2nd Sunday of Advent

Dec 9, 2012; 2^nd Sunday of Advent 2; Texts: Psalm 50:1-15; Malachi 4:1-6; Romans 15:4-13; Luke 21:25-36; Title: If Tempted to Look Down, Look Up to Righteousness.  Rev. Tim Beck

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

He is coming!  Look up, your redemption draws nigh. Do not look down where confusion, anxiety, and troubles lie. Look up, for Christ shall soon return. The Lord your righteousness comes.        This is the Advent message, calling us to prepare for His coming. He is coming for all who look up, who look to the eternal, who look to their God and Saviour; who turn from looking down and look up. His second coming shall surely come as did the first… but in a different manner. Save a handful, the First Advent the world slept. The Second Advent none will sleep; and the dead will wake. Then the judgment where some receive an earned condemnation and others inherit unearned life.

          We, who do not earn but trust, watch; waiting for Him who loves us and does not want us to perish.  He is coming! He tells you that because the end is getting nearer and nearer. Before He comes there shall be fearful signs in the heavens, the world will begin to break apart.           The Creator withdraws more of His hand from sustaining the earth. Why will He do that? He calls our fallen race to repentance most loudly… and purchasing carbon credits will not reverse that day. Because each does what is right in his eyes as in the days of Noah, before the overwhelming flood, God shouts a curtain-call for repentance. It is a final call that makes the world fear. How tragic… They will look unto the earth, and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish, and they shall be driven to darkness (Isaiah 8:22). Why are many driven into darkness? It is preferred by those who look down. The unrepentant have no light in them. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isaiah 8:20)

          However, all who receive the Word receive light. Those whose faith is in Christ have the light of Christ. Those who hear and believe have hope and so look up, looking to the unseen, to      the promises, to the testimony of redemption, to the living, Saving God.  That’s why you will cling to the living Word. You have reason for the hope that is in you. So if these last troubles come in your day you will continue look to the Lord, your righteousness. Whatever troubles come your way in any day, look up and heed three pairs of commands: Straighten up and lift your heads;  See the budding fig tree; Know that the kingdom of God is near; Beware and Be watchful for that day will come suddenly.  

          Permit me a little doctrinal review.  Are these words law or gospel? And these commands, what kind of law are they? 1. Are they the first use of the law, the law as restraint? The law restrains evil when coupled with the sword. For example, when you see a flashing blue light behind your car, do you slow down? That’s the law as mirror. 2. Are these commands the second use of the law, the law as mirror? Here the law reveals our guilt before God. It incites us to sin and convicts us of sin.  For example, the person who said we shouldn’t teach children the 10 commandments because it puts so many ideas into their heads is ½ right; for the law stirs up rebellion while the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, causing us to fear judgment.  3. Are these commands the third use of the law, the law as a guide for Christians? Although believers are reborn in the image of God our corrupt nature still clings to us. We are often blind to the will of God. So this use of the law teaches us God’s will, even if it returns us to the second use, to repentance.

          So what use of the law are these pairs of admonitions? Straighten up and lift your heads. See the budding fig tree, Know that the kingdom of God is near. Beware and be watchful, for that day will come suddenly. This is the third use of the law, a guide. We are told to remain alert and watchful because these things shall happen.  We are told so that when these things happen we will not fear or faint, but straighten up and lift our heads. How can we do that, if we are only given the law? We can do that because we are also given a promise, a gospel promise. These signs point to the nearness of this promise: your redeemer comes to you, hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. The Lord returns for you, to complete what He began, to fulfill the promises of baptism, to give you the full inheritance, all that He won for you. So be encouraged when you see and know the signs that the end is near. These signs are now, in each generation though not yet complete. Like a 4^th of July fireworks show, they’re now, although we wait for the finale. And we now take comfort that all these things shall take place soon. How soon? What does it mean to say “this generation?” What does it mean “This generation” shall not pass away until all things happen? It’s like a 4^th of July show – each burst has it all, yet there’s a finale. One scholar says “this generation is the continuing line of all unbelievers… Those who reject God will be present even at the end, when the heavens and earth are shaken violently as God tries one last time to move them to repentance.” (Just, Luke, v2, 804)  The call to repentance continues, since unbelief remains to the end, so each generation is this generation, although there shall be a last generation. Scoffers shall pass away along with the heaven and the earth. They will be present for the judgment, but they will not sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the great (eschatological) banquet in the kingdom of God (Ibid., 805). And that because unbelief remains until the end; mockers will say, don’t lift your eyes; don’t hear, see, know, watch and wait.

