Thursday, July 30, 2015

Near and Far (A sermon based on Ephesians 2:13-22)

How far away are your friends and family? Well, they may be quite a distance from you, but thanks to phones and computers, you might feel pretty close. On the other hand, if you're in a fight, they may be close in proximity, but you may feel far away. By nature we were all very far away from God, but he brought us near to him through Jesus who left heaven far away to be near to us to rescue us. Now we are close to God and that closeness with him draws us close to each other as well. Read or listen to (download or stream) this sermon based on Ephesians 2:13-22 and rejoice how near we are to God and each other...


Near and Far

A sermon based on Ephesians 2:13-22

Sunday, July 26. 2015 – Pentecost 9B

 

He was a monster. Literally. He grabbed the camera and shouted into the lens, "Near!" Then he sprinted away and from a distance shouted back to the camera, "Far!" That's how the monster, Grover, has been teaching kids the difference between near and far on Sesame Street for a couple of decades. In fact, I think there's even a book featuring adorable, lovable, Grover that's called "Near and Far."

In a slightly different way, the Apostle Paul was teaching the Ephesians the difference between near and far.  Though they were once far away from God, God brought them near to him through Christ. And though the Jewish Ephesians and Gentile Ephesians were once far away from each other, they were brought near to each other in Christ.

This morning we rejoice that we too, though once far from God, have been brought near to him through Christ and that the relationship that we have with him, helps us to repair hurt relationships with others as we draw near to them in Christ.

Our text for consideration for this morning is taken from Ephesians 2:13-22…

 

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

 

I.        Brought Near to God

 

Distance is a relative thing isn't it? Is it far from here to Soldotna? Well, not really. Not if you're in a car. But if you're going there on foot and its during a downpour, it can be pretty far. Is Seattle far away? Not if you're flying. But if you're driving (which I've never done), I imagine it can be pretty far. And I'm sure you know how you can be sitting right next to someone and it seems like you're worlds apart and that you can be most distant to the person you're with.

Well, in a similar way, we know that God is everywhere. He's right here in this room with us, while he's in China at the exact same time. And though he is in one sense very near to every person since he is omnipresent, at the same time he's very far away from so many people.

And at one point, he was very far away from you.

It doesn't matter if you knew what God expected of you or if you didn't. The Gentiles grew up knowing nothing of God's laws. They didn't know what he expected, and so, of course, they didn't do what he wanted. They were far away from God. But the Jews were no better. Even though they thought they were near to God because they were his chosen people, because they knew what he wanted, still, they didn't do what God demanded and were just as far away from God.

You may have grown up in a home that was anything but Christian. I know that some of you did. And you were far from God. You may have grown up in a home that was nominally Christian – that is you knew who Christ was and you learned the ten commandments. But you didn't keep those commandments perfectly. You were far from God. You may have grown up in a home like mine where we went to church every Sunday, where we read the Bible stories every night, where you learned exactly what God demanded and knew how much you had failed. And you, by your sin, were at one point far away from God.

But God loved us too much to let us be that distant spec way off in the corner hardly visible by the camera. He wanted us to be near. So he came near to us. Jesus left his home in heaven (Talk about far away!) to come to earth, to condescend to meet us at our level. And lowering himself to become a human just like us, he lived a perfect life in our place. And then he lowered himself even more: He humbled himself to die, even a death on the cross. He lowered himself to endure the agony of hell, so that you and I might be brought close to God.

"Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ… through him we both have access to the Father… you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household."

Ever been in a foreign country where you didn't quite fit in? You were near, but felt like you didn't really belong there. You belonged far away. But God has made us members of his household. With him it feels like home because the barrier of our sin is completely destroyed. We are close with God, near to him not just in his omnipresence, but close to him spiritually and emotionally, like a little boy sitting in the lap of his daddy who loves him so much. That's who you are through the blood of Christ.

So don't pretend that you're close to God because of how well you behave. But confess that because of your sins you deserve to be far away from him—so far away that you never see him again! And throw yourself on his grace and mercy again and again. Then rejoice that in Christ, and by his blood, he has brought you near to him. You are one with God. That's literally what atonement means. You can spell it "at-one-ment." How near to God you are!

But that closeness to God, of necessity, also affects how close you are to others…

 

II.        Brought Near to Each Other

 

During World War II on Christmas Eve of 1914 something odd happened on the Western Front. The allied troops and the axis troops both laid down their weapons. Both sides ventured into "no man's land" to exchange the body's of the fallen, season's greetings, and even small gifts. But it didn't stop there, the two enemy sides, who the day before were trying to kill each other, joined together to sing Christmas Carols and even to play a few games of football. [1]

Captain Sir Edward Hulse reported, "It was absolutely astounding, and if I had seen it on a cinematograph film I should have sworn that it was faked!"

