Monday, November 23, 2015

Christ’s Kingdom is Not of This World (A sermon based on John 18:33-37)

A king protects his people. So why does Jesus sometimes let us get hurt? A king provides for his subjects' needs. So why do we seem to be always lacking? A king defeats his enemies. So why do the enemies of Christianity seem to be always winning? Jesus explains the answer to all these questions as he talks to Pontius Pilate: His kingdom is not of this world. His is not a kingdom of armies and borders. His is a spiritual kingdom. And we rejoice that by his grace we get to be a part of it! Read or listen to (download) this sermon based on John 18:33-37 and rejoice that...

Christ's Kingdom is Not of This World

A sermon based on John 18:33-37

Sunday, November 22, 2015 – Christ the King Sunday

 

Not too many years ago there was a best-selling book in the religion and self-help sections of the bookstores entitled, "Your Best Life Now." In this book author Joel Osteen presented his premise that God's goal for you is wealth and power and prosperity right now. "For every Christian who's a part of God's kingdom," he maintains, "God will bless you right here, right now in this life."

And this false teaching that's so prevalent today, this grave misunderstanding about who Jesus is and what he's all about, is nothing new. The Jews of Jesus' day were looking for a political king, not one who would forgive their sins, but would drive out the Romans, put an end to poverty and disease and give them their "best life now." Even Jesus' own disciples asked him after his resurrection, "Now are you going to drive out the Romans and bring your kingdom to earth?" (cf. Acts 1:6)

But Jesus was clear: Though he is a king, his kingdom is not of this world. It's a spiritual kingdom. His weapons are not swords or armies, but spiritual weapons. And the goals for his kingdom are not to bring about the perfect government here on earth or to give anyone their best life now, but his goals are spiritual goals. Listen now to Jesus' trial before Pilate as he explains what kind of king he is and what his kingdom is like: It's not of this world…

 

33Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

34"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"

35"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

37"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.

Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

 

I.      It's a Spiritual Kingdom

 

Ever since the time of David and Solomon, the Jews wanted a king. They looked forward to the promised Messiah-King who would give them their best life now. But when Jesus arrived on the scene, all he wanted to talk about were spiritual things—about the next life. He wouldn't miraculously wipe out all disease in this life even though he could. He wouldn't continue to provide bread and meat from the sky even though he could. He wouldn't destroy the Romans with his awesome power even though he could. So they rejected him. With bitter irony, they even sided with the hated Romans to get rid of Jesus, since they couldn't execute anyone by Roman law.

So bringing him before Pilate they accused him of treason: of refusing to pay taxes to Caesar and of claiming to be a king, setting up a kingdom in opposition to Caesar. And though it was painfully obvious that Jesus was innocent of any crime deserving death, it was Pilate's job to defend Caesar and his kingdom, and fearing a Jewish uprising, he put Jesus on trial, rather than dismiss the case.

Again, what irony! The judge of all people, the ruler of the universe, being judged by a cowardly Roman ruler. Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Are you a king, trying to oppose Caesar?" But Jesus still didn't want to talk politics, but of spiritual matters, so trying to draw a confession from Pilate he answered a question with a question… "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"    But Pilate dismissed it. With sarcasm he said, "Am I a Jew?" "This talk of Messiah is a Jewish matter, of no concern to me." And he changed directions. "What is it you have done?" "Why do your own people hate you so much?"

And Jesus told him, "My kingdom is not of this world… But now my kingdom is from another place." Jesus' kingdom was not the earthly one his people expected. He didn't come to establish an earthly rule. He didn't come to be popular. He didn't come to accumulate wealth. He didn't come to bring glory to himself of his followers here on earth. And he didn't come to make life easy for everyone on his side.

His kingdom, established in heaven from eternity, with his jurisdiction nothing less than all creation, was not and is not of this world. And it wasn't established like any other kingdom either, by succession, election, or conquest. His kingdom was always his before this world began. And when he brought his kingdom to earth, it still wasn't an earthly kingdom.

You see, Jesus kingdom is in people's hearts and minds. The Greek word for "kingdom" used throughout the Old Testament has a verbal idea to it. Perhaps "ruling" would be a better translation. Jesus "kingdom" is his ruling in peoples' hearts. By nature every person seats him or herself on the throne of their own heart. We rule our own mock kingdoms in whatever way we think will best serve ourselves. But in the end our self-rule will end in self-destruction in an eternity of regret in hell. But Jesus knocks people off their thrones in order to save them. And he takes his seat our hearts. But how does he do that? What weapons does he use? Jesus doesn't use force, physical or manipulative. Instead, his kingdom has spiritual weapons…

 

II.    It Has Spiritual Weapons

 

Jesus said, "If [my kingdom] were [of this world], my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." Jesus kingdom, with its weapons, was no threat to the Romans like most Jews wanted it to be. Not only was there no command from Jesus to fight an earthly battle, but he forbid his disciples to fight. Remember when Peter pulled out his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane? Jesus rebuked him! "If I wanted to fight, if I wanted force," Jesus told him, "I'd call down legions, thousands, of angels to fight for me, not have you do it, Peter."

Force is not the way Jesus conquers in his spiritual kingdom. He has no need for swords or guns or armies to bring about his kingdom because his kingdom is not of this world, but a spiritual kingdom in people's hearts and minds. So what weapons does he use? Jesus uses a spiritual weapon that affects hearts and minds—that is, his truth found in the Word. Jesus said, "In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world…" not to conquer nations, but, "to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

What is that truth? The Word of God which is "living and active; sharper than any double-edged sword." With his law, Jesus penetrates our hearts. In love, he points out who we are without him—lost in our sin and rebellion toward God. He points out that with our sinful self-rule in making ourselves king or queen of our own lives, we've only spelled out our certain ruin forever in hell. And with the powerful Word of God, with that dynamite, he conquers our hearts.