          They tempt you to look down. But you do not want to be numbered with the generation of unbelievers, do you? Can you endure? Yes, by the power that cannot pass away.   What shall never pass away?  Christ’s Word, His teachings, His promises shall never pass away. You are promised His righteousness, life and fellowship with God as Father. You are promised to be sons of God, sharing the inheritance of the first born from the dead.  What tragedy many reject this Word and fall into dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life. But you, beware and be watchful, looking into God’s Word, and you will stand. Look to Him and you will “stand in the presence of the Son of Man!”  Look, because He redeemed you with His blood. He carries you with His strength, with words of life.  As the Apostle Paul prayed confidently for the Thessalonians: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love… May he establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus. As the Apostle Paul promised the church in Rome, for whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

          You watch for Jesus Christ because He fills you with hope. When at last He returns it is for your redemption! How do you know the church shall stand? And this is the name wherewith she shall be called, the Lord our righteousness. The Church’s name, your name is “the Lord our righteousness.” He gave us this name in His first advent, by His sacrifice for sinners, justifying sinners. He does not say, “Get righteous by obeying the law”, which is to be named “I am my righteousness.” No, He is your righteousness, naming you with His righteousness. This righteousness stands in the judgment.  It is not from you. It is given you. It is a perfect righteousness that the Almighty accepts as He accepts His beloved Son. This is your Christmas present to sustain you through That Day; for Christ gave you a new name, the name of the Church, “The Lord our Righteousness.”

          He poured that name on you with water and the Word. He pours that name into you with His blood and body. He declares you righteous in His sight. In this name we lift up our heads, seeing and knowing, watching and waiting until the day He returns in glory. In this Baptismal name we stand, named “the Lord, our righteousness.” By this name we boldly pray “Our Father, “Hosanna to David’s Son, come Lord Jesus.” By this name we look up and see the Father’s beaming face of joy.

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

23rd Sunday after Trinity: Genesis 1:1-2:3

23^rd Sunday after Trinity; Nov. 18, 2012; Texts: Psalm 8; Genesis 1:1-2:3; Ephesians 6:10-17; John 4:46-54; Title: There’s Something Big in God’s Verbs; Rev. Tim Beck

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

Our text from Genesis is big, not just long, it’s big. Where should we start? Do we start with our generation’s objections to the Genesis account? Do we start with the philosophy of scientific materialism, code name: evolution? Or do we tackle rationalism, existentialism or the new Gnosticism that conveniently claim Genesis is myth?  What’s in our race that doesn’t want to deal with what Scripture says, but builds an imposing edifice just to dismiss it? Is that how to come to Scripture, with our biases reflecting the mindset of “me?” Will we ascend to heaven by our reason, feelings or will?  What if we start with the text, including the internal claim that it is the revelation of God? Perhaps then we can speak fairly? But we cannot answer all objections, unless you want to be here a long, long time, until Christ returns... since people will object until Christ returns.

          Starting with the text, where do we start? There’s so much, it’s not only long, it is big. The first 6 chapters of Genesis contain all the doctrines of the Bible, and our reading, the first chapter, lays the groundwork. Why not start with another big, the focus of Scripture, Jesus Christ, and remain mindful of the law and gospel, the central teachings in Scripture? And let’s start with faith, since without faith no one can receive anything from God.  You already believe, having heard the word of your salvation. So you acknowledge the basic issue with the human race, of sin, of unbelief. You know sin is not only rebellion; it includes blindness toward the things of God. You also know the solution for sinners, forgiveness freely given by God through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death. You know the Triune God’s goal for the forgiven. It is to enter heaven. It is for more than Eden to be restored, it is for a bigger paradise than that.

