and used.)

At that time, the Jews questioned Jesus “point blank.” They asked Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John 10:24) To which Jesus replied, equally direct, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in My Father’s name speak for Me, but you do not believe because you are not My sheep. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10: 27) In other words, Jesus said, “It’s not that that I haven’t told you, rather, you have refused to listen to what I have said, and have refused to see what is plain for everyone to see!”

The prophets had long foretold the work of the Christ (the Messiah)… how He would be anointed by God to open the eyes of the blind; preach good news to the poor; bind up the brokenhearted; proclaim freedom to the captives; proclaim the Lord’s favor; comfort those who mourn; and to give them a crown of beauty, the oil of gladness and a garment of praise. (See Isaiah 42: 7-9 and 61: 1-3) Many in the temple that day refused to see, listen and follow the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

Likewise, there are many, today, who do not know, trust or follow the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Instead, they listen to and follow “other voices” which are calling for our attention; calling us to follow. Amidst this noise, among these voices calling to us, are the world, the devil and our own sinful flesh. But, if we know the Shepherd intimately, we can pick out His voice as He calls to us. He calls us to know Him, personally and intimately – as the sheep know, listen to and follow the voice of their shepherd! He sweetly, tenderly, lovingly, mercifully calls to us through worship, His Word, the Sacraments, and throughout our time of fellowship and service together. Our trust in the voice of Christ is not our own natural possession. Our faith is a gift from God.

Jesus calls His faithful flock to be calm and confident in His almighty care. “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. The Father and I are One.” (John 10: 27-30) We truly are, “Safe In the Shepherd’s Hands!”

See you in church this next weekend!           

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

John, the Evangelist, tells us that the miraculous events of our text occurred on what “was now the third time Jesus appeared to [the larger group of] His disciples after He was raised from the dead.” (John 21: 14) Jesus died in the place of all sinners and now was alive for our forgiveness! The resurrected Savior of the world appeared on Easter morning to the women at the tomb; later that day, to several of His followers who were on their way to Emmaus; and that same evening, He appeared to the larger group of disciples. A week later he appeared, once again, to this group in Jerusalem.

Following this second visit from Jesus to the larger group, the disciples traveled from Jerusalem – north – to Galilee where Jesus had told them to go and wait (see Matthew 28: 1-10) until He came to them again. We don’t know how long they had to wait for Him, but it appears that finally Simon Peter could wait no longer and so announced to the others, “I’m going out to fish” and they decided to join him.

These seasoned, experienced, professional fishermen worked all night long, but caught nothing! Early the next morning a lone figure stood on the shore, about a hundred yards away, and called to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?…Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” (John 21: 5-6) And, miraculously, that’s exactly what happened!

By means of this miracle, John recognized that it was Jesus standing on the shore. “As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish… When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.” (John 21: 7-9)

After Jesus demonstrated His mercy, love and care for His disciples by appearing to them and feeding them, He graciously “restored” and forgave Peter for denying Him three times (see John 18) by asking Peter three times, “Simon, son of John, do you truly love Me?” (John 21: 15-17)

Many Christians in our country, and perhaps even in our congregation, seem “bored” with their Christian lives. They’re “waiting,” but aren’t sure exactly for what they are waiting! They – and sometimes, we – are not actively engaged in the Christian “walk and witness.”

God calls His faithful followers to be urgent in our prayers and eagerly watching for His leading. As we wait for Jesus to appear (return) to us, we are earnest and active in “Strengthening the Saved.” Jesus does come to strengthen, forgive, love and care for us through the Holy Absolution; through the Real Presence of His Body and Blood in the Lord’s Supper; and through the power of His precious Word.

Strengthened in this way, we can joyfully be about the business of “Reaching the Lost!” By the seashore, Jesus called Peter to “Feed and Care for His sheep.” He calls us to do the same. So, will you? It is my prayer that you will! As He Feeds and Sends us, may God richly bless our efforts to “Reach the Lost & Strengthen the Saved!”

See you in church this next weekend!           

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

Every year on this second Sunday of Easter, we read of what occurred one week after the first Easter: Jesus’ appearance to Thomas. Unfortunately, he is often remembered as “Doubting Thomas” although God’s Word never calls him by that name. God’s Word DOES call him, “Didymus,” which means “The Twin.”