But in his Word, he also reveals how he defeated Satan by resisting every temptation and by living a perfect life for us. In his Word he shows us how he defeated sin and hell by taking our place in hell on the cross to pay for our sin. In his Word he shares how he's removed all of our guilt, made us perfect and clean, and innocent before God by sacrificing himself. In his Word he tells us how he defeated death by rising from the dead on Easter morning.

And no wonder Pilate seemed incredulous at the idea of Jesus being a conquering hero of a king—"You are a king, then!" Jesus didn't come like any kind of king he had ever seen or heard of—conquering his enemies by an apparent defeat, being tortured to death on a cross—and expanding his kingdom not by force or might, but by his Word and by his love.

And by creating faith in our hearts—faith in the truth of the Gospel—the Holy Spirit moves us to want to put Christ the King where he rightly belongs—seated on the throne of our lives. We, who are on the side of truth, crave every opportunity to listen to him in his Word. We long to hear more about his grace to us every chance we get! We, who have been conquered by his love, love him in return and long to live for him and to serve in his kingdom for making us a part of it by his grace. And being a part of that kingdom we strive for the same spiritual goals that he does…

 

III.   It Has Spiritual Goals

 

Even though Jesus knew that the outcome of his trial and even thought he knew the agony of the cross and worse yet, of hell, that he was about to endure, notice what occupied Jesus thoughts. Not a bitter vindictive desire for revenge on Pilate who was about to sign his death warrant, but a loving concern for him—a longing to bring Pilate into his kingdom too! Jesus loving pleaded with Pilate to consider who he was, "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" That's the loving goal of Jesus—not to bring about world peace or to end world hunger, but to bring about a peace with God and bring more individual souls into his kingdom.

Jesus already had his kingdom in heaven. He ruled all things with his Father. He didn't need to come to earth to establish any kingdom here. He could have just stayed put. But out of pure, undeserved love, he left his throne in heaven to accomplish his goal—to bring us into his kingdom. And the goal of his kingdom is not to remove all suffering here on earth, but it's much bigger, and much longer lasting that that! His goal is to remove sin and by doing that to remove all suffering forever in heaven. And his goal is to bring every soul into his kingdom. He didn't come, as Pilate suggested, just for the Jews. Jesus wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (cf. 1 Timothy 2:4)

So dear friends, make that goal your goal! Have a greater desire to bring others into Jesus' kingdom, than to bring more blessings into your own lives, because all too often you and I, like the Jews of Jesus day, want an earthly king too. We may say material things aren't that important, but we still want them and make them our goal. We still make it our goal to have an easy job, a perfect family, and constant good health. We want everyone to like us and all our problems to go away, and we want Jesus to provide it all. We too often strive for different goals than Jesus.

But Jesus knows that granting those blessings might be counter-productive to his goals, so he doesn't give us our best life now. He lets us have problems. He lets us feel the pain. He lets loved ones suffer. But he allows it all so that we can be better witnesses of the greater blessings we have: We have peace with God and protection from our spiritual enemies. We have the certain promise of eternal comfort and joy, because "…our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20)

Dear friends in Christ, live as members of Jesus' kingdom, with Christ ruling in your hearts. Live in thanksgiving to him for making you a member of his kingdom by the truth of his Word and long to listen to Jesus in his Word more often. Live as members of his kingdom, making your goals his goals, eagerly doing your part to expand his kingdom. And live in peace with eager anticipation for the day we join Christ our King in his heavenly kingdom! In his name, dear friends, 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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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Changed into Saints by Sacrifice (A Sermon based on Hebrews 10:11-18)

Do you like change? Or are changes scary? I guess it depends on what kind of change it is. What if you and your family had been worshiping God the same way for hundreds of years. Wouldn't it be hard to change to a whole new way of worship? The Hebrews had that challenge. There was no longer any need to sacrifice animals at the temple. The once for all sacrifice had already been made. But they could deal with the change of worship as they remembered that they themselves had been changed. They were changed into saints by Jesus' perfect sacrifice for them. Read or listen to (download) this sermon based on Hebrews 10:11-18 and rejoice that you too have been...

Changed into Saints by Sacrifice

A Sermon based on Hebrews 10:11-18

Sunday, November 15, 2015 – Saints Triumphant B

 

Perhaps you've heard this joke before: "How many WELS Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb?" "Change?! What are you've talking about?! We've always had that lightbulb!" The truth is, change can sometimes be scary. We're used to doing things the way they've always been done. That's what we know. It's what we're comfortable with.

In the 100's AD the Jews wrestled with some pretty big issues of change. They were comfortable with the temple worship and the sacrifices that they'd always done. After all, it was the way God told them to do it. And it was the way their people had been doing it for thousands of years. But now, with Christ's mission complete, everything changed.

And while they struggled with giving up the old way of keeping the ceremonial law with its animal sacrifices, the author to the Hebrews gave them encouragement. In his letter he pointed out how the old way, was really only pointing to Jesus. The new way—worshiping Jesus himself, instead of the shadows that pointed to him—was a much better way. And he reminded them that they could embrace such change because they themselves had been changed.

And friends, you and I, like those early Christians have also been changed. We have been changed into saints by sacrifice. But not by our sacrifice, because there's no way that we could ever sacrifice enough. Instead, we're changed by Jesus' sacrifice which is so perfect and complete, there is no need for Him to ever sacrifice again, and there is no need for us to ever sacrifice again. Listen to these comforting verses from Hebrews 10:11-18…

 

11Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

15The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." 17Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

 

I.             There's No Way We Can Sacrifice Enough

 

Do you ever feel like you're in a rut? After all, day after day we do the same things: the same laundry and the same dishes, the same tasks and reports at work again and again. We prepare for one meeting only to have another the next day. It seems that once we are finished with a task, the same tasks need to be done all over again. We never seem to accomplish anything.