          That takes us back to Genesis. We’re talking about paradise in Genesis, not as splendid as it shall be, but perfect as it was. So when we read this chapter, keep in mind sin is not an issue. That means there is none of sin’s qualities or fruit: no hate, fear, lawlessness or grief. The law doesn’t condemn because there’s nothing set against what’s good. So there’s no need for the punishment due to rejecting the law, namely, death. Of course, the Incarnation is not yet, although God is, the eternal “I AM.” That’s where Genesis begins, with God, and His speaking a beginning. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Note three things about these first words in Genesis.

          First, the eternal God created a beginning. He is the author of time. He of eternity, the “I AM” made time for our world, including night and day. Second, God created the heavens and the earth, namely all things. Nothing is by chance, an accident, a big mistake or as Hindus say, an illusion. Third, the Hebrew name used for God in this verse is “Elohim,” an unusual          word suggesting plurality in unity.  Here’s our first glimpse at the Trinity… God, the Word, the Spirit are all present, saying “let us make…” and yet One God. Then we see what God made, a material world that is good, and created pure, holy, perfect, harmonious, and joyful. And based on these things, we learn something about God. The very fact Elohim creates has implications.  Since all creation is from His hand nothing ever leaves His hand. He is an active Elohim. He creates and sustains. He is active within the plurality in unity and He is active toward His creation.  We rightly call the heart of that activity by a word – love.

          That’s not a word the world truly understands from Elohim’s perspective. To make us happy we make things to serve us, but Elohim serves us for joy. Even we the redeemed, who know the Spirit of life, who await the new creation, get confused about the word love. We say “I love the sensory reflection of chocolate on my tongue.”  We say “I love Valentine’s Day with its syrupy sentimentality.” We say love is hormonal spikes driving a couple to procreate, although procreation can be an expression of love, especially later, when changing diapers. God’s love goes beyond the loyalty of family and friends, although we’re getting closer to understanding the word. Elohim’s love has no contradiction between justice and compassion. So if you, sinner, really want to know love, it is Christ crucified for you. Elohim gives Himself for our joy.

          Pardon me for talking about the incarnation, the crucifixion, the resurrection and ascension since they are not in today’s text although compatible with it.  Elohim is active within Himself, active for His creation, loving, serving and reigning. He created a beginning and made the world. He’s an active God, active in love. That’s why we consider some active verbs in our text for the rest of this message. If we went to the nouns, you’d not get home before the cows came home. Listen to a handful of verbs, the first one you’ve already heard. In the beginning, God created, He made - these two words are used nine times in the chapter.  That’s repetitive. A point is being made (no pun intended). The creation is not a byproduct of unplanned activity among gods, like Thor and Loki fighting or Eros and Aphrodite getting frisky. Genesis is not an imaginary tale, like the Thor, Loki, Eros, Aphrodite stories. It’s true that like those stories Genesis makes a point, but it’s more than that. Genesis relates real events as revealed by a real God for a real reason. God created – Elohim - the Unity in Plurality made, ex nihilo… from nothing. Genesis is our beginning, the beginning of an ordered world set in time and space, predictable, useful, living, and beautiful. Our beginning by God’s good will is told, so that we long to know that good will, so that sinners long to return to paradise, and through Christ, look forward to its restoration.  God made all things, and the divinely inspired account lists one more thing that may surprise you. The Day of Rest He made holy (we’ll return to that).

          Our second verb is hovered, the Spirit of God hovered. Picture a dove resting over its young, but more than that. This enveloping activity is creative, life giving.  The Spirit is synonymous for the breath that gives life.         For example, Jesus breathed on His disciples and they received the Holy Spirit. For a Genesis example, God breathed into Adam and he became a living soul. Scripture itself is inspired, breathed out by God, so that it is both true and life giving. God’s creative word does what He says.  

          Our third verb is God said.  This verb is repeated 10 times in our text for a reason. The point is when God speaks, it happens.  The word spoken by God is dynamic, efficacious, powerful, doing what it says; for Elohim’s speech creates from nothing, ex nihilo. You and I don’t really create. We just rearrange what is given us, the gifts God gave us. But He speaks and it is so. John chapter one draws from Genesis one as an example: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  All things were made through Him. Elohim created, the breath of God hovered, the Word said…  This has deep implications. One is a sacramental nature to the faith. God creates faith by speaking His Word, the Spirit moving, Christ working. So the Word with water creates faith and gives new life. So by the words of consecration Christ’s body and blood is present for our reception, giving the forgiveness of sins.  So God appoints pastor by means of the congregations to speak Christ’s word, and it is so. You are given the gifts of God in reality.

