Reformation Sunday, John 8:31-36

Reformation Sunday; Oct. 28, 2012; Texts: Psalm 46; Revelation 14:6-7, Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36; Title: From Slavery to Freedom; Rev. Tim Beck

Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you glad Luther saw the light, and not just that man, but many?  It was a long dusk getting darker every century. Part of the picture was an anti-church intellectualism among the elite.  Part of the picture was medieval peasants lost in superstition. Part of the picture was disinterest in Christianity by those who saw that the church was all about money. We don’t often hear how many folks in Luther’s day, disgusted with what they heard in God’s name, stupidly gave up on God and became skeptics, occultists or humanists. That too is part of the picture, even if people stayed in step because if you wanted to eat in most places you didn’t cross the king, the nobles, the bankers, or the church. Add to that what we usually hear, about the ignorance of Scripture, the rule of Aristotle over Scripture called Scholasticism, and the politics of papal power. These picture-parts have an origin: the loss of true doctrine and hence true faith, the saving, liberating and freeing faith. The issues leading to the Reformation were many. And Luther wasn’t the first to seek reform. He did see the full picture was much deeper than mere morality… for the moral decline in the church went hand in hand with losing the gospel.

          Do you remember the outline of his early life? He was going to be a lawyer to fulfill his father’s ambition to get the family out of the mines and into the gentry. Then a terrible lightening storm struck, and young Martin out in the fields          promises if he’s spared, he’ll become a friar. He took his vow seriously, disappointed his father greatly, entered the Augustinian order, after some years was ordained and later became a doctor of theology.  But he had emotional issues. He couldn’t get rid of his guilt by fasting, praying, doing the monastic spiritual things that were supposed to purify the soul. To get him out of his depressive rut, his father confessor Staupitz sent him on a diplomatic mission to Rome, “let him see the sights, get some fresh air.” But Luther believed the 10 commandments were not 10 suggestions, so it bothered him that the church kept brothels in Rome just for clergy. He knew the clergy were to be servants of Christ, so it bothered him the opulence of the church in Rome at the price of sheared sheep. He knew the priests were called to teach, so it bothered him that the Pope hunted so much and taught not at all about Christ. It bothered him, the blatant disregard for God. Yet Luther tried to please God, to be pure. That’s what bothered him most. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t do what God required.

          Then he discovered he resented God, and saw in his heart not love for God, but hatred for a God who demands the impossible… who demands we love him truly, purely.  If only his conscience wasn’t so sensitive. If only he could gray things up a bit.  But thank God, he was sensitive to guilt. It drove him to scoff that kissing the upper right leg bone of St. Mark, coupled with a certificate that cost one silver coin, forgave sin. Besides, how many upper right leg bones did St. Mark have scattered across Europe, certified by papal letters and a whole school that forged such letters? The issue wasn’t just fraud, it was can a righteous God be bought off so cheaply? If the law condemns unrighteousness, how can we find God’s favor with bones? If the law condemns unrighteousness, how can even a conscientious friar be saved? That introduces our text:  Therefore Jesus said to the Jews having believed in him, if you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples. And you will know the truth and the truth will free you.  They answered him, we are the seed of Abraham, and we have never been enslaved to any one; how can you say that we will become free?   Jesus answered them; truly, truly I tell you that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.  But the slave does not remain in the house forever, the son remains forever.  Therefore if the son frees you, you will really be free.

          These Jews believed in Jesus until… until their self-righteousness was challenged. What, us slaves? Are we, the devout, sinners? Behold the false church of Luther’s day and of every generation. Let me explain. In Luther’s day, Christ’s righteousness for sinners was displaced for faith in bones, pilgrim journeys and the power of a silver coin to buy God’s favor. The law’s demands, and so the gift of grace, were replaced by subtle denials that offense meant much to God. Why can’t I follow Christ with my deeds and my intentions and make it up to God, with an indulgence signed by the pope? What’s wrong with my devotion? And the church encouraged that notion, saying “take the easy way, the way of           self-righteousness. Trusting in Christ’s righteousness alone is far too risky.”