For a while, the celebration of our Savior's birth brought two enemy forces together—two forces that were far away, separated by trenches and razor wire and heavy artillery, were now brought near!

How much more doesn't the celebration of our Savior's death in payment for our sins, his resurrection from the dead that guarantees our own, the sure and certain fact that heaven itself is ours… How much more won't that bring us closer to others who are less hostile to us than Nazi German troops were to the allies?!

God, through Paul, pointed out that they were not just brought near to God, but were also brought near to each other: "For [Christ] himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing… the law with its commandments and regulations. … He put to death their hostility…  For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit… in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

There were huge hostilities between the Jews and the Gentiles. After all, it was God who once told the Jews not to be like the Gentiles. They shouldn't dress like they dressed or eat like they ate. They shouldn't even cut their hair like the Gentiles did, but should have a unique hairstyle. And no wonder the Gentiles thought the Jews were a bit stuck up with all of that "Chosen People" talk.

But none of that mattered anymore. The hostility was destroyed by Jesus who brought both groups near to him. They could put down their differences and join together in their common faith. The hostility was done. Those who once had been far away from each other were now brought near to one another.

And God has done the same for us…

Does it sometimes seem to you that other churches on the Peninsula are our competition? They're not. Other denominations are not the enemy. We rejoice that other Christians are near to God even if they don't have every doctrine straight, even if they have some serious misunderstandings that are harmful to the faith. Now don't get me wrong: Those false teachings are serious. They're not okay. And we certainly do still try to engage in conversations where we can speak the truth in love and correct those misunderstandings. But if they believe that Jesus is the God-man who paid for their sins on the cross, we rejoice! We can spend time with them and pray for them, even while we lovingly point out how serious our differences are. We who are far away theologically, are still one with them in Christ even if we must separate now to take a stand for the truth.

But maybe closer to home, we don't need to be divided from our own families, whether church families or biological families. Are you at odds with someone here at church? Have you had a falling out with a parent or a sibling? Or maybe you just had an argument with a child or with your spouse. Having been reconciled to God, you can be reconciled to one another. Since God has forgiven all your sin against him, you have the power to forgive the sins of those who have hurt you. You can, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) When you're feeling far away, you can take the first steps to go near, remembering how God came near to you to bring you near to him when you were so far away.

Yes, he may have been a monster, but lovable, adorably, fuzzy, Grover taught kids all about "far" and "near." But how much more important to learn from God through the apostle Paul about how far you once were from God, about how near Christ has brought you to him through his blood, by coming near to you, about the power you have to draw near to others, and laying down your weapons, to join with them in singing the praises of our Savior. In the name of Jesus, our peace, who has destroyed the barrier of hostility—the one between us and God, and the one between us and others—amen.



[1] Oops! I got confused! This event actually took place in the World War I (not II) which the 1914 date clearly indicates. As such, it wasn't Nazis or Axis troops, but the Central Powers. Please forgive my historical mistake and look past it to the illustration of two hostile forces laying down their arms in a spirit of peace. For more on this historical event, cf. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce. 


In Him,
Pastor Rob Guenther

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
47585 Ciechanski Road, Kenai, AK 99611

Listen to sermons online: www.GraceLutheranKenai.com/Podcast
Watch services online: www.GraceLutheranKenai.com/Webcast

Have you been blessed by our ministry at Grace? Consider supporting us with your generous gifts. Give securely online with a check or credit or debit card here: www.GraceLutheranKenai.com/Give

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Monday, July 20, 2015

Special Delivery! (A sermon based on Ephesians 1:3-14)

Isn't it fun to find a package for you on the door step when you come home? Isn't it still exciting to get stuff in the mail, whether a gift or a purchase you made online? Today, God tells us about an even more exciting delivery: His special delivery to us. In his grace he delivered us into his family. By Jesus' sacrifice, he delivered us from sin, death, and hell. And through the Word the Holy Spirit delivered the message to us and the very faith that clings to that message. Read or listen to (download or stream) this message based on Ephesians 1:3-14 and rejoice in God's special deliveries for you! 

​Special Delivery!

A sermon based on Ephesians 1:3-14

Sunday, July 19, 2015 – Pentecost 8B

 

It seemed like I had to wait a really long time. But it finally arrived. There was the big cardboard box sitting on my porch. It was a special delivery for me: My new inflatable hot tub! (By the way, it's even more awesome than it sounds.)