          Our third verb is “saw,” God saw.  We might call this follow-through. After speaking the creation into being He remains involved, approving His work, for He saw that it was good. He sees what is good. After the fall He also sees the absence of good, the void of good called sin called evil; and in seeing He judges but also redeems.   He sees the end of it all, including the redeemed of the Lord, those chosen from the foundation of the world that will dwell in paradise with Him forever. He sees and He sees to it.

          The fourth verb is “called,” God called. He made, He said, He sees and calls us His own from eternity. In this passage calling indicates ownership. He names things what they are, as they are meant to be. His call establishes order, a good purpose and direction, relationship with Him and relationship within the created order. His call, His naming, is so that we may know the glory of God, and after the fall, that we who believe may be restored to joy. 

          A fifth verb is “blessed.” God blessed the living things. He blessed, giving the ability to be fruitful and multiply. Don’t believe the doomsday folks who say being fruitful and multiplying is a curse on the earth. It is what the earth is for.  But cursed is the greed, power-lust, war, refusing to help one’s neighbor; the cause of most human suffering coming from human hands. In Eden, with the blessing of God came life, the capacity for life, fullness of life, joy and enjoyment of life and life sustained. Further, beyond physical blessings, the crown of creation was blessed to share in divine life, to know God and enjoy Him forever. So Adam and Eve were given dominion over the earth... to be a reflection of Elohim’s creative relationship of faithful love. Dominion is not to dominate, but to serve, care for, see that the creatures flourish. It is to bless others as divine ambassadors of the Creator.  For blessing is not only God’s approval, it is to share in His life and it is to reflect His life, and discover the joy of serving your neighbor. And the blessing of God is a promise to the creation, an affirmation that Elohim is active on behalf of what He made. This has implications after the fall. God the Father sent His Son who gladly came, the Spirit calling us through Christ’s word to restore us to a blessed estate. 

          Our next to last verb is “finished.” When God finished the world was not ½ baked. His work was sufficient, perfect, a reflection of holiness. It was finished. There was no need for perpetual change, no dialectic requiring conflict, no revolution out of a gun, or red claw and killing tooth. The finished work expressed Divine faithfulness, a picture of peace, justice, love, strength, humility, and kindness. That is the world Elohim created, before sin, before the curse, before the Dark Age set in. 

          When it was finished, God rested. That is our last active verb, God rested.  He didn’t put his feet up on the couch to nap away Sunday afternoon. This rest belongs with another word, with the word Sabbath... Sabbath rest. The Creator communes with His creation, His creation rejoices in Him. He gives Himself for its joy, and to the crown of creation He gives this         blessedness, the seventh day He – made – holy. The seventh day, the day of completion, the day of rest, of paradise, the finished work is for blessedness: the seventh day is for worship. The purpose of the creation is to receive the blessings of the Creator, which is         worship. Adam and Eve were made for God as the creation was made for them. That is what we, the church look forward to, a restoration of what was first made holy, righteous, in joyous fellowship with the Creator. Adam and Eve were made in God’s image, in the likeness of Elohim.  That image is not will, reason, and emotion as wonderful as those gifts can be. Your parrot may have a bit of reason, your dog some emotion and your cat plenty of will. Elohim, the unity in plurality’s image, is of this nature: an active relationship of righteous love, of faithful service. It is holiness and burning compassion active in love. The first couple were created to rejoice in the Lord God, and to rejoice in each other, in their offspring, and in care of the creation, to love in that image.  That is a picture of paradise, of Sabbath rest, of peace with God, of rejoicing in Him. It was a finished work, until man broke it.