Well, imagine how the Old Testament priests must have felt. Every labor-intensive day, always standing, never getting a chance to sit down (literally), they would drag stubborn animals near the altar, go through the smelly, sticky mess of slaughtering these animals, drag their carcasses up the mound to the altar and offer them to God. And after a long, grueling day's work, what did they have to look forward to? Another day of the same things tomorrow, repeating it all over again and again.

"Day after day… again and again… the same sacrifices." And what did all this work accomplish? Well, not too much, it seems. Because all these sacrifices, all these religious duties, could "never take away sins." How tiring it might have seemed to those priests to know that no matter how hard they worked, their inbox would always be full. How frustrating it might have seemed to know that no matter how many sacrifices they offered, it would never have any lasting effect. Like that bottomless cup of coffee in the diner their "to-do" list was always refilled before they even came close to seeing the bottom.

 

I'm sure you can relate, right? Does it sometimes seem to you that your work load is "bottomless"? That no matter how hard you work, there's always more to do? Does it sometimes seem to you that your efforts are futile, never really accomplishing anything final?

Well, what can be frustrating at your job, is even more frustrating in the work we would need to do to get right with God. You see, no matter how much work we do for him, it is never enough. There is always more to do. No matter how many sermons I write, there's always another to be written next week. No matter how many times you share your faith with a friend, there's always another friend to help or one more witness to be made. No matter how much you give in the offering plate, there's always more needed next week and next month. And so day after day, again and again we make sacrifices little and big. And sometimes it seems as if the sermons, the witnesses, the offerings, all these sacrifices have little to no lasting effect.

And what's more, all of these works, as good as they are, are like the sacrifices made by the Old Testament priests—they can never forgive sins. No matter how many good deeds you do, they can never pay for that one mistake you made last week (as if were only one mistake anyway, right?). Like the sacrifices made on the altar in the temple, they could be done again and again, day after day, but never be completely effective. They could never cancel the debt we owe for the least of our sins, let alone the heap we pile up each day. They could never undo the evil that we've thought, said or done—our sins of apathy toward our spiritual immaturity, sins of neglecting our Bibles, of failing to be faithful in our witness or in our offerings. The good I do tomorrow cannot undo the evil I did yesterday. And I can't go back in time. And so, like the priestly sacrifices, our works and the sacrifices we make, no matter how great or numerous, can never be enough to save us.

But if the sacrifices of the priest could never take away sins, if it could never accomplish what they really needed—forgiveness—then why even bother? Well, they had to do these ritual sacrifices, as worthless as they may have seemed, because God commanded it. And he commanded it for their sake. You see all of that labor and work, and all of those sacrifices day after day, and all of that bloody, sticky mess, were pointing the people to Jesus and to his perfect sacrifice…

 

II.            There's No Need for Him to Sacrifice Again

 

The author to the Hebrews contrasts, the ongoing, never-ending, ineffectual work of the priests and their sacrifices with the perfect priest that they foreshadowed. He says of Jesus, "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God." Unlike the priests' sacrifices, Jesus only needed one. What hundreds of thousands of slaughtered animals could never accomplish, Jesus did. And his never needs repeating. His was perfect.

Jesus offered "one sacrifice…" His sacrifice was "for all time…" It lasts forever. More than the blood of a sheep or a goat or a bull, Jesus offered his own blood—the very blood of God. As the apostle Paul left the city of Ephesus for the last time he encouraged the elders, "Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." (Acts 20:28) That blood, unlike the blood of a goat, can adequately cover all sins of all people for all time. And there's no need for a repeat act. The debt has been pain in full. As Jesus said, "It is finished."

The Roman Catholic church teaches that at every Mass (at every Lord's Supper) Jesus is sacrificed again to pay for our sins. But that can't be! He was already sacrificed. And with that one sacrifice Jesus completed his work. That's why he could sit down. "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God."

When could a priest sit down, kick back, and put up his feet? Not until all the work was done or until someone came to take over for him. No one took over for Jesus. He rested because all the work was done. He rested because there was (there is) nothing left to do to accomplish man's salvation. He sat at God's right hand. Of course, that's not a literal location, but an expression of his position. We might say, "He became God's right-hand man." Though it's hidden for now and not fully revealed until the Last Day, he began his rule over the universe, with the work of sacrifice complete, never to be done again.

What a drastic change that must have been for those early Christian Jews! Their whole way of worship and of life would be altered. No more sacrifice was needed because Jesus fulfilled it all? Worship wasn't just restricted to the temple anymore because they had the real deal, not just a type? How could they deal with such drastic changes? They could because not only was worship changed, but so were they…

 

III.          There's No Need for Us to Sacrifice Again

 

The author to the Hebrews continued, "…by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin."

The reason the sacrifices were no longer needed was because the result of the one sacrifice was complete. Jesus made the Jewish Christians perfect. And note the tense of the verb: "he has made perfect…" It's past tense; a done deal. Their sins and their lawless acts were completely forgotten by God.

Does that seem odd? That God could be forgetful? I forget things all the time. Names, faces, birthdays, appointments… my mom always used to say, "Rob would forget his head if it weren't attached." And she's probably right. But God forgetful? Yes! He is! You see, these Christians could say, "Hey God, remember that time I did that horrible thing to my friend? Remember what wicked words I said to my spouse? Remember the way I treated you in my sin?" And God would respond. "Hmmm… Nope. I have no recollection of you ever doing any of that. I remember Jesus doing all that. But I already punished him."