So, who was Thomas’ twin? Reading the list of apostles as recorded in Matthew (10:3), Mark (3:18) and Luke (6:15), Thomas is paired up with Matthew. But in the book of Acts (1:13), Thomas is paired up with Philip. Therefore, I suggest to you today that God’s Word seems to invite us to “remember” him as “Thomas, Our Twin.”

Today’s Gospel reading is really the third time we hear about Thomas, and the doubting is really not as unusual as we might think! In fact, on that first Easter Sunday evening, there were 10 “doubters” in that upper room (and many more if we were there!) and at least one “doubter” outside! Early that morning, the women had told all of them that the tomb was empty. Not believing the women, Peter and John ran to the tomb and also found it empty. The two disciples walking to Emmaus, after talking with Jesus and finally having their “eyes opened” (Luke 24:31), had returned to Jerusalem and had told these disciples all that had happened to them; and still it wasn’t until Jesus appeared to them / “flashed his identification badges” / “showed them His hands and His side” / that the 10 disciples began to “get the big picture!”

But back to “Thomas, Our Twin” …It was a few weeks before Easter. Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus, was sick and he died. In John 11, we read that as Jesus was leading His disciples back to Bethany, near Jerusalem, the disciples asked, “But Rabbi, a short while ago the Jews tried to stone You, and yet You are going back there?” (v.8) “Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with Him.'” (v.16)  What a courageous statement; what intense loyalty and courage! Are we willing to “die” with Jesus to the things of this world?  Are we willing to “speak up” against those who make fun of Christians and Christ’s church?  Would we, like “Thomas, our Twin,” be willing to “die” with Jesus, or better yet to “live” each day with and for Him?

A second time, Maundy Thursday, Jesus was celebrating the Passover with His disciples. He had washed the feet of His disciples, predicted Peter’s denial, and was teaching them with some very important words, as Jesus said: “‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; … I am going to prepare a place for you. And … I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'” (John 14:1-6)

Thomas was very candid and unashamed. He openly and honestly asked what he did not know or understand. Note that there is no condemnation from Jesus. Instead, Jesus gave a marvelous answer that continues to give us guidance and great comfort! Are we willing, like “Thomas, our Twin” to openly and honestly ask questions? Or are we often afraid of what others will think of us; we think they will think that we are dumb if we ask a question? Jesus always commends a searching, probing mind, always open and seeking the answers from God’s Word of truth.  Jesus spoke his harshest words to the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law who thought and acted like “they knew it all – they had nothing more to learn! ”

So, we come then to our text, Easter evening when Thomas wasn’t with the other 10 disciples when Jesus first appeared to them. Thomas wouldn’t accept the mere words of his friends; he wanted a “personal encounter” with Jesus! And the week after Easter, Jesus graciously gave Thomas that opportunity, with the command, “Stop doubting and believe.” (v.27)

A pastor’s young son was told to wash his hands with soap because soap killed the germs. The little boy complained, “Germs and Jesus! Germs and Jesus! That’s all I ever hear around this house and I’ve never seen either one!” This little guy, like us, didn’t need to “see” germs; they “are there” and can cause all kinds of trouble if ignored!

Jesus is also present, even though we cannot see Him. Jesus told Thomas (the courageous / the honest seeker / who had doubts), “Because you have seen Me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (v.29)  Yes, we who believe ARE blessed!

A Muslim family had a 16-year-old daughter who, through a Christian friend, was brought to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Tragically, she got sick and died. Her grieving mother asked the Christian friend, “What did you do to our daughter?” The startled friend replied, “I did nothing.”  The mother persisted, “Oh, yes you did. Our daughter died smiling. Our people do not die like that!”

What a wondrous Easter beatitude: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (v.29) Yes, we who are Christians ARE blessed in so many ways – in life and in death. These gracious blessings lead us to respond. With Thomas, our Twin, we confess that Jesus is “My Lord and My God” (v.28), and we want others to know this too. Therefore, we join together as a congregation in ministry locally and in the world – providing facilities here (school, church, Bible classes, youth activities; etc.) and working to retire our debt to free up monies for mission work in the world.

We have been and truly ARE blessed. One of the obvious ways is that we do not need to meet behind locked doors for fear of the authorities; we are not persecuted because of our faith; we live in a time and land of plenty. As we have opportunity we show our special thanks.

Tradition tells us that “Thomas, our Twin” brought the Gospel message to India. Where is God calling us / sending us to share His Good News? Most certainly and primarily with our family; then in our neighborhoods and communities. Like Thomas, our Twin, is God calling some of us in a special ministry here in Kansas? A short-term or long-term mission opportunity?