          Is that like the self-justifying of this generation?  If everything evolved by chance how can there be a God, or sin before God? If there are no absolutes, what you think about God is OK for you, what I think is OK for me and we’re both OK. If Scripture is myth “I can do what is right in my own eyes.” And in the church we do the same whenever we justify ourselves instead of confessing our sin, and when we think our devotion and deeds ought to please God apart from Christ. Then we doubt if we really need the gifts Christ offers at font, altar, and pulpit. We doubt both grace and the means grace is promised to us. (That’s one reason why the many who say they believe in Christ but never go to church are terribly wrong – for they cut themselves off from the means of grace.) From such things let us repent, since the need for repentance and grace has not changed from 33 A.D. to 1520 A.D. to 2012 A.D.  Thank God the solution has not changed either. If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples. Continue in my word.          

          How important is Christ’s word, how important is Scripture alone? And how faith is mocked by the world that says that the word is not enough! (I’ve heard that from high churchmen in our own synod.) Yet Christ alone gives us a righteousness not by our efforts, but as a gift. It alone comes from a sure source. It comes from the Christ. What does Christ say?  Your sins are forgiven. Yes, our Lord preached the law to complacent sinners for a purpose, for repentance, so that we confess our sins. His reason that we confess is that we receive what He says next: you are absolved. You are forgiven. You are now mine, my disciples. This word is to continue in us, so that we do not return to justifying ourselves, running from a right use of the law and fleeing grace, running to the spiritual darkness and back to the devil’s dominion.     Christ says hear him – and Luther heard around 1516.  If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples. 

          The Reformers believed, and that faith cost much more than self-justification. They walked through fire because the Word of grace was not only precious, it sustained them. We too are disciples, called to remain in the promise of life by the power of the Word that fulfills what He says, despite all the enemies set against faith. This is the church’s cross, to remain faithful to the promises that although unseen, give us infinite blessing.  When you consider the cross of faith, don’t worry if you are no adventurer or fanatic. Don’t fear being asked to march to far away deserts with the Gospel even if Christ can take you there with joy. Don’t even ask “How can I please God by my discipleship?” For your Lord does not command you to crawl up cathedral steps on your knees for His approval. He says continue in my Word.  

          The power to obey this imperative, to be a disciple, does not originate in self-esteem or from a burning in your heart or from anything else in you. The power to endure does not originate in human flesh, because a living faith is only created through Christ’s promises, through His Word.         And what He creates, by the Word, your faith, is living and active in you; so that you begin to live in the blessings of the sinners’ reformation. On Reformation Sunday let me quote Dr. Martin Luther: Faith is a divine work within us. It transforms us and gives us a new birth wrought by God (Jn. 1:13).  It slays the old Adam, makes us entirely different people in heart, spirit, mind, and all powers, and brings with it the Holy Spirit... (SL 14, 99f)

          Faith is a gift, born from hearing the Word of your pardon. And faith receives new life. How do we know this is true? Because our Lord promised: And you will know the truth and the truth will free you. The truth is received by hearing, including in the visible word with spoken words in Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Wherever the word is purely preached, that is true to Scripture, Christ’s truth, the truth, works to set us free. It sets you free from sins’ delusions. It sets you free from the law’s demands. It sets you free to receive the blessings of God as Father. What a promise! You are set free by the truth which is found in Christ’s word! He liberates you.  It was precisely this point the Jews rejected.  It was this point the monks of the 16^th century rejected. It is this point so many in the 21^st century mock that Jesus alone sets us free.