How exciting it can be to get a package delivered to you in the mail. Whether it's something you ordered off the web or a gift from a distant relative, whether it's a new gadget or an article of clothing, how fun it is to get a special delivery just for you.

Well this morning, I hope you're more than just a little bit excited to hear that God has a delivery just for you. And it's not just something from Amazon or Ebay. It's not just some gadget or a new pair of shoes. God delivers to you something that is absolutely priceless. God gives you a special delivery as he gives you his grace.

This morning we get a quick review of the work of each person of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as we get excited again about God's special delivery to us by his grace. The Father delivered us into his family. The Son delivered us through his blood. The Holy Spirit delivered the message to our door. And because of the grace of our triune God, we are saved. And we have every reason to be excited. Listen now to Paul's description of God's grace to us in each person of the triune God as we are delivered by God's grace. Paul describes it in one long, excited run-on sentence in Ephesians 1:3-14…

 

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.


I.              The Father Delivered Us Into His Family

 

Now I don't think any delivery—and I don't care where it's from, even from Best Buy—is as exciting as a delivery in a hospital. To hold your baby in your arms for the first time is truly a special delivery. But not every couple is able to conceive. So some, like Pastor and Becky Strong in Fairbanks, choose to adopt. They save their money, they pray often, and if all goes well, they choose their child who is eventually delivered into their home. And they love that child more anything in the world. What a special delivery!

That's the way that God describes what he's done for you. Though not in a natural way, God delivered you into his family. "He chose us in him before the creation of the world… In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will… In him we were… chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…"

God chose you to be his own son or daughter—to be delivered into his family. And just as an adopted baby gets no credit for being brought into a loving family, so, you too get no credit for being a part of God's family. It's by his grace that he chose you—hand-picked you to be his own. And he chose you, not because of anything good you did, not because you were better than others—for you, like all the rest, were a sinful rebel against God by nature! But he chose you to be his adopted child only by his love for you. 

Rejoice that God chose you not because of your works—for if that were the case he wouldn't have chosen you—but by his grace! You are his own dear child! Enjoy the security that your adoption by God brings. And look at your baptismal certificate as your adoption papers. For you have been adopted by God the Father and are dearly loved by him.

But, as you may know, an adoption isn't cheap. There's a lot of work that needs to be done to make it happen. There's usually a big trip that needs to be made. And there's also a hefty cost of the paperwork and legal fees to adopt a child and bring him or her into your family. And that's certainly the case with God bringing you into his family. It cost a lot—not for the kids, who could never pay the cost, but for the parent. God paid all it cost to make us his own. He gave his one and only natural son…


II.            The Son Delivered Us though His Blood

 

You see, you and I were once stuck in our ways. We were enslaved to sin. We were doomed to die. We were damned to hell. And we were imprisoned—doomed to die forever because of our rebellion against God. But God loved us too much to let us die so he sent his Son to rescue us. And the Son volunteered to deliver us from the enemy! And he did redeem us—that is, ransomed us, or bought us back from the hostage situation we were in. And what a special delivery that was!

"He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ… In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…"

We were stuck in sin. We were prisoners of hell, with no way out. But God the Son volunteered to go on a rescue mission to deliver us and rescue us. And he did it by his blood. That is, he was damned to hell in our place. As a part of his rescue mission, he lived a perfect life in our place and gave us credit for his perfection. Then he took on the sin of the whole world and wrestled it on the cross. He took on our guilt and all our shame and fought it head on. And then, when he died for our sin, suffering the torment of hell, he took on death. And dueling with the enemy he defeated death itself. Our Savior, Jesus, delivered us from sin, death, and hell, by his sacrifice. So that, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…" Ah, what a special delivery!

Now rejoice in God's rescue and don't go back into slavery. Don't play with the enemy. But steer clear! And stay strong against the temptation to fall back to the other side by the work of the Holy Spirit, who strengthens you by the Means of Grace, where he delivers God's grace to your doorstep each day…


III.           The Spirit Delivered the Message to Us

 

You know, on our own, we could never know what God has done for us in his grace, delivering us as his adopted child into his family, delivering us from sin, death, and hell, by his sacrifice for us. We couldn't know of his election or of his rescue unless he delivered to us the news. And the Holy Spirit has delivered that message right to our doorstep, just like the UPS or FedEx, by bringing the Word of God's grace right to us wherever we are.             