By his one sacrifice Jesus made them perfect. That's why there was no need for any sacrifice on their part. "Where [sins and lawless acts] have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin."

And friends, if that one sacrifice was "for all time" and "forever" there's no need for any sacrifice on our part anymore either…

While the concept of slaughtering an animal on an altar at a temple is foreign to us, we still cling to the idea that we can add something to Jesus sacrifice. We think that if we only do enough works, give enough money, or offer enough time to God, then we will be partially responsible for our salvation. If we decide to live for Jesus and commit our lives to him, then, because of what we've done, we will be saved.

But there's nothing we can add to what's complete. You can't put more pieces into a puzzle that's finished. And while there's nothing we can add, rejoice that there's nothing we have to add! There's nothing left for us to do, so there's nothing for us to goof up!

Even the faith and trust we place in Jesus once-for-all sacrifice is something given to us by God. It's a gift. And you can't earn a gift. Listen again to what the author to the Hebrews says… The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this… . he says… "I will put my laws [or decrees] in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." The Holy Spirit is active in creating faith. He puts the gospel in our hearts and in our minds. It's all about what God does for us, not what we do for him.

Our salvation is complete. It's past tense. God has made us perfect. Rejoice in what he's done! And don't lose out on it because you insist on paying back the debt you can't ever pay back because no sacrifice on your part could ever be enough. But rejoice, because "Where [sins and lawless acts] have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin."

Finally friends, the fact that our salvation is secure and complete doesn't mean we tread on that grace…

 

IV.       So Sacrifice All You Can

 

When we realize how God has done everything to secure our salvation and that there's nothing left for us to do, we can't help but feel gratitude and thanks toward God. As Paul put it in Romans 12:1, "In view of God's mercy… offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God…" not because you must, but because you want to as "…your spiritual act of worship."

That's what the author to the Hebrews means in that seeming contradiction in verse 14, "…by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." How can we be made holy if we're already perfect? Well, though we've been declared to be perfect and are perfect in God's sight, we're not actually perfect yet and won't be this side of heaven. But we continually strive to express our gratitude by setting our lives apart and offering our bodies to God. We are perfect saints who strive to be saintly in thanks to him.

Rejoice, dear friends! There is no need for any doubt in your mind that you are going to heaven. You are a saint—holy in God's sight. Not by your sacrifice, but by Jesus' sacrifice—that sacrifice so perfect and complete that it leaves nothing left for you to do for your salvation. With the pressure lifted, with that grace given, you're now free to sacrifice yourself and serve him in all you do. You're free to strive to become more and more holy, free to worship him, free to sacrifice your time and your energy, your gifts and abilities, your talents and treasures to give thanks to Jesus for his one perfect, complete, sacrifice. Because no matter what else changes in your life. That will never change. In Jesus' name, dear friends, 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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Thursday, November 12, 2015

All Rise! (A sermon based on John 5:19-30)

"All rise!" the bailiff cries as the judge enters the room. Well, it won't be announced by a bailiff, but by the angels, when Christ returns to earth as Judge of all -- both the living and the dead. All will rise to face their judge. But thanks to God, we know what our verdict will be: Through faith in Jesus, our sins have been removed and our Judge will declare of us: "Not guilty!" Now in thanks to him, we rise to the occasion whenever we see an opportunity to thank him for what he's done! Read or listen to (download) this sermon based on John 5:19-30 and rejoice that in Christ, you're ready for Judgment Day...

All Rise!

A sermon based on John 5:19-30

Sunday, November 8, 2015 – Last Judgment Sunday

 

The sweat was beading on his forehead. It felt like it was 95 degrees in the room, but he knew it was just his nerves. Then when he heard those two little words, he jumped to his feet. Literally. He knew he'd better… or else. "All rise!" the bailiff cried as the judge enters the room. "The honorable Judge residing." And the defendant grew even more nervous at the intimidating man in his robe that represented his office and his authority. This was the man in charge. There was no jury today. The judge himself would determine the defendant's innocence or guilt. The judge would dole out the punishment if he thought the defendant guilty. The man's fate, his freedom or his pain, would be determined the that single man—The Judge.

And that defendant, is you. It's me. The scene just described will take place for each of us, not in a county court house, but in God's court of law. And the judge is, of course, Jesus himself. He will come to judge the living and the dead and the angels will be his bailiffs. When they sound his appearing, all will rise, quite literally! We will all rise to meet our Judge. Even the dead will all rise and come back to life to be judged. But maybe we're not quite like that defendant in the opening scenario, because we don't need to have sweat bead on our foreheads at that thought. We don't need to be nervous. Because we know that when our Judge comes, we will be acquitted of all charges. We, who believe in Jesus' work for us, will all rise to go be with him in heaven.

Our text for this Last Judgment Sunday is taken from John 15:19-30…

 

19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. 25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

28 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.


I.             All Rise to Face their Judge

 

Opening verse of our text says, "Jesus gave them this answer…" because the Jews were persecuting him for raising a crippled man to his feet on the Sabbath Day—a day of rest. Jesus answer was that the Father was working every day and so the Son of God would continue to do his work on even the Sabbath. They ignored the miracle that proved his divinity, and tried to kill him for healing a man on a Saturday!

You see, they didn't want to have Jesus as their Savior. He wasn't the kind of Savior they were looking for. They didn't want a Savior from sin. They didn't think they needed that. They wanted a Savior from poverty, from sickness, from boredom. They wanted a Savior from the Romans. And when the realized that Jesus would be all those things and do what they thought he should, they had no need of him. They wanted to rise up to sit in judgment over Jesus. And they considered him guilty—of working on the Sabbath, of blaspheming by making himself equal with God. And the penalty they thought he deserved: Death. "He must die."