          Why is that? Because Christ tells us what we sinners do not want to believe; and who wants to admit they are in bondage and need to be set free? We live in the USA, the freest nation on earth! I can do almost whatever I want. Or as the Jews said, Abraham is our father. God promises we’ll rule the nations! But we overlook this: truly, truly I tell you that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. Do you sin? Then what are you according to Christ’s word? Do you disagree with His diagnosis?  If so, set yourself free. Right now, stop your bitterness, envy, apathy, strife, pride, lust, fear, greed, jealousy, hatred, self-pity, selfishness. Love God totally, purely; and how we sinners from birth fight against God, and as slaves flee freedom. Despite our inability to conquer sin we run back to the old master, the law, and say “I’ll do it your way” just give me some slack. So to defend ourselves against God’s true measurement we change His standards. The Jews created “the traditions.” In Luther’s day the church said “kiss bits of bone and buy bits of paper and offer them to God.” In our day we say there is no sin, just problems with adjusting. But that just buys more chains for the slave to wear.             

          Those who sin are slaves to sin. And if a slave, you cannot free yourself. Further, the slave does not remain in the house forever.  The slave is sold into bondage. The slave has no home of his own. The slave has no inheritance. But Jesus Christ sets slaves free, giving them His inheritance to be sons of God. They are freed from the law’s condemnation, freed from the power of sin, and given an eternal home. Jesus brings us to His reformation. Despite our powerlessness as slaves, Jesus sets us free. The Son is free. The Son is free to buy your freedom.  The Son spent His inheritance on you slave, to liberate you. The Son remains forever.  Therefore if the Son frees you, you will really be free. If the Son will set you free you will truly be free! Has He not done this? The Son sold himself for the price of your sin.  The Son took within himself all your guilt. The Son died on a cross and the Father credits you with His righteousness. The Son rose the third day to give you His life. And in Holy Baptism the Father named you as His own, joining you to Christ’s death and life by the power of the Holy Spirit, one God. Yes, the Son will set you free!  

          The source of freedom is Christ’s grace, unmerited and undeserved. The gift of freedom is that you are declared righteous apart from works. There is no command to crawl up cathedral steps to please the master. The Son purchased your freedom, giving you the inheritance of His cross. You receive the Son’s inheritance, bid to call His Father “our Father.”  You receive the Son’s inheritance by faith in His Word. The Son says continue in my word. This is the church’s glory and her cross. Continue as one justified by grace. Continue despite the struggles you face. You will inherit all that is promised. Continue in hearing His word to strengthen your faith so that you endure, and receive the full inheritance of grace.  Continue to eat and drink what He promises is life and salvation. Since the Son set you free you are truly free.

          Oh, but I still sin! Yes you and I do. But you have an advocate with the Father. Oh, but I am weak! Yes we are. But there is one who strengthens you. Oh, but I fail so often. Yes, but are you saved by your works?  Never! You are declared righteous through Christ, and that is how the Father views you. This is the heart of reformation: Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone. This is Christ’s heart for you, your salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord (Amen). 

21st Sunday of Trinity, Mark 10:23-31

Oct. 21, 2012; 21st Sunday of Holy Trinity; Texts: Psalm 119:9-16; Ecclesiastes 5:10-20; Hebrew 4:1-13 (14-16); Mark 10:23-31; Title: They Get it When Jesus said it. Rev. Tim Beck

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

There Jesus goes again, getting his disciples all worked up to make a point. It takes a while before they get it, just like it does us. If only Jesus just came out and said it… probably no one would listen. He makes us think and that’s hard work. And believing is not our work at all. To make sure everyone was tuned in Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” How difficult, how challenging, how fraught with thorns to enter the kingdom of God… for those with wealth, substance, enough stuff!

          Jesus doesn’t say at first, the fat Wall Street cats or the Hollywood actors richer yet. The first word for wealth he uses is if you have more than enough for today, like a home, a car, a bank account. You don’t even need to own a boat to qualify for this word “wealth”.  People of substance find it hard, damn hard, to get into the kingdom of God (Pardon the clear expression of Jesus’ warning). Why does Jesus talk this way? Everyone just watched a rich young ruler walk away from the kingdom after asking, “What must I do to enter the kingdom of God.”  The ruler outrageously said he obeyed the law from his youth. So because Jesus, the king, loved him, he said something outrageous for just that young man. “Sell all you have, give to the poor, and come follow me…”  Was wealth the issue or something wealth can do to a person? What does wealth do to make it hard to enter the kingdom of God?