With the blessings of Jesus we respond in faith!
Pastor Myers

Sermon Audio

The Miracle of Easter is absolutely simple and yet utterly profound – that God, by His almighty power, brings life out of death! What was dead is now alive. Jesus died and now is alive, and because we trust what He did for us, we believe that when we die we will also be raised again to live with Him forever! Amazing! Miraculous!

But let’s review the journey that we have been on, especially since Good Friday. Remember that from the time Jesus was crucified around 9:00 a.m. until noon there was a great deal of activity around the cross. Jesus had prayed that His Heavenly Father would forgive those who had crucified Him. He had heard the cry of the penitent thief who hung next to Him, and had promised that the man would be with Him in paradise. Jesus had placed Mary, His mother, into the care of one of His dearest disciples, John. There was “bickering” among the chief priests and Pilate about the sign above Jesus’ head, that He was “King of the Jews.”

Finally, at noon a frightening, unnatural darkness fell over the scene, the first of the Good Friday miracles we observed, followed by the miracles of the Temple curtain being torn in two; the earth shaking; the rocks splitting; the tombs of the saints being flung open and many of the dead being raised to life; and the faith statement of the Roman soldiers, “Surely this was the Son of God!”

Now, on Easter morning…the greatest of the miracles – the resurrection of Jesus from the dead! “Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. See, I have told you.’ So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.’” (Matthew 28: 1-10)

Later that day, the resurrected Christ appeared to two of His followers who were on their way to Emmaus; and still later that same evening, He appeared to His followers in Jerusalem reminding them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled… That the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24: 44-47) Fifty days after that, on Pentecost, St. Peter proclaimed that God raised Jesus who was delivered, crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (Acts 2: 22-24) Some twenty years later, Paul wrote that “Jesus… was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25) and that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred.” (1 Corinthians 15: 3-6) Jesus’ death and resurrection is one of the best attested historical facts of all time!

Jesus called the women at the tomb to share His resurrection and victory over sin, death and the power of the devil, and with fear and great joy they did so! The children know the message of life and forgiveness, and joyfully tell it! Jesus calls us “to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them.. and teaching them…” (Matthew 28: 16-20)

So, will you? It is my prayer that you will! May God richly bless our efforts to share “The Miracle of Easter” as we “Reach the Lost & Strengthen the Saved!”

See you in church this next weekend!           

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

For all you basketball fans – were you rejoicing or weeping as you watched your team this week? I’m sure that it depended on which game you were watching. In our Scripture readings, there isn’t a basketball game going on, but something much more eternal in nature – Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords is coming into Jerusalem as the King that He is. The people rejoice and Jesus weeps. What does this mean for us?

The disciples and the Jews who were in Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover recognized Jesus for who He is – the Promised Son of David. The symbolism and reality was all there – riding into Jerusalem on a colt of a donkey (like Solomon rode in on David’s donkey, and in fulfillment of the Zechariah prophecy); and they sang the coronation song: “Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” waving palm branches and spreading their cloaks on the ground as a “red carpet” for their coming king! The Pharisees also knew this as they demanded that Jesus silence His disciples and the people, but Jesus knew this was THE TIME – promised from the beginning of time.

As the disciples and the people were rejoicing greatly, why does Jesus weep? Not because He knew what was about to happen to Him in Jerusalem. Jesus had told His disciples at least three times, in vivid detail, what would happen to Him! No, Jesus wept because He knew the rejection of the people whom He loved; He wept because He knew of their eternal fate and the physical destruction of the city of Jerusalem (in 70 AD). Jesus wept, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace (Who is bringing you peace!)… but you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you!” (Luke 19:42-44)

Jesus says, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10). A couple of weekends ago, we heard the Pharisees warn Jesus to leave Jerusalem because Herod wanted to kill Him, but Jesus said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34) Jesus wept because of all the unbelief.

And in this weekend’s second reading, Philippians 2, we read, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” Do we have the same attitude towards those who refuse to believe; towards those who are apathetic toward their relationship with Jesus or refuse Him outright?

For some churches, Palm Sunday is when they celebrate the Rite of Confirmation; a time of rejoicing for many families, but a time of weeping when the reality of how many have so quickly broken the promise to “be faithful in worship and their faith relationship with Jesus and His Church until death.”