But Jesus made it clear that one day soon they would see with their own eyes and know for certain that Jesus had authority over the Sabbath. In fact, he has authority over all things and over all people. He would rise to sit in judgment over them.

"You're angry because I raised a cripple? Well, know that one day I will raise everyone! Even all the dead! You want to sit in judgment over me? Well, know that one day I will rise sit in judgement over you and all who have ever lived or ever will live! You want to put me to death? Well, know that unless you repent, you will rise to face eternal death in hell."

Friends, do we sometimes think we can rise up to sit in judgment over Jesus? Do you get upset with him when he lets a family member get sick? When he allows fights to break out at school or home? When he doesn't give you the government you want to have or the blessings that you feel entitled to? When he won't rescue you from poverty, from sickness, from boredom? Do you ever think, "Savior from sin?! That's not the kind of Savior I want!" Do you consider the Son of God guilty of not running things your way?

Friends, we have all acted at times as if we were judge over God, have raised ourselves over him, and thought our judgments were best. Every time we sin, that's exactly what we do! But you know that that's completely backwards! We know that we too must all face our Judge on the Last Day. He will cry "All rise!" and all will rise—the living and the dead—to face their Judge and give account for what they've done. You know that "those who have done evil will rise to be condemned."

And now a bead of sweat might righty appear on our foreheads. For we know that we have not always honored the Son and in doing so we have not honored the Father. We have rebelled against the very one who will pass eternal judgment on our souls. And we know that his judgment is absolutely just. We know that we deserve to be damned to an eternal death as a fair penalty for our sin. We know we deserve to rise to be condemned; to rise before the Judge only to descend to the pits of hell.

Ah… but you also know that we will not get what we deserve…


II.            All Believers Rise to Glory

 

Jesus certainly did lay into those who were persecuting him and plotting his death because they judged him to be a poor Savior. But he didn't lay into them just to prove he was right or just to get them off his back. I don't think his tone was angry here. But I believe he was earnestly pleading with them that he might raise them up.

Over and over again he told them, "I tell you the truth… I tell you the truth… I tell you the truth…" He was pleading with them to stop listening to satan's lies that they should be the judge, but to listen to the truth. He was pleading with them to listen to him and to believe him because… "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

And Jesus did go on to prove his divinity to the Jews to remove all doubt. He didn't just raise cripples to their feet, he rose dead Lazarus back to life to prove that he was God just as he said: "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it."

And when he knew that we needed rescuing from our sin and from death, he rose to the occasion and volunteered for the job. He rose the bar of obedience and lived a perfect life for us just as he said: "He can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." We get the credit for all he did.

Then he was raised up on the cross to pay for our sin. And as true God, his death on the cross was enough to pay for the whole sins of all humankind of all time. The death of the God-man raised the other end of the scale—of all our sins—so high that they've been completely removed.

Then he rose again from the dead to give us the proof that all of our sins are forgiven. He sent his Holy Spirit to give us faith in these things so that we believe them to be true. And now we know the verdict the Judge will give us when he comes: "Not guilty. For I have paid for their sin." And so we will all rise to life on Judgment Day.

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

You and I already have been raised from the dead. Spiritually we have already crossed over from death to life by the work of the Son. And though we may physically die, we will all rise and come back to life. And on that great and glorious day, when our bodies are raised from the dead, we will all rise to be with him in his heaven.

And right now, because of all that he's done, we will all rise to the occasion whenever an opportunity to serve him presents itself. Like those in the courtroom all rise to show honor to the judge, we will all rise above temptations and above our sinful desires. We will all rise to honor the Judge of all by making sure that others have a better defense than, "I tried my best" when Judgment Day comes as we tell them about how the Judge of all also became the Savior of all as he paid the penalty we all owe that we might all be declared "Not guilty!" Then those who believe the truth that we share with them will join us when we all rise to sing our eternal praise to the honor and glory of our God. In Jesus' name dear friends, 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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Here We Stand! (A sermon based on Mark 13:5-11)

It's not always fun to be a witness. It often means persecution to take a stand on the truth. But with the help of the Holy Spirit and the words he gives us to say we can stand! Like the disciples did, like Martin Luther did, we will stand on the Word of God! Read or listen to (download here) this sermon based on Mark 13:5-11 and be encouraged to stand on the truth of God's Word! 


Here We Stand!

A sermon based on Mark 13:5-11

Sunday, November 1, 2015 – Reformation Sunday

 

There he stood. Before the most powerful leaders in the church and in the world. They were all decked out in the royal robes of the nobility and he wore the simple robe of a pastor. The Emperor himself was in the audience to hear how this man would respond. Luther wasn't asked to debate or defend what he had written, simply to take it all back. Or, if he refused, he would be labeled a heretic and given the honors of a heretic—to be made an outlaw with a bounty on his head—most likely to be burned alive.

We Lutherans love to think of Luther as a man of such courage that he promptly and spontaneously gave his bold reply. But in reality, his knees shook. He was taken aback by the terrifying situation and knew he was in over his head. So he asked for some time to think about it. Remarkably, the emperor granted it. The Diet would convene in the morning and he would give his reply then.

Luther spent the night in prayer and in writing and re-writing his short reply. He was encouraged by his friends to be bold and to take a stand for the word of God. And the next day Luther gave his bold reply: "Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can [not] and will not [recant], for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."

Jesus told his disciples they would have to take the witness stand before governors and kings. He told them they would most certainly suffer for it. But he promised that the Holy Spirit would help them to withstand the persecution and take a bold stand for him. This morning, as we celebrate Reformation Day, we recall how Luther took the witness stand and in the face of persecution stood fast on the Word of God. This morning, as we hear the words of Jesus, we're encouraged to do the same. For we are called to be God's witnesses, and we will face persecution for it. But with the help of the Spirit, we too will say, "Here we stand on the Word of God."