"He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ… And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…"

God calls the Gospel a mystery because it's something we couldn't know on our own. It had to be revealed to us. And it has been revealed by the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God. And he has become a seal that marks us and is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.

When you find a home you like, when you want to buy a car or an RV, you put down a deposit. The house or the vehicle isn't yours—not yet—and won't be until you make that final payment to the dealer or to the bank that really owns the title. But that initial payment, that deposit, guarantees that the house, or the car, or the RV is yours. No one else can buy it. No one else can take it away.

"You were marked in [Christ] with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…"

The Holy Spirit has created faith in you by delivering the message to your door, just like the UPS or FedEx delivery guy. And not only that, but he's created your faith that puts your trust in that message. Do you believe that Jesus paid for your sins on the cross? Then you have faith. You have the Holy Spirit. And you are guaranteed a place in heaven!

And now the Holy Spirit keeps us in the faith by continually delivering the message of God's grace right at our feet. He delivers God's message of Grace to you, right into your homes, through his Word in the Bible. He delivers his cleansing and the creation of faith right to Brooklynne and to all who come to the font through his Word attached to the waters of Baptism. He delivers Jesus' very body and blood right to your mouth to nourish your soul with forgiveness as you come to receive him in the Lord's Supper.

How foolish would it be if the UPS guy brought me a package and I signed for it, but then left it unopened laying on the porch?! How dumb of me if I never opened the inflatable hot tub! Don't leave the package of the Holy Spirit—the Word of God that he's delivered to you—unopened! Read the Word daily! Remember your Baptism! Take the Lord's Supper as often as you're able and receive that grace that the Spirit delivers to you!

And get excited about that package he delivers! It's way better than even a hot tub! For God the Father has delivered you into his family, adopting you to be his own! God the Son has delivered you from the enemy, rescuing you from sin, death and hell! And God the Holy Spirit has delivered that message to you, creating the very faith in your heart that clings to his gracious promises!

Now, stay strong in your faith by the Word that he delivers. Rejoice in the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and live to the praise of his glory until he gives us the full inheritance of his glory in heaven. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

In Him,
Pastor Rob Guenther

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
47585 Ciechanski Road, Kenai, AK 99611

Listen to sermons online: www.GraceLutheranKenai.com/Podcast
Watch services online: www.GraceLutheranKenai.com/Webcast

Have you been blessed by our ministry at Grace? Consider supporting us with your generous gifts. Give securely online with a check or credit or debit card here: www.GraceLutheranKenai.com/Give

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Saturday, July 18, 2015

​“En Guard!” (A sermon based on 2 Timothy 1:9b-14)

​Satan is working any angle he can to rob you of your faith so you join him forever in hell. For that reason we always need to be on our guard ready to defend against his attacks in any way that we can. But ultimately we rejoice that Jesus already won the war against him and he helps to defend us. So the pressure is off. Read or listen to (download or stream) this sermon based on 2 Timothy 1:9b-14 and hear Paul's cry to every Christian to be... ​

​"En Guard!"

A sermon based on 2 Timothy 1:9b-14

Sunday, July 12, 2015 – Pentecost 7B

 

Do you know a fencer? Not the kind who puts up fences around people's property, but the kind who wears the fancy white uniform and mask and swings a sword around for some swashbuckling fun? While it may not get the publicity of football or basketball, it is an interesting sport, isn't it?

In modern fencing the mask and lame' (or "armor" to the average layperson) is made of a thin metal mesh and is connected to a small battery box clipped to the fencer's back. When the foil (that's the fancy word for the "sword") connects to the lame' the circuit is complete and a buzzer sounds, marking the hit and ensuring no cheating. I guess that beats watching for blood.

But one part of fencing that's interesting is that before you begin attacking your opponent, fencing etiquette mandates that you first warn him. The French phrase, "En guard!" [pronounced "On gar!" (no "d" sound in French)] is cried out to tell your enemy to be "on his guard," before you try to symbolically skewer him.

Wouldn't it be nice if every enemy of the Gospel would always cry "En guard!" before they launched an attack? Wouldn't it be nice if your atheist co-worker would cry, "En guard!" before he launched an attack on Christianity? Wouldn't it be nice if the liberal "Christian" would cry, "En guard!" before questioning a Biblical doctrine? Wouldn't it be nice if the TV warning didn't just say "M" for mature audiences, but "U" for unproductive use of your time? Wouldn't it be nice if a little buzzer would sound when you've been hit with pride or jabbed with laziness that causes you to be the obstacle to the proclamation of the Gospel?