Jesus wept over those who “will not” receive His gracious gift of peace and salvation. Do we also weep? Do we have “the same attitude of Jesus?”

This week, Holy Week and Easter, is a great time to invite those who at one time were on the active “team believers” (baptized, confirmed) but have been “skipping practice” (daily devotions and prayers, worship and Bible Classes) and the “games” (receiving and sharing God’s gifts of forgiveness and service.) This is also a great time to invite those who are not yet on “team believers” to live in the eternal blessings of Jesus! What if we would use the same excitement and energy we have for our sports teams to invite (invite back) those on the fringes or outside of “team believers?” When this happens, we know there’s “rejoicing in heaven” (Luke 15:7); and we rejoice as well – we rejoice greatly!

Rejoicing in worshiping with you and receiving Jesus’ gracious blessings this week on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and each weekend throughout the year!

Pastor Myers

Sermon Audio

Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday, long ago. (Luke 19) Shortly afterward, Luke, the Evangelist, records an event where Jesus was preaching and teaching the gospel in the temple courts. The Elders, chief priests and teachers of the Law questioned by what authority He was doing such things. As a way to affirm His authority and, at the same time, as a way to reprimand the unrepentant, “holier-than-thou” teachers of the Law, Jesus told them a parable – an earthly story with a heavenly meaning – about “a man who planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time.” (Luke 20: 9)

When the time for the harvest came, Jesus told them that the landowner sent a first, and then a second, and finally a third servant to collect his rent from the tenants, but the wicked renters beat, mistreated and abused these servants, turning them away empty-handed! “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.” (Luke 20:13-15) Jesus told the religious leaders in the temple courts that the wrath of the Owner would then come down, full-force, on the evil renters, and the master would, surely, come to destroy the tenants and give the vineyard over to others, more faithful and more trustworthy!

Jesus told this story as a judgement against the ungodly teachers and leaders at that time who were not faithfully serving God – returning to Him what they properly should; their lives, their worship, praise and service. At the same time, in a wider sense, Jesus was speaking judgement against all of Israel because, throughout time, God had sent servants (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah and many others) to His chosen people seeking the fruits of repentance and faith. But these servants of God had been ignored, abused, shamefully treated and “turned away empty-handed.” So, what was God to do but send His beloved only Son, who they would also mistreat, abuse and finally murder! Jesus was predicting His own innocent suffering and death for the redemption of these sinful leaders, the people of Israel, the whole world and for you and me!

He was speaking about Himself when “Jesus looked directly at them and asked, ‘Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “The Stone the builders rejected has become the Capstone?” Everyone who falls on that Stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom It falls will be crushed.” (Luke 20: 17-18) Jesus, who was rejected for our sake, has become the most important. He is our Savior, the Rock of our Salvation, and He holds all things together in His omnipotent hands!

Jesus was telling this parable for you and me! Our Heavenly Father is the Landowner – everything belongs to Him and He “lets it out to us” for a time – to use, to work and to manage for Him. Yet we, like unfaithful renters, often waste the time and resources He so generously gives to us. We are wicked and lazy servants, and the “fields under our control” have “grown over” because of our inattentiveness. Like the tenants in the story, we fail to faithfully serve God – returning to Him what we properly should: our rent –our lives, our worship, praise and service! May God have mercy on us for Jesus’ sake!

While we still have time in His vineyard, God calls us to serve Him (Planting, Hoeing, Growing and Harvesting) and return to Him the fruits of righteousness. As members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School, we thank God for all His wonderful spiritual and earthly blessings! We continue to hear God’s call to us to “Reach the Lost and Strengthen the Saved!” through generous works of service and loving Gospel witness to Wichita and all the World.

By God’s great mercy and grace, may we hear the Master (Landlord) call to us at the Harvest Time, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25: 21 and 25)

By God’s grace and forgiveness, may He cause us to be “Good Renters, not Bad!”

See you in church this next weekend!           

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

The Evangelist Luke records a story with which many of us have been familiar since our youngest days in Sunday School. However, today’s text is not only about one “lost (prodigal) boy,” or even two “lost sons.” It really is a short story which finds its true meaning when we focus on the loving, forgiving, seeking and “Finding Father!”

