Saturday, January 2, 2016

You Can’t Out-Give God (A sermon based on 1 Samuel 2:18-20,26)

​Did you get good gifts this year? Did you give good gifts? Did you get better gifts than you gave? The truth is that you did. You received great gifts from God, from his mercy and grace, far greater than you could ever give to him. But in thanks to God for his far greater gifts, we're eager to give our very best to him. Read or listen to (download) this sermon based on 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 and rejoice in the truth that...

You Can't Out-Give God

A sermon based on 1 Samuel 2:18-20,26

Sunday, December 27, 2015 – Christmas 1C

 

So did you get some good gifts this Christmas? Did you get better gifts than you gave? I had a friend who was always competing with his brother, Todd, every Christmas to see who could give the better gift. He wanted to give Todd the better gift between the two of them just once. But it seemed he never could. When he got Todd a $20 gift card, Todd got him a $50 gift card. He got Todd a new sweater. Todd got him a new sweater and new jeans. He got Todd a new game system. Todd just happened to get him a game system and 5 games. He got Todd a brand new mountain bike. Todd got him a used car. Okay, so I don't really know what exactly they got each other, but I do know that my friend eventually gave up trying to give Todd the better gift, saying, "You just can't out-give Todd."

This morning we learn a similar lesson: that you just can't out-give God. No matter what we give to him, it's nothing compared to what he's given to us, what he still gives to us, what he promises he will give.

Hannah received a great gift from God—she received the baby boy she had longed for. So Hannah offered her thanks to God—a huge thank you gift! She gave that son to the Lord that he might serve God in his tabernacle. Hannah gave a great thank you gift, but God's gift was still greater. He gave Hannah a Savior.

God has given us great gifts too. And we give our thanks to him. But we know that our gifts to him pale in comparison to his greater gifts. We cannot out-give God.

Our text for consideration this morning is from 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26…

 

18 But Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord." Then they would go home…

 

26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men. 


I.     God's Great Gifts to Us 

Not counting the spiritual gifts that God gives, what's the best gift you've ever received from someone? Does that take you a minute to figure out as you think of all the gifts you've received? Did you think of a game system? A new vehicle? Maybe you thought of your engagement ring? Well, for Hannah, that question would have been an easy one to answer. The best gift she ever received, was a son.

Hannah was in a difficult situation. Her husband was married to another woman. He had two wives. The other wife had children—at least four of them because the Bible says she had sons (plural) and daughters (plural). But Hannah had none. She was barren. And though her husband loved her dearly, his other wife kept taunting here and provoking her. It nearly drove Hannah mad. What she wanted more than anything was a child of her own and she prayed to God to give her a son.

And God finally gave her what she prayed for. Hannah became pregnant and she had a son. She named him Samuel, which means, "heard by God" because she knew that God had heard her prayer! And that boy grew "in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men." What a great gift God had given to Hannah.

And yet, the greatest gift Hannah received wasn't really Samuel. It was a son, but not that one. The best gift Hannah received was a son that wouldn't be born for another thousand years—her Savior from sin. Year after year Hannah and her husband would go up to the temple to offer sacrifices to God—sacrifices that reminded them of what that Savior would do: that he would be a sacrifice for them to pay for their sins.

What is the greatest that God has given to you? It's a son. Even if you don't have any boys, even if you have no children, even if you're still a child yourself—still, the greatest gift that God has given to you is a son—his own Son. God send his Son to take on human flesh, to be born as a baby. And he "grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." (Luke 2:52)

And as true man, he lived under God's law and kept it perfectly in our place, as a child, as a teen, as a young man. He never sinned. And he gives us credit for that perfection as if we had always done the right thing, the selfless thing, the thing that was pleasing to God—as if we only ever looked at what was in the best interest of others, as if were only eager to give, never take.

And as true man, Jesus was able to die. God was able to die on a cross to pay for our sin because he took on human flesh. And by his death he paid the penalty for every sin we've ever committed: for every time we've been more concerned with what gifts we get instead of what gifts we could give, for every time we've wondered how we might be blessed instead of how we might be a blessing to others. So we are forgiven, sinless and holy, at peace with God, with reservations in heaven, heirs of all the riches it has to offer—and this is all because of that Son that God gave us at Christmas! What great gifts God has given to us!

When Hannah saw all that God had done for her, she wanted to thank God for his gifts. She wanted to give him something big. She didn't want to out-give God or out do him. She just wanted to show her appreciation. And so do we… 


II.    Our Gifts of Thanks to God 

What's the biggest gift you could think to give? That you personally might give to someone else? Would it be a gift that cost all you have in your savings account? Would it be all of your possessions—your house, your vehicles, your toys? Would it be your life as you offer an indefinite number of decades in servitude to another? I think the greatest gift that I could ever think to offer wouldn't be my life, but that of my child.

That was the biggest gift that Hannah could think to offer to God in thanks for all he'd given to her. So Hannah sacrificed her son to God—her one and only Son—the one she'd yearned for for so long. The son that God gave an answer to her fervent prayer, she now gave back to him.

She didn't offer him on an altar. She knew human sacrifice was horribly wrong. But she did give up her son to the Lord, in service to him. She sent him off to boarding school—to the seminary if you will. She sent him away to live at the house of the Lord under the guardianship of Eli. She said, "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." (1 Samuel 1:27-28)

But as great as her gift was to God, she still couldn't out-give him. God blessed Hannah with three more sons and two daughters after Samuel. (1 Samuel 2:21) And even if he hadn't given her these five children, he gave her his own Son in Jesus. Hannah gave a big gift, but what God gave was bigger. And Hannah knew that as great as her gift to God was, she didn't earn or deserve God's favor and that she couldn't out give God.