          So the rest of Scripture deals with redemption, with the promise of a Savior. And at last, the Son of God made man cried out, “It is finished.” That cry ushered in the new creation, our redemption, the future revealing of our inheritance as the sons of God, an invitation to paradise, to Sabbath rest.  That cry restores our eyes to see in these few verbs a picture of God as He is toward His creation. Creation is presently subjected to futility in hope, so that our fallen race might repent and receive life that is eternal. Creation will be set free from its bondage to decay, and the church shall be        revealed for who she is.  Let us pray “Maranatha,” Lord come quickly. And today taste what shall be, receiving in our Lord’s body and blood the         promise of the marriage feast of the Lamb. By faith in such promises we enter paradise, awaiting the fullness of that Great Day. Christ said “It is finished.”

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus our Lord (Amen)

24th Sunday of Trinity, Hebrews 9:24-28

Nov 11, 2012; 24th Sunday of Trinity; Texts: Psalm 145; I Kings 17:8-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44; Title: The Travel Picture to the Real Thing; Rev. Tim Beck

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

Our reading from the book of Hebrews takes us back to the books of Moses, to Leviticus in particular. We are briefly returned to the sacrifices of old. Then we are whisked to Christ’s day, and then we fly away to His soon return. The picture is cosmic, really big. Let’s time travel and go to Moses for a moment. Let me ask, what sticks in your memory about his day?  Is it Baby Moses in a basket and the faith of his mother?  Is it the Passover and Christ foreshadowed? Is it the crossing of the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army drowned? Is it Mt. Sinai and the 10 commandments? That sticks, if as a child in catechism you spent lots of time on the 10 commandments, and at night watched Cecil B DeMille’s movie of the same name.  Does Leviticus stick equally well? Too bad Cecil B DeMille didn’t do a spectacle film on that book! Perhaps we’d appreciate more the Tabernacle ceremonies: scarlet thread, hyssop, doves, grain and drink offerings, goats, cattle, and blood all over the holy places.

          That’s where the folks who broke those 10 commandments were cleansed and consecrated. That’s where what was common was made holy. And the tabernacle was built to picture Christ and His work, including the explicit instructions about materials, sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns. There’s detail after detail about candle snuffers to the high priest’s jeweled breastplate, spattered with sacrificial blood.  What a picture. And that is what it is, a picture, a representation, a foreshadowing. The book of Hebrews tells us who and what it foreshadows – our Saviour. In other words, the Tabernacle is like a travel brochure to paradise, especially the holy place. Everything is there that sinners need, and if we truly love God, want.

          But since we want so little of it, in bold print we’re warned what could keep us from receiving paradise. In bold print we’re also bid, “Enter paradise now,” by faith. So the ancients who trusted the promise entered, and looked through the door of that foreshadowing to the real thing. So too we enter in by faith, both receiving yet awaiting all that is promised. Without faith, the travel brochure is not pretty pictures, but pretty confusing pictures. You can’t even imagine swimming in a pool, walking amid flowers, eating delicious food, soaking in a spa, because that’s not what’s pictured. Worse, there’s an impediment to getting there, to those who want to enter the holy place, to enter heaven itself. You know what it is. Scripture calls it sin, and sin’s heart is unbelief. That’s what dwells in us that flees paradise, for we run from a holy God.

          Truth is most folks toss the travel brochure of the Tabernacle aside quickly. Sin in us imagines a trip to Hawaii or even Cache-Creek is more exciting than the pictures in Leviticus, or in the promises from Genesis to Revelation. That’s why the travel brochure in Hebrews has a warning: “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Death ends our wistful look at travel pictures of an earthly paradise, and brings us face to face with the inevitable, the judgment. Death is sin’s punishment; the judgment giving us the death we deserve as decreed by God’s law. It’s not a pretty picture.  Yet God’s love gave us the travel brochure from Genesis to Revelation, offering a heavenly paradise. In other words our Creator not only gave Moses Mt. Sinai’s fire with the two tablets of the law; our Redeemer also gave the picture book of Leviticus. He gave promises to us, picturing paradise in the rituals, rites, and temple sacrifices leading us to the most holy place.  Then He sent the real thing, the eternal, the Most Holy, the only begotten Son to become man, to enter our time, space and death. 