Our text for this morning is taken from Mark 13:5-11…

 

5Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 6Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

9"You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.


I.                    We Take the Witness Stand

 

The judge called the witness forward. He made him swear a sacred oath to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. And the witness then proceeded to share exactly what he had seen the night of the crime.

That's what a witness is. It's someone who witnessed the event, who saw what took place. But that's not all they do. It's not enough to just see the event, they must also share what they saw. They must give witness to what they know. A witness is one who both sees and then tells. And we are called to be God's witnesses just like the disciples were, just like Martin Luther was.

Jesus told his disciples, "On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them." They who had followed Jesus for three years, who had seen the miracles, seen his glory, seen the resurrected Savior, would now be witnesses of the things they had seen. They would share what they knew. They would preach Law and Gospel before kings like Herod and before councils like the Sanhedrin. They saw. They told.

Fast forward 1500 years. A young theology professor had his "tower experience." While studying the Word of God, he saw the truth for the first time in his life: We are not saved by what we do to become righteous. We are righteous by faith alone, with the righteousness of Christ given to us by grace alone. This was the truth Luther discovered in the Scriptures alone. And he was to be God's witness of the things he had seen before kings, like Emperor, Charles V, and before councils, like the Diet of Worms and before the councils of the Roman church. And Luther would proclaim Law and Gospel to them. He saw. He told.

Fast forward 500 years. We have seen these truths: the truths of God's Word, the truths restored to the Church by the Reformation. We have seen the truth of our sin. We have seen God's great grace. And we are called upon by God himself to speak up! To take a stand for the truth! To witness for him, not just in the sense of seeing, but also in telling.

Will we stand in front of kings and councils? Will we be called on to preach to governors, senators and presidents? Will we be called into a court of law to defend what we believe and take a bold stand for the truth? Perhaps.

 But even right now we have opportunities every day to stand before friends, neighbors, coworkers, relatives, and share what we've seen and heard! And Jesus doesn't make this optional. We are all to go and make disciples of all nations teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded. We are all to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. But that's not always easy to do because…


II.                  Can We Stand the Pressure?

 

We will suffer for it. Our courage will be tested. Jesus promised as much. He told us that we would have to take up a cross to follow him. He told us that we would face persecution as his witnesses. "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues."

The disciples opposed the false christs of the Pharisees who proclaimed a message of work-righteousness: "Do this and you can earn God's love." And as a result, they were flogged, just as Jesus had said, they were imprisoned, all but one were killed—murdered for their faithful witness. But they didn't suffer needlessly. Jesus told them the purpose of their suffering: "the gospel must first be preached to all nations."

As they boldly took the punishments inflicted on them with courage and even with joy, others saw and were intrigued at what could possibly lead men to rejoice in their torture!? And they were told of Christ, of his death and resurrection that bring a peace with God that gladly endures persecution from men. And the blood of the martyrs became the seed of the church as the grew so rapidly in those days.

Fast forward 1500 years. Martin Luther opposed false christs of the Roman Church claiming to be the Savior of the people, but still preaching a theology of work-righteousness. "Do what we tell you and you can avoid hell." And as a result for taking a bold stand against the pope, he was hunted, kidnapped by friends to preserve his life, locked away in a tower for safe keeping. And rumors spread that Luther was the result of tryst between his mother and the devil. He was hated by many who sought to end his life and watched as friends were killed because they took a bold stand. But through it all, the Gospel prevailed and was unveiled from the dark cloud of the Roman Catholic church kept over it.

Fast forward 500 years. Will we be flogged for speaking and preaching the truth? Maybe not. But I don't know that we can completely rule it out. You've seen the direction our world and our nation are heading. Christians are murdered and martyred still today all around the globe. Hostility toward Christianity is growing here in our own nation. Lawsuits are filed against Christians for refusing to condone sin and call it okay. And it may not be too long before we are imprisoned or even tortured for taking a bold stand for the truth.

But even now we face ridicule when we share what we believe. We face a broken relationship if we call out a friend or family member in their sin. We face persecution in our own way when we take a bold stand for the truth. Can we stand the pressure?

Sadly, we don't. We shy away from persecution. We want Jesus to make life comfortable and easy and promise that we will never experience pain, that everyone will like us, so, in order to avoid any suffering or persecution, too often we clam up. We say nothing of the sin we know is going on. We shy away from sharing our faith with a co-worker. We don't speak the truth of a certain doctrine because we might scare the visitor off.

And you know what we deserve for our cowardice, for our silence, for our sin. Jesus said, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)

So thank God we have a Savior who paid for our sins of cowardice. Thank God he sent his own Son to rescue us. Thank God that Jesus took the witness stand before the Sanhedrin, before Herod, before Pilate. Thank God that he always spoke the truth and never shied away. Thank God that he gave us credit for his bold witness and for his perfect life. Thank God that he was flogged for us, that he was tortured to death, that he endured the hell of God's wrath on the cross that we deserve for every time we've been ashamed of God.

We are forgiven! We have peace with God, not because we have been so good, not because we've done the right things, but by God's grace alone, received through faith alone, revealed to us in God's Word alone. What comfort is ours even in the face of persecution. And thank God that he promises to give us the help we need to take a bold stand for the truth, as we live for him in thanks, come what may...


III.                Here We Stand (on the Word)

 

Thankfully, Jesus didn't tell his disciples, "Well, that's it. I did my part. Now you're on your own. Good luck! Maybe see you in heaven!" No. He promised he would never leave them. He promised he would never forsake them. He promised he would give them the help that they needed to take a bold stand and be his witnesses even in the face of persecution. He would send them his Holy Spirit: 11Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

And so the disciples spoke courageously. They boldly proclaimed the truth of Jesus' resurrection and the truth of his message of sin and grace. Even when it brought floggings, and imprisonment, and death, they withstood the pressure and took their stand on the Word of God. In Acts 4:18-20 we're told, "Then [the Sanhedrin] called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, 'Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.'" For they weren't alone. But the Holy Spirit gave them the words to speak.