Jesus was preaching and teaching the crowds when the Pharisees and teachers of the Law noticed, and muttered to themselves, that He was welcoming and even eating with tax collectors and “sinners.” As a way to affirm those who were coming to Him with repentant hearts and, at the same time, as a way to reprimand the unrepentant, “holier-than-thou” teachers of the Law, Jesus taught three parables – earthly stories with heavenly meanings. These parables were the story of the lost sheep (or the Finding Shepherd); the story of the lost coin (or the Finding Woman); and finally, our text, the story of the prodigal son or the “Two ‘Lost’ Sons and Their ‘Finding’ Father.”

The first “lost son” was the immature, foolish younger brother who one day came to his Father with the premature demanded for his inheritance. In effect he was saying to his loving father, “You mean nothing to me! I wish you were dead and I want what is mine!” This disrespectful, selfish, and foolish young man quickly gathered his possessions, went to a far country and wildly wasted everything he had. Eventually, he ended up in the fields, as a poor hired-hand to a hog farmer, himself so hungry that he wanted to eat the slop given to the hogs! He finally came to his senses, repented and returned to his father.

The second “lost son” is the older brother who, coming in from the fields the same day, heard music and dancing, only to discover that his brother had returned and been fully and freely welcomed and forgiven by their father. This older brother, too, was truly “lost” in his own anger, bitterness and jealousy! He was unmoved by the sincere confession of his younger brother or the warming love of his father who was trying to melt his stone-cold, unforgiving heart.

Throughout the story we continue to witness the generous actions of the loving, forgiving, seeking and “Finding Father!” He loved both his sons. He provided for and protected them both. He didn’t begrudge the earlier, selfish request of the younger boy. He waited for his return and watched for him. When he returned, he ran to meet him; forgave him; lavished him with gifts and didn’t hold his former recklessness against him.

At the same time, his love was great enough to enfold the older boy! He learned of his son’s stubbornness and unwillingness to forgive, and went after him –including encouraging, seeking, inviting and welcoming the older brother back into the family circle. The “Finding Father” loved and desired to freely forgive the “lost” older brother.

You and I can be truly thankful that the “Finding Father” in the parable represents our true Father in Heaven. You see, some of us, like the younger brother, have thoughtlessly and thanklessly taken everything which our Heavenly Father has generously given us, and then we have recklessly “gone our own way and done our own thing” as if He were “dead to us!” Some of us are like the unloving, unforgiving older brother who “hold at arm’s length” those who are “different” than we are; those who we see as “worse sinners” than we are; those who suffer because of their own foolish actions. We go about our own daily business as if they didn’t count; didn’t exist; didn’t matter!

The “Finding Father” in the parable is a reminder for us of our Heavenly Father who loves, seeks and forgives us when we are “lost” in sin, death and the power of the devil. He sent Jesus to take our place; to take our punishment; to take our sin and to be our Savior. Because of Jesus, the “Finding Father” welcomes, forgives and lavishes His blessings upon us!

As members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School, we thank God for all His wonderful blessings throughout nearly 75 years! Since God has richly blessed us with every spiritual and earthly gift we have, it is our privilege, in response to His love and goodness, to be a blessing to others around us. The leaders, members and staff of Holy Cross have heard God’s call to us to “Reach the Lost and Strengthen the Saved!” 

Just as Jesus “came to seek and save what was lost” (Luke 19:10), our Church and school are called by our Lord to Reach the Lost by sharing our faith through generous works of service and loving Gospel witness to Wichita and all the world. At the same time, the ministry of Holy Cross congregation Strengthens the Saved as we gather together faithfully, to encourage and to build each other up as believers in Jesus Christ.

It is our firm belief that God, “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us” (Ephesians 3: 20), will bless our efforts to “Reach the Lost & Strengthen the Saved” as we give generously to the Lord through the Church by funding Missions, Eliminating our Debt, Growing our Church Endowment and Providing for much-needed Facilities Improvements.

God has “found” all of us – His precious daughters and sons. May we discover our mission, and our joy, in finding and strengthening others who are lost forever without a loving, growing relationship with Jesus, the One and Only Savior of the World! Thank God that He is our loving, forgiving, seeking and “Finding Father!”

See you in church this next weekend!          

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Snow

Sermon Audio

Thanks to our guest preacher this weekend, Pastor Keith Kohlmeier.

St. Paul addresses the congregation at Corinth, and the one at Holy Cross in Wichita, concerning “the problem with idols” in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. My grandfather used to say, “There are three things you must never forget in life. They are faith, family, and farm (substitute vocation).” And then he added, “Never forget any of them, and NEVER forget the order that they come in!”