          The young ruler’s problem is fairly easy to sort out. First, he didn’t let the law do its proper work. He looked at the law superficially so it made him proud. He thought he deserved God’s favor. Then Jesus knocked the stuffing out of his pillow, because he loved him. Jesus proved the man loved money more than God. The young ruler despite thinking himself OK was breaking the first commandment. So why when Jesus said how hard it is to enter the kingdom if you have wealth his disciples were amazed? And after Jesus saw their amazement he replied to their exclamations of surprise. Jesus said to them again, literally, Jesus answered them, saying… “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished.

          This time Jesus uses a word for rich that means the really rich. We went from middle class to upper crust. And the disciples were beyond astonished. They were literally struck with amazement, dumbfounded and panicked. This was crazy talk.  Before we consider the crazy talk let’s look at the figure of speech Jesus used, about camels and needles. It is a bit weird. Naturally, it is camel fodder for commentators who suggest what Jesus may have meant. In the fifteenth century, for the first time we know of, someone said Jesus meant the needle gate in Jerusalem. A camel could get through there, if all its baggage was unloaded; and if it groaned and harrumphed its way through on its knees. That illustration fit medieval theology quite well. You can make it into the kingdom of God if you work hard enough. Interpreters said the camel was an allegory, meaning someone who wanted to get into heaven must unload this world’s goods, give it to the church, and i.e., become a monk or nun.  It’s a clever interpretation, but not what Jesus said and so not what he meant. In the 5^th century others suggested a slight word modification. In stead of the Greek kam-e-los, maybe Jesus said kam-i-los, which wasn’t a camel but a heavy rope. Then the illustration is you can’t get through an eye of a needle by your own efforts. The rope is too big. The meaning is closer to what Jesus said, but it is not what he said either. The early manuscripts are not in dispute about the camel or needle’s eye. Jesus said, you can’t get Palestine’s biggest animal through the tiny hole of a needle, any more than you can do it in a pig’s eye or an elephant’s eye. That’s how hard it is for a really rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven, children! 

          And don’t forget that Jesus said “children.”  That is a clue. Do you remember two weeks ago the text said something like “unless you become like one of these (referring to infants) you cannot enter the kingdom of God?” What was it about very young children that Jesus praised? Now Jesus calls 12 grown men, some of them older than he, “children” while they are having a panic attack because the rich can’t do it.  Now, what’s wrong with being rich? We’re used to hearing that rich folks are greedy and selfish. They won’t even pet a poor man’s dog (By the way, saying that is breaking the 8^th commandment).  That’s not how folks looked at the rich in Judea back then. Popular opinion was if you had enough to eat every day, a nice place to live, two changes of clothes, and the good opinion of others that was God’s blessing. And we agree. When something nice comes our way we say, “What a blessing!” And it is, unless like the young ruler it keeps us from the kingdom of God.    

          So what of the really rich? Not only are those folks really blessed by God, because they have the most, in that day they were most often in church. The really rich were asked to direct the synagogues and were patrons for the temple. Surely that’s evidence of being close to God. The really rich, like the rich young ruler got elected to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish government over most things religious and civil. Surely that’s evidence of being blest by God. They were nearest the holy things. But do you see the problem in that assumption? Handling holy things, being thought of as holy by others doesn’t mean you “get it.” But our ideas are not so different today. I know I’m complaining, but why does the district president get paid 3x what the average pastor gets?  Is it because of his position? He represents the church as one most blest by God?