And the same is true of us. We too give our greatest gifts to God. We give our money to the offering plate to carry out the work done in this house of the Lord. We give our money as we manage the gifts God gives not just asking, "What blessings can I get with this?" but, "How can I bless others with this?" We give ourselves as we labor for the Lord at this place, serving at church. We give ourselves as we labor for the Lord looking for ways to serve others at school, at work, and at home. And maybe some of us will even sacrifice our children and send them away to school where they will train to serve in the house of the Lord as pastors, teachers, or staff ministers.

And as big as these gifts may be, we're eager to give our very best gifts to God—whatever they may be—in thanks to him for his gifts to us. And we do it not to earn God's favor or to pay him back or to try to out-give God. For we know that even if were to give everything we own, our lives, and our children's lives, it still wouldn't be anything compared to what he has given us. We can't out-give God.

It's like the child who receives a $100 Lego set for Christmas and in thanks to mom and dad colors them a nice picture. The expression of gratitude means a lot to mom and dad, but you know which gift has the greater monetary value.

Likewise, our gifts of thanks to god are beautiful to him when we give them knowing that his gifts are always bigger, when we give them in thanks for the forgiveness, life, and salvation, for the peace with God, for the riches of heaven that are all ours through his gift of his own Son. Nothing we give can ever compare to the value of what he's given us first.

My friend might someday be able to out-give Todd. But we know that we can't ever out-give God. So we gladly and eagerly give all we have in thanks to him: our time in service to God by serving others, our dollars as we give generously to support his work, ourselves in lives of praise to him. We gladly give our all in thanks to him who gave us so much more.

I hope you're thankful for the presents you received this Christmas. But I hope you're so much more thankful for the presents you received that first Christmas and that first Good Friday, so that you are eager to give back to God every day in thanks to him. 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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Behold the Glory of the Lord! (A sermon based on Exodus 33:18-21; 34:5-7)

"And the Glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified!" Can you imagine the terror of the shepherds that Christmas night? Can you imagine seeing the Glory of the Lord? God had told Moses that no one could see his face and live. Yet, the shepherds looked on the face of God as a baby lying in a manger... and they lived. We too can see God's glory and live. In fact, by seeing his greatest glory in his grace given to us through Jesus is the only way we can live. Read or listen to (download) this sermon based on Exodus 33:18-21 and 34:5-7 and...

Behold the Glory of the Lord!

A sermon based on Exodus 33:18-21; 34:5-7

Friday, December 25, 2015 – Christmas Day

 

"There were shepherds living out in the fields… keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." (Luke 2:8-9)

Ever wonder about that phrase, "The Glory of the Lord"? Is it just a reference to the angels in their brilliant light as they reflected the glory of God's face from which they had just come? Or is it a reference to God himself being present in those fields? If it's just a reference to the glory the angels displayed, it's the only place I can think of where that phrase, "The Glory of the Lord" doesn't refer to God himself. This verse is the only place where that phrase is used in the New Testament. And wherever we find it used in the Old Testament it's where God comes to earth and stands in the presence of his people. If the use of "Glory of the Lord" in Luke 2:9 is used as a reference to God himself present in those fields that night, no wonder the shepherds were terrified!

This morning, we consider that thought: of standing in the presence of God himself, of seeing the Glory of the Lord. Moses once asked to see the glory of the Lord, but God told him he couldn't see his full glory—he couldn't see God's face—and live. It would utterly consume him; for a sinner to see the face of the holy God! But Moses did get to see God. He beheld his glory.

Likewise, the shepherds were terrified to have the glory of the Lord shine around them, yet, they too did see God, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. And we, too, ought to be terrified at the thought of standing before a holy God in our sin, yet, we see his glory, and this morning we even hold God himself in our hands and in our mouths in the Lord's supper. We behold his glory… and we live!

Our text for this morning—this Christmas Day—is taken from Exodus 33:18-21 and Exodus 34:5-7…

 

18 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory."

19 And the Lord said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

21 Then the Lord said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen." …

 

5 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."


I.             No One Can See God's Glory and Live

 

The Glory of the Lord appeared on Mount Sinai before Moses and the elders and looked like a consuming fire. (Exodus 24:8) The Glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle as a cloud by day and as fire by night and led the Israelites in the wilderness. (Exodus 40:34ff). The Glory of the Lord appeared as a fire that consumed the offerings on the altar. (Leviticus 9:23) The Glory of the Lord filled Solomon's temple so the priests couldn't go in. (1 Kings 8:11) And whenever the Glory of the Lord appeared people fell face down afraid to look directly at the Glory of the Lord.

When Moses asked to see the Glory of the Lord, God told him, "You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." Why not? God explained: "[The Lord] does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." God is so holy that he cannot stand to be in the presence of sin. Or rather, the sinful cannot stand to be in the presence of the Holy.

It reminds me of that Indiana Jones movie where the Nazis opened the Ark of the Covenant against Indy's clear warning, "You cannot stand in the presence of God." When they did it anyway, they melted, so great was the Glory of the Lord. Yes, it's fictional and graphic with some special effects using wax and a heat lamp, but there's an element of truth to it. Sinners cannot stand in the presence of God, they cannot see his face and live.