Fast forward 1500 years. Luther knew well what the consequences of his courageous reply might have been. It wasn't too many years earlier that Johann Huss was burned alive for preaching the same message Luther now preached. And Luther was called the German Huss by his enemies with clear implications: We're coming for you. Luther was declared a heretic where any citizen had the right and duty to kill him on sight.

And yet, nevertheless, Luther gave his bold reply: "Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can [not] and will not [recant], for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen." What gave him the strength to take such a bold stand? The Holy Spirit had worked in Luther's heart to give him insight and understanding in God's Word. He gave Luther the words to say and he gave Luther the courage to say them.

Fast forward 500 years. Could we find the courage to speak before a council knowing that we will get flogged for speaking the truth? Could we find the courage to speak before the president if we knew that taking a bold stand on God's Word could likely get us killed? We'll know for sure when and if that day comes. But for right now, we do have the courage to speak to our family and friends, to neighbors and co-workers. We have the courage to take a bold stand and proclaim the teachings of the Bible even if others don't like them. We find the courage in the Word of God and in the truth that the Reformation restored: that we are forgiven by God, saved by grace alone, through faith alone, revealed in the Scriptures alone. We find the courage in our Savior and in his work for us. We find the courage by the Holy Spirit who gives us the words to say and the nerve to say them. We find the courage to boldly say, "Here [we] stand." – on the Word of God – "[We] can do no other. God help [us]. 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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God's Universal Health Care A sermon based on 2 Kings 5:14-27

Wouldn't it be nice to have free, universal health care? I mean a health care plan that was truly free, not just one that increased our taxes. Wouldn't it be nice to have a health care plan that worked? I mean that cured our every sickness or disease every time! Wouldn't it be nice to have a health care plan that really was universal? I mean where there are no hoops to jump through to sign up, where everyone is included no matter what their condition? Friends, God gives us such a health care plan! But it's not for our bodies, but for our sin-sick souls. Read or listen to (download) this sermon based on 2 Kings 5:14-27 and rejoice in...

God's Universal Health Care
 A sermon based on 2 Kings 5:14-27
Sunday, October 25, 2015 - Pentecost 21B

 

It's that time again! Elections are coming up! Time for the primaries soon and then the debates. And as always, I'm sure a big topic of debate in these elections will be a national healthcare plan. Proponents of such a plan suggest that it is our duty to make health care free to all who need it. After all, they suggest, how can we watch a fellow human suffer because they cannot afford the medical attention they need? Opponents of such a plan suggest that it cannot really be free. Someone will have to pay for it. And those someones are the taxpayers. And besides, they say, do we really want the government making medical decisions for us?

 Now, I don't want to debate the politics of a health care plan this morning. We can talk about that later, if you really want. But this morning we hear the account of a man who desperately needed health care. And though he had enough money to pay for the very best treatment available, he received free health care. In fact, he received treatment for an incurable disease. Another man thought that this situation was unacceptable. He ought to pay for the cure that he recieved! After all, he could afford it. The expense would hardly be missed. But God's health care is not for sale. It is completely free. And thankfully, it's universal. It wasn't just for this man, but it's for you and me too.

Listen now to a description of God's health care plan. See how much you need it. Rejoice that it is universal. And rejoice that it's completely free. Our text is found in 2 Kings 5:14-27...

 

14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Please accept now a gift from your servant."

16 The prophet answered, "As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing." And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.

17 "If you will not," said Naaman, "please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord. 18 But may the Lord forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I bow there also—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord forgive your servant for this."

19 "Go in peace," Elisha said.

After Naaman had traveled some distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him."

21 So Gehazi hurried after Naaman. When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. "Is everything all right?" he asked.

22 "Everything is all right," Gehazi answered. "My master sent me to say, 'Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.' "

23 "By all means, take two talents," said Naaman. He urged Gehazi to accept them, and then tied up the two talents of silver in two bags, with two sets of clothing. He gave them to two of his servants, and they carried them ahead of Gehazi. 24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the things from the servants and put them away in the house. He sent the men away and they left. 25 Then he went in and stood before his master Elisha.

"Where have you been, Gehazi?" Elisha asked.

"Your servant didn't go anywhere," Gehazi answered.

26 But Elisha said to him, "Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? 27 Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever." Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and he was leprous, as white as snow.

 

I.        We Are Horribly Sick

Leprosy was a horrible disease. One doctor described what a leper looks like: "The whole appearance of the face is changed, till the man loses his human appearance... The nodules grow larger and larger. They ulcerate. From them there comes a foul discharge. The eyebrows fall out, the eyes become staring. The voice becomes hoarse and the victim wheezes because of the ulceration of the vocal chords. The hands and feet always ulcerate. Slowly the sufferer becomes a mass of ulcerated growths. The average course of the disease is nine years, and it ends in mental decay, coma, and ultimately death. The sufferer becomes utterly repulsive—both to himself and to others."

This was the disease that Naaman woke up with one day. His career was sure to be over. His life was sure to over! Nothing would be the same! And there was nothing he could do about it. But then a servant girl taken from a foreign land told him of her God and of the prophet who represented her God. "He could heal even leprosy," she said. It was worth a shot. Anything was worth a shot. So he traveled a long way to see this man of God. And Elishah, that man of God, told him to dip in the Jordan River seven times and be clean. Though skeptical at first, he was encouraged to give it a try. And when he did, it worked! He was healed! And "his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy." Pretty good health care, huh? Perfect healing and it didn't cost a thing!