          So why do we think people with the most-est are most blest by God, when         they really are the least-est likely to enter God’s kingdom? For example, the rich young ruler respectfully bows to Jesus. He is blessed - untroubled, unbroken, enjoying the honor of men but not knowing the dishonor of a cross. Folks thought, he thought, he was closest to God. But he was an idolater who didn’t even know it. Those with “big” wealth can have about anything they want; and a lot of that is just given to them, like honor, and spiritual rule. That’s the danger of wealth. The issue is not only a false security in wealth; it is a false idea about what blessing is. We think ease is blessing, our trials not. How foolish can we be? And the disciples in their amazed panic turn a vital corner. They ask if those most blest by God cannot do it, cannot save themselves, who can be saved? Do you know, “children?” Yet the disciples ask the right question in the right way. They said to him, “Then who can be saved?”

          The talk changes from who is able to enter the kingdom, who can do it, if not those with wealth. The talk is a different word: it is “be saved.” That is not something you, I, or the most financially empowered person does. Note the grammar: “Who can be” is passive. “Saved” is also passive. Someone other than the person needing salvation must do the action. The disciples get it. It is not “who has the ability to save themselves” (active voice). It is “by whom can we be saved” (passive voice). It took a while before they got it, and only after Jesus got them all worked up. Then He drives the point home, for us as well. They get it when Jesus said it. When he first looked at them they tuned in, now there is a different word for look, meaning, he gazes intently on them. It’s time for the fat lady to sing.  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, (adunatov) but not with God. For all things are possible (dunatov) with God.”

          We could translate: with man - unable, un-empowered but not with God. For all things are able, empowered, with God. Isn’t that amazing? It is God’s blessing! Doesn’t it take a load off your shoulders? None of us must be blest by worldly standards to enter the kingdom. Wealth, influence, public esteem, education isn’t required to be saved. Nor do you have to sell everything and become a monk to be saved. In fact, all our work to obey the law won’t save us, since we fail at every point even when we don’t know it. In short, we cannot save ourselves. It is impossible with man (“man,” the generic word for all human beings, no discrimination of sex, age, race, handicap, income or criminal record). 

          So how do you get into the kingdom of heaven? Answer: for you, impossible, with God, possible! He can do it and He does. How good is that news? You are saved by God’s grace. He saves you through Christ, by water and word, making you His little children. With God all things are possible, all things, including saving the wealthy. Did Peter get the point? Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”  He can’t mean “I’ll get into the kingdom because unlike the rich young ruler I left all behind?” If so, he’s forgotten what he and Jesus just said. How do we make sense of what Peter means? Consider this: Peter said he left all to follow Jesus, but had he really left all?  Shortly after Jesus’ resurrection what did Peter do? He went fishing. It sounds like he kept his boat. And he was married. Scripture records He had a house and a boat. Maybe he even owned a donkey.  He had wealth. Peter has in mind what is possible with God. “Lord, we left all to follow you.” Such deeds are the result of being saved.  “Some of us had wealth, a home and donkey and a boat. Then you called us to follow, you made us fishers of men.” “You’ve done the impossible. You’ve brought us into the kingdom of God. You made all the difference.”

          Does that describe what happens when the Lord works faith in us? Is that what faith does, we receive from Jesus and with joy follow? Only in view of grace and faith it makes sense when Jesus solemnly said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Jesus calls us into the kingdom of God. And faith inherits all the blessings of God, including persecutions in this time. In this time, an interesting expression: not chronological time but the time of significance, of a season, a purpose. In this time, when Jesus looks intently at us to get our attention, to grasp us, to teach us, to feed us, to shepherd us, to discipline us, to save us.  In this time when despite our sinful nature He brings us into the kingdom of God, blessing us even with persecutions that keep us from self-reliance.            In this time we are receiving all that is promised, even if we don’t see paradise or see the fellowship of the saints for all that it is, yet.