No wonder the shepherds were terrified when they saw the Glory of the Lord.

And we too ought to be terrified at the thought of seeing God, for we know that we too have sinned against him. We have accidentally broken his commands. We have deliberately disobeyed him. We have intentionally rebelled against him. And we know that sinners cannot stand in the presence of God, they cannot see his face and live.

It's like the teens whose parent went away for the weekend and explicitly forbid him from having any parties. But as soon as they left, he sent out invitations to all of his friends, he hung flyers, he got a keg and threw the wildest party his school had ever seen. But the next morning his parents called to say they were coming home early and the house was completely trashed—there were stains in the carpet, furniture was broken, expensive and sentimental heirlooms were destroyed. And that teen knew he was in trouble. He was terrified because he knew he would be—he deserved to be—punished and punished severely.

Likewise, we ought to be terrified because we know that Jesus is coming back any day—and look at what a mess we've made of our lives by our sin. We will see the Glory of the Lord, we will see God himself on Judgment Day and we know we've messed up. We ought to be terrified because we know that, "he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."


II.            See God's Glory and Live

 

The shepherds were terrified when they saw the Glory of the Lord. And rightly so. Yet, nevertheless, those very same shepherds approached the very Son of God—and here we know for certain that they were in the presence of God himself, for Jesus is none other than the true God himself—and yet, they were completely unafraid as they approached that baby in the manger. Why? How could they now approach God himself—not with terror, but with joy?

It was because God masked his glory in a way they could handle it. He didn't appear to them face to face in full glory that would consume them and burn them up. He gave them what they could handle just like he did for Moses.

The Lord said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

God gave Moses just a small glimpse of his glory. He didn't show his full glory which Moses could not have endured and lived, but just a peek to give Moses the reassurance that he needed that God will still be with him and give him grace. Moses didn't need to be afraid that God would abandon his people for rebelling one too many times. No. God, "passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, 'The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.'" And God really showed his greatest glory in revealing to Moses his grace.

Likewise, God showed his greatest glory to the shepherds, not by leaving them terror stricken at the thought of facing the wrath of a holy God, but by revealing his Son, born a human, lying in a manger, come to earth to rescue them from their sins. He showed his greatest glory in revealing to those Shepherds his grace.

You know that we could never stand in the presence of a holy God—one who is sinless and perfect and cannot be in the presence of imperfect or the imperfect would melt like the Nazi's in an Indiana Jones movie. He knew that we couldn't bear to see the full Glory of the Lord and live. So the holy God became one of us. He masked his glory in a way that we could handle—in an infant in a manger, in a Rabbi from Galilee, in a teacher in Judea.

And as Jesus took on human form, sinful man could not only handle him, but could manhandle him. And so the God who created the universe, the one who had the full Glory of the Lord, was nailed condemned to die, was scourged and beaten, was nailed to a cross. But he did it all to show us his greatest glory, and to be, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin."

And that's really what this Christmas Day is all about. God masked his glory for a time as God became man and took on human flesh. God humbled himself and gave up his full glory that he could show his greatest glory to us—his grace. So we are forgiven of our wickedness, rebellion, and sin. We are loved by God himself who daily shows us his compassion and grace. And though no one may see God's glory and live, because we've seen the glory of his grace, we will live.

There is no greater gift that you could receive this Christmas Day. You have seen the grace of God. You have beheld God in his greatest glory! You have seen the Glory of the Lord! And you live!

And soon you will hold the true God in your hand or in your mouth, as he again comes to you in body and blood in the Lord's Supper, as he condescends to mask his glory again to come to us in a way in which we can handle him. And he does it all to assure us again that we are forgiven, we are loved by God, that he will be with us, and that he will show us his grace.

Today, this Christmas Day, and every day, may you be eager to live for Jesus in thanks to him for showing you his great glory that you might live. 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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Our Big Brother (A sermon based on Hebrews 2:10-18)

Do you have a big brother? One who will defend you? One who will take care of you? The truth is that even if you're an only child, you do have a big brother. You have a perfect big brother who came to rescue you and bring you in his family. Read or listen to (download) this sermon based on Hebrews 2:10-18 and rejoice in your big brother who was born to rescue you and lives to help you... 

Our Big Brother

A sermon based on Hebrews 2:10-18

Thursday, December 24, 2015 – Christmas Eve

 

Big brothers have a unique relationship with their younger sibs, don't they? A big brother sometimes feels like he can pick on his little brother or sister and beat them up whenever he feels the urge. But if someone else should dare pick on that younger sibling, look out! You'd better be ready for a fight! And is that little sibling ever grateful for big brother who comes to the defense!

This morning we hear the author to the Hebrews describe our perfect big brother, Jesus. He never picks on us or beats us up, but always comes to our rescue. In fact, that's really what we celebrate at Christmas—that Jesus came to earth to defend us. He was born that he might became our brother and suffer for us to rescue us. The author to the Hebrews describes our big brother Jesus in Hebrews 2:10-18…

 

10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises." 13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me."  14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.


I.             Was Born to Rescue Us 

You know, from the perspective of being a little brother for almost 40 years now, I can tell you that it's not always fun to have a big brother. My brother, Jon, and I get along great today. But that wasn't always the case. When he'd watch the wrestling shows on TV and "practice" the moves on his little brother, it wasn't so fun. When he'd be looking over my shoulder and showing me the "right way" to do things, I was irritated. I thought I was big enough to do thing on my own. I didn't need a big brother to help!