But what's it have to do with us? We don't have leprosy. Well, maybe not physical leprosy, but but we sure are sick spiritually. Whether we want to admit it or not, we're too often like Gehazi in this health care account.

Gehazi's request seemed simple enough, didn't it? After all the man's life had just been saved, he was eager to pay for the treatment, and by the looks of the wealth he had, one talent of silver and a few new suits would hardly be missed! But how despicable Gehazi was. He was driven by greed. He wanted to set up his own homestead, with olive grove, vineyards, flocks and herds. And he wanted to have a few servants of his own instead of being a servant. And his greed led to lies and deceit, theft and cover-up, and finally to leprosy. Why such a harsh punishment? Because Gehazi robbed God of his glory. Gehazi sought to use the grace of God granted to another individual for his own material advantage. This was equivalent to making merchandise of God's grace. How despicable!

But... how despicable are we? We too have a Gehazi heart. Ever been tired of being the servant and cheated a customer behind the bosses back? Ever wanted material or monetary gain so badly that you compromised your faith and did something you knew to be wrong? Are you content with the blessings that God has given you? All the time? If not, it doesn't matter if you lie or cheat to get it. Your malcontent and coveting really say to God, "You have not blessed me sufficiently! Your salvation is not enough! I want more! And I will not be content until you give it to me!"

How sick we are with heart disease, since our hearts are not set on the things God desires, but on what we desire. We have the leprosy of sin that disfigures us before God that kills our very souls. And the results of this disease are much worse than the separation from loved ones and the pain and death that physical leprosy brought. Our sin brings about a separation from God and eternal torment and death in hell. How utterly repulsive we are in our sin—to ourselves and to others… to God. And much like it was for leprosy in Naaman's day, there is no cure for our disease of sin. None, that is, except one...

 

II.      But God's Health Care Covers Us

God was the only one able to cure Naaman of his incurable disease. That's why Elisha wanted to make it very clear that he had had no part in Naaman's cure. The glory belonged to God alone. And it's the same way with our disease of sin. No medicine or drug, no doctor or surgery, no exercise or effort or work on our part could ever cure us of this disease. One sin, one act of rebellion, one moment of malcontent, leaves us infected with sin and doomed to die.

But God has the cure: In Jesus. Though he had no home of his own, no material possessions but what he had on his back, and relied solely on the charity of others for his food and shelter, Jesus remained perfectly content. He praised God for the good gifts that had been given him. And we only hear Jesus offer words of thanks, never words of complaint. He was never greedy for more, but always looked for what he could give. And that perfect contentment, Jesus credits to mankind. And then he took every complaint, every lie, every deceit and attempted cover-up and every sin on himself. He took the blame for every rebellion against God and he took the punishment that those sins deserve -- hell itself as he was forsaken by God on the cross.

And this, is the only cure for the disease of sin. But how do we know it's for us? After all, what's been called the universal health care plan isn't really universal. It's only for those in the United States It doesn't include citizens of other countries. They don't qualify. It's not really "universal."

Gehazi seemed to think that a miraculous healing like the one given to Naaman really belonged to citizens, only for Israelites, not for foreigners. You can hear it in his comment, can't you? "My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean..." But what comfort there is in the very fact that God's healing was for Naaman, "this Aramean." God's health care is not limited to any certain group of people. There's nothing that can disqualify anyone for coverage. It's not just for Democrats. It's not just for Republicans. It's not just for those who seem outwardly good or for those who belong to a church. It's not just for Jews, but even for us foreigners. God's health care truly is universal. It's for all people of all time all around the world. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son." (John 3:16) Do you live in the world? Then you can be certain that you are qualified to receive it. The cure for sin, is for you.

But what will it really cost? That's what people have asked of our national health care plan for some time. It can't really be free. So who's going to pay for it? And surely a cure like this—one that saves you not just from physical death, but from spiritual death, a cure that gives you immortality in paradise for all of eternity—surely, it can't be free. Someone's got to pay for it.

Well, it's not free. It cost a great deal... for Jesus. He paid with his blood, with his life, with the hell he endured. It cost him a price too great for us to ever understand. But he paid it—in full! And it is completely free for you and me! It doesn't cost us a thing!

That's why Elisha told Naaman, "As surely as the LORD lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing." God's grace is free. That's why Gehazi faced such harsh consequences. He tried to sell the grace of God. (Incidentally, we're saved from our sin by the same means that Naaman was saved from his leprosey—plain ordinary water connected to the Word of God's promise.) Whether it's healing from leprosy or healing from sin, God's grace is always free! To Naaman and to you and to me!

Can you imagine the joy that Naaman felt at the healing he received! One minute he was doomed to die a slow, painful, lonely death, cut off from all that he loved. But the next he was completely healed and restored! He got his life back! No wonder he vowed to serve the true God and serve him only! No wonder he offered generous gifts to the man who was instrumental in bringing him that wonderful grace of God!

And no wonder we offer our thanks and our gifts to God! We've been saved from a fate  that's much worse than leprosy. One minute we were doomed to die a slow, painful, lonely death for all of eternity in hell, cut off from God and his love. But the next we are completely healed, perfect and holy in God's sight. How much greater is our joy! How much greater is our gratitude to God.

And that gratitude moves us to offer our generous gifts to our Savior and to the support of the work of sharing the good news of God's grace with others free of charge! But all the more, our gratitude to God moves us to rid our hearts of all greed and malcontent and instead to find contentment, not with more money or property, but in our Savior and in what he's done. It moves us to live in thanks for him, for his health care plan—that covers all our sin, that's truly universal and covers even us, that's completely free. Serve him in thanks, with your gifts, and with your heart. In Jesus' name, dear friends, 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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