          The Sinless One became sin on our behalf to die as The Sinner. And this sacrifice, unlike those of the pattern, the type, the Tabernacle, was enough, sufficient and complete. As Jesus Christ said on the cross, “It is finished.” The Christ opened paradise for you, that you not be judged by the law, but are pardoned by His blood, promised to enter into His holy joy. The travel brochure has a first class ticket inside. For Christ entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. The Christ, the anointed one, our prophet, high priest and king, entered paradise. He did it for you; He did it to bring you with Him.  He walked through the door of death to enter the presence of the Living God, literally, to enter before God’s face. He, true man and true God, entered the real Holy Place. Having borne sin and having paid the price of sin, He entered without fear for He entered without sin, without fault, without wrong. He entered to inform, declare, manifest and exhibit something marvelous. He entered -His sacred heart an exhibition of bloody wounds and holy love. And He entered on our behalf. He entered, and not as if the Son and Father were at odds, one forcing the other to decide for or against man. This appearing, informing, manifesting, exhibiting declared “It is finished.”  The Father’s good will, his holy will, toward sinners was complete. The holy presentation was the conquest of guilt by nail scarred hands and feet, spear thrust side, and sacrificial blood spattered everywhere. It is finished. Therefore, Christ cannot be sacrificed again.

          It is vital you know this: that He does not suffer over and over; as some wrongly teach. When He said “It is finished” it was; otherwise, you could not be sure that you can at any time flee to God as your Father, your beloved “Abba”? Since it is finished, you may confidently enter before the face of the Living God as your Father, to enter by faith into the holy place. So we as those baptized into Christ’s death, who eat and drink His holy, risen body and blood in a cleansing and eternal feast, taste paradise.  You feast by faith, confident that your Saviour will bring you to the feast to come.  Isn’t that what the divinely inspired author of Hebrews tells us?  But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. He sacrificed Himself. He fulfilled the picture of the Passover lamb, the atonement lamb and goat, and every beast bound for sacrifice.

          Second, His blood was shed for our blood and our life was spared.  So He annulled the penalty of sin to overturn the judgment against the sinner, He abolished the judgment against sin and so he abolished death. By putting His robe of righteousness on us, He put sin out of sight. And in His resurrection, promises sin itself will be put out of all believers.  Third, he has appeared. He has appeared… to cleanse sinners even before the days of the Tabernacle, to the day of Adam and Eve’s fall.  He has appeared, from a time in the past until the present. The completed sacrifice, of sin put away, is in effect for believers in the past, now and shall be. Fourth, he has appeared once for all.  “He has appeared once for all…” and for all means all. Further, “once for all” continues until the day you are called home and to the day the world ends.  In Christ, sinners were justified from the beginning of time and to time’s end; for fifth, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages.

          In His appearing we enter the end of the ages, the last days. More then that, by dying for sinners, Christ entered heaven itself on our behalf. For us, He entered where the Father dwells, eternity, showing the finished sacrifice…so it is the end of the ages. It is mind bending… the end of the ages, of temporal existence, when in Christ we enter the eternality of paradise. We need travel brochure pictures to almost see it; i.e., to see how John’s vision in Revelation pictures the Lamb as slain from before the foundation of the world.  Although our time-stuck minds get blurry-eyed looking at the picture of eternity, we hear how it applies: Our Lord completed the sacrifice so that the blessings of that act in time apply from the beginning of time to time’s end. He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages.    

          That means you, believing sinner; you who are appointed to die because of your sins, shall not be judged. Christ already took care of it. He bore your judgment, He who appeared at the end of the ages. He appeared at the end of the ages in the holy place to present you faultless before His Father’s throne. You sinner, are a saint. He holds you securely until that Great Day when we rejoice before our Father’s throne, filled with Christ’s life. So Christ, having been offered once to bear (to put upon the altar) the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. He who put upon the altar the sins of many is appointed to appear a second time. He will appear not to deal with sin. He already dealt with sin. He will appear to save those who eagerly await him.

          A travel brochure to Hawaii is appealing, but how much greater the travel guide with a free ticket to paradise? What eagerness is ours who believe all our sins are forgiven. What joy to hear the glorious future awaiting you…God is our Father!  Christ will return for you, to make you complete with His life, to cleanse from you the deadness of sin, your dullness toward what shall be yours. You’ve seen the travel brochure, the picture of paradise Scripture paints.  One day we won’t imagine what it will be like. We will be there, at last! The cost is paid and your place reserved. It was finished when Christ entered the holy place on your behalf.