But sometimes don't we act that way with Jesus? After all, he's a big brother that can really look over our shoulders. He knows what's going on in our hearts and we don't always want him in our business. We think we're big enough to handle things on our own. We think we don't need a protector. But how mistaken we are.

Our enemy, Satan, acts like our friend and tells us he can make life more fun than God ever could. He tells us if God really loved us, he wouldn't let us suffer. But you know he's not looking out for our best interests. The devil is like the boy who tells the girl whatever he thinks she wants to hear to get what he wants from her. "There is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44) And once we fall for his lies, we're enslaved, to sin, to death, to fear.

But in steps our big brother, come to the rescue, and says, "Wait a second! That's my kid sister you're lying to! That's my kid brother you're picking on!" And he saved us from the slavery we were in! How? By suffering for us… by dying for us. "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil…"

Wait a second! Jesus' death? Doesn't that come on Good Friday? Why are we talking about that on Christmas Eve? Well, the birth of Christ can never be separated from the Passion of Christ. The Baby of Bethlehem is the future Victim of Golgotha. In fact, that's the only reason we celebrate Christmas—that Jesus became one of us, real flesh and blood, to rescue us. And Jesus didn't just beat up the bad guy, but took the beating—from God!

The author to the Hebrews writes, "He had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people."

What did the high priest do? He made atonement for the sins of the people. And how did he do that? By offering sacrifices on the altar to God. What a bloody job it must have been! He was really more a butcher than a pastor! How did Jesus rescue us from the devil? He too offered a sacrifice to God. He offered himself.

Notice that Jesus made no atonement for his sins. He didn't have any. And though he is the sinless and holy Son of God, he took our sins on himself, took God's wrath on himself and having made the perfect sacrifice, he rescued us! He destroyed the devil who had us so enslaved. He robbed him of all power! He set us free! From our sins! From death! And from fear!

What a big brother! He became human like us to be our brother! He suffered for us to take our sin away! He fought the bully for us and robbed satan of his power! And what's more, he's not done fighting for us. He was born to rescue us. And though he died to pay for our sins, he lives again! Now our big brother still lives to help us…


II.            Lives to Help Us 

Big brothers aren't always helpful. A little boy walked into his kindergarten room one morning wearing shoes that were 6 sizes too big. The teacher looked at him and asked "Johnny, who's shoes are you wearing?" Johnny smiled back and said proudly "my big brother's." The teacher, still puzzled asked, "Does your mother know you have your brother's shoes on?" Johnny replied "Yes. She's the one who said I could wear them." The teacher, now thoroughly confused, asked, "Why in the world did your mother tell you to wear your brother's shoes?" Johnny said with a grin, "Because… he buried mine in the back yard!!"

Big brothers have been known to torment their little siblings ever since the time of Cain and Abel. But that's not the case with Jesus. He doesn't rescue us from the bully one minute, just to pick on us himself the next. And Jesus didn't rescue us from satan, death, and hell just leave us alone to struggle with the problems and challenges of this life by ourselves. But Jesus continues to take care of us and will never stop taking care of his little brothers and sisters.

Notice the present tense verbs in our text: [Jesus] makes men holy… It is not angels he helps, but [he helps] –(present tense)– Abraham's descendants (that is, believers). …Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is –(present tense)– able to help those who are being tempted.

Having had our sins atoned for, and having become children of God and Jesus' brothers and sisters, changes not just our future eternity (as if that weren't enough) but has a very real impact on our lives right now. We are free from our sin and free to not sin since we're free from satan's control! We are free from hell and the punishment we deserve. We are free from fear of death and from all fear! (After all, if we're not afraid of death, what else is there to really be afraid of?!) Because of his work in the past, our present reality is so much different.

And our big brother continues to help us in every present temptation. One of the great things about having a big brother is that he went through everything first. What's high school like? How will I know where to go? My brother, Jon, had been going there for two years already and he told me exactly what to expect. Where do I go when I register for driver's ed.? Well, Jon had been there. He could take me there. How do I fill out my first job application? Jon just did that himself not long ago and showed me how. Everything I did, he did first. He knew what it was like. He could sympathize and he could help. That's what a good big brother does.

And that's what Jesus still does for us.

Maybe some think, "I won't take this problem to God. He's way up there. He doesn't know what I'm going through down here." But they couldn't be more wrong. Our brother Jesus has experienced every kind of suffering that we will ever know: Childhood abuse and neglect, abject poverty, being homeless and with very few possessions. He experienced the death of loved ones, including his step-father. He was rejected by his family and by those he loved most dearly. He missed out on marriage and faced the struggles and temptations of being single. He was deserted and betrayed by his friends. He faced injustice from the civil authorities. He endured horrible physical torture. And he didn't just feel, but actually was forsaken by God.