Unfortunately the enemy is far craftier than that. He won't announce when an attack is about to come. But he loves to use a sneak attack and stab you in the back when you're looking the other way. For that reason, we need to always be "En guard!" That's the encouragement that the Apostle Paul gives us in our text for this morning which is found in 2 Timothy 1:9b-14…

 

This grace [to testify unashamedly about our Lord and to suffer for it] was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

 

13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

 

In a sense, the apostle is shouting to his vicar, "En guard!" Be on your guard to protect your faith. Be on your guard to keep the deposit that was entrusted to you. Be on your guard as you face the jabs and the stings of the enemy and as you face the persecution and suffering that he brings. For he will do all he can, not just to buzz your alarm, but to skewer your faith!

And we need to be on guard too to protect the Gospel that's been entrusted to us...

Author, Dan Brown has a new best seller out called, Inferno, where a supervillain creates a virus that will take thousands of lives. And the unlikely hero, a professor of history and art, has to solve the mystery and stop the mad man.

Now can you imagine if instead of a virus that brought death, you and I had in our possession the opposite: a cure for death itself, a magic elixir of sorts that puts a stopper in death, a fountain of youth, immortality in a jar?! Well, you don't have to imagine. We have the Gospel!

Paul says, "Our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher."

And so were you. Before the beginning of time, God chose you not just to be his own, but to be a herald of the Gospel. We have the cure to death and we get to disperse it every day—in a conversation with a co-worker or neighbor, in a Facebook post or an email, in a question lobbed your way out of the blue, we get to distribute immortality to others.

But make no mistake: the enemy is more relentless than any supervillain in any of Dan Brown's novels. He will stop at nothing to keep that cure from reaching others. He will do all within his power to prevent them from hearing the one thing that will save them from death itself and from the hell that will follow.

And sadly, we too often help him.

Oh, we may not actively persecute Christians. We may not seek to silence the gospel. But we help the enemy achieve his goal every time we let down our guard. We help him out every time we're so guarded of our own comfort or reputation that we don't risk persecution for the sake of getting the cure out!

There are more than just points and buzzers at stake in this game. There are people's eternal souls. This demands our very best efforts at getting the cure out and our very best efforts to stay on guard to watch for the enemy. Because when we let our guard down, we risk losing so much!

Can you imagine if you were the guard in a watch tower and fell asleep on the job right before the enemy attacked? What if you sounded no warning? What if the city were taken because you let down your guard?!

God told the prophet, Ezekiel, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood." (Ezekiel 3:17-18)

When we let down our guard, we don't just risk losing the souls entrusted to us. We risk losing our faith. We risk losing our own souls. So "En guard!" dear friends, "En Guard!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Ryan!" I hear you say, "That's a lot of pressure you're putting on us, isn't it?" It is. It is the pressure that every Christian faces. It's the pressure of God's Law that always calls us to be better!

But of course, you know there's good news too. News that not only alleviates the pressure, but completely removes it. How could Paul pass off this monumental task to Timothy—a task that would require Timothy to suffer? Because Paul and Timothy were not alone in the fight against the enemy.

And neither are we.

"I know whom I have believed," Paul boldly declared. And you know him too. He's the one who already defeated the enemy. He's the one who lived a perfect life, always on his guard, always armed with the Word, always faithful in prayer. He's the one who willingly took the blame and took the punishment for every time that we've slept on the job or let down our guard. He took the jabs. He took the nails. He took the sword. He took the hell.

And we have been rescued. Our sin has been paid for. Our apathy and negligence, our carelessness and unfaithfulness, our every sin is gone.

We have been rescued from hell. Death has been destroyed for us. We have immortality though, "our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

And now, he not only entrusts us with the most precious gift in the universe, that very Gospel that gives life and immortality to all who believe it, he didn't abandon us with the task. We're not on our own in the fight. We have help. We have the biggest, baddest, toughest, strongest help there is: We have our Savior and we know he will guard us.

"I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."

But have you ever wonder what exactly it was that Paul entrusted to Jesus? Was it his hurting body as knew that in that day it would be restored and glorified? Was it his life as he knew that in that day he would live again? Was it his faith as he was confident God would keep it alive until his death? Was it his soul as he trusted in Jesus to take him home? Was it his congregations as he trusted that Jesus would care for them when Paul no longer could?

Perhaps the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to be intentionally vague about what exactly he entrusted to Jesus, because maybe he meant all of it. "Whatever I entrust to Jesus, I am convinced that he is able to guard it." Jesus will always be "En guard."