         

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

All Saints Day, I John 3:1-3

Nov. 4, 2012; All Saints Day; Texts: Ps 149; Revelation 7:9-17; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12; Title: Behold What Awaits. Pastor Tim Beck  

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

We have great hope on “All Saints Day,” a day commemorating our Lord’s faithfulness. We commemorate his faithfulness to believers before us, to us, and to those after    us.  We rejoice, knowing He is faithful today and forever. Saint John emphatically tells us why our Lord is faithful, and to what end. He says See! Behold!  That means take notice, pay attention. Pay attention to what? See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. Consider God the Father’s love, consider the kind of love, and consider that He gave it to us keeping us in it from our baptism unto today.

          But why does John need shout “see, behold!” Is it because we often fail to behold, to consider, to believe what He has done for you, His great love toward you, His end for you? Saint John calls us to repent from many needless cares.  Behold His love! Look! God’s love is given to us… to us, to the whole church.  For example, we commemorate the saints who died in that love yet live; for the Father’s love is to us, in the plural, in the unity of Christ’s body, the church. God’s love was given to Adam and Eve, to Noah, to Moses, to David, to the prophets, to all who believed both great and small. That same love keeps the persecuted in China and the faithful in the U.S.A. It keeps the few believers in Tunisia in the faith, and too the many in Madagascar. That love preserves the church around the world until the Day of the Lord arrives, when we shall be gathered into one visible communion.  There is great comfort in “All Saints Day,” because our Saviour preserves the whole body of Christ… including the comfort that we shall again see our loved ones who died in Christ. 

          We are united with all who believe the one faith delivered for all time, to all who trust in Him who delivered us by grace. The Father, as we pray, “our Father” has given His love. He gave it at the very beginning, continued to give it and gives it to this very day. Behold the duration of His love. It is not just for a moment, but from the beginning of time until His return. It was for fallen Eve and Adam, Abram’s re-naming as Abraham. It continued through the deliverance from Egypt and carried on in the time of the Judges, when the knowledge of faith took a sad spiral downward. It was given to Ruth the Moabite who believed in Israel’s God, who as Naomi’s daughter in law, was favored to be an ancestor of the promised Christ. It was steadfast to David as a shepherd, as a fugitive, and as a king who committed adultery and murder; yet repenting was forgiven and called a man after God’s heart. It was true to the kingdom of Judah despite the nation’s apostasy; so too the Lord kept faith alive through Judah’s exile and return. It was truly manifest in glory when the Son of God was made flesh and lifted up for all to see.  It was true during the early church, in dark ages, in the Reformation, in the days of philosophy dominating Scripture in our own time, and until the end of time. Behold the duration of his love, the love of God given to a fallen race that bespeaks us righteous.

          Then behold the purpose of His love, the love by which God becomes “our Father,” a love which takes rebellious wooden-headed dolts and names us beloved. Behold His purpose that we become children of God, pure and holy in His sight. To those born blind in sin John says “See, behold!” Love came to our race, to all who seek God in all the wrong places if we seek Him at all. See His love declare Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.  Behold the love of God that broke through to justify sinners.  See his redemptive love that called us into His kingdom; a love we cannot earn or demand, and that we do not deserve or often even desire. Behold the love manifest in the Son of God’s humiliation, death and resurrection. Behold that love which through Holy Baptism is given us. Behold the life once poured out upon the cross that is now poured into our mouths and souls, that we, beloved by God, look forward to the eternal feast.  See, you redeemed of the Lord, how because of His visible love you believe, you even believe the purpose of his hidden love.         