No matter what challenges you face, no matter what pain you endure, Jesus has been there. He's done that. He knows that hurt, the pain, the feeling of rejection and sorrow. And he can help. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

He already became flesh, our brother, just like one of us, so he could die to rescue us from sin, death, and the devil. But he rose from the dead. He lives again! He lives still! And our big brother lives to help us in our every need until God completes his goal of "bringing many sons to glory." And so, because of our big brother, Jesus, we can say with confidence…

He lives to silence all my fears; He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart; He lives all blessings to impart.
He lives, and grants me daily breath; He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare; He lives to bring me safely there.
(CW#152 v.5-6 – I Know that My Redeemer Lives)

In the name of Jesus, our big brother, 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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Monday, December 21, 2015

Making Sacrifices for God (A sermon based on Hebrews 10:5-10)

What will you sacrifice for those you love this Christmas season? Will you sacrifice your time to spend it with them? Will you sacrifice your dollars to give a gift? What will you sacrifice for God? Thank God that we don't have to sacrifice anything to him to earn his favor. Jesus' perfect, once-for-all, sacrifice has already made us sinless and holy in his sight. But now we long to sacrifice everything to show our thanks to God. Read or listen to (download) this sermon based on Hebrews 10:5-10 and rejoice in Jesus' sacrifice for you! 

Making Sacrifices for God

A sermon based on Hebrews 10:5-10

Sunday, December 20, 2015 – Advent 4C

 

Have you had to make any sacrifices this season? Maybe you've sacrificed a few days of vacation to visit relatives? Perhaps you've sacrificed a few hard earned dollars to buy presents for friends and family. Maybe you've sacrificed hours of your time to try and find that perfect gift. Maybe you will sacrifice more free time to God to attend extra worship services this weekend.

But I'm pretty sure that no one in this room has sacrificed a bull to God as a part of their Christmas worship.

There's a striking scene in the movie, The Nativity Story, where King Herod takes a bull by the horns, and places his head on the bull's head eye to eye as a symbolic way of showing that his sins were placed on that bull. Then the camera tastefully cuts away right before the bull's throat is slit as it's sacrificed to God. It was a vivid (and accurate) portrayal of the Old Testament sacrifices that Herod and the other Jews did so often because God commanded them to.

But today we don't sacrifice any animals to God in our worship because we don't have to. In fact we don't have to make any sacrifices to God. Any sacrifice we could make would be just like those Old Testament animals–they cannot take away sin. But there is a sacrifice that can: Jesus' perfect once-for-all-time sacrifice. That sacrifice has made us holy and perfect in God's sight. So that now, we long to sacrifice our very lives to Jesus in thanksgiving to him for making that sacrifice to God. The author to the Hebrews discusses all of these sacrifices for God in Hebrews 10:5-10…

 

5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.'" a 8 First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). 9 Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

I.     Our Sacrifices Cannot Save

 

Check out the books of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy sometime. Just flip through them and read the headers to see the countless animal sacrifices the people were told to make. Thousands of animals were slaughtered They were sacrificed every day. But does it seem odd that the law—God's law—required them to be made when God didn't desire them? When he wasn't pleased with them?

At first, it does seem senseless to slaughter all those animals. Why would God command something that he didn't even want? Well, that's not the point of the verse. God did want the sacrifices made. Otherwise he wouldn't have commanded them. But that's not all he wanted. After all, what use did God, who created all things, have for an animal carcass? You see, these sacrifices were not given for God's benefit, but for the peoples' benefit. God didn't just want a slaughtered animal. He wanted obedience to him. Herod's sacrifice portrayed in the movie was not pleasing to God. He only went through the motions while he relentlessly pursued the death of the Christ child. And no amount of sacrifice could ever replace obedience.

That's why David wrote in Psalm 40, "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire… I desire to do your will." (v.6 & 8) Their sacrifices weren't sincere. But there was another problem with the Old Testament sacrifices. They could never do what the people were trying to accomplish. Hebrews 10:4, the verse right before our text, says, "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin." So what good were they? Back up one more verse. Hebrews 10:3 says, "Those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sin." And not just of sin, but of the consequences of sin: Sin had to be paid for with blood; with a death. But if these sacrifices couldn't do that, there must be something more.

And indeed there was. These sacrifices pointed ahead to Christ. They were a shadow of how God would pay for sin—not with the blood of animals, but, as Peter put it, "with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (1 Peter 1:19)

And friends, though we don't slaughter animals on an altar in a temple, the same principle applies to us. We may sacrifice our hard-earned dollars to church or a charity around Christmastime or even throughout the year. We may sacrifice our time to help at a charity or do a good deed for a stranger. We may sacrifice our comfort and convenience to be friendly toward someone who really gets on our nerves. But as great as these things might are, God is not pleased with our sacrifices. Not when such sacrifices are made to earn God's favor; to make him love us in spite of our sin.

You see these sacrifices are just like the blood of those Old Testament animals: they can never take away our sin. No matter how much I sacrifice for God, no matter how much time or money, these cannot make me right with God because what God really wants is obedience—perfect obedience all of the time. And yet, none of us are perfect—not even some of the time.  And the consequences? Devastating!