And that's certainly true of us too. What we entrust to Jesus is safer than it would be inside of a lock box inside of a safe inside of Fort Knox with a team of 100 marines guarding it. What we entrust to Jesus will always be safe because Jesus is always "En guard."

And what's more, it's not just Jesus who's guarding what we entrust to him. It's the Holy Spirit too who guards what's been entrusted to us. Paul told Timothy, "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." Whether that "good deposit" is the Gospel or the faith which that Gospel brings, we know that the Holy Spirit will keep it safe and always be "En guard."

So with Jesus and the Holy Spirit guarding us and guarding our faith, the pressure is off—even while we fight the enemy and do all we can to stay on guard—because we know who wins in the end. Jesus does. And we do too.

Will we suffer in the meantime? Sure! All of God's people do. The enemy won't give up. We will face ridicule and slander, maybe physical persecution and pain, maybe we'll be martyred for the sake of the Gospel. But we're not ashamed to suffer. We know whom we have believed. And we are convinced he will guard the Gospel for us. In life, through death, and into eternity. And we know that the Holy Spirit who lives in us will guard our faith until that day.

So, finally, we will continue to guard the Gospel with his help. And we have the equipment and the tools we need to do it: not a lame' or a foil, not a spear or a sword, or a gun. But we have sermons like these. We have Bible Classes and devotion books. And of course, we have the Word itself. We have our Baptisms. We have Jesus' very body and blood.

These will help us be "on guard" as we keep our focus on Christ and on him crucified for us. These will help us guard what has been entrusted to us so we continue to "watch [our] life and doctrine closely, [to] persevere in them… [so we] will save both [ourselves] and [our] hearers." (1 Timothy 4:16)

But finally, rejoice that you're not alone in the fight. Entrust your body and soul, your faith and your life, your church and your school, your ministry and your witness all to Jesus. And he will guard what we entrust to him until that day. The Holy Spirit will guard the faith that's been deposited in you and the faith he deposits into others through you. They will keep you safe to the very end! So "En guard!" dear friends, "En guard!" For Jesus' sake, and in his name, amen.​

In Him,
Pastor Rob Guenther

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
47585 Ciechanski Road, Kenai, AK 99611

Listen to sermons online: www.GraceLutheranKenai.com/Podcast
Watch services online: www.GraceLutheranKenai.com/Webcast

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Friday, July 10, 2015

With Jesus It’s Never Too Late! (A sermon based on Mark 5:21-24a, 35-43)

Do you have a situation that seems hopeless? Does it seem like no one can help? That it's too late for any possible hope? Well, there's nothing more final than death. But Jesus defeated Death. He proved his victory by bringing the dead back to life. If Death is no match for Jesus, then neither are the problems you face. Trust him to died to pay for your sins and then came back to life! Read or listen to (download or stream) this sermon based on Mark 5:21-24a, 35-43 and rejoice that...

With Jesus It's Never Too Late!
A sermon based on Mark 5:21-24a, 35-43

Sunday, July 5, 2014 – Pentecost 6B

 

21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." 24 So Jesus went with him.

A large crowd followed and pressed around him….

 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?" 

36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

 

Good morning. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jairus. Your gospel writers wrote about my story. Though Matthew didn't mention me by name, Mark and Luke both did. But I want to tell you my story first hand. I want to tell you about the day that changed my life. It was an emotional rollercoaster for me, but it was the day that I learned that no matter how hopeless the situation seems, there is always hope with the Rabbi from Nazareth—with Jesus, it's never too late! It's never too late for his amazing compassion! It's never too late for his awesome power!

First, let me tell you a bit about myself. I was an important man in Capernaum, a respected leader among the people. I was the synagogue ruler. My job was to oversee the maintenance of the synagogue's building and grounds as well as plan the worship services.

My wife, Elizabeth, and I had tried to have a child for many years, but without success. But after 10 years of trying, Jehovah finally blessed us with a little girl. I was overjoyed! We named her Talitha, which means "beautiful little girl." And was she ever beautiful! I loved her with all my heart. She was the apple of my eye. The song of my heart! My pride and joy! No matter what troubles I faced at the synagogue, I was always filled with joy to return home to my family—my beautiful wife and my beautiful little girl.

But then, when she was 11 years old, when she was still a little girl, my baby girl, tragedy struck. She came down with a mysterious disease. Over the next year I called the best doctors I could find to look at her, but she still grew weaker and sicker every day. I didn't want to admit it, but I knew death was drawing nearer, ready to claim my baby's life any day. I was at my wits' end with grief and didn't know what to do. Until I heard Jesus, the Rabbi from Nazareth, was in town.