Beginning with the illustrations that Paul used of the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness between their miraculous exit from Egypt and their entry into the land of God’s promise, we talked about the temptation to take God out of the center of our lives and in His place to put idols (our needs, wants, passions, even important things like family, possessions, talents).

It didn’t begin with Israel. In Genesis 2:15-17, God put order to His perfect creation and blessed our first parents by planting a tree in the midst of the Garden of Eden. It was the one place in all of His creation that they did not have “dominion over.” In essence, it was the first altar at which they were called to worship Him. But the fall into sin reordered their relationship with Him and all of creation. Their story, Israel’s story, is indeed our story as well.

Into this story God comes with “His – story.” St. Paul says repeatedly in these verses “these things are recorded as examples for us.” He references “all passed through the sea,” and “all were baptized into Moses,” and “all ate the same spiritual food,” and “all drank the same spiritual drink.” And he leaves no doubt as to whom and what these examples refer – “They drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.”

This now becomes your story. As one tree signifies how “idols” took the place of God at the center of our lives, His death on another tree, the cross of Calvary, has now placed God at the center of our new life. We are in a right relationship with God and all of creation not because we are deemed worthy, but because we are redeemed worthy before Him. We are baptized into the same Christ by our baptism, we partake of the manna and spiritual drink through both bread and wine as the Rock proclaims, “This is My body, and this is My blood, given for you for the forgiveness of your sin.”

With a corrected relationship with our God and order restored, we see all that we are and all that we have as belonging to God. We are the “stewards” of our relationships, talents, money, possessions, even each breath that we take.

As you begin your “Reaching the Lost & Strengthening the Saved” campaign at Holy Cross, my prayer is that each of you experience a transformation of your faith and faith lives through the study of God’s word, prayer, and consideration. I pray that the fruit of all these things might produce among you “Immeasurably More” than we can even imagine at this point in the journey. For our purpose is not to meet a financial goal, but to be individually transformed in all of our lives, for a lifetime, in ways that know and proclaim that He is the center of your life. God grant it, for Jesus sake.

Rev. Keith E. Kohlmeier (JN 15:16)
LCEF Regional VP CFS Consultant

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Luke, the Evangelist, tells us that Jesus was preaching and teaching throughout the towns and villages of Israel while He was making His way to Jerusalem. Jesus told them that many would come from “east and west, north and south” seeking to enter the kingdom of God but that to come in, they must enter through the “narrow door.” (Luke 13: 22-30)

Jesus is that narrow door, the narrow way! Remember how He told His disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14: 6)

As He approached Jerusalem, itself, “some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to Him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill You.’” (Luke 13: 31) Do you wonder why the Pharisees warned Jesus? They hated Jesus, but they also hated Herod! You know what they say, “Politics make strange bed fellows!” It was true then, and it is certainly true today, as well!

Jesus’ reply is the harshest reply to (or about) any single individual recorded in the New Testament. He characterizes Herod as a sly, insignificant, worthless leader when says, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’ In any case I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day…” (Luke 13: 32-33) In other words, He was saying “Tell Herod that he’s not in charge! God is! And I will not be deterred. I have come to cast out demons; to heal; and to do My Father’s will. I have come to bring salvation to the World, and will do what I must do – today, tomorrow and as long as it takes!”

The heart of Jesus’ message is that He was the Messiah – the promised One from the beginning of Creation. He was the bringer of Good News – He IS The Good News! He came to take the sins of the world upon Himself; die for us; and give us forgiveness and everlasting life! Earlier in the gospel, Luke reported that “Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind… [so they could report to John the Baptist] the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” (Luke 7: 21-22) ALL of these were works of the long-foretold, anticipated, predicted, prophesied Messiah. Jesus IS that Messiah – our Savior and the Savior of the World!

As He stood outside Jerusalem, Jesus mourned over the people’s unbelief and stubbornness to repent, believe and be saved! “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13: 34) Jesus tenderly called, then, and He still calls today – to the whole world, to the people of the United States, to Kansas, to Wichita and to us. He tenderly calls to those of non-Christian faiths, to the young and old, to those of every generation and to the multitudes. He tenderly calls us to repentance, to faith and to Himself – the narrow door, the narrow way! Come to Him and pray, invite and bring with you friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates and any others from “east and west, north and south” seeking to enter the kingdom of God. The Savior is tenderly calling!

See you in church this next weekend!

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Snow

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