"The soul who sins is the one who will die," God says in Ezekiel 18:20. In Romans 6:23 he says, "The wages of sin is death." (And he means eternal death in hell.) In Galatians 3:10 he warns, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the law." And God in his grace reminds us of our sin, our disobedience to him, and the consequences of our thoughts and words and actions. He reminds us that no sacrifice we make, no matter how great, can ever take away sin. He reminds us of these things in order to show us our need for Christ's perfect obedience; to show us our need for Christ's perfect sacrifice…

 

II.            Christ's Sacrifice was Once for All

 

The author to the Hebrews describes that sacrifice of Jesus with these words…

5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me… 7 Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.'" …10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

If what God really wants is obedient hearts, then only Christ is pleasing to God. "Here I am," he said, "I have come to do your will, O God." And how well Jesus kept God's will! He never broke a single commandment! He never had a single thought of greed or lust! He never spoke a single word that was not perfectly in line with what God the Father wanted said! He said, "I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me." (John 8:28) He never did a single act that God didn't want him to do. He said, "I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." (John 6:38)

He followed his Father's will so perfectly, that he was even willing to take on the guilt of the world's sins, die on a cross, and endure hell there being forsaken by his Father there! Before his crucifixion he prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42)

And he could only make that sacrifice if he had a body. "Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me…" That's what makes Christmas so special. Jesus was born a human. God became man. He took on flesh—the body God prepared for him. He took on that human body so he could be under the law to keep it perfectly in our place. He took on that human body so he could be killed on the cross—sacrificed—to take away sin. Christmas is really all about the cross and the perfect sacrifice Christ came to make.

So what did that sacrifice mean for the Hebrews? It meant that their animal sacrifices were no longer needed. If the main purpose of those sacrifices was to remind the people of the promise of the Messiah and to teach them how he would pay for their sins, then once "Christ came into the world," those sacrifices were no longer needed.

 

And what does that sacrifice mean for us? It means everything! It means, "we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."  We've been made holy—that is sinless and set apart for God, perfect in his sight! Now note the tense: "we have been made holy…" This describes the finished work of Christ. There's nothing left to do. We are in a permanent, continuous state of perfection in God's sight, having "been made holy." It's done—"once for all"—with nothing left to do!

No more animals need to be killed for us, since they pointed ahead to Jesus and he already came. No more sacrifices need to be made on our behalf. No good works need to be done by us. No more efforts need to be made on our part. Jesus did it all. His sacrifice is perfect and complete with nothing left to do and nothing left undone. Believe it dear friends, and rejoice in your Savior who became man to sacrifice his body for you. Rejoice that even though your sacrifices can never save you, no matter how great they might be, no more sacrifice needs to be made than the perfect sacrifice of Christ.

And finally, friends, let his sacrifice for you move you to make sacrifices for him with thankful and grateful hearts! Gladly sacrifice your hard earned dollars to help others who don't have as many material blessings as you do. Gladly sacrifice your money to share the news of Jesus' sacrifice with others who don't know how spiritually blessed they are. Gladly sacrifice your time to serve your Savior and your neighbor as you tell them of his grace! As Paul wrote in Romans 12(:1), "Therefore, I urge you… in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God." Sacrifice, dear friends, your all to thank that baby in the manger, that God-man on the cross, that Savior who has made you holy once and for all! In his name, dear friends, amen.


 a  cf. the Septuagint version (i.e. the Greek translation) of Psalm 40:6-8, which the author to the Hebrews quotes, rather than the Hebrew itself.


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, December 14, 2015

What Mary Did Know… (A sermon based on Luke 1:46-55)

"Mary Did You Know?" is a popular Christmas song. What did Mary know? Did she realize all that her firstborn son would do? Well, we know some of what Mary knew from another Christmas song: The Song of Mary. She proclaimed what she new: that she needed a Savior, that she had a Savior, and that she wanted to glorify him for what he would do for her. We are wise to be like Mary and recognize our need for a Savior, to trust that we have a Savior, and to live our lives as his servants to show our thanks. Read or listen to (download) this sermon based on Luke 1:46-55 and rejoice in what you know...

What Mary Did Know…

A sermon based on Luke 1:46-55

Sunday, December 13, 2015

 

One of the things I love about the Christmas season is all the Christmas music. Even as our nation seems to be getting more secular and more politically correct, I love that I still hear songs about my Savior being played at Safeway, Walmart, and Fred Meyer.

How about you? Do you like the Christmas music? Do you have a favorite Christmas song? One where it just wouldn't be Christmas without hearing it? Many people like the song "Mary Did You Know?" It will be sung for us by a soloist in a minute. In that song the author speculated, "How much did Mary understand about what her Son would do?" Did she know he would walk on water? Did she know that he would heal the sick and raise the dead?"

I don't know all that Mary knew, I do know a few things that she knew for sure. I know because she tells us in another Christmas song.

And in Mary's song, sung before her cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist, while Jesus was in her own womb, Mary sang of God's great grace to her and to everyone in sending a Savior from sin.

It's been called the Magnificat from the first word of the song when it's translated in Latin. She most likely sang it in Aramaic or Greek, which is how it's recorded for us. Here it is translated in English from Luke 1:46-55…

 

46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

 

I.        Mary Knew She Needed A Savior 

What did Mary know as she stood before her cousin? What did she know as Jesus—true God in fetus form—kicked insider her? Well, one thing I know for sure, is that Mary knew she needed a Savior. Her opening line of her song was "My soul glorifies the Lord  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

She humbly recognized her need for forgiveness from God. She knew that those who were proud in their inmost thoughts—who thought they deserved God's love and favor because of all the "wonderful" things they'd done for God—well those were the ones God would scatter. She knew that those were haughty in their rule of others, always thinking themselves better, those were the ones God brought down. She knew that those who considered themselves rich in this life as if they needed nothing from God—well, those were the ones were sent away empty.

Mary knew this had to be the case because God is holy—"holy is his name." And Mary knew that a holy God could not stand to have sinners in his presence.

So Mary was humble. Recognizing her own sin, Mary was humble in genuine repentance before God. She was humble in recognizing her need for mercy from God, for help from him. What Mary knew was that she desperately needed a Savior if she were to stand before a holy God.