          We are receiving the kingdom of God with brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, children, lands. Faith sees we are incredibly wealthy. We will inherit the king’s kingdom. Those who see as the world sees will not enter the kingdom of God, for they think they are able - like the rich young ruler. That’s the idolatry of self. But those, whose eyes are opened by Christ, repenting our sin of unbelief and    hearing the word of forgiveness, receive boundless blessings. We will be given, we will be blest with what counts most, with what is priceless, even a cross, until we hear the Father say “enter into my joy, forever.” With God, all things are possible.

He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this O Lord, unto us all. (Amen)

20th Sunday in Trinity, Amos 5:6-15

October 14, 2012; 20^th Sunday in Trinity; Texts: Psalm 90:12-17; Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Hebrews 3:12-19; Mark 10:17-22; Title: Through Fire and Water; Rev. Tim Beck

             

Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Do you remember the gist of our Old Testament lesson? “Seek the Lord and live, lest he break out like fire… it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” Why is it the Old Testament prophets walk around whacking people with a         2x4? There’s so much law in the Old Testament! There’s a lot of law in the New Testament too… our reading from Hebrews goes right back to Moses, to rebellion, to dead bodies littering the wilderness.  The (EPA) Environmental Protection Agency would never stand for it, nor does the Lord stand hard hearts, even if they appear to be soft. For example, when asked by a nice young man about eternal life, Jesus goes right to the 10 commandments and beyond, “Give away all you have and follow me.” It’s so hard, so unfair to our way of thinking, so demanding, so absolute, like a marble cake made of real marble and no swirl to fudge. And fools that we are we think God is unreasonable and unmanageable because He’s an angry God, angry at us. He is a consuming fire.

          When we were little, I suppose none of us got a good paddling for running out into a busy street? None of us had parents who tried to keep us from disaster? There’s sanity to the switches in the heavenly Father’s woodshed. They’re cut from the Father’s love, calling us back to His good order, that we repent the disorder that leads to death. Creation was perfect, not only in moral quality but also in fellowship, in a common participation in righteousness with joy. The order of creation wasn’t a list of rules to destroy freedom, but a way of freedom that blossomed through mutual service. But Adam and Eve rebelled, and were pursued by the one who loved them. He found them hiding and called them to confess, “What have you done?” The Lord was ready to forgive but they made excuses, lying to themselves again. They chose the death of God’s image in them. As promised, their loving God cursed them so that death reigns, so that the law can do its dirty work. 

          Adam and Eve, seeing dirt in the law’s mirror, broke. They saw no hope in themselves or in the fallen world. Then God spoke again. He promised a Saviour. That promise healed hearts broken by the law. So if you don’t want the prophets to beat you to a pulp don’t run and hide. Take your licking. There’s a reason we need see what’s in our hearts. There’s a reason the Heavenly Father covers Himself in dark cloud, flashing lightening and tempest. He storms so that we see what we are apart from him, and how great our need. And that is a work of hidden love, like a parent’s discipline. Then He speaks another word, of compassion, of grace, of the Saviour. For you know who crushed the devil’s head, who gave Noah the rainbow, who delivered a people from slavery and why David was given a kingdom. You know who suffered the death, bore the curse, bled and died on a tree, the Son of David, God in human flesh. You received the grace of that sacrifice in the washing of Holy Baptism, and believing this grace, you fellowship in His very body and blood.

          So you put up with the law’s burning pains - because the Great Physician wields the knife. You hear the warning, “do not have an evil unbelieving heart leading you to fall away from the living God…” That’s why you go to the Great Physician like going to the dentist with a toothache. You will be healed.  Destruction is not what God wants for you. He bids, Seek the Lord and live, seek good and not evil, that you may live… and the Lord of hosts will be with you… it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,     will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