Of course, I already knew plenty about Jesus. He made his headquarters in Capernaum after all. I'd even invited him to preach at my synagogue. When he did he amazed us all by the authority with which he taught. He even drove a demon out of a man in the synagogue by just speaking. It wasn't far from my home that he healed the son of a nobleman and the servant of a centurion. Maybe he could heal my daughter too.

Though he wasn't popular with the other religious leaders, I didn't care. I knew I'd be looked down on for even talking to him, but what did it matter? I was desperate. I'd rather lose my friends than lose my little girl.

It didn't take long to find Jesus. I just had to follow the sounds of the crowd. You can imagine how many people swarmed and mobbed him—Some to hear his impressive teaching, others to find a way to discredit him and end his popularity, still others looking for a miracle as I did.

When I saw him, I fell down at his feet in the most undignified manner. Lying prostrate before him, I begged him to help me. "Please!" I begged, "My baby girl is dying—she's barely hanging on by a thread. Please! Come lay your hands on her. Save her!" I didn't know how he would respond, but when he agreed I had a glimmer of hope. Maybe this Rabbi could cure my little girl!

We set off toward my home, less than a Sabbath's walk away, but didn't get too far before we were interrupted. A woman with another strange disease grabbed Jesus outer garment. Though she too had seen the best doctors, nothing could stop her bleeding. It continued for 12 years now—as long as my little girl had been alive! When she touched his cloak she was healed instantly. And though it filled me with hope in his power over sickness, it made me very anxious as well. Though the delay only lasted a few minutes, those minutes seemed like hours with my daughter's life hanging in the balance.

And then, all hope was lost.

The chief steward of my house, a faithful and trusted servant, came from Elizabeth with the crushing news. "I'm sorry sir," he said, "But your daughter… she's dead. Don't bother the teacher anymore." And I knew he was right. There was no use in bothering the Rabbi. Talitha was gone. It was too late. I was still in shock about to turn away to arrange the funeral when Jesus turned away from the woman he'd healed and looked me straight in the eye. I will never forget that moment. I will never forget what he said to me.

"Don't be afraid," he said, "just believe. She will be healed."

Just believe? She'll be healed? It wasn't too late?! But she was dead! I knew he could cure the sick, but bring the dead back to life? What kind of Rabbi was this? Could he really do what he was suggesting? I didn't have too much time to ponder what he said before he turned and walked away toward my house.

We arrived in only minutes—I couldn't help but think "minutes spent on the bleeding woman, minutes she could have spared. She wasn't dying!" And as we arrived, it turned out that Elizabeth had already begun the funeral arrangements. The professional mourners—though that sounds strange to you, it was customary in my culture to hire people to help announce the death of one you loved and help you grieve your loss. As a prominent man the best flute players and mourners came as soon as they heard the news. They played a somber funeral dirge and wailed out loud even beating their breasts. They robbed the town of cheer for miles. They were good and I was thankful for them.

But Jesus interrupted their song. "What's wrong with you? Why the commotion? Quit your wailing and go home. The girl's not dead. She's only sleeping." This changed the tone entirely. Those who had been mourning began snickering at first, then laughing out loud. They thought this Rabbi was ridiculous—Talitha wasn't in a coma. She wasn't asleep. She was dead and lifeless. But that sound of laughter, at the Rabbi who at least cared enough to come, that laughter that seemed so out of place when I was so full of hurt and pain, infuriated me. It reminded me how ridiculous it was to believe that the dead could live again. It reminded me that it was too late. In any event, I was thankful to Jesus for putting them out of the house.

But then, the moment that changed my life forever… Jesus walked over to the bed where my baby's lifeless body lay. He took her by the hand and said two simple words that will forever be ingrained in my mind. He said, "Talitha, koum." "Talitha, get up." Immediately her spirit returned and she got up! She looked as healthy and as beautiful as she had a year ago before the disease took her! I was ecstatic! My heart leapt for joy!

I say that moment changed my life, not because I had my daughter back. Of course, I was thrilled to have her with me again, but that's not what changed my life. My life was forever changed—literally—because I now understood who Jesus was. He is no ordinary Rabbi. Only the God who creates life can speak life into a lifeless body. The life that he created 12 years ago he now gave back to Elizabeth and me. I knew then with absolute certainty that Jesus is God. How could I ever have doubted him?!