How about you? Are you as wise as Mary? Do you recognize that nothing you could ever do could ever earn God's favor—because even if you were perfect and selfless, always putting the needs of others above your own every single day of your life, you would still only be doing what God expects and demands of you?

Do you recognize that in your selfishness you have sinned against God and stand before him empty handed, spiritually poor, with nothing to offer him? Are you humble in genuine repentance over your sin, in recognizing your need for mercy? Be as wise as Mary and know how much you need a Savior. 


II.      Mary Knew She Had A Savior 

But that's not all Mary knew. Mary knew she needed a Savior. But she also knew that she had a Savior—in the very Son that was inside her. "My soul glorifies the Lord  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant."

Mary knew that God would lift up those who humbled themselves in repentance by giving them forgiveness—a forgiveness won by the coming Messiah, her own Son. Mary knew this because Mary knew that God always keeps his promises and so he would remember the promise he made to Abraham and to his descendants—the promise to send a Savior from sin. Mary knew God had kept his promise in sending her son whom the angel said should be named Jesus because he would save his people from their sins.

Mary knew that God had sent a Savior to Mary through Mary—that she was the mother of her Savior from sin. And Mary knew that her Son would be, not just her Savior, but the Savior of all people of all time, that, "[God's] mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation." Mary knew that Jesus would be our Savior.

So let's be as wise as Mary and humble ourselves in genuine repentance, recognizing our need for a Savior, but also in recognizing how God has sent a Savior to us in Jesus.

Jesus came to this earth, not to rule nations or give earthly peace and prosperity, but he became a fetus, then a baby, then a man to rescue us, to live a perfect life in our place, to die an innocent death, to endure the hell that we deserve on that cross for us, to rise from the dead to prove to us that we are forgiven.

Mary said that her soul rejoiced in God her Savior. Well, we too can echo her words and say,

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of [my] humble state… From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me… His mercy [still] extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation."


 

III.    Mary Knew She Wanted to Glorify Her Savior 

Mary knew she needed a Savior. Mary knew she had a Savior. And for that reason, Mary also knew that she wanted to praise him and thank him and serve him and obey him for all that he had done for her.

"My soul glorifies the Lord,"  she said. And she called herself, "his servant," because Mary knew that it wasn't about Mary. So her song wasn't really about her. It was about God and his grace. And she was eager to glorify him, to sing his praise, to tell everyone of her God's faithful love! She was eager to serve him, by carrying him, by birthing him, by feeding him, by raising him, by doing whatever she could to show her thanks to God, her Savior. That's what Mary knew.

So too, we who know our great need for a Savior, we who know that God has given us a Savior, we know that what we want most in life is to glorify the Lord and live to thank our Savior! We are eager to glorify him, to sing his praise, to tell everyone of our God's faithful love. And in a sense then, God sends a Savior to us, and also through us as we share the good news of what he has done.

Who do you know who needs to hear about their Savior? Who do you know who's struggling this Christmas season? Take them a copy of the video, "My Son, My Savior." They're free for you to take tonight. Invite them to join you at church on Christmas Eve. Share with them the hope that you have—that you know that you need a Savior, that you know that you have a Savior, that you know that they have one too. And together we will glorify the Lord! 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

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, December 7, 2015

Faithful Servants Prepare People for Christ's Return (A sermon based on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5)

Are you ready? Christmas is only a few weeks away now. Time to get ready! Are you ready? Judgment Day could come first. Let's stay ready for that event! We stay ready when we stay in the Word of God that reminds us of our sin and his grace to us in Christ. We help others get ready when we faithfully share that message to prepare them too. Read or listen to (download) this sermon based on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 and be encouraged to stay ready!

Faithful Servants Prepare People for Christ's Return
A sermon based on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Sunday, December 6, 2015 - Advent 2C 

The shopping has begun! Reports show that early Christmas sales are up from last year. $1.6 Billion were spent in the US on Black Friday, which is up from 1.5 Billion from last year. Were you bold enough to venture out on the busiest shopping weekend of the year? Or maybe you're like me and do all your shopping online to avoid the crowds?  Do you know just what your wife or husband or kids want this year? Do you know just the right gift that will make them happy? Maybe they helped you out and made you a list of suggestions—things they want and would really like.

Now, what if you were shopping, not for a gift to give, but for a pastor for your church? What would you look for? What characteristics and qualities would you put on your list? What would you want and really like? A dynamic preacher who keeps you sitting on the edge of your seats? An organized neat freak so he doesn't goof up the calendar? A well-read bookworm who knows lots of counseling tips and tricks? An energetic man who has a burning desire for youth ministry? Just someone who's around in his office when you need him?

All of these are good qualities to have in a pastor, right? But what's most important? What's at the top of the list?

Well, that was one of the debates at the church in Corinth. Some liked Paul best. Perhaps it was because he was such an excellent theologian who had been instructed by God himself. Others preferred Peter. He was one of the Twelve and a close friend of none other than Jesus. Others put Apollos at the top of their list. He was a regular guy like one of them. But Paul pointed out what quality they should shop for in a pastor: Faithful servants of Christ prepare God's people for Jesus' return by proclaiming the  truths of God's Word that have been entrusted to them. Regardless of other qualities, that one should top the list. Here's how Paul put it in 1 Corinthians 4:1-5... 