          That promise has a holy history of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, one God, dealing with an unholy people, making them holy. God doesn’t work in the abstract, but with real people. Scripture tells of the real couple named Adam and Eve. So too it tells of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David. So Amos preached and wrote during the reigns of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam II of Israel. For you scholars, that’s about 795 to 745 B.C., during a time of peace. Their former enemy to the North was conquered. That meant prosperity. Israel and Judah expanded their borders, taxed new trade routes, embraced Canaanite religions that validated personal extravagance. What is more enjoyable than Hollywood gods, sensual gods, care free gods? As wealth flooded in, the mighty cared less and less about their neighbor’s good; in fact, they wanted more of those goods. The kings, the nobles, the big merchants built huge estates, taking land from small farmers by bribing court officials, for one example. So the Lord called Amos, a small farmer and a shepherd. He was the Almighty’s prophet to call the powerful to repentance. He went to the city gates. That’s where business was conducted, the place of the court, of rule, authority, and influence. He preached what you hear today. Did those folks listen?

          To make a long story short, the nation of Israel fell in 720 B.C. to Assyria, and Judah fell to the Babylonians about 600 B.C. The devastation was terrible. Yet the Lord preserved a remnant, a remnant of faith. Why did God preserve a remnant since with few exceptions, the kings of Israel and Judah from the time of Amos on were ungodly? Why, since with few exceptions, the nobility of those nations and the common folk did not abandon idolatry and return to the true God? Why did so few repent, given the wrath that raged in invasions, wars, plagues, earthquakes, famine and civil disorder? And why did some seek the Lord: because the Lord is faithful - to apply the law for repentance and the promise for faith. The promise was given Eve and Adam after the fall, again to Noah, again to Abraham and the patriarchs, again to David. It saved those folks. The promise was declared by the prophets and a remnant believed. That promise is also for you, all that is fulfilled and shall be fulfilled. The Lord made promises to the house of Joseph, and because the Lord made the promise He sees it through. He is gracious to a remnant of Joseph.  The Lord of hosts, the ruler of armies, the mighty one of Israel, is gracious. He preserved Joseph in Egypt and lifted him to command all Egypt.  The Lord of hosts 400 years after Joseph called Moses to free the tribe of Israel from Egyptian slavery. And the Lord did it.

          The God of hosts’ almighty hand still sustains the needy, cares for the distressed and delivers the oppressed. But that is not his greatest work. The greatest is why we do not need to hide our sins from Him. Let us turn from our evil ways, seek Him and live. “He will be with you,” says the God who breaks out like fire. He is angry no longer by the death of His Son. His wrath is consumed, his fire burnt out upon the justice of His love, upon the cross of your salvation. And faith receives that promise, the word that names sinners good, the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ.  Faith receives His grace, and you, the remnant, are preserved. That’s why we exhort each other, “Take care, brothers, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”  “For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our first confidence firm to the end.”  We share in Christ, He is for us and with us and working in us - for a great salvation. The Living God works our salvation, saving us by grace alone; so we remain in the confession of that faith, one Lord, one baptism, one God and Father. We remain through receiving the gifts that sustain faith; for there is so much grace in the Old Testament, as Amos declares.

          There’s so much grace in the New Testament too, as the Apostles declare. There’s so much for you in Christ crucified, risen and ascended; our Lord sending the Holy Spirit, the comforter, the enabler. Do not hide your sin but confess it; so that it is covered under the blood of the Righteous One, blood that restores you and me to God as our dear Father. So much sin remains in us, but the guilt is washed away and Christ’s life was given us in the promises of water with the word. In our struggles against sin our Savior bids us receive His body and blood, and the forgiveness of all our sins for life and salvation.  We the have victory. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (Rm 8:1, 2) Don’t ask, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” That’s a law question. Under the law it is impossible. An inheritance is given, not earned. An inheritance is always a gift.  Jesus Christ gave you His testament. That means you inherit all that is in it, a fullness of life, a restoration of a righteous fellowship, we cannot yet comprehend.  Creation shall be more than restored. Through Christ we have become the sons of God, sharing the inheritance with the firstborn brother from the dead.  He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this Oh Lord unto us all.

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.