In hindsight, it seems incredible that anyone would laugh at Jesus. But I have to admit that in my heart, I did the same. I still do. I doubt that Jesus can help me overcome the problems I face, even after he healed my daughter! Even after he saved me from death! Even after he saved me from sin. I know that for my doubts, for the laughter in my heart I deserve to have Jesus turn his back on me. But he didn't. Naturally, I followed Jesus every chance I could when he was in town, and when he was away, I listened carefully for any report I could get of him.

Only a few years later, Elizabeth, Talitha and I went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover festival. And while we were there I tried to find Jesus there too. I heard the awful report and went to see for myself. Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, true God himself had been crucified. He who brought life to my baby girl, had his life taken from him.

Later, I learned from his disciples why he was killed—for my sin. It wasn't just the Romans or those religious leaders who killed Jesus. It was me and the laughter in my heart that doubted that he could take care of me, my wife, and my little girl. But I also learned that in that act of dying he gave life to me and to Elizabeth and to Talitha. Not just physical life like he gave my daughter three years earlier, but eternal life—life in heaven with Jehovah himself—because our sins were forgiven. By the way, did I tell you what my name means? Jairus means "Jehovah enlightens." I truly have been enlightened by Jehovah. For he has revealed to me and my family the Christ—the perfect Passover lamb—the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! And I can't help but rejoice.

I'm sure that at some point in your life you've felt that the situation was hopeless. Maybe you've even felt, like I have, that it was too late for Jesus to help. This morning, I want to tell you that with Jesus it's never too late. Are you going though a situation that seems hopeless? Does it feel like it's too late for Jesus to help you with the pain or suffering you're going through? It's not too late!

Though you, like I, have sinned against God and fallen far short of the perfection God demands of you, though on your own you can't undo your sin, you can't take back the things you've done or the words you've said, though on your own it is too late, with Jesus, it's never too late! He proved he was true God when we brought my daughter back to life and, as true God, his death on the cross paid for the sins of the whole world, my sins and yours—every one of them. He has healed you, and restored you. Though you were once dead in your transgressions and sins, he has forgiven you and given you spiritual life. He has said to you, "Talitha, koum!"

So now, with Jesus, it's never too late! Does it seem like it's too late for anyone to help you with your problems? He who brought my daughter back to life, can restore you in your suffering and pain! He who died to take your sins away can give you the strength to cope with the pain. Does it seem like it's too late to mend your broken relationship? It's not too late! With Jesus' forgiveness given to you from the cross, you can forgive each other.

Don't laugh at the power of Jesus. He who created the cosmos can do whatever pleases him. Don't laugh at the power of the cross. He who died to take away your sins will do whatever is best for you. Don't be afraid—of your sins, or your guilt, or the hell you deserve. Instead, just believe—believe in the forgiveness he won for you and the heaven that is yours. Believe that he can and will even undo death!

My daughter was the first life that Jesus restored. But it certainly wasn't the last. Soon after he raised the son of a widow in Nain. He raised his friend, Lazarus, who had been dead for three days! And he restored his own life after he was crucified. You and I know the joy and the power of that Easter day! You and I know that all who die in the Lord, aren't really dead, but only asleep.

I know that many of you here have lost someone you love to death—a grandparent, a spouse… or like me, a child. But you too can have the same hope in Jesus that I do. That one day soon we too will die and be restored to life by Jesus! We will be restored to live eternally with those we love who died in his name! We will be restored to live eternally with Jesus—face to face! What hope, what joy, that brings, even in the face of death!

Finally, friends, before I have to leave, I want to encourage you to thank him for what he's done for you. Have you hurt someone else—a spouse, a child, a parent or friend? In Jesus, you're forgiven and it's not too late to apologize and set things straight. Have you been ungrateful to God in the way you give back to him? In Jesus, you're forgiven and it's not too late to thank him with your time and your offerings. Have you been less than faithful in studying his Word with your fellow believers and on your own? In Jesus, you're forgiven and it's not too late to start over again. Your every sin is forgiven in Jesus. And in him, it's never too late to start living your life for him in thanks. Dear friends in Jesus, don't be afraid. Only believe. Thanks for having me here this morning. God be with you and give you peace. Amen.


In Him,
Pastor Rob Guenther

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
47585 Ciechanski Road, Kenai, AK 99611

Listen to sermons online: www.GraceLutheranKenai.com/Podcast
Watch services online: www.GraceLutheranKenai.com/Webcast

Have you been blessed by our ministry at Grace? Consider supporting us with your generous gifts. Give securely online with a check or credit or debit card here: www.GraceLutheranKenai.com/Give

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