1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 

The church in Corinth was exceedingly blessed.  Paul wrote to them in chapter one (v. 17), "You do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." But not everything was perfect. They had their fair share of problems too. And one of those problems was their criteria for a pastor. You see, the Greeks praised wisdom and philosophy. They loved eloquent speech and flowery language. They loved the guys who could rally a crowd and whip them into a frenzy with the power of their words.

But Paul didn't have those qualities. In chapter 2 (cf. v. 1-5) Paul said that he didn't come to them with eloquent speech or persuasive words, but in weakness and fear and with much trembling. But those weren't the important qualities. And Paul didn't care if they judged him based on that criteria. No. The most important quality in a pastor was that they prove faithful with the trust that has been given them, namely, the "secret things" of God.

But what are those? What secrets had God given to Paul? Was it a secret handshake? A secret knock on the door of heaven? A secret code to interpret the Bible converting the letters into numbers then back again? No. The secret things of God are the truths about the Gospel.

"Wait a second!" you object. "How can the Gospel be secret? It's gone around the globe and back!" True. But literally "secret things" is the Greek word mysterion; a mystery, or that which is not known by nature. By nature, mankind is blind to the truths of God's Word, hostile to God (cf. Romans 8:5-8), dead in sin (cf. Ephesians 2), and is incapable of discovering the truth on its own. You cannot discover the good news of Jesus' mission completed by sitting in a corner and meditating. It's a mystery that some faithful messenger has revealed to you.

But that means that it's not just pastors who are called to be faithful messengers. You too have now been entrusted with the secret things of God. Maybe you thought this sermon was just going to be about pastors, but it's really about every one of us. We have all been called to be messengers of the gospel to prepare people for Jesus' return.

So what's required of you as such a messenger? You must prove faithful! So, let me ask you: How well have you handled the secret things of God? Have you boldly shared the message of God's law with its impossible demands, "Be perfect"? Have you been eager to share the gospel in all it's beauty? Have you taken a bold stand on God's teachings on election, on close communion, on the roles of men and women? Or have you kept the secret things of God, well, secret?

If you have shared your faith, what were your motives for doing so? Was it out of thanks to Jesus for what he's done for you and you're so excited about it that you just can't keep quiet? Or was it because, well, it was the right thing to do and even though you didn't want to, you knew you'd better. Or maybe because when you did you felt like you were a better Christian than those cowards who are scared to? Unfortunately, even our motives for doing the right actions are exposed by the one who knows men's hearts and will bring to light what is hidden in darkness. What eternal terror we deserve for the way we've all handled the secret things of God. And even if your conscience is clear, so what?! That doesn't make you innocent!

But thankfully it's not our consciences that judge us. We're not answerable to other people who may or may not like the qualities we possess or who wouldn't choose to put us on their list. We're not even answerable to our own consciences! "My conscience is clear," Paul writes, "but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." And what a comfort that is! In Romans 8:33-34 Paul wrote, "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

God—and God alone—judges us. And thank God that he judges us in Christ. You see Jesus was the perfect pastor. He did prove faithful where you and I have not. He always handled the secret things of God as he should and revealed them to people to prepare them for the day of his judgment. He always spoke the truth in love even when it meant he wouldn't be popular, even when it meant they'd try to kill him for what he said, even when they would succeed in that endeavor! And what's more exciting is that Jesus gave us the credit for his perfect faithfulness!

And that's not all! Jesus who was perfect and did prove faithful, took our place in the judgment. He was put on trail and judged in a human court. But it was a mock trial. They knew before a word was spoken that they would condemn an innocent man to die. And die he did, enduring the shame, the pain, the torture, the hell of the cross... in our place. And he took every time we've judged a pastor with bad criteria, every time we've had bad motives in our right actions, and every time we've kept the secret things of God secret, all on himself. And he took every one of our sins away.

Now as we stand trial before God's court, when we die or when Jesus returns, we don't need to be afraid. Because we know we will receive a favorable judgment from God who's chosen us, who's justified us by Jesus' sacrifice, declaring every one of our actions to be right and good and blameless so it's just-as-if-I'd never sinned. Now, when the Lord comes at the appointed time and brings to light what is hidden in darkness, even exposing the motives of men's heart, you will receive praise, not condemnation, from God. For you'll have nothing to hide! Even every sinful motive is removed by faith in Christ and every impurity is burned up in the refiners fire!

And now we can't help but say, "Jesus, how can I ever thank you for what you've done for me, making me, as unfaithful as I am, faithful in God's sight, for judging me innocent when I've been so guilty, for giving me praise when I deserve hell?" And he tells us how. We who have been entrusted with these secret things of God can prove faithful. Share the truths of God's Word that you have learned. Share them boldly. Who cares if you're judged in a human court by human standards? You're judged innocent by God!

You know the word translated as "servant" in verse 1 is literally an "under-rower." Picture the slaves who were chained to their oars in the belly of the Roman galley. They rowed to the beat of the master's drum and followed his instructions exactly. It wasn't a "glorious" position, by any means. But it was an important one. It helped people get to their destination.

Likewise, as you and I follow our Master's instructions, it may not always be glorious, in fact, it may be painful as we're judged by other and rejected by some. But for others, we'll help them reach their destination. For faithful servants prepare people for Jesus' return by proclaiming the truths of God's Word—both Law and Gospel—that have been entrusted to them. Keep rowing to the beat of that drum, dear friends, and when he comes at the appointed time, what praise you'll receive from God! In Jesus' 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

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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