          The Father knows how we turn our baby-head from mother’s spoon.  So behold His love hidden under the law, hidden under disciple, hidden by an angry face. See how the blessed Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment. See how despite our acting like reproved infants who scowl, mope, hide, and fight, He convinces us we need His mercy. And thank God his hidden love teaches us to confess sin not in a vague, impersonal way, but from a bleeding heart cut by the law. Then behold, how he coaxes us to say those hard to pronounce words, “I’m sorry, I’m guilty.”  Then behold Christ declare: “I forgive you. Welcome home.”  Behold the Holy Spirit who works such a good work in you.  And behold the Father’s mercy that made you his child, and keeps you as His child. Although we still sin; yet believers in Christ are delivered from the law’s condemnation. Christ’s righteousness is counted as yours, freeing you from the devil’s accusations, the world’s rebel ways and the torment of your fickleness.  This is All Saints Day, and you too are saints. You are saints in Christ Jesus your Lord. You are holy because God the Father made you his child, writing the Triune name on you.

          You and all believers throughout time are saints, despite doubts, faults and failings that you feel today, despite being simultaneously sinners. Justified, baptized, given new life through the forgiveness of your sin, you were blind, but now you see.   So you, who see justification, behold also the sanctifying love of God that keeps you in the faith.  Behold His word change your perspective. Despite sin in you, you believe what God sees. You are a saint. The Holy Spirit dwells in you.  So by faith you do outrageous acts, like get out of bed on Sunday morning to hear a sermon, to continue in Christ’s Word. You ask neighbors to hear of Christ with you, and freely give hard earned money to support the church, bringing children and grandchildren to receive water with the Word. And by faith, you enter the Father’s presence worshipping with all the saints. You eat the ascended Christ’s true body and blood in a fore-taste of the feast to come.

          You have entered into the eternal; for we are God’s children now, who in eating and drinking Christ say this prayer: “Maranatha.” “Lord, come quickly;” for we await what we shall be, when the sin that dwells in us is fully cleansed in our consummated fellowship with Christ. Perfect righteousness and perfect joy are the purpose of the Father’s love for you.  Behold your future in the love of God. Behold the love of God that gave us eternal life, and keeps us in a living hope until the glorious day. Do not give up the fight. Contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.  Purify yourself. And how do you do that? Confess your sins and look to Christ.   The word “purify” is sacrificial language, the language of atonement, when the blood of the sacrificial Lamb was sprinkled upon the sinner. Christ purifies us by grace. He will complete that purification in us. So resist sin and admonish one another. Set your mind on things above, where Christ is…for God’s children have a future.    The troubles in this life are not your future.

          You are children of God awaiting the glory that shall be yours. When he appears we will be like him, because we shall see him as he is. This life’s mortal enemies, sin, death, and the devil, will be gone. Every tear will be wiped away when you see the Lord. The declared righteousness of Christ will be fully realized within you.  You shall be jubilant, because you shall see Him as He is and live.  This is your future, and faith’s desire, to see God.  It shall be granted. It is the Father’s will for you. When He appears we shall see like we’ve never seen before. Those who have gone before us already shine. What happened to Moses who saw a reflection of God’s glory in the law?          His face beamed, for a time, so that the people begged him to veil it. In the transfiguration, how did Moses and Elijah appear? They were brilliant in appearance. How much greater the glory of Jesus Christ! And He promises to share His glory with us. All dross shall be removed from His bride, the church. All mysteries shall be revealed in the perfection of God’s being.  The uncertainties faith tastes in this life will dissolve. Questions of “why was this my road” will be satisfied. Countless blessings will be ours in the marriage feast of the Lamb, in our joyous fellowship with the Lamb. You will sing with your transformed loved ones who died in the faith. You will see Adam, Abel, Abraham, Aaron, Abijah, Abigail, Abinadab, Abidan, Abihail, Abednego, and all a’s to z’s.

          Together we will worship the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne, our shepherd, who clothed us in robes washed white in His blood. The love of the Father has been given unto us, the fountain of life in the Son, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, one God who keeps us in His love until that Great Day. That’s why He named us His in Holy Baptism. That’s why He teaches and strengthens us in His word. That’s why He feeds us the food of immortality in His Holy Supper. In these we participate in fellowship eternal – eating and drinking the One who is both host and guest, who promises that those who suffer with him will reign with Him.  Behold His love. Behold the kind of love; behold the duration of His love; behold the work of His love; behold the purpose of His love Behold the future of His love.  His love justified you, sanctifies you and keeps you to eternal life in Christ. See, behold! God’s love is given to us!

           

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

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.